Tag: Sports Radio Service

White Sox snap 21-game skid, tops Oakland 5-1

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Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi (right) is congratulated by third base coach Eddie Rodriguez after hitting a two run home run against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Aug 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

The Chicago White Sox snapped a streak no team wants on Tuesday at the Coliseum, as the Sox’s 21-game losing skid came to an end by defeating Oakland 5-1. An announced crowd of 5,867 watched the contest between two last-place clubs.

Chicago’s historic drought tied the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the longest losing streak in American League history. With the win, the White Sox avoided chasing the major league mark of 23 consecutive losses set by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961.

It was Chicago’s first victory since July 10, when it defeated Minnesota, and their first win since the All-Star break. The White Sox are a MLB-worst 28-88, while the A’s fell to 47-68.

The White Sox jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Andrew Benintendi cracked his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot off Oakland starter Ross Stripling (2-11).

The Athletics got a run back when Zak Gelof hit a solo home run – his 14th – off winning pitcher Jonathan Cannon (2-5). The White Sox added two runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Andrew Vaughn, followed by Brooks Baldwin scoring on a wild pitch.

Lenyn Sosa completed the scoring for Chicago with a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth.

Baldwin and Benintendi each had two of the White Sox’s seven hits. Gelof, Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar each collected two hits for the A’s. Cannon gave up one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out five to get the win, Stripling gave up four of the five Chicago runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The two teams finish their three-game set on Wednesday afternoon. Davis Martin (0-1, 7.11) starts for the White Sox, facing Oakland’s Joey Estes (5-4, 4.77). Game time is 12:37 p.m PT.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: O’Connell looks to be starter in Minnesota on Saturday

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterbacks Aidan O’Connell (14) and Gardner Minshew (12) in practice camp on May 21, 2024 are battling for the starting job. The Raiders play the Minnesota Vikings Sat Aug 10, 2024 in the first pre season game at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis (AP News file photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony R:

#1 The Raiders have a quarterback controversy on their hands and head coach Antonio Pierce says nothing has been decided yet as both Gardner Minshew and Aidan O’Connell continue to battle for the starting job.

#2 Tony, here is something that coach Pierce said about the controversy on Monday, “We can’t sit here and say anyone has won yet. Gardner has had good moments… when I look at Aidan I see some good moments, some drops by the receivers, too. They are going against a very good defense, and I think they are feeling that.”

#3 Tony, first pre season game Sat 10th in Minnesota it’s all too pre mature to predict anything but shouldn’t at least the first few pre season games help determine who should be the starting quarterback?

#4 The question at practice on Monday was who will start at quarterback this Saturday and as coach Piece said it’s going to take an evaluation from this week’s practices that will determine that. It’s most likely expected that O’Connell will get the starting nod.

#5 The OTA’s didn’t take anything from the competition of both teams. Pierce has both Minshew and O’Connell doing simple drills. The Raiders held mandatory mini camp Monday which coach Pierce ended early. O’Connell made some great throws in practice on Monday.

Join Tony Renteria for the Raiders podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Beat Up Struggling White Sox 5-1; Sox now 2 games away from tying worst MLB losing streak record

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The long faces say it all the Oakland A’s used to know something about losing streaks well the Chicago White Sox ran their losing string to 21 games just two games shy of tying the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies at 23 straight loses on Mon Aug 4, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Oakland A’s (47-67) took on the Chicago White Sox (27-88) in game one of their three game series. The White Sox came into this game on a 20 game losing streak and the A’s handed them their 21st loss with a 5-1 win. Oakland will be looking to add to Chicago’s woes in game two Tuesday.

Game recap: Tyler Nevin sacrificed in the first inning getting this game underway with a Daz Cameron run for an early 1-0 lead. Oakland would hold the 1-0 lead going into the fourth inning. Chicago’s Andrew Benintendi singled Andrew Vaughn home to tie up this game 1-1 and it was a new ball game.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Oakland loaded the bases with one out. The A’s Max Schuemann took advantage of the opportunity hitting a hard single to left allowing two runners, JJ Bleday and Zach Gelof to both score taking a 3-1 lead.

