Tag: Sports Radio Service

Jays slug two home runs beat A’s 2-1; Jays Bichette hits eighth inning deciding home run

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Oakland A’s starter James Kaprielian was dealing but was lifted in the top of the sixth inning after giving up a run and five hits against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Oakland Coliseum (@Athletics photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Toronto Blue Jays (45-38), losers of the first two games of the three-game series, beat the Oakland A’s (28-56) 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum. 

Both starters were on the top of their game. A’s starter, James Kaprielian, went six innings and allowed five hits and one run. His only mistake was a gopher ball to his good friend and former teammate, Matt Chapman. Kaprielian was able to use all of his pitches effectively.

His fastball topped out at 95 miles per hour. His changeup came in at 84 miles per hour. Toronto’s starter Jose Berrios was slightly better.

Berrios worked six innings and allowed four hits and one run. The one mistake was an 0-2 pitch that Ramon Laureno jumped on and sent into the left-field seats. The A’s offense did not get a hit after the sixth inning. The game summary follows below.

Kaprielian worked his way out of a jam at the top of the sixth. He walked Jays’ shortstop Bo Bichette to start the inning. Vladimir Guerroro, Jr. singled to send Bichette to second. Kaprielian got the rookie catcher Alejandro Kirk to ground into a double play.

Teoscar Hernandez walked to put men on at first and third with two out. Kaprielian retired Lourdes Guriel for the third out. The A’s put the first run of the game on the board in their half of the inning. Ramon Laureano, as the A’s DH, sent Jose Berrios’ 0-2 pitch into the left-field seats. It was Laureano’s sixth home run of the year. The A’s lead 1-0 after six.

The lead didn’t last long. Kaprielian’s good friend and former teammate, Matt Chapman, tied the game with his 13th homer run. Mark Kotsay brought in lefty Sam Moll to pitch. Moll Retired the next three hitters. The game is tied 1-1 midway through the seventh.

The Blue Jays Bo Bichette led off the top of the eighth with his 13th dinger. Domingo Acevedo was on the hill for the A’s. The Jays lead 2-1 with the A’s coming to the plate in the bottom of the eighth.

The A’s failed to score in the eighth and went down 1-2-3 in the ninth. The Blue Jays win 2-1.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 28-55. Toronto’s record improved to 45-38. The Jays are in fourth place in the AL East and are in a tough race with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox for second place.

The line score for Oakland was one run, four hits, and no errors. Toronto’s line was two runs, eight hits, and no errors. All the runs in the game were the result of a homer. Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette homered for Toronto. Ramon Laureano hit the big fly for the A’s. 

Toronto’s Adam Cimber was the winning pitcher. Jays’ closer Jordan Romano earned his 18th save. Domingo Acevedo took the loss for Oakland.

The A’s are off on Thursday. They host Houston for a three-game series starting Friday night at the Coliseum starters for Friday night have not been announced.

The time of the game was a crisp 2:39. 6,330 fans were on hand to see the A’s lose their 55th game.

Headline Sports podcast with Michael Roberson: A’s ballpark initiative won’t go in front of voters in Nov; Fans hit by bullet shrapnel most likely from high powered rifles; plus more news

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Artists rendition of a Howard Terminal ballpark in downtown Oakland. Two hurdles the BCDC voted for the project and Oakland City Council voted down a public vote on the project for November. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Michael:

#1 Michael the Oakland City Council in a 5-2 vote voted down an initiative that would put the question should a new ballpark be built at the Howard Terminal Waterfront in November. One city council member Rebecca Kaplan abstained in the Tuesday vote.

#2 The A’s want the city council to vote on the Howard Terminal project by the end of the year. A’s team president David Kaval said that a public vote would take much longer. A measure put in front of the Oakland voters most likely would turn out to be a no vote because of concerns of public funds going to pay for the project.

#3 Oakland police say that the most likely reason for four fans getting hit with bullet shrapnel at the Oakland Coliseum on Monday night during a post game fireworks show was from high powered rifles shot as far as a mile away when the event was taking place.

#4 The San Jose Sharks hiring of Mike Grier is a big step in the organization’s history hiring the NHL’s first black man as general manager.

