Tag: mlb

Kings Drop a Heartbreaker to Pacers 111-109

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Indiana Pacers forward Aaron Nesmith (23) takes a foul as he take a shot in between the Sacramento Kings guard Zach LaVine (8) and forward Keegan Murray (13) in the second half at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Mon Mar 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings (36-39) had every opportunity to beat the Indiana Pacers (44-31) Monday night but when push came to shove they collapsed in the final minutes of the game losing 111-109.

They made some critical mistakes in the fourth quarter but did lead going into the final two minutes. The Pacers had not led the entire second half until Tyrese Haliburton hit a three to take a one-point lead 100-98 with 1:17 left in the game.

With the Kings fighting for a playoff spot this loss is a killer for Sacramento. DeMar DeRozan had the game high with 31 points and Domantas Sabonis had another double double with 16 rebounds and 25 points. Malik Monk missed numerous shots finishing with only five points in 29 minutes of play.

Game recap: The Kings led Indiana after the first 12 minutes of play in a tight match-up 28-27 and at the half had a 60-54 lead. Sacramento outscored the Pacers in the second quarter 32-27. This had been a hotly contested game and going into the second half it was up for grabs.

The Pacers won the third quarter 27-26 but continued to trail in the game 86-81. They had not led since late in the second quarter as the Kings continued to fight to keep the lead. Going into the fourth quarter, the Kings had a fight on their hands.

Throughout the final quarter neither team was able to hit very many shots. It was a very sloppy fourth quarter for both teams. The Kings had the lead in this game with 1:27 left in the game. The Pacers had missed a slew of three’s in the final minutes of the quarter but at 1:17 Tyrese Haliburton hit the three that got Indiana their first lead of the second half 100-98.

The Kings lost this game with some very ineffective offense. They missed five shots in the final two minutes of play and committed five fouls. What is so disappointing is that the Kings had a 16 point lead at one time in the second half.

They were not at all good at the line shooting 64% while the Pacers were perfect at the free throw line. This game was a nail-biter from start to finish but the Kings could not hit the shots that would have made the difference in this game losing it to the Pacers 111-109.

DeMar DeRozan had the game high scoring 31 points and Domantas Sabonis had a double double with 16 rebounds and 25 points. Zach LaVine also had a good game with 20 points. Malik Monk had a sub-par game only scoring five points in 29 minutes of play but he was very good defensively with seven rebounds along with starter Keegan Murray who also had seven rebounds. In this final countdown none of these players can letdown and there was a real letdown Monday night for Sacramento. The fourth quarter was especially sloppy at times.

Game notes: With seven games left on the season, the Sacramento Kings (36-39) took a tough loss the Indiana Pacers (44-31) in a crunch situation. The Pacers are sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference while the Kings are hanging on for dear life in tenth place in the Western Conference.

The Kings have to win most of these upcoming seven games. They were blindsided by the Orlando Magic Saturday night to the tune of 121-91. They were due for a productive game and couldn’t get the win over Indiana to start this seven game stretch. It is crunch-time for the Sacramento Kings if they want to get back in this.

Wednesday night the Kings will take on the 16-59 Washington Wizards. This is a must-win for Sacramento despite being on the road. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 4:00 PMPDT at he Capital One Center in DC as Sacramento will be looking to put on end to this horrible nine game losing streak on the road.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Seattle Mariners own the Pacific Northwest

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez is paid a tribute being on the Seattle Mariners Wall of Fame as a former Mariners broadcaster (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

The Seattle Mariners own the Pacific Northwest

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The ATH of Sacramento opened the 2025 season in Seattle, winning two of the three games in Seattle. The Seattle Mariners have been a regional team since 1977, when they were born. Before the Oakland Athletics moved, they were the closest team to the Mariners. But today, since the Athletics departed Oakland, the Mariners’ “closest”Major League rival are the San Francisco Giants, 800 miles away to the south, across two and a half States.

The Mariners draw from the Seattle/Tacoma area, eastern Washington, Vancouver, Canada, Idaho, Oregon, and northern California. Especially during weekend games, many people travel from all these areas to visit Seattle.

