Tag: Tampa Bay Rays

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Rookie one of the few bright spots for A’s; Twins Kepler out with hamstring; plus more

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Oakland Athletics’ Brent Rooker celebrates after hitting the game-winning, three-run home run against the Texas Rangers during the 10th inning at Oakland Coliseum on Fri May 11, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Oakland A’s Brent Rooker hitting .319, 19 runs, 36 hits, and 11 home runs and won the AL Player of the Week a couple weeks back and is one of the very few bright spots for the 2023 A’s who are on a pace to possibly catch the 1962 New York Mets in terms of wins and loses.

#2 The Port of Oakland announced that last Friday was the last day for the A’s to extend their attempt to make Howard Terminal a reality. There were members of the public speaking against the project and those for it but the odds are dimming for any chance that the A’s will stay in Oakland or would you say that ship sailed already.

#3 The Minnesota Twins outfielder Max Kepler has entered the IL for the second time in 2023 this time with a left hamstring strain. Kepler 30, was running up the first base line when he pulled up on Thursday against the San Diego Padres.

#4 Charlie, this has not been the season for New York Mets pitcher Max Scherzer who had earlier been suspended for ten days for using a sticky substance then suffering from neck spasms. Scherzer missed a turn because of the spasms Tuesday against Cincinnati.

#5 The Tampa Bay Rays Drew Rasmussen is yet one in several Ray players who have gone on the IL. Rasmussen is one of the most recent for a flexor strain the injury will put Rasmussen on he IL for two months. Rasmussen is hoping to avoid Tommy John surgery.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcast Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Was A’s announcer’s slur slip of tongue or deliberate?; A’s-Giants great Vida Blue passes at 73; plus more

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher and NBC Bay Area Sports baseball analyst Vida Blue is seen in this 1971 photo on the second deck of the Oakland Coliseum passed away at 73 on Sun May 7, 2023 (photo from Joe Salvatore facebook page)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie got to ask you on question number one did Oakland A’s broadcaster Glen Kuiper have a slip of the tongue or he knew what he was doing as some on social media have asserted.

#2 A fan fell into the Boston Red Sox bullpen in right field falling over the protective railing during the first inning at Citizen’s Bank Ballpark in Philadelphia. The fan was attended to by medical personnel and assisted to Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. Phillies pitcher Jose Alvarado immediately ran onto the outfield and was calling for help. Some of the players in the Red Sox bullpen thought that the fan had died they later learned that he was alive and breathing to the players relief.

#3 Former San Francisco Giant and current New York Yankee pitcher Carlos Rodon will need more time off as his back issues continue as Rondon has not pitched in one regular season game. Rondon had a great year in San Francisco last season going 14-8 ERA 2.88. Rondon signed with the Yankees in the off season for $168 million for six years.

#4 San Francisco pitcher Alex Wood is coming around and hopes to come off that left hamstring injury. Giants manager Gabe Kapler said that he feeling batter and threw a bullpen session on Saturday. Wood last pitched on Apr 18th and left in the third inning in Miami. Wood is one of the crucial pitchers in the rotation.

#5 New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge is expected back in the line up against the Oakland A’s on Tuesday coming back from a hip strain. Judge has been out since Apr 27 and missed his eight games on Saturday. He worked out with minor league Tampa Bay team. The Yankees are last with ten games back of first place Tampa Bay Rays.

#6 Former Oakland A’s pitcher and San Francisco Giant NBC Sports Bay Area analyst Vida Blue passed away at age 73 on Sun May 7, 2023.

MLB podcast with Charlie O: It just continues to get worse for A’s; It just keeps getting better for Rays

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Tampa Bay Rays Randy Arozarena with folded arms is hitting .359 with two home runs and 11 RBIs one of the top hitters in the Rays line up (@RaysBaseball photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie O, it’s the tale of two teams one team the Oakland A’s are predicted to have a even rougher and tougher season than their 102 loss season and it’s not getting off to a great start either with a loses starting to mount now sitting on a 2-8 start of 2023.

#2 The other team that’s already getting lots of props the Tampa Bay Rays who have won their first ten games defeating the Red Sox in their last game at Tropicana Field Monday night. The Rays have been getting both plenty of pitching and hitting defeating the A’s last Saturday and Sunday in landslide wins 11-0.

#3 Got to ask you have impressive it is for the Rays were in good company with the 1939 New York Yankees. The Rays had a nine game win streak scoring four or more runs going and needed four games to catch the 39 Yankees who have 13 straight wins scoring four or more runs it didn’t happen as the Rays topped the Sox by a run 1-0 on Monday for their tenth straight win.