#5 The Sharks organization was questioned last season when their minor league player Krystof Hrabik of the San Jose Barracuda made ape like gestures during their game on Jan 12th at the Tucson Roadrunners Boko Imama who is a black player. Hrabik later apologized saying that he had “no inappropriate intent” the timing was also bad because the Sharks only black player Evander Kane was supposed to come back from suspension after using a fake Covid card to travel between the US and Canada, was accused for betting on NHL games by his ex wife who also said that Kane had abused her the accusation of physical abuse and gambling on hockey turned out to be inconclusive. Kane was demoted to the Barracuda and later released later to be picked up by the Edmonton Oilers.

Michael Roberson is a podcaster and sportswriter for the American African Athlete and does Headline Sports Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Big eighth inning rally helps Snakes defeat Giants 6-2

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The Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Buddy Kennedy retires San Francisco Giant Brandon Crawford at second and relays the throw to first in a double play in the top of the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Tue Jul 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, July 5, 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Bunting with two strikes is rarely, if ever, advised. Arizona’s Josh Rojas proved it can work.

Pinch-hitting for Jake Hager to lead off the Diamondback eighth inning, the left-handed hitting Rojas avoided the shift and dropped a bunt on the left side, igniting a five-run rally that gave Arizona a 6-2 win over the San Francisco Giants Tuesday at Chase Field.

It was the Diamondbacks’ second straight win, and the Giants’ sixth loss in a row, and 10thsetback in their last 12 games.

“That conversation started in spring training,” Rojas explained about the risky play. “The discussion was, ‘What are the averages in 0-2 counts?’ My guess was, if you’re going good, maybe .200, I can get half the bunts down in fair territory. The scariest part is when you bunt it foul and you look like an idiot. If you can get past that, and get half of them in play, I think I can get more than half of them in play.” said Rojas

“I’ve had a couple of opportunities this year where the thought of bunting it foul was just too strong and I got scared. I was talking to my dad last week before we hit the road. He told me, ‘it’s there. There giving you that pitch with two strikes.’ I told him, ‘I know it’s there, but I just can’t do it.’ Today was the perfect opportunity. (Dominic Leone) threw me a fastball and I swung over a slider. Then (the Giants) cleared the left side of the infield and I thought, ‘I’ll increase my batting average from .100 to .500!’“I’m 1-for-1 now on those, and we’ll see if I have the courage to do it again.” said Rojas

The Diamondbacks forged a five-run rally to take the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Rojas ignited the rally with his daring bunt single off a 102 mile-per-hour fastball and moved to third on a one-out single by Hummel. With Ketel Marte at the plate, Leone (3-1) uncorked a wild pitch, allowing Rojas to score from third and Hummel advanced to second.

“I think Dom was just having trouble finding the strike zone,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “He made some pitches we were hoping to get them to chase on, got behind in the counts, and had to deliver strikes. “Dom has been one of the best right-handed relievers over the last calendar year. We wanted to give him a chance to work out of it himself, and we saw that the command and the control were a problem. That’s when we went to Camilo.”

“I think Josh was disrupting Leone,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. “He did a good job of getting on base and disrupting him on the bases.”

Leone’s second wild pitch of the inning allowed Hummel to reach third and Marte – who walked – to second. Christian Walker followed with a walk to load the bases, chasing Leone. Buddy Kennedy’s sacrifice fly off Camilo Doval drove in Hummel to put the Diamondbacks up 3-2, and Varsho followed with a three-run home run to right.

“I knew it would be hard because I faced (Doval) in Triple-A last year, so it’s not going to be one of those at-bats where you’re going to take pitches,” Varsho said. “You have to be ready to swing on the first pitch. “I was more thrilled for the team than I was for myself. Baseball is hard and I had a tough month. It was good to start this month really well.”

The Giants took a 2-1 lead after challenging a call in the top of the seventh. Yermin Mercedes walked and moved to second on a groundout by Brandon Crawford before Austin Wynns’ fly down the left field line off D-Backs reliever Caleb Smith (1-1) was trapped by Arizona left-fielder Cooper Hummel, who slid into foul territory. After review, it was ruled a single and run batted in for Wynns.