The Seattle Mariners have one of the most extensive radio coverage with affiliates not only in Washington State, Idaho, and British Columbia, Canada, but also all the way up to Alaska, and in the middle of the Pacific in Hawaii. In all those places, you can hear their games on the Mariners radio network and watch them on their Root TV Network, including as far east as Montana.

Nintendo owned a stake in the Mariners until 2016, when it sold most of its shares to First Avenue Entertainment, retaining a 10% ownership stake. Mr.Joh W. Stanton, an American businessman, is currently the owner of the Seattle Mariners.

T-Mobile Park in Seattle is their home; previously, it was called Safeco Field.

Of all the indoor stadiums in baseball, this is my favorite. A retractable roof can be closed or opened in 10 to 20 minutes, depending on the climate conditions. If there is a city in MLB that needs a roof to play baseball, it is Seattle. Here it rains for a good 9 months of the year., So, during the baseball season, fans do not worry about the rain because with a retractable roof, “rain or shine,” they will always see Mariners baseball.

Seattle is one of my favorite cities in the country, and in baseball especially, I had the good fortune of broadcasting their games. However, I first discovered Seattle when I was stationed in Ft Lewis, a US Army active service base about 45 miles north of Emerald City. This area is beautiful and green all year round.

Mariners fans are loyal and enthusiastic. Beginning this season, they have never appeared in a World Series. They were also riding the longest playoff drought in any of the four major sports, at 20 seasons, before snapping that in 2022. A very famous quote is attributed to Benjamin Franklin: “In this world, nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” I believe Mr.Franklin, so maybe the Mariners can make it all the way to 2025. Good luck to them.

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

M’s just get by A’s 2-1 to take three game set; Athletics home opener Monday in Sacramento vs. Cubs

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Sacramento A’s baserunner Miguel Andujar (22) slides underneath Seattle Mariner shortstop JP Crawford who throws to first to complete a double play in top sixth inning at T Mobile Park in Seattle on Sun Mar 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

Mariners Edge Athletics in Tense Pitchers’ Duel, 2-1

By Mauricio Segura

Under a chilly March sky at T-Mobile Park, the Seattle Mariners narrowly secured a 2-1 victory over the Sacramento Athletics, bringing their early-season record to 2-2. Julio Rodríguez delivered the decisive hit: a pivotal two-run homer in the sixth inning, his first longball of the season, electrifying the Seattle faithful and providing just enough offense for a resilient Mariners squad.

For most of the game, pitching controlled the tempo. Athletics left-hander JP Sears practically matched Mariners starter Bryan Woo pitch-for-pitch, both hurlers maneuvering through five innings without surrendering a run. Sears held Seattle hitters in check until Rodríguez changed the momentum of the game with his towering shot to left field, scoring Victor Robles and putting Seattle ahead for good.

The green and gold got on the board first, thanks to first baseman Tyler Soderstrom. Continuing his scorching start to the season, Soderstrom launched his third home run: a solo blast in the fourth inning, highlighting his early-season .467 batting average and team-leading four RBIs. Despite Soderstrom’s valiant effort, the Athletics struggled offensively, stranding multiple runners in scoring position throughout the game.

Outstanding defensive plays from both teams ensured the game remained close. Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena was particularly active, including a key catch on JJ Bleday’s sharp line drive in the sixth, helping stall a potential Athletics rally. Meanwhile, Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler consistently covered significant ground, notably catching multiple sharp flyouts from Mariners hitters Mitch Garver and Donovan Solano to keep the score tight.

The game reached a tense peak in the ninth inning when Mariners reliever Andrés Muñoz took the mound to close things out. After Athletics catcher Tyler Soderstrom singled to spark a flicker of hope, Muñoz quickly shut the door by striking out Gio Urshela, sealing the win for Seattle.

With the loss, the Athletics are even at 2-2, mirroring their rivals’ tight early-season competition. While their offense struggled overall, collecting just four hits, the Sacramento squad has bright spots to build on, notably Soderstrom’s standout performance.

