Tag: Sports Radio Service

Yastrzemski hits two home runs in Giants win 7-2

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San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski (left) is greeted by teammate Mike Tauchman (right) after hitting a three run homer in the seventh inning. St Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (center) can only look at the scoreboard replay (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

What a way for the San Francisco Giants than with a huge win on the road against a team that just beat them two out of three.

Mike Yastrzemski hit two home runs and LaMonte Wade, Jr., added one of his own, as the Giants took game one of a three-game series with a 7-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium. It was the fifth win in a row for the Giants, who continue to lead the Los Angeles Dodgers by two games and the San Diego Padres by six games in the National League West, and continue to have the best record in the major leagues with a record of 58-32.

Logan Webb started in place of Kevin Gausman, who was placed on the Family Medical List prior to the game.

Gausman stayed in his home state of Colorado due to an emergency and it is unclear when he will rejoin the team.

Webb, who was scratched from his start with the Single-A San Jose Giants went four innings, allowing one run on five hits, walking one and striking out two, as he threw 60 pitches, as he continues rehab from his shoulder strain injury earlier in the season.

Following Webb on the mound was Zach Littell, John Brebbia, Jarlin Dominic Leone, Jay Jackson and finally Tyler Rogers.

The sextet went the final five innings, allowing one run on six hits, walking three and striking out seven and Jackson picked up his first win of the season, as he pitched 1.1 innings, allowing just one walk and striking out two.

Yastrzemski gave the Giants an early lead in the top of the fourth inning, as he hit his 13th home run, a solo home run off of Adam Wainwright.

Unfortunately, that lead would not last long, as Tommy Edman drove in Nolan Arenado with a single in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Wade, Jr., decided that the tie needed to go away, as he slammed a three-run home run in the top of the fifth inning that gave the Giants the lead for good. It was the eighth home run of the season for Wade, Jr.

Yastrzemski added his second home run of the night that blew the game wide open, as he hit a three-run home run of his own in the top of the seventh inning to give the Giants a 7-1 lead over the home standing Cardinals.

Paul Goldschmidt hit his 14th home run of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning to the final touches on the scoring on the evening. Brandon Crawford was forced to leave the game early with what Giants manager Gabe Kapler said what was a left hamstring cramp, he received fluids and will be checked out prior to the game on Saturday.

NOTES: Asides from Gausman going on the Family Medical Emergency List, Jason Vosler was optioned to Sacramento and Evan Longoria was transferred to the 60-day Disabled List. Mike Tauchman returned from his rehab assignment and was reinstated from the 10-day injured list.

With three more home runs tonight, the Giants have hit 135 home runs on the season and are tied for the major-league lead with the Toronto Blue Jays, who have also hit 135 home runs after they hit five home runs in a 10-2 victory over the Texas Rangers at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, N.Y.

UP NEXT: Anthony DeSclafani will make the start for the Giants on Saturday, while the Cardinals will send Kwang Hyun Kim to the mound.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants looking forward to a healthier second half

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kevin Gausman throws against the Washington Nationals in the first inning on Sun Jul 11, 2021. Gausman will be the starting pitcher tonight against the St Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St Louis (AP file photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 After the first half and some of the injuries the Giants have gone through how important is it for the Giants to have a healthier second half of the season?

#2 Giants manager Gabe Kapler says the Giants have been pretty good about figuring out how to keep the starting pitchers healthy.

#3 Michael what chances do you see the Giants picking up possible available pitchers like the Texas Rangers Kyle Gibson, the Washington Nationals Max Scherzer, or some of the brilliant pitching from staffs of the Minnesota Twins or Miami Marlins.

#4 Michael do you see catcher Joey Bart getting a shot at a promotion he’s been seeing the ball a lot better with triple A Sacramento Rivercats.

#5 Giants open up the second half in St Louis tonight the Giants will start Kevin Gausman (9-3 ERA 1.73) and for the St Louis Cards no pitcher has been announced as of yet a 5:15pm first pitch.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants day off report: The passing of Dick Tidrow hits the club hard

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San Francisco Giants team CEO Larry Baer (left), Giants Player Personnel Dick Tidrow (center) and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred (right) talk things over at Oracle Park in San Francisco (file photo from KNBR)

By Jessica Kwong

Thursday is the San Francisco Giants’ last day off during the All-Star break before getting back on the field for the second half of the season. They are coming out of the break with the best record in the league at 57-33 with a two-game lead over the defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Giants are facing the St. Louis Cardinals for the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium. First pitch is at 5:15 p.m. The series comes just nine days after the Cardinals beat the Giants in two of three games at Oracle Park, so it will be a chance for revenge.

