Tag: mlb

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Apr 28, 2025: A’s open five game road trip tonight in Texas

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Sacramento A’s Luis Urias slugs a two run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Apr 28, 2025:

#1 The Sacramento A’s second baseman Luis Urias in the tenth inning on Sunday hit a one out two run home run that put the A’s ahead of the Chicago White Sox for a 3-2 win to take the series from the Sox.

#2 Urias’ hit one his home runs off the Sox Jordan Leasure who dropped his record to 0-2. Urias got two RBIs on the home run with Jacob Wilson running at second.

#3 The White Sox had a 2-1 lead against A’s pitcher Grant Holman. The Sox got a run on a one out RBI single by Luis Robert Jr. Then Edgar Quero got a base hit to advance Robert to third. The Sox couldn’t advance Robert as Andrew Vaughn hit into a double play.

#4 The A’s Justin Sterner threw seven shutout innings against the Sox and has not surrendered a run in 13 2/3 inning. A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson walked a batter and he didn’t give up another base runner. Then closer Mason Miller came in to shut the door striking out all three Sox hitters in the top of the ninth.

#5 The A’s open a series with the Texas Rangers tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The A’s will be starting JP Sears (3-2 ERA 3.21) for the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0, ERA 2.77) first pitch 5:05 pm PDT first pitch.

Barbara Mason does the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Red Sox Duran held back from going after fan; Yanks Williams replaced by closer Luke Weaver; plus more MLB news

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Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran is excited after stealing home plate against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland in the top of the third inning on Sat Apr 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Boston Red Sox Jarren Duran whose Netflix documentary was the subject of his attempted suicide three years ago. Duran has had plenty of support from his Red Sox teammates, fans, and players from opposing teams. A fan in the front row seat by the Sox dugout was yelling “something inappropriate” to Duran and Duran had to be held back by a base coach. The fan realized he was in hot water started to run up the stairway but was stopped by Cleveland Guardians security and thrown out of Progressive Field.

#2 On Saturday Duran hit a triple. Then on the next pitch he stole home plate. It was the Red Sox first steal of home plate in 16 years. Duran said he was going when Cleveland pitcher Doug Nikhazy went into his stretch. The Sox ended up winning the second game of the doubleheader in Cleveland 7-3.

#3 New York Yankees pitcher Devin Williams was removed from the closing role. In his last outing Williams had another blown save after blowing a save in his previous game. Williams 30 is a right hander and has an 11.25 ERA. The Yankees are going with Luke Weaver as the closer.

#4 Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman threw 53 pitches in the third inning against the New York Yankees. It was the most pitches by a pitcher in three years. Gausman was frustrated with plate umpire Chris Conroy and said after being relieved that he was let Conroy know he was going to watch his bad umpiring.

#5 The Sacramento A’s who had struggled in their first two homestands with a record of 2-7 have improved on that record are now 6-9. The A’s in their last home stand took two out of three from the Texas Rangers and Chicago White Sox and have moved out of last place in the AL West.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Bambino in Cuba in 1920 – Meeting Professor González-Echevarría

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(Adolfo Luque Cuban Pioneer 1920’s Cincinnati Reds photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

The Bambino in Cuba in 1920 – Meeting Professor González-Echevarría —

That’s Amaury News and Commentary-

Amaury Pi-González

Babe Ruth visited and played baseball in Havana, Cuba, in October 1920. He played a series of games with the New York Giants against Cuban teams Habana and Almendares, earning $20,000 (equivalent to $260,280 in 2020) for the appearance.

His first game was on October 30, 1920, where he played center field. They played two games in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s second largest city, at the Cuban Park. Ruth loves to gamble and visited El Hipódromo Oriental Park, also Jai Alai, staying at the Hotel Plaza in room #216. According to reports from the Cuban media, he spent almost all the money he made playing in Cuba and lost it in the casinos.

At the end of the series, he ended with a .345 average, two home runs, a triple, and a double. As Babe Ruth is part of the great history of baseball, his trip to Cuba during the 1920s brought to my mind a friend and professor who was also born in Cuba, as we met in New York.

During the 1998 baseball season, as I was working as a play-by-play announcer in Spanish for the San Francisco Giants, I had the pleasure of meeting. Professor Roberto González-Echevarría, a Cuban-born critic of Latin American literature and culture and Sterling Professor of Hispanic and Comparative Literature at Yale University.

