Tag: Shintaro Fujinami

A Look inside the Baltimore Orioles: O’s Sweep A’s With Dominating 12-1 Victory

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Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jordan Westburg, left, throws to first base after forcing out Oakland Athletics’ Zack Gelof (20) at second on a double play hit into by Athletics’ Jonah Bride during the ninth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Sunday, August 20th 2023

By Troy Ewers

Oakland, CA – At Rickey Henderson Field, it’s the final game of the series between the Oakland A’s and the Baltimore Orioles. If the A’s lose, they will officially be out of playoff contention. The Orioles on the other have the second best record in the MLB behind Atlanta.

On the hill for Oakland is JP Sears and for Baltimore is Kyle Brandish and this game started off with a bang for Baltimore. Ramon Urias grounded into a fielder’s choice which scored the leadoff man Adley Rutschman who got on base with a single. 1-0 Orioles.

When Brandish got on the mound against the A’s, he had one goal, sit them down, and sit them down fast. Brandish struck out the side in the first inning and then in the second and third inning he retired the side with ease, 1-2-3. On the other side of the coin, Baltimore’s bats were  in go mode.

Jorge Mateo hit an inside the park home run, making it 2-0 in the second inning. In the third inning the momentum didn’t end when Ryan Mountcastle and Gunnar Henderson got back to back hits to start the rally and then they scored when Austin Hays hit a single, but he was thrown out trying to take second, but the damage was done, 4-0 Baltimore.

The fourth inning was no different for the O’s where a leadoff double by Jordan Westburg got the spark going, then after two ground outs and a Rutschman walk, Mountcastle hit a two out, three run home run and the game was blown wide open 7-0 Baltimore.

Rookie Gunnar Henderson hit a triple to follow up the homer, but it looked like a home run that would’ve been his 21st of the season, but after umpire review the ball hit the fence and resulted in a triple. Bradish finally got a hit knocked off of him when Zack Gelof got a one out single, but Seth Brown struck out and Brent Rooker grounded out, so Gelof’s hit didn’t turn into anything.

The A’s took Sears out and put Zach Neal on the mound in the fifth inning and he was able to retire the Orioles side for the first time all game.

The Orioles offense slowed down once Neal got in the game and in the sixth inning A’s first baseman Seth Brown got all three outs. Brown caught a line drive and tagged Ryan McKenna out at first for the double play, then grabbed a grounder from Rutschman to end the inning.

Henderson broke the two inning run drought with a loud dinger of a home run and there was no review with this one, it went 396 feet to deep right field, 8-0 Orioles. The insurance runs didn’t stop for Baltimore after Westburg singled to right and scored Ramon Urias, 9-0 Orioles.

In the seventh inning the O’s changed pitchers from Bradish to Nick Vespi and it didn’t start out well for him after Brent Rooker hit his 20th homer of the season to lead off the inning for Oakland and give the A’s their first run of the game. 9-1.

Jorge Mateo led off the eighth inning with a double and then was brought home by a Rutschman double, 10-1 Baltimore. Gunnar Henderson hit his second double and third hit of the game, but this one counted for an RBI as he scored Rutschman making the game a runaway 11-1 and then Henderson got across home plate when Urias hit a two out single. 12-1.

To close out the game Baltimore brings in former Oakland A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami. Even though Fujinami let a leadoff single get past him, a double play followed, and then struck Brent Rooker out looking.

The game ends with Baltimore winning decisively 12-1 with 17 hits and they recorded their eighth sweep of the season and they continue their streak of not being swept. Kyle Bradish walks away with the win (8-6) and JP Sears walks away with the loss (2-10).

The O’s go home with a day off then the following day it’s a series against Toronto. The current record for the Orioles is 77-47 and they maintain their position as the second best record in baseball.

The A’s host the Kansas City Royals at the Oakland Coliseum. The Royals have not decided on a starter yet and the A’s will be going with Paul Blackburn (3-3 ERA 4.09) for a 6:40pm PT first pitch.

MLB The Show podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Manfred predicted slam dunk for re-election; ex-A’s Fujinami had improved before trade; plus much more

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is pleased with the 2024 All Star Game logo which will be held in Texas next season. Manfred was in Arlington on Thu Jul 20, 2023 for the unveiling. Things have been going well for Manfred and he is expected to be re-elected that will take him as Commissioner through 2030. (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen:

#1 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is no doubt going to be elected according to a dependable source said. Manfred needs 16 of 30 votes by MLB teams to be reelected and the source it won’t even be that close he’s a slam dunk to be re-elected. Once re-elected his new term will run five years or ending in 2030.

