Tag: Oakland A’s

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s Rooker and Butler supply offense beat Angels; Oakland’s Spence pitches 5 innings for win

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On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) who hit a three run home run runs the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Jul 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

#1 The A’s got hitting and pitching against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday night and beat the Angels by two runs 7-5 at the Oakland Coliseum. Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler both hit a home run in the cause.

#2 A’s third baseman Brett Harris got a run double to help the A’s run production. The A’s got scored four i the fourth and three in the sixth for all their runs.

#3 Rooker’s home run came off a 0-2 knuckle ball pitch of Angels pitcher Jose Soriano. Butler’s three run home run just cleared the left field foul pole. It was the big fly that helped win the game for the A’s on Tuesday.

#4 Oakland A’s starter Mitch Spence had himself an outing pitching 5.1 innings, giving up six hits, allowing one earned run and striking out five. The A’s are hoping to get more quality starts that could help them win a few more games.

#5 The Angels and A’s play the second of this two game series at the Coliseum Wednesday starting for the Angels Davis Daniel (1-0, ERA 0.00) for the A’s Joey Estes (2-5, ERA 5.24) a 6:40pm PT start at the Coliseum.

Jeremiah regularly does A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Butler and Rooker lead the way with homers as A’s defeat Angels 7-5 at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s Zack Gelof (20) congratulates Lawrence Butler (4) after he scores in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angeles at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Jul 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

Los Angeles (36-48). 000 010 202. 5. 11. 0

Athletics (31-56). 000 403 00x. 7. 7. 0

Time: 2:40

Attendance: 5,447

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Having paused for a day after finishing their 12th consecutive losing month, the wandering A’s got off on the right foot Tuesday night at the homeless encampment that is the Oakland Coliseum by defeating the Los Angeles Angels 7-5 in a game that almost got away from them in the frame.

The nominal home team chose four year minor league veteran Mitch Spencer, whom they acquired in the Rule 5 draft last December, as their starting pitcher. The 26 year old right hander came to work at 4-4, 4.35. He began the season in the bullpen and was 3-1, 4.26 before joining the rotation. on May 17.

He was quite successful at first, going 1-1, 2.08 in his first three outings, but cooled off to the point that his record as a starter was 1-3, 4.40 overall in that capacity. This balmy evening his start lasted 5-1/3 innings, long enough to earn him his fifth win of the season and lower his ERA to 4.15.

He surrendered one run, which was earned, on six hits and a walk while striking out five. 56 of his 94 offerings were counted as strikes. Tyler Ferguson took over for him with Logan O’Hoppe on first with a one out single in the top of the sixth.

The visiting Halos went with José Soriano, another Rule 5 draftee. His Rule 5 story has an interesting twist to it. The Angels signed him as an international free agent in 2016. The Pirates claimed him as the first overall pick in the 2020 Rule 5 draft.

While recovering from Tommy John surgery at the end of the ’21 season, all of which he spent on the IL, Soriano was returned to the Angels. He made his big league debut with them last year and went 1-3, 3.64. He was 4-5, 3.48 when he took the mound.

He left it trailing 4-1, on his way to the loss that made his record 4-6, 3.77. All of the four runs charged to him were earned. They came on three hits, two of which went yard, a walk, and a hit batter. He struck out four Athletics and threw 62 pitches, 30 counting as strikes.

There was no scoring for the first 3-1/2 innings. Then the A’s bats came alive in their half of the fourth. Brent Rooker to a Soriano knuckle curve 405 feet deep over the right center field fence for a solo home run. Shea Langeliers singled to left, and, an out and a Zack Gelof single later, Lawrence Butler’s third homer of the year made it 4-0.

Poor fielding and some wildness on Spence’s part cost the A’s a run in the visitors’ fifth. With Brandon Drury on first with a lead off single and one down, the A’s starter unleashed a wild pitch to Jo Adell that allow the runner to take second.

Adell then sent a soft fly to center that JJ Beday let fall to his feet for a single that put Drury on third. Nolan Schanuel lifted a sacrifice fly to left that narrowed the Athletics’ lead to 4-1. Soriano didn’t come out to the mound in the bottom of the frame.