A man whom I had always admired. In the typical tradition of Cuban baseball writers, he is a remarkable man, a teacher at Yale University. We share many memories of Cuba from past years; speaking with him is always a pleasure and to me he is a treasure.

Professor Roberto González Echevarría and I met in the  Press Box at the Shea Stadium, home of the New York Mets. He asked me if I could introduce him to Giants manager Dusty Baker. We went to the Giants’ dressing room and Dusty’s manager’s office, where I introduced the professor to Dusty.

It was an enlightening conversation among the three of us, with González-Echevarría doing most of the questioning for a project the author was working on. I always enjoyed my friendship with the professor, and my favorite of his books, “The Pride of Havana,” A History of Cuban Baseball.

In that book, he documented the great Adolfo Luque’s career, who pitched in the 1920s in the Major Leagues and had a sensational season in 1923 with the Cincinnati Reds when he finished with a record of 27-8 and a 1.93 ERA, started 41 games, and completed 37 games. Towards the end of his baseball career, I remember attending the games in Cuba with my father when Luque managed the Leones del Habana of the old Cuban Professional League..

González-Echevarría’s books, from Cuba’s José Martí to Cervantes’ Don Quixote to books about baseball in the United States and Cuba, are great reads for everybody. My favorite is”The Pride of Havana: A History of Cuban Baseball,” where he highlights Adolfo Luque, a historical Cuban pitcher.

As published in 1999 and winning the Dave Moore Award in 2000. It is an excellent contribution to Cuban baseball history and culture. Cuban players (not black) were some of the first Latino pioneers to make it to the Big Leagues, Like Adolfo Luque, who pitched for 20 years (1913-1935)

A Piece of History: Bullfights and Baseball are deeply rooted in Cuban history. Cuba’s independence from Spain came in 1902. The Spanish colonizers of the island wanted Cubans to master Bullfighting, but after Cuba gained its independence, the Americans taught Cubans the game of baseball. Cubans were enamored with the great baseball game (“la pelota,” as we call it in Cuba) and forgot about bullfighting. Cuba was a pioneer of baseball in Latin America.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Athletics Stun White Sox 3-2 in Extra-Inning Thriller

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Sacramento A’s shortstop Luis Urias (17) prepares himself to field anything that comes his way against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (photo by Mauricio Segura Golden Bay Times)

Athletics Stun White Sox 3-2 in Extra-Inning Thriller

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–When it comes to drama, the green and gold seem to have developed a flair for it this month. Sunday’s matchup at Sutter Health Park against the Chicago White Sox turned from a tense pitchers’ duel into a heart-pounding finale, with Luis Urías sending 9127 fans home happy by launching a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the tenth for a 3-2 Athletics win.

The afternoon got off to a rocky start when Chicago’s Joshua Palacios cracked a leadoff home run, giving the White Sox an early 1-0 advantage before many fans had even settled into their seats. The Athletics, however, showed their resilience in the bottom half.

Lawrence Butler slapped a single to center, and Brent Rooker, who has been terrorizing Chicago pitching with a .400 average over his last ten games against them, ripped an RBI double to tie the game at one.

From there, the bats cooled considerably. Osvaldo Bido, starting for the Athletics, bounced back after a rough outing earlier in the week. While he allowed a few base runners, he kept the White Sox from inflicting further damage, backed by solid defensive plays, including a standout diving stop by Jacob Wilson in the sixth inning.

Bido’s effort was an epitome of the Athletics’ recent pattern: starters grinding, bullpen shining. The bullpen entered Sunday with a sparkling 2.75 ERA over the last 11 games, and continued to impress.

Pitching dominated the middle innings as both teams struggled to cash in on opportunities. Mason Miller, who entered with a perfect 8-for-8 save conversion record and some of the fastest pitches in the majors, struck out the side in the ninth to send the game to extras, reminding everyone why he remains one of baseball’s toughest late-inning arms.

After Chicago pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth on a sharp single from Luis Robert Jr., the Athletics faced the daunting task of rallying against the White Sox bullpen. Jacob Wilson, starting the inning on second base, watched from the bases as JJ Bleday struck out swinging.

That set the stage for Urías, who had already been heating up with a .300 average over his last six games. With one powerful swing, Urías sent a soaring drive over the left-center fence, igniting the crowd and securing the Athletics’ second walk-off win of the homestand.

