Tag: texas rangers

Sacramento A’s game wrap: A’s Rooker and Butler Saddle Up Deep In The Heart of Texas for 7-1 win

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s pitcher Luis Severino is all fired up after striking out the Texas Rangers Jake Burger in the bottom of the third inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Wed Apr 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Rooker and Butler Saddle Up Deep In The Heart of Texas for 7-1 win

By Mauricio Segura

For eight innings, the A’s and Rangers were locked in a tense, low-scoring tug of war that hinted at extra innings. But in the ninth, Lawrence Butler slammed the door on that idea, and kicked it right off its hinges.

With one swing, Butler delivered the green and gold a defining moment in their young season, a grand slam to straightaway center field, the exclamation point on a six-run ninth inning that propelled the Athletics to a 7-1 victory over Texas at Globe Life Field.

The late-inning fireworks began modestly enough. Tyler Soderstrom led off with a single and was lifted for pinch-runner Seth Brown. Brent Rooker, quiet for most of the evening, then launched a go-ahead two-run homer, his eighth of the season, to give the A’s a 3-1 lead.

That alone would’ve been a satisfying turn for a team that entered the game averaging just 2.5 runs over its last four contests. But the A’s weren’t finished.

After a Shea Langeliers single and two walks loaded the bases, Butler stepped to the plate with two outs. He fell behind in the count, then crushed a 2-2 pitch to dead center, clearing the wall with authority and igniting a boisterous celebration in the A’s dugout.

Butler’s fifth homer of the year capped a redemptive night for the 23-year-old, who had entered the game 1-for-8 in the series with four strikeouts. The blast also marked the first grand slam of his career.

Until the ninth, both teams had struggled to cash in on scoring chances. Starter Luis Severino battled through six innings, scattering nine hits but limiting the Rangers to just one run. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the third and left with the game tied 1-1, thanks in part to crisp defense behind him, especially third baseman Gio Urshela, who snuffed out a Josh Jung chopper with a highlight-worthy play in the fourth.

Severino, who has yet to surrender a home run on the road this season, extended his scoreless streak away from Sutter Health Park to 14 innings. The A’s bullpen, a mixed bag of youth and redemption stories, held the line from there. Justin Sterner, Grant Holman, and Tyler Ferguson combined for three shutout frames, with Ferguson recording the final three outs for his first save of the year.

Jacob Wilson, who entered the night hitting .321, contributed a third-inning RBI bunt single to open the scoring, a rare small-ball spark from a team that ranks among the league’s best in slugging. That early lead was erased by an Adolis García RBI in the fourth, but the Rangers failed to score again despite putting runners on in nearly every inning after.

The victory pushes the Athletics above .500 and continues their trend of tight late-game wins. Four of their last five victories have come by one run or in late-inning surges. While they still rank near the bottom in run differential and defensive miscues, it’s clear they’re not short on the never-give-up attitude.

Next up: left-hander Jeffrey Springs (3-3, 6.04 ERA) taking the mound against Rangers righty Tyler Mahle (3-0, 1.14 ERA). If tonight was any preview, the A’s are bringing firepower, even if it takes eight innings to light the fuse.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Rangers Two Explosive Innings Demolish A’s 15-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers is way in front of the plate to put the tag on the Texas Rangers Wyatt Langford (36) in the bottom of the sixth at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Tue Apr 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

Rangers Two Explosive Innings Demolish The A’s 15-2

By Mauricio Segura

The green and gold were corralled and roped off by the Texas Rangers Tuesday night, as Texas unleashed an 11-run sixth inning en route to a 15-2 hot iron branding of the Sacramento Athletics at Globe Life Field. What began as a quiet duel between two evenly matched AL West squads quickly turned into a Texas-style blowout, snapping the A’s modest two-game win streak and dropping them back to an even 15-15 on the season.