Bleday had doubled and Gelof walked to get on base. Ky Bush had walked five runners so far in the game. He had also hit Darell Hernaiz for a base on ball in the fourth inning. Oakland had loaded the bases in the first inning finishing that inning with their first run.

After giving up the two runs in the fourth inning coupled with the five walks that was it for Chicago’s Bush. He finished pitching through four innings allowing two hits and three earned runs, five walks and three strikeouts. Justin Anderson would relieve him on the mound. He came in with a 5.12 ERA.

Anderson went on to walk two runners back to back. With JJ Bleday and Tyler Nevin on base Oakland had another scoring opportunity but with two outs, Zach Gelof struck out swinging and it was on to the top of the sixth inning with Oakland continuing to lead 3-1.

The top of the sixth inning was a one two three inning for JP Sears. The White Sox had a pitching change to start the bottom of the sixth inning putting Chad Kuhl on the mound. It was a tough inning for Kuhl giving up a Lawrence Butler solo home run, Butler’s 13th of the season giving Oakland a 4-1 lead. The White Sox have not won a single game this year when trailing after the sixth inning so this was troublesome for Chicago.

The top of the seventh inning was another one two three inning for JP Sears as this game reached the seventh inning stretch. JP Sears had sizzled finishing seven innings with three hits, one run, one walk and five strikeouts. Chicago’s Jared Shuster would relieve Kuhl in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Austin Adams took over pitching duties to start the eighth inning for Oakland. The White Sox did hit a double in the inning, a Miguel Vargas shot but one of the huge problems for Chicago this year is bringing runners home.

Adams had two strikeouts in the eighth inning striking out Lenyn Sosa for the third out. Oakland extended their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Zach Gelof scored from third adding another run to their tally 5-1.

Oakland was three outs away from handing the White Sox their 21st straight loss. The A’s Tyler Ferguson closed this game out with a one, two, three, inning and the victory was Oakland’s.

Game notes: After losing their last series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this past weekend, the A’s took on the White Sox Monday night to start a three game series at the Oakland Coliseum. The White Sox have endured a disastrous season having extended their losing streak to 21 games on Monday.

The A’s took advantage of the White Sox struggles and take game one with a four run 5-1 win at the Coliseum. A’s starting pitcher JP Sears got the win pitching seven innings seven innings allowing three hits and one run. Meanwhile White Sox starter Ky Bush pitched four innings, allowed two hits and three runs in the loss.

Tuesday the A’s will go into game two of this series. They will be eyeing a second win and handing Chicago loss #2 in a row. The A’s will be counting on Ross Stripling to handle the White Sox at the plate. He has a 2-10, 5.64 ERA record. The White Sox will send Jonathan Cannon to the mound with a 1-5 win/loss record and a 4.11 ERA with a 6:40pm PT first pitch.

Giants finally back up to .500 for first time since May 31 after solid outing from Webb and home runs lead to 4-1 win over Nationals

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San Francisco Giants Tyler Fitzgerald right on dugout steps is congratulated by Matt Chapman (left) after hitting a home run against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in DC on Mon Aug 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

Monday, Aug. 5, 2024

Nationals Park

Washington, D.C.

San Francisco Giants 4 (57-57)

Washington Nationals 1 (51-62)

Win: Logan Webb (9-8)

Loss: Patrick Corbin (2-12)

Save: Camilo Doval (21)

Time: 2:22

Attendance: 14,674

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have finally gotten back to .500 for the first time since May 31, as home runs by Tyler Fitzgerald and Matt Chapman carried them to a 4-1 win over the Washington Nationals in the first game of this four-game series in D.C.

The Giants came into our nation’s capital winners of seven of their last nine. However, something has greatly eluded them this season. That has been their ability to get back to .500. The Giants came into tonight 2-11 when they’re just a game under .500, and they haven’t even been at .500 since May 31.