The victory capped a 3-3 homestand and continued the Athletics’ knack for close games, improving their record in one-run contests to 3-4. Despite a run differential of minus 23 and a roster full of fresh faces, the Athletics are holding their own in the American League West, now sitting just two games out of first.

They now head out on a seven-game road trip, with a four-game set against the Texas Rangers. Left-hander JP Sears (3-2), who carries a strong 3.21 ERA into Monday’s series opener. For the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0 ERA 3.77) will start against the A’s. The A’s will look to keep the momentum rolling. Given the Athletics’ impressive 8-5 road record, the green and gold may find the trip a welcome change of scenery.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants take series from Rangers with 3-2 walk-off win with little league home run

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos dives in at home plate taking advantage of a Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger’s throwing error in the bottom of the ninth inning for a walk off by little league home run win at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-13)

San Francisco Giants 3 (19-10)

Win: Camilo Doval (2-1)

Loss: Luke Jackson (0-3)

Time: 2:37

Attendance: 40,118

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants keep finding ways to win, and Sunday, it was on a little league home run, as the Giants walked off the Rangers 3-2 to take the series.

Following Brandon Crawford’s retirement ceremony prior to the game Saturday, Sunday was your more typical laidback day at the ballpark. In fact, it felt more like a weekday game than a Sunday afternoon game. It was another tranquil gray and overcast afternoon at Oracle Park, as Northern California goes through its final bout of winter-like weather.

After Patrick Bailey fisted a walk-off single for the Giants’ fourth walk-off win of the season Saturday, the Giants were looking to take the series against the Rangers. They also had a chance to reach a new season-high nine games over .500.

Jordan Hicks, who has had a rough go of things in his return to the rotation, made the start, and he ran into problems right off the bat in the top of the first inning. Jake Burger doubled with one out, and then only moved one base to third on a squib double to left field off the bat of our old friend, Joc Pederson.

Hicks struck Adolis Garcia out on a foul tip for the second out of the inning, but Marcus Semien fisted a base-hit to right field to knock in both runs and give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

Jack Leiter, the son of longtime starting pitcher Al Leiter, took the ball for Texas, and the Giants would have their response in the bottom of the first. Their response was a base-hit and three walks, but a response is a response, and the Giants had scored a run to make it 2-1.

Hicks settled down after his rocky top of the first, as he faced the minimum over the next three innings. Leiter, too, settled down, as he pitched scoreless innings in the bottom of the second and third.

Heliot Ramos reached on a chopper along the third base line to start the bottom of the fourth and stole second. After LaMonte Wade popped out to third for the first out of the inning, Bruce Bochy pulled Leiter for left-hander Jacob Latz. Patrick Bailey, the hero Saturday, flew out to left to get Ramos to third.

Christian Koss needed a big hit, and he came through with a base-hit to left-center. Ramos scored, and just like that, we were tied.

Hicks pitched one last scoreless inning in the top of the fifth to cap off his afternoon. It wasn’t a quality outing, but Hicks was solid after his rocky first inning. Overall, he gave up two runs and seven hits. He didn’t walk anybody, and he struck out three.

Bob Melvin brought in Hayden Birdsong, who has been dominant early on in the season, for the sixth inning. Birdsong was greeted by a rude awakening when Pederson tripled to lead off the inning, but it would be no problem. Birdsong set the side down in order without allowing Pederson to cross the plate, and the game stayed tied.

Birdsong proceeded to throw two more scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth. He struck out five in his three innings of work, and moved his ERA down to 1.13.

Camilo Doval threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the ninth, and the Giants had a chance for yet another walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth.

Bochy brought in former Giant Luke Jackson for the bottom of the ninth to face Heliot Ramos. The first pitch was a slider that Ramos chopped to the third base side of the mound. Jackson went over to his right to get it, but he flung the ball into right field. As Ramos rounded second and headed for third, first-baseman Jake Burger threw to third, and that was thrown away. Ramos scored, and the Giants won it on a walk-off little league home run.

The Giants got their fifth walk-off win of the season to improve to a new season-high nine games over .500 at 19-10. The Giants have not only gotten off to a great start this season, they have gotten off to a great start playing almost nothing but good teams.

