Padres Take Series from A’s in 2-1 Finale Win

A’s take on the Padres on Wednesday afternoon in West Sacramento (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Sutter Health Park in Sacramento hosted the rubber game between the A’s and the Padres on Wednesday afternoon. The Padres had taken the first game of the series on Monday, while the A’s responded with a 10-4 victory on Tuesday.

Wednesday’s matchup featured Osvaldo Bido on the mound for the A’s, facing Randy Vasquez for the Padres. Both pitchers delivered strong performances, but the A’s offense struggled significantly, managing only two hits and ultimately losing the series finale, 2-1.

The A’s got on the scoreboard first in the second inning when Luis Urias hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home Shea Langeliers. Initially, Langeliers was ruled out at the plate, but after a quick review, the call was overturned, awarding the A’s the early 1-0 lead.

San Diego responded swiftly in the third inning, as Oscar Gonzales drove in Xander Bogaerts on a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 1-1. The Padres scored again in the fifth inning with another sac-fly, this time by Gavin Sheets, bringing in Bogaerts once more. That 2-1 lead would stand for the remainder of the game, as the Padres’ pitching silenced the A’s bats.

Despite the loss, Bido pitched reasonably well for Sacramento, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on nine hits while striking out five. Although the nine hits appear problematic, many resulted from soft contact that found gaps in the defense. On the Padres’ side, Randy Vasquez was effective over five innings, giving up just one run on a single hit with three walks and one strikeout.

Offensively, the A’s struggled throughout, producing just two hits and one run in the entire game. They’ll have a chance to regroup with an off day on Thursday before facing the New York Mets at Sutter Health Park on Friday night at 7:05 PM PST. Mets starting pitcher RHP Griffin Canning (0-1 ERA 2.79) for the A’s JP Sears 1-1 ERA 3.46.

With this loss, the A’s fell to 5-8 on the year, while the Padres improved their early-season record to 10-3.

Note: Jacob Wilson continued his impressive start to the 2025 season, recording another hit on Wednesday and extending his hitting streak to 13 games.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Soto breaks the bank signs an MLB record 15 year $765 million deal with Mets

Juan Soto models his New York Mets uniform as he joins the Mets on a 15 year, $765 million contract he signed on Sun Dec 8, 2024 (photo by SNY)

Soto breaks the bank

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

On Sunday, December 8, 2024, Juan Soto, a free agent, signed a 15-year deal with the New York Mets for $765 Million. Soto, born in the Dominican Republic, now has the most significant contract in professional American sports, more than the previous holder of that distinction, Japanese two-way star LA Dodgers Shohei Ohtani, who recently won the NL Most Valuable Player for the third time.

Juan Soto beat Ohtani by $65 million. To put Juan Soto’s contract/salary in perspective, the Dominican Republic, where Juan Soto was born 26 years ago, on an island of 11 million people. The average salary in this Caribbean nation is $7,272 per year or about $606 per month.

However, if you think the Dominican Republic is the poorest island in the Caribbean, you are mistaken. Cuba, which is the largest island in the Caribbean, according to all available data, the average salary of a Cuban citizen is around $30 to $40 US dollars per month or roughly 4,000 Cuban Pesos per year.

The reason is straightforward: Cuba’s government is a communist system where the communist leaders set the wages, they put the prices, and they distribute the wealth. This was not the case for Cuba until 1960 when the island was one of the most prosperous and advanced countries in the Caribbean and all of Latin America.

Unsurprisingly, the Mets, not the Yankees, Dodgers, Blue Jays, Red Sox, Giants, or any other baseball team, signed Mr.Soto. It was the New York Mets, whose owner, Steven A. Cohen, is considered one of, if not the wealthiest, MLB owners, with an estimated net worth of $16 to 20 billion.

The news of Soto signing this incredible contract hit the Dominican Republic like a thunderbolt, and all the media reported it as Breaking News with great pride and admiration. One colleague from the Dominican Republic told me “Nos sentimos muy orgullosos de ser el pais con el pelotero con el salario más grande en la historia” Trans: “We feel very proud to be the country with the baseball player with the largest contract in history”

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

MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Dodgers win the Pennant will face Yankees in World Series

On the MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Will Smith (16) reaches second base after a late throw to New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) during the sixth inning during game six of the NLCS for the 2024 MLB playoffs at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn ImagesJason Parkhurst

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers didn’t waste anytime getting of the shoot Sunday night in game 6 against the New York Mets scoring four runs in the bottom of the third inning.