Monday night was looking to be the Giants’ best opportunity to get back to .500 in a while. They were up against the veteran left-hander, Patrick Corbin, who came into tonight 2-11 with a 5.88 ERA. Plain and simply, he’s having a terrible season, and the Giants needed to take advantage of that.

Indeed the Giants did take advantage of Corbin’s abysmal season, and they did so right off the crack of the bat. The first crack of the bat in this game to be exact, as Tyler Fitzgerald, who was in the leadoff spot Monday night, started the game with a home run to left field.

It’s just remarkable what Fitzgerald has been able to do. This was his 12th home run of the season, and his 11th in 17 games. Barry Bonds, Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Jim Ray Hart, Walker Cooper and Mel Ott are the only Giants who have hit 11 home runs in 17 games.

Another reason this was the Giants’ best opportunity to get back to .500 was that they had their ace, Logan Webb, on the mound. After a rough appearance in the All-Star Game and start to his second half, Webb threw a complete game shutout against the Oakland A’s last Wednesday, and he looked to build off that Monday night.

Webb started his night with a 1-2-3 bottom of the first inning and a scoreless bottom of the second. Corbin pitched a scoreless top of the second, but the Giants rallied against him in the top of the third.

Mike Yastrzemski doubled to start the top of the third, but after Fitzgerald lined out and Mark Canha grounded out, Yaz was still standing at second. Michael Conforto then walked, and that brought up Matt Chapman, who hit a high and towering three-run home run down the left field line. It was an absolute blast that went almost all the way to the back of the seats out in left.

Webb and the Giants had a 4-0 lead, and Webb responded by pitching a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the third. After Corbin threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth, Webb ran into his first jam in the bottom of the fourth.

Luis Garcia Jr. walked with one out and stole second base to put a runner in scoring position for the Nationals for the first time Monday night. James Wood walked with two outs, as Washington had a rally for free going. However, Webb got Travis Blankenhorn to ground out to third to end the inning.

Patrick Corbin ended up going six innings, as he pitched scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth to end his night. Webb pitched through a two-out double in the bottom of the fifth, and he retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the sixth, but he ran into trouble with two outs.

Keibert Ruiz walked and advanced to second on a balk called by First Base Umpire Dan Merzel. Wood, who was at the plate when the balk was called, then shot a base-hit into right-center to score Ruiz and put the Nationals on the board.

Blankenhamp singled Wood over to third to bring up the tying run to the plate, and that did it for Webb. Ryan Walker came in for the Giants and got Alex Call to fly out to right to end the inning, as the Giants kept their 4-1 lead going to the seventh.

As for Webb, he was solid. He gave up just one run and four hits over five and two thirds innings. However, with a pitch count of 95, he got winded out a bit, and as a result, he struggled in the sixth.

Jacob Barnes pitched a 1-2-3 top of the seventh for the Nationals, and Walker stayed in for the Giants to throw a scoreless bottom of the seventh.

Eduardo Salazar came in for Washington in the top of the eighth. A single by LaMonte Wade and a double by Michael Conforto put runners at second and third with nobody out for the Giants. However, the Giants who have become home run happy in the last few days, were unable to add to their lead, as Salazar retired the side to end the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth, the Nationals did the exact same thing the Giants did in the top of the inning. Garcia singled and Ruiz doubled off left-hander Taylor Rogers to put runners at second and third with nobody out. Taylor then Wood and Blankenhorn out swinging, both on three pitches.

Bob Melvin then pulled Taylor Rogers for Tyler Rogers. Tyler got Call to fly out to right to end the inning, so the eighth inning was the exact same for both teams. A leadoff single, followed by a double, and then the side was retired without anybody scoring.

Jose Ferrer threw a 1-2-3 top of the ninth for the Nationals, and Melvin brought in his closer, Camilo Doval, for the bottom of the ninth. Doval had been snakebit since his blown save in Pittsburgh on May 21, so drama was expected.

However, Doval surprised us all by striking out the side to close out the game in a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth. It was Doval’s first 1-2-3 inning since July 2.

Logan Webb got the win; Patrick Corbin got the loss; and Camilo Doval got his 21st save of the season.