Now, the Giants will head down to San Diego for a short two-game set against the Padres, who have cooled off a bit since their hot start. The teams will enjoy a day off Monday in San Diego, and then they will get going Tuesday night. The Giants will have their ace in Logan Webb (3-1, 1.98 ERA) on the mound, and he will be opposed by right-hander Nick Pivetta (4-1, 1.20 ERA).

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Apr 27, 2025: Yanks skipper Boone demotes Williams as closer; Bucs Skenes demonstrates the mental part of his game; plus more MLB news

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New York Yankees starter Devin Williams has been demoted as the closer after a blown save against the Toronto Blue Jays on Fri Apr 26, 2025 at Yankee Stadium. Williams was booed off the field after the loss and will be a middle reliever. (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Apr 27, 2025:

#1 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is considering removing Devin Williams as the closer his return the closer role would be based on improved pitching. On Friday Williams blew a save and the Yankee fans were unmerciful booing him off the field as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 4-2. Boone said he’ll do everything he can to get him back on track.

#2  Pittsburgh Pirates pitching ace Paul Skenes was facing Los Angeles Dodger mega star Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning and had a 3-1 count on the Dodgers two way player. Skenes knew his back was to the wall and grew some extra confidence and threw two pitches that was on the outer edge of the strike zone. Then Skenes delivered a wicked curve ball that was going down Broadway but dropped at Ohtani’s shoe tops and Ohtani taking a big cut for strike three. That was some test of skill right there.

#3 Minnesota Twins obtained the services of infield Kody Clemens from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies received cash for the exchange. Clemens was struggling for the Phils going 0-6, a walk, in seven games he was designated for assignment on Wednesday. The Twins added him to the 26 man roster and he made it in time for the Twins game on Saturday versus the Los Angeles Angels in Minneapolis. The move was made to fill infielder Luke Keachall who on the 10 day IL with a right forearm fracture.

#4 Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was suspended by Major League Baseball for one game for “inappropriate actions toward fans” at Angels Stadium this week. Pham was supposed to be suspended for Friday’s game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers but that suspension is in abeyance after Pham appealed. Pham 37 was caught on camera using a lewd hand gesture towards fans over the left field wall. Later a ball that was hit down the left field line that Pham made a play on a fan stuck out his glove on Pham. That fan was later moved to a different part of the park.

#4 Charlie, the Sacramento A’s who started the season in dead last in the AL West and at one time had a 2-7 home record have turned things around after sweeping the Chicago White Sox on the road and coming back to Sacramento this week taking two out three games from the Texas Rangers and and the first game of the three game set from the White Sox the A’s have added three more wins to their home record at Sutter Health Park to 5-9 as of Saturday. Was the rough beginning just a matter of getting used to the park for the A’s or was it a matter for the A’s to get their chemistry going?

#5 The San Francisco Giants paid tribute for former All Star and two time World Series Champion shortstop Brandon Crawford at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Saturday with former players on hand celebrating his retirement from baseball. Crawford career had 1404 hits, 147 home runs, 674 runs, and 748 RBIs and a career average of .249. Crawford played in San Francisco from 2011 to 2023 and finished his career in St Louis his last season was in 2024.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum Sun Apr 27, 2025: Fan support in Sacramento has been on the fence; Did not taking the Sacramento name turn some fans off?

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Sutter Health Field in Sacramento as it looked on opening day April 2, 2025 with the Chicago Cubs and Sacramento Athletics this game was the closest the A’s came to selling out. The A’s have no sell outs so far this season. ( photo by Joe McNamara 93.1 KFBK facebook)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 The issue of the Sacramento A’s selling tickets is a question that’s been raised so far the A’s have not sold out one home game since opening day this month. The A’s have the highest priced ticket in baseball and they are not carrying the Sacramento name although the press call them Sacramento anyway is this part of the stigma?

# 2 The fans in Sacramento want the A’s to stay and fans in Sacramento basically need to sell the park out and basically show support of what the A’s front office is doing. Short of that it’s not likely anyway the A’s will not be staying in Sacramento.

#3 In Las Vegas reports were that Clark County had all the commercial grading permits were all in order and the A’s were prepped for stadium construction. The problem once again is the A’s share of the construction costs which run at $1.75 billion but could go even higher the longer they wait. The A’s and the Las Vegas Stadium Authority said that they were confident that shovels would be in the ground in June.

#4 The A’s are not paying rent to Sacramento River Cats and Sutter Health Park owner Vivek Ranadive the trade off for Ranadive is that outside chance that Vegas falls through and the A’s get to stay in Sacramento.