Left-hander Jacob Lopez, making his first start of the year for the A’s, navigated early trouble but unraveled in the third inning. After walking a tightrope through two innings, Lopez surrendered three straight run-scoring singles to Jake Burger, Leody Taveras, and Jonah Heim, allowing Texas to build a 3-0 lead. The Rangers added another in the fourth and then torched the A’s bullpen in the sixth leaving just smoldering ash in their wake.

That inning alone saw the Rangers send 13 men to the plate. Marcus Semien got it started with an RBI single, followed by a bases-loaded, bases-clearing double from Adolis García. Rookie Wyatt Langford followed with a three-run double of his own, and Josh Smith capped the barrage with his second RBI single of the night. By the time the dust settled, the A’s had used three pitchers and watched an 0-4 deficit balloon to 0-12.

Shea Langeliers finally gave the Athletics something to cheer about in the seventh, launching his sixth home run of the year, a two-run shot to left. It was Langeliers’ 11th career blast against Texas, and his seventh at Globe Life Field, both the most he’s had against any opponent and in any visiting ballpark.

Unfortunately for the A’s, those were the only runs they could muster against Texas starter Jacob deGrom and reliever Dane Dunning, who combined for ten strikeouts and just five hits allowed.

The loss overshadowed several recent bright spots for the A’s. They entered Tuesday having won five of their last six and leading the season series against Texas 3-1. They also boasted the best road record in the majors, but now face the challenge of bouncing back with two games left in Arlington.

Jacob Lopez, despite showing promise in prior relief outings, lasted just 2.2 innings and was tagged with his first earned runs of the season. The bullpen, solid in recent weeks, was shelled for 12 runs over 5.1 innings.

Langeliers’ homer was one of the few silver linings. Tyler Soderstrom, who leads the team in home runs, went hitless and saw his RBI total remain at 24. Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker each had two hits, but the A’s struck out 11 times and grounded into two double plays.

The A’s will look to rebound Wednesday behind Luis Severino, who leads the majors in innings pitched, against Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi. If the green and gold want to leave Texas with a winning road trip, it’ll start with stopping the bleeding in Game 2.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria Tue Apr 29, 2025: Soderstrom’s double comes through for Sacramento again

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s starter JP Sears deals to the Texas Rangers line up in the bottom of the first inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Mon Apr 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Tyler Soderstrom’s double help beat the Texas Rangers at Globe Life in Arlington 2-1. The A’s starter JP Sears beat and just got by the Rangers 2-1.

#2 Sears who improved his record to 2-1 pitched 5 2/3 innings, surrendered one run and five hits in the first game of this three game series on Monday night. This was the first of a seven game road trip.

#3 The A’s surpassed the Rangers in the top of the fifth when Gio Urshela got on base with a leadoff double and Brent Rooker walked. Soderstrom at the plate ripped a single to the right field corner. It was Soderstrom’s 24th RBI for the season.

#4 A’s closer Mason Miller has 21 strikeouts and walked one batter in the first ten innings of work. Miller walked Marcus Semien to start the ninth inning but Miller got the next three batters out.

#5 A’s starter Jacob Lopez (0-0 ERA 0.00) gets the call for Sacramento who will be opposed by the Texas Rangers Jacob deGrom (0-1 ERA 3.33) first pitch 5:05pm PDT. Lopez has pitched in three games, going 4.1 innings and has five strike outs. The Rangers deGrom is pitching in his 11th year and this is his third year with the Rangers. deGrom has pitched in five games where the Rangers have won two games.

Join Tony Renteria does the A’s podcasts Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Soderstrom’s Two-Run Double Sends Athletics Past Rangers 2-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Texas Rangers Jonah Heim (28) slides into third base before the ball is thrown to Sacramento A’s third baseman Gio Urshela (13) in the bottom of the seventh inning on Mon Apr 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

Soderstrom’s Two-Run Double Sends Athletics Past Rangers 2-1

By Mauricio Segura

Continuing their knack for close calls, The A’s knocked out a 2-1 victory over the Texas Rangers Monday night in Texas. Rookie slugger Tyler Soderstrom delivered the decisive blow with a two-run double in the fifth inning, helping the Athletics surpass the .500 mark at .517 with a 15-14 record.