#2 Manfred has received criticism from the media and fans alike over his handling of the Oakland A’s relocation and if there was any doubt that the owners are split on the A’s relocation Manfred’s predicted slam dunk re-election might be an indication that the owners are together and will vote to relocate the A’s to Las Vegas.

#3 Former Oakland A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami said that Japanese players are rarely traded in Japan but Fujinami was prepared for anything when he signed wit the A’s for two years at $3.25 million. Yet and still Fujinami was dealt to the Baltimore Orioles last Wednesday.

#4 Fujinami’s value had improved over the last 12 appearances and his ERA had gone down the Orioles who are in the thick of the hunt saw that and got a deal with the A’s sending double A pitcher Easton Lucas in exchange for Fujinami.

#5 Will the Los Angeles Angels deal two way player Shohei Ohtani? The Angels had said they want to keep Ohtani and Ohtani said he was open to stay in Anaheim but both sides are also listening to offers. The Angels said they would absolutely not deal Ohtani to the Los Angeles Dodgers but money and talented players talk. Amongst some of the top teams named in the Ohtani sweepstakes, the Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants and the San Diego Padres.

Stephen Ruderman does MLB podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Players union want temporary A’s home deal with MLB; plus more news

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A look at MLB Players Association executive director Tony Clark seen here talking at the 2022 ALCS in Houston at Minute Maid Field. Clark and the union would like to resolve where the players are going to play after the 2024 season regarding the Oakland A’s. (AP photo file)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury discussion on Bally’s plans to implode the Tropicana to make space for the Las Vegas A’s nine acre ballpark is still on hold until the relocation plans are submitted by the A’s and voted on by the MLB owners.

#2 A vote on the A’s relocation could take place within the next two months and shovels in imploding the old Tropicana tower could take place as early as January.

#3 The MLB Players Association has informed MLB that they need to know where the players will be playing in the interim while the Tropicana is under construction. The Players Union has said they would need to know if they’ll be playing their games between 2025-27 at Las Vegas Ballpark home of the Triple A Aviators. The union needs to know so they could inform it’s members.

#4 Amaury, we didn’t get a chance to ask you about former A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami when he was sent packing after Wednesday’s game. Fujinami was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Easton Lucas. The O’s are coming on strong and Fuji can help a team like that?

#5 Amaury, the A’s had won two straight before loosing their last two games no doubt that the Houston Astros are tough customers and A’s pitching had a tough time pitching to the Astros Kyle Tucker who hit three home runs on Friday night in Oakland.

Join 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

A’s shutout by Marlins Cabrera in 4-0 loss at LoanDepot Park to open series

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Oakland Athletics third baseman Aledmys Diaz (12) and Miami Marlins Bryan De La Cruz (14) hugs after De La Cruz was caught between bases during the fifth inning at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Fri Jun 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics (12-47) looked to avoid a two-game losing streak as they started a new three-game series against the Miami Marlins (30-28) on Friday. The A’s and the Marlins matched up at LoanDepot Park in Miami, Florida. The A’s just couldn’t get any hitting going getting struck out ten times by Marlins starter Edward Cabrera for a 4-0 shutout to open the three game series in Miami.

The A’s starting lineup consisted of Esteury Ruiz, Ryan Noda, Brent Rooker, Seth Brown, Aledmys Díaz, JJ Bleday, Jonah Bride, Shea Langeliers, Tony Kemp, and Shintaro Fujinami. Fujinami, a Japanese pitcher who bats and throws right, took the loss and fell to 2-6 on the season after pitching just one inning. Hogan Harris pitched five innings, while Austin Pruitt pitched 1.2 innings and Sam Moll pitched 0.1 innings.

The A’s had their work cut out for them against the Marlins, but they couldn’t get anything going. Miami opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning as Jesus Sanchez homered on a fly ball to left field and Bryan De La Cruz scored to give the Marlins a 2-0 lead.

As if they haven’t already done enough damage, Miami added two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Jorge Soler doubled on a sharp line drive to JJ Bleday and Jacob Stallings scored to give the Marlins a 3-0 lead. Bryan De La Cruz scored again as he singled on a ground ball to Seth Brown and Jorge Soler scored to give the Marlins a 4-0 lead.

