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Struggling A’s Fall to Struggling Houston Astros 9-2; Houston’s Bregman has big night two homers and 4 RBIs

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The Oakland A’s shortstop Max Scheuemann (12) applies the tag on the Houston Astros Yordan Alvarez (right) for the out in the bottom of the sixth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Mon May 13, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Two struggling teams faced each other at Minute Maid Park Monday evening. The Oakland A’s (19-24) and the Houston Astros (16-25) began a three game series both of them in the same division and both of them looking for a win. The Astros broke this game wide open in the eighth inning scoring four times for a final score of 9-2.

Houston’s Alex Bregman had two home runs and a double in the game. Oakland’s JJ Bleday, Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom each had a couple of hits but the Astros simply outplayed Oakland offensively. Three Oakland errors did not do a whole lot for the A’s cause.

Game recap: It is no picnic playing in front of the Houston crowd; they are loud and proud and they do love their Astros despite the season they are having right now. Astro fans had a lot to cheer about in the opening innings.

Houston scored in the first two innings taking a 2-0 lead. An A’s throwing error allowed Jeremy Pena to score for the early 1-0 lead. Houston added a second run in the third inning when Kyle Tucker doubled and Jose Altuve who had been hit by a pitch scampered home giving the Astros a 2-0 lead.

The A’s got to within on run of tying this game in the fourth inning. Soderstrom singled Brent Rooker home now only trailing by a single run 2-1. The Astros would beef up the score when Alex Bregman homered giving Houston a 3-1 lead.

JJ Bleday answered the call in the fifth inning hitting a double bringing Abraham Toro home for a 3-2 tally with the Astros hanging onto a one run lead. Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti was relieved in the sixth inning by Rafael Montero. He had gone five innings allowing five hits and two runs with five strikeouts.

Oakland’s Ross Stripling finished the game going five innings giving up four hits and two runs with a single strikeout. He had thrown 52 pitches when he exited the hill relieved by lefty T.J. McFarland. McFarland had a solid sixth inning excusing the Astros via a strike out and a double play going into the seventh inning. Through six innings the A’s had more hits than the Astros 6 to 5.

Esteury Ruiz was caught stealing looking for his 58th steal in the seventh inning. It was a hitless inning for the A’s with Abraham Toro striking out for the third out. In the bottom of the inning, Houston got their second home run of the game off the bat of, once again, Alex Bregman extending their lead to 4-2.

Mitch Spence who had relieved T.J. McFarland allowed the Bregman long ball. McFarland got out of the inning with only the one run and the A’s had a couple of innings left to turn this game in their favor.

Before the inning came to an end Oakland was looking at two outs and facing Jose Altuve. Altuve does what he does best driving another run home. Jake Meyers scored on the Altuve single and Houston was on a roll leading 5-2. Oakland just could get out of the seventh inning facing another threat Kyle Tucker trying to get that final out. The A’s escaped with the two runs but the 5-2 deficit was a tough call with only two innings left.

The A’ would have to get to work in the late innings. They had their work cut out for them and they desperately needed base runners. JJ Bleday flied out and with one down Brent Rooker singled. Tyler Soderstrom doubled with two Oakland outs and the A’s had runners on second and third.

With the two runners on base Seth Brown watched a third strike go by and the third out for Houston. Oakland had missed a golden opportunity leaving Rooker and Soderstrom stranded.

This game saw another Oakland error, this one from Max Schuemann in the eighth inning with two Astro runners on base and no outs. Oakland relief pitcher Easton Lucas walked Jon Singleton to load the bases and then faced Alex Bregman.

Bregman who had already slugged two home runs doubled driving in Trey Cabbage and Jeremy Pena and Houston had broken this game wide open 7-2. More Astros came home off a Victor Caratini double.

Bregman and Singleton crossed home plate giving Houston a 9-2 lead with Jose Altuve at the plate. Oakland pitcher Lucas was having a rough time allowing 3 hits and 4 runs as this inning finally came to an end. Oakland went quietly into the night in the ninth inning with a three up and three down finish.

Post game notes: Monday evening the A’s traveled to Houston and lost to their division rival Astros 9-2. Houston still has the deep roster that took them to the playoffs numerous times but despite that they have struggled on the mound.