Next up, the A’s will make their long-awaited debut in Sacramento with their home opener at Sutter Health Park. They’ll host the Chicago Cubs on Monday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The newly upgraded ballpark, now the smallest in Major League Baseball by capacity, will offer fans an up-close look at the team’s next chapter, as excitement builds for big-league baseball in California’s capital.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of publications as well as his own, Golden Bay Times, and is honored to provide A’s away coverage to Sports Radio Service for the 2025 season.

Giants Win Season Opening Series Over Cincinnati Reds 6-3

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Heliot Ramos (left), Jung Hoo Lee (center), and Mike Yastrzemski (right) celebrate the San Francisco Giants win over the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Park in Cincinnati on Sun Mar 30, 2025 (San Francisco Giants X)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (2-1) finished up their opening series of the season beating the Cincinnati Reds (1-2) 6-3.

The Giants played a very clean while the Reds had a couple of errors en-route to the loss. Both Matt Chapmand and Heliot Ramos had home runs in the win. San Francisco had seven hits and displayed some great defense. They won this game on the road to open the season which is a great confidence builder as the team moves on to their next series.

Game recap: The game had a sluggish start with both teams going hitless through the first four innings. It was a pitcher’s dual until it wasn’t. The first hit of the game came in the fifth inning off the bat of San Francisco’s Heliot Ramos, a solo shot to left field, and the Giants were on the board with the early 1-0 lead.

The Ramos hit opened the flood gates as San Francisco scored three more runs in the sixth inning taking a 4-0 lead. Jung Hoo Lee doubled Tyler Fitzgerald home extending their lead to 2-0. The Giants were not finished as Matt Chapman knocked one out of the park with Lee onboard and San Francisco had established a comfortable lead 4-0.

The lead was not quite as comfortable as thought. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Reds made a lot of noise scoring three runs very nearly catching San Francisco. Austin Wynns got the inning going with a home run to left with Gavin Lux on base and the Reds had cut the Giants lead in half 4-2.

Matt McLain followed the Wynns homer with one of his own, a solo shot and Cincinnati was within a run of the Giants 4-3. After such a quiet start for both teams, this game became really competitive. Each team had scored three runs in the sixth inning. After a rough inning for Giants pitcher Robbie Ray there was a pitching change as Erik Miller took the mound for the remainder of the sixth inning.

San Francisco pitcher Lou Trevino pitched the seventh inning dismissing the Reds, three up and three down hanging onto the slim 4-3 lead. The Reds Ian Gibaut also went three up and three out in quick succession and it was on to the eighth inning.

San Francisco would add to their lead in the eighth inning taking a 5-3 advantage giving them a little breathing room. Willy Adames sacrificed and the throw from deep center field was well off the mark as Tyler Fitzgerald easily crossed home plate to extend the Giants lead.

The eighth inning was a productive one for San Francisco as they tacked on yet another run. Heliot Ramos singled baserunner Jung Hoo Lee home and the Giants had scored twice in the inning for a 6-3 lead. Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers brought his nasty spinning dropping pitch to the bottom of the eighth and San Francisco got out of the inning with a double play.

The Reds retired the Giants in the top of the ninth and Cincinnati was looking at one last chance to salvage the game. San Francisco finished off the Reds in the ninth with a three up and three down inning and that was the ball game with the Giants winning their opening series of the season 6-3.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (2-1) clashed with the Cincinnati Reds (1-2) in game three of their series and took the series with a third game win. With the threat of rain, lightning and thunder forecast for later in the day, this game got underway on time under cloudy skies with a balmy temperature in the low 70s for the Reds fans to enjoy.

San Francisco was looking to come out on the right side of this series after winning the opening game and dropping yesterday’s game to the Reds 3-2. The Giants Robbie Ray took the mound and for the Reds, Nick Martinez was the starter.

San Francisco will continue on the road next taking on the Houston Astros in a Monday opener for a three game series. Probable pitchers for game one will be Jordan Hicks for San Francisco with 4:10 ERA. On the mound for Houston will be Ronel Blanco with a 2.80 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 5:10 PM.

