Tag: Oakland A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s to play home games in Sacramento in 2025; As the Park Turns – What Sacramento will not ask the A’s

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Outside of Sutter Health Park a simulated West Sacramento Bridge slide next to the real one equipped with glove in the children’s playground. Sutter Health Park will be the home of the 2025-28 Oakland A’s while the Tropicana Ballpark in Las Vegas will be constructed and ready by 2028. (photo by Sutter Health Park)

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s will be playing their 2025 season at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento as the A’s and Sacramento River Cats owner Vivek Ranadive have come to agreement and pathway for the A’s to play all their home games in Sacramento. The details of the plan are forthcoming at the end of the week according to Sactown Sports.

The A’s announced Tuesday after they reviewed the “leaked to the media” proposal/offer to the A’s to extend their Coliseum lease for five years (minimum of three) for $97 million plus other demands. The A’s put a press release stating that they did not agree and that no further meetings were planned with Oakland officials. This long A’s stadium saga is not as long as ‘As the World Turns”, the legendary TV Soap Opera that ran on CBS for 54 years. But it is becoming like the Telemundo “Esmeralda”.

Nobody knows how this is going to end. Many say, “It is not a done deal,” leaving from Oakland to Las Vegas. I agree that the only “done deal” in life are taxes and death and that The Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel has closed its doors after more than six decades of memories. The famed venue, home to the city’s longest-running cabaret, The Folies Bergere, nearly made it to its 67th anniversary before closing on Tuesday, April 2. We know these things are a “done deal”.

However, we know that Sacramento will not ask for the following:

1-Sacramento will not ask the A’s for $97 million to play there for three years or maybe five. 2-They will not ask the A’s to sell half of their stake in the Alameda-County Coliseum, among other demands Oakland had in that proposal, including extending their lease. Oakland is not Sacramento.

However, Sacramento is especially interested in the A’s because, as a “trial for a few years” at Sutter Park, if they get the A’s, they are banking that they can prove to Major League Baseball that their city of Sacramento should be seriously considered for a future expansion team.

Sutter Park’s 14,000-plus capacity is not MLB standard, but for the A’s in the last few years, including the first home stand this 2024 season, that is a good crowd. Opening Night at Oakland 2024 last Thursday, 13,522 fans attended the game against Cleveland, and at least half were rooting for the Guardians, maybe more. The A’s fans’ noise came from the crowd boycotting in the parking lot.

But let’s get to the point. David Samson was the President of the Major League Miami Marlins from 2002 to 2017. He was involved with the new Marlins Park next to Little Havana in Miami—the ins and outs of the new Marlins Park.

Samson hosts “Nothing Personal,” a top-rated podcast. He has been following the A’s stadium situation for a long time. This is what Mr. Samson said a day before the A’s met with the City of Oakland, and they did not agree to the 3-5 year extension at the Oakland Coliseum. By the way, Samson also predicted that nothing would be decided upon during the meeting (the third) between the A’s and Oakland. He has experience as an MLB team President, especially when his team, the Marlins, was building their new ballpark, which they play today,

Mr. Samson said this on his podcast: “The A’s need to find a stadium to play before Las Vegas Stadium if they even open. In other words, they need to get a deal in Sacramento and negotiate a deal with their TV partner. Figure out the logistics with the Rivercats.

They have to make sure it is a Major League-ready facility and what this is code for; it doesn’t mean the fans have to have concession stands or that there is good ingress and egress. When you say Major League ready, all that means is players’ facilities behind the scenes you do not see as a fan. It means the weight room, the food room, how the players get to the clubhouse, how they get to the bullpen, all the pleasures and comfort that Tony Clark loves to make sure players enjoy during the season.” (quote)

Commissioner Rob Manfred is under pressure to deliver a playing baseball-ready park for the Oakland A’s while building their new facility in Las Vegas, expected to be ready for Opening Day 2028. Manfred said MLB needs a schedule.

The other teams (including the A’s) deserve a schedule very soon; that is the norm. Tony Clark is the Executive Director of the Major League Players Association. Sure, he will have to say that if Sutter Park is a “baseball-ready” facility, everybody knows it is a minor league park, but the A’s are running out of options. The A’s and the City of Oakland have been butting heads for a long time. Some say today (Wednesday), Sacramento might have a deal in place.