San Francisco threatened again in the top of the eighth, when Wilmer Flores walked and Evan Longoria was intentionally walked. But Joc Pederson grounded out to first and Mercedes flied out to center.

San Francisco broke through with a run off Arizona starter Tyler Gilbert in the fourth inning. Austin Slater led off with an infield hit and, after singles by Flores and Darin Ruf loaded the bases, scored on Pederson’s sacrifice fly to left off D-Backs reliever Kenyan Middleton.

Arizona tied the game at 1-1 in the fifth when Carson Kelly hit a ground rule double to right, moved to third Alek Thomas’ groundout, and scored on a single by Geraldo Perdomo to right-center.

The three-game series concludes on Wednesday, with Alex Cobb (3-3, 4.59) on the mound for the Giants, facing Merrill Kelly (7-5, 3.46) for the D-Backs in a matchup of right-handers. Game time is 6:40 p.m.

GIANT JOTTINGS: Prior to the game, San Francisco activated SS Brandon Crawford from the 10-day IL, while C Curt Casali was placed on the IL (right oblique strain). LHP Jose Alvarez returned to the Giants following a rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 15-day IL.

INF Donovan Walton was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento. … The Giants challenged a call in the top of the seventh, when Austin Wynns’ fly down the left field line was trapped by Arizona left-fielder Cooper Hummel.

After review, it was ruled a single and run batted in for Wynns. … D-Backs LHP Joe Mantiply holds the MLB record for consecutive appearances by a left-hander without issuing a walk with 32. … Attendance was 14,437.

A’s Piscotty swings for the fences; Oakland picks up second straight win over Toronto 5-3 at Coliseum

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Stephen Piscotty (25) gets congratulated by Oakland A’s third base coach Darren Bush (51) after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning home run at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Jul 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

Toronto (44-38). 3. 10. 1

Oakland (28-55). 5. 4. 0

Tuesday, July 5, 2022

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–One swallow does not a summer make, but two downed Blue Jays in a row can be cause for hope and after tonight’s 5-3 win by the outhit A’s (28-55) over the previously fairly high flying Blue Jays (44-38), there was hope and joy in Oakland

Kotsay & Co. chose right handed rookie Adrián Martínez, recalled five days ago from Las Vegas, to face the Jays this evening. The 25 year old native of Mexicali came to the mound with a 1-1,6.30 record for the year, having gotten the win against Detroit on May 10 with 5-1/3 innings of shutout ball and having lost lto Seattle after yielding seven runs, all earned, in only 4-2/3 frames.

Originally signed by the Padres, Martinez underwent Tommy John surgery in 2016. Martínez ended up going five plus innings, enough to qualify for the win which he got, with more than a little help from the bullpen. He allowed three runs, all of them earned, on eight hits, to have them quadrilaterals, and no walks. 30 of his 82 pitches were balls. He now has a won-loss balance of 2-1 and a lower ERA of 6.00.

The A’s first faced Yusei Kikuchi, who started this evening for the Jays, on March 21, 2019, Japan time, at the Tokyo Dome, where he gave up four runs, three earned, in six innings as the Seattle Mariners’ starter, in Ichiro Suzuki’s farewell performance.

That was his MLB debut. He came to Ontario as a free agent after three years with the Mariners, and brought 3-4, 4.74 record for the season and a lifetime US mark of 18-28, 4.94 with him. Kikuchi had held current A’s players to a BA of .208 during his tenure as a Mariner.

He was not effective against the Oakland lineup he faced Tuesday evening, lasting a mere 2-1/3 innings, in which he managed to allow four runs, all earned although one was posthumous, on two hits, five walks, and two hit batsmen. He threw 52 pitches. A full 30 of them were balls. He took the loss, making him 3-5, 5.12 for the year..

Oakland took an early lead. The first two batters in their lineup Nick Allen and Ramón Laureano walked, and Christian Bethancourt drove in Allen with the A’s first run, sending Laureano to third. He notched the green and gold’s second tally as the team’s offense fizzled; Cristian Bethancourt bounced into a 1-4-3 double play, and Stephen Piscotty ended the inning by grounding out to second.

