mlb – Page 72 – Sports Radio Service

Ray shines with nine strikeouts over seven strong innings, as Giants earn split with 3-2 win over Padres

Published on June 5, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giant starter Robbie Ray kept the San Diego Padres in check picking up his eighth win against one loss at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Jun 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

Thursday, June 5, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

San Diego Padres 2 (35-26)

San Francisco Giants 3 (35-28)

Win: Robbie Ray (8-1)

Loss: Dylan Cease (1-5)

Save: Camilo Doval (8)

Time: 2:28

Attendance: 37,436

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants pulled off another one, as Robbie Ray struck out nine over seven strong innings, and the Giants beat the Padres 3-2 to get a split in this four-game series on Thursday afternoon.

After their biggest win of the season Wednesday night, in which they came back from down 5-0, the Giants sought to get the split in the series finale on another nice day for baseball at Oracle Park. They had the perfect man on the mound in Robbie Ray, who despite not having the official ace title, has been the Giants’ most dominant starter this season.

Ray came into Thursday’s game 7-1. He took his first loss of the season last Saturday in Miami after his offense was unable to provide him any support in a 1-0 loss. With the Giants’ offense finally scoring more than four runs Wednesday night, there was hope that he would get more support today.

Ray started off the day nicely with a one, two, three inning in the top of the first. The Giants looked to pounce on Padres’ starter Dylan Cease, who has not had a particularly good season thus far. Cease came in 1-4 with a 4.66 ERA, and with the Giants’ offense carrying some of the momentum from last night, he was the perfect man to face.

The Giants had runners at second and third with one out after Jung Hoo Lee got screwed on a ground-rule double to Triples Alley. That bounce over the wall would come back to bite the Giants, who would waste a golden opportunity to make an early statement.

Ray got out of a jam in the top of the second, and he appeared to be headed for a quick and quiet inning after striking out the first two men he faced in the top of the third. However, Luis Arraez reached on an infield hit that deflected off Ray, and Manny Machado broke the ice with a home run to left-center field.

The Padres had a 2-0 lead, but the Giants were ready to respond in the bottom of the third, as they loaded the bases with one out. Willy Adames put the Giants on the board with a sacrifice fly to right-center field, and then one of the other newbies, Dominic Smith stepped up to the plate.

Smith fell behind in the count early, as he whiffed at the first two pitches. Smith took a pair of pitches to work the count to 2-2, and then he fouled off three-straight. Smith was looking to fit in quite nicely with a Giants’ team that has worked two-strike at-bats all year long.

Cease threw a perfect pitch on the outside corner, but Home Plate Umpire Will Little did not give him the call, and the count was now full. The next pitch, the ninth of the at-bat, was a slider that Smith drove into the gap in right-center for a ground-rule double that gave the Giants the lead.

Ray then responded with a six-pitch one, two, three inning in the top of the fourth, and he went on to retire 11-straight. At the end, Ray retired 13 of the final 14 men he faced to cap off a dominant seven-inning performance. On top of that, he walked just one, and he struck out nine. Ray now has 87 strikeouts through 13 starts this season.

Randy Rodriguez, fresh off converting his first big league save Wednesday night, took the ball for the eighth. Rodriguez gave up a leadoff single to Brandon Lockridge, but he was able to work his way through the inning.

Camilo Doval came in for the ninth and looked to bounce back after his blown save on Tuesday. It wouldn’t be easy, and just as they did Wednesday night, the Padres put runners at second and third with two outs. Doval then struck out Jake Cronenworth on a filthy low slider to end it, and the Giants won it 3-2.

Robbie Ray got the win to improve to 8-1, and Dylan Cease took his fifth loss. Most notably, Camilo Doval picked up his 100th-career save.

The Giants improve to 35-28.

The Atlanta Braves, who blew a 10-4 lead in a brutal loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday, will fly across the country for a three-game series at Oracle Park that will start Friday night. The Giants will look to take advantage of a Braves’ team that has been unable to click so far for whatever reason.

