Tag: Oakland A’s

Mets rally for six runs in seventh blowout A’s 9-1 at Citi Field

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Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof falls after making a catch on the New York Mets Ben Gamel’s line out in the bottom of the eighth inning at Citi Field in New York on Wed Aug 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The Oakland Athletics suffered a blowout 9-1 loss to the New York Mets to even the three-game interleague series at Citi Field at 1-1 on Wednesday night.

New York got revenge for the A’s 9-4 win in game one as Pete Alonso made four hits including a fourth-inning home run and three RBI.

In the first inning, Mark Vientos doubled on a ground ball to left field and Jesse Winker scored, putting the Mets up 1-0.

Francisco Lindor hit a home run on a fly ball to right center field in the third inning to boost New York up 2-0.

In the fourth inning, Alonso hit a home run on a fly ball to left center field and expanded the Mets’ lead to 3-0.

Oakland’s Daz Cameron went out on a sacrifice fly to center field in the sixth inning, allowing Miguel Andujar to score and cutting the Mets’ lead to 3-1.

But in the seventh inning, Lindor singled on a line drive to center field and Vientos scored, giving New York a 4-1 lead. Thanks to a wild pitch by relief pitcher Will Klein, Ben Gamel scored and the Mets were up 5-1. Then Brandon Nimmo went out on a sacrifice fly to center field and Francisco Alvarez scored, putting the home team up 6-1.

The A’s nightmare inning continued as J.D. Martinez doubled on a sharp line drive to right field and Lindor scored, then Alonso doubled on a ground ball to left field and Martinez and Harrison Bader scored, lifting the Mets up 9-1.

Mets starter David Peterson gave up one unearned run and walked four in 6 1/3 innings.

A’s starting pitcher Joey Estes (5-5) allowed three runs in 5 1/3 innings. A’s manager Mark Kotsay said he thought the starter did a good job.

“Overall he gave us an opportunity to stay in that game through his outing,” said Kotsay. “I don’t know if he felt great overall but I did think he did a nice job in just keeping us in the game, giving up a couple of runs and really trying to let the offense come back.”

Estes appeared to show up infielder Darrell Hernaiz for missing Vientos’ line drive double, but wanted to clear that up post-game.

“I was reacting out of emotion after the ball got way past Darell. I wasn’t reacting towards Darell. I’d never show up my boys. For people to not know who I am as a person kind of sucks,” clarified Estes. “Darell is my boy. I’d never do that to my teammates.”

The Mets (62-58) snapped their four-game losing streak and a six game losing streak against AL West opponents.

Oakland (51-70) has been held to one or no runs in 27 games this season, tied with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies for the third-most such games in the MLB.

First pitch for the final of the three-game series at Citi Field is at 10:10 a.m. PT.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 50 years since the First Tommy John surgery

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Tommy John of the Los Angeles Dodgers getting looking over by the Dodgers physician Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974. This season marks the 50th anniversary of Tommy John’s surgery which took place in 1974. It was know as Tommy John surgery due it’s huge success for pitcher to return from shoulder or arm tears (photo by the Los Angeles Dodgers)

50 years since the First Tommy John surgery

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Tommy John pitched for 26 years from 1963 to 1985, including with the Oakland A’s in 1985. His name has been mentioned thousands of times since he had the first ever surgery with his name in 1974. This season marks the half-century anniversary of the once controversial surgery, now, like going to the dentist for a root canal type of surgery.

I was at the press conference at the Oakland Coliseum when the A’s introduced Tommy John, who was wearing an athletics jersey. 1985 was a damaging season for the A’s, winning only 77 games, but there was a rookie by the name of José Canseco making his debut, he was the only hope for the A’s at that time.

José won Rookie of the Year the following season, Monday, August 12. At Oracle Park, the first game of a series between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants, two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell pitched for the Giants, and this year’s #1 candidate for the Cy Young in the National League, Chris Sale, pitched for the Braves.

Blake went 6 1/3 and struck out 11, and Sale completed seven innings and struck out 12. Braves won 1-0 in ten innings. Even though it is rare to see this type of pitching, it is considered by many a “pitcher’s duel”. But pitcher duels belonged to pitchers that went the distance, which is (9) nine innings. In 1999, while broadcasting SF Giants radio en Español at Candlestick Park, the great Juan Marichal dropped into our booth as a visitor and sat to talk about pitching.