Earlier Monday, it was announced that the Astros Jose Altuve was having the day off but come game time he was on the field so the A’s had to deal with him. Altuve ended up scoring one run and one hit in four at bats. A’s starter Ross Stripling was on the hill facing this daunting Houston lineup. Stripling pitched five innings, gave up four hits and one run. Astro starter Spencer Arrighetti pitched five innings, gave up five hits and two runs.

The A’s will try to right the ship in game two Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 5:10 PM. JP Sears (3-2 ERA 4.20) will be on the hill for the A’s and for Houston Ronel Blanco (4-0 ERA 2.23) will get the nod.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants open series with Dodgers tonight at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos (right) celebrates with Casey Schmitt (left) after scoring in the bottom of the fifth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 What started off as a disastrous game turned into possibly the biggest win of the season for the Giants, as despite Kyle Harrison’s wildness and Jung-hoo Lee going down to injury in the first inning, the Giants came back to beat the Reds in a wild 10-inning game 6-5.

#2 Jeimer Candelario hit a high fly ball to right-center field that center-fielder Jung-hoo Lee kept from going out of the park with a grand slam with a leap over the wall, but the ball deflected off his glove, and all three runs scored on a double by Candelario to give the Reds an early 3-0 lead.

#3 Lee sat on the ground for a few minutes, as he was tended to by Manager Bob Melvin and two of the Giants’ trainers, and he had to come out of the game with a dislocated left shoulder.

#4 The Giants have already lost a good chunk of players to injuries over the last week: Patrick Bailey, Jorge Soler, Nick Ahmed, Tom Murphy, Austin Slater, Michael Conforto and Lee just to name a few. 

#5 Giants open up a three game series starting Monday night at Oracle Park at 6:45pm PDT against the Los Angeles Dodgers. For the Dodgers starting pitcher RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (4-1 ERA 2.79) and for the Giants RHP Jordan Hicks (3-1 ERA 2.30).

Join Marko Ukalovic for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s drop series in Seattle; Open series in Houston tonight

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Oakland A’s starter Alex Wood throws to the Seattle Mariners line up in the top of the first inning at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sun May 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Tough go for the Oakland A’s on Sunday with a 8-4 loss to the Seattle Mariners to drop the three game series 2-1.

#2 A’s starter Alex Wood was charged for one earned run but gave up a total of five runs. It’s the base hits that hurt Wood who gave up four hits.

#3 Barbara for the Mariners the bottom of he second was a rally scoring four runs and the M’s got home run help from Julio Rodríguez and Mitch Garver in the fifth inning.

#4 The A’s and Mariners won by scores of 8-1 in games 1 and 2 but it was game three that the Mariners held on with a four run win 8-4. The A’s pitching fell apart early with Wood giving up the five run and reliever Kyle Mueller got rocked for four hits and three runs.

#5 The A’s will get another chance to try and win a series against the struggling Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Monday night. Starting pitchers for Oakland RHP Ross Stripling (1-6 ERA 5.14) and for Houston RHP Spencer Arrighetti (0-4 ERA 8.44) first pitch at 5:10pm PDT.

Join Barbara Mason for the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants snatch victory from jaws of disaster to take series against Reds in extra innings 6-5

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San Francisco Giants Casey Schmitt slugs a ground rule double in the bottom of the tenth inning to score Luis Matos for a walk off hit against the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cincinnati Reds 5 (17-23)

San Francisco Giants 6 (19-23)

Win: Luke Jackson (1-1)

Loss: Emilio Pagan (2-3)

Time: 3:13

Attendance: 36,210

By Stephen Ruderman

What started off as a disastrous game turned into possibly the biggest win of the season for the Giants, as despite Kyle Harrison’s wildness and Jung-hoo Lee going down to injury in the first inning, the Giants came back to beat the Reds in a wild 10-inning game 6-5 on a walk-off base-hit by Casey Schmitt.

After a much-needed 5-1 over the Reds in a nationally-televised late-afternoon affair yesterday, the Giants had a chance to take the series on Mother’s Day with a win today. With their young left-hander, Kyle Harrison, going, the Giants had every reason to feel good about today.

However, the first inning would be far from ideal. Harrison hit TJ Friedl to start the game, and it pretty much set the tone for the early part of the game. Harrison walked Spencer Steer with one out, and he walked Stuart Fairchild with two outs to load the bases for Jeimer Candelario.