#4 The Rays also got some top notch hitting Sunday from lead off hitter Brandon Lowe with four RBIs and two runs scored, Randy Arozarena who got two hits and an RBI. The Rays simply are the talk of baseball right now with their 10-0 record.

#5 Charlie, you’ve been around minor league baseball a time or two talk about the Los Angeles Angels affiliate on Sunday the Rocket City Trash Pandas who allowed a hit in a doubleheader and came away with a split. Three Panda pitchers combined for a seven inning no hitter against the Cincinnati Reds affiliate the Chattanooga Lookouts Sunday. The Pandas allowed seven runs in the top of the seventh, five walks, hit five batters, a run scoring wild pitch and a dropped fly ball with the bases loaded which would have been the final out.

#6 Atlanta catcher Travis D’Arnaud has been placed on the seven day injured list. D’Arnaud received a concussion after the San Diego Padres Rougned Odor collided with D’Arnaud at the plate in the Padres loss to the Braves 4-1 Saturday at Sun Trust Stadium in Cobb County. How much or how little did the Buster Posey rule play a part in this collision?

Charlie O does the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Bruce Magowan : Is Tiger pretty much at the end of the line?; Rays demonstrate what it is to be best in baseball; plus more

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Tiger Woods hits from the fairway on the 15th hole during the weather delayed third round of the Masters golf tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on Saturday, April 8, 2023, in Augusta, Ga. Tiger left with a foot injury at the Masters on Sat Apr 8, 2023 (AP News file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Bruce:

#1 Bruce, how surprised are you regarding Tiger Woods withdrawing from the Masters on Saturday due to a foot injury. How concerning are some the injuries, aches and pains over time for Tiger’s future.

#2 Bruce, the Tampa Bay Rays rolling to their eighth consecutive win over the Oakland A’s Saturday with a convincing 11-0 win. The Rays are getting lots of offense from their line up from Isaac Paredes and Brandon Low who had three RBIs each on Saturday.

#3 What’s impressive about what the Rays are doing their first team since the 1939 New York Yankees to win eight straight games to start a season.

#4 Bruce, talk about your former radio station KGO Newstalk 810 where you anchored sports. The flagship station of the Cal Bears. The station got away from talk and is now primarily doing a lot of national syndicated programming and left local talk in the dust how do you see what was once one of the great stations on the dial a shell of it’s former self?

Bruce joins http://www.sportsradioservice.com during the 2023 San Francisco Giants home games to talk Headline Sports

No Mercy rule A’s blanked by Tampa Bay 11-0 at Tropicana; Rays best MLB start in 20 years at 8-0

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Tampa Bay Rays’ Randy Arozarena acknowledges the crowd from the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the eighth inning at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on Sat Apr 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

A’s Blanked By Tampa Bay 11-0

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Oakland A’s (2-6) played the Tampa Bay Rays (8-0) in game two of their three game series. Friday Oakland dropped game one 9-5 amid a flurry of Ray home runs. The A’s did have more hits than Tampa Bay did but they had trouble stringing hits together and bringing runners home. They were looking to even the series Saturday but were lambasted by the Rays in an 11-0 laugher at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg.

This game was scoreless through three innings. In the fourth inning the Rays got a couple of runs off a single from Isaac Paredes sending Brandon Lowe and Wander Franco home for a 2-0 lead.

Tampa Bay began to pile it on in the fifth and sixth innings. They scored seven times taking a 9-0 lead. A Randy Arozarena single brought Manuel Margot and Francisco Mejia home and the Rays were just getting started. Brandon Lowe would score his second run of the game when Paredes was hit by a pitch.

This gave the Rays a 5-0 lead. The sixth inning did not get any better for the Oakland defense giving up another four runs. Tampa Bay had a couple of home runs; one a solo from Margot and another from B. Lowe with two runners on base for the 9-0 lead.

In the eighth inning the Rays had their third home run of the game courtesy of Arozarena with a runner on base for the final 11-0 score. This was the eighth win a row for the Rays to start the season.

The A’s could only manage three hits in this game. They sent ace Shintaro Fujinami to the mound going 4.1 innings allowing three hits and five earned runs. Oakland would send four relief pitchers to the mound in the losing effort.

Tomorrow the A’s will finish up this series in Tampa Bay. James Kaprielian will take the mound for the A’s and for Tampa Bay Drew Rasmussen will get the nod. First pitch is scheduled for 10:10 AM.

Oakland Falls to Undefeated Rays 9-5

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Oakland Athletics’ Ramon Laureano (22) prepares to get tagged out at home plate by Tampa Bay Rays catcher Christian Bethancourt while trying to score on an RBI single by Jace Peterson during the second inning at the Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on Fri Apr 7, 2023 (AP News photo)

Oakland Falls to Undefeated Rays 9-5

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the Oakland A’s (2-5) took on the power house undefeated Tampa Bay Rays (7-0). The Rays come into this game after beating the Washington Nationals 7-2 while the A’s dropped one to the Cleveland Guardians 6-4 on Wednesday.