This was a real team effort, but the fact that the Giants are home run happy again meant that they are still wasting a fair amount of opportunities with runners in scoring position. That will have to change if this team wants to make a serious run at the Playoffs.

The Giants are indeed back at .500 for the first time since May 31, as they improve to 57-57. They remain four and a half games back of a playoff spot, as the Padres and Diamondbacks are tied for the second wild card, and they are in a virtual tie with the Braves, who hold the first wild card by a percentage point.

The Giants and Nationals will be right back at it in the second game of this series Tuesday night. Hayden Birdsong (3-0, 2.97 ERA) will be called back up to make the start for the Giants, and he will be opposed by left-hander MacKenzie Gore (6-9, 4.54 ERA).

With a win, the Giants would be over .500 for the first time since their offday on May 30. First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m. in D.C., 3:45 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

National League Wild Card Standings:

  1. Braves 60-51 —

*2. Diamondbacks 61-52 —

*3. Padres 61-52 —

Mets 59-53 1.5

Pirates 56-55 4.0

Cardinals 57-56 4.0

GIANTS 57-57 4.5

*Denotes tiebreaker. Tiebreaking procedures taken into effect.

Giants News and Notes:

Blake Snell was awarded with the National League Player of the Week after his no-hitter in Cincinnati on Friday. That should come as no surprise, and it was very much well deserved.

Some bad news. Wilmer Flores, who had been dealing with tendinitis in his right knee throughout much of the season, will undergo a non-surgical Tenex procedure on his right knee Tuesday in Los Angeles.

A Tenex procedure is minimally invasive, and it uses ultrasound to treat chronic tendon pain.

The Giants have yet to announce a timeline for Flores’ recovery.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: White Sox could tie all time consecutive MLB loss record; 2024 Paris Olympic medal count; plus more news

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Chicago White Sox starter Claude Flexen (77) just can’t look anymore as he’s removed in the bottom of the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sun Aug 3, 2024. The White Sox open a three game series with the Oakland A’s Mon Aug 4, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum and could tie the all time losing streak record at 23 if they get swept in the series (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, we’ll talk to you about a variety of subject starting with the possibility that the Chicago White Sox could tie the all time consecutive loss record at 23 on Wednesday if the A’s were to sweep this three game series which starts tonight.

#2 The A’s have had their own struggles of last after edging the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday they lost the next two games 10-0 Saturday and 3-2 on Sunday. The A’s first series loss since mid July.

#3 Switching over to the Paris Olympics and the medal count, China is in first place with the most gold medals, second the US with 20 and Australia with 13. The competition has been fast and furious in this year’s games.

#4 Former NFL star quarterback Tom Brady is considering un-retiring and wants to try out for either the San Francisco 49ers or Las Vegas Raiders. Brady is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

#5 The Kansas City Chiefs have signed kicker Harrison Butler to a yearly $6.4 million deal that’s worth $25.6 million for four years and $17.75 million guaranteed. That would sign Butler through 2028. Butler hit 33 of 35 field goal attempts for 94.3% last season.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants open four game stint with Nationals tonight in DC

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Cincinnati Reds Elly Del La Cruz (right) slides stealing third base as third baseman Matt Chapman (left) looks for the throw at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman belted 17th home run of the season that helped the Giants in their six runs win over the Red Legs 8-2.

#2 The Giants had Tyler Fitzgerald and LeMonte Wade Jr both hit a home run as the Giants took two out of three from the Reds.

#3 The Giants in the bottom of the sixth avoided the Reds from tying up the game when Chapman barehanded a ground ball hit by TJ Friedl and throwing out Elly De La Cruz at first base.

#4 Taking a look at Chapman’s home run again Chapman hit a two run blast off Reds pitcher Carson Spiers who dropped his record to 4-3.

#5 Giants open a four game series in Washington on Monday night starting pitcher for the Nationals Patrick Corbin (2-8, ERA 5.88) and for the Giants Logan Webb (8-8, ERA 3.49) first pitch 3:45pm PT.