Hayden Birdsong (3-1, 2.37 ERA) will make his fourth start of the season in the series opener Friday. Birdsong has given up four earned runs, and has struck out 14 over 14 and two thirds innings in his first three starts.

Spencer Schwellenbach (4-4, 3.13 ERA)—a solid baseball name—will counter for Atlanta.

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

A’s Snap Skid 14-3 in Explosive Fashion Behind Soderstrom’s Slam and Spence’s Strong Start

Published on June 5, 2025June 5, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Max Muncy on Thursday afternoon in the A’s 14-3 win over the Twins at Sutter Health Park

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics snapped their nine-game losing streak in a big way on Thursday afternoon 14-3 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. The A’s put on a clinic in the Sacramento sun as they hammered the Twins for 17 hits and 14 runs.

The A’s offense was on a heater from the start, putting up four runs in the bottom of the first inning, capped by a Max Muncy three-run shot to left field. From there, they didn’t look back. The A’s added three runs in the third, four in the fourth, one in the fifth, and two in the seventh to down the Twins by a 14-3 final.

Everyone in the A’s starting lineup tallied a hit, but a few stood out. Tyler Soderstrom finished the game with a two-run shot and a grand slam, driving in six RBI. Jacob Wilson had a perfect day at the plate, going 3-for-3 with a walk before the Twins turned to a position player on the mound. Wilson also launched a home run over the wall in left field—his eighth of the year.

Mark Kotsay spoke on the offensive explosion after the game, saying, “There was good energy today. That’s what we have to do, and we have to come here with a mindset that, you know, as I say a lot, just prepare for the day—and today was a really good day of preparation. Especially for a 12:35 game after another loss.”

The A’s locker room was filled with laughs and excitement after the win that snapped the nine-game skid. Among the praise was plenty heaped on Mitch Spence, who served as the opener and dealt in his five innings of work. Spence ate innings efficiently, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out four. It seemed the whole locker room was shouting some form of praise or good-natured joke at Mitch as we interviewed him afterward.

In relief of Spence, Sean Newcomb pitched an inning and two-thirds, giving up two runs on two hits. The rest of the A’s bullpen held the Twins scoreless. Michael Kelly, who had been suspended by MLB for the past year for violating the league’s policies on sports betting, made his return to the mound on Thursday. Kelly tossed an inning and a third of scoreless, hitless ball. Mason Miller came in to finish the game in the ninth, facing the minimum and issuing one walk.

With the win, the A’s snapped their nine-game losing streak and avoided a sweep at the hands of the Twins. They improved to 24-40 on the season. The A’s will welcome the Baltimore Orioles to town on Friday for a three-game series at Sutter Health Park. The Orioles plan to send Dean Kremer (5-5, 4.70 ERA) to the hill for the 7:05 PM PST opener. The A’s have yet to announce a starter.

Note of the Day: Jacob Wilson leads all MLB shortstops in batting average (.363), on-base percentage (.402), and OPS (.925). This comes in his rookie season after getting a taste of the big leagues last year.

I asked A’s manager Mark Kotsay for his thoughts on the tremendous season Wilson is putting together. “It’s been excellent. For a young man to win rookie of the month, first and foremost, speaks to what he has been doing right now in terms of his performance… Going into the season, the big concern was the wear and tear on him. I think at this point he’s holding up really well.”

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants can end Padre series with a split today at Oracle Park

Published on June 5, 2025June 5, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (26) rounds third base in the bottom sixth inning after hitting a home run as he is being congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (9) at Oracle Park in San Francisco against the San Diego Padres on Thu Jun 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast:

#1 The San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos hit a double in the bottom of the seventh inning to knock in two runs. Jung Hoo Lee hit a sacrifice fly and the Giants took the lead and went onto beat the San Deigo Padres 6-5 to avoid getting swept.

#2 The Giants had went 16 games in a row scoring four or less runs that was a relief for manager Bob Melvin.

