Tag: texas rangers

Oakland A’s Preview: A’s open three-game series with Texas Rangers in Arlington Friday

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Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Santiago Espinal, left, tags out Oakland Athletics’ Brent Rooker (25) during the fourth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Sep 6, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s are in Arlington, Texas, to start a six-game road trip Friday night against the Texas Rangers and the Houston Astros. The Rangers have been playing poorly lately. The Astros just swept a three-game series from the Rangers, and their record in the last 19 games is four wins and 15 losses.

The Rangers played well in the first half of the season with a mark of 52-39. In the second half, the Rangers are 24-24. The Rangers, Astros, and Mariners are in a three-way race for the AL West division title. The Astros lead the Mariners by a games and have a three-game advantage over the Rangers.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Seattle Mariners own the first and second playoff spots in the Wild Card race. The Toronto Blue Jays and the Rangers will fight for the third slot. The Blue Jays have a 1/2 game lead over Texas as of Sept. 7. The Rangers play the Blue Jays in Toronto next week.

The A’s would love to spoil the Rangers’ efforts to make the playoffs. The A’s are playing well. They finished the last homestand with a record of 4-2. They are 9-7 in their last 16 games. The A’s young players have helped the team improve.

Zack Gelof, Esteury Ruiz, Lawrence Butler, Ryan Noda, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and Nick Allen appear to be the team’s nucleus shortly. Former A’s pitcher Chris Bassitt, now with Toronto, remarked that most of his former A’s teammates are no longer with the club. The only players from his time with the A’s were Tony Kemp and Seth Brown.

The Rangers traded for Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery to bolster the starting rotation. The Astros sent Scherzer to an early shower yesterday. Nathan Eovaldi was shelled in his last start. He lasted just one and 1.3 of an inning. The bullpen needs to be up to the task. The Rangers traded for Aroldis Chapman to be their closer. The lefty from Cuba still has a fastball that travels over 100 MPH. Yet, he has not been successful lately.

The Rangers still have players that can cause damage to opposing pitchers. The A’s pitchers will have their hands full, containing the bats of players like catcher Jonah Heim, first baseman Nate Lowe, second baseman Marcus Semien, and shortstop Corey Seager.

Third baseman Josh Jung is out with an injury until Sept. 22. Jung was a contender for AL Rookie of the Year until the injury sidelined him. Outfielders Robbie Grossman and Leody Taveras are capable players and can be productive.

Adolis Garcia has caused the A’s problems in the past, but he is scuffling now. García notched his second All-Star appearance this year after a strong first half but has struggled with a .197/.293/. He has a 462 slash line since Aug. 1.

The Texas offense has coincidentally paralleled his struggles. Though García leads the AL in RBIs, he has struggled to come up with the big hit down the stretch. If the Rangers want to remain in the postseason picture, they will likely need García to be productive.

Friday night’s game will see the A’s Paul Balckburn (4-4 ERA 3.81) pitch for Oakland. The Rangers will send lefty Jordan Montgomery (8-10 ERA 3.46) to the hill to handle their pitching chores. The game will start at 6:05 pm

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Kapler says Bailey is bringing big things; Giants open 3 game set with Rays tonight

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San Francisco Giant Patrick Bailey heading home after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Texas Rangers on Sun Aug 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey belted his sixth home run of the season on a walk off two run blast in the bottom of the tenth inning to edge the visiting Texas Rangers 3-2 on Sunday at Oracle Park.

#2 The win helps Giants reliever Camilo Doval’s blown save in the top of the ninth inning when the Giants had a 1-0 lead but the Rangers tied up the game on a ground ball to Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford who threw to first base and a runner came in and scored from second base to make 1-1.

#3 The Giants in the bottom of the tenth inning were looking to try and end it with a ghost runner on board Patrick Bailey hit one high and deep to left field and it landed in the bleachers for the walk off two run home run for a one run 3-2 in.

#4 Giants manager Gabe Kapler said that Bailey been bringing the big moments, made the big plays and has done a great job handling the pitching staff.

#5 Starting pitchers for Monday night’s contest at Oracle Park as the Giants open a three game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. For the Rays Tyler Glasnow (5-3 ERA 3.15) and for the Giants Ryan Walker (4-1 ERA 2.40) a 6:45pm PT first pitch.

