Tag: Robbie Ray

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants get second half started with Blue Jays at Rogers Centre Friday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb representing the National League deals against the American League in the top of the third inning at Truist Field in Cobb County GA on Tue Jul 15, 2025 (AP News photo)

SF Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Morris, just wanted to get your prospective if you can see the Sacramento A’s Brent Rooker as someone who the San Francisco Giants might want to covet. Rooker came close to winning the Home Run Derby at the All Star Game literally coming within an inch of winning the derby but falling that short to the Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber. No doubt Rooker will be sought at the trade deadline.

#2 The Giants Logan Webb representing the Giants pitched for one inning gave up one hit and Randy Rodriguez pitched two thirds of inning giving up one hit, one earned run, and one walk. Two good outings for San Francisco at the All Star Game.

#3 It’s the first time the Giants have had three All Stars since 2021. The Giants have been getting great pitching from this season’s All Stars Robbie Ray, Rodriguez and Webb.

#4 Robbie Ray didn’t pitch for the Giants because he pitched on Sunday. Ray started out with strong beginning at 8-1. Ray right now is 9-3 and has been throwing heat.

#5 The Giants return to second half action as they open up a three game series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday night. Starting pitcher for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander (0-7 ERA 4.70). The Jays will start RHP Chris Bassett (9-4 ERA 4.12).

Morris Phillips does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Allow The Dodgers To Breathe in 5-2 Loss That Concludes the Season’s First Half

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San Francisco Giant starter Robbie Ray pitched six innings allowing three hits and two runs and six strikeouts against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun July 13, 2025 (Bay Area News Group photo)

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Needing a big win, the Giants instead got another reminder that their struggling offense needs a break.

That break comes over the next five days for the All-Star festivities in Atlanta after they squandered an opportunity to tighten the race in the NL West with a 5-2 loss in 11 innings to the first-place Dodgers.

The Giants conclude the first 96 games of the season with a competitive 52-44 record that has them in position to grab one of the six NL playoff spots. But their .230 team batting average ranks 26th of 30 teams, and serves as a constant reminder the season could go south quickly.

“We have some guys that are coming around a little bit,” manger Bob Melvin said of his team’s offense. “We have some guys that will come around a little bit more. We have some guys in the middle of the lineup that are going to do more damage.”

“I think the win-loss, the standings are great,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “But I think there’s just a lot of improvement that we need to do, we need to be better at.”

On Sunday, in front of a sold out Oracle Park crowd, the Giants went scoreless over the first eight innings only to be rescued by Luis Matos’ game-tying, pinch-hit home run. After starter Yoshinobo Yamamoto and crafty reliever Alex Vesia manipulated the Giants into a string of outs, Matos gave the home team unexpected life. But they barely breathed, going hitless the rest of the game.

Robbie Ray was All-Star worthy, allowing just two runs in six innings, but he got no support. That lack of help prevented Ray from gaining a 10th victory before the All-Star break. Ray expertly avoided Shohei Ohtani and allowed just three hits, but departed trailing 2-0. Miguel Rojas surprised Ray with his home run in the fifth that increased the Dodgers’ lead.

The two extra frames offered a baseball-only juxtaposition with the Dodgers stringing together three hits despite all coming off weak contact to plate three runs. Meanwhile, the Giants were denied when Rafael Devers’ rocket to center in the 10th was tracked down by James Outman.

“Ball 106 mph off the bat there,” Melvin recounted. “They hit balls like what 40 mph in the last inning? It’s just the way it is sometimes.”

Spencer Bivens took the loss despite retiring Mookie Betts and Will Smith after the decision was made to walk Ohtani to leadoff the inning. Ben Casparius got the win despite almost getting victimized by Devers.

The Giants open the season’s second half in Toronto against the AL East-leading Blue Jays on Friday night.

