Tag: Oakland A’s

Rays shut out A’s 1-0 in 13 innings

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Photo credit: @RaysBaseball

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — It was a sizzling, sun-drenched day in Oakland. The temperature at the start of the game was 78 degrees, and the 10,881 fans in attendance thought they might see a few home runs in the game. The ball usually carries well on hot days, but that did not happen as the A’s, and Rays’ pitchers were sensational. The Rays scored the winning run in the top of the 13th. The A’s had their chances,but could not get a hit with a runner in scoring position.

The A’s starter, Trevor Cahill, had his best game of the year. Cahill went eight innings, allowed just four, didn’t walk a batter, struck out six, and did not allow a run.

The Rays’ starter, Chris Archer pitched six scoreless innings, He kept the A’s scoreless and allowed just 4 hits, too. Both bullpens were terrific. The Rays were a wee bit better as they won the game 1-0.

The Rays scored the only run of the day in the top of the 13th. Chris Hatcher, the A’s fifth pitcher of the day, retired the first two hitters in the 13th. He then gave up singles to John Field, Jesus Sucre, and center fielder Mallex Smith. The Ray’s Ryne Stanek retired Matt Joyce for the first out. Marcus Semien walked. Jed Lowrie fouled out. Rays’ manager Kevin Cash made a pitching change. He brought in the lefty Jonny Venters to pitch to Matt Olson. Venters struck out Olson for the final out.

The A’s had men in scoring position in the fourth, sixth, and ninth innings but could not score. The A’s drop to 28-26 while Tampa Bay improves to 26-26.

The line score for the Rays was 1 run, 7 hits, and 1error. The A’s line was no runs, 7 hits, and no errors.

Chris Hatcher was the losing pitcher, and Ryne Stanek recorded the win.

Game 2 of the four-game series will be played Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. Daniel Gossett (0-2, 6.28 ERA) will pitch for the A’s, and the Rays will send lefty Blake Snell (6-3, 2.78ERA) to the hill. Game time is at 7:05 pm PST.

Montas’ Moment: A’s Reliever Turned Starter Shuts Down the D-Backs 2-1

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By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–If this is the path you travel to establish yourself at Major League level, then don’t try this at home.

Frankie Montas’ winding, professional run starting with the Red Sox organization in 2012 as a teenager, followed by trades to three, new clubs, the last a multiplayer deal where the Dominican righthander went from the Dodgers to the A’s isn’t unique, but Montas’ oddysey has rarely provided moments to suggest he could find a role and stick with a big league club.

But Sunday at the Coliseum in the A’s 2-1 win over the Diamondbacks, Montas may have come up with the performance that finally gets him over the hump.

In his first ever start for the A’s after two hands full of forgettable, relief appearances in 2017, Montas was nearly flawless. Throwing his usual smoke–with new and improved, secondary pitches mixed in–he controlled the Diamondbacks, allowing no hits through five innings, before three singles and a run in the sixth. Those three would be the only hits for Arizona the entire game.

“I thought his two-seamer was really good today, which is what he’s been working on. And then his offspeed stuff mixed in to keep them off-balance and make his fastball play that much better,” manager Bob Melvin said in summarizing his pitcher’s appearance.

Montas served up fastballs at 95 plus in the early innings, then liberally mixed in his deceptive stuff, a stew that kept the struggling D’Backs flummoxed. And he worked himself out of a pair of jams: in the fourth, when he allowed both his walks, and the sixth when the three singles lead to Jake Lamb’s run-scoring sacrifice fly and nothing more.

“I feel really comfortable as a starter,” Montas said with the help of interpreter Juan Dorado. “It’s something I’ve done my whole career and it’s something that I want to do. And now that I’m commanding my fastball a little better, it’s something that I’m working hard on.”