Candelario hit a high fly ball to right-center field that center-fielder Jung-hoo Lee kept from going out of the park with a grand slam with a leap over the wall, but the ball deflected off his glove, and all three runs scored on a double by Candelario to give the Reds an early 3-0 lead.

Worst of all, Lee, who was in the lineup for the first time since fouling a ball off his left foot Wednesday night in Denver, crashed his left shoulder into the fenced portion of the wall in right-center that is not totally padded. Lee sat on the ground for a few minutes, as he was tended to by Manager Bob Melvin and two of the Giants’ trainers, and he had to come out of the game with a dislocated left shoulder.

“That guy leaves it all out there,” said Harrison. “I have so much respect for him, and hopefully, he’s alright. The guy’s just a gamer.”

The Giants have already lost a good chunk of players to injuries over the last week: Patrick Bailey, Jorge Soler, Nick Ahmed, Tom Murphy and Michael Conforto just to name a few. Losing Lee could be a massive blow to the team.

This was not the first time in this series that a Giants’ outfielder crashed into the non-padded part of the outfield fence. Austin Slater of course suffered a concussion after crashing into the non-padded portion of the fence in left-center in the first inning on Friday night.

Lee was also not the only player who came out of the game in the first inning. Reds’ right-fielder TJ Friedl, who was hit by a pitch on his right shoulder to start the game, also had to leave the ballgame.

The Reds turned to veteran right-hander Frankie Montas to make the start, and he set down the first two Giants he faced in the bottom of the first inning. LaMonte Wade walked with two outs, and Wilmer Flores was hit by a pitch to set things up for Mike Yastrzemski, but Yastrzemski popped out to short to end the inning.

The one thing that has constantly gotten Kyle Harrison into trouble has been his command, and today would be one of those days for him, as he escaped a pair of walks in the top of the second. Montas, meanwhile, pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the second.

“[I] just came out flat today,” said Harrison. [I] hate to put the boys behind early, but they came out and had my back.”

With one out in the top of the third, Harrison walked Fairchild, as it was the fifth walk in just two and a third innings for Harrison. However, Harrison caught a break when Candelario lined a bullet to Matt Chapman at third, and Chapman threw to first to double off Fairchild to end the inning.

Unfortunately for the Giants, Montas kept dealing, as he pitched another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the third. Harrison then pitched a scoreless top of the fourth after giving up a one-out single to Santiago Espinal.

LaMonte Wade appeared as if he was going to get the Giants on the board on a long drive to right-center to start the bottom of the fourth, but center-fielder Stuart Fairchild made an incredible catch at the wall to take away a home run from Wade.

Wilmer Flores then finally got the Giants’ first base-hit, as he singled on a ground ball the other way to right. Heliot Ramos grounded a single to left with two outs to put runners at first and second for Blake Sabol, who was hit by a pitch.

It was the third hit batsman in the game, and it was the second game in a row in which there were three hit batters in the game, as four were hit yesterday. The bases were then loaded for Casey Schmitt, but the Giants would waste another opportunity, as Schmutt grounded to third for a force out at second to end the inning.

Kyle Harrison then pitched a scoreless top of the fifth, and he was a strike away from his first 1-2-3 inning of the afternoon, but Jonathan India singled with two outs. It wasn’t the prettiest outing for Harrison, but he was able to settle down after struggling with his control early on to give his team five innings.

“I focused just on the secondary stuff [later on],” said Harrison. “[I went with my] off-speed [stuff]. [My] slider was really good today. [I] probably should have thrown it earlier in that first inning just to get me synced up.”

“Over the course of [the] early part of this season, he’s had to navigate some situations that weren’t particularly comfortable,” said Melvin. “You gotta take a deep breath and step back and do things a little bit differently and make big pitches when you have to. For a young guy, that’s pretty impressive to watch, because it did not start out great [for him], and it didn’t look like it was getting any better, then all the sudden, he ended up making a pitch when he had to every single time.”

The Giants then started a rally. Tyler Fitzgerald doubled down the left field line with one out, and Matt Chapman lined a single up the middle and into center field to score Fitzgerald and put the Giants on the board.

Wade then came up and hit a high soaring fly ball down the right field line that he appeared to get too much underneath to hit out, but the ball kept carrying, and it ended up going over the 24-foot-high Willie Mays Wall in right to tie the game. Right when it came out that Lee’s injury was not as bad as feared, the Giants suddenly came back to tie the game, so the mood was definitely much better at Oracle Park.