The game opened quietly with both teams trading zeros until the top of the fifth. After a leadoff double by Gio Urshela and a walk to Brent Rooker, Soderstrom stepped in and smacked a fly ball into right field. Rangers right fielder Adolis García tracked it down but could not prevent Urshela and Rooker from racing home, giving the A’s a 2-0 advantage. The hit gave Soderstrom his 23rd and 24th RBIs of the season, keeping him among the American League leaders.

Before Soderstrom’s heroics, the Athletics had scattered hits off Texas starter Patrick Corbin but failed to break through. Max Schuemann singled in the third and advanced to third base, but a strikeout and a groundout ended the rally. The A’s offense found its moment in the fifth, right before Corbin exited in favor of Jacob Webb.

On the mound, JP Sears, fresh off winning his previous two starts, once again demonstrated his reliability. Although Sears did not factor into the decision, he kept Texas scoreless through five innings, allowing just five hits and striking out five.

Sears has now maintained an ERA of 3.21 across his first five starts, continuing a season where he has walked just six batters in 28 innings. The southpaw also extended his streak to 44 consecutive starts without a wild pitch, the longest since Catfish Hunter back in the 70s.

After Sears’ departure, the bullpen kept the Rangers at bay despite a late surge. Jonah Heim, a familiar face to A’s fans, knocked in Texas’ lone run with an RBI single off JP Sears’ replacement, Mitch Spence, cutting the Athletics’ lead to 2-1 in the sixth. However, Spence, Tyler Ferguson, and finally Mason Miller locked things down.

Miller, who has converted all eight of his save opportunities this season, slammed the door shut in the ninth with a high-velocity performance that left Texas hitters grasping at air. Known for topping out at 103.7 mph and leading all relievers with a staggering 58.3 percent strikeout rate, Miller continued his early-season dominance by walking Marcus Semien but retiring the next three batters to secure the save.

There were also defensive gems worth noting. Max Schuemann made a sliding catch in center field to rob Adolis García in the second and followed it with a diving stop at third base in the ninth that helped extinguish a Rangers rally. Lawrence Butler contributed with a running grab in foul territory, while JJ Bleday, entering the game as a pinch hitter and staying on in center, showcased solid range with two putouts.

Offensively, Miguel Andujar stayed hot with two hits, continuing a stretch where he has hit .328 over his last 17 games. Jacob Wilson, who entered the night ranked 10th in the majors in batting average at .324, added a single and a sacrifice bunt.

The victory marked the Athletics’ fourth in their last five games, and they are now 8-5 on the road, the second-best road record in the majors. The green and gold are also winning the close ones lately, improving to 3-4 in one-run games after starting the season 0-4 in such contests.

The Athletics and Rangers resume their four-game series Tuesday night it’s Jacob vs. Jacob, the A’s will be starting Jacob Lopez (0-0 ERA 0.00) vs. Jacob deGrom (0-1 ERA 3.33) they are scheduled to take the mound for Texas at 5:05pm PDT in Arlington.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Apr 28, 2025: A’s open five game road trip tonight in Texas

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s Luis Urias slugs a two run home run in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Apr 28, 2025:

#1 The Sacramento A’s second baseman Luis Urias in the tenth inning on Sunday hit a one out two run home run that put the A’s ahead of the Chicago White Sox for a 3-2 win to take the series from the Sox.

#2 Urias’ hit one his home runs off the Sox Jordan Leasure who dropped his record to 0-2. Urias got two RBIs on the home run with Jacob Wilson running at second.

#3 The White Sox had a 2-1 lead against A’s pitcher Grant Holman. The Sox got a run on a one out RBI single by Luis Robert Jr. Then Edgar Quero got a base hit to advance Robert to third. The Sox couldn’t advance Robert as Andrew Vaughn hit into a double play.