In other organization news, the Giants on Wednesday announced the passing of Dick Tidrow 74, a longtime member of the front office. Tidrow, a former major league pitcher, died unexpectedly on Saturday in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

“Our entire organization is heartbroken by the news of Dick’s passing,” Giants President and CEO Larry Baer said in a statement. “So much of our success over these past three decades is directly linked to Dick’s contributions. He will be truly missed by all of us and our thoughts are with Mari Jo and his entire family during this difficult time.”

Tidrow served most recently as the president of baseball operations for the Giants. Over a span of 27 years, Tidrow was in a half-dozen different roles. He started in the 1994 season as a major league scout.

“Dick was a unique and special person whose influence and impact was legendary throughout the game and whose fingerprints are all over our three World Series trophies,” said the Giants’ Executive Vice President and Senior Adviser Brian Sabean. “On a personal level, we shared some incredible highs and lows together and I’m forever grateful for his 40 years of friendship and support.”

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Chris Bassitt takes mound for A’s tonight in search of 11th win

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt seen here throwing to the Texas Rangers in Sun Jul 11, 2021 game is looking for his 11th win tonight at the Oakland Coliseum against Cleveland (AP file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Oakland A’s start the second half of the 2021 season 3.5 games behind the first place Houston Astros it’s not much of a climb but the A’s certainly would like to recapture the position of first place that they once held earlier this season.

#2 The A’s who open a three game series on Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum against Cleveland. Cleveland are in second place behind first place Chicago White Sox eight games behind. If the playoffs were to start tonight they would not be eligible.

#3 Three former A’s players that contributed huge when they were in Oakland and went to play for Cleveland and have moved on are Carlos Santana (Kansas City Royals), Francisco Lindor (New York Mets) and pitcher Carlos Carrasco who is also on the Mets.

#4 Jeremiah big vote by the Oakland City Council is on Tuesday a thumbs down by the council will pretty end the long tenure the A’s have had in Oakland when first came in 1968. It would for example take at least three years for Las Vegas to have a ball park ready for the A’s and the A’s during those three years would a be a lame duck franchise.

#5 Three game series to begin at the Oakland Coliseum tonight with Cleveland starting pitcher Eli Morgan (1-3 ERA 8.44) and for the A’s starting pitcher Chris Bassitt (10-2 ERA 3.28) tell us how you see this match up tonight.

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

Preview of A’s series with Cleveland Indians

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Matt Chapman (28) and Matt Olson (26) forearm bash after Chapman’s second home run of the night against the Texas Rangers in the sixth inning Sun Jul 11, 2021 at Arlington. Chapman and Olson are getting ready for the second half of the season opening up with Cleveland on Fri Jul 16, 2021 (AP file photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s start the second half of the 2021 season hosting the Cleveland Indians for three games starting Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s enter the game with a record of 52-40. They are in second place in the AL West three and 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros.

The Indians are in second place in the AL Central with a record of 45-42. They are eight games behind the first-place Chicago White Sox. If the playoffs were to start today, The Indians would be in fourth place and not eligible for post-season play.

A’s manager Bob Melvin announced his pitching choices for the series. The A’s ace, Chris Bassitt (10-2, ERA 3.28), will be on the hill Friday night. The Indians’ skipper, Terry Francona, will have Eli Morgan (1-3, 8.44 ERA) pitch. Lefty Sean Manaea goes for Oakland on Saturday.

Cal Quantrill, son of former Major League pitcher Paul Quantrill, will pitch for Cleveland. Sunday’s game will see Frankie Montas try to win his ninth game of the year. Cleveland will counter with Zach Plesac.

This year’s Indians’ roster will showcase many names that are not familiar to the A’s fans. Three names that contributed to the A’s success in the past few years are gone. Carlos Santana is now with the Kansas City Royals.