Hans Crouse relieved him and kept the separation at three runs. José Marte took over for the sixth and coughed up three runs on a hit batter (Gelof), Butler’s single that Taylor Ward caught on a short hop and almost resulted in Gelof getting put out in a rundown between first and second, and Brett Harris’s two RBI double. The green and gold now was up, 7-1.

A walk to Brandon Drury and a Mickey Moniak double put two runners in scoring position before Ferguson fanned Adell for the first out in the top of the seventh. Then Kotsay and Co. pulled him in favor of Scott Alexander, who surrendered a two run single to Schanuel.

The runs were charged to Ferguson. Alexander then closed out the inning with a twin killing, Max Schuemann, unassisted at short, to Tyler Soderstrom at first. Lucas Erceg hopped on the merry-go-round at the start of the eighth allowed nothing but a leadoff single to Luis Rengifo.

Hunter Strickland was the Angelinos’ fourth and final pitcher. He retired the side in order in the bottom of the eighth, so the score remained 7-3 in favor of the Athletics when Miller Time went into effect. Mason Miller gave up a leadoff walk to Drury anf retired Moniak and Adell, before allowiing an RBI double to Schanuel and an RBI singe to Rengifo. At last, he fanned Ward, sealing the A’s 7-5 victory.

6:40pm PT Wednesday, evening is the scheduled time for the second of this three game series. Joey Estes (2-3, 5.24) will start for the Athletics; Davis Daniel (1-0, 0.00) for the Disneyland Dandies.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Will a change in Oakland Mayors bring A’s back to the table? A’s prepare for Angels tonight

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Stephen Lucero (left) who designed a baseball card stands with Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao (center) and Lucero’s wife Chrissy (right) at the mayor’s office on Tue Nov 7, 2023 in their push to keep the A’s in Oakland. This was well before a recall was being considered to oust Thao. (AP News file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 Recently Scott Ostler at the San Francisco Chronicle posed a scenario that if Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao was to be recalled a new mayor could come in and work with the Oakland A’s in the event the Las Vegas deal falls through a long shot and Ostler did mention it’s a dream scenario.

#2 Thao didn’t seem to get along with MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and A’s owner John Fisher. Was it her approach. Was it how the proposal for a Howard Terminal ballpark and how it was to be budgeted failed to have all parties come to an agreement?

#3 The most recent news coming off Thao’s FBI house raid going on two weeks ago. Thao was at a meeting in the City Council chambers and in the middle of the meeting she walked out. Thao left some of her personal items at the desk where she had been sitting and had someone go in and get it for her. It was reported that she was not taking any questions regarding the raid at the meeting.

#4 On the field with the Oakland A’s just not enough hitting for the A’s in their last game Sunday in Arizona against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The A’s were beaten 5-1 and Diamondbacks starter Brandon Pfaadt pitched six inning giving up six hits and one run. The A’s hitters just couldn’t figure Pfaadt out.

#5 The A’s who were swept by the Los Angeles Angels the last time these two teams met will meet the Angels again tonight. Starting pitcher for the Angels RHP Jose Soriano (4-5, ERA 3.48) for the A’s Mitch Spence 4-4, ERA 4.35) first pitch 6:40pm PT in Oakland.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s injuries has played role in team’s struggles

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Oakland A’s pitcher Kyle Muller made his second start with Triple A Las Vegas and is working on making his way back to the big club from rehab (Kyle Muller instagram photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, the Oakland A’s open up a series against the Los Angeles Angels the last time these two teams met the Angels swept them no doubt this Angels team has improved over the course of their earlier struggles which had them at one time in last place.

#2 Amaury, the A’s have a number of injuries how much does that play into their struggling record?

#3 Amaury, the A’s pitcher Aaron Brooks has cleared wavers and is set to play for the Triple A Las Vegas Aviators. Brooks had been designated for assignment to make room for pitcher Jack McLoughlin. The A’s were hoping that Brooks would clear wavers so he could stay with the organization.

#4 On June 28th A’s pitcher Kyle Muller made his second rehab appearance going 1.1 innings at Triple A Las Vegas. A’s manager Mark Kotsay said he was please with Muller’s appearance. Muller will pitch again for the Aviators on July 2.