During the game’s final inning the Giants selected Tennessee Volunteers’ shortstop Gaven Kilen with the 13th overall pick of the 2025 MLB Draft.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Trade deadline fever-A’s deal Erceg to Royals; Blackburn to Mets; Giants Soler & Jackson to Braves; Cobb to Guardians

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The Oakland A’s traded right handed pitcher Lucas Erceg to the Kansas City Royals for two right handers and an outfielder. One of many trades made on Tue Jul 30, 2024 (Mercury News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Talk about today’s deals starting with the Oakland A’s before the trade deadline sending RHP Lucas Erceg to the Kansas City Royals for RHPs Mason Barret, Will Klein and outfielder Jared Dickey. Erceg was 2-3, ERA 3.68. Pitcher Paul Blackburn had been hurt parts of this season and was 4-2, ERA 4.41 and is headed to the New York Mets.

#2 Former A’s infielder and outfielder Mark Canha has joined the Giants. Canha coming to the Giants from the Detroit Tigers for right hand pitcher Eric Silva.

#3 Earlier we didn’t get a chance to ask you about RHP Luke Jackson and designated hitter Jorge Soler who were traded to the Atlanta Braves. Jackson was 4-2, ERA 5.40. Soler hit .240, 57 runs, 82 hits, and 12 home runs.

#4 The Giants sent pitcher Alex Cobb to the Cleveland Guardians. Cobb was 77-75, ERA 3.85 in 230 games for the Giants.

#5 Baltimore Orioles back up catcher Brian McCann took a pitch to the face thrown by Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Yariel Rodriguez. Blood gushed out of the mouth of McCann and he had to be assisted by Orioles team head trainer Brian Ebel. McCann was taken out of the game but wanted the blood to stop so he could stay in the game. McCann’s Orioles teammates were impressed with his determination to stay in the ball game even though he couldn’t.

#6 The San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray who made his 2024 debut after battling a long injury last week went five innings of no hit ball gave up an earned run after walking two hitters and striking out eight hitters against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was an impressive debut for Ray who had been out with an injury all season long and the Giants waiting his anticipated July return. Ray is scheduled to pitch tonight against the Oakland A’s here at Oracle Park tonight. The A’s have improved their hitting and Ray could prove to be a challenge for the A’s.

#7 The A’s are coming off a successful four game series against the Los Angeles Angels at Angels Stadium over the weekend. The A’s won two games against the Halos by just a run and a third game by two runs. The A’s nearly had the sweep but the Angels Taylor Ward had other ideas belting a fourth inning grand slam and the A’s went down 8-6 as the Angels avoided the sweep.

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.com

Giants bolster rotation and add Blake Snell on 2-year deal

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell and agent Scott Boras address the media on Wed Mar 20, 2024 at Scottsdale AZ (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have strengthened their rotation, as they have agreed to sign 2023 National League Cy Young Award Winner Blake Snell to a two-year, $62 million contract, according to MLB Network Insider Jon Heyman

The deal caps off a strong off-season for the Giants, which started off with them adding Bob Melvin as manager, and continued with the signings of Jung-hoo Lee, Robbie Ray, Jordan Hicks and Tom Murphy. Jorge Soler and Matt Chapman were signed during Spring Training, and Snell could be set to join them in the final week of camp.

Blake Snell came up with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2016, and was their ace through the COVID-shortened 60-game sprint season of 2020. He won the American League Cy Young Award in 2018; struggled, but helped lead the Rays to the Postseason in 2019; and led them to the World Series in 2020.

Snell was infamously pulled by Rays Manager Kevin Cash in Game 6 of the 2020 World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the bottom of the sixth inning, despite throwing a shutout. After Snell was pulled, the Dodgers scored two runs to take a 2-1 lead, and won the game 3-1 to win their first world championship since 1988.

Following Cash’s controversial move, Snell was traded to the San Diego Padres that off-season. Snell struggled in a 2021 campaign that saw the Padres collapse down the stretch. He then bounced back, and helped lead the Padres to the National League Championship Series in 2022. Snell then won his second cy young award in an otherwise disappointing 2023 season for the Padres.

