Tag: Pittsburgh Pirates

Thin Bullpen: Giants wilt in the ninth, Pirates win 6-4 in front of smallest crowd since 2010

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — Kevin Newman maybe auditioning for a role as the Pirates’ leadoff man, but he maybe better suited as the team’s focal point.

Newman knocked in a pair of runs in a four-run ninth inning and the Pirates shocked the Giants 6-4 on Monday night. The Pirates improved to 11-5 in the games the speedy, powerful Newman has batted leadoff.

The Giants started Madison Bumgarner, who was attempting to win for the 61st time at Oracle Park, surpassing former teammate Matt Cain as the winningest pitcher in the park’s history. Bumgarner was in line for the win after allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings, but the Giants’ injury-ravaged bullpen let him down.

With relievers Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson and closer Will Smith unavailable due to injuries, manager Bruce Bochy stuck with Tyler Rogers, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. But Rogers allowed Kevin Kramer to reach on an infield single, and was replaced by Fernando Abad after just one pitch in the inning.

Abad walked Josh Bell, and gave up Elias Diaz’ lengthy drive to the left field gap that one-hopped the wall. But the smash registered as just a base hit when Mike Yasztremski fielded the ball cleanly and appeared to have a catch to the Pirates’ baserunners. Both Kramer and Bell retreated as Diaz advanced almost creating an out-making logjam on the basepaths, but the Pirates were still set up with bases loaded and Newman up.

Newman delivered to tie it, the first time the Pirates had been even since the fifth inning. Kevin Reynolds’ base hit untied it, and Jose Osuna provided insurance with his sacrifice fly that scored Newman.

“Too bad we couldn’t hold on to give him a win,” Bochy said of Bumgarner, his strong outing squandered.  “You look at his body of work; he’s been a savior. Guys who give you innings like that are invaluable. Not just innings but quality innings.”

The Giants fell to 30-39 at home–the third worst record in the National League–after losing for the sixth time in their last seven home games. Meanwhile, the youth-infused Pirates have won 11 of 17 after being dreadful for almost all of July and August.

Newman and Reynolds, the former Giants minor leaguer acquired in the Andrew McCutchen deal, have been a big part of the recent surge.

“I think the combination of the two has them getting the results they’ve been getting,” said manager Clint Hurdle.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants have no offense in LA as they prepare for Bucs series tonight

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from sfgate.com photo: San Francisco Giants starter Dereck Rodriguez reacts during a pitching change during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019.

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers in Sunday’s game had a breakout fourth and fifth innings when they scored two and three runs in each respective inning. One thing they’re noted for is they can swing the bats.

#2 The Dodgers wound up getting a 5-0 shutout against the San Francisco Giants behind Dodger starter Kenta Maeda, who pitched four innings surrendering just one hit and struck out six.

#3 Meanwhile, Giants starter Derek Rodriguez continues to struggle. He went 4.2 innings, three hits, two earned runs, and four strikeouts. Rodriguez drops his record to 5-9.

#4 No one hits RBIs in this one. Buster Posey just picked up two hits and a hit each for Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater simply no offense Sunday for the Giants.

#5 The Giants open a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates starting Monday night at Oracle Park at 7:15 pm. Starting for Pittsburgh, Trevor Williams (7-6, 5.16 ERA), and for the Giants, Madison Bumgarner (9-8, 3.81 ERA).

Morris does the SF Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast The Show with Daniel Dullum: Halos throw no-no in honoring Skaggs; Gooden in jail for coke possession; plus more

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photo from latimes.com: Angel players place their Tyler Skaggs jerseys at the pitchers mound after no-hitting the Mariners. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel:

1 Angels throw combined no-hitter while honoring Tyler Skaggs

2 Dwight Gooden reportedly arrested for cocaine possession

3 Former All-Star Matt Kemp released by Mets

4 Pirates’ catcher Francisco Cervelli denies saying career is over following sixth concussion

Daniel Dullum does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: Pirates get bang for their Buc with 6-4 win over A’s Saturday

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photo from apnews.com: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Gregory Polanco, right, and Bryan Reynolds (10) celebrate after scoring on a triple by Kevin Newman off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher J.B. Wendelken (57) during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Joey:

#1 The Oakland A’s wasted no time in the first inning of Saturday night’s game at PNC Park, getting three runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s always key to jump to a early lead.

