Tag: New York Mets

Giants Rodon throws five effective innings; Captain Birthday Boy Belt slugs HR in second inning in SF’s 5-2 win at Citi Field

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San Francisco Giant shortstop Brandon Crawford singles in the top of the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Flushing on Wed Apr 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK — The San Francisco Giants (8-4) bounced back after falling in both games of a doubleheader, with a 5-2 win over the New York Mets (9-4) at Citi Field Wednesday night – on Brandon Belt’s birthday.

The Giants had three runs in the first inning and in the second, Belt hit a homer to put them up 4-0 over the Mets. It was Belt’s team-high fourth home run of the season. Belt, who turned 34 the same day, is tied for fourth in homers in the MLB.

“Better than my first year – I got sent down on my birthday,” said Belt.

Giants starter Carlos Rodón overwhelmed the Mets, striking out eight. Rodón’s slider was not working well, so he threw mostly fastballs: 77 of them, making up 81% of his pitches for the night.

“My breaking stuff wasn’t very good, so we just decided to go with the fastball attack and luckily it worked in my favor,” Rodón said.

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said it was a unique fastball, one the team had not seen many of over the past couple of years.

“The quality of that fastball is exactly what we should be talking about because these are really good hitters who are set up to handle that style of pitching and still are swinging and missing at balls in the zone, sometimes in the middle of the plate,” Kapler said.

New York, without their manager Buck Showalter who was out for a medical procedure, tried to rally in the seventh inning. But Starling Marte ran for second base with Francisco Lindor at the plate and runners on the corners. The Giants’ Joey Bart threw to second base, ending the inning.

In the eighth inning, the Mets hit three straight singles off Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers. However, Wilmer Flores caught Dominic Smith’s two-out liner to third base that would have made it a one-run game.

The Giants (8-4) avoided their first three-game losing streak of this season. Meanwhile, the Mets (9-4) had their three-game winning streak snapped.

First pitch for the finale of the four-game series is at 10:10 a.m. PT.

Giants get swept in double dip at Citi Park by Mets 5-4 (10 innings) and 3-1

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New York Mets starter Max Scherzer pitched for seven innings giving up a hit and one run against the San Francisco Giants in the second game of a doubleheader at Citi Field in New York on Tue Apr 19, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK — The San Francisco Giants (7-3) fell to the New York Mets (8-3) in both games of a doubleheader at a frigid (44 degrees) Citi Field on Tuesday.

The Giants lost 5-4 in an extra inning in Game 1, and could not get in a swing and lost 3-1 in Game 2 of the doubleheader owed to Monday’s game postponement due to rain.

San Francisco started Game 1 strong with two runs in the second inning and two runs in the third inning. In the fifth inning, the Mets scored back-to-back doubles to cut the Giants’ lead to 4-3. In the second of those, Giants starting pitcher Alex Cobb injured his right groin. He has been placed on the 10-day injured list, but hopes for a quick return.

“That was a brutal game for us,” Cobb said. “Having two nine-inning doubleheaders and then the starter coming out as early as I did, is putting the team in a bad position, so, you know, whatever they need to do.”

The Mets’ Pete Alonso made a key defensive play in the tenth inning and Francisco Lindor hit a walk-off RBI single to secure a 5-4 victory over the Giants. Initially, it appeared that San Francisco hit a go-ahead run on an error at the top of the tenth inning. After review, however, the close call was overturned and the top half of the inning ended.

New York fans were very vocal in Game 2, cheering on their team as they scored three runs in the third inning, despite cold temperatures in Queens.

Mets starter Max Scherzer nearly finished the night with a no-hitter. He had two outs in the sixth inning and gave up one hit. Scherzer struck out ten in seven innings, leading the Mets to a 3-1 victory over the Giants.

Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb said he did not have a good feel for the ball, with the cold likely playing a role.

“It was cold out there. I was trying to rub up the ball as much as I could,” said Webb, but added he did not want to use it as an excuse.

Webb suffered his first loss since May 5, putting an end to his franchise record of consecutive undefeated outings at 24, including a pair in the postseason.

“I wish I could’ve kept it going. It’s cool, definitely, to be able to say I was able to do that,” Webb said. “I think I’ll be alright. It was just a bad day. Unfortunately I needed to give the guys some innings and I wasn’t able to do that.”

Giants manager Gabe Kapler said the Mets beat one of the best pitchers in the league, and that the loss hardly damages Webb’s impressive record thus far.

“When you reflect back on who this young pitcher has been since May of last year, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball,” Kapler said. “But now this is not just a run, it’s who he is. And we expect that performance from him going forward.”

The Giants (7-4) lost consecutive games for the first time this season. The Mets (9-3) swept a doubleheader from the Giants for the first time since July 13, 1079 at Shea Stadium.