I remember asking him, Juan, “What would you have said to your manager or pitching coach if he told you, “Juan, give me six good innings.” Juan smiled and responded, “I would have laughed at his face.” What do you mean by six good innings?

Juan Marichal pitched for 16 years and completed 244 games, winning 243 of those and ‘for good measure’ the Dominican Dandy tjhrew 52 shutouts. Tommy John pitched a total of 4,710 1/3 innings won 288 games lost 231 with a 3.34 ERA.

Joe Roegele, who tracks Tommy John surgeries as an injury analyst for MLB, says the surgery has increased by 29 percent by pitchers who throw at the highest level since 2016. In 2023, 35% of all MLB pitchers have had the surgery.

Roegele added, “I don’t want to say it’s inevitable, but when you throw it overhand, it’s an unnatural motion. (About this surgery) Tommy John Surgery, more formally known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow.

A UCL is a ligament on the inner side of your elbow that helps secure your elbow joint. Some people, typically athletes who play throwing sports, may experience UCL tears. For the last time in history the San Francisco Giants will face the Oakland A’s this Saturday and Sunday at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum for two. afternoon games. KIQI 1010AM/990 covering the Bay Area and Sacramento will have all the live action.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does the live play by play with Manolo Hernandez Douen on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Met’s Blackburn can’t solve old teammates as A’s Langeliers homers in 9-4 win

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The Oakland A’s from left to right Miguel Andujar, JJ Bleday (33) congratulate Shea Langeliers (23) after his three home run against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York on Tue Aug 13, 2024

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The Oakland Athletics earned their first win at Citi Field in more than seven years with a 9-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night to open a three-game interleague series.

Shea Langeliers had four hits and four RBIs and capitalized on his familiarity with Mets starter Paul Blackburn, who previously played with the A’s.

“It’s weird, you know, you spend two years catching a guy and working together on getting guys out and then you have to go face him and it can kind of go both ways,” said Langeliers of facing Blackburn.

“I know how he likes to get guys out, I know what he likes to do but it’s something that I can kind of overthink and work against me.”

In the first inning, Seth Brown doubled on a line drive to center field and Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers scored, putting the A’s up 3-0.

The Mets’ Jose Iglesias singled on a line drive to right field in the second inning and J.D. Martinez scored, cutting Oakland’s lead to 3-1.

In the third inning, Miguel Andujar reached on a fielder’s choice and Rooker scored, growing Oakland’s lead to 4-1. Then Langeliers hit a home run on a fly ball to center field and Bleday and Andujar scored, boosting the A’s up 7-1.

New York’s Jesse Winker in the fifth inning doubled on a line drive to center field and Francisco Lindor scored, making it 7-2. The Mets continued their push with Pete Alonso singling on a sharp line drive to center field allowing Nimmo and Winker to score and cutting the A’s lead to 7-4.

But in the sixth inning, Andujar singled on a ground ball to first base and Rooker scored, bringing Oakland up 8-4. Langelier then doubled on a sharp line drive to left field and Bleday scored, putting the A’s up 9-4. The Mets failed to make a comeback.

“Our club’s played pretty well when we’ve had a lead and again, it does relax guys a little bit and tonight we took advantage of that lead and held on to it,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

A’s starting pitcher Joe Boyle gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks and struck out six over four-plus innings.

Blackburn in his first Citi Field home start allowed a season-high-tying seven runs.

The A’s (51-69) improved to 15-9 since July 12, which is the best record in the American League within that time period.

The Mets (61-58) have lost four straight games for the first time since May when they had a five-game losing streak.

First pitch for game two at Citi Field is 4:10 p.m. PT.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open up three game series at Citi Park against Mets on Tuesday

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker belts a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre Toronto on Sun Aug 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the A’s didn’t waste any time scoring six runs in the first inning and they needed all those runs as the Toronto Blue Jays made a run at the A’s later in the game cutting the lead to two runs for a 8-4 win.