#2 Taking a look at the scoring, Khris Davis singled to right to drive Matt Chapman home to score. Kendrys Morales hit his first triple of the year to drive Davis home to score, and Morales would score the third Oakland run of the inning on a Stephen Piscotty single to left field to help the offense in the A’s three-run rally.

#3 It didn’t last long as the Pirates Josh Bell hit a homer in the second inning off A’s starter Chris Bassitt and Bell came back in the bottom of the third and took Bassitt to deep center with a two-run homer to tie the game.

#4 The Pirates scored three more runs in the bottom of the seventh Kevin Newman hit his first triple of the season off A’s reliever JB Wendelken that drove in two runners on base to score and gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead. Francisco Cervelli then hit a 2-2 change up from Wendelken into left field that allowed Newman to score easily from third base for a 6-4 lead, which was the final.

#5 The Oakland A’s Frankie Montas (4-2, 2.97 ERA) gets the start against the Pirates Jordan Lyles (4-2, 2.42 ERA) to conclude the three-game series at PNC Park Sunday

Joey does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s score first, but can’t hold on to get the win in Steel City

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
Pit score
Graphic: @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics shot out of the gate quickly on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, hanging three runs up on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Khris Davis singled to right to drive Matt Chapman home to score. Kendrys Morales hit his first triple of the year to drive Davis home to score, and Morales would score the third Oakland run of the inning on a Stephen Piscotty  single to left field. That was a very promising start for the green and gold.

The Pirates put their first run up on the board in the home-half of the second inning when Josh Bell hit a Chris Bassitt 84 mph cutter over the right field wall.

Bell came back to haunt the A’s again in the bottom of the third inning with two out and Starling Marte on at first. Bell hit his eighth home run of the season over the center field wall off a 93 mph sinker that tied the game at 3-3.

The A’s retook the lead in the fifth inning when Khris Davis hit a single to center field that drove Matt Chapman home to score the fourth run of the contest for Oakland.

Pittsburgh broke this game open in the bottom of the seventh inning when they scored three runs. Kevin Newman hit his first triple of the season off Wendelken that drove in two runners on base to score and gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead. Francisco Cervelli then hit a 2-2 change up from Wendelken into left field that allowed Newman to score easily from third base. After seven complete innings, the Pirates held a 6-4 lead.

Pirates (15-15) focus

Pit bell hr
Josh Bell hits one of his two home runs Photo: @Pirates
  • Josh Bell was the star of the game for Pittsburgh. He hit two home runs, picked up three RBI and scored two runs. Bell is batting .291 for the Pirates.
  • Gregory Polanco went 2-for-5 for Pittsburgh on Saturday. He hit a double and scored a run for his team in the win.
  • Outfielder Bryan Reynolds had a good night for his team, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Reynolds also scored a run.
  • Michael Feliz picked up his first win of the season working in relief.
  • Felipe Vazquez recorded his ninth save of the year preserving the win for his team.

A’s (15-20) spotlight

Pit Bolt NBCS
Skye Bolt gets his first major league hit Photo: @NBCS
  • Matt Chapman had a 2-for-4 game scoring two runs. He hit a double and a triple in the game.
  • Khris Davis picked up two RBI and scored a run in his 2-for-4 night for Oakland. Davis played left field in the game because there is no designated hitter because this is a National League ballpark.
  • The A’s are hoping that this was a breakout game for Kendrys Morales who went 2-for-4 with the bat scoring a run and adding an RBI.
  • Skye Bolt, who was just called up to the majors, picked up his first major league hit in the game.
  • Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt did not figure into the final decision. The loss was charged to J.B. Wendelken (0-1) who pitched 1.0 innings giving up three runs (all earned) off four hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Up next

The third and final game of the series will be played on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 10:35 AM Bay Area time. Frankie Montas (4-2, 2.97 ERA) will take the hill for Oakland. The Pirates will counter with Jordan Lyles (2-1, 2.42 ERA).