Their All-Star shortstop, Francisco Lindor, left the team as a free agent to join the New York Mets. Pitcher Carlos Carrasco is now with the Mets, too. Carrasco is currently on a rehab assignment. Shane Bieber, the reigning AL Cy Young winner, is on the 10-day IL.

The Indians will have Bobby Bradley at first base, Ahmed Rosario, and Cesar Hernandez will be at second. Rosario may see action at shortstop, third base, and the outfield. One of the Indians’ best players, Jose Ramirez, will be stationed at third base. Ramirez is hitting .260 with 19 homers and 52 RBIs.

The Indians have three outfielders on the IL. Eddie Rosario is on the ten-day IL. Josh Naylor and Jordan Luplow are on the 60-day IL. Oscar Mercado and Daniel Johnson will see time playing in left field. Francona will use both of these players in center and right field.

Harold Ramirez and Bradley Zimmer will probably be in centerfield for Cleveland. The Designated Hitter is Franmil Reyes. Reyes is hitting .272 with 14 dingers and 38 RBIs.

The A’s won the last two games against the Rangers before the All-Star game break. The A’s are hoping the momentum will carry over as they start the second half of the season. The A’s hope to have leadoff hitter Mark Canha and Designated hitter Mitch Moreland back in the lineup.

The A’s have missed Canha’s ability to get on base. The A’s are hoping Moreland can be more productive in the second half. Rumors are floating that Oakland is interested in trading for 41-year-old Nelson Cruz to be the DH. Another player rumored to be on the A’s list is Joey Gallo.

The trading deadline is July 30th. If no trades materialize, Oakland will have to go with the current roster. The A’s, in recent years, have done well in the second half of the season. The A’s want to win the division. They do not want to be a Wild Card team.

The A’s know the key to success is winning series. Before the All-Star break, they were 8-13. Their goal for this weekend is to win at least two of the three games against the Indians. They host the LA Angels for two games to conclude the short five-game homestand.

The A’s then go on a ten-game road trip. They place four against the Mariners in Seattle, two with Padres in San Diego, and four with the Angels in Anaheim. The A’s have their work cut out for them. Bob Melvin will have them ready.

NBA Finals podcast with Tony Renteria: Bucks even up series 2-2 with Suns; Game 5 goes back to Phoenix

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Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) gets a piece of the ball that was shot by Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton (22) during the second half in Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Wed Jul 14, 2021 in Milwaukee (AP News photo)

On the NBA Finals podcast with Tony R:

#1 After the Phoenix Suns took the first two games of the Finals the bad news for them was they had to go to Milwaukee and the Bucks dominated on the home floor for games 3 and 4 with wins to tie up the series.

#2 The game Wednesday was a relatively close contest but in the third quarter it was the difference maker as the Bucks outscored the Suns by six 30-24 and won it by six 109-103.

#3 In game 3 the ball went to Giannis Antetokounmpo who scored 41 points, in game 4 a bit of a strategy this time the Bucks were feeding the ball to guard Khris Middleton who led with 40 points.

#4 It seemed like the Bucks really needed a big scorer to stay in it with the Suns and have really made a series out something that looked like the Suns were going to be in the drivers seat at the beginning.

#5 Tony, series is all knotted up at 2-2 going back to Phoenix where the Suns had the home floor to start games 1 and 2 this time with game 5 do you see the Suns having the home floor advantage or that all out the window seeing how the Bucks handled the Suns in games 3 and 4?

Join Tony R for sports analysis each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Ex-49er Sherman facing domestic violence charges; Oakland City Council to take vote on A’s ballpark plan Tuesday

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Former San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawk cornerback Richard Sherman seen in photo during Super Bowl 54 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs on Feb 2, 2020 at Miami Gardens Fl (AP file photo) 

On That’s Amaury’s podcast:

#1 Former San Francisco 49er cornerback Richard Sherman said he was prepared to fight police after Sherman’s wife called them after he drank two bottles of hard liquor Wednesday morning. Sherman said he was going to kill himself. Sherman tried to leave the house but his wife tried to stop him from leaving.

#2 Sherman left his house and crashed his vehicle and attempted to break into his in laws house and fought police who later used a police dog to arrest Sherman. This is very unusual behavior by Sherman who has never been in any kind of trouble like this before.