First pitch for Game 3 of the four-game series is at 4:10 p.m. PT.

Giants-Mets rained out reschedule for doubleheader Tuesday afternoon

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File photo of rain out at Citi Park in New York between the Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. The San Francisco Giants and New York Mets were rained out for Mon Apr 16, 2022 (WLUK Fox 11 file photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK–The San Francisco Giants-New York Mets series opener has been postponed due to rain, and will be made up in a doubleheader on Tuesday. The Mets announced the changes a few hours before first pitch was scheduled at Citi Field on Monday.

First pitch for the makeup game will be 12:10 p.m. PT on Tuesday, and the second game will begin about 30 to 40 minutes after the first game concludes. The MLB has reverted to its traditional nine-inning format for doubleheaders.

The Mets canceled the game before the rain started. Heavy rainfall was in the forecast for New York City beginning around 6 p.m. ET through 5 a.m. The rest of the week appears to be dry.

San Francisco will start right-handed pitcher Alex Cobb for Game 1 and Logan Webb for Game 2. New York will use their starter planned for Monday, Tylor Megill, for the doubleheader. Megill has yet to allow a run in 10 1/3 innings.

The series will see two of the top teams in the National League facing each other. The Giants (7-2) are a half-game better than the Mets (7-3). The Giants are tied with the Los Angeles Dodgers at the top of the NL West. San Francisco is ranked first in total ERA while the Mets are ranked third.

Fans with tickets to Monday night’s game will not be able to use them to get into Tuesday’s doubleheader. Instead, they will get a digital voucher in their My Mets Tickets account accessible starting Tuesday, that can be exchanged for a ticket of comparable price and location to another Mets 2022 regular season game at Citi Field.

That includes the makeup doubleheader. However, it excludes the July 9 game with former Mets player Keith Hernandez’s number retirement, the July 26 to 27 Subway Series and the August 27 Old Times Day game.

More information can be found at Mets.com/Rain.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants face evenly matched Mets tonight to open three game series

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San Francisco Giants second basemen Thairo Estrada, right, is congratulated by shortstop Brandon Crawford after sweeping the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field on Sun Apr 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris, the Giants wind up getting a sweep on their first leg of this road trip against the Cleveland Guardians. Giants pitcher Alex Wood threw for over five innings giving up just four hits in the 8-1 win.

#2 Wood gave up just one run and had real good command of his pitches. In the third inning the Guardians had two runners on but Wood would get out of the inning and the Giants continued with the lead.

#3 Thairo Estrada supplied the offense in the second inning with a homer to left and with Wilmer Flores on second after hitting a double it was a 2-0 lead for San Francisco.

#4 Brandon Belt would homer in the seventh inning to extend San Francisco’s lead to 8-0. Belt would bring Austin Slater home from first.

#5 For tonight’s game opening up in New York, the Giants will start Alex Cobb (1-0 ERA 3.60) and for the New York Mets (7-2)Tyler Megill (2-0 ERA 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM PDT at Citi Park in Flushing.

San Francisco Sweeps Cleveland 8-1; Wood gives up only four hits and Estrada homers gets four RBIs

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Alex Wood pitches in the first inning to the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Sun Apr 17, 2022 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Sweeps Cleveland 8-1; Wood gives up only four hits and Estrada homers and gets four RBIs

By Barbara Mason

After taking the first two games in their series against the Cleveland Guardians (4-5) the San Francisco Giants (7-2) went for the sweep Sunday afternoon defeating the Guardians by seven runs 8-1.

It was a quiet first inning for San Francisco but the second inning was anything but quiet for the Giants. Thairo Estrada homered to left and with Wilmer Flores on second after hitting a double it was a 2-0 lead for San Francisco.

The Guardians would threaten in the third inning but Alex Wood would get out of a two runners on jam and the Giants held on to their two run lead.

San Francisco would strike again in the fourth inning. Thairo Estrada grounded into a fielder’s choice to shortstop and Joc Pederson would score. Brandon Crawford was just behind him off a throwing error by Owen Miller. The Giants now had a 4-0 lead.

In the sixth inning the Giants would add a couple more for a 6-0 lead. Peterson would score from second off a double by Estrada. Estrada would go on to score when Duggar hit an infield single.

Brandon Belt would homer in the seventh inning to extend San Francisco’s lead to 8-0. Belt would bring Austin Slater home from first.

The Guardians got up on the scoreboard in the bottom seventh inning when Amed Rosario scored off a single from Austin Hedges. Cleveland trailed by a heap of runs and everything pointed to a San Francisco sweep. The Guardians were not able to get much going in this game.