The Next chapter is being scripted.

Adiós.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s listening to Sacramento for interim Sutter Health Park possibilities

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Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento home of the San Francisco Giants triple A minor league Sacramento River Cats. The Oakland A’s could call it home starting in the 2025 season if the Rivercats and A’s reach a lease agreement. (photo by visitsacramento.com)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Oakland A’s need to get a deal in gear and soon as MLB is pressed to get the schedules ready for the 2025 season by July.

#2 Manfred addressed Tony Clark and the players union to sign off on the A’s playing and using Sutter Health Park a minor league facility in Sacramento because there is not much time left.

#3 The A’s brass of John Fisher and David Kaval are to meet with Sacramento River Cats owner Vivek Ranadive on Wednesday and sources have it that they’ll get a deal done at a much less asking price that the Oakland Coliseum was asking for.

#4 The Coliseum asking price was $17.5 million per season over what the A’s are currently pay at $1.5 million. The Coliseum was asking for $19.4 million per season. Also A’s owner John Fisher would walk away from $70 million in TV money from NBC California.

#5 If the A’s accept the deal on Wednesday this season will mark the final time the A’s will play in Oakland once they leave for Sacramento and later Las Vegas. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said “Oakland made a fair and reasonable offer to the A’s. We await their response and look forward to continuing discussions as necessary.” Thao is also facing a recall and a deficit for Oakland’s next fiscal year.

Join Jerry for the Oakland A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Red Sox beat A’s 1-0 to complete three-game sweep; Loss is 6th out of last 7 games for Oakland

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Oakland A’s pitcher TJ McFarland gives up the intentional pass to Boston Red Sox hitter Trevor Story (foreground) to load the bases with one out in the top of the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Apr 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg and Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND- The Boston Red Sox beat the Oakland A’s 1-0 Wednesday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep. The A’s have lost six of the seven games played this season. The pitching for both teams was excellent—the game’s only run came in the fourth inning.

The A’s starter, Ross Stripling, pitched well enough to win.“Strip was great. [He] pounded the zone…..I think the biggest difference this outing from his first was he actually crowded some guys with his sinker, which is a good sign. Obviously, he’s a guy that’s gonna keep hitters off balance. He did a great job today…..It was a great outing for him.” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

The A’s had their chances but could not get a hit when needed. They threatened to score in the fifth, seventh, and ninth innings. They failed all three times. Each team’s bullpen held the opposition scoreless. The game summary follows below.

The Red Sox drew first blood in the top of the fourth inning. Stripling had the Sox under control for the first three innings. With one out in the fourth, Singles by Triston Casas, Matsataka Yoshida, and Cedanne Radaela loaded the bases.

Second Baseman Emmanuel Valdez’s fly ball to short right field drove in Casas with the first run of the game for Boston. The A’s mounted a threat in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, A’s third baseman, J D Davis, doubled to deep center field—Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta Struck out Seth Brown on a 95 Mile-per-hour four-seam fastball.

The next hitter, Brent Rooker, mired in an early season slump, blasted a ball Ceddanne Rafaela caught at the 400-foot sign. The Red Sox lead 1-0 after four. Kotsay said the A’s simply got beat by good pitching, “We know those first five games weren’t clean games. These last two games were clean; they were competitive. We had a chance to win both games. That’s the type of baseball that I was expecting us to play. We had opportunities with the bases loaded. We also got a couple balls dead center that is this park seem not to go anywhere…..the at-bats [today] were better, even though we didn’t score…..the Red Sox’ bullpen has got it going right now, [and] it was a challenge.”

In the bottom of the fifth, the A’s loaded the bases with one out. Singles by Tyler Nevin, his first Major League hit, Nick Allen, and Ryan Noda gave the A’s a chance to put some runs on the board. The next hitter, Zack Gelof, hit into a 6-4-3 to end the inning.

The Red Sox loaded the bases in the eighth inning. Lefty T.J. McFarland was on the hill for the A’s. McFarland retired Abreu for the first out. Jarren Duran singled. It was Duran’s fourth hit of the day. Rafael Devers doubled to put men on at second and third.