#5 It’s been a long time coming but the A’s outfielder Esteury Ruiz who had suffered with a left wrist injury and was the 10 day IL since May 23. Ruiz is now taking swings off the tee and Kotsay is monitoring his rehab which is coming along.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#2

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s hope to rebound after losing series to D-Backs; Oakland hosts LA Angels Tuesday

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Paul Sewald (left) fields the ball against the Oakland A’s Tyler Nevin (right) in the top of the ninth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sun Jun 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Once again the Oakland A’s struggled to get any kind of run production on Sunday against the Arizona Diamondbacks as the A’s lost in a four run contest 5-1. The Diamondbacks scored three times in the bottom of the seventh that pretty much sank the A’s boat.

#2 The Diamondback Brandon Pfaddt pitched six innings allowed five hits, one earned run and walked two batters and struck out eight.

#3 The Diamondbacks Blaze Alexander hit for two run RBI single that was part of the D-Backs three run seventh, A’s pitcher TJ McFarland was the pitcher of record and was charged for the three runs, giving up a hit and one walk.

#4 The A’s continue to struggle Barbara losing 12 of their last 13 games and the A’s starters continue to struggle as they’re ERAs continue to climb after since Luis Medina’s start it’s gone up to 8.31.

#5 The A’s head back to Oakland Tuesday after a day off on Monday to face the Los Angeles Angels at the Coliseum. Starting pitcher for the Angels RHP Jose Soriano (4-5, ERA 3.48) for the A’s RHP Mitch Spence (4-4, ERA 4.35) first pitch 6:40pm.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Mid-Season Report- Not to Lose 100 Again?

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Oakland Athletics’ Mason Miller pitches against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, May 2, 2023. Has been a big part of the A’s closing opportunities and could be on the trade deadline in July or could be one of the future foundations for the A’s (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

A’s Mid-Season Report: Not to Lose 100 Again?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s have played 86 games, and they are already into the second half of this 2024 season. Their record of 30-56 is seven games over last season, when at this same time of the season, they had a 23-63 record. From July 2 of last season to July 2 this season, the A’s have seven more wins and seven fewer lost games. What does this mean?

Does it mean they are going to lose 100 games again? They might not lose 112 games as they did in 2023, but they could also end with at least 100 games in the lost column. With a day off Monday, July 1, the A’s return to Oakland after a 1-5 road trip, swept in Anaheim and lost 2 of 3 in Arizona.

They will face the Angels on Tuesday for a three-game series, who swept them last week in Disneyland. They will be followed by the Baltimore Orioles, one of the best teams in baseball. The O’s have been taking turns on first place with the New York Yankees, and more than likely, one of those two teams will win the AL East. The O’s and Yanks are on the list of possible World Series winners this year.

Since they began to play in Oakland in 1968, it was in 1979 (another transition season) that the A’s ended with a 54-108 record. In 2022, with 60-102, and last season in 2023, with 50-112. They could quickly lose 100 or more again.

They continue to rebuild and are in transition, with their main goal to develop the players that, in the future, could make their team like the Orioles. The Orioles also leased the cellar not long ago, but they drafted many good players; a few are headed soon to the All-Star Game in Texas, traded for others, and are a young powerhouse. We will see these O’s soon after the Angels visit Oakland; as a matter of schedule, the Orioles are here next Friday for a 3-game soiree with the young Athletics.

Bleday, Gelof, Soderstrom, Langeliers, Miller, Medina, Rooker, Erceg, and Butler are some of the new names and faces in Oakland who could be the foundation for a better future. However, the trade deadline is at the end of this month, and nobody should be surprised if some of the young talent will also be departing, making room for… more young talent for that long-awaited future.

But as far as this season, who is counting?

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

A’s Lose Rubber Match to Arizona 5-1; Loss is A’s 12th of last 13 road games; Oakland hosts LA Angels Tuesday

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The Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof (20) gets the putout on the Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll (7) and relays the ball to first for the double play in the bottom of the eighth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sun Jun 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s hung in this game going into the bottom of the seventh inning. This is when the Arizona Diamondbacks broke this game wide open scoring four runs and shutting down the Oakland offense. The final was 5-1 in favor of Arizona as they won this series.

