Tag: That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Chasing No.61 — You Be The Judge

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, right, launches his 50th home run of the season as Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss, center, and home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott watch in the top of the eighth inning at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Aug 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

Chasing No.61 — You Be The Judge

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On October 1, 1961 New York Yankee outfielder Roger Maris hit his home run No.61 of the season breaking the (at that time) major league record for most home runs in one season of 60 established by Babe Ruth in 1927. Today Yankee center fielder Aaron Judge is challenging Roger Maris record as well as making a bid to become the Most Valuable Player in the American League.

Roger Maris still holds the home run record for one season in the American League and another Yankee, Aaron Judge today, 95 years later is on a pace to break that record with his first-place team.

The major league record is that of Barry Bonds of 73 home runs in 2001. However because Bonds played during the much maligned ‘steroids era’, a period of time when a number of players were believed to have used performance-enhancing drugs, resulting in increased offensive numbers, Barry Bonds record is kind of hollow, compared to the historic 61 of Roger Maris.

Bonds was not alone during that era, there are other “regular suspects” like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, José Canseco, Rafael Palmeiro whose records are also considered suspicious and therefore have lessen their impact. As a result these players with Hall of Fame statistics so far have fallen short of induction.

Beginning this Tuesday August 31, the Yankees have 33 games left this season. The Yankee have a very even schedule the rest of the way; 17 games on the road and 16 at Yankee Stadium.

The race for the MVP in the American League will be between two men, NY Yankees Aaron Judge and LA Angels Shohei Ohtani, who won it last year. In 2017 many believe that during his rookie year Aaron Judge was robbed of the MVP as he hit for .284 with 52 home runs and 114 runs batted in.

José Altuve of the Houston Astros won the MVP that season hitting for a .346 average with 24 home runs and 81 runs batted in. By the way that 2017 was also the last of the three batting titles Altuve has won so far.

I believe (and I do not have a vote) the MVP voting will be close this season. I am from the school of thinking that it should go to the player that helps his team win the Division; the Yankees are on the way to do that, while the Angels are finishing in fourth place this season.

The mere fact that Ohtani is a unique two-way player, (the most relevant since Babe Ruth) the Japanese super star, a very good hitter and a very good pitcher is going to seduce many writers to vote for him again. Let’s face it.

The national baseball media has a love affair with the Japanese super star. A relatively new baseball stat WAR, wins against replacement figures big today in the major leagues and applies to these two guys, when it comes to the MVP.

As of today Aaron Judge 50 home runs is on a pace to hit 62 home runs this year and therefore establish the new American League record. Can he do it? You be the Judge!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsadioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Dodgers Spanish announcer Jarrin prepares for retirement after 65 years in baseball; plus more commentary

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Dodger Spanish announcer Jaime Jarrin in his broadcast booth at Dodgers Stadium is good friends with Oakland A’s Spanish announcer Amaury Pi Gonzalez. Jarrin broadcasted Dodger baseball in Spanish from beginning to end of his career. (file photo Los Angeles Times)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 In recent interviews Los Angeles Dodgers Spanish radio lead announcer Jaime Jarrin reflected back on a long 65 year career. Jarrin will call it quits after the Dodgers post season.

#2 Amaury, Jaime is a Hall of Famer in the Ford C Frick wing of the Hall of Fame in talking with him what does his enshrinement mean to him.

#3 Amaury, there are a number of fans who are calling out teams who aren’t traveling their play by play announcers because they can tell by the delay on a play that is in question and something they might notice while waiting for clarification on a play that an announcer who is at a live game can call and dial up right away.

#4 Amaury, is it a matter of saving a buck for MLB teams not traveling their broadcasters and how much have has the broadcast suffered not having play by play announcers on the road?