#3 Reliver Sean Hjelle pitched for 2.2 innings in relief and picked up the win this after being called up from Triple A Sacramento on Tuesday.

#4 Stephen didn’t get ask you about former Giants LaMonte Wade, Christian Koss and Sam Huff’s departures and what they meant to the Giants as their numbers weren’t enough to keep them any longer.

#5 Padres and Giants conclude this four game series today at Oracle Park. The Padres are going with Dylan Cease (1-4 ERA 4.66) the Giants are starting Robbie Ray (7-1 ERA 2.43) first pitch 12:45pm PDT.

Stephen Ruderman is filling in for Morris Phillips who does the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Drop 20th in 21 Games as Freefall Continues in Sacramento; Another A’s loss to Twins 6-1 means 9 game skid grows

Published on June 5, 2025June 5, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Luis Urias in the game on Wednesday night. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics’ freefall in Sacramento continued on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park. The A’s lost to the Twins in game three of a four-game series on Tuesday by a final score of 6-1.

The A’s have now lost 20 of their last 21 games and are riding a nine-game losing streak—this coming shortly after an 11-game skid that preceded it.

The A’s opted to use an opener on Tuesday, with Justin Sterner taking the mound in the first inning. Sterner allowed a solo home run to Ryan Jeffers, giving the Twins an early lead.

Sterner was followed by Jeffrey Springs in the second. Springs had flashes of solid work but ultimately surrendered four runs on five hits across his outing. He also walked two and struck out seven.

Springs addressed the team’s struggles after the game. “Yeah, I mean it’s tough. Obviously, when you’re on a stretch like this, it feels like everything is magnified. I felt like overall we played a pretty good game—we just, you know, weren’t able to push any runs across.”

Hogan Harris finished the night on the mound for the A’s, throwing one and a third innings while allowing a run on two hits and issuing two walks. The A’s pitching wasn’t atrocious, but it wasn’t enough to keep them in the game given the lack of offensive support.

The A’s only run came in the fifth inning on a Jacob Wilson double that scored Lawrence Butler. Outside of that, the A’s managed just four other hits and went down quietly in the 6-1 loss.

The A’s are in total freefall. They are in desperate need of snapping out of this stretch, which has begun to spiral into historically bad territory. As much as this isn’t on Mark Kotsay or any one member of the coaching staff, you wonder how long this can go on before changes are made. I’m not calling for any moves, but it would be a disservice not to acknowledge what may be looming for the club.

The A’s will look to avoid a sweep on Thursday when they face the Twins at 12:35 p.m. in West Sacramento. Mitch Spence is expected to serve as the opener, likely followed by Gunnar Hogland. The Twins have yet to announce a starter.

With the loss, the A’s dropped to 23-40 on the season.

Buster shakes things up, Giants come back for biggest win of the season to beat Padres 6-5

Published on June 5, 2025June 5, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo (51) Lee celebrates Matt Chapman (right) home run in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 4, 2025 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, June 4, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

San Diego Padres 5 (35-25)

San Francisco Giants 6 (34-28)

Win: Sean Hjelle (1-0)

Loss: Jason Adam (1-3)

Save: Randy Rodriguez (1)

Time: 2:21

Attendance: 34,821

By Stephen Ruderman

Buster Posey shook things up, and it proved pivotal in multiple ways, as the Giants came back from down 5-0 to beat the Padres 6-5 in what was no doubt their biggest win of the season.

Prior to the game, LaMonte Wade Jr., the fifth-longest tenured Giant, who had been here in 2021, was designated for assignment. Wade was hitting .167, and with the fact that Bryce Elridge is on his way to the big leagues, Wade was destined to be the odd man out. Wednesday night was the night.

Catcher Sam Huff was also designated for assignment. Infielder Christian Koss was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento.

The Giants signed veteran first-baseman Dominic Smith to a one-year major league contract and added him to the roster. Smith spent time with the Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds last season, and hit .233.