#3 Talking about the Oakland A’s situation MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said the A’s are near the end of being rooted in Oakland as the Oakland City Council votes on Tues Jul 20th. A’s president David Kaval is prepared to fly to Las Vegas after the vote to look for a location for the A’s new stadium.

#4 Shouldn’t Manfred had done what past Commissioners have done and give a buyer a chance to purchase the A’s and keep the team in Oakland before allowing the to move. Owner John Fisher said the team is not for sale but there should be some constitution in the baseball by laws that says the team must be put up for sale before being allowed to move.

#5 If the A’s move out of Oakland they’ll be taking a very rich history with them. Two that come to mind the A’s three straight World Series wins from 1972-74 and the A’s three straight World Series appearances 1988-1990.

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

Giants bolstering pitching in draft; Crawford having his best season

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San Francisco Giant shortstop Brandon Crawford has had the best season of his career as exemplified in the first half of this season here he is swinging for the fences (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants are continuing to enjoy the All-Star break after an eventful Tuesday that saw both the All-Star game and the wrap up of the 2021 MLB draft.

Shortstop Brandon Crawford represented the Giants in the All-Star game. The American League beat the National League 5-2 at Coors Field in Denver. Crawford came off the bench and onto the plate just once and went 0-1 in the NL’s only error.

However, it did not matter as it was only an exhibition game. Crawford is having the best season of his career. His 3.4 WAR is 65.4 percent to his career high of 5.2, even though he has had less than half as many appearances on the plate compared to 2016.

Meanwhile, San Francisco finished the draft on Tuesday selecting the last 10 of their 20 picks. The Giants chose all pitchers until the tenth round and ended up with 14 pitchers, three infielders and three outfielders.

San Francisco first selected right-handed pitcher Will Bednar of Mississippi State with the No. 14 overall pick. The run of nine straight pitcher picks was finally broken when the Giants chose outfielder Vaun Brown in the 10th round.

The players must sign the contracts to make their spots in the organization official. Michael Holmes, the Giants’ director of amateur scouting, believes the organization has a solid chances of inking all their picks.

“I think that we’ll be competitive. We feel pretty good in some areas. We’re just gonna let the process play out,” Holmes said. “I think both parties – the players and their families – know where they’re at and we know where we’re at, but we kind of entered a lot of these ventures knowing how it’s gonna play out.”

It is officially halfway through the season and the Giants sit at the top of the NL West with a 57-32 record.

— _

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball Rules Changes or Restoration

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Baseball Rules: Changes or Restoration?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Toronto Blue Jays and American League MVP of the 2021 All Star Game Vladimir Guerrero Jr holds up the MVP Trophy after being selected for the award at Coors Field in Denver after the 2021 All Star Game Tue Jul 13, 2021 (AP News photo)

During the All Star Break Commissioner Rob Manfred watched the American League beat the National League for the eight consecutive year, with 22-year old Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Toronto Blue Jays) becoming the youngest MVP during a mid-season classic to win the coveted award. The AL beat the NL 5-2.

LA Angels Shohei Othani, a serious candidate for AL MVP, became the first ever player to start an All Star Game as a hitter and as a pitcher. “Shotime” was credited with the win; he also joined his compatriot Hideo Nomo as the only two Japanese pitchers to open an ASG (Nomo in 1995) Mr. Manfred, made news as he spoke about possible rules coming down for the 2022 season.

Manfred spend a few days in Denver hosting the MLB players draft and ASG festivities. Here is what might be coming down the pike for the 2022 according to the Office of the Commissioner.

A) Designated Hitter: First of all (like it or not) and I know a lot of traditional people that do not like this, the Commissioner announced the universal DH (Designated Hitter ) rule could be adapted permanently for the first time in the National League on all 15 teams, starting 2022. “I think it would be a non-radical change, but I’m not going to speculate on whether we’re going to propose it or get it,” he said. He feels most teams in the National League will be happy to go along with the DH.

B) Seven-Inning Double Headers: Most likely will not be back for 2022 “I don’t think seven-inning doubleheaders are going to be part of our future going forward.’’ said the Commissioner. These rules were adopted based on medical advice,’’ Manfred said. “Those are less likely they will become part of our permanent landscape. It was a covid-19 related change.