Game recap: Through the first three innings of this game neither team was able to score but going into the fourth inning Arizona’s Christian Walker singled Ketel Marte home from third and the Diamondbacks had scored the first run of the game and taken the lead 1-0. Arizona had a great opportunity in the bottom of the fourth inning when they had the bases loaded but came away with only the one run in the inning.

Oakland answered back in the fifth inning tying up this game 1-1. A solo home run from Zach Gelof knotted this game. Through five innings, each team had 3 hits apiece and the A’s were already having a more productive offensive effort.

The A’s had a couple of singles in the sixth inning but left those runners stranded. The Diamondbacks had a couple of runners on base in the sixth inning as well but Medina got out of the inning holding steady through six innings. This game went into the seventh inning remaining tied at 1.

The Diamondbacks again loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning. Oakland starting pitcher Luis Medina had been relieved by T.J. McFarland after going six innings allowing four hits and one earned run with five strikeouts.

It was a quick appearance for McFarland who allowed one hit and three earned runs before being relieved by Austin Adams after less than an inning. Adams stopped the bleeding but the damage had been done in the inning. Arizona scored three runs taking a 4-1 lead. Corbin Carroll, Geraldo Perdomo and Ketel Marte all scored giving the Diamondbacks a nice lead late in the game.

In the eighth inning when Oakland desperately needed hits Miguel Andujar and Brent Rooker both struck out and Tyler Soderstrom flied out. Sean Newcomb took the mound trying to keep Oakland in this game.

Newcomb walked Eugenio Suarez who moved onto second base on a wild pitch. Geraldo Perdomo came to the plate, doubled, Suarez scored and Arizona had a 5-1 lead breaking this game wide open going into the final inning of this game. The Diamondbacks were three outs away from winning this series.

It was a quick one two three inning for Oakland. Kyle McCann struck out swinging, Tyler Nevin grounded out and Zach Gelof also struck out. It was a quick and quiet inning for the A’s losing the game 5-1.

Post game notes: Sunday afternoon the A’s met the Diamondbacks in the rubber match of their three game series the A’s dropped a 5-1 decision losing two out of three to the Diamondback. Friday night the A’s offense went crazy hitting three home runs in the ninth inning. They finished the game with four home runs and 14 hits.

Then along came Saturday night and Oakland’s bats went ice cold losing 3-0 only managing two hits in the entire game. In Sunday’s game, A’s starting pitcher Luis Medina went six innings, allowing four hits and a run. It was McFarland the A’s reliever who ran into trouble giving up three runs in the seventh inning in the four run loss for Oakland.

After another disappointing series, the A’s will now head back to Oakland for a series with the Anaheim Angels. The last time these two teams met back on June 24-26 the Angels swept Oakland. This three game series is set to get underway Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM. RHP Mitch Spence will take the mound for the A’s with a 4-4, 4.35 ERA. Starting pitcher for the Angels RHP Jorge Soriano (4-5, ERA 3.48).

A’s Offense Falters Losing to Diamondbacks In Shutout 3-0

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Oakland A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (left) dives towards first base to beat the Arizona Diamondback runner Corbin Carroll (7) to first base in the bottom of the seventh inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sat Jun 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After an impressive offensive display in last night’s game, the Oakland A’s (30-55) offense today was equally unimpressive. They only managed two hits the entire game getting shutout by the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-43) 3-0. The pitching was terrible allowing ten hits and three runs in 3 1/3 innings. They still have the opportunity to win this series if they can get get their bats going in game three.

Game recap: Although the A’s did fall behind early as in Friday night’s game, there was no reason for alarm. This team has proven that they can comeback as they did in last night’s game. The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Ketel Marte singled Eugenio Suarez home for the early lead. With so much game left there was still a lot of baseball to be played. Oakland needed their offense to get this game on track.

Arizona did not back down scoring a run in the third and fourth innings. Jake McCarthy singled Christian Walker home and in the fourth inning Lourdes Jose Gurriel Jr doubled Herrera home and the Diamondbacks had a strangle hold on this game and Oakland could not do much about it.