The A’s issued Sox shortstop Trevor Story an intentional walk to load the bases. The threat ended when Triston Casas grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. The Sox still lead 1-0 halfway through the eighth. The Red Sox dodged a bullet in the eighth; with one out, Zack Gelof singled.

Story fielded J J Bleday’s ground behind second base. Trevor stepped on second to get the out on Gelof. Story’s throw to first to complete the double play went awry, and Bleday went to second on the error. Sox reliever Chris Martin could not field Davis’s ball. Bleday went to third on the play. Martin struck out Seth Brown to end the inning.

The A’s had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen walked Shea Lamgeliers and Lawrence Butler. Pinch hitter Abraham Toro hit into a fielder’s choice. Langeliers went to third on the play. All the A’s needed to tie the game was a hit. Jansen ended the A’s thoughts of tying the game when he struck out Ryan Noda to preserve the win for the Red Sox. The Sox win 1-0.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are 1-6 to start the 2024 season. Boston improved to 5-2. The Line score for Oakland was no runs, eight hits, and no errors. Boston’s line was one run, ten hits, and two errors. The Winning pitcher was Nick Pivetta. Pivetta lost his first start 1-0 and won his second start 1-0.

Kenley Jansen recorded his second save. The A’s Ross Stripling pitched well for the A’s. Stripling went seven innings, allowing eight hits and one run. Stripling did not walk a batter and struck out three. Stripling threw 85 pitches, 61 for strikes. Stripling is now 0-2 for 2024.

The game lasted two hours and 21 minutes. There were 6,436 fans in attendance. The A’s are off on Thursday. They will start JP Sears and the Tigers have not yet decided on a starter in Detroit on Friday. The game will start at 10:10 a.m.

A’s Drop Second Game of Three-Game Series, 5-4 to Red Sox in 11 Innings

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JD Davis Oakland A’s third baseman slugs a single in the bottom of the tenth inning at the Oakland Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics (1-5, 4th AL West) lost a heartbreaker 5-4 to the Boston Red Sox (4-2, 3rd AL West) in 11 innings at the East Bay Coliseum.

Just over 5,000 faithful fans cheered for their home team for more than three hours (3:04), just to be let down after 11 innings of play in the city of Oakland.

The game got off to a good start for the visiting Red Sox, as they posted a tally in the top of the first inning. Boston shortstop Trevor Story hit an RBI double, scoring third baseman Rafael Deavers, to put them up 1-0.

The Beantown Boys followed that up in the top of the second with another run. Left Fielder Jarred Duran did the damage this time, with a linedrive single, sending home, appropriately named, Triston Casas. The DH after crossing the plate, put Boston up 2-0, early in the contest.

The A’s didn’t take too long to respond, as they got themselves on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame. Catcher Shea Langeliers belted a 2-run homer, to even the score at 2, after the second inning. Third Baseman J.D. Davis also scored on the home run.

For the third consecutive inning, Boston managed to put up at least one run. Second Baseman Pablo Reyes belted a single to center field, knocking in right fielder Tyler O’Neill. The BoSox were up again, 3-2.

Once again, Oakland responded immediately in the bottom of the same inning. Center Fielder J.J. Bradley blasted a two-run homer, putting the home team back in the lead, 4-3. First Baseman Ryan Noda was the other runner batted in,

Next there was a 3 inning scoring drought, until the top of the seventh. Trevor Story created his own narrative by slicing another rbi base hit. This one was a single to right field, scoring Duran. The game was tied at 4, which stood for the allotted 9 innings.

Extra innings were in store for the fandom. Neither team was able to cross the plate in the 10th inning.in Finally in the 11th, Boston decided to end the baseball battle in their turn of the stanza.

Since Boston was the visiting team, any run would not end the game immediately, but would put the onus on Oakland. Boston did just that, ALMOST. They did not exactly hit someone in; however, Tyler O’Neal was responsible for the GW RBI, by ignominiously hitting into a double-play, that was enough to allow Wilyer Abreu to score the winning run.

Boston won the game dramatically 5-4. The winning pitcher was RHP Josh Winckowski (1-0), while RHP Mitch Spence (0-1) took the L.