Langeliers Leads A’s Past Mariners, 4-2, With Power and Poise

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Sacramento A’s Shea Langeliers (23) crosses the plate to the congratulations of teammate Brent Rooker (25) as Seattle M’s catcher Cal Raleigh (right) tries to set up for the next batter at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sat Mar 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

Baseball fans often whisper about the magic hiding in spring evenings at T-Mobile Park, but Saturday night, it was Sacramento Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers who conjured something special, powering his team to a gritty 4-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.

After a quiet start, the Mariners scratched out an early run in the second inning, sparked by a single from the always-imposing Rowdy Tellez, who eventually came home after a stolen base and throwing error by Langeliers himself. Unfazed, the A’s catcher redeemed himself quickly and dramatically in the fourth inning.

With two outs and Brent Rooker perched on second after a crisp single, Langeliers stepped into the batter’s box and unleashed a towering two-run homer to left field, stunning the home crowd and flipping the momentum decisively in Sacramento’s favor. The Mariners, previously in control, now found themselves trailing.

The Athletics added insurance in the sixth when Miguel Andujar knocked in JJ Bleday, widening the lead to 3-1. But Seattle wasn’t ready to concede. A resilient Jorge Polanco delivered an RBI single in the bottom half of the inning, closing the gap to a tense 3-2.

Clinging to that narrow lead, the Athletics manufactured another crucial run in the seventh when Brent Rooker’s sharp grounder eluded Mariners third baseman Polanco, allowing Jacob Wilson to cross home plate and extend their lead to 4-2.

On the mound, Athletics starter Osvaldo Bido showed resilience, overcoming early traffic to limit the Mariners to two runs. His steady composure was vital, especially following a challenging spring where he struggled with a 7.02 ERA. Saturday night, he proved those statistics don’t always predict the future.

Seattle’s Bryce Miller was similarly gutsy but less fortunate, victimized by timely A’s hits and his defense’s shaky moments. Miller, who allowed three earned runs through five-plus innings, demonstrated flashes of brilliance overshadowed by costly missteps.

The Mariners mounted a late threat in the ninth with J.P. Crawford’s single igniting hopes of a comeback. However, A’s closer Mason Miller extinguished Seattle’s rally with authority, striking out Victor Robles and Julio Rodríguez in succession, earning his first save of 2025 and securing the green and gold’s second consecutive victory.

Saturday night’s win was the A’s small but meaningful revenge after losing their season opener to Seattle. They are now 2-1, have notably turned a page in their history by opening this season with youthful energy; their Opening Day roster features three infielders under the age of 24, a first since 1965. Max Muncy, just 22, underscored this youthful renaissance by turning an impressive unassisted double play in the first inning, a highlight that set the game’s defensive tone.

As these AL West rivals gear up for another clash tomorrow afternoon, with JP Sears taking on Seattle’s Bryan Woo, the series promises more excitement. The Athletics, rejuvenated by tonight’s triumph, aim to carry forward their fresh energy and youthful swagger. Meanwhile, the Mariners seek redemption, hoping to recapture their opening-night spark.

  • Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of publications as well as his own, Golden Bay Times, and is honored to provide A’s away coverage to Sports Radio Service for the 2025 season.

Giants Drop Game Two – Reds Tie Up Series With 3-2 Win

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander delivers against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sat Mar 29, 2025 (AP News photo0

By Barbara Mason

After winning game one of their series with the Cincinnati Reds, the San Francisco Giants dropped game two Saturday afternoon 3-2. The Giants will go into game three looking to win the series. San Francisco led through the first four innings of this game but the Reds tied it all up in the bottom of the fifth and took the lead in the sixth inning hanging onto the 3-2 lead for the eventual win.

Game recap: Neither team scored in the opening inning but San Francisco took the lead in the top of the second inning 1-0. Again it was Wilmer Flores hitting a home run, his second of the young season, taking up where he left off in game one, this shot a solo. The Reds had runners at first and third in the bottom of the inning with two outs but came up empty.

The Giants added to their lead in the third inning off a Jung Hoo Lee single driving Heliot Ramos home for a 2-0 tally. The native of Nagoya, Japan Lee is entering his second season with the Giants. He is off to a great start for the Giants scoring two runs in the first game of this series. The Reds kept pace with San Francisco scoring one run in the bottom of the third but still trailing 2-1. Matt McLain hit Cincinnati’s first long ball of the game, a solo home run.