#4 The A’s Justin Sterner threw seven shutout innings against the Sox and has not surrendered a run in 13 2/3 inning. A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson walked a batter and he didn’t give up another base runner. Then closer Mason Miller came in to shut the door striking out all three Sox hitters in the top of the ninth.

#5 The A’s open a series with the Texas Rangers tonight at Globe Life Field in Arlington. The A’s will be starting JP Sears (3-2 ERA 3.21) for the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0, ERA 2.77) first pitch 5:05 pm PDT first pitch.

Barbara Mason does the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants take series from Rangers with 3-2 walk-off win with little league home run

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos dives in at home plate taking advantage of a Texas Rangers first baseman Jake Burger’s throwing error in the bottom of the ninth inning for a walk off by little league home run win at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sunday, April 27, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-13)

San Francisco Giants 3 (19-10)

Win: Camilo Doval (2-1)

Loss: Luke Jackson (0-3)

Time: 2:37

Attendance: 40,118

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants keep finding ways to win, and Sunday, it was on a little league home run, as the Giants walked off the Rangers 3-2 to take the series.

Following Brandon Crawford’s retirement ceremony prior to the game Saturday, Sunday was your more typical laidback day at the ballpark. In fact, it felt more like a weekday game than a Sunday afternoon game. It was another tranquil gray and overcast afternoon at Oracle Park, as Northern California goes through its final bout of winter-like weather.

After Patrick Bailey fisted a walk-off single for the Giants’ fourth walk-off win of the season Saturday, the Giants were looking to take the series against the Rangers. They also had a chance to reach a new season-high nine games over .500.

Jordan Hicks, who has had a rough go of things in his return to the rotation, made the start, and he ran into problems right off the bat in the top of the first inning. Jake Burger doubled with one out, and then only moved one base to third on a squib double to left field off the bat of our old friend, Joc Pederson.

Hicks struck Adolis Garcia out on a foul tip for the second out of the inning, but Marcus Semien fisted a base-hit to right field to knock in both runs and give the Rangers a 2-0 lead.

Jack Leiter, the son of longtime starting pitcher Al Leiter, took the ball for Texas, and the Giants would have their response in the bottom of the first. Their response was a base-hit and three walks, but a response is a response, and the Giants had scored a run to make it 2-1.

Hicks settled down after his rocky top of the first, as he faced the minimum over the next three innings. Leiter, too, settled down, as he pitched scoreless innings in the bottom of the second and third.

Heliot Ramos reached on a chopper along the third base line to start the bottom of the fourth and stole second. After LaMonte Wade popped out to third for the first out of the inning, Bruce Bochy pulled Leiter for left-hander Jacob Latz. Patrick Bailey, the hero Saturday, flew out to left to get Ramos to third.

Christian Koss needed a big hit, and he came through with a base-hit to left-center. Ramos scored, and just like that, we were tied.

Hicks pitched one last scoreless inning in the top of the fifth to cap off his afternoon. It wasn’t a quality outing, but Hicks was solid after his rocky first inning. Overall, he gave up two runs and seven hits. He didn’t walk anybody, and he struck out three.

Bob Melvin brought in Hayden Birdsong, who has been dominant early on in the season, for the sixth inning. Birdsong was greeted by a rude awakening when Pederson tripled to lead off the inning, but it would be no problem. Birdsong set the side down in order without allowing Pederson to cross the plate, and the game stayed tied.

Birdsong proceeded to throw two more scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth. He struck out five in his three innings of work, and moved his ERA down to 1.13.

Camilo Doval threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the ninth, and the Giants had a chance for yet another walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth.