Join Marko for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bailey’s two run homer saves Giants in 10th inning defeats Rangers 3-2

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San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey has his hand raised for being the gamer in the top of the tenth inning after clouting his sixth home run of the season against the Texas Ranges at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Aug 13, 2023 (AP News photo)

Texas (7-48). 000 000 001 1. – 2. 8. 0

San Francisco (63-55) 100 000 000 2. – 3. 10 1. (10 innings)

Time: 2:30

Attendance: 35,648

Sunday, August 13, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–Things have not gone well for your San Francisco Giants since they returned to the bay area a little over a week ago. Their record was 61-49 when they crossed the Bay Bridge to face the moribund Oakland Athletics on August 5.

Even with today’s thrilling 3-2 come from behind extra innings win over the American League West leading Texas Rangers, they stand at 63-55, 8-1/2 games behind the Dodgers, who still were playing Colorado when the Giants’ game ended, in the NL West.

Logan Webb started the game for San Francisco at 9-9, 3.38. He has four deliveries in his arsenal, a change up, that he throws 38.6% of the time, a sinker (36.8%), a slider (21.2), and a four seamer, just to keep ’em guessing (3.4%). The 26 year old righty threw over 100 pitches in each of his previous outings, a win in Phoenix and a no decision in Anaheim.

He exceeded the century mark this afternoon, throwing 107 pitches, 75 of them strikes, and again once more wasn’t involved in the decision. He threw 8-2/3 innings and yielded only one run. It was earned but posthumous and came on an error of judgement by, of all people!, Brandon Crawford. Webb gave up six hits and a walk while striking out six. His balance sheet now reads, 9-9, 3.26)

Dane Dunning, two years older than Webb and also right handed, came to work at 9-4, 3.21 for the season and 20-22, 4.08 lifetime. This was his first appearance against the Giants. It was a magnificent one. He threw 106 pitches, 76 for strikes in seven innings of outstanding work.

Dunning allowed only one run, earned, on a homer that was one of the seven hits he gave up. He didn’t issue a single wak and struck out a dozen. All he earned for his hard work was a no decision that left his record at 9-4, 3.1).

Webb pitched himself out of trouble in the two opening frames, and Michael Conforto gave him the comfort of a one run lead to work with by leading off the home half of the second with a 408 foot blast over the center field wall off a 90.8 mph sinker. It was Conforto’s 15th round tripper and 54th RBI of the season.

Webb needed to get one more strike on JP Martínez to finish up a complete game shutout. But Martínez doubled, and Camilo Duval was called in to finish the job. He got Ezequiél Durán to hit a grounder to short that Crawford backhanded. He unwisely threw to first; Durán beat it out, an dMartínez ran home with the tying run Bailey threw Durán out trying to steal second, but it was too late.

José Leclerc pitched a scoreless eight. Estrada led it off with a double, but The Curse of the Leadoff Double stranded him there. Aroldis Chapman relieved Leclerc for the home ninth. He struck out the first batter he faced, and then Ramos doubled off the Levi’s Landing wall. But Chapman recovered to strike out Austin Slater, pinch hitting for Crawford, and Wade.

Duval got out of the top of the 10th with only a run scored, but it was ugly. Zombie runner Durán went to third on Josh Smith’s Texas League single and scored on a balk with Semien at the plate. It took a pitcher’s best friend to hold the damage to that one run.

The Rangers went to their closer, Will Smith, for Giants’ tenth. He fanned Estrada and Pederson, and so it was up to Bailey to keep the game alive with Wade as the plaed runner on second and two out. The rookie came through! He shot a no doubter over the left field, landing 355 feet deep. It came on a 1-1 four seamer that came in a 92.8mph and left at 107.3 mph. It made Bailey 2 for 4 in the game and was his sixth home run of the year.

Doval was charged with a blown save but credited with the win. His record now is 4-3, 2.36. Will Smith (4-1, 3.30) was the losing pitcher.

The Tampa Bay Rays will be here tomorrow, Monday, for a 6:45 start. Neither team has announced its pitching plans.

Headline Sports podcast with Bruce Magowan: 49ers and Raiders pre season kicks off the NFL; Ohtani would be huge where could he land next season? plus more

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) takes part during a practice at NFL football training camp Thursday, July 27, 2023, in Henderson, Nev. (AP News photo)

On Headlines Bruce discusses:

#1 Takes a look at the San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders and how both teams match up for the 2023 season.

#2 Los Angeles Angeles two way player Shohei Ohtani is a free agent what are the chances of Ohtani coming to the San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Dodgers or staying with the Los Angeles Angels?

#3 The Pac 12 break up and where the Stanford Cardinal and Cal Bears are headed after this season.