The Reds tied up this game in the bottom of the fifth inning 2-2. Elly De La Cruz singled Matt McClain home for the tie. Spencer Bivens in his first season with San Francisco relieved Justin Verlander to start the sixth inning giving up a Christian Encarnacion-Strand home run and the Reds took a 3-2 lead into the seventh inning. The Giants Justin Verlander went five innings allowing six hits, two earned runs and five strikeouts.

The Reds Nick Lodolo had a pretty good outing going six innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. Tony Santillan relieved him in the seventh inning only allowing one hit in the inning. The right-hander Randy Rodriguez took the mound for San Francisco in the bottom of the seventh inning sending the game into the eighth, pitching a nice inning with two strikeouts and and a foul out; three up and three out for the Reds.

The Giants had a couple of hits in the the eighth but but couldn’t move the scoreboard continuing to trail 3-2. The Reds were unable to add to their lead in the bottom of the eighth sending San Francisco into the ninth inning with one last chance left to either tie or take the lead.

The Reds Emilio Pagan took the mound in the ninth inning looking to finish off the Giants and tie up the series one apiece. He executed beautifully dismissing the Giants three up and three down and that was the ballgame. Both teams displayed a great pitching effort but it was the Reds that came away with the win.

Game notes: After winning their season opener Thursday beating the Reds 6-4, the Giants (1-1) played game two of the series on Saturday afternoon and lost in a close one 3-2 to the Reds. The Giants fought from behind in game one of the series on the strength of a Wilmer Flores three run homer with two outs in the ninth inning giving them a 6-3 lead. The Reds had one run in the ninth but could not overcome the San Francisco lead.

Saturday the Giants were looking for a win in game two of their series as they sent right-hander Justin Verlander to the mound making his debut as a San Francisco Giant in his career 527th start. The Reds had lefty Nick Lodolo took the mound as the Reds evened up the series at one apiece.

Giants Fans will have to wait a few more games before they can welcome the team back home for their season opener next Friday night Apr 4th against the Seattle Mariners celebrating 25 years at Oracle Park this season.

Cincinnati had evened up the series at one game apiece with game three scheduled for Sunday morning first pitch at 10:40 PST. The probable pitcher for San Francisco will be lefty Robbie Ray with the Reds Nick Martinez taking the mound for game three.

A’s Bounce Back Big, Thump Mariners 7-0 at T-Mobile Park

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Sacramento A’s 22 year old hitter Max Muncy slugs a solo home run for his MLB hit against the Seattle Mariners at T Mobile Field in Seattle in the top of the eighth inning on Fri Mar 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

If last night’s deflating opener had Sacramento A’s fans reaching for comfort food, Friday night’s thrilling redemption must have them reaching for confetti. The Athletics emphatically silenced the Seattle Mariners in a 7-0 shutout, energized by a mix of veteran savvy and youthful exuberance, giving fans plenty to celebrate in their 125th franchise season.

Starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs was a magician on the mound, dazzling Mariners hitters across six dominant innings. With a potent combination of pinpoint control and deceptive velocity, Springs allowed only three hits while striking out nine, a reassuring performance after yesterday’s bullpen struggles.

But Friday night belonged to the Athletics’ bats, particularly Brent Rooker, who rebounded spectacularly from an opening night strikeout nightmare. After striking out four times last night, tying a dubious A’s Opening Day record held previously by Jack Cust and Eddie Joost, Rooker emerged as tonight’s comeback hero. He belted a towering two-run homer to center field in the fifth inning off Mariners’ ace Luis Castillo, giving Oakland a decisive 2-0 lead.

Joining the slugfest, Max Muncy, the Athletics’ promising young second baseman, notched his first major league hit in style: a majestic home run to left-center field in the eighth. This feat undoubtedly etched a cherished memory for the 22-year-old rookie, who is the youngest position player in an A’s opening lineup since Eric Chavez in 2000.