#5 During Friday night’s game at the Coliseum relief pitcher Lou Trivino was warming up in the New York bullpen when bat boy came up to him with a No. 56 jersey Trivino was warming up with a No. 50 jersey. Trivino said after the mishap he wasn’t paying attention and it wasn’t the first time and it won’t be the last. Trivino said he might try on the No. 99 jersey Aaron Judge’s number for a little run.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Why is Arturo Moreno selling the LA Angels?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Angels owner Arte Moreno plans to sell the troubled ball club the team has even discussed moving out of Anaheim and moving to Long Beach (USA Today file photo)

Why is Arturo Moreno selling the LA Angels

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Mr. Arturo (Arte) Moreno purchased the LA Angels from Disney Corporation for $180 million in May 2003. The team is listed today with a value of over $2 Billion. Mr. Moreno when asked yesterday about a potential sale of the team said “It has been a great honor and privilege to own the Angels for 20 seasons”. I can understand why he is done with baseball.

I met Mr.Moreno when I was broadcasting Angels baseball in Spanish for Fox Sports West. Many times prior to a game he would walk into our booth (José Mota was the analyst with me for this telecast; I handled the play by play) Moreno was always jovial and engaging with us, liked to talk baseball, and was very enthusiastic about the game overall and his team, he will always say “let’s win today.”

Sometimes he would begin a conversation in Spanish. Arte Moreno is a businessman, 76 years old, who became the first Mexican-American to own a major sports team, born in Tucson, Arizona.

Some team owners are criticized (mostly by the fans) because they never seem to spend enough money for super star players. But nobody can say that about Arte Moreno. Right after he bought the team from Disney one of his first signings was the great Vladimir Guerrero, he is now in the Hall of Fame. Just before the 2019 season began he signed center fielder Mike Trout to $426.5 million, the largest contract in professional sports history.

Anthony Rendon signed a 7 year $245 million contract, with a $4 million signing bonus and this 2022 season his base salary is $36 million. Rendon, the Angels third-baseman played just 58 games in 2021, groin, knee, hamstring, hip injuries. Rendon is out this 2022 with wrist surgery.

This is what Mr. Moreno got from Anthony Rendon’s $245 million contract. Rendon played just 52 games in 2020 granted this was the covid abbreviated 60-game season, his first season with the Angels, 58 games in 2021 and just 45 games this 2022 season. That is frustrating for everybody, fans and management, but injuries are part of the game. Bad luck.

There were other signings during Moreno’s ownership that did not worked out very well. The one that I remember, as I was doing their games, was pitcher CJ Wilson who signed a $77 million 5-year contract around 2012-2015, but Wilson under performed. Prior to 2012 season Arte signed Albert Pujols to a 10-year $240 million dollars, he will be in the Hall of Fame by 2027.

Shohei Ohtani plays for Arte Moreno’s team. Arguably the most exciting player in many decades. There is nobody today with the god-given talent of this Japanese mega star. He can pitch with the best and hit (with great power) with the best, he is the whole package and just like Mike Trout a tremendous asset to the Angels organization, affable, a great teammate, totally the dream player for anybody. The American League MVP last season. Ohtani makes $5.5 million during this 2022 season, maybe the greatest bargain ever.

However, after the 2023 season Trout be an unrestricted free agent and can sign with whomever he wants. There is a good chance Mr. Moreno will not have to open the pocket-book to sign that monster of a contract that the Japanese star deserves and will probably get.

There is no mystery why this owner is selling this team. He expected a much better return on his investment and he is not having the fun he was anticipating. The Angels have been short of pitching now for a longtime, and nobody can win without pitching, even a lineup that was as loaded as the Angels.

Bad luck has run in his organization with other scandals that have been well publicized. The dead of pitcher Tyler Skaggs perhaps the biggest shocking news for the Angels.

A federal jury found former communications director Eric Kay guilty on two felony counts. The jury agreed with the government that he distributed the deadly drug fentanyl and caused the death of Angel’s pitcher Tyler Skaggs while the team was playing the Rangers in Texas.

In 2009 just a few hours after the best performance of his young and promising major league career, pitching in Anaheim against the visiting Oakland A’s, Nick Adenhart, a 22-year pitcher for the LA Angels was one of three people killed when the car they were traveling in was struck by a vehicle driven by a suspected drunken driver.

This season the Angels are lucky that the Oakland A’s began another rebuilding before the season got under way and have the cellar already reserved, otherwise they would be the occupants. The Angels occupy the fourth place and that is more than likely where they will finish this season.