Bochy brought in former Giant Luke Jackson for the bottom of the ninth to face Heliot Ramos. The first pitch was a slider that Ramos chopped to the third base side of the mound. Jackson went over to his right to get it, but he flung the ball into right field. As Ramos rounded second and headed for third, first-baseman Jake Burger threw to third, and that was thrown away. Ramos scored, and the Giants won it on a walk-off little league home run.

The Giants got their fifth walk-off win of the season to improve to a new season-high nine games over .500 at 19-10. The Giants have not only gotten off to a great start this season, they have gotten off to a great start playing almost nothing but good teams.

Now, the Giants will head down to San Diego for a short two-game set against the Padres, who have cooled off a bit since their hot start. The teams will enjoy a day off Monday in San Diego, and then they will get going Tuesday night. The Giants will have their ace in Logan Webb (3-1, 1.98 ERA) on the mound, and he will be opposed by right-hander Nick Pivetta (4-1, 1.20 ERA).

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman Sun Apr 27, 2025: Hicks gets the start for Giants today; SF Bailey’s walk off single edges Rangers in ninth 3-2 Saturday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Patrick Bailey (center) is congratulated by teammates Heliot Ramos (17) and Willy Adames (right) after his walk off single that scored Ramos in the bottom of the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Apr 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey hit his fourth career walk hit as a pinch hitter that scored Heliot Ramos from as they Giants who were down at one time 2-0 came back and defeated the Texas Rangers 3-2 at Oracle Park on Saturday.

#2 The Rangers starter Tyler Mahle who came into Saturday’s game with a 3-0 ERA 0.68 got touched up for eight hits and two earned runs. The Giants were facing a tough competitor in Mahle but came away with a comeback win.

#3 The Giants Willy Adames has been key in the line up he tied the ball game in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two run RBI single. Adames now has 14 hits that has either tied up a game or gave the Giants the lead.

#4 Pitching wise Giants starter Robbie Ray went seven innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs and eight strike outs. Ray didn’t get the decision but again another good outing and enough for the Giants to pick up their 17th win of the season.

#5 The series is tied 1-1 and the stage is set for game 3 of the series today here at Oracle Park. The Rangers will be going with RHP Jack Leiter (2-0 ERA 0.90) and the Giants will be going with RHP Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.59) first pitch slated for 1:05pm PDT. It’s been a competitive series so far how do you see the match up going into the rubber match.

#6 Big tribute for former Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford who retired from baseball after playing for the Giants from 2011-2023 that brought speeches from former Giants players and Giants personnel before Saturday’s game, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, former Giants manager Bruce Bochy, and CEO Larry Baer.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bailey walks off Rangers, as Giants win 3-2 on Brandon Crawford Day

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford addresses the crowd in his retirement speech at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Brandon Crawford Day Sat Apr 26, 2025 before the Giants hosted the Texas Rangers (AP News photo)

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-12)

San Francisco Giants 3 (18-10)

Win: Ryan Walker (1-1)

Loss: Jacob Webb (2-1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 40,153

By Stephen Ruderman

Patrick Bailey capped off a festive and an exciting afternoon by sending everybody home happy with a pinch-hit walk-off base-hit to propel the Giants to a 3-2 win over Bruce Bochy’s Rangers on Brandon Crawford Day.

Even though the Giants and Rangers had a game Saturday, the only thing on anyone’s mind today was Brandon Crawford. Crawford, one of the greatest shortstops in Giants’ franchise history, and possibly the greatest shortstop in San Francisco Giants’ history, had his official retirement ceremony prior to the game.

Some of Crawford’s former teammates, including Buster Posey and Hunter Pence were there, as was his old manager, Bruce Bochy. Something tells me that having this ceremony when Bochy was in town with the Rangers was a calculated decision, and a good one at that.

Crawford, who is beginning to look the part of a retired ballplayer with noticeable gray whiskers, took to the podium and made his speech. Afterwards, Crawford threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Posey, who was in the squat behind home plate in his executive attire, and he and his family took a lap around the field.