Snell’s cy young season was believed to be a massive booster for him as he entered free agency. However, Snell, along with Chapman, Cody Bellinger and Jordan Montgomery, who were all represented by prominent agent Scott Boras, all remained on the market as teams reported to Spring Training in February. Snell, along with Chapman and Bellinger were signed after games got underway, and Montgomery remains a free agent.

Snell now joins Logan Webb, who finished second in cy young voting last season. Snell also joins what is set to be a strong rotation for the Giants. Along with Webb and Snell, Kyle Harrison, the young left-handed phenom, who saw time late in 2023, will be bumped from the second spot to the third spot in the rotation.

The rotation could also be further fortified by the experiment of turning the flamethrower Jordan Hicks from a reliever to a starter; the return of Alex Cobb and the newly-signed Ray off the Injured List; and the potential of right-handed Carson Whisenhunt making his major league debut later this season.

Snell will still need to pass a physical. Once he was done so, it could be assumed that Snell will join the Giants in their final week of camp in Scottsdale, and will get a start or two prior to the Giants’ opener in San Diego on March 28. It is most likely that Snell will begin the Regular Season in the minor leagues, and be ready to join the Giants in the middle of April.

Other Notes:

The Giants and Longtime Public Address Announcer Renel Brooks-Moon mutually parted ways on Monday.

Brooks-Moon, who had served as the Giants’ PA announcer for 24 years since then-Pacific Bell Park’s opening in 2000, has enshrined herself into Giants Lore. She was behind the microphone for the Giants’ run to the National League Pennant in 2002, and their three world championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014.

Brooks-Moon was at Barry Bonds’ breaking of the single-season record on Oct. 5, 2001 against the Dodgers, and his breaking of the all-time home run record on Aug. 7, 2007 against the Washington Nationals.

She was also there for Matt Cain’s Perfect Game against the Houston Astros on June 13, 2012, as well as Tim Lincecum’s two no-hitters, which were thrown on July 9, 2009 and June 25, 2014 respectively, both against the Padres.

Brooks-Moon has become a beloved and outspoken figure not just with the Giants, but with San Francisco and the Bay Area. She was the voice of the Cathedral of 3rd and King, and for so many younger fans, they do not know Giants Baseball without her.

There has yet to be word on who Brooks-Moon’s replacement will be, or how the process will play out.

Brooks-Moon was the second woman to be an MLB PA announcer. She succeeded Sherry Davis, who was the first.

J.D. Davis signed a one-year deal with the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, following his release from the Giants on March 11.

Davis was encouraged to come to Oakland by Alex Wood, who had been a member of the Giants’ rotation from 2021 to 2023. They are also joined by Ross Strippling, who the Giants traded to Oakland on Feb. 2.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Hernandez signs one year deal with Dodgers; Manaea signs with Mets, 2 yrs and $28M; plus more news

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Former Seattle Mariner Teoscar Hernandez signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on Mon Jan 8, 2024 for a one year deal worth $23.5 million (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers have reached a one year deal with All Star outfielder Teoscar Hernandez worth $23.5 million. Hernandez 31 hit .258, 70 runs, 161 hits and 93 RBIs for Seattle last season. Also this week pitcher Tyler Glasnow joins the Dodgers talk about how Hernandez and Glasnow will be a of a help to the Dodgers.

#2 Former Oakland A’s starter left hander Sean Manaea has signed with the New York Mets. Manaea 7-6 with an ERA 4.44 with his only year with the San Francisco Giants last season. You’ve seen Manaea over the years he’s a eight year veteran how do you see him in the Mets rotation?

#3 This past week the Giants traded for Robbie Ray for outfielder Mitch Haniger and Anthony DeSclafani and six million dollars. Ray won’t be ready until July as he’s recovering from Tommy John surgery did the Giants take a gamble on Ray waiting for him until July and coming back from Tommy John ?