Monday the Giants will start a four-game series with the mighty New York Mets (7-3). Starting pitcher for the Giants will be Alex Cobb (1-0 ERA 3.60) and for New York Tyler Megill (2-0 ERA 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM PDT at Citi Park in Flushing.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: The Tale of the Fire Sale–Chapman looks very close to leaving for Philadelphia or New York

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Oakland A’s Matt Chapman (26) will not be forearm bashing anymore with former teammate Matt Olson (right) seen here Mar 5, 2021 against the Los Angeles Angels in spring training at Hohokam Park in Mesa. Olson now with the Atlanta Braves and Chapman on the trade block (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, it comes as no surprise that once the lockout was lifted the Oakland A’s would have an early season fire sale and pitcher Chris Bassitt who left for the New York Mets was one of the first followed by A’s first baseman Matt Olson.

#2 And while it’s no surprise of their departure it’s still hard to grasp for anyone who follows the A’s that it’s a hard pill to swallow to have to say good bye to Bassitt, Olson and soon to be Matt Chapman.

#3 Olson led in many categories for the A’s at different times with on base percentage .371, 101 runs, 153 hits, 35 doubles, RBIs, home runs and walks with 88, 74 base hits, and four stolen bases.

#4 The in picking for players from the Atlanta Braves in the Olson deal two right handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes, catcher Shea Langeliers and outfielder Cristian Pache. Langeliers could be the key player in the deal a number one draft choice for the Braves. A’s team vice president Billy Beane might have some of that Money Ball magic going again and have himself a core of players in the works.

#5 Amaury talk about Matt Chapman being on the trade block bubble he’s the All Star third baseman the guy that A’s fans sought in their pack of baseball cards he’s very close to being no more and the New York Yankees and the Philadelphia Phillies are shopping Chapman hard core he might get a crazy Bryce Harper type contract.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzaelz at the mic for Oakland A’s Spanish radio beisbol all season long on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and for News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Olson the latest to leave A’s in early season fire sale; Oakland picks up four players from Braves

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Former A’s slugger Matt Olson is seen here getting into the swing of things against catcher Tom Murphy (left) and the Seattle Mariners on Sep 21, 2022 at the Oakland Coliseum. Olson was dealt to the Atlanta Braves on Mon Mar 14, 2022 in five player deal (AP photo file)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–Some are calling it an early fire sale the Oakland A’s might call it a rebuild to going young and getting some value for their former veteran players such as former A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt who left Oakland for the New York Mets.

Household names are sliding off the A’s roster and the latest pitcher Matt Olson is going back to his native hometown Atlanta. The former first baseman is going to the Braves in exchange for two right handed pitchers Ryan Cusick and Joey Estes, catcher Shea Langeliers and outfielder Cristian Pache.

As the A’s get four players for Olson, Olson was selected to the American All Star team in 2021 and hit .271, 39 home runs, 111 RBIs, in 156 games. Olson offensively was part of the heart and soul of the A’s line up during his days under former A’s manager Bob Melvin.

Olson led with on base percentage .371, 101 runs, 153 hits, 35 doubles, RBIs, home runs and walks with 88, 74 base hits, and four stolen bases. While it might not make sense to the average A’s fan that players like Bassitt and Olson have gone to greener pastures of money the A’s have been here time and time again.

This is a rebuild on the part of A’s team vice president and minority owner Billy Beane. He’s back to Money Ball again building from scratch to see if he can get enough veteran and young talent to see if an unpredicted A’s team can break the glass ceiling again and surprise critics and oddsmakers by making the post season. Noted that post season will take awhile but Beane based on his past experience could have one of those unknowns in the works again.

With Cusick, Estes, Langeliers (a number draft choice for the Braves) and Pache you could be assured that Beane has done his scouting report homework and is either counting or assured that this foursome will somehow develop into what his fire sale players were in the past.

It won’t happen over night it took time for Olson, Bassitt, Marcus Seimen, and the soon to be delivered Matt Chapman were on rebuild status but in a season or two maybe the third season you might see one of the foursome of Cusick, Estes, Langeliers, or Pache make some headway.

Jerry Feitelberg is an Oakland A’s beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Major League Baseball locks out tonight; MLB clubs dealing before window closes

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Former Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, left, puts the tag on Atlanta Braves’ Eddie Rosario on an attempted steal during game 5 of the NLCS Oct 21, 2021. Seager joins the Texas Rangers after signing with them on Mon Nov 29, 2021 (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury:

#1 Amaury the window is closing as the lockout deadline is approaching and tonight this will be the last day of doing business as tonight at midnight Major League Baseball will enter it’s first work stoppage since the unforgettable 1994 baseball strike.