The Giants had come back to tie it, and they were still going in the bottom of the fifth. Wilmer Flores singled to left and advanced to second on a ground out by Yastrzemski. Heliot Ramos then came up looking to continue his hot start with the Giants, and he lined a base-hit up the middle to center to score Flores and give the Giants their first lead of the game.

Ramos’ single nicked Montas out of the game, as Reds Manager David Bell went to Nick Martinez. Blake Sabol then came up and his a slow ground ball to short that was charged by Elly De La Cruz, but De La Cruz bounced the throw, and it skipped off the glove of first-baseman Jeimer Candelario, which allowed Ramos to score all the way from the third and make it 5-3.

Sean Hjelle came in for Harrison and pitched a scoreless top of the sixth for the Giant, and Martinez stayed in the game and threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth for Cincinnati. Hjelle set down the first two batters he faced in the top of the seventh, but after he gave up a two-out base-hit to Spencer Steer, he was done.

Melvin brought in Ryan Walker, who immediately gave up a base-hit to Jonathan India, which put runners at the corners for Jake Fraley. Fraley then lined a base-hit to left to score Steer and cut the Giants’ lead to 5-4.

Walker was able to escape further damage in the top of the seventh, but Justin Wilson came in for Martinez and threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the seventh. Walker was back out for the eighth, and on the first pitch of the inning, he gave up a game-tying home run to Mike Ford.

Walker was pulled with a runner at first and two outs for closer Camilo Doval, and Doval struck De La Cruz swinging to end the inning. Fernando Cruz came in for the Reds and threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the eighth.

Doval stayed out for the ninth, but he ran into trouble. With one out, Jonathan India singled to left and stole second. Jake Fraley then walked, and the runners advanced to second and third on a groundout by Candelario. Doval was able to strike Ford out looking to end the inning.

The Giants caught a break against Alexis Diaz in the bottom of the ninth when Matt Chapman was able to reach second with two outs after several Reds’ converged but were unable to catch a popup to center. However, after an automatic walk to Wade, Flores was trying to swing for the fences, and he ended up fouling out to end the inning.

The game went to the 10th, and with extra innings, that of course meant the automatic runner at second base. In the top of the 10th, the automatic runner would be Conner Capel. Luke Jackson came in for San Francisco, and despite a two-out walk to Will Benson, Jackson struck De La Cruz out swinging to end the inning and keep the game tied.

In the bottom of the 10th, the automatic runner for the Giants was Luis Matos, who was called up prior to the game, and the pitcher for the Reds was Emilio Pagan. Mike Yastrzemski struck out looking for the first out, and Heliot Ramos flew out deep to right. Matos should have been at third, but he was half-way between second and third as expected Ramos’ fly ball to fall, and as a result he had to stay at second.

Fortunately for the Giants, Blake Sabol worked a two-out walk, and after David Bell went to Lucas Sims, Casey Schmitt hit a walk-off single to left-center to end it. It was Schmitt’s first hit of the season, as well as his first-career walk-off hit.

“[I] just [wanted to] see something I could hit and let it rip,” said Schmitt. “I’m just trying not to do too much, just trying to be as simple as I can and find something I can hit.”

At the onset, this game appeared to be an utter disaster, but not only were the Giants were able to come back from down 3-0 to take the lead after losing one of their best players to injury, they hung in there after the Reds tied it late, and they were able to battle all the way to the very end of an extra-inning game to get their biggest win of the season.

“It’s resilience,” said Harrison. “That’s [been] Giants’ baseball as long as I remember it…..it was an awesome day.”

“It was a great team win,” said Schmitt. “It was a lot of fun to be a part of it.

The Giants showed a lot of grit and resilience today, but dislocated shoulders tend to take at least six to eight weeks to heal, so it will be a real test of the mental agility of the 2024 Giants in how they can play in the long run without Lee.

“It’s just one of those times during the season where you gotta persevere,” said Melvin. “[It’s a time when] other guys get some opportunities, and those guys came through today.”

“I think [we have] that focus of the next game,” said Harrison. “It doesn’t matter who we have out there, we gotta fight, and even when we have everyone, we gotta fight. I think the mentality stays the same. We got good guys here in the clubhouse, and we’re meshing well now.”