Neither team scored in the first inning but Oakland would score a run in the second inning. Jace Peterson hit a single to center driving Seth Brown home. Ramon Laureano was thrown out trying to score a second run. The Rays would have a very productive second inning driving in six runs. Harold Ramirez hit a solo home run but the fireworks began when Isaac Paredes hit a grand slam to extend the Tampa Bay lead to 6-1.

The A’s had a lot of work to do and single runs scored were not going to do it. They had one run in the third inning when Ryan Noda solo homered but the Rays would answer with a couple of solo home runs of their own. Both Manuel Margot and Christian Bethancourt knocked ball out of the park to extend their lead to 8-2.

Oakland got another run in the fifth inning when Aledmys Diaz ground rule doubled driving Esteury Ruiz home still trailing 8-3. The A’s would get another run in the seventh inning when Shea Langeliers knocked one out of the park for a 8-4 Oakland deficit.

The Rays Wander Franco would hit the fifth Tampa Bay homer in the eighth inning for the 9-5 win. The A’s got their final run of the game in the ninth inning when Kemp singled and Langliers scored.

It was the five home runs that killed the A’s in this game. They had more hits than the Rays with 12 to Tampa’s 10 but it was the long ball that mattered in this game. Oakland was able to get players on base in this game but just could not bring them home.

The A’s will meet the Rays in game two of this three game series Saturday. For the A’s Shintaro Fujinami (0-1 ERA 30.86) for the Rays Jeffery Springs (1-0 ERA 0.00) First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

Guardians down A’s in ten innings 6-4

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Cleveland Guardians’ Steven Kwan watches his RBI single during the 10th inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Apr 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND– The Oakland A’s (5-2) and the Cleveland Guardians (2-4) met in a matinee Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum. The teams had split the first two games played. The Guardians won Monday night 12-11 in the innings, and the A’s won a walk-off Tuesday night, 4-3.

The A’s offense was in snooze land for the game’s first seven innings. Oakland’s hitter managed just one single off the Guardians’ starter, Hunter Gaddis. Cleveland scored two runs in the sixth and two in the seventh. The A’s found a way to tie the game in the eighth.

A Ryan Noda solo homer and a three-run jack off the bat of Jesus Aguilar tied the game. The A’s had a chance to win the game. Alas, things went south in the tenth as Cleveland scored twice, and the A’s failed to counter. Cleveland downs the A’s 6-4.

The Guardians drew first blood in the top of the sixth. A’s starter Kyle Muller held Cleveland scoreless for the first five innings. Muller recorded the first two outs in the sixth. Muller then hit Cleveland’s third baseman Gabriel Arias with a pitch. Myles Straw singled. There were two men on with two out. Guardians’ catcher Cam Gallagher doubled to drive in both runners. Cleveland leads 2-0. 

levllThe Guardians added two more runs in the seventh to go ahead 4-0. The A’s offense for the first seven innings was one hit. Things changed in the eighth. A’s first baseman Ryan Noda led off the eighth with his first Major League home run to make it 4-1.

The Guardians’ reliever Tim Herrin walked Tony Kemp and Aledmys Diaz. The next hitter, Jesus Aguilar, hit his first home run as an Oakland Athletic to tie the game at 4-4. Neither team scored in the ninth.

Cleveland scored two runs in the top of the tenth. With men on at first and second, A’s reliever Zach Jackson uncorked a wild pitch. Both runners advanced a base. Will Brennan grounded out, and ghost runner Andres Gimenez scored on the play. Steven Kwan singled to drive in Myles Straw with the sixth run of the game for Cleveland. Emmanuel Clase held the A’s scoreless to preserve the win for the Guardians.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are 2-4. The Guardians improved to 5-2. 

A’s starter Kyle Murray went five and 2/3rd innings and allowed two runs and four hits. He struck out five and walked three, one intentionally. He threw 95 pitches; 62 were strikes. Adrian Martinez, Dominic Acevedo, Jeurys Familia, and Zach Jackson pitched in relief. Jackson took the loss.

The Guardians also used five pitchers. Hunter Gaddis went six innings and allowed one hit. Reliever Eli Morgan, the fourth pitcher of the day, was the winning pitcher. Emmanuel Clase earned his second save of the year.

The time of the game was two hours and 58 minutes. 4930 people watched the A’s lose their fourth game of the young season

The A’s are going to Tampa Bay to play the Rays for three games starting Friday night. Lefty Ken Waldichuk will go for Oakland while the Rays will counter with righty Zach Elfin. The game will start at 3:40 pm.