Phegley Plates 8, A’s Sink Pirates 14-1

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Athletics

By Matthew Harrington

The Oakland Athletics boast one of the most fearsome hitters in Khris Davis, so it’d be no surprise to see an nine RBI game for an A’s player. What is surprising is that it was journeyman catcher Josh Phegley, who did it Friday night at PNC Park in a 14-1 A’s win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, not Davis.

The A’s knocked in 11 runs between the second and fourth innings, including scoring seven off Bucs starter and losing pitcher Joe Musgrove (1-3, 2.63 ERA). Phegley went 4-for-5, knocking in an obvious career high in eight runs, including a solo homer in the ninth inning. Matt Chapman also homered in a pair in the seventh for the A’s runs after their early game rally. Brett Anderson (4-2, 3.89 ERA) got the win after going six innings allowing four hits and the one run on a Josh Bell RBI ground out in the bottom of the first.

Khris Davis started the second inning rally, reaching base on a throwing error from Jung Ho Kang, the Stephen Piscotty doubled. Kendrys Morales knocked in Davis with an RBI single to tie the game. Jurickson Profar was hit by a pitch to load the bags for Phegley, who cleaned them with a double for a 4-1 lead. Marcus Semien knocked in Phegley later in the inning on a grounder to first and a 5-1 lead.

Davis led off the next inning and advanced to 2nd on Morales’ single, but the A’s were looking at two outs and coming up empty after Profar flew out. Phegley knocked in Davis for a 6-1 edge and later in the inning Semien walked with the bases loaded for a 7-1 edge. Semien, along with Chapman and Phegley were the only A’s with multiple RBI.

Profar singled in a run off Nick Kingham in the top of the third and Phegley hit another bases-loaded two-bagger to knock in three and give the A’s an 11-1 advantage. They wouldn’t need more, but they’d get more with the two long balls in the late innings.

The A’s hope they have more runs in their bats Saturday when they continue their interleague trip to Pittsburgh. Chris Bassitt takes the mound after a sterling season debut in his last outing, while Trevor Williams takes the hill for the Pirates.

Preview of the A’s series against the Pirates

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s are in Pittsburgh to start a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates beginning Friday evening. The A’s are on the last leg of a nine-game road trip. Things have not gone well for the Green and Gold as they have lost all six games played so far. They were swept by the Blue Jays in Toronto and by the Red Sox in Boston. They will be going up against a team that is in fourth place in the NL Central Division. The Pirates, under the tutelage of manager Clint Hurdle, are 14-14 so far this year.

The A’s and Pirates have been playing baseball for many, many years. The A’s started playing in the AL in 1901, and have won 15 pennants and nine World Series in their long and storied history. The Pirates joined the NL in 1887 and played in the first World Series against the Red Sox in 1903. The Pirates have won nine NL pennants and five World Series. The won the World Series in 1979 and have not been back since. The Pirates, from 1993 to 2012 had 20 consecutive losing seasons. Hurdle, named manager before the 2011 season, took the Pirates to the playoffs in 2013. He was named NL Manager of the Year for his efforts.

The A’s will enter Friday night’s game with a record of 14-19. They are in the midst of a six-game losing streak. Also, they are 4-13 on the road this year. Since they will be playing in an NL park, they will not be able to utilize the designated hitter. Their DH, Khris Davis, probably will play left field for the three games.

The A’s will send lefty Brett Anderson (3-2, 4.35 ERA) to the mound Friday night. Anderson will be trying to get back on track as he has not completed five innings of work in his last two starts. However, he has a record of 1-0, and a 1.38 ERA in two career starts at PNC Park. Pittsburgh will counter with former Houston Astros hurler Joe Musgrove. Musgrove came to Pittsburgh in the trade that sent Gerrit Cole to Houston. Musgrove is 1-2 with a 1.54 ERA. He has five quality starts so far this year, and he allowed 3 runs (one earned) over 6 2/3 innings of work in the loss to the Dodgers last Saturday.