Through it all, Luke Jackson got the win, and Emilio Pagan took the loss. The Giants improve to 19-23, and now they will have some momentum going into their three game set against the Dodgers that starts tomorrow night.

Jordan Hicks will be on the mound in the series opener tomorrow night, and first pitch will be at 6:45 p.m.

News and Notes:

Jung-hoo Lee will undergo an MRI tomorrow to determine the severity of his dislocated left shoulder. If it is severe enough, there is the potential that it could end his season.

Michael Conforto was placed on the 10-Day Injured list prior to the game due to his strained right hamstring. Outfielder Luis Matos was called up to take Conforto’s place.

Catcher Patrick Bailey, who was activated off the 7-Day Concussion IL yesterday, was scratched from the lineup due to a viral illness. It is not yet known how much time he will miss as a result.

Casey Schmitt got the hit with his mom, Tina, in the stands. Schmitt said that getting the hit with her in the stands on Mother’s Day made it extra special for him.

Another Slow Start for Oakland Spells Series Loss To Seattle 8-4

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Oakland A’s pitcher Alex Wood (57) waits for the ball after walking the Seattle Mariners Luis Arias in the bottom of the second inning at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sun May 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It’s awfully hard to win a game when you fall behind 5-0 by the second inning. It’s even more difficult when you fail to score a single run until the fifth inning. This was the scenario for the Oakland A’s (19-23) Sunday in Seattle.

A rough outing on the mound plus a poor offensive effort spelled the difference in the game. Oakland lost this to the Seattle Mariners (25-19) game 8-4. They faced a team with one of best pitching in the league. Seattle’s Luis Castillo went six innings while the A’s Alex Wood lasted only two innings before turning it over to Kyle Muller

Game recap: This game started under sunny skies as the stadium continued to fill with families celebrating Mother’s Day treating mom to a fun-filled day at the ball park. Yesterday 32,000 plus fans attended the game and huge attendance is expected today on this Mother’s Day.

The players and umpires got into a celebratory mood with an array of pink sweatbands, bats, socks and Seattle catcher Seby Zavala was decked out in pink from head to toe. This was no ordinary boring pink but an electric hot pink making the outfield a blaze of color. The final attendance was over 41,000 fans.

The Mariners struck first in this game when Mitch Garver singled driving Dylan Moore home for the 1-0 lead going into the second inning. In both games one and two Seattle scored the first run of the game and today again took the first lead.

Seattle’s Sam Haggerty had his first hit of the season in the second inning driving in Ty France for a 2-0 lead. Oakland pitcher Alex Wood had already thrown 59 pitches some of them erratic. Dylan Moore sacrificed flied and Luis Urias scored for yet another run 3-0.

Wood then threw a pitch that really hurt when Julio Rodriguez knocked it out of the park, a two-run home run and Seattle had taken a 5-0 lead. In games where the Mariners led by 5 runs, they were 12-1 and Seattle had broken this game open. So far, the A’s had run into an offensive buzzsaw.

In the third inning Abraham Toro attempted a steal and was thrown out for the third out and not much was going right for Oakland in this game.

The A’s got their first run of the game in the fifth inning when Oakland’s Max Schuemann hit a solo home run with so much ground to make up trailing 5-1. The A’s got little chance to even think about a comeback when Seattle struck again with a two-run home run courtesy of Mitch Garver and the Mariners had extended their lead to 7-1.

The sixth inning saw a long ball from each team. The A’s Abraham Toro hit a solo shot and the Mariners Seby Zavala had a solo home run as well. Trailing by the 8-2 deficit, single runs were not going to get the job done for the A’s. So much damage was done on the mound and coming back was a bleak prospect. Oakland was running out of frames.

The A’s continued to fight and in the eighth inning Brent Rooker hit a two-run home run but with only one inning left in the game they were up against immeasurable odds trailing 8-4. It was a quick ninth inning for Oakland coming up short and the Mariners had won this game 8-4 as well as the series.

Post game notes: Sunday afternoon the A’s and the Mariners closed out their three series, a rubber match in a reversal of fate series. In game one it was all Seattle crushing the A’s 8-1. Oakland could not generate very much offense while the Mariners were dominating on both sides. All eyes were watching to see how the A’s would respond in game two and respond they did to the tune of an 8-1 victory of their own.