Marko Ukalovic is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s host White Sox who’s on 20 game losing streak at Coliseum tonight

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) celebrates hitting a two run homer with teammate JJ Bleday (33) in the bottom of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday took two out three games from the Oakland A’s defeat the A’s 3-2 at the Oakland Coliseum. The Dodgers Kike Hernandez hit an RBI double which made the difference in a one run decision.

#2 The Dodgers with their win snapped their six road series losing streak. The Dodgers on Saturday also snapped a three game losing streak with a 10-0 win over the A’s.

#3 Dodgers rookie pitcher River Ryan pitched 4 2/3 innings allowed two runs, four hits, four strikeouts and four walks. Ryan did not get the decision in Sunday’s contest and has not figured in a decision in his last three outings.

#4 The A’s Brent Rooker hit a two run home run for his 28th of the season a two run blast in the first inning but it wasn’t enough as the A’s lose by a run to conclude the series with the Dodgers.

#5 The A’s host the Chicago White Sox Monday night for the first of a three game series. The White Sox are on a 20 game losing streak and could tie the Major League record for consecutive loses if they lose all three games to the A’s. Starting pitcher for the Sox RHP Jonathan Cannon (1-5, ERA 4.11) for the A’s JP Sears (8-8, ERA 4.53) first pitch at the Coliseum slated for 6:40pm PT

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

Dodgers beat A’s and take series 3-2, as Oakland drops first series since early July

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The Los Angeles Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez (37) raises his arms in celebration after hitting his double in the top of the first inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Los Angele Dodgers 3 (65-47)

Oakland Athletics 2 (46-67)

Win: Alex Vesia (2-3)

Loss: Osvaldo Bido (2-3)

Save: Anthony Banda (1)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 25,544

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The A’s were unable to complete the sweep, as JP Sears imploded late, and the Astros won it 8-1 in what was most likely their final game at the Oakland Coliseum.

After the A’s hung on for a thrilling win Friday night, the Dodgers evened the series with a 10-0 trouncing last night. Sunday, the A’s had a chance to take the series on this clear but hazy Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum, which has become the new Dodger Stadium North.

It would most likely be the final game that the Dodgers played at the Coliseum. While the Dodgers of course didn’t play here every year, the A’s and Dodgers squared off in the 1974 and 1988 World Series.

Three games in each series were played here at the Coliseum. The A’s wrapped up their third-straight title at the Coliseum with a 3-2 win in Game 5 of the 1974 World Series. Joe Rudi hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers closed it out in the ninth.

The Dodgers won the 1988 World Series, but while that series was most remembered for Kirk Gibson’s historic walk-off home run in Game 1, Mark McGwire gave the A’s and their fans some magic of their own with a less-remembered walk-off home run in Game 3 here at the Coliseum. The Dodgers then won Games 4 and 5 at the Coliseum to wrap up the series.

Fast forward to 2024, and while the A’s have been out of contention, they did have an opportunity to play spoiler and take two of three from the Dodgers, who came into today’s game just four and a half games ahead of the San Diego Padres atop the National League West.

Making the start Sunday for Oakland was Osvaldo, who ran into a jam with one out in the top of the first inning. Teoscar Hernandez doubled, and Gavin Lux walked. The veteran, Jason Heyward, struck out swinging for the second out, and that brought up Kiké Hernandez.

Kiké hit a shot out into left-center that A’s center-fielder JJ Bleday attempted to catch as he slid to his right, but the ball shot past Bleday, and both runners scored to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.

The A’s bounced right back against Dodgers’ starter River Ryan in the bottom of the first. After Ryan retired the first two men he faced, Bleday lined a base-hit to center, and Brent Rooker tied the game with a home run to left-center.

Both teams went down scoreless in the second, but the Dodgers got a rally going in the top of the third. Heyward lined a one-out base-hit to right and advanced to second on an error. With two outs, Cavin Biggio got Heyward in with a base-hit off the fists into right-center, and the Dodgers retook the lead.