Game two will feature the A’s Chris Bassitt (1-0, 0.75 ERA) going against the Bucs’ Trevor Williams. Bassitt has allowed just one run over his last two starts. Williams has completed at least six innings in each of his six starts this season.

The A’s will send Frankie Montas to the hill on Sunday. Montas has been the A’s best pitcher. His record is 4-2 and he has a 2.97 ERA. Montas took the loss against Boston in his last outing. His work was undone by an error by the second baseman Jurickson Profar, and the Red Sox were able to put six runs on the board. A’s manager Bob Melvin was seen giving Montas a pat on the back and saying that he was pitching and well and that the error was part of baseball and to not get upset. The Pirates’ Jordan Lyles (2-1, 2.42 ERA) will try to get the win for the Bucs. Lyles has a 2.25 ERA in three starts at PNC Park.

Since the A’s don’t see the Pirates very often, some players will be unfamiliar to the A’s fans. The Pirate infield will be manned by first baseman Josh Bell. Bell is one of the stars in the Pirate lineup. Second base will be handled by either Adam Frazier or Cole Moran. Cole Tucker is at shortstop, and Jung Ho Kang will start at third. Colin Moran also plays third for Pittsburgh.

The Pirates will play Starlin Marte in center field. Marte got off to a slow start and is hitting just .198. However, he is a significant player for Pittsburgh as the team is 12-5 when he is in the lineup and 1-9 when he isn’t. The A’s may see rookie Brian Reynolds at an outfield slot during the season. Reynolds was drafted by the San Francisco Giants and came to Pittsburgh when the Giants traded for Andrew McCutchen before the start of the 2018 season. In his first nine games, Reynolds has six doubles and a home run, and this is something no other player has done in nearly 100 years. One player whose name is familiar to A’s fans will be in right field. VMelky Cabrera will see time in the outfield this weekend against the A’s.

The A’s are hoping that their offense comes to life this weekend in Pittsburgh. The attack did very little against Toronto and Boston. They did show a sign of life in the ninth inning against the Red Sox, but it was a case of too little, too late. The A’s know that the offense goes into a funk at times over the course of 162 games. They are hoping that the bats will wake up against the Pirates. It should be a good series.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s head to Pittsburgh, try to snap out of six-game skid

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feiteberg:

#1 The Oakland A’s are getting tired of other teams taking out the broom as the A’s were in another sweep. This time by the Boston Red Sox in a 7-3 loss at Fenway Park.

#2 The loss represents the A’s six straight loss as they’re 0-6 on this current road trip. It has been a tough go as A’s manager Bob Melvin tries to figure all this out.

#3 Amongst those struggling is Oakland A’s starter Mike Fiers, who pitched five innings and gave up three runs on five hits.

#4 Fiers has given up the big fly this time to the Red Sox’s Mitch Moreland, who hit his fifth homer of the season over the Green Monster and it was Fiers’ ninth home run surrendered.

#5 On Friday, the A’s will try it all over again as they’ll open up a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The A’s will start Brett Anderson (3-2, 4.35 ERA) and the Pirates will start Joe Musgrove (1-2, 1.54 ERA).

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

Posey launches a three-run home run in Giants’ 3-2 win over Pirates

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Photo credit: @sfchronicle

By Jeremy Kahn

Buster Posey came up with the biggest hit of the weekend at the most opportune time in the game for the San Francisco Giants.

Posey launched a three-run home run off of Chris Archer in the top of the fifth inning, as the Giants hung onto the last batter to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-2 at PNC Park.

It was the first career home run of Poseys career against the Pirates, and it helped the Giants avoid the three-game sweep against the Pirates.

When Posey got back to the dugout, he was mobbed by his teammates and you could a smile on his face as well.

Just in front of Posey to scorewas Dereck Rodriguez, who singled to lead off the inning and then Steven Duggar singled.