Finally this year three-time American League MVP, Mike Trout has been dealing with a complicated condition, what is known as ‘costo vertebral dysfunction’ at T5 of his spine. The team has to monitor this condition for the rest of the season and also “through the rest of his career”

By the way, there is the Anaheim City Council who canned Angel Stadium deal after FBI corruption probe into City Hall.

Mr. Arte Moreno’s dream of winning a World Series, or two, during his ownership has not materialized. Ironically he bought the team from Disney (as mentioned here) in 2003; one year after the Angels won their only World Series against the San Francisco Giants. Interesting years under his ownership, but I think it was just time for him to sell, and I do not blame him. Heck, if I was him I would sell also.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for exclusive exciting Oakland action on the A’s Spanish radio flagship station on Le Grande 1010 KIQI San Francisco and for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s releasing veterans-Looking 2023

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Stephen Vogt of the Oakland A’s hits a RBI single in the top of the eighth inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Sun Aug 17, 2022 against the Houston Astros (AP News photo)

A’s Releasing Veterans – Looking to 2023

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Today the Oakland A’s released their veteran shortstop Elvis Andrus. Andrus was batting .237 with eight home runs and 30 RBI in 106 games in his second season with Oakland. He was acquired by the A’s from the Texas Rangers on Feb. 6, 2021 with Aramis Garcia for Khris Davis, Jonah Heim and Dane Acker and hit .243 with three home runs and 37 RBI in 146 games in his A’s debut last year.

The 33-year-old is a two-time All-Star (2010, 12) and left as the Rangers all-time leader in stolen bases (305). He also ranked second in games (1652), at bats (6366) and triples (48), third in runs (893) and hits (1743), fifth in doubles (303) and walks (519), seventh in RBI (636) and eighth in extra base hits (427).

Andrus has played 1,872 career games in the field, all at shortstop, which is the fifth longest career-opening streak of appearing only at shortstop in Major League history behind Derek Jeter (2674), Luis Aparicio (2583), Ozzie Smith (2511) and Alan Trammell (1910).

He is a .270 career hitter with 87 home runs and 703 RBI in 1,904 games in 14 seasons in the majors. Andrus is the active leader in stolen bases (324), is tied for fourth in triples (50), ranks sixth in hits (1948) and games (1904) and ninth in runs (994).

Elvis Andrus did a good job for the A’s, specially this year, However, if Nick Allen continues to show progress, he is more than likely their starting shortstop next season.

Other veterans that have recently gotten their release are: Jed Lowrie and Stephen Piscotty. Stephen Vogt could be next since the team just promoted their catcher prospect Shea Langeliers, from the minor leagues. The team is trying out all their young players during the last two months of the current season, to evaluate what they will have on hand for the 2023 season.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: It could be a very cold and snowy World Series this year; Fall classic could finish by Nov 7th; plus more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Major League Baseball released the post season schedule and the World Series could possibly end on Nov 7th, 2022 the latest for any game in baseball history. The photo illustrates how that might look like. ( file photo by WILX TV 10 in Onondaga Michigan)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, Major League Baseball announced the post season schedule for 2022 and the World Series could finish by Nov 7th in game 7 by then it could be cold and snowy. That was the talk amongst the media that playing the World Series in November is a bad idea.

#2 None the less MLB is going to get as many post season games on their schedule as they can more eyeballs on the games and more advertising to be sold baseball is seeing dollar signs by playing into the first week of November.

#3 The Los Angeles Dodgers will lose one of their key pitchers as Walker Buehler will be out of action for the rest of the season due to elbow surgery Buehler is one of the Dodgers key pitchers talk about how this will effect the club.

#4 Amaury, Jonathan Papelbon on WEEI Boston radio said the whole Fernando Tatis Jr thing really enrages him. Papeldon said he played the game the right way. Papelbon said the way he feels right now if he were a pitcher he would drill him everytime he came up. Tatis is suspended from MLB for 80 games for using performance enhancers. Papelbon said if this continues the Padres are going to fall by the wayside.