The Mariners came out in the first inning with Mitch Garver’s RBI scoring Dylan Moore to put the M’s ahead 1-0. The Mariners came right out and struck again in the bottom of the second this time with four runs including a home run by Julio Rodriguez. The Mariners starter Luis Castillo pitched six innings giving up seven hits and two runs and the A’s starter Alex Wood went two innings four hits and gave up five runs.

The Oakland A’s will be relieved to get back on the road after this series taking on the Houston Astros Monday evening. Putting this series behind them is a must as they take on another division rival. Ross Stripling (1-6 ERA 5.14) will take the mound for Oakland while Spencer Arrighetti (0-4 ERA 8.44) will be on the hill for Houston. First pitch is scheduled for 5:10 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s-M’s battle for rubber game today in Seattle

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The Oakland A’s Brent Rooker swings for an RBI single in the top of the top of the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sat May 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 The Oakland A’s put together a late rally scoring three runs in the top of the eighth and ninth innings and came out on top of the Seattle Mariners at T Mobile Field in Seattle 8-1 on Saturday night.

#2 Sometimes you just don’t know what A’s team is going to show up on Friday night the A’s got clobbered 8-1 but then turned it around with some clobbering of their own on Saturday night winning 8-1.

#3 Augie, A’s starter Joey Estes got the call up from triple A Las Vegas pitching five innings, giving up only two hits and one earned run. A great outing by Estes who kept the M’s off balance with the backing of four relievers.

#4 The A’s got offensive help from Abraham Toro and Brent Rooker hit for RBIs in the A’s two run third inning, Max Scheuemann hit a double for three runs in the eighth, and JJ Bleday hit a two run homer in the ninth.

#5 Oakland A’s LHP Alex Wood (1-2 ERA 5.30) and the Seattle Mariners Luis Castillio (3-5, ERA 3.35) will match up in the rubber game tonight at T Mobile. It comes down to who wants bad enough. Who do you like this one?

Augie Messenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com; Augie is also a reporter at 102.3 KHAI Honolulu

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: WNBA Season Opener May 14 -Caitlan Clark Revolutionizes the league

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Indiana Fever’s Caitlin Clark (22) drives on the Atlanta Dreams’ Nia Coffey (12) and Aerial Powers (23) during the second half of this WNBA pre season game in Indianapolis (AP News photo)

WNBA Season Opener May 14 – Caitlan Clark Revolutionizes the league

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

All it took was Indiana Fever guard and mega-star Caitlin Clark to bring the WNBA to the big time. However, it never rivaled the NBA, which recognized the need for a professional women’s league years ago by subsidizing the women.

In February 2022, the WNBA raised an impressive $75 million from investors, including NBA and WNBA franchises. Things are changing quickly in the WNBA; for the following two seasons, teams will begin traveling to away games on chartered flights; this is after they primarily rely on commercial planes since the league’s inception almost 30 years ago.

The WNBA kicks its 2024 season this May 14. Eight of the league’s 12 teams will play a game on opening night. The remaining four play on Wednesday, May 15.

The league is also looking for larger-capacity arenas to accommodate the fans it has recruited since the sensational Caitlin Clark was known worldwide. Caitlan has the most 3-pointers scored in WNBA or NBA history, scoring 163 in the 2023-24 season, breaking Stephen Curry’s 162 in the 2007-08 season.

Although the Indiana Fever superstar’s salary is only $76,000, Nike recently endorsed Clark for a $28 million deal, including her signature shoes. Caitlan Clark has become the Michael Jordan of the WNBA. Clark is the all-time leading scorer in NCAA basketball, surpassing Pete Maravich. (Pistol Pete) record of 3,667 points and later became the #1 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, selected by the Indiana Fever.

Last October, the WNBA announced its first expansion team since 2008 by awarding the Golden State Warriors franchise that will begin play in the 2025 WNBA season. The teams will be headquartered in Oakland but play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco.

This means that in this case, Oakland could not put an “airport-like move” on San Francisco. Officials in Oakland recently approved modifying the name of the city’s airport to include “San Francisco. Now, there is a trademark lawsuit from the city of San Francisco over the name change dispute.