To complete the shakeup, Buster called up outfielder Daniel Johnson and catcher Andrew Knizer from Sacramento. Johnson and Knizer both have major league experience. Johnson started the season in the Mexican League with the Cliente de Durango, and signed a minor league deal with the Giants on May 2. Knizer signed a minor league deal on May 21.

Johnson is also a local kid, as he was born and grew up in Vallejo. He attended Jesse M. Bethel High School, where he hit .515 in his senior season in 2013.

Since their 24-14 start in which the offense clicked on all cylinders playing situational baseball, the Giants have gone 9-14, and the offense’s struggles from the last three seasons returned. After last night’s 3-2 loss in 10 innings, the Giants fell to just five games over .500 for the first time since April 8

After Farhan Zaidi tinkered with the roster on an almost-daily basis for the last three years, Buster has kept the roster mostly intact since Opening Day. However, with the recent struggles, moves were going to be made at some point. A shakeup like this can sometimes come across as rash, changes needed to be made.

Smith and Johnson would both be in the lineup, as Kyle Harrison took the ball for the Giants on a tranquil and foggy night at Oracle Park. Unfortunately, it looked like it was going to be another one of those nights for the Giants. The Padres struck early with a pair of runs on a two-out triple by Gavin Sheets in the top of the first inning.

The Giants’ offensive struggles continued. Padres’ starter Nick Pivetta retired 14 of the first 15 men he faced, including 13-straight from the bottom of the first through the fifth.

Harrison worked his way in and out of trouble, as he got through the second, third and fourth with the deficit still at two. Harrison would then have a very rough go of things in the top of the fifth.

The Padres had runners at first and second with one out for Jackson Merrill, who lined a double down the left field line to make it 3-0. Sheets, who knocked in the Padres’ first two runs with his triple in the top of the first, hit a sharp chopper off the top of Harrison’s back, and the ball ricocheted into shallow right field. Two runs scored, and the Padres had opened up a 5-0 lead.

Harrison left the game, and Bob Melvin brought in Sean Hjelle, who retired the next two. It was clearly not the best night for Harrison, who gave up five runs over four and two thirds innings. He gave up nine hits, and he did not pitch a single one, two, three inning.

The Giants have come back from a 5-0 deficit to win a game this season. Oddly enough, it was April 9, the last time the Giants came into a game just five games over .500. The Giants came back from down 5-0 to beat the Reds on Mike Yastrzemski’s walk-off splash hit in the bottom of the 10th.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth, Daniel Johnson, the new kid, fisted a base-hit to center to end Pivetta’s streak. Patrick Bailey then came up and hit a double to right-center, which scored Johnson, and put the Giants on the board.

Hjelle threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the sixth, and the Giants would put a real dent in San Diego’s lead in the bottom of the sixth. Jung Hoo Lee doubled with one out, and two batters later, Matt Chapman hit a two-run home run to the first row of the left field bleachers to make it 5-3.

It suddenly felt like April. The crowd was fired up, and so was the Giants’ dugout. Most importantly, the Giants had that aura again. There was a feeling in the Giants’ dugout that they were going to come back and win the game.

Hjelle threw another one, two, three inning in the top of the seventh, and he retired eight of the nine men he faced over two and two thirds innings. Hjelle was not going to get the most credit Wednesday night, but he quietly played a big part with his performance.

The Giants were ready to strike in the bottom of the seventh. Willy Adames drew a walk to start the inning, and after Johnson lined a base-hit to center, Pivetta was done. Jason Adam came in and struck out Bailey, and then Tyler Fitzgerald flipped a single to right-center to load the bases.

Heliot Ramos came up to the plate. Ramos took a slider down and away for ball one, and then he golfed a slider at the knees down the left field line to tie the game.

It was a brand-new game, and the Giants were still going. Lee hit a sacrifice fly to right-center, and Fitzgerald scored to give the Giants the lead.

Tyler Rogers was summoned for the top of the eighth, and he saw some action right away. Jose Iglesias led off the inning, and hit a chopper in between the mound and first base. Rogers dropped it, and then he slipped, but as he slipped, he recovered the ball and underhanded it to first to get the out.