Work was demanded of Montas when he was demoted in July, after he allowed 39 hits in 32 innings of work across 23 relief appearances, including 20 walks and 10 home runs. Those ragged numbers placed Montas as arguably the second-worst among Oakland relievers for one season all-time, and created the possibility the then 24-year old might not get a second chance.

But boldly, he pleaded to be groomed for a starter’s role.

Montas went winless in eight starts at Triple-A Nashville, then a oblique injury ended his frustrating 2017 season. Then this season he wasn’t obviously new-and-improved at 1-5 with an 3.24 ERA for Nashville, but he had some, positive stretches and became accustomed to the rhythm and length of starting.

When Oakland’s rotation continued to take hits, the latest injuries to Brett Anderson and Andrew Triggs, Montas–with his signature fastball still creating intrigue–got another shot.

And he delivered.

Jonathan Lucroy homered–his first as an Athletic–in support of Montas. After the Diamondbacks tied it in the sixth, Matt Chapman delivered the game-winning hit in the bottom of the inning.  Chapman’s single scored Matt Olson to put the A’s up 2-1.

Relievers Yusmeiro Petit, Lou Trivino and closer Blake Treinen finished the Diamondbacks in short order. The trio expended just 32 pitches in retiring the final nine Arizona batters consecutively, while striking out four.

The quiet, abrupt end to the game shed light on the depth of Arizona’s woes. After losing Saturday and Sunday, the D’Backs have lost 15 of 17 while scoring just 34 runs total. Amazingly, seven of those 34 came in Friday’s win, vividly illustrating how stark their offense has been since they started the season 24-11, the best 35-game start in the Diamondbacks franchise’s history.

“It’s just not going the way we want it to right now, but we have to keep together,” said Arizona’s David Peralta. “We just have to keep together, we have to keep fighting every day and we have to play with the same mentality–positive–and things are going to turn.”

The A’s have won nine of 13, and gained ground for a second straight day in the AL West. They are now 5 1/2 games behind the first-place Astros.

The A’s open a four-game set with the Rays on Monday with Trevor Cahill facing the Tampa Bay’s Chris Archer at 1:05pm.

 

 

 

MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum: Angels’ Trout goes yard on Yanks; Giants’ Bumgarner near to return; Choo leads MLB’s Asian-born hitters with HRs

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photo from yahoosports.com: Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout went 5-5 on Saturday against the New York Yankees

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1  LA Angels’ Mike Trout (27) has another career day in rout of New York Yankees.

2 Mad about Bum: SF Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner fans eight in first rehab start.

3 Shin-Soo Choo is MLB’s new Asian-born home run king.

4 A’s “Star Wars” themed fireworks show starts fire in Oakland.

5 Cleveland reliever Andrew Miller back on DL.

Daniel does MLB The Show podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

A’s nip Mariners 4-3 to win series finale

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s won the final game of the three-game series as they defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3. However, the Mariners won the series two games to one and are 6-3 over Oakland so far this season.

The A’s were facing their nemesis, Felix Hernandez, once more. Hernandez has owned the A’s over the years and his 26-10 lifetime record is a testament to his dominance. Thursday’s game in Oakland did not go King Felix’s way. The A’s tallied four runs in the bottom of the first, and that was enough to win the game. Hernandez and three Mariner relievers allowed the A’s just one hit after the first inning. Josh Lucas went two innings for the A’s and gave up two runs. The A’s bullpen was fantastic as they kept Seattle off the board until the eighth and Blake Treinen closed out the game to preserve the win.

The Mariners jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. The A’s starter Josh Lucas gave up singles to M’s shortstop Jean Segura and center fielder Guillermo Heredia. Lucas walked the ever-dangerous Mitch Haniger to load the bases with no out. Lucas now had to face the M’s slugger Nelson Cruz. Cruz, who has killed the A’s in the past, hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Segura scored. Lucas struck out Kyle Seager to end the inning. The A’s roared back in their half of the frame as they scored four times to take a 4-1 lead.