There was of course the ballgame that was supposed to be played Saturday. The Rangers shut out the Giants in the series opener Friday night, and the Giants looked for some of the old mojo and vibes to lead them to victory Saturday.

It was also a matchup of two undefeated pitchers in Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle. Both pitchers came into today’s game with 3-0 records, though Ray’s ERA was substantially higher.

Both pitchers were slow to get their feet on the ground, Ray even more so. The Rangers plated a run off Ray in the top of the first inning, as Wyatt Langford doubled with one out; advanced to third base on an infield hit; and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jake Burger.

Mahle worked his way out of jams in the bottom of the first and second, and Ray somewhat settled down with a scoreless top of the second.

However, Ray ran into problems again in the top of the third. Well, it was really a problem, and that problem was former Giant and Willie Mac Award Winner Kevin Pillar, who played for Bochy in his final season at the helm of the Giants in 2019.

Pillar lined a base-hit to left field to start the inning. He then stole both second and third, and then he scored on the second sacrifice fly of the game by Burger.

Mahle pitched scoreless innings in the bottom of the third and the fourth. Ray got his first one, two, three inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and did the same in the top of the fifth.

Mahle had pitched four shutout innings, but he was far from dominant. He had yet to throw a one, two, three inning, as the pesky Giants did everything they could to get on the board.

The Giants would finally break through in the bottom of the fifth. Christian Koss started the inning with a base-hit to right, and Sam Huff got him over to third with a double. Mike Yastrzemski popped up to Nick Ahmed, another former Giant, at short for the first out, but Willie Adames lined a base-hit to left-center to knock in both runners and tie it.

Mahle ended up going five innings, while giving up two runs.

Robbie Ray, on the other hand, was in complete control. He threw another one, two, three inning in the sixth, and he ended up setting down 13-straight Rangers. Josh Smith broke the streak with a two-out base-hit in the top of the seventh, but Ahmed then flew out to end the inning and a really strong start for Ray.

In seven innings, Ray gave up two runs and five hits. He walked just one, and he struck out Ray. While neither pitcher got a decision in this one, Ray definitely won the battle of undefeated starting pitchers.

Tyler Rogers threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and this game sailed into the ninth. Neither team could get the lead back, and this game was going to be settled one way or another.

Ryan Walker was once again entrusted with the top of the ninth, but the Rangers pounced on him right away. Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim both singled, and Texas had runners on first and second to start the inning.

Walker was in trouble again, but he bore down. Kyle Higashioka attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but Walker got him to pop out to the catcher, Sam Huff, in foul territory. Walker then struck out Josh Smith and Joc Pederson to get out of it unscathed and with the game still tied.

The Giants went to the bottom of the ninth in perfect position to win it, and you kinda just knew they were going to win it.

Jacob Webb, who finished the bottom of the eighth for the Rangers, was back out for the bottom of the ninth. The Giants wasted no time, as Heliot Ramos singled to center, and LaMonte Wade walked on four pitches. Unlike Higashioka, Christian Koss was able to get the sacrifice bunt down, as he got the runners over to second and third.

Bob Melvin then sent in Patrick Bailey to pinch-hit for Sam Huff. Bruce Bochy countered by bringing in the left-hander, Jacob Latz, to force the switch-hitting Bailey to hit right-handed. For Bailey it was no problem. Bailey took the first pitch, a changeup at the bottom of the knees, and flipped it out to right for a base-hit, and Ramos scored to win it.

It was the Giants’ fourth walk-off win of the season, as they improve to 18-10.

Ryan Walker was rewarded for his hard work and perseverance during this long week with the win. Jacob Webb took the loss for the Rangers. And yes, Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle still remain undefeated at 3-0.