Adding to the youth movement, Tyler Soderstrom showed again why he’s viewed as the cornerstone of the Athletics’ future. After making history on Opening Day with his two-homer night, a first for an Athletic since Khris Davis in 2017, he delivered again tonight. His sizzling double in the seventh scored JJ Bleday, stretching the lead to 5-0.

The Athletics’ depth shone brightly as pinch-hitter Luis Urías sent a ninth-inning solo shot screaming into the left-center seats. Urías, signed just this offseason, provided a firm exclamation point on the A’s offensive statement.

Defensively, JJ Bleday sparkled, notably throwing out Mitch Garver at the plate in a pivotal fifth-inning moment, preventing Seattle from scoring. Moments later, Bleday further frustrated Mariners fans with a sliding catch on a sharply hit line drive from J.P. Crawford, ending the inning and preserving the shutout.

Despite the tough loss, Seattle did show flashes of defensive moments. Outfielder Victor Robles made a spectacular diving catch to rob Gio Urshela of a hit, providing one of the Mariners’ few defensive highlights.

Starting pitcher Luis Castillo battled hard, striking out five over five innings, but ultimately allowed two critical runs that set the tone. Mariners hitters seemed perpetually a step behind, mustering a mere scattering of hits and striking out a total of 13 times, their frustration palpable amid the electric atmosphere at T-Mobile Park.

The win snaps the Athletics’ troubling seven-game losing streak against the Mariners on Opening Day, a streak dating back to 2018. It also marks a sweet turn of fortune after yesterday’s tough 4-2 loss, offering fans hope that maybe, just maybe, this season’s squad has the spark to rewrite some recent history.

As the A’s celebrate Friday night’s victory, attention turns to Saturday’s matchup. The Athletics’ Osvaldo Bido, coming off a solid 2024 campaign, will face off against Seattle’s Bryce Miller, promising more drama at T-Mobile Park.

– Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of publications as well as his own, Golden Bay Times, and is honored to provide A’s away coverage to Sports Radio Service for the 2025 season.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2025 A’s Sharing the Park with Replacement Grass

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Fans pack Sutter Health Park during an exhibition game between the San Francisco Giants and the Sacramento River Cats on Sunday, March 23, 2025, in West Sacramento. Photo by JOSÉ LUIS VILLEGAS Sacramento Bee

2025 A’s Sharing the Park with Replacement Grass

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury PI-González

Fifty-six years ago, the Oakland A’s were the talk of the Bay Area as a recently arrived Major League franchise from Kansas City, roughly ten years after the Giants relocated from New York to San Francisco.  And just like that, the Bay Area started the rivalry of the A’s vs San Francisco Giants, the very cool Bay Bridge Series, and the very historic 1989 World Series, which was interrupted by an earthquake and was won 11 days later by the Oakland As in a sweep. Something that has been engraved in my brain forever. But Sacramento ended that story.

Fifty-six years ago (1969), the last time a Major League team played an entire season in a minor league ballpark, the Seattle Pilots and Montreal Expos, respectively. Sicks Stadium is in Seattle, and Jarry Park is in Montreal. Years later, the Seattle Mariners became the Expos, and the Expos became the Washington Nationals.

The ATH (also known as the Athletics) will play at Sutter Health Park close to the Sacramento River, within walking distance of the park, with the Sacramento River patch on the sleeves of A’s players. The A’s will have to share this park with the Rivercats, the AAA team of the San Francisco Giants.

The groundskeepers will have the most challenging job, and they will have replacement grass on standby. Sacramento gets an average of 18 inches of rain annually, with April being the last month with the possibility of precipitation. After that, and during summer, it is as dry as any place in California, with temperatures averaging between 80-100 Fahrenheit.

The A’s story has many angles, turns, and everything that fascinates some people and irates others. The Rivercats and the A’s will have to share the same field this season, and probably the rest of the A’s temporary stay in Sacramento, for three years total. The biggest challenge of two baseball teams sharing a field for an entire season would be the potential for scheduling conflicts, logistical issues, and the strain on the field itself, leading to potential damage and uneven playing conditions.

Beginning this season, the City of Sacramento listed a population of approximately 530,000, which is last among all cities hosting Major League Baseball. This is less than the current population of Milwaukee, which, with 562,000, is now the next-to-last.