#4 The New York Yankees not like the teams of old. Their struggling manager Aaron Boone who recently was ejected arguing a strike call, the Yankees lost two pitchers Jimmy Cadero suspended for the rest of the season for domestic violence and Domingo Herman for being under the influence and destroying a TV set and flipping over a coach in the Yankees clubhouse also suspended for the rest of the season.

#5 As far as the home stretch drive of these dog days of August you have to like the Texas Rangers and Atlanta Braves chances of winning the post season.

Join Bruce Magowan during SF Giants Sunday games at Oracle Park for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants trounced by Rangers 9-3 on ’90s night, and drop fourth-straight

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Texas Rangers’ Mitch Garver who had three RBIs against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 12, 2023 (USA Today photo)

Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 9 (70-47)

San Francisco Giants 2 (62-55)

Win: Grant Anderson (2-1)

Loss: Alex Cobb (6-3)

Time: 2:44

Attendance: 33,112

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants’ offense sputtered again, as Rangers beat the Giants on 90s night at Oracle park, 9-3, to hand the Giants their fourth-straight loss, and their sixth loss in their last seven games.

Alex Cobb, who has struggled in the second half since his All-Star Game appearance, made the start for the Giants, and his struggles continued. Cobb got Marcus Semien to fly out to left field to start the game, but Corey Seager then hit a home run to straightaway center to put the Rangers on the board.

The Giants responded in the bottom of the first inning. Rangers starter Andrew Heaney set down the first two men he faced, but Wilmer Flores doubled, and Patrick Bailey singled him in, as the throw from Rangers left-fielder J.P. Martinez appeared as if it was going to get Flores at the plate, but it skipped in front of the catcher, Mitch Garver, which allowed Flores to score.

Cobb survived a two-out double in the top of the second, and the Giants appeared as if they were going to strike in the bottom of the second. Luis Matos walked to start the inning, and got to third on a long single off the right field wall by Michael Conforto.

Heliot Ramos then walked to load the bases with nobody out, but Mark Mathias struck out swinging, and Bruce Bochy surprisingly pulled Heaney from the game for Grant Anderson. Anderson then got Austin Slater to ground into a 3-6-1 double play to end the inning, as it was another opportunity wasted by the Giants.

The teams traded scoreless innings again in the third, as Cobb pitched a 1-2-3 inning, and Anderson pitched through a leadoff infield hit by Thairo Estrada.

Alex Cobb then faltered in the fourth. Nathaniel Lowe led off the inning with a base-hit, followed by an infield hit off the bat of Ardolis Garcia. Garver then singled to knock in Lowe and give the Rangers the lead, and Martinez singled to load the bases. Ezequiel Duran hit a sacrifice fly to center; Josh Smith walked; and Leody Tavares singled to knock in the third run of the inning and extend the Rangers lead to 4-1.

Michael Conforto hit a solo home run with one out in the bottom of the fourth to make it 4-2, but the Rangers loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth, and that prompted Gabe Kapler to pull Alex Wood.

In his last five starts since July 20 in Cincinnati, Wood has gone 0-2 with a 6.58 ERA, as he has given up 19 runs over his last 26 innings.

“I don’t think it was his best outing, obviously,” said Kapler. “He’s the guy that we’re always depending on. He’s been one of our best pitchers. He’s done a really nice job for us all season. I don’t think it was his best outing, and [hopefully, he can] come back next time and get em.”

Kapler went to Alex Wood, who was coming off a decent four-inning performance on Tuesday against the Angels in Anaheim. J.P. Martinez hit a sacrifice fly to center to knock in Seager and get the run back, and Ezequil Duran singled in Adolis Garcia for an extra run to open their lead to 6-2.

Blake Sabol pinch-hit and walked, and advanced to second on a base-hit by Thairo Estrada to start the bottom of the fifth. Bochy then went to former Giant Chris Stratton, and like the second, the Giants wasted the opportunity, as Stratton set down the next three men in order.

Luis Matos singled to start the bottom of the sixth after a ground ball off his bat took a weird hop off the lip of the infield grass and ricocheted into left field. Michael Conforto walked, and just like the second and fifth, the Giants had two runners on and nobody out to start the inning, but just like the second and fifth, the Giants wasted it and had nothing to show for it.

“We haven’t been as productive as we can be, whether we have the platoon advantages, or we don’t,” said Kapler. “We’re not swinging the bat[s] consistently to put up crooked numbers. We didn’t play good enough as a team; [the Rangers] played very good as a team, and we just weren’t able to counter that.”