Matt Chapman received the expected ovation when his appearance at the plate was announced with Cavan Biggio on base with one down in the top of the second. He took two pitches for balls and then erased the hosts’ brief lead with a 424 foot blast to center for his 12th home run and 38th and 39th runs batted in of the season. It came on a 93mph sinker.

Oakland loaded the bases with no one out in the third. Allen lined a single just over the glove of a diving Biggio at first. Then Kikuchi plunked both Laureano and Bethancourt. Murphy´s sac fly to right scored Allen and allowed Laureano to take third.

A four pitch walk to Piscotty reloaded the bases and sent Kikuchi to the showers, Trent Thornton taking over pitching duties for the Jays. He got Andrus out on a pop up to second but walked in the A’s second run of the inning by issuing a free pass to Pinder before getting a called third strike on Neuse to close out the frame.

That 4-2 Athletics’ lead was shortened in the Toronto fourth when Teoscar Hernández took advantage of the warm Oakland evening and a 93mph slider to send the ball 420 feet into straightaway center for his ninth round tripper of 2022.

It took a diving catch by Piscotty of Santiago Espinal’s dying quail to right with two out and two on to get Martínez out of the jam with Oakland clinging to a 4-3 lead. He pitched a scoreless fifth that ended with Murphy throwing out Bichette.

Piscotty gave the A’s a little breathing room going 431 feet deep into left with two down in the bottom of the fifth. He unloaded on a 94 mph four seamer for his second dinger of the year, a blow that drove Thornton from the mound, where David Phelps took over for him to retire the side.

Martínez clearly had very little effectiveness left in the sixth. He gave up back to back singles to Kirk and Biggio to open the frame before being rellieved by AJ Puk. Jays´ manager Charlie Montoyo countered that move by sending in Vladimir Guerrero to pinch hit for Biggio.

He flew out to left, but Chapman laced a single to the same field. Kirk, who had been on second, seemed almost certain to score, but an exciting relay play, Pinder to Allen to Murphy, who handled Allen’s offline throw excellently to tag Kirk, cut him down at the plate.

Puk then proceeded to fan Tapia to preserve Oakland´s 5-3 advantage. Domingo Acevedo took Puk’s place on the mound to start the seventh and set the Jays down in order.

Trevor Richards pitched a scoreless seventh for Toronto.

Zach Jackson mounted the A’s merry-go-round to pitch the top of the eighth. Pinder made a great attempt to catch Bichette’s foul that fell under the A’s bullpen bench before Jackson struck him out swinging.

Kirk provided another moment of uncertainty when he sent Skye Bolt to the wall just to the left of the 400 foot sign in center to track down his towering fly before Jackson fanned Hernández.

Tim Mayza pitched to Oakland in their half of the eighth, giving up only a single to Pinder, who was thrown out by Springer trying to stretch it to a double.

That brought in Lou Trivino to try for his sixth save in seven attempts. He fanned Guerrero. He went 3-2 on Chapman, who then sent a fly that Bolt corralled in deep center.

That brought up Tapia, who hit a grounder to Andrus’s right. He made a spectacular backhanded grab, jumped, pivoted, and threw while in air … too late to get Tapia and first. With the potential tying run at the plate in the person of Espinal, Trivino earned his save by getting him to hit a routine grounder to short that Andrus handled easily, ending the game.

Oakland now is assured of winning the series, which will end Wednesday, in a game that’s scheduled to start at 12:37. James Kaprielian (2-5,5.43) will pitch for the home team, and José Berríos (6-4, 4.74) will be on the mound for the visitors.

San Jose Sharks report by Mary Walsh: Sharks Hire Mike Grier as GM

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San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier addresses the news media at SAP Center in San Jose on Tue, Jul 5, 2022 (photo from nhl.com)

By Mary Walsh

SAN JOSE- The San Jose Sharks announced on Tuesday that they have hired Mike Grier as the team’s fifth General Manager. Grier has the distinction of being the first African American to serve as a general manager in the NHL. Last season, he was a hockey operations advisor for the New York Rangers. His playing career spanned 1,060 games with the Oilers, the Capitals, the Sabres and the Sharks. He was an assistant coach at  St. Sebastian’s Prep School in Massachusetts, a scout with the Chicago Blackhawks, an assistant coach with the New Jersey Devils, and a member of USA Hockey’s selection committee.