#5 Daniel from what we’ve heard in covering this story the players are not happy playing in a minor league facility but are not publicly saying anything. Their desire is to play in a Major League facility. The players and the players union if it gets to the point where this whole minor league park idea is not working could file a grievance through the union and say that playing in a minor league park is not acceptable and want to move to a MLB park for the remaining two interim years.

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers Draft podcast David Zizmor Sun Apr 27, 2025: Niners hoping Williams to pile up the sacks and pass rushing for rookie season; plus rest of draft pick review

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Georgia Bulldogs lineman Mykel Williams (13) seen here playing against Florida in the second half on Sat Nov 2, 2024. Williams was selected as the 11th pick by the San Francisco 49ers on Thu Apr 24, 2025. (AP News photo)

San Francisco 49ers Draft podcast David Zizmor:

#1 David talk about the San Francisco 49ers top draft pick Mykel Williams who had 14 sacks in three seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs. Williams played on the Georgia defensive line and had success with getting to the quarterbacks.

#2 Williams is considered somewhat of a gamble when it comes to the pass rush but his two best games came against the Texas Longhorns and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks was the ninth overall pick for the New Orleans Saints. Williams against the Longhorns had four sacks out of five attempts. Will he be the kind of pass rusher that the 49ers expect him to be?

#3 David will have you now go down the list of the rest of the 49ers selections for the 2025 draft.

David Zizmor is a San Francisco 49ers analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman Sun Apr 27, 2025: Hicks gets the start for Giants today; SF Bailey’s walk off single edges Rangers in ninth 3-2 Saturday

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San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Patrick Bailey (center) is congratulated by teammates Heliot Ramos (17) and Willy Adames (right) after his walk off single that scored Ramos in the bottom of the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Apr 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey hit his fourth career walk hit as a pinch hitter that scored Heliot Ramos from as they Giants who were down at one time 2-0 came back and defeated the Texas Rangers 3-2 at Oracle Park on Saturday.

#2 The Rangers starter Tyler Mahle who came into Saturday’s game with a 3-0 ERA 0.68 got touched up for eight hits and two earned runs. The Giants were facing a tough competitor in Mahle but came away with a comeback win.

#3 The Giants Willy Adames has been key in the line up he tied the ball game in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two run RBI single. Adames now has 14 hits that has either tied up a game or gave the Giants the lead.

#4 Pitching wise Giants starter Robbie Ray went seven innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs and eight strike outs. Ray didn’t get the decision but again another good outing and enough for the Giants to pick up their 17th win of the season.

#5 The series is tied 1-1 and the stage is set for game 3 of the series today here at Oracle Park. The Rangers will be going with RHP Jack Leiter (2-0 ERA 0.90) and the Giants will be going with RHP Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.59) first pitch slated for 1:05pm PDT. It’s been a competitive series so far how do you see the match up going into the rubber match.

#6 Big tribute for former Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford who retired from baseball after playing for the Giants from 2011-2023 that brought speeches from former Giants players and Giants personnel before Saturday’s game, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, former Giants manager Bruce Bochy, and CEO Larry Baer.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bailey walks off Rangers, as Giants win 3-2 on Brandon Crawford Day

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Former San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford addresses the crowd in his retirement speech at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Brandon Crawford Day Sat Apr 26, 2025 before the Giants hosted the Texas Rangers (AP News photo)

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-12)

San Francisco Giants 3 (18-10)

Win: Ryan Walker (1-1)

Loss: Jacob Webb (2-1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 40,153

By Stephen Ruderman

Patrick Bailey capped off a festive and an exciting afternoon by sending everybody home happy with a pinch-hit walk-off base-hit to propel the Giants to a 3-2 win over Bruce Bochy’s Rangers on Brandon Crawford Day.

Even though the Giants and Rangers had a game Saturday, the only thing on anyone’s mind today was Brandon Crawford. Crawford, one of the greatest shortstops in Giants’ franchise history, and possibly the greatest shortstop in San Francisco Giants’ history, had his official retirement ceremony prior to the game.

Some of Crawford’s former teammates, including Buster Posey and Hunter Pence were there, as was his old manager, Bruce Bochy. Something tells me that having this ceremony when Bochy was in town with the Rangers was a calculated decision, and a good one at that.