The Giants will try to win the series in the finale Sunday afternoon. Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.59 ERA), who has had some rocky starts early on, will take the ball for the Giants. Jack Leiter (2-0, 0.90 ERA), the son of former major leaguer, Al Leiter, and the nephew of former Giant, Mark Leiter, will make the start for the Rangers.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Saturday was also the fifth sellout for the Giants so far this season at Oracle Park. Since 2019, the most games the Giants have sold out in a single season at Oracle Park is 10, which they did in both 2022 and 2024.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Evoldi stymies Giants, as Verlander can’t get support in Rangers’ 2-0 shutout

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Texas Rangers starter Nathan Eovaldi deals to the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Apr 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Friday, April 25, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-11)

San Francisco Giants 0 (17-10)

Win: Nathan Evaldi (2-2)

Loss: Justin Verlander (0-2)

Save: Luke Jackson (8)

Time: 2:40

Attendance: 40,080

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants’ offense was unable to give Justin Verlander the runs he needed for his first win, as Nathan Evoldi just stymied them with six strong shutout innings and seven strikeouts, and the Rangers shutout the Giants 2-0 in the series opener Friday night at Oracle Park.

I know this next sentence is going to sound odd, but Bruce Bochy brought the Rangers into town for a 2010 World Series rematch to start what will be a series and weekend of celebrating old times.

Speaking of old times, two longtime pitchers in Nathan Evoldi and Justin Verlander squared off, as the Giants looked to build on another big comeback win yesterday. Oh yeah, and our old friend, Joc Pederson, was also on with the Rangers.

However, there was one little problem. The game would be on Apple TV, which most fans do not have, so at best, they would have to listen to Friday night’s game on the radio.

Both pitchers started off well, as they traded zeros in the first two innings. The Rangers then fired the opening salvo in the top of the third, as Jake Burger hit a leadoff double, and Wyatt Langford got him in with a two-out base hit to left field.

Evoldi continued to shut the Giants down, as he pitched a scoreless inning in the bottom of the third, and threw a one, two, three bottom of the fourth. Verlander also continues to deal, as he threw back-to-back one, two, three innings in the fourth and fifth.

Evoldi threw another scoreless inning in the bottom of the fifth, but Verlander ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. Josh Smith led off the inning with an infield hit, and up came Langford. The Ranger appeared to have made it 2-0 when Langord hit a double that bounced off the wall left-center. However, upon review, the ball had bounced up against the back wall at the left end of the Giants’ bullpen, so it was ruled a ground-rule double, and Smith was sent back to third base.

However, the Rangers would get that second run when Joc came up. Joc had snapped his brutal 0-for-41 stretch on Wednesday, so of course he would burn his old team. Joc hit a ground ball to second that hit off the glove of the diving second-baseman, Tyler Fitzgerald, into right for a base-hit, and Smith scored to make it 2-0.

Oddly enough, Verlander would get out of the rest of the inning without any further damage. Verlander struck Adolis Garcia out swinging, and he got Marcus Semien to ground into a double play to end the inning.

That did it for Verlander, who had a good night. He threw six solid innings and gave up two runs to a strong Rangers’ team.

Evoldi completed his strong night by striking out the side in a 1-2-3 bottom of the sixth. Evoldi ended up striking out seven in his six innings of work.

Randy Rodriguez pitched a pair of scoreless innings in the seventh and eighth. Ryan Walker then came in for a big outing in the top of the ninth. Walker blew a save in Anaheim on Sunday when the Giants led 4-1 in the bottom of the ninth. He then nearly blew a non-save situation on Wednesday against the Brewers before Doval came in and got the emergency save. Plain and simple, he needed a big inning.

Yesterday, Bob Melvin insisted after Camilo Doval’s second-straight save that Ryan Walker would be the man tonight. Tonight, Walker’s job was to keep the deficit at 2-0. Walker proceeded to get the one, two three inning he desperately needed.

Lefty Robert Garcia had thrown a one, two, three, bottom of the eighth, and Bruce Bochy had him go back out to face the left-handed-hitting Jung Hoo Lee to start the bottom of the ninth. Lee had the count at 2-2. Garcia’s 2-2 pitch was a fastball in on Lee that appeared to hit him on the back of his left hand.