#2 The A’s also got home run help from JJ Bleday and Zack Gelof in the top of the six inning to add some runs for the A’s total.

#3 The A’s are on a 58% winning pace to win 74 games for the season. The A’s picked up their 50th win of the season making them 50-69.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler has made up a big difference providing some great on base hitting and base running and adding critical runs. Butler went had three hits in Sunday’s game.

#5 A’s open up a three game set with the New York Mets Tuesday night at Citi Park the Mets second place in the NL East eight games off the pace and have won four of their last six games. Starting pitcher for the A’s might be an opener as Mark Kotsay has not named a starter yet. For the Mets former A’s starter Paul Blackburn (5-2, ERA 3.86) first pitch at 4:05pm PT.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Havana was Vegas before Vegas was Vegas

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La Habana is July 26, historic Revolutionary Day celebrated in Havana each year. Havana was Vegas before Las Vegas became Vegas and what a Havana A’s team would look like (Getty file photo)

Havana was Vegas before Vegas was Vegas

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Cuba is the perfect country for the Oakland A’s because there will be no more complaints about ownership. In Cuba, the government owns everything, including baseball. No free enterprise or capitalism is allowed. Bad news for some fans.

1-If you are a fan and you show up at a game in Cuba with a sign that reads SELL, the government will arrest you and call you an “enemy of the State.” They will incarcerate you and use you years later as hostage-trade-bait with the US government, which will pay good money for your return.

2-Revenue sharing. Sure, “one-stop shopping.” All 29 teams will pay the Cuban government for the right to have an MLB team in La Habana. Cuban government officials will get many perks, like a free trip to Las Vegas and other tourist spots and twelve months a year to stay in luxurious hotels. In other words,since private ownership is not allowed, the money goes to the Cuban government.

3-No more negotiating. In Cuba, you do not need the MLPA; the Cuban government pays the players, and there is no Unionized work in Cuba on anything. One owner, one check, no “in-between”or, like some like to call it, no Outsourcing.

4-Promotions for the fans? According to government laws, all players with the Cuban A’s will sign autographs for all the fans on special days. Players cannot charge for autographs or go to a special show where they get paid for autograph signing; that doesn’t happen in Cuba.

5-Non Profits? No problem; in Cuba, the only profit is made by the Cuban Government. So you do not have to worry about that. The government gets the funds, they take care of themselves and their families first, and whatever is left, they “re-distribute” with the Cuban citizens.

6-No Habla Spanish? No hay problema. They will learn the official language, Spanish, according to the Cuban government, so that players will have no problems. The government will have tutors waiting for you to let you know about the Cuban communist revolution.

You will get a complimentary invitation to the Fidel Castro Museum to learn. Some might even memorize (Like Cuban kids are forced to do) some of Fidel’s great five hour speeches, not to mention when he was a pitcher for the Universidad de La Habana. Legend has it that in the 1950s, the NY Giants offered Fidel a $5,000 bonus, but being the excellent communist he was, he denied it and never came to play in the United States Major League Baseball.

Special Day? The only special day for the Cuban A’s while they make their home in La Habana is July 26, historic Revolutionary Day. This is the day that Fidel Castro’s revolution began, eventually taking over the country in 1959 and ruling Cuba since today.

Remember, Havana was Vegas, before Vegas!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead radio voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

JP Sears Leads A’s To Series Win Over Blue Jays 8-4; Oakland six run first stands up in two run win

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Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) beats the throw on a slide at second base under the glove of the Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Leo Jimenez (49) in the top of the fourth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By Barbara Mason

JP Sears had a banner day on the mound Sunday in game three of Oakland’s series with Toronto. He was on a tear going through the Toronto Blue Jays (54-64) lineup like a knife through butter. He went seven innings only allowing three hits and three earned runs.

Oakland A’s (50-69) bats were on fire outhitting Toronto 12 hits to five as the A’s took two out of three from the Jays 8-4. The A’s had a perfect blend of long balls and base on hits winning this series. Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday, Zach Gelof and Brent Rooker were also instrumental in the win. Mason Miller capped off the win with another brilliant inning on the mound, three up and three down to once again close the door in relief.