The A’s bats remained silent through the entire game with only twp hits, one in the first inning and one hit in the seventh inning. It was such a stark contrast from what we saw last night. In game one, they had 14 and in today’s game a complete shutdown with the two hits.

Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar had a single hit apiece but that was it offensively for Oakland. Friday night seven batters for the A’s were hitting and today only Rooker and Andujar. Consistency has been a real problem for Oakland this season and the game today was no different.

The good news is that the rubber game Sunday is a new start and could very well bring the A’ a series win. A’s pitcher Luis Medina will do his best to make that happen. His win-loss record is not great 1-3 and his ERA is 5.25. Arizona has also struggled on the mound this season. They will send Brandon Pfaadt (3-6, ERA 4.45) to start as they will be looking to take the series as well.

It was not a great outing for Hogan Harris in game two. He only lasted 3 1/3 innings allowing 10 hits and three runs and had only three strikeouts. On the other hand the Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen returned from IR holding the A’s to a single hit in six innings for the 3-0 win. Gallen threw 77 pitches, 50 strikes striking out seven A’s. Ketel Marte had another solid game with three hits which put the stops on a three-game losing streak for Arizona.

Game notes: After a banner night Friday night the A’s took on the Diamondbacks in game two of their series. There was not much that Oakland could not do Friday night in game one from hitting, to defense to pitching; it was magic and the team needed to keep the ball rolling into the second game of the series.

They have suffered setbacks far too often in the past and ended up repeating an old pattern Saturday with no run production and no hitting. Hogan Harris took the mound for the A’s and couldn’t keep this winning streak alive in the loss. The Diamondbacks assigned Gallen who made his first start since May coming off the IL and wound up shutting out the A’s in six innings pitched.

Sunday afternoon, the A’s will be looking to win this series. They will need a lot more then two hits to do it and they will need Luis Medina to set the stage. Medina will be challenged with a very solid and deep Arizona roster. First pitch for game three is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

A’s 11 Game Road Losing Streak Comes to an End Beating Arizona 9-4

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Oakland A’s Zack Gelof (20) is congratulated at the plate by Shea Langeliers (23) after scoring against Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Fri Jun 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (29-54) losing streak came to an end beating the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-42) 9-4. The A’s had 14 hits and four home runs in this game. Three of those home runs came in the ninth inning, the first two back to back. JP Sears had a great game on the mound. This was an all-around complete game for the team.

Thursday, Oakland had the day off, a badly needed bit of time off. These guys have been struggling for a long time now in fact the last time they won a road series was back on April 26. This series could be a tough call for the A’s as they take on last seasons’ National League Champions.

Arizona had a very slow start this season and they are still fighting to catch up although they are third in the NL West. Their offense has been solid but they have stumbled considerably on the mound. Friday night the A’s battled and ended their long 11 game road losing streak with a win over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Game recap: The Arizona Diamondbacks got this game going early scoring twice in the first inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled Ketel Marte home for the 1-0 lead. They extended their lead when Randal Grichuk hit a ground rule double and Gurriel scored taking a 2-0 lead and the Arizona offense had not disappointed. Arizona pitcher Slade Cecconi blew right through Oakland in the first two innings.

The Oakland starting lineup got a feel for Arizona pitcher Blade Cecconi in the opening innings and took it to the Diamondbacks in the third inning. Brent Rooker singled Zach Gelof home followed by a single off the bat of Shea Langeliers that drove Miguel Andujar home and this game was tied 2-2. Cecconi got a little shaky walking two runners in the third inning as the A’s had settled in offensively.

Oakland took the lead in the fourth inning. Max Schuemann sacrificed Armando Alvarez home. Schuemann has made great strides making his way from near the bottom of the lineup moving on up. He has been consistent and Alvarez has also made waves. Both of these guys were responsible for giving Oakland a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning.

The Oakland lead was short-lived when the Diamondbacks tied up this game 3-3 in the sixth inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had his second hit of the game and it was a hit that left the yard for a solo shot.

After a rough start A’s pitcher JP Sears came alive. He gave up the two runs in the first inning but then it was Sears who was blowing through the Arizona lineup. He would finish going six innings allowing five hits, three runs with six strikeouts. After a fine pitching performance Sears was relieved by Scott Alexander.