Sharks Stun Lightning, Surge to 4-3 Comeback OT Win

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The San Jose Sharks forward Timo Meier (28) and defenceman Erik Karlsson (65) celebrate after a goal at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on Tue Feb 7, 2023 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks opened the unofficial second half of the season with a bang, rallying from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3 in overtime Tuesday night. Timo Meier scored a pair of goals and had an assist, Erik Karlsson had a goal and two assists and Kaapo Kähkönen made 34 saves to pick up the road win.

Brayden Point scored a pair and Ross Colton also lit the lamp but the Lightning (32-16-2) saw their home wine streak end at 12 games. San Jose (16-25-11) was outshot 37-22 but walked away with the two points.

Now that Bo Horvat has found a new home on Long Island, Meier has become the center piece for teams looking to add at the trade deadline. Despite a 10 million dollar qualifying offer expected for next year, the Swiss forward showed why he’ll cost suitors a hefty bounty. One of the premier power forwards in the league, both his goals came about five ten feet out from Brian Elliott in the Tampa net.

The game-winner, 2:19 into overtime, came after Meier drove the net and was able to sneak behind two Lightning defenders. He took the feed from Erik Karlsson, no stranger to trade chatter himself, to bury his 30th of the year.

Jonah Gadjovich deflected the tying goal 3:08 into the third, his third of the year, but before that Meier’s talents were on display for the Sharks second goal of the night. Meier, skating on the power play where his nose for the net and propensity to rip his sharp wristers, did just that with 3:37 left in the second buried.

While the penalty kill collapsed to Elliott’s right, Meier skated to the crease on the off-wing. He took the Alexander Barabanov pass off what looked like a set faceoff play and buried it for his first of the night.

The aforementioned Karlsson negated an early Colton goal to tie the game 6:28 into the first, his 17th goal of the year. Karlsson wired a shot through traffic that found its way on net as so many of his shots have this year, beating Elliott.

Brayden Point took over the first period though scoring goals 9:21 into the frame and 16:44 into the first period. The second came on the power play, normally a strength for the Bolts but against the Sharks they went just one for six and went five power plays without a shot on goal.

The Sharks continue their split eight game road trip, facing the Florida Panthers in Sunrise on Thursday. They’re now riding a two-game win streak after beating the Penguins in the last game before the break. They’ll face the Capitals in DC Sunday before finally heading home.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Lightning shooting to tie series; Avalanche would like to go up 3-1 tonight

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Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov (86) checks Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) during the NHL Stanley Cup Finals game 3 at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on Tue Jun 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Finals podcast with Len:

#1 Len, how big is this one tonight for the Tampa Bay Lightning they lost the first two games got demolished in game 2, 7-0 but came right back on home ice to defeat the Colorado Avalanche 6-2 in game 3 to cut Colorado’s lead 2-1.

#2 The Bolts Stephen Stamkos has stayed consistent in the post season and Monday night was no different as Stamkos scored one of the six Tampa Bay goals.

#3 Len talk about Nikita Kucherov and Victor Hedman who each had two assists and help the Lightning on offense.

#4 Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy saved 37 shots and allowed two goals only the Avalanche’s left winger Gabriel Landeskog did all the scoring with two goals.

#5 For game 4 Len who do you see getting the start in goal for the Avalanche Darcy Kuemper or Paul Francouz? Kuemper struggled in game 3 allowing five goals and Francouz allowed one goal in relief.

Join Len throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Finals for analysis at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Mary Lisa: Lightning need game 4 as well or go back to Colorado down 3-1

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Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Pat Maroon (14) puts the puck by Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) in second period action in game 3 of the Stanley Cup Finals at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay on Monday, June 20, 2022,

On the Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Mary Lisa, the Tampa Bay Lightning down 2-0 in the series bounce back and get a much needed 6-2 win to cut the Colorado Avalanche’s series lead to 2-1.

#2 Game 2 the Aves crushed the Lightning 7-0 and after that game the Lightning were concerned about a high scoring Avalanche team but in game 3 on Monday the Lighting on home ice nailed it not wasting any time scoring twice in the first period and four in the second period.

#3 The Lightning got scoring help from Steven Stamkos one goal, Nikita Kucherov two assists, Victor Hedman two assists and Andrei Vasilevskiy in goal saving 37 shots.

#4 The Avalanche might have been shutout if it weren’t for left winger Gabriel Landeskog who did all the scoring with two goals.

#5 Game 4 is slated for Wednesday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa Bay. The Avalanche could lick their wounds and rebound and take game 4 and go up 3-1. The Lightning could keep the momentum going with a second straight home ice win. How do you see things shaking out in game 4.

Join Mary Lisa for the NHL Finals podcast throughout the Finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com