Giants complete sweep of Padres with 7-5 win on Wednesday night

AP photo: San Francisco Giants Evan Longoria takes one deep for a two-run homer in the top of the third inning as the Giants went onto sweep San Diego at Petco Park on Wednesday night.

By Jeremy Harness

Through all of the struggles that they have endured in a year that they have spent the majority of in the division cellar, the Giants still know how to beat the San Diego Padres.

On Wednesday, they used two big run-producing innings to do away with the Padres in a 7-5 win at Petco Park, and thus putting the finishing touches on a three-game sweep.

The night did not get off to a promising start, however. Starter Shaun Anderson gave up the first two runs of the game in the second inning, and then after the Giants regrouped and took the lead in the third, he gave up two more runs in the bottom half.

Anderson lasted only four innings and surrendered those four runs on eight hits – which included a solo homer to Fernando Tatis, Jr. that gave San Diego a 4-3 lead – while walking one batter and striking out three.

The Giants’ offense, however, was able to pick Anderson up. After chasing starter Cal Quantrill from the game after 4 1/3 innings, the Giants teed off on reliever Luis Perdomo in the sixth inning, scoring four runs and taking the lead for good.

They used three RBI doubles as well as a run-scoring single to accomplish this, giving them a 7-4 lead.

The bullpen also had their starter’s back. After Anderson left the game, the Giants’ relievers put up zeroes in four of the final five innings, with the lone hiccup being a solo homer given up by Tony Watson off the bat of Hunter Renfroe in the eighth.

The very next inning, Will Smith came in and did what he has done for the majority of this season. He shut down the San Diego bats and did not allow a single baserunner, and he has now converted all 22 of his save opportunities in 2019.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Cousins may leave Golden State, but can he fit in with Lakers?; US Women’s Soccer team could win it all this Sunday; plus more

Photo credit: @LakeShowWorld

On Headline Sports with London:

#1 Critics says that there is no market for DeMarcus Cousins. What would you say the reason are as someone who covered him while he was at Golden State? Too many injuries, didn’t fulfill what the Warriors expected out him, too much baggage.

#2 Would the Lakers consider picking up Cousins? Cousins is reportedly watching if Kawhi Leonard decides to sign with the Lakers and if so would Cousins want to join Leonard in the Southland?

#3 You were there, how impressive were the Earthquakes when they shutout the LA Galaxy 3-0 at Stanford Stadium last Saturday?

#4 Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said the game was a spectacle and the team is on the right path and has improved.

#5 The US Women’s team got a 2-1 win over England to advance to the Finals, which will be played on Sunday. Talk about how nervous you are for this upcoming match that could win it all.

London Marq does Headline Sports for http://www.sportsradioservice.com each Wednesday

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes blowout Galaxy in Cali Clasico; Quakes to take on Minnesota United; plus more

Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes blowout the LA Galaxy 3-0 in the Cali Clasico for their second straight win.

2. The Quakes take on the Minnesota United at Allianz Field Wednesday.

3. After that, San Jose will return to Avaya Stadium to host Real Salt Lake Saturday night.

4. Vako, Tommy Thompson and Matias Almeyda were all part of the MLS Team of the Week for Week 17.

5. Vako was named MLS Player of the Week for Week 17.

Catch Ana on the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Twins come into Oakland as 1 of the hottest teams in the AL

Photo credit: @Twins

On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The A’s open a three-game series at the Oakland Coliseum against the Minnesota Twins. The A’s are coming off a 5-1 road trip for A’s manager Bob Melvin winning on the road is crucial.

#2 How impressive the race has become the A’s are in second place in the American League West and are second in the AL for the wild card?

#3 The Twins are at the Coliseum and for three and are the leading team in the AL Central 50-30 and eight games in front of Cleveland.

#4 The Twins are potent. Nine of the hitters that they have in the lineup have hit 10 home runs this season so to say the Twins are having a good season is an understatement.