C) Extra-Inning Rule: The one beginning the tenth inning with a runner at second base, (free-phantom-zombie runner), many terms have been used to describe this runner that is automatically inserted in the top of the tenth inning before the first hitter comes to the plate. This likely will not return in 2022.

D) The Shift: This defensive strategy could be banned next season. “Let’s just say you’ve regulated the shift by requiring two infielders each side and second base. What does that do?” Manfred said. “It makes the game look like what it looked like when I was 12 years old.

It’s not change; it’s kind of restoration, right?” Mr. Manfred said he believes this will have a positive reaction from front offices. Personally, I applaud this decision. When you score a game; an out recorded by a third-baseman on a throw to first, many times is not the traditional 5 to 3 for an out, because that third-baseman (or shortstop or second base) could be fielding the ball from short to medium right field, we see this a lot during the season.

All the above will be on the agenda after the season when the MLPA (players union) and MLB and the Commissioner negotiate their Collective Bargaining Agreement, which Mr. Manfred feels very positive. There were rumors of a possible lockout or strike in 2022, if they cannot come to an agreement. I believe after what has happened the last year and a half, it would be basically suicide for the game if this happened.

Regarding the Oakland Athletics Howard Terminal new stadium and possible relocation out of Oakland: “Viewing Oakland A’s exploration of Las Vegas relocation as a bluff “is a mistake”. (quote) Rob Manfred, Commissioner of Baseball.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for Oakland A’s Spanish radio on 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s report: Build it and they will come

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By Jerry Feitelberg

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred tries to laugh off being booed after being introduced at the MLB 2021 baseball draft on Sun Jul 11, 2021 in Denver (AP News photo) 

OAKLAND–On Tuesday, MLB’s commissioner, Rob Manfred, announced that time has run out for the City of Oakland to make a final decision to support the A’s very ambitious project at the Howard Terminal.

The City Council meets on July 20th to announce their decision. Failure to join in with the A’s to build the stadium means the A’s probably will be looking elsewhere to build their new stadium. Possible sites include Portland, Oregon, Las Vegas, Nevada, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Montreal, Canada.

The A’s, without question, need a new ballpark. The Oakland Coliseum was built to be the home of two sports: baseball and football. The current configuration for baseball has the fans sitting too far away from the infield.

The Coliseum does not have the intimacy of a ballpark, such as Oracle Park in San Francisco, Camden Yards in Baltimore or Boston’s Fenway Park. Before Mt. Davis was built in 1995, the fans sitting in the bleachers could talk to the A’s outfielders. The outfield fence is much higher, and the fans’ view from the seats is much different now.

When Lew Wolfe was running the team, he wanted to move the team to several sites in the Bay Area. He looked at sites in Fremont and San Jose. The San Francisco Giants, who own territorial rights to San Jose, objected.

The Giants gained those rights when they were on the verge of moving the franchise to Toronto or Tampa Bay. The Giants built their new stadium in San Francisco but were not willing to relinquish their rights.

The A’s new president, Dave Kaval, thought he had a deal to build a stadium on the grounds of Laney College in Oakland. He had egg on his face with that highly-touted deal fell through. Undaunted, the A’s came up with a new plan to build at Howard Terminal, a few blocks north of Jack London Square in Oakland.

The original plan, or so though Oakland’s city council, was to build a baseball-only ballpark to be privately financed. The park would seat about 35,000 people.

They were blindsided when the A’s came to them will a 12 billion dollar project that would include not only the stadium but 3000 units of housing, over a million square feet of office buildings, and 200,000 square feet of retail space.

They informed the city that Oakland would have to invest over 855 million dollars to build the project. The A’s tried to show the council that those costs would be recouped by the new tax revenues generated by the project. They felt the additional jobs, homes, and businesses would greatly benefit the city’s economy.

The A’s and Oakland have to resolve several issues. Who will be paying for infrastructure costs? Access to the park and parking issues will have to be settled. Oakland wants the A’s to stay in town for the next 45 years.

The A’s will commit to 20. If the plan is to be approved by Oakland, it has to be a win-win situation. Both sides have to realize there is more to gain than lose.

The fans will be crushed to lose their team. Life will go on if the A’s leave town, but it will leave a big hole in the hearts of the people that have supported this team since their arrival here in 1968.