Grier has a lot to do before the start of the season. In two days, the Sharks will be at the NHL Draft. The Sharks also need a new coaching staff. The Sharks have missed the playoffs for three seasons in a row. Asked what his priorities were for improving the team, Grier said:

“I think we can improve in every facet, to be honest with you. There are some pieces on the roster that we like, that we would like to build around. But I think, overall, there’s not one spot in particular that I think needs work. The draft is No. 1, then we’ve got free agency coming up. We’ll have to dig into that, and Joe and I have already started on that a bit. Then development camp and a coach.”

While Grier did not have specific details to present on the draft or the coaching search, he did talk in detail about his goals for the team culture:

“To me it’s about people… Surrounding yourself with the right people, people who are passionate about their job, who love their job and are selfless, team-first people. That’s what culture means to me and as a general manager it’s for me to find those types of players on the ice and also surround myself with those type of hockey people in our hockey operations department.”

Sharks owner, Hasso Plattner, said in a press release: “Mike’s successful career on the ice speaks for itself, but what impressed me the most were his leadership qualities and his overwhelming desire to win. Mike is aware of the high standards of success that are expected in San Jose and is committed to help us quickly return to that level.”

Grier comes from a family of professional sports executives. His father, Bobby, worked in scouting, player personnel and as an advisor to the New England Patriots and the Houston Texans of the NFL. Grier’s brother, Chris, is the general manager of the Miami Dolphins. Grier described how his father prepared them for their future in the sports business:

“I think the main thing my father instilled in us was his work ethic. The time he put in, he’d often be off to work before we left for school. Sometimes he wouldn’t get home until after dinner or when we were ready to get in bed. So, just the time and effort it took, and his belief that you treat people the right way. If you want to have a winning franchise, it starts with how you treat people. His ability to never leave a stone unturned. Like he would stay up to all hours or go scout wherever it took, whatever he had to do to get the job done.”

Mary Lisa is a San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Mike Grier first black general manager in NHL history; Grier will start looking for a head coach

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From left to right San Jose Sharks assistant general manager Joe Will, general manager Mike Grier, and team president Jonathan Becher meets with the media on Tue Jul 5, 2022 at SAP Center in San Jose (photo from CNN News)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast:

#1 The San Jose Sharks hired the NHL’s first black general coach Mike Grier, Grier makes history and Grier has been around the game as a player, coach, scout and executive.

#2 The Sharks say he will have overall authority regarding all aspects of hockey operations

#3 In his 14 years in the NHL and 1,000 games Grier played three years with the Sharks. He also was the team’s alternate captain during his time with the Sharks.

#4 In the three years with the Sharks Grier scored 78 points, 35 goals, and 43 assists proving his offensive prowess and ability.

#5 Grier said he will work hard to build up the club that has not made the playoffs in three years. Grier said he remembers Sharks fans for their passion and support of the team making SAP Center one of the most difficult buildings to play in.

Marko Ukalovic is a beat writer for the San Jose Sharks AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Fans struck by gun fire during fireworks show at Coliseum

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Fireworks display outside of the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Jul 4, 2022 where four fans were shot by bullet shrapnel during the show none of which received life threatening injuries. Authorities believe the shots came from outside the Coliseum during the fireworks show (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F

#1 Jerry, four fans were struck by gun fire at the Oakland Coliseum none received life threatening injuries during Monday’s firework’s show does something like this strengthen the argument of A’s team president David Kaval that the team needs to get out of the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 Players are concerned as you might know after something like this not only for the employees and fans safety but for their own safety too.

#3 The A’s during the Monday night game against the Toronto Blue Jays drew the largest crowd of their season 24,403 and Oakland Police said the gun fire came outside of the Coliseum.

#4 Crime Stoppers of Oakland and the Oakland Police are offering an $20,000 award for the arrest of the suspect in this case.

#5 The shots took place as fireworks were being displayed for fans at the Coliseum and when the bullets came down they struck fans.