#2 Stephen from the Start in the first inning the Dodgers scored twice when Tommy Edman doubled in Shohei Ohtani and Teoscar Hernandez.

#3 In the bottom of the third inning Edman homered a two run shot 406 feet to left center that scored T Hernandez making it 4-1. Will Smith hit a two run homer to make it 6-1.

#4 In the bottom of the eighth the Dodgers up 7-4 and looking for more runs saw T Hernandez hit a sacrifice fly to right field and Ohtani scored making it 8-4. Enrique Hernandez hit a single to right scoring Edman making it 9-4. E Hernandez hit a single to right scoring Edman Dodgers putting it out of reach 10-4. Final would be 10-5.

#5 The World Series will feature probably two of the best traditional teams historically in the game the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. Who could forget the 1950s when the Brooklyn Dodgers and Yankees met on multiple occasions. Do you see this being a coin flip and a series that possibly could go to seven games.

Stephen Ruderman is MLB Post Season analyst at http://www.sportsradioservice.com calling from the home office in Yakima Washington

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Mets-Dodgers do battle in game 6 tonight in LA; Chiefs shut down 49ers defense; Plus more news

The New York Mets Starling Marte belts an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game 5 of the NLCS at Citi Park in New York on Fri Oct 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie talk about the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets who do battle in game 6 tonight at Dodger Stadium. The Mets avoided being eliminated on Friday night after they held back the Dodgers 12-6 to move within a game of LA 3-2.

#2 Game 6 tonight the Dodgers have for the most part in this series had the pitching that had command over the Mets. Like in games 1, 3 and 4. It’s when the Mets have those break out games they can score in bunches. Will the Dodgers pitching be one of the biggest factors for the Mets in this game 6?

#3 Turning to pro football the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers met for the first time since the Super Bowl. The Chiefs are came in hot undefeated and are now 6-0 and had the 49ers number Sunday with a ten point win 28-18. The Chiefs defense held off 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy and the 49ers offense Sunday.

#4 The Las Vegas Raiders continue to struggle. Since former Raider Devante Adams expressed his unhappiness with the Raiders before moving onto the Jets the Raiders seems to have fallen in the doldrums. Las Vegas has lost their game against the Los Angeles Rams today at So Fi Stadium 20-15. Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew just couldn’t get any offense going 15-34 for 154 and was intercepted three times.

#5 The future Las Vegas A’s unveiled renderings this week for their new Bally’s ballpark for the Vegas Strip targeted for the 2028 season. With the Tropicana imploded and the A’s playing in the interim in Sacramento the fact still remains that A’s owner John Fisher still has not come up with his share of the $1.5 billion for the construction costs for the A’s Vegas park.

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

MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Mets Alonso lights up LA with 3 run homer in 12-6 win; Yanks one more win from fall classic

The New York Mets Pete Alonso connects for a three run home run off Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jack Flaherty in the bottom of the first inning at Citi Field in New York on Fri Oct 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 The New York Mets were able to stay alive on Friday night in game five with a 12-6 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers to move one game within a tie as the series is 3-2 Dodgers.

#2 The Mets Pete Alfonso hit a three run home run as the Mets jumped all over Dodger starter Jack Flaherty. Flaherty had a rough night pitching three innings getting lit up for eight hits and eight runs.

#3 The Mets Starling Marte had himself quite an evening with three doubles, four hits, and three RBIs. The Dodgers simply couldn’t contain Marte or the Mets line up.

#4 Both the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians wanted this one badly. With the Yankees leading the series 2-1 in game four the Yanks-Guardians tied 6-6 going to the top of the ninth. The Yankees were able to score twice and take the lead. Alex Verdugo was safe on a fielding error by Cleveland shortstop Brayan Rocchio that allowed Jon Berti to score putting the Yankees on top 7-6. The Yanks Gleyber Torres got a base hit to center that scored Anthony Vlope for a two run 8-6 Yanks lead and eventual win.