#5 Amaury, talk about the nice introduction that Boston Red Sox fans gave Andrew Benintendi the former Sox player when he came up to bat in a New York Yankees uniform. Not too many Yankees that were former Red Sox players get a nice smattering of applause from the Fenway crowd like Benintendi did.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s fire sale of players appearances

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Oakland A’s outfielder Yoenis Cespedes was one of the seven A’s All Stars that was dealt away from Oakland. Cespedes played in Oakland for two seasons 2012 and 2013 before leaving for the New York Mets (bleacherreport.com file photo)

A’s Fire Sale of Players and Playoff Appearances

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

No, it is not “Breaking News” that the Oakland A’s will not be in the postseason this year. After all, and with all the changes of players around Spring Training you not-needed-to-be Albert Einstein to realize they were not going to compete.

Now, the possibility of losing 100 games is very realistic with some 40-plus games left this season. Since they moved from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968 only in 1979 the A’s lost 100 or more games (54-108) Coming to the last part of the 2022 season the A’s have done what they have been doing for most of the 2000’s.

It has been the history of the A’s to get rid of star players with good salaries for younger players, mostly rookies that could become stars in the years to come. Unloading payroll while clinging to the narrative that they play in a small market.

A’s play in the Bay Area and this is not Kansas City or Milwaukee, this is not a small market. While it might not be Los Angeles, New York or Chicago the Oakland A’s play in the Bay Area, this is at least a “medium size” market, but not small by any means. The Bay Area had a record high 7.77 million people last year (US Census)

Remember 2014? I do, that is only eight years ago. These seven A’s players were All Stars: Yoenis Céspedes, Josh Donaldson, Jeff Samardzija, Scott Kazmir, Sean Doolittle, Derek Norris and Brandon Moss. Soon they left and the A’s brought another group of younger and role players.

This is nothing new. Although a World Series championship has not been produced with this system, the Oakland A’s is one of the top five (5) franchises in postseason appearances during the 2000s.

Below are the teams with the most playoff appearances in the 2000s Yankees (18) Cardinals (15) Braves (13) Dodgers (13) Athletics (11)

Note: The term Fire Sale originated in the late 19th century, around the time of the Great Chicago Fire. When goods were damaged by fire, merchants would quickly sell them off to raise capital. Although becoming famous for the “Fire Sale”, the A’s are not alone, there are other MLB teams that also dumps payroll by trading expensive players for marginal players and prospects.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Celebrate 2022 Class of Hall of Fame Inductees

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

A’s Celebrate 2022 Class of Hall of Fame Inductees

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

From left to right Amaury Pi Gonzalez author (left), former Oakland A’s players Joe Rudi (center) and Shooty Mack Babbitt (left) enjoy the festivities at the 2022 Class of Hall of Fame Inductees at the Claremont Club Spa in Berkeley on Sun Aug 7, 2022 (photo from Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

OAKLAND–Sunday night, at the swanky and iconic Claremont Club and Spa in the Berkeley hills with breathtaking views of San Francisco, the Oakland Athletics celebrated their 2022 Class of Hall of Fame inductees with a bevy of past and present A’s stars.

A’s President Dave Kaval was master of ceremonies during a very happy group of players and their families representatives. 1972 World Champion Joe Rudi, Steve Vucinich, former A’s Clubhouse Manager, Keith Lieppman Special Advisor to Player Development, the family of “Captain Sal” Bando, family members of A’s third-baseman Eric Chávez, the wife and family of A’s broadcaster Ray Fosse. Ex-A’s owner Charlie Finley’s son and his family were also in attendance.

A’s Broadcasters Ken Korach, Vince Cotroneo, Glen Kuiper, Bip Roberts, Shooty Babitt, Chris Townsend, Manolo Hernández-Douen and yours truly sitting at the broadcasters tables. I had the chance of meeting the son of A’s owner Charlie Finley and his family.

My wife Gail night was made complete by a hug and kiss by A’s legend Rickey Henderson, in my opinion the best player ever in the history of the Oakland A’s. She thanked him for the great memories.

Rickey who is also in the National Baseball Hall of Fame at Cooperstown looked as happy as ever, as well as Vida Blue and friends. With background music playing hits from the 1970’s and 1980’s everybody had a great time. Muchas gracias, and Kudos to Melissa Guzmán, A’s Manager Alumni and Family Relations.