The two combatants will be back in action Wednesday Afternoon at 12:37 PDT, with projected pitchers: Oakland’s RHP Ross Stripling (0-1, 7.20) vs. Red Sox’ RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1, 1.50).

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s moving onto discussions with Sacramento Wednesday; No deal to stay at Oakland Coliseum

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Oakland team president David Kaval (left) and reporter Marko Ukalovic (right) sat down for a Mar 30, 2017 interview when Kaval had an open door policy for reporters. That door has since been closed as Kaval and top A’s officials met with the Oakland Coliseum Join Authority Tue Apr 2, 2024 regarding a lease extension at the Coliseum. (photo from Marko Ukaloivc)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury the Oakland A’s met with City management and the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority today. There was talk before they were going to meet that there was no way the A’s would agree to pay the $97 million for five years to play their interim years at the Coliseum.

#2 Ironically the $97 million that the City of Oakland was asking for was the same amount that separated the City and A’s for the Howard Terminal ballpark. Then A’s president David Kaval announced that the A’s had a binding agreement with the Rio in Las Vegas back in June.

#3 I know you reported that Sacramento is a solid second choice for a A’s interim home if the Coliseum falls apart. The A’s have visited Sutter Health Park and Kaval said he likes the park and it was reported that MLB Commissioner would prefer the A’s stay in California. The Sacramento Rivercats if necessary are prepared to make adjustments to Sutter Health to make it work for the players.

#4 One of the biggest reasons the A’s wanted to meet with the Coliseum was they didn’t want to walk away from the $70 million a year NBC California contract they have that runs through 2030. Whatever deal they get in Sacramento would not be nearly as close as what NBC would pay the A’s if they’d stay in Oakland.

#5 A $97 million five year contract with the Coliseum would work out to $19.4 million a year on rent. Figuring they would get $210 million from NBC California for the first three years and the A’s would have to shell out $60 million to the Coliseum Joint Authority in rent and still would be a good deal giving the A’s $150 million on a three contract. They A’s refused that offer and countered with asking for two years for $17 million and the Coliseum Authority declined leaving both sides far apart.

#6 Amaury, reports today regarding Esteury Ruiz was sent down because as A’s general manager David Forst said he needs to get on base more. Also Brent Rooker has been benched because Forst said he’s not hitting. Insiders say that Ruiz and Rooker have been demoted or benched because they wore Last Dive Bar wristbands which are pushing for A’s owner John Fisher to sell the team. This has certainly become political.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for 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

A’s make 5 miscues as Red Sox trounce and shutout Oakland 9-0

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Oakland A’s centerfielder JJ Bleday can’t make the catch off of the Boston Red Sox Emmanuel Valdez’s hit in the top of the second inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Apr 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

Monday, April 1, 2024

Boston (3-2). 125 001 000. 9. 9. 0

Athletics (1-4). 000 000 000. 0. 4. 5

Time: 2:31

Attendance: 6,618

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–This is not an April Fool’s joke. The team formerly known as the Oakland Athletics might have climbed to just one game under .500 if they had managed to defeat the under performing Boston Red Sox tonight. That turned out to be a delusion of grandeur. The A’s defeated themselves, 9-0, and the Bosox climbed to 3-2.

It’s not as if the green and gold had been facing a healthy franchise. Over the weekend, the Boston Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy wrote what mutandis mutandi a few years ago could have been written by John Shea or Scott Ostler, the two Chronicle reporters who deserve to share a Pulitzer Prize for their recent coverage of the Fisher fiasco.

“It should be clear to all by now,”Shaughnessey wrote, “The Red Sox brass is not going to spend money or make much effort to improve this team. The message to Alex Cora, his staff, and fans, is unambiguous: This is your team. Figure it out. We don’t care if you finish last for the fourth time in five years and the seventh time in 13 years, we are not going to spend another penny to make it better. We are done.”