Alex Wood meanwhile set down eight-straight following the Duran base-hit in the fifth. Wood pitched a pair of 1-2-3 innings in the sixth and seventh, and he survived a one-out triple off the bat of Duran unscathed in the top of the eighth.

“We had a decent thought that Alex could give us some length today,” said Kapler. “I thought he did a nice job of getting us through the middle innings. It’s not easy to come into that situation; I thought he did a good job.”

Stratton pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh, and Josh Sborz pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the eighth.

Wood then fell apart in the top of the ninth. Despite Wood’s solid innings, the Rangers made hard contact off him, but he finally paid for it in the ninth. Marcus Semien tripled to start the ninth, and he scored on a base-hit by Seager.

Nathaniel Lowe hit a nubber on the first base side, and when Webb went to get it, he fired it down the right field line, allowing the runners to get to second and third. Garcia flew out to right, but Mitch Garver singled in a pair to make it a laugher.

“I certainly wasn’t expecting to throw four-plus, five innings,” said Wood. “[I’m] just trying to go do what’s best for these guys in the clubhouse.”

There was a highlight in the bottom of the ninth, as with one out, Heliot Ramos, who has struggled over the course of two seasons between the majors and Triple-A, hit his first big league home run out to left-center field. Fortunately for Ramos, he was able to get the ball

“I got [the ball] right here,” said Ramos. “I gave up a bat, and two signed. I’m glad [the fan] brought it back. I thought I was going to lose the ball.”

Mark Mathias singled to left, but Blake Sabol was called out on strikes, and Thairo Estrada struck out swinging to end it.

The Giants have now lost four-straight, and six of their last seven, as they fall to 62-55, and their playoff lead in the wild card is now just a game and a half over the Cincinnati Reds.

The Giants will try to salvage a game in the series, as they will send their ace, Logan Webb, to the mound for a 1:05 start.

News and Notes:

Prior to the game, six members of the 1993 Giants gathered for the 30-year reunion of the improbable Giants team that won 103 games, but missed out on the National League West division title in playoffs in what was the final season of the four-team playoff format.

They were joined by the wives of the late Barney Nugent and Rod Beck, and the ceremony was emceed by the Giants’ public address announcer from 1993 to 1999, Sherry Davis, the first woman public address announcer in sports history. This was Davis’ first public appearance since her tenure ended, as well as her first time on the field at Oracle Park.

“These are my guys,” said Davis. “They’re so sweet, and they’re so nice. It’s so nice to see them again after all this time.

Davis also talked about the stress of her first year of 1993.

“It was the most exciting year [of my career], but it was also the most stressful,” Davis said. “I faced a lot of opposition, but I [had] a lot of support. It was a very stressful year for me, but it was wonderful. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

Rangers get all the scoring they need in two run sixth edge Giants 2-1 at Oracle

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Texas (69-47). 000 002 000. – 2. 6. 1

San Francisco (62-54) 000 001 001. – 1. 3. 0

Time: 2:19

Attendance: 35,689

Friday, August 11, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, center, walks out of the dugout for batting practice for the team’s baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, Aug. 11, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP News photo)

SAN FRANCISCO–Before tonight’s battle began, the buzz centered around Bruce Bochy’s coming back to the bay (the terrafirma – or should I call it the terratremula?– side, that is). The ex Giants’ skipper, who guided the ragtag teams of the early 2010s to upset World Series championships in 2020, ’12, and ’14, had come out of retirement for this season, at the helm of the AL West division leading Texas Rangers.

He’d been in the east side of the bay for a three game series with Oakland, where his charges had their eight game winning streak broken by losing the last game of the series.

The last time he was the visiting team’s manager at Oracle Park was in 2006 when his San Diego Padres defeated their hosts, 10-2. Tonight’s crowd gave him a rousing standing ovation when his picture appeared on the jumbotron before the lineups were announced. And again when it showed a welcome back slide show between halves of the third.

Bochy’s team won a squeaker, 2-1.

The Giants, struggling to stay in the National League wild card race after going 0-2 in Oakland and 1-2 in Anaheim, chose the bullpen route for the third consecutive time. Friday night’s opener was Scott Alexander (6-2, 4.01) at game time, who had been chased from the mound in the first inning on Tuesday before he could get a man out, but not before he had given up three hits, which resulted in three runs. He did better in his one inning of work tonight, allowing only one base runner (on a walk) and striking out two. Ross Stripling came on in the second for his turn as follow up man.