It was a remarkable play by Rogers, who was a bit dinged up. He was checked on, but he stayed in the game to complete a scoreless inning.

Since Camilo Doval pitched Tuesday night, Melvin summoned his old closer, Ryan Walker to try and nail down the save Wednesday night. However, we would get our usual drama from Walker.

Tatis lined a base-hit to left-center to start the top of the ninth. Then Luis Arraez hit a shot out into the gap in right-center, but Johnson, playing in his first-ever game at Oracle Park, ran like the wind to take away extra bases and save the Giants’ lead.

Johnson’s catch especially paid huge dividends, because Manny Machado blooped a single to left to put runners at first and second. Melvin had seen enough, and he brought in Randy Rodriguez.

Rodriguez struck out Jackson Merrill, and then both runners pulled off a double steal to get to second and third. Gavin Sheets, who had knocked in four of the Padres’ five runs, was at the plate with a chance to put the Padres back ahead. Rodriguez got Sheets to pop out, and the Giants held on for their biggest win of the season.

Sean Hjelle was rewarded for his effort with the win. Jason Adam took the loss, and Randy Rodriguez picked up his first-career save.

And how about the local kid, Daniel Johnson. He went 2-for-4 and scored two of the Giants’ six runs, and his tremendous running catch in the top of the ninth single-handedly saved this game. It looks like Buster’s moves paid off in more ways than one.

The Giants improve to 34-28, and they can get a split in the series with a win Thursday afternoon. The Giants will have the right man on the mound in Robbie Ray (7-1, 2.43 ERA). Dylan Cease (1-4, 4.66 ERA) will go for San Diego.

First pitch will be at 12:45 p.m.

Major League Baseball News and Notes:

Rob Manfred dropped the bomb Wednesday. He told Evan Drellich of The Athletic that the Major League Baseball Joint Competition Committee will officially propose implementing an Automated Balls and Strikes challenge system next season. While it is not official, the majority of the committee is made up of owners, which makes it very likely we will see the ABS challenge system implemented next season.

Final Thoughts:

This was a big win, and this is the exact kind of win that gets a struggling team hot.

However, I am worried about the team for the first time. One of the biggest reasons the Giants have struggled is that they have abandoned the situational hitting that got them off to their 24-14 start, and have been relying on home runs again. I get that this is likely due to guys pressing at the plate, but if they can’t kick this habit soon, the Giants will risk falling out of contention.

That is why the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday night was so big. They kept the line moving, and the big hit was Heliot Ramos’ line-drive double down the left field line. That is the kind of baseball the Giants have to play to get out of this slump. If they can go back to consistently playing the kind of situational baseball that got them off to their 24-14 start, they will be just fine.

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva: Will releasing Wade, Koss and Huff make a difference for SF?

Published on June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants’ LaMonte Wade Jr. reacts after striking out during the third inning of a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Villanueva:

#1 Michael talk about how the impact of the release of LaMonte Wade, Christian Koss, and Sam Huff will have on the club?

#2 The Giants have acquired Dominic Smith infielder, outfielder Daniel Johnson outfielder, and catcher Andrew Knizner talk about Giants president Buster Posey and his expectations of them.

#3 The Giants offense had gone cold in recent weeks and Posey was looking for holes in the roster Wade had been hitting .167, one home run, 15 RBIs, 24 hits, Sam Huff was hitting .208, with two home runs, four RBIs, and 11 hits, and Christian Koss .219, 1 home run and had not hit in the Majors this season.

#4 In the last ten games the Giants have scored just 16 runs that comes out to 1.60 per game and have gone seven for 69 for a .101 average.

#5 Giants down 0-2 in this series with the Padres get after it tonight at Oracle Park starting pitchers for the visiting Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (6-2, ERA 2.74) and for the Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (1-1 ERA 2.51) Michael what your take on this pitching match up and can the Giants avoid getting swept tonight?