Rangers’ catcher Kile Higashioka asked Home Plate Umpire Austin Jones to appeal down to Third Base Umpire Nestor Ceja. Ceja ruled that he went around, and Lee suffered a rough first out.

Replays then showed that the ball that hit the handle of Lee’s bat and not Lee himself, which means that it should have been a foul ball and Lee’s at-bat should still be alive. Crew Chief and First Base Umpire Todd Tichenor gathered the crew and then explained the call to the crowd.

What’s weird is that before the Rangers appealed down to third, they were the ones that would have wanted the ball to hit Lee’s bat. Now the Giants wanted that. However, since a non-hit by pitch call would not have originally benefited the Giants, they were not able to have the call reviewed according to Major League Baseball’s rules on replay.

The Giants essentially got burned and had to move on. While everything was going on, Bochy quietly brought in his closer, Luke Jackson. Jackson got Matt Chapman to ground out, and struck Wilmer Flores out to end it.

Nathan Evoldi got the win; Justin Verlander took his second loss to fall to 0-2; and Luke Jackson picked up his eighth save.

The Giants fall to 17-10, and despite their strong and exciting start, they have now weirdly been shut out for the fourth time this season, tying the Pirates for the most times shut out in Baseball. Even the best teams have their issues. The Giants have also struck out 240 times the season, the fourth-most in Baseball.

I’m not too worried about the shutouts. Weird things like that happen. However, the Giants do need to get the strikeouts down.

Saturday is Brandon Crawford day, and he will have his official retirement ceremony on the field prior to the game.

Then two undefeated pitchers will square off. Robbie Ray (3-0, 4.07 ERA) will take the ball for the Giants, and he will be opposed by Tyler Mahle (3-0, 0.68 ERA.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 p.m PT, but with Crawford’s ceremony, that could be delayed, which is worth it.

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Duca Thu Apr 24, 2025: Giants win another comeback game against Brewers

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Mike Yastrzemski (right) is congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (left) after hitting a third inning home run against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Apr 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Michael Duca:

#1 For the third time in four days the the San Francisco Giants came back from behind late in the ball game and the Milwaukee Brewers furnished the mistakes that help the Giants win three out of the last four games.

#2 The Giants just edged out the Brewers on Friday 6-5. Brewers starter Tobias Myers who was making his Brewers debut and pitched in a short start. The Brewers reliever Tyler Alexander couldn’t hold the Brewer lead in the eighth inning as the Giants picked up two runs that proved to be the game winner.

#3 Giants starter Landon Roupp whose had a couple of good outings struggled in this one pitching 3.2 innings giving up six hits, four earned runs, walked three batters and struck out two. Michael kind of get your evaluation on Roupp’s outing today?

#4 In the eighth inning the Giants Mike Yastrzemski hit a into a fielders choice to second it allowed Tyler Fitzgerald to score tying the game at 5-5. Then Willy Adames hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Christian Koss to score which gave the Giants the 6-5 lead.

#5 For the second consecutive game Camilo Doval shut the door on the Brewers although he gave up one hit and left runners on at first and second Doval got three hitters to fly out and put away the game. For Doval it’s his fifth save. Do you see him coming back with more confidence in the relief role now?

#6 Next up for the Giants Bruce Bochy and the Texas Rangers. The Rangers took a tough loss in Sacramento to the Sacramento A’s on Wednesday night 5-2 the loss evened the series up between the two clubs. The Rangers are a first place club but can struggle on the road as they are 4-7 when away from Arlington. Starting pitchers for Friday at Oracle Park for the Rangers Nathan Eovaldi RHP (1-2 ERA 2.61) for the Giants RHP Justin Verlander who is looking for his first win after five appearances. Verlander (0-1 ERA 5.47) first pitch 7:15 pm PDT at Oracle Park.

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com