I can’t wait until the Boston ownership starts to complain about how outdated the fabled Fenway Park is and how badly the team deserves a new stadium, perhaps in Atlantic City. To tell the truth, Fenway is long on tradition and charm but low on good sight lines. Except for the bleachers and the expensive seats, you’re likely to have an obstructed view; in the bleachers, there’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in the middle of a fist fight

The Bosox jumped to an early lead against the Athletics’ starting right hander, Joe Boyle.who broke into the majors when he joined the last September 17 and went on to compile a record of 2-0, 1..69. Jarren Duran laced a sharp lead off single, stole second, and advanced to third when Shea Langeliers’ throw went into center field. Triston Casas’ single to center drove him home, and the A’s went to bat against Tanner Houk (6-10, 5.01 last year; 15-19, 3.86 lifetime) trailing 1-0.

Errors cost the A’ dearly in the second frame. Masataka Yoshida opened it with a walk. He went to third when JJ Beday dropped Enmanuel Valdéz’s fly ball at the center field fence. Yoshida scored on Ceddane Rafaela’s sac fly to right, on which Valdéz moved up to third, whence he scored on Lawrence Butler’s errant throw home.

It was Ryan Noda’s turn to be the goat in the third. With runners on first and second and no outs, he made a nifty grab on Valdéz’s slow grounder between first base and the pitcher’ mound and a back hand flip that went past Boyle, covering the bag. That, combined with an error by Boyle himself, who threw a pick off throw into center opened the gates for five more runs and, after a double by Trevor Story, led to Boyle’s early departure.

He had lasted a mere 2-2/3 innings, in which he managed to throw 84 pitches, 48 for strikes. Seven of the eight runs he allowed were earned, and they came on eight hits, four walks, and a wild pitch. He struck out four Bosox, took the loss, making his record 0-1, 23.63.

Lefty Kyle Muller replaced him and was the sole bright spot in the A’s otherwise dreary performance. He left after going 5-1/3 innings and yielding one run.. The tally he allowed, which came in the sixth, didn’t come on an error, but if Zack Gelof hadn’t bobbled Yoshida’s grounder with one out and runners on second and third, it would have resulted in an inning ending double play instead of a run producing force out.

Muller gave up only one safety during his tenure and walked two while setting a half a dozen Red Sox down on strikes. Michael Kelly closed down the Bostonians in the top of ninth, allowing just a lead off base of balls.

Tanner Houk was Boyle’s opposite number for Boston. He pitched six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and striking out ten. He threw one less pitch, 83, in his six full frames than Boyle did in his 2-2-2/3; only 20 were balls. He was the winning pitcher, giving him a 1-0, 0.00 mark for the newborn seaon. Chase Anderson took over for him to start the bottom half of the seventh and shut the A’s down on one hit over the final three innings.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, afternoon at 12:37pm PDT, Oakland’s Alex Wood (0-1, ERA 16.20) will try to undo his disastrous previous outing as he faces the Red Sox and Brayan Bello (1-0, ERA 3.60)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sacramento is the place for the A’s?

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Aerial view of the Oakland Alameda County Sports Complex as the Oakland A’s and the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority meet on Tue Apr 2, 2024 to negotiate a lease extension for the A’s (photo by NBC Bay Area News)

Sacramento is the place for the A’s? That’s Amaury News and Commentary Amaury Pi-González

Like it or not, TODAY, all the signs point to the Oakland A’s playing in Sacramento from 2025 until they complete the new stadium in Las Vegas. In the business world, friendships and connections are paramount. Many might not have known that A’s owner, John Fisher, is good friends with Mr. Vivek Ranadivé, who happens to own the Sacramento River Cats and also the NBA Sacramento Kings.

Sports business owners run in a different lane than many other billionaires who are not in the sports world. nonetheless, they do business with each other in many circumstances, they support each other and even invest in each other’s teams. This could be the key to why they are moving to Sacramento. I will be speculating, but, I am not the first or the last to speculate in this long-moving A’s saga.

On Tuesday, the A’s will meet again with the City of Oakland after the city submitted a proposal to the team to stay in Oakland for five more years (3 years while they build in Las Vegas), which is supposed to be inaugurated in 2028, and the other two years in case there are constructions delays, or in case the whole Las Vegas move falls through. It could very well be that the City of Oakland’s proposal strikes out, and the A’s then would be temporarily moving to the State Capital.

Sutter Health Plan stadium in downtown Sacramento, if you drive, is a couple of blocks after the bridge and by the river; it was once the home of the Oakland A’s Triple-A team, the Rivercats (2000-2014) later from 2015 to the present They became affiliated with the San Francisco Giants.