Michael Villanueva is MLB analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury Pi Gonzalez News and Commentary: A Forgotten but Great Baseball Movie

Published on June 4, 2025June 4, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Monty Stratton shows his throwing pose (photo from the Society for American Baseball Research)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

A Forgotten but Great Baseball Movie

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Dozens of baseball movies have been made in Hollywood. One of the most amazing but true stories is “The Stratton Story.”1949) This fact-based sports drama chronicles the life of famous pitcher Monty Stratton.

Stratton (James Stewart), a star athlete, loses his leg when his hunting rifle misfires during a wilderness outing. Initially, Stratton’s career is derailed, and he wallows in the depths of depression; however, with the encouragement of his loving spouse, Ethel (June Allyson), he decides to get back in the game.

Equipped with a prosthetic leg, Stratton eventually works his way back to pitching in the minor leagues. Sportswriter James Isaminger wrote about the affable 6-foot-6 pitcher. “He is the nearest thing to Grover Cleveland Alexander,” said Cubs manager Charlie Grimm, “The same control, the same ‘dip’ on every pitch, the same smooth, confident motion.”

But then came a dark November day in 1938 that would change the course of Stratton’s life. Stratton pitched in the Major Leagues for five years and spent eight years after the accident in the minor leagues. Some in the game told him, after the hunting accident required his right leg to be amputated, that even with one leg, but at a 6’6″ frame, he could still intimidate hitters.

During his final two seasons in the Major Leagues in 1937, he compiled a 15-5 record with a 2.40 ERA and was selected to play in the All-Star Game. He also had a 15-9 record in 1938. If you are a baseball aficionado or simply a lover of history, there is only one channel on your television nowadays where you can watch this type of historical movie, and that is TCM.

It is a paid channel; however, it may be included in your provider’s bundle with other channels. According to data available, these are consistently ranked among the most popular and beloved baseball movies. One is about a true story, and the other one is a great story, but a baseball fan’s “dream” (1991), A League of Their Own, and (1989), Field of Dreams.

Although these two have become classics, many others deserve recognition. The movie “The Perfect Game” tells the story of the 1957 Monterrey, Mexico Little League team that won the Little League World Series.

The film is a fictionalized account of the real-life team’s journey to victory. Cheech Marin plays a priest who is instrumental in the team’s success. In 2009, Cheech Marin, one of the stars of “The Perfect Game”, came to San Francisco as an invitee of the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame.

Before the movie was shown in a San Francisco theater, I had the pleasure of introducing Mr. Marin as a special guest of the Museum, together with our President, Gabriel (Tito) Avila Jr, and other museum and San Francisco city officials.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Giants Drop Game Two to Padres in 10 Innings 3-2

Published on June 4, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Diego Padres Manny Machado swings at a low pitch for a ninth inning two run RBI single against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Jun 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (33-28) led 2-0 going into the top of the ninth inning in their matchup with the San Diego Padres (35-24) at Oracle Park in San Francisco. They were on the verge of tying up this series when Manny Machado came to the plate with the bases loaded two outs and hit a double to tie up the game 2-2. San Diego scored a run in the tenth inning and that was the ball game 3-2. The terrific start on the mound for Landen Roupp had been wasted in a painful loss.

Game recap: It was a quiet start for both teams through the first two innings. In the bottom of the third inning, the Giants got some badly needed hits. Patrick Bailey got the inning going in the right direction hitting a double followed by a Heliot Ramos shot that left the park and the Giants had a 2-0 lead. After the home run, Wilmer Flores hit a single followed by a Matt Chapman double. They waved Flores home and he was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

Neither team would score a run in the next three innings and the Padres were still looking to get on the scoreboard. In the seventh inning with two outs, the Padres had the bases loaded but came up empty and San Francisco had held on going into the bottom of the seventh inning.

Roupp was relieved in the seventh inning by Erik Miller. Roupp pitched 6 1/3 innings allowing only four hits and two walks with five strikeouts. He had a terrific game now with a 3.18 ERA.