Game recap: Whatever the A’s had in their Cheerios this morning they came out on fire scoring six runs in the first inning. They show-cased a blend of home runs and base hits. The first run of the inning came in thanks to a Blue Jays throwing error which allowed Lawrence Butler to score for the early one run lead and the A’s were just getting started.

Bleday hit a two run home run with Rooker on base followed by a Gelof two run homer with Seth Brown aboard and Oakland had a 5-0 lead. They finished off the inning with a Butler single and Daz Cameron scored taking a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the first inning.

Oakland extended their lead in the fourth inning with a Bleday single that brought Butler home for a 7-0 lead. The Blue Jays finally got on the board in the fourth with a solo home run from Daulton Varsho. That was all Toronto was able to muster so far in the game trailing 7-1.

The A’s tacked another run on in the sixth inning taking a 8-1 lead into the seventh inning. Rooker who was having a great day doubled to left and Max Schuemann scored from second base.

Going into the eighth inning, the Blue Jays were running out of time to make any kind of move, in fact, they were pretty close to finished after six innings. Through seven innings, the A’s had 12 hits while the Blue Jays were quiet with only three.

Sears was having a banner day going into the eighth innings with only 97 pitches in some amazing efficiency. He left the game in the beginning of the eighth inning after walking both Spencer Horwitz and Davis Schneider.

He had an amazing game going seven innings only allowing three hits, three runs, three walks and four strikeouts. Michel Otanez relieved him in the inning. Toronto made a huge move in the eighth inning with only one out.

Luis De Los Santos doubled Spencer Horwitz home and George Springer singled both Davis Schneider and Luis De Los Santos home. Toronto scored three runs to cut Oakland’s lead in half.

A monster threat came to the plate in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. This guy is capable of changing a game with one swing of the bat but he grounded into a double play to end the threat. The A’s were now three outs away from winning this series.

Mason Miller closed out this game in the manner that has become customary for him. It was a three up, three down ninth inning. Oakland really took it to Bassitt in this game who is typically a great starter. He allowed eight hits, seven runs, two walks and five strikeouts and only lasted four innings.

Game notes: Saturday, the A’s tied up their series with the Blue Jays after dropping game one on Friday. Game two featured a tense pitchers duel with the A’s finishing on top 1-0 thanks to the pitching of Osvaldo Bido and the closing brilliance of Mason Miller.

There was not much offensive effort from either team and it was the home run from Brent Rooker in the sixth inning that decided this game. In game three today, Oakland will be looking for their bats to get hot. JP Sears was the winning pitcher on Sunday improving his record to 10-8.

The Blue Jays started Chris Bassitt got lit up, Bassitt went four innings, allowed eight hits and seven earned runs. The stadium welcomed over 35,000 fans on hand for this game despite neither team having any chance for a playoff run.

Oakland will now travel to New York for a three game series with the Mets. The Mets are in third place in the National League East a half game behind the second place Atlanta Braves. Another familiar name will take the mound for the Mets in Paul Blackburn.

Blackburn was recently traded to New York in an effort to bolster the Mets rotation. His 3.86 ERA is solid as is his 5-2 win/loss record. The A’s will go with Ross Stripling with a 2-11, 5.72 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:10 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s even series as Bido and bullpen blank Jays 1-0 in Toronto

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker gets congratulations for his home run in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto which turned out to be the only run of the game (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 The Oakland A’s starter Oavaldo Bido with the help of three relievers got a two hitter blanking the Toronto Blue Jays in a close one 1-0 at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Saturday.

#2 Bido had another strong outing for Oakland and it was enough to ward off the Blue Jays. Bido went six innings allowing two hits, one run, and five strikeouts. He had his variety of pitches working for him.

#3 A’s slugger Brent Rooker accounted for the game’s only run with his 29th home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning. Rooker has been having success with the long ball this season.

#4 For the A’s they’ve won a number of series of late and the good pitching beating the good hitting has been a great help as Saturday’s game was the A’s ninth shutout of the season.