Cabrera pitched six innings on four hits, one walk and ten strike outs before being lifted in the seventh for reliever JT Chargois who was followed by two more relievers who held down the fort to shutout the visiting A’s.

The A’s and Marlins meet again on Saturday, June 3 at 1:10 pm Pacific. Luis Medina (0-4 ERA 6.83) seeks his first win of the 2023 season will be opposed by the Marlins Eury Perez (2-1 ERA 2.84) in the second game of the series.

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Will A’s leaving a large TV market for Vegas prove to be huge mistake?

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Las Vegas Ballpark home of the Las Vegas Aviators the A’s minor league club beverages at the ready in the bleachers. If the A’s and the city of Las Vegas make it official to move the A’s could the A’s start playing their games at the minor league ballpark while the new stadium goes under construction? (photo from thelvballpark.com)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, just wanted to start the podcast discussing the elephant in the room it’s been weeks since we heard anything from the city of Oakland in their efforts to try and keep the Oakland A’s in Oakland those hopes are fading fast as A’s management in the last few months have been seeking a site for a new Las Vegas ballpark.

#2 Daniel, the average income in Vegas is $35,000 to $51,000 and a much smaller population than the Bay Area that said are the A’s looking at the successes of other sports teams who are in Vegas and they can sell games near capacity or is this just one big roll of the dice for the A’s going to a smaller 40th size TV market and hope to sell out most of their 81 home dates?

#3 The city of Oakland did not get federal financing of $182.9 million back in January from the US Department of Transportation. The City of Oakland’s Transportation manager Fred Kelly said that the city will seek other streams of income to finance the Howard Terminal Ballpark so far nothing.

#4 Daniel, back out on the field the talk of the town is Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami who will bet the start against the Shohei Othani and the Los Angeles Angels on Thu Mar 30th at the Oakland Coliseum. Fujinami was 4-4 with an ERA 4.26 in spring training and he’s expected to be a key starter for the A’s this season.

#5 The A’s will open up their season against the Angels on Thu Mar 30 and have a rare Friday off on the 31st before getting back to the Coliseum on Fri Arp 1st against the Angels. One of the top concerns at the start of this season is how will the hitters and pitchers adjust to the time clock.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Garoppolo joins old coach in Las Vegas; Rogers close to signing with Jets; plus much more

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Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo seen in 2022 photo will join the Las Vegas Raiders for the 2023 season. Garoppolo reunites with Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports with Jessica Kwong:

#1 Former New England Patriots offensive coordinator and current Las Vegas Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels is excited about reuniting with his former quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who signed with the silver and black for $72.75 million three year deal. The Patriots won two Super Bowls when Garoppolo was the back up quarterback to Tom Brady. Garoppolo quarterbacked for the Pats from 2014-2017.

#2 Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers says he wants to go to the New York Jets talks between Packers and Jets have not been finalized yet but sources say that both sides are working details out. Rogers said he will always love the Packers organization and the city of Green Bay.

#3 Jessica, with Diamond Sports owners of Bally Regional Sports Networks filing for chapter 11 bankruptcy who are scheduled to host streaming for some 14 Major League Baseball teams. Diamond missed a $140 million interest payment to it’s bondholders. Diamond while their in negotiations with their stakeholders are restructuring. Meanwhile baseball teams will not see any payments on their rights holdings that Diamond was scheduled to pay. MLB most likely will have to develop their own streaming network to cover the teams during Bally’s restructuring.

#4 Jessica, the New York Yankees who are the most valuable team worth $6 billion. In MLB the Yankees are one of two teams in the Majors that do not pay for their team’s inflight Wi Fi the other is the Cincinnati Reds. The cost in one year for inflight Wi Fi comes to $40,000 which is equivalent to pitcher Garrett Cole’s salary in four games.

#5 Oakland A’s Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami struck out seven batters on Tuesday in his third start for the A’s. Fujinami. Fujinami almost got himself in a jam throwing for 35 pitches in the first inning and had the bullpen up as he was heading for his pitch limit. Fujinami came out in the second and third inning throwing 30 pitches 21 for strikes and struck out seven hitters to recover.