#4 Also this past week the Los Angeles Angels signed Dan Plesac to a one year $1 million dollar deal. Plesac a right hander. In 2023 Plesac five games with a 1-1 record and a 7.59 ERA in 21 1/3 innings of work. Plesac appeared in 19 games and 18 of those were starts.

#5 The investigation continues for Tampa Bay Rays Wander Franco as to if he had a relationship with a 14 year old girl. Franco was released from a Dominican Republic jail. Franco bailed out paying $2 million Dominican pesos ($34,000 US) as a judge ordered his conditional release. Franco had been accused by two other minor girls and did not speak to reporters upon his release on Monday.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: National Anthem standoff doesn’t quite workout as planned; Braves honored at White House

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From left, Braves President of Baseball Operations Alex Anthopoulos, manager Brian Snitker, President Joe Biden, and Braves President and CEO Terry McGuirk who were celebrating their 2021 Championship at the White House on Mon Sep 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Seattle Mariners Robbie Ray and the Kansas City Royals Luke Weaver both did a national anthem standoff and while after the anthem was played both Ray and Weaver stayed in front of their respective dugouts with their hats over their hearts until the umpire threw them both out of the game on Sunday.

#2 President Biden welcomed the World Champion Atlanta Braves to celebrated their World Series victory in 2021. Biden said that the Braves “unstoppable” the Braves presented Biden with a number 46 jersey for being the 46th president.

#3 The Cleveland Guardians made an unexpected finish finishing at the top of the AL Central to clinch the division with a win over the Texas Rangers. The Guardians are the youngest team in baseball as well.

#4 Amaury, Miami Marlins manager Don Mattingly has announced that he will not manage the Marlins past this season. Mattingly had been with the Marlins since 2016 and did not option to seek a contract extension.

#5 The Marlins wore the Cuban Sugar Cane uniforms over the weekend. The Marlins wanted to honor the former Triple A team the Sugar Canes. The Sugar Canes were a minor league team from 1954-60.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Major League Baseball locks out tonight; MLB clubs dealing before window closes

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Former Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, left, puts the tag on Atlanta Braves’ Eddie Rosario on an attempted steal during game 5 of the NLCS Oct 21, 2021. Seager joins the Texas Rangers after signing with them on Mon Nov 29, 2021 (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury:

#1 Amaury the window is closing as the lockout deadline is approaching and tonight this will be the last day of doing business as tonight at midnight Major League Baseball will enter it’s first work stoppage since the unforgettable 1994 baseball strike.

#2 MLB teams are on the move and trying to clean house before the work stoppage kicks in tonight the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers are no exception last night dealing shortstop Corey Seagar to the Texas Rangers a ten year deal worth $325 million and on Sunday the Rangers signed second baseman Marcus Semien for seven years at $175 million, Semien played for the Toronto Blue Jays last season.

#3 Former Dodger pitcher Max Scherzer will be throwing for the New York Mets he signs a three year deal for $130 million. Scherzer was 15-4 ERA 2.46. Talk about how much of an addition he will be for the Mets.

#4 Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray will be joining the Seattle Mariners Ray and the M’s agreed on a five year $115 million deal and with Ray’s experience and accomplishments both will be expecting big things. Ray was 13-7 ERA 2.84 last season for the Blue Jays.

#5 Former Los Angeles Angel Alex Cobb will join the San Francisco Giants details of an agreement has not been disclosed on Monday night. Cobb was 8-3 with an ERA 3.76, he’s 34 years old how much do you see him helping the Giants in 2022?

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary for exclusive coverage of the Major League Baseball lockout 2021 at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Pillar and Posey help Bumgarner get fifth win defeat Diamondbacks 10-4

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photo by sfgate.com: San Francisco Giants’ Kevin Pillar, right, celebrates with Evan Longoria (10) after hitting a two-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray in the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 30, 2019, in San Francisco.