#5 It’s the Twins and A’s on Tuesday night at the Coliseum. Starting for the Twins Jake Odorizzi (10-3, 2.73 ERA), and for the A’s, Daniel Mengden (2-1, 4.03 ERA).

Charlie O does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Skaggs’ death a shock to the baseball world; Coco takes out Serena; plus more

Photo credit: @molly_knight

On Headline Sports with Barbara Mason:

#1 How shocked is the baseball world after finding out about the death of 27-year-old Tyler Skaggs, who was found dead in his Texas hotel room during the Los Angeles Angels’ trip to face the Texas Rangers. The game was canceled.

#2 Was the loss at Wimbledon for Venus Williams to 15-year-old Cori “Coco” Gauff more a pass the baton moment, defeating Williams in the first round of the tournament or was it a match for Williams trying to figure the younger player out?

#3 Megan Rapinoe is no doubt the face of the US Women’s Soccer team. She was confident, showed leadership, she took on Trump and the White House. How important is Rapinoe to women’s sports and how she represents women in the US World Cup?

#4 How realistic is it that San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner will be traded sooner or later? The New York Yankees are chomping at the bit at getting a shot at getting Bumgarner.

#5 The San Jose Sharks dealt their captain Joe Pavelski to the Dallas Stars. Did the concussion that Pavelski sustained in the playoffs against the Vegas Golden Knights play a role in the Sharks parting ways with Pavelski or was it something else?

Barbara Mason does Headline Sports each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Skaggs’ death a tragedy, waiting for autopsy results; Nets aren’t just banking on KD when he gets back

Photo credit: @KleinschmidtJD

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

Los Angeles Angels pitcher Tyler Skaggs died on Monday at a Texas hotel. Amaury had a chance to work with and interview Skaggs when Amaury was doing Spanish play-by-play on Angels TV. He was a good kid and his mother, although her last name wasn’t Spanish, she was Mexican American.

He spoke Spanish. His dad’s last name was Skaggs. He was 27 years old. Amaury had a chance to speak with him during his time broadcasting Angels baseball. He was a nice young man always available to speak to with the media.

The Southland Police said they do not suspect foul play and it has not been determined if Skaggs passed away due to natural causes. Officers found Skaggs unresponsive at the hotel and was deceased at the scene.

Amaury also talks about how the moves at the Golden State Warriors and how the Kevin Durant move will impact the team as he moves to the Brooklyn Nets and Andre Iguodala was rumored to go to the Memphis Grizzlies so Golden State can shed that salary. Iguodala could end up at the Lakers. DeAngelo Russell comes to the Warriors from the Nets and will probably be the point guard on the second unit.

Amaury is the Oakland A’s Spanish play-by-play radio talent on KIQI 1010 San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sportstalk remote podcast at One Market Restaurant San Francisco Monday July 1, 2019

Photo credit: onemarket.com

Cast: Michael Duca (host), David Zizmor (analyst), Jeremy Kahn (Giants beat writer), Morris Phillips (A’s and Giants beat writer), Amaury Pi-Gonzalez (Oakland A’s Spanish announcer), and Lee Leonard (producer).

Our thanks to our hosts at One Market: Larry Bouchard (Owner/Partner), Tonya Pitts (Wine Director & Sommelier) and Catlin Roche (server). On an unbelievable Monday night in downtown San Francisco, Sportstalk was enjoying the fine dining selections from the One Market menu, Halibut,  Steak, Scallops, New York Steak, Red Snapper, and much more.

We are glad to return to One Market Restaurant for the first time since Thursday, October 20, 2016, which seems like yesterday. On today’s podcast: Discussions on the Kevin Durant and Andre Iguodala’s departure to Brooklyn and Memphis respectively. Will San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner be dealt before the trade deadline and the New York Yankees make it no secret their interested.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: MadBum gets win in 7 innings of work; Where’s Bumgarner in trade talks?

sfgate photo: San Francisco Giant starter Madison Bumgarner who pitched seven innings Sunday at Oracle Park in San Francisco is rumored to be showcased and no doubt shopped by other clubs in the run at the trade deadline this month.