The M’s ace Felix Hernandez gave up singles to Matt Joyce and Marcus Semien to put men on at first and third with one out. Jed Lowrie flew out to left field. Joyce tagged up and scored on the play. Matt Chapman walked to put two men on with two out. Stephen Piscotty doubled to drive in Semien and Chapman. Piscotty scored the fourth run of the inning when Dustin Fowler singled.

The Mariners scored a run in the second inning to make it a 4-2 game.  With two out, Andrew Romine walked. He then stole second and scored on a single by M’s catcher David Freitas.

There was no more scoring in the game until the top of the eighth inning. A’s manager brought in rookie Lou Trivino to pitch. Trivino gave up a single to Jean Segura and walked Heredia to put men on at first and second with no out. Mitch Haniger hit a sharp grounder that was fielded by the third baseman Matt Chapman. Chapman stepped on third base for the first out, threw to second for the second out, but Haniger was safe at first as the throw arrived just a split second late. Nelson Cruz singled to send Haniger to third, and Cruz went to second base on the throw. Bob Melvin decided to use his closer, Blake Treinen to get the final out of the eighth. Kyle Seager singled sharply to drive in Haniger with the M’s third run. Cruz stopped at third base. Treinen retired Daniel Vogelbach on a fly ball to center field for the final out of the inning. The A’s are still in the lead 4-3.

Treinen retired the M’s in order in the top of the ninth. Ben Gamel flew out to left field for the first out. Treinen then struck out pinch-hitter Ryon Healy on a 99-mile-an-hour four-seam fastball for the second out, Treinen then struck out Mike Zunino for the final out. The A’s win 4-3.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the A’s improve to 26-24 while Seattle drops to 29-20. The A’s used five pitchers in the game, and the winning pitcher was Yusmeiro Petit. Petit is now 2-1. Blake Treinen earned his 11th save. Felix Hernandez is now 5-4 for 2018.

Time of game was two hours and 44 minutes, and there were 12,633 happy fans in attendance.

Up Next: The A’s will now face the Arizona Diamondbacks for three games starting Friday night in Oakland.

Sean Manaea will oppose Patrick Corbin in a battle of left-handed pitchers Friday night.

Daniel Mengden will hurl for Oakland Saturday, and he will be opposed by the veteran Clay Buchholz.

Sunday’s game will feature Trevor Cahill going against one of the best pitchers in baseball, former Cy Young award winner Zach Greinke.

This date in A’s history: Campaneris sets an Oakland record

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Ana Kieu

OAKLAND, Calif. — On this day in 1976, Bert Campaneris set a record when he stole five bases in the Oakland A’s 12-7 win over the Minnesota Twins. Rickey Henderson later tied Campaneris’ record.

In case you need a refresher, Campaneris is a former shortstop who played for the Kansas City/Oakland A’s from 1964 to 1976. Campaneris went on to play for the Texas Rangers from 1977 to 1979, California Angels from 1979 to 1981 and New York Yankees in 1983.

Unlike other players, Campaneris joined the list of nine-position players in an MLB game. Campaneris became the first player to every position in an MLB game on September 8, 1965, on the same day a special promotion occurred in his honor. That being said, actor Will Ferrell played all nine positions in five MLB games to honor Campaneris on March 12, 2015.

 

As the oldest everyday player in the MLB at age 47, Campaneris hit .291 and stole 16 bases in 60 games.

Campaneris landed a couple of minor league coaching opportunities in his post-retirement life. The 76-year-old currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, but he continues to be a member of the MLB Players Alumni Association as well as play in Old-Timers’ games across the United States.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s with sixth best record in MLB since April 15th

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@Athletics photo

On the A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

The Oakland A’s have the sixth best record in Major League Baseball since April 15th an indication that they’ve had lots of improvement over the last month. The A’s have won six of their last eight and are at 25-23.

The A’s haven’t hit a home run in their last five home games but on the road they homered in each of their last 14 games. The A’s really had a successful road trip going 1-2 in New York, 2-1 in Boston, and 4-0 in Toronto.