According to published reports. Tuesday, the 2nd of April, the city of Oakland will present Athletics ownership with an offer to extend the team’s lease that includes a five-year contract with an opt-out after three years, as well as a requirement the team pays a $97 million “extension fee,” according to a document obtained by ESPN and KGO in San Francisco, plus other stuff to be negotiated.

Recently, the city withdrew the request for the A’s name colors and insignia to remain in Oakland when they leave for Las Vegas, as well as the possibility that Oakland be granted some preference for a new expansion team. Both are off the table. Oakland also wants the A’s to run the cost to fix the field for the Oakland Roots FC when they play at the Coliseum; the Roots are members of the USL. Also, this proposal suggests that A’s sell its 50% stake in the Coliseum ownership.

This Tuesday meeting could be just an exercise in futility for Oakland, who (if the A’s chose Sacramento) can claim to their citizens that “we tried to keep the team and still want the team to stay in Oakland, willing to work with them.”

Considering that MLB and the Commissioner want the A’s to make a decision soon, Commissioner Manfred has said he wants the A’s to play in California while they are building in Nevada, which takes Salt Lake City out of the equation. Time is of the essence now, and MLB needs a schedule for 2025, pronto!

We will have the answer by mid-week when the series between Oakland and Boston ends. I am biased; as a Bay Area resident, I would like the Oakland A’s to stay in Oakland, period, and would like these two Bay Area entities to work together. However, like many of you, I have no say. We are all spectators. Is the City of Oakland coming a day late and a dollar short with this proposal? Or are the A’s following In-and-Out?

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 at http://www.sportsradioservice

A’s get first of the win of the season over Guardians with walk-off walk 4-3

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Photo courtesy of Oakland Athletics.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

OAKLAND- On a warm Easter Sunday the A’s looked for their first win of the season in the final game of their series against the Guardians.

It’s been a rough start to the season for the A’s as they remain winless in three games against Cleveland heading into this one.

Getting the start for the A’s was Paul Blackburn who was making his first start of the season. Last season he finished with a 4-7 record and 4.43 era in 20 starts.

For the Guardians it was veteran right-hander Carlos Carrasco making his season debut on the mound. In 2023 he finished with a 3-8 record and 6.80 era in 20 games started.

After a clean inning from Blackburn the A’s got runners on early as Esteury Ruiz singled and then stole second. JJ Bleday got him home with a triple and Seth Brown would single to get Bleday across home plate making it 2-0.

The A’s extended their lead in the third with Ruiz getting a triple this time and reaching home off a single by Bleday.

Blackburn in this one turned in a truly dominant outing pitching seven innings and giving up no runs while striking out three.

Unfortunately the same could not be said for the A’s relief pitching as Lucas Erceg came in for Blackburn in the eighth inning and gave up a run as Estevan Flores got home off a ground out from Gabriel Arias.

Austin Adams then came in with a runner on first and two outs. José Ramírez then got on thanks to a fielding error by Nick Allen which also got Andrés Giménez home cutting the A’s lead to 3-2. The tying run was then tacked on by Josh Naylor who singled to get Ramírez home.

Adams then hit Will Brennan with a pitch but was able to get out of the inning as he struck out Ramón Laureano.

Oakland would call on Dany Jiménez to close things out and his outing was not much smoother. It was kicked off by walking Bo Naylor walking and then Estevan Florial reaching on a fielders choice. Naylor on the play was also able to reach third on an error by Zack Gelof.

Shea Langeliers though was able to make a huge play picking off Naylor on third and then Arias popped out. The A’s had one more scare as Jiménez attempted to pick off the runner on second but threw it to the outfield meaning there was now runners on second and third. Giménez ended up grounding out though as Jiménez was able to get out of the jam.

The Guardians left in Scott Barlow to close out the ninth but he gave up a walk to Ryan Noda and single to J.D. Davis quickly getting the A’s two base runners. Lawrence Butler then singled juicing the bases with not a single out. Cleveland made a pitching change taking out Barlow and replacing him with Eli Morgan to try and salvage the game.