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 Kevin Pillar and Buster Posey provided the punch that got the San Francisco Giants over the top against their inner division team rivals the Arizona Diamondbacks with seven combined hits from Pillar and Posey. What got into them?

#2 Madison Bumgarner was on the mark in the Giants’ 10-4 win Sunday, pitching seven innings, surrendering one hit and four runs, striking out nine.

#3 Bumgarner has been working the count, picking his spots, keeping hitters of balance. It’s as almost if he’s showcasing with all the talk about going to be a rent a player, he’s always on, but teams are shopping. Here we are in July, the trade deadline is coming, will Bumgarner stay or will the Giants keep him?

#4 Since the subject of the trade deadline and the month of July is here, will the Giants be dealing this month who stays and who’s getting shopped?

#5 The Giants are at Petco Park tonight to take on the San Diego Padres. The Giants will start Jeff Samardzija (4-7, 4.52 ERA) going up against the San Diego Padres’ Logan Allen (2-0, 1.38 ERA).

Listen for the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Monday with Morris Phillips at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A chat with Orioles TV announcer and former pitcher Jim Palmer

photo from camdenchat.com: Former Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer winds up to throw a pitch in 1966 is interviewed by Amaury Pi-Gonzalez.

By: Amaury Pi-González

Through the years, I always look forward in talking with Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer, who’s currently on Baltimore Orioles television as a color announcer with play-by-play man Gary Thorne. On the visit this season by the Orioles to the Oakland Coliseum this past June, I had the chance of talking again with Palmer. Sometimes, we chatted at Oakland, other times at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.

He is not shy and always wants to talk baseball, even thought a generation of fans saw him a lot on television as a model for Jockey Underwear. A lot of non-baseball fans recognize him more for that. Not the first time this happened in advertising and baseball, another great Hall of Fame player, The Yankee Clipper (Joe DiMaggio) was introduced to a non-baseball audience generation as a pitch man for Mister Coffee, a very popular coffee maker.

The Orioles were my número uno team since I arrived to the US as a young kid in Miami. One of my first jobs was as ball boy and bat boy for the O’s when they had their Spring Training home at Miami Stadium. I remember all the players then like John “Boog” Powell, Davey Johnson, and many more under manager Billy Hitchcock. Those years Miami did not have any MLB, NFL, NBA, or NHL teams so the biggest attraction was the O’s in Spring Training aside from the University of Miami Hurricanes football team.

Jim Palmer is a special guy. A great career that took him to the Hall of Fame, Palmer pitched for 19 seasons from 1965-1984, which ended with 268 wins and 152 loses and an ERA of 2.86. In four of the 19 seasons he won over 20 games in a row from 1970 to 1973.

He was part of a record that will probably will never be broken. In 1971 with the O’s, he was one of four starters on that staff to win 20 or more games. They were Dave McNally, Mike Cuellar, Pat Dobson, and Jim Palmer. Palmer is the only living pitcher amongst the four.

Q: “Will we ever see that again, four pitchers on the same team with 20 wins?”

JP: “Probably not, and Pat Dobson is the one most people forget when that question is asked.”

Q: “You have a unique statistic during your great career. Pitched for 19 years and never gave up a Grand Slam, how come?”

JP: “That’s easy, I usually walk the guy.”

Q: “Your memories of this Oakland Coliseum?”

JP: “I always did well here,this is a typical pitchers ballpark, I always enjoyed this place” Ironically his best outing against the A’s was not at Oakland. On August 13,1969, Palmer no-hit the A’s for an 8-0 win at Memorial Stadium in Baltimore. He walked six A’s, struck out eight and was 11-2 at that time. He would win five games and lose two to finish with a 16-4 record and a 2.34 ERA.”