Join Jessica Kwong for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: MLB–Oakland A’s the Fuji effect

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The Oakland A’s Shintaro Fujinami warms up at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa at Cactus League spring training (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

MLB: Oakland A’s –  The Fuji effect-

Tha’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2023 season is not far from the ‘first pitch’, and Spring Training is in full swing as all 30 clubs have hopes of a postseason berth. Seven months from today reality will be set for 28 teams, and only two will be playing in the World Series. Although is too early to talk about October baseball, this is the time to talk about what teams have in store.

For the Oakland A’s there is a new bunch of players.  Among the position players, only a handful of “veterans” like Ramón Laureano, Tony Kemp and Seth Brown are names that fans could identify together with some young pitchers. The team signed free agent Japanese right-handed pitcher Shintaro Fujinami “Please call me ‘Fuji.’ Like Mount Fuji,” the Japanese right-hander said in English when he was introduced to the media in Oakland.

Fuji played for ten years in Nippon Professional Baseball (Japan) for the Hanshin Tigers. Fuji (as he said he likes to be called) will turn 29 this next April. The A’s signed Fuji to a one-year deal for $3.25 million. He was, by far, the most interesting signing by the team this off-season. 

The A’s going to Asia makes news. After all, the last time the A’s had a Japanese player was in 2011, slugger Hideki Matsui, who played only that year for the Green and Gold, with the difference that Matsui was already a major league player. Today in Spring Training, Fuji is the main attraction, although he had yet to throw one pitch in the majors and although many “experts” suggested (before he signed with the A’s) that he could help a team in the majors as a reliever.

The A’s are giving him a shot of winning a spot in the starting rotation. Why not? The A’s rotation is still young and does not have much experience. Fuji pitched for ten years in Japan (although a rookie in the majors) he still has more experience on the mound than any A’s pitcher on this roster, to date.

Here’s what Sports Info Solutions wrote about Fujinami. The splitter was his best strikeout pitch, and his most-used pitch with two strikes, narrowly edging out his fastball in both two-strike usage and strikeouts. In addition to having a solid 34% whiff rate, batters also struggled to do anything with the splitter when it was put in play. His splitters turned into grounders 66% of the time, and batters only managed a 9% hard-hit rate versus the pitch.

I do not know how much success Shintaro Fujinami will have with the A’s, and the truth is that nobody really knows. Not a surprise the A’s signed him for one year since he will have to prove himself at the major league level. I am surprised when the A’s signed veteran Cuban-born journeyman Aledmys Díaz to a 2-year $14.5 million deal.

Díaz can earn $500,000 annually in performance bonuses for plate appearances. Díaz is a seven year veteran who played for St Louis, Toronto, and the most recent World Champion Houston Astros. Díaz can play many bases and it makes sense he will take the place of utility man extraordinaire Chad Pinder who left the A’s to sign a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds.

Note: Fuji was very excited after he learned on Saturday he will be starting this next Tuesday the 28th against his good friend and countryman, the sensational two-way player, Shohei Ohtani when the A’s face the LA Angels.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Fujinami might be the drawing card the A’s need for 2023

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Oakland A’s pitcher Shintaro Fujinami tunes up at A’s spring training camp on Wed Feb 15, 2023 in Mesa AZ at Hohokam Park (photo from the San Francisco Chronicle)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, taking a look at Shintaro Fujinami in spring training and in his bullpen sessions he’s no joke Fujinami is throwing with a mean fastball and splitter and he’s in the upper 90s.

#2 Jesus Aguilar the A’s first baseman and designated hitter the A’s are expecting some punch in the line up out of Aguilar he did have a career worst wRC with the Miami Marlins and Baltimore Orioles last season 86 in 129 games.

#3 Amaury, are the A’s on the fence about keeping Cristian Pache. Pache will have to showcase this month in spring training and that includes hitting and manager Mark Kotsay is looking for an everyday outfielder that can provide hits and RBIs. Pache has ability with the glove in centerfield but can he be that everyday player that Kotsay is looking for?

#4 Taking a look at former St Louis Cardinal and former San Francisco Giants broadcaster Tim McCarver. McCarver a former two time All Star and who called signals for former Cardinal pitchers Bob Gibson and Steve Carlton passed away this week.

#5 Amaury, It’s been six years since the World Baseball Classic has been played the games have expanded to 20 teams and have added three more teams, Great Britain, the Czech Republic and Nicaragua.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcasts every Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com