The A’s 7-3 on the last road trip something no one would have expected after having a tough homestand with Houston before leaving on the trip. The A’s have compiled the third lowest ERA in baseball after the seventh inning for a 3.36 ERA. They’re getting key pitching to win in the late innings.

Jerry does the A’s podcasts every Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

A’s fall to Mariners 1-0 after pitching duel

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Photo credit: @Mariners

By Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s and Mariners received outstanding pitching performances from their starters. The only problem for Oakland was they could do nothing against lefty Marco Gonzalez while Seattle was able to win on an unearned run that spoiled Daniel Gossett’s best start ever as an Oakland Athletic. Gossett, making his first start since being recalled from Nashville, went seven innings, allowed just four hits and the only Seattle run was unearned.

The Mariners’ Marco Gonzalez was brilliant. In his seven innings of work, he allowed just two hits and no runs as he won his fourth game of the year by a score of 1-0.

The Mariners drew first blood in the top of the fourth. Mariners’ centerfielder Guillermo Heredia lined a double down the left field line. Nelson Cruz flew out to right field, and Heredia was able to tag up and advance to third on the play. The A’s brought the infield in order to get the runner at home in a ground ball to any one of the infielders. Gossett got former A’s first baseman, Ryon Healy, to hit a ground ball to A’s shortstop Marcus Semien. Semien fielded the ball cleanly, but he dropped the ball as he attempted to throw him. He was charged with an error and Heredia crossed the plate with the first run of the game. The run was unearned. That run was the only run of the game as both the A’s and Mariners’ bullpens did their jobs and did not allow any runs to be scored.

Game Notes and Stats: The only run of the game was scored when Marcus Semien misplayed a ground ball that allowed Guillermo Heredia to score from third.

Right fielder Stephen Piscotty made two fantastic plays on defense. In the fourth, he robbed Mike Zunino of a home run as he leapt high and with his glove outstretched over the wall, came down with the ball for the out. Piscotty made a diving catch in short right field to rob John Andreoli of a hit.

In the ninth inning, Mark Canha had Mike Zunino shaking his head as Canha also made a running, diving catch in left field to take another hit away from Zunino.

The A’s reliever, Ryan Dull, was hit on the hand by a line drive in the eighth inning. Dull couldn’t make the throw to first and went to the ground writhing in pain. Bob Melvin and the trainer raced to the mound and checked out Dull’s hand. Ryan said he was fine and stayed in the game.

The A’s announcer that they placed Khris Davis on the 10-day DL with a strained right groin injury. The doctors determined that it was a Grade 1 strain and healing takes from one to three weeks. The A’s recalled Daniel Gossett and Franklin Barreto from Nashville.

The line score for Seattle was one run, six hits, and no errors. The line score for Oakland was no runs, three hits, and one huge miscue. Jed Lowrie led the A’s attack with two singles.

Time of game was two hours and 43 minutes and there were just 6991 fans in attendance to see a very well played game.

Up Next: The A’s and Mariners cap off the series Thursday afternoon at 12:35 pm PST.

Josh Lucas will start for the A’s on Thursday and Seattle will send Felix Hernandez to the mound to handle the pitching chores. The Mariners are now 6-2 against Oakland this year and will be going for the sweep. Hernandez is 26-10 in his lifetime against the A’s.

Mariners rally late to edge A’s 3-2 in 10 innings

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Photo credit: @Mariners

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s, returning home after a successful 7-3 road trip to New York, Boston and Toronto, wasted another excellent outing bt the veteran Trevor Cahill as they lost the opener of the three-game series to the Seattle Mariners 3-2 at Safeco Field Tuesday night.