Since the O’s visit Oakland just once per year, he promised we will talk more and I am looking forward for the next time Jim Palmer comes to town.

During batting practice, an hour prior to the game that night, rap music was played very loud at the Coliseum, he rolled his eyes and I asked him, “Are you a fan of rap music?”

JP: “No, not really.”

I told him “Don’t feel bad, I am still listening to Sinatra.”

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez does A’s baseball Espanol for KIQI 1010 San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Pillar and Posey help Bumgarner get fifth win defeat Diamondbacks 10-4

photo by sfgate.com: San Francisco Giants’ Kevin Pillar, right, celebrates with Evan Longoria (10) after hitting a two-run home run off Arizona Diamondbacks’ Robbie Ray in the second inning of a baseball game Sunday, June 30, 2019, in San Francisco.

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Kevin Pillar and Buster Posey helped out Madison Bumgarner with their bats in the series finale.

Pillar and Posey combined for seven hits, while Bumgarner went seven innings, allowing just one run on four hits, walking no one and striking out nine and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 10-4 before 31,778 at Oracle Park.

With the victory, the Giants ended the month of June with a record of 14-13, their first winning month since going 18-10 in June of 2018.

It was a Pillar two-run home run in the bottom of the second inning that got the Giants going, as he hit his 11th home run of the season.

Pillar added a two-run single in the bottom of the third inning that helped the Giants to the victory and split the four-game series.

Posey doubled in the bottom of the first inning, and then singled in the third and fifth innings, before walking to load the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning for Evan Longoria with nobody out.

The three hits by Posey match his season-high and marked his second three-hit game in three appearances. During the span, Posey is hitting .750 (6-for-8) with two doubles, two runs scored and two runs batted in.

Pillar hit a solo home run, singled twice and hit a double, as it was his first four-hit since July 13, 2018 for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.

It was the fifth four-hit game of Pillars career, who picked up two during the 2017 season and one during the 2015 season.

The five runs batted in by Pillar are a career-high, to go along with his career-high tying four hits.

Longoria then singled in Brandon Belt, who walked to lead off the inning against reliever Matt Andriese. Pillar then followed it up with his fourth hit of the game, as he singled to left to score pinch hitter Alex Dickerson, who singled while pinch hitting for Tyler Austin, who walked and struck out twice before leaving the game.

Mike Yastrzemski got in on the act, as he hit a two-run double to left field to score Longoria and Pillar.

The sixth and final run of the inning came when pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval singled off of T.J. McFarland that scored Yastrzemski.

In all, the Giants sent 10 men to the plate, scored six runs on five hits, as they blew the game wide open.

The Diamondbacks attempted to get back into the game in the top of the eighth inning, as they scored three runs off of reliever Derek Rodriguez.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was ejected in the top of the fifth inning for arguing balls and strikes with home plate Mike Muchlinski, and it was fourth all-time ejection for Lovullo in his managerial career.

It was not a good day for Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray, who went just four innings, allowing four runs on six hits, walking three and striking out five and saw his record fall to 5-6 on the season.

NOTES: With the nine strikeouts on the afternoon, Bumgarner tied Tim Lincecum for second place all-time in San Francisco Giants lore with 1,704.

Juan Marichal is the all-time San Francisco Giants leader in strikeouts with 2,281

Will Smith was named as the lone All-Star for the Giants, as he is 1-0 with a 2.16 earned run average with 21 saves in 21 chances this season for the Giants.

Smith is the first Giants left-handed reliever to go to the All-Star Game since Gary Lavelle made the All-Star team in 1983

The 21 saves to start the season are the second most by a Giants reliever to start a season, trailing only Rod Beck who saved 28 in a row to begin the 1994 season.

In his Giants career, Smith is tied for second place with Craig Lefferts with 35 saves by a left-hander, Lavelle is currently the all-time leader in saves for a left-hander with 127.

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija takes the mound on Monday night, as the Giants open a brief three-game road trip against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park. The Padres will counter with Logan Allen.