#5 The Yankees now move up 3-1 it has to be a little frustrating for Guardians manager Stephen Vogt as he and the Guardians face elimination they came all this way fought hard and if they can’t pick up a win in game 5 on Saturday at Progressive Field in Cleveland it’s all over for the Guardians.

Stephen Ruderman is a MLB analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Guardians come back from behind to get walk off HR from Fry in 10th; Dodgers go up 3-1 can eliminate Mets Friday

Cleveland Guardians David Fry raises his arms in victory after hitting a bottom of the tenth two run walk off home run against the New York Yankees at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Thu Oct 17, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen Cleveland almost had this game. The Guardians had a 3-1 lead through six innings but the Yankees rallied in the top of the eighth inning for three runs to take a 5-3 lead. The Guardians would come back and tie up the game in the bottom of the ninth 5-5. The Guardians a team never to give up scored another two runs in the bottom of the tenth for the 7-5 win and pick up their first win of the ALCS.

#2 In the bottom of the ninth inning down 5-3 the Guardians sent up pinch hitter Jhonkensky Noel who belted a 404 foot home run to left field to tie up the game. Sometimes you never know what the pinch hitter is going to do. The Guardians got a game winning home run in the bottom of the tenth when David Fry hit a two run shot to left center for 399 feet to end the evening with a 7-5 win.

#3 In spite of the New York Mets walking Shohei Ohtani three times Ohtani did enough damage hitting a home run in the first inning scored a run in the third, and scored another run in the after Mookie Betts homered in the sixth inning.

#4 Dodgers Tommy Edman had a night at the plate against the Mets with a third inning RBI double, a two run RBI double in the eighth. Mookie Betts with a fourth inning two run RBI double, Betts with the homer in the sixth and scored on Will Smith’s RBI single in the eighth inning.

#5 Dodgers take a 3-1 lead in the series and could wrap it up in game five on Friday afternoon a 2:08pm PT first pitch at Citi Park. The Mets have absolutely struggled in this series in trying to figure out the Dodgers.

Stephen Ruderman is an MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Mets shutout on home field 8-0 by Dodgers take 2-1 series lead

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani watches the distance of his home run in the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York on Wed Oct 16, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the MLB Post Season podcast with Stephen:

#1 Once again the Los Angeles Dodgers pitching came through again with a shutout against the New York Mets 8-0. Dodgers starter Walker Buehler went four innings, allowing four hits and two walks.

#2 The Dodgers also got help with the long ball tonight from Enrique Hernandez with a sixth inning home run, Shohei Ohtani an eighth inning home run, and Max Muncy a ninth inning home run.

#3 Mets starter Luis Severino pitched well going four plus allowing three hits, four walks and three strikeouts. It was the Mets relief core who surrendered runs later in the game Reed Garett 1.1 innings, allowing two hits and two runs and Tyler Megill 2.2 innings, allowing five hits and four runs.

#4 What does this say about this Dodgers pitching staff that pitched 33 consecutive innings of shutout ball and lost game two 7-3 but bounced right back in game 3 with a huge 8-0 win.

#5 Dodgers can move up 3-1 if they can pick up another win against the Mets at Citi Park on Thursday night. Starting for LA Yoshi Yamamoto (1-0, 5.63) and for the Mets Jose Quintana (0-0, 0.00) first pitch 5:08pm PT at Dodger Stadium for game four.

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB Post Season podcast on That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Mets tie series 1-1 with Vientos grand slam; Yanks go up on Guardians 2-0

The New York Mets Mark Vientos rounds the bases with a second inning grand slam home run at Dodger Stadium in game 2 of the NLCS. The Mets went onto tie the series at 1-1 on Mon Oct 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 New York Mets Mark Vientos hit a grand slam home run to help defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Monday night for a commanding 7-3 win to even the series 1-1.

#2 Amaury after getting clobbered in a 9-0 shutout the Mets regrouped and scored some runs with the Vientos grand slam and that big second inning five run rally.