From there, the game calmed down. The A’s did load the bases in the bottom of the fifth, which forced Ryan out of the game, but Evan Phillips came in and struck Brent Rooker out looking to end the inning.

Bido pitched a scoreless top of the sixth to end his day. By giving up three runs over six innings, Bido pitched a quality outing. He did give up six hits and walked three, but he struck out six.

Nothing really happened in the final three innings, though the A’s bullpen pitched three no-hit innings. Michel Otanez struck out two in a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and Austin Adams and Tyler Ferguson pitched scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.

The Dodgers’ bullpen, meanwhile, set down the final ten hitters they faced, and Anthony Banda picked up his second-career save.

Alex Vesia got the win, and Osvaldo Bido got the loss. This is the first time the A’s have lost a series since they lost two of three to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park nearly a month ago.

The A’s will have a real chance to get some wins with the Chicago White Sox coming in. The White Sox are currently suffering through a 20-game losing streak.

Every few years or so, there’s a team that flirts with matching the misery of the 1962 New York Mets, who went 40-120 in their inaugural season. The A’s were potentially looking to be that team early last season. The White Sox are now 27-87 here in 2024, and they are on pace to go 38-124.

Monday night JP Sears (8-8, 4.53 ERA) will make the start for Oakland in the series opener, and he will be opposed by the Chicago White Sox Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.11 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman : Giants Chapman homers beat Reds by six runs 8-2 at Great American

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman runs the bases after hitting a two run home run in the top of the eighth inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman belted 17th home run of the season that helped the Giants in their six runs win over the Red Legs 8-2.

#2 The Giants had Tyler Fitzgerald and LeMonte Wade Jr both hit a home run as the Giants took two out of three from the Reds.

#3 The Giants in the bottom of the sixth avoided the Reds from tying up the game when Chapman barehanded a ground ball hit by TJ Friedl and throwing out Elly De La Cruz at first base.

#4 Taking a look at Chapman’s home run again Chapman hit a two run blast off Reds pitcher Carson Spiers who dropped his record to 4-3.

#5 Giants open a four game series in Washington on Monday night starting pitcher for the Nationals Patrick Corbin (2-8, ERA 5.88) and for the Giants Logan Webb (8-8, ERA 3.49) first pitch 3:45pm PT.

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ray strong over five innings, as Giants pull away with five-run eighth en route to 8-2 win

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman connects for a single in the top of the eighth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024

Great American Ballpark

Cincinnati, Ohio

San Francisco Giants 8 (56-57)

Cincinnati Reds 2 (53-58)

Win: Robbie Ray (2-1)

Loss: Carson Spiers (4-3)

Time: 2:55

Attendance: 27,692

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have now won seven of their last nine, Robbie Ray gave a strong five-inning, nine-strikeout performance, and the Giants pulled away with a five-run top of the eighth inning to put an 8-2 beating on the Reds and take the series in Cincinnati on Sunday.

After Blake Snell’s no-hitter on Friday, the Reds beat the Giants in a weird and boring game Saturday night. Sunday, the Giants had a chance to take the series on a clear and sunny Sunday afternoon at Great American Ballpark.

Unfortunately for Giants’ and Reds’ fans, many of them would not be able to watch today’s game. Why? Because it was on Roku, which requires a paid subscription. Way to grow the game, Rob!

Anyway, Carson Spiers made the start for the Reds, and he got the afternoon started with a 1-2-3 top of the first inning. Robbie Ray made his third start of the season for the Giants, and he, too, pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the first.

After the Giants went scoreless in the top of the second, Jeimer Candelario put the Reds on the board with a two-out solo home run to left field in the bottom of the second. On the very next pitch, Santiago Espinal followed it up with a home run of his own to left-center to make it 2-0.

After Spier pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third and Ray threw a scoreless bottom of the third, the Giants were ready to strike in the top of the fourth. Tyler Fitzgerald lined a base-hit to left to start the inning, and with one out, Matt Chapman tied the game with a home run to center field.