Crawford, who is beginning to look the part of a retired ballplayer with noticeable gray whiskers, took to the podium and made his speech. Afterwards, Crawford threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Posey, who was in the squat behind home plate in his executive attire, and he and his family took a lap around the field.

There was of course the ballgame that was supposed to be played Saturday. The Rangers shut out the Giants in the series opener Friday night, and the Giants looked for some of the old mojo and vibes to lead them to victory Saturday.

It was also a matchup of two undefeated pitchers in Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle. Both pitchers came into today’s game with 3-0 records, though Ray’s ERA was substantially higher.

Both pitchers were slow to get their feet on the ground, Ray even more so. The Rangers plated a run off Ray in the top of the first inning, as Wyatt Langford doubled with one out; advanced to third base on an infield hit; and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jake Burger.

Mahle worked his way out of jams in the bottom of the first and second, and Ray somewhat settled down with a scoreless top of the second.

However, Ray ran into problems again in the top of the third. Well, it was really a problem, and that problem was former Giant and Willie Mac Award Winner Kevin Pillar, who played for Bochy in his final season at the helm of the Giants in 2019.

Pillar lined a base-hit to left field to start the inning. He then stole both second and third, and then he scored on the second sacrifice fly of the game by Burger.

Mahle pitched scoreless innings in the bottom of the third and the fourth. Ray got his first one, two, three inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and did the same in the top of the fifth.

Mahle had pitched four shutout innings, but he was far from dominant. He had yet to throw a one, two, three inning, as the pesky Giants did everything they could to get on the board.

The Giants would finally break through in the bottom of the fifth. Christian Koss started the inning with a base-hit to right, and Sam Huff got him over to third with a double. Mike Yastrzemski popped up to Nick Ahmed, another former Giant, at short for the first out, but Willie Adames lined a base-hit to left-center to knock in both runners and tie it.

Mahle ended up going five innings, while giving up two runs.

Robbie Ray, on the other hand, was in complete control. He threw another one, two, three inning in the sixth, and he ended up setting down 13-straight Rangers. Josh Smith broke the streak with a two-out base-hit in the top of the seventh, but Ahmed then flew out to end the inning and a really strong start for Ray.

In seven innings, Ray gave up two runs and five hits. He walked just one, and he struck out Ray. While neither pitcher got a decision in this one, Ray definitely won the battle of undefeated starting pitchers.

Tyler Rogers threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and this game sailed into the ninth. Neither team could get the lead back, and this game was going to be settled one way or another.

Ryan Walker was once again entrusted with the top of the ninth, but the Rangers pounced on him right away. Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim both singled, and Texas had runners on first and second to start the inning.

Walker was in trouble again, but he bore down. Kyle Higashioka attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but Walker got him to pop out to the catcher, Sam Huff, in foul territory. Walker then struck out Josh Smith and Joc Pederson to get out of it unscathed and with the game still tied.

The Giants went to the bottom of the ninth in perfect position to win it, and you kinda just knew they were going to win it.

Jacob Webb, who finished the bottom of the eighth for the Rangers, was back out for the bottom of the ninth. The Giants wasted no time, as Heliot Ramos singled to center, and LaMonte Wade walked on four pitches. Unlike Higashioka, Christian Koss was able to get the sacrifice bunt down, as he got the runners over to second and third.

Bob Melvin then sent in Patrick Bailey to pinch-hit for Sam Huff. Bruce Bochy countered by bringing in the left-hander, Jacob Latz, to force the switch-hitting Bailey to hit right-handed. For Bailey it was no problem. Bailey took the first pitch, a changeup at the bottom of the knees, and flipped it out to right for a base-hit, and Ramos scored to win it.

It was the Giants’ fourth walk-off win of the season, as they improve to 18-10.

Ryan Walker was rewarded for his hard work and perseverance during this long week with the win. Jacob Webb took the loss for the Rangers. And yes, Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle still remain undefeated at 3-0.

The Giants will try to win the series in the finale Sunday afternoon. Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.59 ERA), who has had some rocky starts early on, will take the ball for the Giants. Jack Leiter (2-0, 0.90 ERA), the son of former major leaguer, Al Leiter, and the nephew of former Giant, Mark Leiter, will make the start for the Rangers.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Saturday was also the fifth sellout for the Giants so far this season at Oracle Park. Since 2019, the most games the Giants have sold out in a single season at Oracle Park is 10, which they did in both 2022 and 2024.