Bochy and crew went with the 31 year old right hander Jon Gray, who toed the rubber at 7-5, 3.88. Gray was 2-8, 5.96 against the Giants and 67-61, 4.42 in his overall big league career before tonight. His work tonight was excellent, seven innings of shutout ball, in which he conceded only two hits, both singles. He didn’ walk anyone. His pitch count reached 87 (with only 26 balls). He earned the win and now has a record of 8-5, 3.65.

Both pitchers were in command as the teams traded zeroes until the top of the sixth, when the Rangers broke through with back to back solo homers by Nathaniel Lowe (his 14th, to right) and Mitch Garver (his eighth, to left).

That did it for Stripling; he struck out JP Martínez to end the inning and his tenure. He’d thrown 73 pitches, 47 for strikes, over five frames, allowing five hits and no. walks. His ERA briefly dropped below 5.00, but he left the game with it at 5.10. He was tagged with the loss; his record now stands at 0-5, 5.10.

Ryan Walker put the visitors down in order in the seventh and was pulled for Taylor when Marcus Semien led off the eighth by beating out a grounder to third for a single. The left handed twin emerged unscathed in spite of a passed ball on the third strike to Lowe. (It’s not having been scored as a wild pitch occasioned some questions in the press box).

Aroldis Chapman replaced Gray for the eighth, struck out Conforto and walked Bailey. Mark Mathias, batting for Crawford, fanned, but Chapman unleashed two wild pitches in the process, putting Conforto on third. Matos also went down swinging, and that was the end of the threat.

Luke Jackson was hit hard in the Texas ninth but put the Rangers down while allowing nothing more harmful than a walk.

Will Smith, the Texas closer, looking for his 22nd save in 24 opportunities, gave up a leadoff double to center by Heliot Ramos, who took third Leody Taveras’s throwing error. He scored on a ground out to third by Estrada, but that was all the offense the Giants could muster. Smith got his save and the Rangers, their win.

Saturday, the game will start at 6:05. Alex Cobb (6-3, 3.30) is scheduled to be on the mound for San Francisco. Andrew Heaney (9-6, 4.14) will pitch for the team from Arlington.

San Francisco Giants preview: San Francisco Looking to Turn Skid Around Taking On Rangers

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San Francisco Giants starter Scott Alexander gets the call for Fri Aug 11, 2023 at Oracle Park in San Francisco to open the series against the Texas Rangers (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

San Francisco Looking to Turn Skid Around Taking On Rangers

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (62-53) had a great start to the month of August taking a four-game series off the Arizona Diamondbacks. They had pulled to a game or two away from the division leading Los Angeles Dodgers. It was all looking very promising until they hit a speed bump at the Coliseum getting swept by the Oakland A’s. San Francisco went on to drop a series to the Angels winning the first game but dropping the next two games and falling six games behind the Dodgers.

Friday night the Giants will take on a very tough Texas Rangers team. The Rangers have a 68-47 record and sit atop the AL West, 2.5 games ahead of the Houston Astros. They just came off a series win against the Oakland A’s.

ESPN Analytics have the Rangers as favorites despite the fact that this game will be played at Oracle Park.

The Giants will send Scott Alexander to the mound with a 6-2 record and a 4.01 ERA. This is the sixth opening assignment for Alexander who signed a minor league deal May 4, 2022 with San Francisco. Alexander opened in game two of the Giants latest series with the Angels.

The Giants fell behind in that game 4-0 in the first inning. Alexander was pulled in the first inning of that game and Jakob Junis came in to relieve. He did not fare much better allowing four hits and one run. The Giants made a valiant comeback bid that fell short losing 7-5.

The Giants will be looking to get back on the winning track in this upcoming series. The Rangers will send Jon Gray to the mound with a 3.72 ERA and a 7-5 W/L record. The Rangers have some solid hitters. Adolis Garcia has hit 29 homers with 89 RBi’s and Jonas Heim has a .280 batting average.

Heim is out on a 10-day IL. at the moment so San Francisco will not have to deal with him. The Giants will be depending on Wilmer Flores who has been exceptional with 15 homers and a .307 batting average. LaMonte Wade Jr. and J.D. Davis will also provide a threat at the plate for the Giants.