#5 A’s closer Mason Miller shut the door on the Jays pitching in the ninth and striking out three hitters without giving up a run. Miller has been one of the big key reasons why the A’s have won the close games.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice and is a reporter at 1080 KWAI Honolulu

A Brilliant Mason Miller shuts the door Oakland edges Toronto 1-0

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Oakland A’s pitcher Osvaldo Bido delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the first inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Aug 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday the Oakland A’s (49-69) were looking to get the offense warmed up and tie up the series and Brent Rooker ended up providing all the offense the A’s would need with his 29th home run of the season as the A’s defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (54-63) 1-0 . Osvaldo Bido took the mound for the A’s and Yariel Rodriguez started for the Blue Jays.

It was a three up three down for Rodriguez and Bido handled the Blue Jays in the first inning allowing a single hit from the ever dependable Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Other than the single, he dismissed the first, second and fourth at bats going into the second inning. It was good start for Bido.

There was a little bit of traffic in the second for Toronto. Ernie Clement reached first base on an infield single but that would be it for the Blue Jays. Bido had another good inning. Oakland would have to muster a whole lot more offense going into the third inning. The A’s productivity had wavered in their past few games and they were looking to turn it around as this game progressed.

Oakland’s leadoff hitter Max Schuemann walked in the third inning with Lawrence Butler at the plate. Butler grounded into a double play followed by a Miguel Andujar ground out and that would be all for the Athletics. They were struggling through the first three innings which put a lot of pressure on Bido who through three innings had handled the Blue Jays offense beautifully.

After four innings both pitchers had done a spectacular job. Oakland had been held to three hits and the Jays had been held to two. This had turned into a pitchers duel and now the question remained; who would crack first.

After a review in the top of the sixth inning it was determined that with two outs, Brent Rooker had indeed hit the ball out of the field of play. The ball hit the top of the wall and bounced back on the field.

Rooker had hit a home run, his 29th of the season, giving Oakland the first run of the day and the lead 1-0. That would be it for Rodriguez who finished 5 2/3 innings allowing five hits and one earned run.

Ryan Burr came in relief of Rodriguez finishing off the inning for Toronto. Bido continued his great work in the bottom of the sixth inning with a three up three down going into the seventh inning of this one run game.

Bido finished six innings of work with two hits, no runs, one walk and five strikeouts. He was relieved in the seventh inning by Scott Alexander.

Alexander finished off the seventh inning with a strikeout and now Oakland would be looking for an insurance run or two in the eighth inning. When they needed it most, the Oakland offense fell flat.

The A’s had two runners on base in the top of the ninth inning but Abraham Toro hit into a double play. Oakland would bring in Mason Miller to try and finish off this game and tie up this series.

It was “Miller Time”. George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Spencer Horwitz all suffered the same fate at the hands of Miller. Everyone of them struck out and that was the ball game 1-0 in favor of the Athletics.

Game notes: Friday the A’s dropped game one to the Blue Jays by the score of 3-1. Oakland had six hits in the game but game one was not a great one for the A’s offensively. They had the one home run from Darell Hernaiz but it was a lackluster showing for the most part. The A’s were competitive through the seventh inning but in the eighth inning Toronto scored their third run of the game which sealed the win for the Blue Jays.

Sunday, the A’s will play in the rubber game of this series. JP Sears will take the mound with a winning 9-8 win/loss record and a 4.35 ERA. A familiar name, Chris Bassitt will start for the Blue Jays. He has a 9-10 win/loss record and a solid 3.95 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 10:37 AM.

A’s Competitive But Drop Game One Against Blue Jays 3-1

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Darell Heraniz is congratulated in the Oakland A’s dugout in the top of the third inning after connecting for a solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Fri Aug 9, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (48-69) played a competitive game against the Toronto Blue Jays (54-62) but came up short losing 3-1 Friday night. The A’s had tied up this game in the third inning off a Darell Hernaiz home run but the Blue Jays went on to score two more runs one of them their second home run of the game, a Spencer Horwitz solo homer.

Game recap: The Blue Jays were first up on the board in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. George Springer hit a long ball to center field for the early lead. Toronto had both Daulton Varsho, who was thrown out trying to reach third, on base and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also on base but Spence got out of the inning with minimal damage.

It was a three up three down inning for Mitch Spence in the second inning and this game went on to the third inning. Darell Hernaiz tied up this game with a blast to left center, a solo shot.