In response Abraham Toro came in to pinch-hit and drew a walk ending the game on a walk-off walk 4-3.

Jiménez gets credited with the win while Scott Barlow takes the loss for Cleveland.

The top of the lineup today was clicking for Oakland as Ruiz and Bleday combined for four hits with Bleday registering two RBIs.

The A’s avoid the sweep with the win and will look to keep the good times rolling against Boston tomorrow. The announced starters in that one are right-hander Joe Boyle for Oakland and right-hander Tanner Houck for the Red Sox. That game will be at 6:40 p.m. in Oakland.

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Brewers Hoskins inflames Mets in bench emptying jawing; Yanks LeMahieu out for with fractured foot; plus more news

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Milwaukee Brewers Rhys Hoskins yells at the New York Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil after the two got into it when Hoskins slid hard at second base in the top of the eighth both benches emptied on Fri Mar 29, 2024 at Citi Field in New York (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The sparks were flying as the Milwaukee Brewers Rhys Hoskins drove in four runs but has a history with the New York Mets when he used to play for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hoskins slide hard into the Mets Jeff McNeil and Mets pitcher Yohan Ramirez threw behind Hoskins and the two players started jawing at each other. The Brewers came away with a 7-6 win.

#2 The New York Yankees concerns grew a little more when an MRI showed that DJ LeMahieu he had a fracture in his right foot after fouling a ball off it. There was no structural damage. LeMahieu’s foot will be reimaged but Yankees manager Aaron Boone would not give a timeline when LeMahieu will return.

#3 The Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis was put on the disabled list with severe quad strain and the Twins announced they’ll be without Lewis for a month. Also pitcher Anthony DeScalfani had surgery to repair a flexor tendon. DeScalfani was expected to be back after suffering before they discovered the right flexor strain. DeScalfani is expected to be out for 60 days.

#4 The New York Yankees had pitcher Gerrit Cole is out on the 60 day IL with nerve inflammation and edema in Cole’s right elbow. If Cole got the start this would have been his fifth straight opening day start but the string was broken and the former Cy Young pitcher will be out until the end of May.

#5 Charlie the Oakland A’s took another walloping from the Cleveland Guardians this time 12-3 at the Oakland Coliseum on Saturday. The A’s on opening night on Thursday night they got shutout and clobbered 8-0 and on lost 6-4 on Friday night after the A’s JD Davis hit two runs.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s meet with Coliseum Joint Authority Apr 2; City and A’s looking at $97 million 5 year deal for Coliseum extension

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao speaking at the Oakland A’s fan reverse boycott at the Oakland Coliseum on Jun 13, 2023. Thao and the City of Oakland are willing to approve a three year lease extension to the A’s if they are willing to give up their team colors and history plus get an expansion team. Both the A’s brass and the City meet on Apr 2, 2024 to discuss a lease extension. (City of Oakland photo)

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 Augie the Oakland A’s brass will be meeting with the Oakland Coliseum Joint Powers Authority on Tue April 2nd to discuss the A’s trying to extend their lease. They met one time before and it’s the A’s hope they can get a deal with the City of Oakland so they can play their final three years at the Coliseum.

#2 Sacramento has been reportedly the number two settling spot for interim for the A’s if an Oakland Coliseum deal can’t be worked out. Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg has said he would welcome the A’s and that Sacramento is ready to be a big league city.

#3 The A’s are hoping to make the Coliseum their final stomping grounds the A’s TV contract with NBC Sports California pays a very generous $70 million a season as long as the Athletics play in Oakland. We know that this is their first choice.

#4 The City of Oakland is making a big ask in order to allow the A’s to finish up at the Oakland Coliseum between 2025-27. The want the team colors and all the A’s history and they want an expansion team when the A’s leave two huge asks that most likely won’t be filled.

#5 The A’s best chance for staying in Oakland may rest with Schools over Stadiums a Nevada group who is trying to appeal to get a petition drive going needing some 102,000 signatures to get an initiative on the Nov 2024 ballot in Nevada to stop the public funding for the A’s Tropicana ballpark does that seem the only window that could stop the A’s from leaving Oakland.

Augie Mesenburg is a MLB podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com/Augie is a reporter for KHAI 103.2 FM Honolulu.