The A’s opened their season today in Seattle.

What is the national media saying about the A’s?

New York Post sports journalist Jeff Passan, which is a national baseball writer, recently said on the A’s,  “The Oakland A’s were “killed by greed”  John Fisher, the owner, did not have to move the team, it was a choice, not a necessity”   Something that has been said by many during this whole ordeal of relocation, especially here in the Bay Area.

Did you know?  In1953, four cities in the United States had two major league teams. Chicago, (Cubs and White Sox), Boston (Red Sox and Braves), Philadelphia, (Phillies and Athletics), and St Louis (Cardinals and Browns)

Hasta la Vista Baby!’

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: How Giants size up going into opener today in Cincinnati

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb seen here pitching against the Athletics on Wed Jul 31, 2024 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Webb will be the starting pitcher against the Cincinnati Reds on Thu Mar 30, 2025 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati for opening day. (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 The Giants open up today in Cincinnati and they’ll be starting pitcher Logan Webb. Webb was 13-10 last season and was healthy can he continue to win games and stay healthy?

#2 Robbie Ray looked good against the Detroit Tigers when he pitched on Monday night going five innings, four hits and two earned runs, one walk and four strikeouts. He’s back from taking a chunk of time off last season. He had his pitches working for him on Monday and he could be a force on that starting rotation.

#3 Justin Verlander had himself an impressive spring training going 2-0 ERA 3.43 Verlander in spring training has struck out 19 batters this spring. Some doubted he had it anymore but he’s showing that at age 42 he has the stamina to pitch at a high level. Will that translate into the regular season?

#4 Morris with an infield of  Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, Tyler Fitzgerald, LaMonte Wade Jr., Wilmer Flores, Casey Schmitt, Christian Koss can that part of the Giants line up help them to be a potential playoff type team?

#5 With MIke Krukow, Duane Kuiper, Jon Miller and Dave Flemming signing a deal that runs through 2026 to broadcast Giant games does that strengthen KNBR the Giants flagship station’s chances to continue to carry Giants broadcasts?

Morris Phillips does the San Francisco Giants weekly podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants conclude pre season with 4-3 win over Tigers at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants catcher Sam Huff (left) congratulates relief pitcher Ryan Walker (right) after the Giants conclude a pre season two game sweep over the Detroit Tigers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Mar 25, 2025 (San Francisco Giants X photo)

Detroit (12-15). 010 001 010. 3. 8. 0

San Francisco (21-6). 002 000 020. 4. 6 0

Attendance: 20,049

Time: 2:07

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants used five pitchers to squeeze out a 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers this lovely Sunday evening to close out an encouraging spring training with a record of 21-6). Right handed starter Jordan Hicks lasted five adequate innings, in which he allowed a couple of runs, both earned, on three hits, one of them a 409 foot solo shot to Justin-Henry Malloy that gave the visitors a short-lived lead.

Hicks also struck out one batter and walked another. The win went to Randy Rodríguez, who hurled a scoreless top of the seventh, in which he issued a walk and achieved a strikeout. Ryan Walker earned the save, shutting Detroit out in the ninth in spite of a two out triple by Ryan Kreidler.

Joel Peguero and Camilo Doval hurled a frame apiece. The former allowed a hit and nothing else. The latter gave up one run on three hits, although he did strike out one Tiger.

The Giants scored on Tyler Fitzgerald’s 375′ round tripper that plated Yastraemski in the bottom of the third. The home team picked up two more runs in the home seventh after Fitzgerald walked, stole second, and scored on Grant McGray’s single to center. Christian Koss then brought McGray home with the Giants’ final tally.

Jackson Jobe started for the Tigers. He allowed two runs, both earned on three hits, including Fitzgerald’s dinger, and two walks. The loss went to Casey Mize, who followed Jobe for three episodes and yielded two runs, earned, on three hits and one base on balls. Kenta Maeda contributed two K’s in pitching a perfect ninth.

The Giants leave tomorrow for Cincinnati, where they will open the season on Thursday.

They will return for the home opener, against Seattle on Friday, April 4, at 1:45.