Jerry Feitelberg is a beat writer for the Oakland A’s at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Former Giant Bumgarner shows good command in D-Backs 8-3 win over Giants at Chase? White Sox cancel fireworks show over shooting that killed six; plus more news

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Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner walks to the dugout before their game before the San Francisco Giants at Chase Field in Phoenix on Mon Jul 4, 2022 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Arizona Diamondbacks starter Madison Bumgarner said that he was excited to pitch on July 4th and picked up a win going five innings, giving up three earned runs, five hits, three walks and four strikeouts defeating his former team the San Francisco Giants 8-3.

#2 The Diamondbacks did most of the damage in the later innings against the Giants scoring twice in the sixth and eighth innings. It was the Giants 11th loss in 14 games and fifth loss in row.

#3 In the Chicago suburb Highland a lone gunman shot and killed six and 31 wounded at a Fourth of July Parade. Many of the dead and injured were sitting in seats along the parade route. The White Sox canceled their fireworks show which was to conclude after their game against the game almost was canceled but after talking to MLB the game was played.

#4 The Chicago Cubs Wilson Contreras who slide into second base in the bottom of the seventh inning at Wrigley Field and sliced the thigh of Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts who required seven stitches when his cleats hit Bogaerts right outside thigh.

#5 The Los Angeles Angels promoted catcher’s coach Bill Haselman to interim interim manager. The Angels current manager is Phil Nevin and acting interim manager Ray Montgomery are serving ten and two game suspension respectively.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Farve says Adams won’t perform well for Raiders; Griner asks Biden help for release out of Russian Prison; plus more news

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Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Devante Adams takes passes in practice on Thu Jun 2, 2022 at the Raiders training camp in Henderson (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Farve says that wide receiver Davante Adams won’t perform as well for the Las Vegas Raiders as he did when he was with the Packers.

#2 On “The Herd with Colin Cowherd” Cowherd disagreed with Farve saying Raiders Derrick Carr is a top 10 NFL quarterback and led a dysfunctional Raider team to the playoffs last season and said that Adams will do just fine.

#3 The Raiders will be looking for some help from their top picks first from their 2021 pick offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood and their 2022 pick offensive guard Dylan Parham on offense how effective do you see Leatherwood and Parham being on the offensive line?

#4 Turning to the WNBA Brittney Grier has wrote a personal letter to President Biden to seek his help in getting released from Russian custody. Grier is in for possession of hashish oil in her suit case while at the Moscow Airport. Tony what are her chances of getting the help from Biden?

#5 The Chicago White Sox canceled their fireworks show and held a moment of silence due to the shootings at a Highland Fourth of July Parade killing six and wounding 31. Some fans in attendance were calling for an all out ban on guns at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago.

Join Tony for Headline Sports Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Vogt provides offensive punch with homer and sac fly in A’s 5-1 win

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Oakland A’s catcher Stephen Vogt forearm bashes with teammate Elvis Andrus at the Oakland Coliseum after Vogt’s home run on Mon Jul 4, 2022 against the Toronto Blue Jays (AP News photo)

Toronto (44-37).   1.  5.  1

Oakland (27-55).   5.  7. 0

Monday, July 4, 2022

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND-Baseball players and fans are used to losing. I don’t know if, as a rule, they get over it, but they do get used to it. A’s fans and players have had a lot to get used to recently.

Sunday’s second consecutive 2-1 loss at Seattle, combined with the loss to injury of Frankie Montás, whose imminent trade deadline departure is widely anticipated, raises the dosage of resignation that the uncertainty of the A’s future home and the misery of the A’s current performance to new highs. 

So far, Montás hasn’t been removed from the active roster, but his absence is as notable as the green and gold’s lack of success. They came into the game at 26-55 at the season’s halfway mark, 11-35 since May 14.

But Oakland and its fans didn’t have to deal with a loss this evening. 

Monday’s game recap: Behind the stellar hurling of their starter, Cole Irvin, they dominated Toronto, 5-1.