The Mariners’ Mike Leake and the A’s Trevor Cahill both pitched well. Each pitcher received a no-decision for their effort, but each could have won with a little more run support from their respective teammates. The A’s scored an unearned run in the fourth. Leake did not help his cause as he was the player that committed the error. He gave up an earned run in the fifth. With two out, he hit Mark Canha with a pitch. Matt Joyce singled to send Canha to third and Canha scored when Marcus Semien singled.

The Mariners tied the game in the seventh. With one out, Cahill walked the M’s designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach. The next hitter, catcher Mike Zunino, took Cahill deep to tie the score at two apiece.

Neither team could score in regulation, and the game went into extra-innings. In the top of the 10th. The Mariners took the lead. Shortstop Jean Segura singled to right. Guillermo Heredia doubled to center. Segura was sent home on the throw by third base coach Scott Brosius. Segura’s hand touched home plate before A’s catcher Jonathan Lucroy could apply the tag.

The Mariners brought in Edwin Diaz to close out the game. Diaz retired the first two hitters. Marcus Semien nearly tied the game when he sent a Diaz fastball over the fence in left field. There was just one problem. The ball was about three feet foul. Diaz then struck out Semien to end the game.

Game notes and stats: With the win, the M’s are now 28-17 and remain just two games behind the first-place Houston Astros. The A’s drop to 25-23.

The A’s Trevor Cahill went seven innings and allowed just four hits and two runs.

The line of M’s Mike Leake was 6 2/3 innings pitched. He allowed six hits and two runs, one of which was unearned.

The A’s Yusmeiro Petit was charged with the loss, and Edwin Dian recorded his 16th save of the season.

The M’s announced that they placed Dee Gordon on the 10-day DL with a fractured toe.

The M’s designated hitter Nelson Cruz was not in the lineup Tuesday night.

The M’s manager, Scott Servais, was ejected late in the game for disputing calls on ball and strikes.

Up Next: The A’s will send Daniel Fossett to the mound to pitch on Wednesday. Gossett was recalled from Nashville to make a start. Marco Gonzalez will hurl for Seattle. Game time will be at 7:05 pm PST at the Oakland Coliseum.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: A’s four game sweep lands A’s a 7-3 record; A’s and M’s play three-game series starting Tuesday

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O:

1) The A’s are 25-22 and coming off a 7-3 road trip. Let’s talk about their success by the numbers. How are they doing as a team at the plate?

2) Defense has been a problem for the team in the past few seasons, how are they doing this year?

3) Finally how is the pitching stacking up?

4) The MLB Trade Deadline is on July 31st. Will Jed Lowrie be wearing green & gold when the deadline passes?

5) What’s coming up on the schedule for the A’s?

Charlie O does the A’s podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, and Commentary: LeBron, Cavs have big night knotting up series; Curry feeling 100% with his shot back, A’s open series with Seattle after sweeping 4 in Toronto

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Photo credit: @SLAMonline

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Big night for the Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James as the Cavaliers came back to tie the series up with a Game 4 win over the Boston Celtics 111-102 at 2-2. LeBron has averaged 32 assists, 6.8 rebounds, and 9.0 assists.

#2 The Warriors and Rockets tip off for game 4 tonight at Oracle Arena with the Warriors leading 2-1. The Rockets head coach Mike D’Antoni says the pressure is on the Warriors while the Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says that’s good, but the pressure is also on the Rockets.

#3 The Oakland A’s, who just got a four-game sweep over the Toronto Blue Jays, have been on a roll. Amaury talks about what he attribute to the A’s recent success.

#4 The Seattle Mariners are in Oakland tonight for a three-game series at the Oakland Coliseum. Much of the attention last week had been on Robinson Cano, who said he was taking a substance from his doctor in the Dominican Republic that he didn’t know was banned, and the MLB suspended him for 80 games

#5 Tonight, the Oakland A’s will start Trevor Cahill and the Seattle M’s will start Mike Leake to kick off this three-game series at 7:05 pm for the first pitch. Wednesday’s game also will be a 7:05 pm first pitch followed by a day game on Thursday at 12:30 pm.

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