#2 MLB teams are on the move and trying to clean house before the work stoppage kicks in tonight the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers are no exception last night dealing shortstop Corey Seagar to the Texas Rangers a ten year deal worth $325 million and on Sunday the Rangers signed second baseman Marcus Semien for seven years at $175 million, Semien played for the Toronto Blue Jays last season.

#3 Former Dodger pitcher Max Scherzer will be throwing for the New York Mets he signs a three year deal for $130 million. Scherzer was 15-4 ERA 2.46. Talk about how much of an addition he will be for the Mets.

#4 Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray will be joining the Seattle Mariners Ray and the M’s agreed on a five year $115 million deal and with Ray’s experience and accomplishments both will be expecting big things. Ray was 13-7 ERA 2.84 last season for the Blue Jays.

#5 Former Los Angeles Angel Alex Cobb will join the San Francisco Giants details of an agreement has not been disclosed on Monday night. Cobb was 8-3 with an ERA 3.76, he’s 34 years old how much do you see him helping the Giants in 2022?

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary for exclusive coverage of the Major League Baseball lockout 2021 at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Snydergaard to wear a Halos hat for 1 yr at $21 million; Kyrie won’t take the shot Nets could make him trade bait; plus more

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Former New York Met Noah Snydergaard will be winding up for the Los Angeles Angels during the 2021 season he’s signed onto a one year deal which was completed on Mon Nov 15, 2021 with the Angels (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 Former New York Met pitcher Noah Syndergaard has signed onto a one year $21 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels. Snydergaard pitched for seven years for the New York Mets Snydergaard joins an Angels team that is struggling with starting pitching and hopes to shore that up joining forces with the face of baseball and new teammate Shohei Ohtani.

#2 Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving on Sunday sent out two tweets one showing a picture of the matrix and the other saying “God never fails.” The City of New York has a full vaccine protocol for employees, players, and fans and Irving can’t come into Barclay Center until he’s fully vaccinated.

#3 From all indications from his responses and convictions he will not take the vaccine. Kyrie is allowed to travel with the Nets but the Nets have elected to have him sit out for road trips until he is fully vaccinated which does not look likely.

#4 Former New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan had some heavy criticism for Jets head coach Robert Saleh saying he has philosophical differences in his coaching abilities and Ryan added that he’s insulted when he’s compared to Saleh regarding defensive strategies. Saleh said if Ryan feels that personal about it he knows where to find me.

#5 Jessica the New York Yankees and Mets are looking to make some moves to acquire free agents Starling Marte and the Yankees have express interest in Matt Chapman both who were teammates on the Oakland A’s last season. Marte last season played with the Miami Marlins before being dealt to Oakland mid season and hit .310, 145 hits, 12 HRs, and 55 RBIs, Chapman hit .210, 111 hits, 27 home runs, 72 RBIs.

Join Jessica every other Wednesday for Headline Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Baez might have trouble finding a new team after season; Cam Newton cut from Patriots

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The New York Mets Javier Baez scores ahead of the tag by the Miami Marlins catcher Alex Jackson for the winning run in the first game of a doubleheader at Citi Field in Flushing on Tue Aug 31, 2021 (AP News

On Headline Sports with Jessica:

#1 Javy Baez and Francisco Lindor of the New York Mets went from thumbs down to thumbs up after Baez and Lindor both apologized for giving Mets fans the thumbs down for booing them and the team in past games. Baez who got hit by a pitch which resulted in cheering from the Mets fans as Baez scored from first to home for the game winning run over the Washington Nationals 6-5. Jessica would it appear that Baez has redeemed himself?

#2 Mets team president Sandy Alderson said that the thumbs down gestures had to stop as Alderson had spoke to both Lindor and Baez before Monday night’s game to stop. They both apologized and Baez needed to do something to make up for his mistake and scoring the winning run is a good start.

#3 Jessica, will this hurt Baez’ chances to sign on for a new team and other teams who saw this will just move past Baez as Baez becomes a free agent in 2022.

#4 Jessica, turning to the NFL the New England Patriots released Cam Newton who in pre season threw for 14-21 for 162 yards, the Patriots will go for Mac Jones as their starter who was 36-52 for 162 yards. Newton was a Super Bowl quarterback when he was with the Carolina Panthers but lost in the Super Bowl, Newton said on Instagram regarding his release from the Patriots “don’t feel sorry for me I’m good.”

#5 Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyers said that he has weighed some of his cuts on the roster after the last pre season game based on unvaccinated and vaccinated players saying “Everyone was considered,” Meyer said. “That was part of the [considerations such as] production, let’s start talking about this, and also is he vaccinated or not? Can I say that that was a decision maker? It was certainly in consideration.”

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com