I wish the 2024-25 WNBA season lots of success; they are a league going places!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does That’s Amaury News and Commentaries at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: How much blame falls on Oakland Mayor Thao or A’s owner John Fisher in loss of A’s

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Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao speaks during the Oakland 68’s and the Last Dive Bar’s FanFest at Jack London Square Oakland back in March 2024. Thao is facing a recall from office as being organized by Oakland residents. (photo by the City of Oakland)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 An Oakland poll that was taken asked if Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao should go and she got a 96.6 percent rating that asked if Mayor Thao should be recalled. Although Oakland residents blame Oakland A’s John Fisher for taking the A’s out of Oakland Thao is being blamed for a large part of losing the A’s.

#2 Thao and the City are also being blamed for not solidifying their negotiations in trying to bridge the gap to get the financing done to get a ballpark village at Howard Terminal. How much of the blame of losing the A’s will be part of Thao’s legacy?

#3 It’s very likely a recall to remove her from office will be in motion soon. Thao is being blamed for the high crime, retail closing and leaving, the high profile closure of In and Out Burger at the Airport Corridor, and the failure to negotiate an agreement with the A’s to keep them at the Coliseum for the interim for three years.

#4 Charlie, how much did the $92 million for three years offer by Oakland to keep the A’s at the Coliseum for interim while the park is being built in Las Vegas seem like a pie in the sky offer by Thao and the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority?

#5. What really went wrong between Fisher and Thao in negotiations in terms of closing the deal at Howard Terminal?

Charlie O does Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Flip the Script Beating Seattle 8-1

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The Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) scores in front of the Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (left) at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Sat May 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

In game two of the A’s three game series with the Seattle Mariners (21-19), Oakland (19-22) turned the tables on Seattle. Losing 8-1 in game one, it was the A’s whose offense was lit winning game two 8-1.

Oakland had a great offensive and defensive effort. A’s pitcher Joey Estes had a great game going five innings allowing two hits, one run and no walks with 5 strikeouts. Relief pitching was terrific putting the icing on the cake in the final four frames.

Game recap: The Mariners were first up on the scoreboard in the second inning. Cal Raleigh knocked the ball out of the park, a solo shot, to take the early 1-0 lead. Oakland got some offense going in the third inning. Lawrence Butler walked and Brett Harris singled with Abraham Toro at the plate with no outs. Toro singled driving Butler home and this game was tied 1-1. With two outs Brent Rooker singled and Harris scored giving Oakland a 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the third inning. The A’s had strung some hits together in the early innings with some nice offensive production.

A pitching duel ensued through the next four frames and going into the eighth inning the Oakland offense lit up. Max Schuemann doubled driving three runners, Kyle McCann, Esteury Ruiz and Brent Rooker home, taking a 5-1 lead. The A’s would tack on another run in the ninth inning. Brett Harris crossed home plate on a wild pitch from Seattle’s Eduard Bazardo for a 6-1 tally. Oakland had more in store for the Mariners when JJ Bleday homered with Abraham Toro on base extending their lead to 8-1 this time in favor of Oakland. In game one the Mariners finished with an 8-1 win and tonight Oakland flipped the script; it was the A’s who were crushing the Mariners, the final score 8-1.

Oakland had a solid night on the mound. Starting pitcher for the A’s Joey Estes finished the game going five innings allowing only two hits, one run and 5 strikeouts. Relief pitching was also top notch. Only one hit was allowed in the final four innings closing out this game in style. The A’s had definitely gotten their revenge after last nights loss and now had the opportunity to win this series in tomorrow’s rubber match.

The A’s had nine hits in this game hanging onto the 2-1 lead going into the eighth inning. Oakland broke this game wide open in the eighth frame scoring 3 runs and in the ninth inning three more runs for the 8-1 final score. They scored their first five runs without a home run. Going into the ninth inning however, JJ Bleday hit the long ball and finished off this game with a 2-run homer.

Post game notes: Friday night the A’s got shellacked by the Mariners narrowly avoiding a shut out scoring in the ninth inning. Lawrence Butler singled Kyle McCann home for the single Oakland run in the ninth inning for a final score of 8-1.

The Mariners went crazy in the fifth inning scoring five runs at the expense of A’s pitcher Paul Blackburn. Seattle would go on to burn Blackburn for two more runs before he was relieved in the game. Oakland got some payback in game two of the series turning the tables on the Mariners.

The A’s got better offensive production in the early innings. They did start hitting in the latter innings of game one but were stagnant in the early frames. Joey Estes took the mound for the A’s pitching over five innings giving up two hits and one earned run. The M’s Bryce Miller started for Seattle pitched over six innings gave up five hits, two earned runs, two walks and struck out nine hits.