 Irvin took a 2-6, 3.58 record with him to the pitching rubber when he threw the opening pitch at 6:08 in a warm, sunny evening, perfect home run weather at the Coliseum. Since his return from the injured list, Irvin had gone 0-5, 3.97 in eight starts, most recently in a 5-3 loss to the Yankees in Bronx, where he gave up all five runs, and they were earned, on six hits, two of which left the ball park.

Today, the A’s staked a three run first inning, Irvin was in control for the eight full innings he pitched. He allowed but a single run, earned, on four hits and no walks. His work was very efficient; he threw only 95 pitches, of which only 28 were balls. He got the win, which made his won-lost record 3-5 and lowered his ERA to 3.35.

The Blue Jays sent right hander Alex Manoah and his 9-2, 2.09 record against the floundering residents (for now) of the east bay. His opposing batters average was, appropriately enough, also .209. The 24 year old, now in his second big league season, allowed two runs, both earned, on four hits while going six innings, to gain the win in Toronto’s 4-2 victory. 

He had an eight start winning streak from September 23, 2021 through April 28 of this year. He didn’t live up to his advance billings tonight. He left with the Jays trailing the A’s 5-1 after throwing 101 pitches, of which 67 were counted as strikes,  in only 5-2/3 frames.

Four of the five runs he allowed were earned, and they came on six hits, two of them for all the distance, two walks, a wild pitch, and a hit batter. He struck out five. He was the losing pitcher and ended the day with a record of 9-3, 2.33.

Oakland put a crooked number on the board in their first turn at the plate. Ramón Laureano walked with one out and advanced to second on Seth Brown’s single to right. Manoah plunked Sean Murphy with a 92 mph sinker to load the bases.

Sentimental favorite Stephen Vogt brought Laureano home with a sacrifice fly to center, and George Springer’s wildly off line throw allowed the two other runs to move up a base each. Elvis Andrus’s two bagger to left brought them home.

There was another sentimental favorite on the field tonight. Matt Chapman was playing third for the Blue Jays, and the former Athletic platinum glove winner got a warm ovation when he came to the plate in the visitors’ half of the third for his first AB. (He fouled out to the catcher).

Irvin kept the Blue Jays off the basepaths for the first 3-2/3 inning. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. ended that string of out with a resounding double just over Skye Bolt’s head in center on a 92 mph four seamer.

Alejandro Kirk drove Guerrero in with a single to right, but Vimael Machín’s magnificent diving grab of Lourdes Gourriel, Jr.’s drive down the left field line and fast, accurate throw to first saved Irvin’s bacon and kept Oakland ahead, 3-1.

They tacked on another tally with one down in the fifth when Laureano blasted Manoah’s first pitch, a change of pace, 417 feet deep into the left field seats for his fifth home run  and 14th RBI of the year.

The A’s further stretched their lead with Vogt’s fourth round tripper of the season and second run batted in of the evening. It came as he led off the home sixth and was a no doubter, hit 426 feet deep into straightaway centerfield.

The veteran still can get around on a 91 mph four seamer. Three batters later, Bolt singled to third on Manoah´s 101st delivery, and that was it was the Blue Jays starter.

Sergio Romo, the one time Giant, one time A, relieved him, retired Allen, and was replaced by Anthony Banda for the home seventh, and Jordan Romano for the eighth. The three of them kept the A’s off the board.

Irvin shotdown ten Jays in a row  between Kirk’s single that followed Guerrero’s double and Espinal’s one out single in  the bottom of the eighth, Toronto’s fourth hit. Espinal was left stranded at first.

Zach Jackson came in to pitch the top of the ninth for Oakland. Bo Bichette hit a resounding leadoff double to center and moved on to third on Guerrero’s fly out to deep right, Kirk’s fly to shallow right, just inside the foul line made it two down. Jackson got two quick strikes on Teoscar Hernández.

Then a ball. And a second ball. Hernández then hit a weak grounder to the ground. Jackson grabbed and ran to first for the final out. The Curse of the Leadoff Double strikes again!

The A’s will go for a two game winning streak tomorrow at 6:30 pm PDT. Toronto will send  southpaw Yusei Kikuchi (3-4, 4.74) against Oakland’s righty Adrián Martínez (1-1, 6,30)