This game went into the eighth inning with the score remaining 2-0 in favor of the Giants. Manny Machado started off the inning with a deep hit to the right field followed by a Jackson Merrill single and the Padres had runners on first and second with no outs.

Gavin Sheets hit into a double play and the Giants were one out away from getting out of the inning. San Francisco got the third out and this game went into the bottom of the eighth inning.

The Padres were down to their last three at bats in the top of the ninth inning. With the bases loaded and two outs Manny Machado came to the plate, the Padres last hope. Machado came through tying up the game at 2 apiece hitting a double. San Francisco got out of the inning and once again another game going into extra innings and the Giants having to fight for the win after leading for eight innings

With two outs in the tenth inning the Padres Jake Cronenworth singled Jackson Merrill home from third base giving San Diego a 3-2 lead. The game went into the bottom of the tenth inning needing a San Francisco run to tie or a couple of runs to go home.

It just didn’t go the Giants way. They were unable to score in the inning and suffered a painful loss despite a solid start from Roupp on the mound. San Francisco relief pitcher Camilo Duval came in to close and did not have his best stuff and again the offense struggled with only six hits to San Diego’s ten hits. The final was 3-2, the Padres taking a 2-0 series lead.

Game notes: After losing 1-0 in extra innings Monday in game one, the Giants were back on the field for game two of their series with the Padres Tuesday. Not a run was scored by either team through nine innings Monday and it was the Padres who finally broke through in the tenth inning to win this pitcher’s duel.

San Francisco had their opportunities loading the bases in the latter innings but came away empty in the shutout. The Giants dropped Tuesday night’s game to the Padres after holding a 2-0 lead only to see that vanish when the Padres tied it up 2-2 later to lose it 3-2 and are now down 0-2 with the Padres having a shot at sweeping the series on Wednesday night.

Game three will get underway Wednesday with first pitch at 6:45pm PDT. Starting pitcher for the Padres RHP Nick Pivetta (6-2 ERA 2.74) for the Giants LHP Kyle Harrison (1-1 ERA 2.51)

Make that 19 of 20 loses, adds to 8 game skid; Two four-spots lead the Twins to 10-3 win over A’s

Published on June 4, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s outfielder Denzel Clarke (1) reaches up to make the catch as the A’s would wind up losing their eighth straight loss against the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Tue Jun 3, 2025 (Oakland A’s X photo)

Tuesday, June 3, 2025

Sutter Health Park

West Sacramento, California

Minnesota Twins 10 (33-27)

Sacramento Athletics 3 (23-39)

Win: Pablo Lopez (5-3)

Loss: Jacob Lopez (0-4)

Time: 3:01

Attendance: 8,487

By Stephen Ruderman

WEST SACRAMENTO–The A’s have now lost 19 of their last 20, as the Twins put the game away with a pair of four-run innings late on Tuesday night, and won by a final of 10-3 at Sutter Health Park home of the Swinging A’s.

Let’s be honest: this series is a completely-lopsided matchup on paper. The Twins have been one of the hottest teams in Baseball over the last month. The A’s? Well, they came into this series having lost 17 of their previous 18 games. It then became 18 out of 19 when the Twins took the series opener 10-4 last night.

Mark Kotsay turned to Grant Holman to be the opener Tuesday night, and Holman did his job. He started the game nicely with a one two three top of the first inning, and then he was lifted with one out in the top of the second after allowing a walk and a base-hit. Jacob Lopez then came in and retired the next two to end the inning.

The A’s got to work against Twins’ starter Pablo Lopez in the bottom of the first. Lawrence Butler led off the inning with a double, and Brent Rooker got him in with a base-hit the other way to right field. The A’s had all the momentum they needed, but Lopez settled down and kept the damage to just a run.

Lopez threw a scoreless bottom of the second, but the A’s were able to manufacture another run in the bottom of the third. Tyler Soderstrom hit a triple to left with one out, and Shane Langeliers got him in with a sacrifice fly to center to make it 2-0.