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Kevin Pillar and Buster Posey helped out Madison Bumgarner with their bats in the series finale.

Pillar and Posey combined for seven hits, while Bumgarner went seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits, walking no one and striking out nine and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 before 31,778 at Oracle Park.

With the victory, the Giants ended the month of June with a record of 14-13, their first winning month since going 18-10 in June of 2018.

It was a Pillar two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning that got the Giants going, as he hit his 11th home run of the season.

Pillar added a two-run single in the bottom of the third inning that helped the Giants to the victory and split the four-game series.

Posey doubled in the bottom of the first inning, and then singled in the third and fifth innings, before walking to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning for Evan Longoria with nobody out.

The three hits by Posey match his season-high and marked his second three-hit game in three appearances. During the span, Posey is hitting .750 (6-for-8) with two doubles, two runs scored and two runs batted in.

Pillar hit a solo home run, singled twice and hit a double, as it was his first four-hit since July 13, 2018 for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

It was the fifth four-hit game of Pillars career, who picked up two during the 2017 season and one during the 2015 season.

The five runs batted in by Pillar are a career-high, to go along with his career-high tying four hits.

Longoria then singled in Brandon Belt, who walked to lead off the inning against reliever Matt Andriese. Pillar then followed it up with his fourth hit of the game, as he singled to left to score pinch hitter Alex Dickerson, who singled while pinch hitting for Tyler Austin, who walked and struck out twice before leaving the game.

Mike Yastrzemski got in on the act, as he hit a two-run double to left field to score Longoria and Pillar.

The sixth and final run of the inning came when pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval singled off of T.J. McFarland that scored Yastrzemski.

In all, the Giants sent 10 men to the plate, scored six runs on five hits, as they blew the game wide open.

The Diamondbacks attempted to get back into the game in the top of the eighth inning, as they scored three runs off of reliever Derek Rodriguez.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was ejected in the top of the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes with home plate Mike Muchlinski, and it was fourth all-time ejection for Lovullo in his managerial career.

It was not a good day for Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray, who went just four innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walking three and striking out five and saw his record fall to 5-6 on the season.

NOTES: With the nine strikeouts on the afternoon, Bumgarner tied Tim Lincecum for second place all-time in San Francisco Giants lore with 1,704.

Juan Marichal is the all-time San Francisco Giants leader in strikeouts with 2,281

Will Smith was named as the lone All-Star for the Giants, as he is 1-0 with a 2.16 earned run average with 21 saves in 21 chances this season for the Giants.

Smith is the first Giants left-handed reliever to go to the All-Star Game since Gary Lavelle made the All-Star team in 1983

The 21 saves to start the season are the second most by a Giants reliever to start a season, trailing only Rod Beck who saved 28 in a row to begin the 1994 season.

In his Giants career, Smith is tied for second place with Craig Lefferts with 35 saves by a left-hander, Lavelle is currently the all-time leader in saves for a left-hander with 127.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija takes the mound on Monday night, as the Giants open a brief three-game road trip against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The Padres will counter with Logan Allen.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants’ Williamson and company lacking the hits

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

On the Giants podcast with Miguel:

#1 What’s off with the Giants’ Mac Williamson swing? He was striking out five times on Thursday afternoon against the Atlanta Braves

#2 Five times they needed that bat of Williamson to make hay in a one-run loss that went 13 innings.

#3 Williamson is trying to make this club and be a main stay. We ask Michael is this a temporary hang up or something that needs a quick fix?

#4 Another bat out of the Giants’ lineup: shortstop Brandon Crawford, who missed Thursday night’s contest due to pink eye.

#5 The Giants opened a three-game series on Friday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Diamondbacks started Robbie Ray (3-1) and the Giants went with Drew Pomeranz (1-4)

Michael does the Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com