In the sixth inning, the Blue Jays took back the lead 2-1. Alejandro Kirk grounded into a fielder’s choice to third and Guerrero Jr. scored. After the third inning run, the Oakland A’s did not score through five innings and only had four hits and one walk. They did have opportunity but many of their hits came with two outs.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Blue Jays hit their second home run of the game taking a 3-1 lead. Spencer Horwitz homered, a solo shot to right and Oakland had one last chance to make a move in this game in the ninth inning. When it was all said and done, Oakland finished the game with six hits and the Blue Jays extended their’s to ten hits.

Oakland pitcher Mitch Spence went 5 2/3 innings finishing with eight allowed hits, two earned runs and two strike outsl. T.J. McFarland finished the fifth inning. The Blue Jays Jose Berrios went seven innings allowing six hits, one run and had eight strikeouts. A pretty good game for Berrios.

Game notes: Friday the A’s went into a three game series with the Blue Jays at Roger Centre in Ontario. Oakland is coming off a series win over the Chicago White Sox winning the third game after trailing for most of the game. The A’s scored three runs in in the seventh inning to win the game and the series.

The Blue Jays just won a series from the Baltimore Orioles at home. Last Saturday against the Yankees, pitcher and Friday’s starter Jose Berrios gave up six runs in what was unquestionably one of his worst outings this season.

The A’s Friday night wanted an upset after coming on strong after the break going 11-7 the second best in the AL. Oakland was the underdog and indeed lost in a two run game. Despite that they have won some impressive games from the Dodgers and the Giants.

They have also won series off the Angels and the Astros, much of it due to some great pitching. Mitch Spence has turned things around on his last three outings while Jose Berrios has not been good at all in the month of July posting a 6.08 ERA.

Berrios fortunately had turned the tables on the A’s with some decent pitching on Friday going seven innings allowing just the one home run to Hernaiz in the third inning. A’s starter Mitch Spence went 5.2 innings pitched well enough to win but didn’t get the run support.

Saturday the A’s will be looking to tie up this series in game two. Osvaldo Bido (9-8, ERA 4.35) will take the mound for the Athletics. For the Blue Jays, Yariel Rodriguez will get the nod. He has a 1-4 record and a 3.96 ERA. First pitch for game two is scheduled for 12:07 PM PT and will air on NBC Sports California.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Will AASEG’s take over at Coliseum give Oakland a chance at getting an expansion team?

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FILE – Fans walk outside of the Oakland Alameda Coliseum before a baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and the San Francisco Giants in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 5, 2023. The Oakland Athletics have reached a tentative agreement to sell its half of the Coliseum to a private Black development group for $125 million. The Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, announcement paves the way for the African American Sports & Entertainment Group to build in a long neglected part of the San Francisco Bay Area city. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu,File)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 With the Oakland A’s selling their half of the Oakland Coliseum to the African American Sports Entertainment Group (AASEG) can the Coliseum property now be developed to house a major league franchise or will the Coliseum be a location that will not attract future sports franchises?

#2 AASEG plans to build a giant sports and entertainment complex on the Coliseum grounds. So far the pro soccer teams Oakland Roots and Oakland Soul have committed to play there. It’s very unlikely that Oakland as Mayor Sheng Thao was hoping for will get a Major League Baseball franchise. East Oakland is somewhere MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred does not want to return to and after as Manfred said Howard Terminal was over and done with Manfred decided to move the team out of Oakland.

#3 AASEG was created to enhance the economic path to equality for the black community which is the goal for East Oakland. If AASEG can successfully build a giant sports and entertainment complex at the Oakland Coliseum and lure just one professional sports franchise they would have made a start to turn things around but after losing the Raiders, Warriors and now the A’s it’s looking like a long shot to impossible.

#4 The Oakland A’s after losing two out of three to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the Coliseum turned around and took two out of three from the Chicago White Sox. The Sox ended their 21 game losing streak on Tuesday night.

#5 The A’s open up a three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays on Friday night. Both teams are in last place. The Jays have won four of their last ten games and the A’s five of their last ten. How do you see the beginning of this road trip.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com