First pitch is scheduled for 7:15 PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants struggled against an exhausted Ohtani; SF opens three game series against Rangers Friday

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Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani in the top of the third inning hit like a pitcher striking out swinging against the San Francisco Giants at the Big A in Anaheim on Wed Aug 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 On Wednesday Los Angeles Angels pitcher Shohei Ohtani threw for six plus innings, gave up one unearned run and picked up his tenth win against the San Francisco Giants for a 4-1 victory. Ohtani reportedly was tiring he’s been doing it all as a two way player, playing everyday as a DH or pitching every other day.

#2 Ohtani set a record becoming the first player with multiple seasons with ten wins and ten home runs surpassing Babe Ruth.

#3 Ohtani also is the only player to have ten wins and 40 home runs in one season. Needless to say the Babe and Ohtani are once in a generation type players.

#4 The Giants accounted for their only run on Angels catcher’s Matt Thaiss’ throwing error that allowed Michael Conforto to advance to third and Conforto scored on Brandon Crawford’s sac fly. Ironically Thaiss said that Ohtani didn’t have his best stuff and fought through the whole game and was simply fatigued.

#5 Giants get the day off on Thursday and open a three game series against the Texas Rangers on Friday night at Oracle Park with a 7:15pm first pitch. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy makes first 2023 appearance at Oracle a place he led the Giants to three World Series it has to be something special for him each time he comes back to the City.

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

Giants lose 4-1 to Angels in a pitcher’s duel

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Photo credit: si.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants wrapped up their road series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Wednesday night. The Giants lost to the Angels 4-1 in the series finale at Angel Stadium. San Francisco fell to 62-53, while Anaheim improved to 58-58.

Tristan Beck (3-1, 3.03 ERA) took the loss after pitching three innings and giving up two hits, three earned runs, two walks, two strikeouts, and one home run. Beck entered the game after Sean Manaea (3-3, 5.10 ERA) pitched four innings and gave up one hit, one earned run, one walk, and six strikeouts.

The Giants’ starting lineup consisted of LaMonte Wade Jr., Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, Luis Matos, and Ryan Walker. Walker pitched one inning and gave up one hit and three strikeouts.

After one scoreless inning, San Francisco got on the scoreboard. Brandon Crawford was out on a sacrifice fly to Mickey Moniak. Michael Conforto scored for a 1-0 Giants lead with two outs.

Neither team added to the scoreboard until the Angels finally got on the board with a four-run sixth inning. Brandon Drury singled on a line drive to Joc Pederson, who committed a fielding error. Luis Rengifo scored to tie the game 1-1. Shohei Ohtani went to third base, while Drury went to second base. Mike Moustakas homered on a fly ball to right field. Drury scored to put the Angels up 4-1.

Notes
Giants infielder Wilmer Flores improved to a 20-game on-base streak on Wednesday.

Giants bullpen catcher Alex Burg turned 36 on Wednesday.

The Giants made two roster moves on Wednesday. Outfielder Heilot Ramos was recalled from Triple-A Sacramento, while outfielder A.J. Pollock was placed on the ten-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

The Giants’ Rogers brothers have been putting up almost identical numbers. Taylor (2.52 ERA) has 46 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP, while Tyler (2.54 ERA) has 45 strikeouts and a 1.09 WHIP — both statistics are as of August 9, 2023.

Up Next
The Giants will return home to host the Texas Rangers on Friday at 7:15 pm Pacific. The Giants haven’t announced who will start for them, but Jon Gray (7-5, 3.72 ERA) will pitch for the Rangers.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Oakland avoids getting swept at Coliseum shuts out Rangers; Oakland opens series with Washington Friday

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Esterury Ruiz slugs a single in the bottom of the third inning for the Oakland A’s against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Aug 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Oakland A’s Freddy Tarnok went four innings without giving up a run against the mighty Texas Rangers with the help of five other A’s pitchers to shutout one of baseball’s best 2-0 at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 For Tarnok he records his first MLB career win which was part of a four hitter against one of the toughest line ups in baseball.

#3 The 2-0 loss for the Rangers snaps their eight game win streak, the Rangers took the first two games from Oakland on Monday and Tuesday nights and were in danger of getting swept.

#4 The A’s got some offense from Zack Gelof who slugged his sixth homer of the season and rookie Esteurey Ruiz got a base hit, stole two bases, scored a run and Ruiz’ stolen bases gives him 46 for the season.

#5 The A’s start a six game road trip starting Friday night in Washington DC against the Nationals. A’s starter Paul Blackburn (2-2 ERA 4.35) the Nats have not announced a starter as of Wednesday night.

Jerry Feitelberg does the A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com