Oakland will finish off this series Sunday in game three looking to win the series. Alex Wood will take the mound for the A’s while Luis Castillo will get the nod for Seattle. First pitch for this rubber match is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

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Espinoza scores gamer and Yarbrough makes five saves in Quakes 3-2 win over Rapids

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The San Jose Earthquakes celebrate victory over the Colorado Rapids at Dicks Sporting News Park in Commerce City Col on Sat May 11, 2024 (San Jose Earthquakes X photo)

By William Espy

The San Jose Earthquakes looked to continue their recent strong run of form against the Colorado Rapids at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado for some rainy night soccer. San Jose defeated LAFC in their most recent league game at Levi’s Park and drew the game before that against Nashville. The Quakes remain undefeated through three games with a 3-2 win over the Rapids on Saturday night.

Add in an additional victory against the Oakland Roots in the US Open Cup, and the Earthquakes have been playing much better recently than they did to start the season. Meanwhile, Colorado finds themselves fifth in the Western Conference entering the night.

If San Jose wanted to walk away with a point, or three, they were going to have to overcome a major obstacle. Hernan Lopez, great nephew of Diego Maradona, was making his first start in the MLS.

San Jose Starting XI:Yarbrough, Costa, Wilson, Rodrigues, Akapo, Tsakiris, Gruezo, Pellegrino, Lopez, Espinoza, Ebobisse

Colorado Starting XI: Steffen, Rosenberry, Bombito, Maxso, Vines, Bassett, Larraz, Fernandez, Mihailovic, Cabral, Navarro

Colorado got out to a very early lead, or so they thought in the seventh minute, but the play was called offside. In the 10th minute, Yarbrough was forced to make a goalline save as the Rapids once again nearly made it 1-0 but failed to convert following a cross.

Colorado could’ve easily had a 2-0 lead just ten minutes in, but the Quakes had been able to keep it 0-0 for the time being. The first yellow card of the night was handed out to Djordje Mihailovic who elbowed Vitor Costa while attempting a challenge for the ball.

In the 26th minute, once again Colorado seemingly took the lead when Omir Fernandez got the ball past William Yarbrough with a great finish. However, the goal would be overturned because Kevin Cabral was offside and interfered with Carlos Akapo, preventing him from making a defensive play on the ball.

As a result, Colorado had their second goal of the half overturned and the game remained in a deadlock. That wouldn’t remain the case for long though, as in the 33rd minute Rafael Navarro would score off of a deflection following a corner kick to give the Rapids a 1-0 lead. Fernandez did get his goal later in the half as well, in the 42nd minute a shot outside of the box slid past Yarbrough and made it 2-0 for the home team.

A few minutes later, Amahl Pellegrino scored after a scramble in front of the net. Steffen made a save for the Rapids, Jeremy Ebobisse’s shot off of the rebound was deflected by a defender in front directly to Pellegrino who put it away to make it 2-1.

It’s worth noting, the play was started by a fantastic pass by Lopez who was playing very well in his first MLS start. Colorado had a third goal called off due to offsides during the 49th minute when a header found the back of the netting.

Lopez tied it up with his first career MLS goal off of a corner when the ball was deflected and he volleyed it past Zach Steffen to make it 2-2 before halftime. It was a wild first half, with quite a bit of offense and certainly, there will be some controversy about the amount of overturned calls but after the first 45 minutes, it was a brand new game.

In the 56th minute, Yarbrough had a collision with his teammate, Carlos Gruezo that brought some concern from the official and medical staff but he remained in the game. Cristian Espinoza would break the tie in the 66th minute after a nice passing play which left him with only the keeper to beat and it was three unanswered goals for the Earthquakes, who now led 3-2 with less than a half-hour remaining.

At one point, it seemed as if Colorado was going to easily walk away with the win but in less than 30 minutes of game time, San Jose went from down 2-0 to up 3-2, shocking the home crowd. Shortly after the goal, the Quakes got two quick yellow cards. As a result, they needed to be very careful and ensure that they didn’t have a defender get booked for a second time.

Despite quite a few opportunities for Colorado to tie it up, they would be unable to and the Earthquakes would walk away with a win moving them out of last place in the Western Conference, passing both the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers who will play one another tomorrow afternoon.