#3 After Mets starter Sean Manaea five innings allowed two hit and two runs. The Mets relievers Phil Maton, Ryne Stanek, and Edwin Diaz came in and didn’t allow a run.

#4 New York Yankees showed their a powerhouse and they got big help in game 1 in the ALCS on Monday night with home run help from Juan Soto and Giancarlo Stanton for a 5-2, over the Cleveland Guardians.

#5 The Yankees got some pitching with starter Carlos Rodon went six innings, three hits and one earned run. Rodon had injuries when he first joined the Yankees but this season he’s got tracked and has been a big part of the starting rotation.

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

MLB Post Season podcast with Charlie O: Mets and Dodgers get after it tonight at Dodger Stadium; Look for Guardians Vogt as Manager of the Year

New York Mets pitcher Kodai Senga shags balls in the outfield before game 3 the National League Playoff game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field in New York on Tue Oct 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Mets and Dodgers get underway for game 1 of the NLCS this first of all has to be a dream come true for the Commissioners office with these two big market teams playing each other in the Championship series.

#2 Charlie got to ask you about the starters in this one tonight as this one gets underway at Dodger Stadium, for the Mets right hander Kodai Senga with a 4.50 ERA has great stuff and has been effective all season will match up against the Dodgers Jack Flaherty (0-1, 6.75) do you see this one being a pitchers duel?

#3 You’ve had the opportunity to work with Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt who was a former Oakland A’s catcher how surprising or not surprising is it that he is on his way to winning the AL Manager of the Year Award for this year.

#4 Talk about how impressive it was for the Guardians to come back down 1-2 and win two straight to win the ALDS and advance.

#5 Charlie talk about the amazing come back by the Los Angeles Dodgers who were down 1-2 in the series with the San Diego Padres came back in games 4 and 5 to win it. The Padres came out like gang busters but the Dodgers whose been there before show that good teams can make the come back.

6. Charlie the Tropicana in Tampa Bay has severe roof damage from Hurricanes Heline and Milton. The Rays are on the hook to pay for the repairs and not their insurer. From what you see do the Rays fix the dome or they will have look to play elsewhere until either the Trop is fixed or when their new ballpark is ready and does that mean another big league club playing in a minor league park?

Join Charlie O for MLB Post Season/Headline podcast each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB Playoffs podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Guardians facing brink of elimination; Phils advance; Padres and Yanks tie up series

MLB Playoffs podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

The Detroit Tigers hitter Riley Greene swings for an RBI single in the first inning of game 3 of the ALDS against the Cleveland Guardians at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wed Oct 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

#1 Four playoff games on Thursday Jerry let’s review taking on the first one the Cleveland Guardians are down 1-2 after struggling against the Detroit Tigers. The Guardians were shutout by another excellent exhibition of pitching by Tiger starter Keider Montero who went one inning it was his reliever Brant Hurter who pitched 3.1 innings allowing five hits after Hurter and four Tiger relievers finished off the job shutting out the Guardians for the 3-0 win.

#2 The New York Mets knocked out the Philadelphia Phillies three games out of four in the NLDS. The Mets on Thursday down 1-0 in the bottom of the sixth put together a four run rally and won it in a three run 4-2 decision. The Mets got some quality pitching from starter Jose Quintana who went five innings, two hits and two walks. The Phillies lone run was unearned. The Mets now advance to the next round.

#3 The New York Yankees improved their position in the ALDS with a one run win over the Kansas City Royals two games to one. The Yanks pulled out a 3-2 win in game three at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Thursday night. Tied 2-2 in the top of the eighth the Yankees just skimmed by Royals pitcher Kris Bubic scratching out a run which gave the Yankees one more win away to advance to the next round.

#4 It wasn’t even a contest on Thursday night at Petco Park in San Diego as the Los Angeles Dodgers racked up the runs against the San Diego Padres 8-0 to tie up the series 2-2. The Dodgers avoided elimination going into the series down 1-2. The bats came out for Los Angeles who scored most of their runs early with two runs in each of the second and third innings and three more runs in the top of the seventh inning.

Jerry Feitelberg is a podcast contributor and is filling in for Stephen Ruderman and Jeremiah Salmonson at http://www.sportsradioservice.com