Will Castro put the Twins on the board with a home run to left with one out in the top of the fourth. Jacob Lopez pitched through the rest of the fourth, and he threw a one, two, three top of the fifth.

However, the Twins would take the lead with a pair of home runs off Jacob Lopez in the top of the sixth. Trevor Larnach led off the inning with a home run to the grass in right to tie it. Then two batters later, Castro gave the Twins the lead with his second home run of the night. This one was a line-drive home run to left that barely got out.

The Twins were not done yet. Brooks Lee reached on an infield hit with two outs, and then Royce Lewis walked. Kotsay then pulled Lopez for Osvaldo Bido, who walked Harrison Bader to load the bases. Byron Buxton then came up, and he lined a base-hit up the middle to knock in a pair. It ended up being a four-run top of the sixth for the Twins, who now held a 5-2 lead.

Pablo Lopez ended up going five innings for Minnesota, and Cole Sands was summoned for the bottom of the sixth. The A’s looked to respond, as Langeliers led off the inning with a double. The A’s were able to manufacture the run and get him in to make it 5-3.

However, the Twins would blow it open and put the game away with another four spot in the top of the seventh. Minnesota added one more in the top of the eighth to make it 10-3, and the A’s offense went down without a whimper.

Pablo Lopez got the win, and Jacob Lopez took the loss.

The A’s are now 23-39. Despite their halfway-decent start, the A’s have now lost 19 of their last 20, and they are suddenly on pace for their third-straight 100-loss season. They are on pace to go 60-102 to be exact.

The A’s will look to get a win Tuesday night against Twins starter Zebby Matthews (0-, 6.43 ERA) in the third game of the series Wednesday night. A’s manager Mark Kotsay has yet to announce his starter.

First pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: De La Cruz pays tribute to late sister after home run; Suspect in Astros McCullers threats apologizes; plus more news

Published on June 3, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Cincinnati Reds hitter Elly De La Cruz slugs a sixth inning home run at Wrigley Field on Sun Jun 1, 2025 and later dedicates it to his late sister Genelis who passed away in the Dominican Republic. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Cincinnati Reds star Elly De la Cruz didn’t need to play on Sunday and no one would have blamed him if he didn’t. Cruz’s older sister Genelis De La Cruz Sanchez passed away in the Dominican Republic after suffering a number of health issues. Cruz hitting against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field tag a deep drive to left field and rounded the bases pointing heavenward and giving the heart sign. Elly could also be a candidate for the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame if he continues to play at the level he has that’s in the future.

#2 A drunk intoxicated fan overseas sent threats to Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers and had also threatened his two kids the Houston Police announced on Monday. The suspect in the case has not been charged as of yet but police have indentified as overseas gambler who admitted that to police he gambled on an Astros game and lost and sent the threats to McCullers. The suspect says he apologized to McCullers and his family for making the threats. Charges for the threats are being considered.

#3 You covered them you knew them when you worked at the Seattle Mariners pitcher Randy Johnson who wore number 51 and Ichiro Suzuki who both wore number 51 will have their numbers retired by the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro wrote to the Big Unit if he could wear number 51 when he joined the Mariners and Johnson gave his permission. Talk about both players as you saw them when you covered the Mariners in your television days there.

#4 Amaury talk about the ejection of the Tampa Bay Rays Taylor Walls who tapped on his helmet after being called out on strikes on Sunday at Daikin Park in Houston by home plate umpire Nick Lentz after being ejected from the game Walls went ballistic and charged at Wentz several times only to be restrained by the coaches and a couple teammates before being led to the clubhouse.

#5 Los Angeles Angels manager Ron Washington said after designated hitter Mike Trout had returned from his knee injury and had successful days on Friday and Saturday at the plate but was benched Sunday as Wash called it for taking a break it was not a reflection on his left knee injury. Expect Trout to get a day off every other two days as the Angels approach his return cautiously.