Things got dicey for the Giants in the bottom of the ninth inning, as former Giants farmhand Bryan Reynolds hit a double into the right-field corner that kicked around to Duggar, who threw to Joe Panik, who in turn, threw to Posey to get Jung Ho Kang at the plate to end the game.

Closer Will Smith walked Francisco Cervelli with one out, and then Kang grounded into a force out that saw Brandon Crawford unable to turn the double play; however, they were able to get Cervelli at second base for the second out and then the game came to an end, when Kang was thrown at the plate.

Rodriguez made one mistake, but other than that, the right-hander was on point for the Giants.

Rodriguez gave up a two-run home run to Josh Bell in the bottom of the fourth inning, but was solid before and after that home run by Bell.

He went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on three hits, walking just one and striking out four, as he improved to 3-2 on the season.

After not pitching yesterday, the Giants bullpen was well rested, as the trio of Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson and Smith went a combined 3.1 innings, allowing two hits, walking two and striking out three and it ended with Smith picking up his fifth save of the season.

Archer went five innings, giving up three runs on six hits, walking two and striking out two; however, that one-pitch to Posey sent to his first loss of 2019 against one win.

NOTES: Posey last hit a home run on June 19, 2018 off of Dan Straily of the Miami Marlins, a span of 237 at-bats. The Pirates were the last team that Posey never hit a home run against in his career, a total of 49 games.

UP NEXT: After an off-day on Monday, the Giants begin a brief two-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Jeff Samardzija will take the mound against the Blue Jays, as he wants to bounce back from his last start, where he went five innings, allowing four runs on five hits, walking two and striking out seven, as he lost to the Washington Nationals on Wednesday.

Samardzija will face Trent Thornton, who is 0-2 with a 5.40 earned run average for the Blue Jays under first year manager Charlie Montoyo.

Giants lose rain-shortened game in Pittsburgh 3-1

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

Even though the date on the calendar says April 20, weather and timely hitting by the Pittsburgh Pirates helped them out in the long run.

Cole Tucker hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, helping the Pirates defeat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 in a game called after just five innings due to rain.

It was a three-hour 20-minute rain delay that saw Tucker pickup his first major league hit when he launched a 431-foot home run to centerfield that sent the Giants to their fourth straight defeat.

Steven Duggar tied up the game in the top of the fifth inning, as he picked an opposite field single that scored Kevin Pillar from second base.

In what could have been a big inning came to a heartbreaking halt, as Gerardo Parra lined into a double play that doubled Derek Holland off of first base. Holland reached on a bunt single down the third base line.

Pillar ended up going 2-for-2 in the rain shortened game that saw the game lasted just around 90 minutes after the 4:05 (eastern time) start.

Jung Ho Kong put the Pirates on the board, as he hit his third home run of the season, a solo home run off of Holland that gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Jameson Tallion pitched five innings, allowing just one run, scattering four hits, walking one and striking out three, as he won for the first time this season after losing two.

Holland saw his record fall to 1-3, as he also five innings, allowing three runs, also scattering four hits, walking just one and striking out seven.

NOTES: Once again, the Giants did not score in the first inning, making it 22 consecutive games that they have not scored, tying the 1952 Chicago White Sox and the 2007 Washington Nationals for second place. The 1948 Chicago White Sox hold the major- league record for not scoring a run in their first 28 games.

Tallion retired the Giants on nine pitches in that first inning, as they are now 6-for-69 in the opening frame on the 2019 season.

In his major-league career, Buster Posey does not have a home run against the Pirates in 184 career at-bats against the Pirates.

UP NEXT: Dereck Rodriguez looks to stop the losing streak, as he takes the mound on Sunday afternoon. This will be the second career start for Rodriguez against the Pirates, as he is 1-0 against the Pirates all-time.

On August 12, 2018, Rodriguez went seven innings, allowing one run on two hits, walked one and struck out four, as the Giants defeated the Pirates 2-1.

Chris Archer will go to the mound for the Pirates, as they go for the series sweep. Archer will make his first start after returning from the suspended list. Archer is 1-0 on the season.

Archer was suspended for five games after throwing a pitch behind Derek Dietrich on April 7.