The Diamondbacks took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning 4-3. Ketel Marte had his second hit of the game, a single that drove Corbin Carroll home. Oakland got out of the inning but with only two innings left in the game they had some work to do trailing by a single run.

Oakland got to work straight away with their first at-bat in the eighth inning. Tyler Soderstrom hit his seventh home run of the season to tie up this game 4-4. The Soderstrom home run was just the beginning for the A’s. They took the lead 5-4 when Zach Gelof tripled and Armando Alvarez scored. Oakland finished off the inning on a Max Schuemann single that drove Zach Gelof home giving the A’s a 6-4 lead.

A Brandon Hughes pitch right down the middle sailed out of the yard off the bat of Brent Rooker for the A’s first home run of the ninth inning. Oakland would hit a second home run in the same inning; this one from Shea Langeliers in back to back homers and an 8-4 lead.

There was no quitting for these guys as they hit their third home run of the inning, this one courtesy of Daz Cameron extending their lead to 9-4. Oakland had four home runs in this game and they also had 14 hits in a highly productive offensive effort.

It was “Miller Time” as pitcher Mason Miller came in to close out this game. He struck out the first two batters he faced. The reaper secured the win 9-4 in a three up, three out ninth inning. The Athletic drought had come to an end.

Game notes: Friday night the A’s went into Phoenix with a single purpose in mind: to end an 11-game road losing streak. The A’s took on the Diamondbacks after getting swept by the Anaheim Angels earlier this week dropping their fifth straight game overall.

While manager Mark Kotsay blames the slide on a lot of mental mistakes, it goes deeper than that. The A’s lefty JP Sears made the start. Sears has also been struggling going 0-3 in his first four starts in June with a 9.18 ERA. In his past two starts he did not get past the second inning. His struggles with command are no secret Sears has never faced Arizona in his three-year career. Sears had a much better game than his last three outings going six innings, giving up five hits, three runs , striking out six hitters in the A’s win.

The Diamondbacks came into this game after losing to the Minnesota Twins Thursday 13-6. Arizona started right-hander Slade Cecconi to open the series. Cecconi has never faced Oakland in his two-year career. Cecconi went four innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, and struck out seven hitters.

Game two in this three game series will be played Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM. Hogan Harris will get the start for Oakland with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 2.72 ERA. The A’s offense will be facing Zac Gallen with a 5-4 win/loss record and a 3.12 ERA.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Was raid designed to expedite Mayor Thao out of office before a recall election?

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao addresses the news media at Oakland City Hall on Mon Jun 24, 2024 regarding the raid on her Oakland home last week (photo from yahoo.com news)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Jerry, the last thought on Mayor Sheng Thao’s mind right now are the departure of the Oakland A’s who leave for Sacramento after this season. Thao whose home was raided last week has given two press conferences since the raid.

#2 Jerry, Mayor Thao who faces a recall, how much of the reasons for the recall fall on her for losing the Oakland A’s besides the high crime, retail and businesses moving out of Oakland, and firing police chief LeRonne Armstrong at the beginning of her term.

#3 The Mayor through media reports has been accused of accepting illegal campaign donations from California Waste Solutions. The FBI confiscated ice chest size cases of documents from Thao’s home there’s always a chance they could find a document that ties her to accepting illegal campaign contributions but on the other hand it could amount to nothing. The Mayor has insisted that this is a waste of time and she said she did nothing wrong.

#4 On the surface of it with the recall and the state of the City of Oakland is this raid a further push to make the Mayor look bad and it would actually help push her out of office?

#5 Jerry, the Oakland Ballers the Pioneer Minor League team who before their season started wanted to play just one game at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Jun 29th for a special game. The Ballers sent out a press release on Thursday saying the A’s shot down that idea of using the Coliseum because there is a clause in the contract that the A’s have say so who they share the Coliseum with. The Ballers will not be permitted to play that one game there. Some say it might be an embarrassment to the A’s if the Ballers were to get over 25,000 fans to show up which is a lot more the A’s have drawn for a single game all season.

Jerry Feitelberg filled in for Daniel Dullum for the Oakland A’s Relocation podcasts heard each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com