Ray threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth, and Spiers threw a scoreless top of the fifth. Ray ran into some trouble in the bottom of the fifth when Espinal singled to lead off the inning and stole second and third. The Reds were in perfect position to retake the lead with Espinal at third and one out, but Ray got out of it by striking out the side.

That would be it for Ray, who had thrown 86 pitches. Still, he gave the Giants exactly what they needed, as he struck out nine over five innings.

The momentum stayed in the Giants’ dugout, and they immediately seized on that momentum in the top of the sixth. On the first pitch of the inning from Spiers, LaMonte Wade gave the Giants the lead with a home run to right.

Ryan Walker came in for San Francisco in the bottom of the sixth, and he was immediately in trouble after he hit Elly De La Cruz to start the inning. Cruz got to third with one out, but Walker retired the next two he faced, and the Giants kept their 3-2 lead going to seventh.

Tony Santillan, who finished the top of the sixth for Spier, combined with Sam Moll for a scoreless inning in the top of the seventh. Erik Miller retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the seventh, but after a two-out walk to Joey Wiemer, Bob Melvin went to Tyler Rogers, who hadn’t pitched in eight days. Rogers got Tyler Stephenson to ground out, and we went to the eighth.

Moll stayed in for Cicinnati in the top of the eighth. After a one-out single by Wade, Reds Manager David Bell pulled Moll for Fernando Cruz. Cruz would face the red-hot Fitzgerald, who was named the National League Rookie of the Month in July, and Fitzgerald hit his 11th home run of the year out to left-center to extend the Giants’ lead to 5-2.

For the Giants, they were just getting started. Patrick Bailey walked, and Chapman doubled to put runners at second and third. The Giants had been getting home run happy at Great American Smallpark, but after Bell brought in Yosver Zulueta, Michael Conforto lined a double off the end of the bat to left-center to score a pair and make it 7-2.

The Giants manufactured a pair of runs, which made this particular writer happy. Young slugger Jerar Encarnacion nearly hit one out to center, but it went off the wall, and Encarnacion had to settle for a measly RBI double that made it 8-2.

Rogers has been used quite a bit this season, but he hadn’t been used in eight days, so Melvin decided to leave him in in the bottom of the eighth of a six-run game to get some work in. Rogers didn’t disappoint, as he threw a shutdown 1-2-3 inning.

The Giants put runners at first and second against Zulueta to start the top of the ninth, but they were unable to further add on to their lead. Spencer Bivens came in for the bottom of the ninth, and pitched a scoreless inning to close it out.

It looks like the Giants needed to play the Rockies for four and then go to Great American Smallpark for three to get the offense back on track. The Giants got big days from Wade, Fitzgerald, Chapman and Conforto. Wade and Conforto each went 3-for-5; Fitzgerald went 2-for-4; and Chapman went 2-for-5. Conforto in particular had a good series, as he has gone 5-for-8 in his last two games.

For the housekeeping notes: Robbie Way got the win; and Carson Spiers got the loss.

The Giants have now won seven of their last nine, as they improve to 56-57. The Diamondbacks were losing 4-0 to the Pirates in Pittsburgh, but they have since come back to take a 5-4 lead. If the Pirates can come back late, the Giants will be just three and a half games back of the Diamondbacks for the third wild card.

The Giants will not head to our nation’s capital to take on the Washington Nationals for a four-game set. The Giants are 2-11 when they have a chance to get back up to .500, but perhaps it could be different in the series opener Monday night.

Logan Webb (8-8, 3.49 ERA) will be on the mound, fresh off his complete game shutout on Wednesday, and he will be opposed by the long-time veteran left-hander, Patrick Corban (2-11, 5.88 ERA), who has had a miserable season. First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m. in D.C., and 3:45 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

Heliot Ramos, who jammed his right thumb during the Giants’ doubleheader against the Rockies on July 27, was out of the lineup Sunday. Ramos has since gone 3-for-21, all singles. He is listed as day-to-day.

As mentioned above, Tyler Fitzgerald was named the National League Rookie of the Month for July, which was capped off by an incredible week in which he hit eight home runs in ten games.