Reminiscing with Rickey Henderson that first named “million dollar outfield” during his rookie season in 1979 when he played left field, Dwayne Murphy center, and Tony Armas right.

I was broadcasting A’s in 1979 and I told Rickey his stolen base record is safe, nobody in our lifetime is going to tie or break his record, Rickey responded, “they do not play like that now”. Which is true, who steals bases anymore?

Another ex-player (anonymous) told me “today’s game is boring, all they do is hit home runs”, when I said, yes and everybody hits .220 also, he smiled and say “you got it”.

The A’s “got it” Sunday night, celebrating their glorious past. When it comes to celebrating the history, baseball is the king of sports. The Library of Congress is the home of the largest baseball-related collection in the world. There are more books written about baseball than any other sport.

Just In:

Oakland A’s fans can now vote to help select a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Members of the Athletics Hall of Fame are also voted on by a committee of A’s front office personnel, Athletics Hall of Famers, and the media. Fans can cast a vote until Sunday, Sept. 11, at athletics.com/fans .

Former Oakland players on the 2023 fan ballot include Jose Canseco, Coco Crisp, Mark Ellis, Jason Giambi, Dick Green, Dave Henderson, Ramon Hernandez, Ken Holtzman, Rick Honeycutt, Tim Hudson, Carney Lansford, Mike Moore, Mark Mulder, Dwayne Murphy, Mike Norris, John “Blue Moon” Odom, Tony Phillips, Terry Steinbach, Gene Tenace, Miguel Tejada, Bob Welch, and Barry Zito.

The full Class of 2023 will be announced during A’s Fan Appreciation Weekend in September. Fans can vote now until Sunday, Sept. 11, at athletics.com/fans.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: It’s the last time the Giants and A’s battle this season

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants hitter Luis Gonzalez takes the Chicago Cubs pitching deep on Sat Jul 30, 2022 in the bottom of the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Gonzalez has the highest batting average .283 coming into the two game series against the Oakland A’s at the Coliseum this weekend (AP News photo file)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

It would be easier for me to grow another arm than for the San Francisco Giants or the Oakland A’s to make it to post season for this season as these two teams will be on the same field this weekend at the Oakland Coliseum.

Big crowds are expected on for the weekend series around 40,000 predicted on Saturday and the A’s are expecting more on Sunday. Most of those sales are from Giants fans because when you win 107 games like the Giants did last season you sell a lot of tickets for the next year.

There also was a lot of hope that the Giants would be in the race this year but it’s either going to be the San Diego Padres or the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants won’t make it as a wild card and they certainly won’t win the division.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: An International Trade is made Public

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

From left to right, Viktor Bout “The Merchant of Death” for Brittney Griner WNBA star and US Marine Paul Whelan could be made in a prisoner exchange as talks between the US and Russian governments continue (file photos from CNN News)

An International Trade is made Public

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Brittney Griner is a WNBA star with the Phoenix Mercury. She is the only NCAA and professional basketball player to both score 2,000 points and block 500 shots. Without a doubt one of the WNBA’s biggest stars. Griner was in Russia playing for the basketball team UMMC Ekaterinburg during the WNBA off-season.

In February she was detained at Moscow Airport and has been in custody since then. Griner is accused of having vape cartridges containing cannabis oil in her luggage as she was trying to board a flight back to the US.

The US offered Russia a trade in order to free Brittney Griner. In this trade-deal the United States would send back to Russia convicted arms dealer Viktor Bout, aka “The Merchant of Death” for Griner and also American Paul Whelan, who is also in a Russian jail.

This is very unusual. In the great majority of these types of international prisoners trades, the US never releases the information of what they are proposing. The US releases the information after the trade is consummated.

Usually the US government informs the media after the Americans are secured and coming back to their country. The same is when the US announces to the world that they have captured or killed a terrorist, they do not make the announcement before.

In another interesting piece of information, the US government also announced that this proposal was done months ago and they still have not heard any positive response from the Russian government. Today this is a very tough and delicate predicament for Griner who has been there since Russia invaded Ukraine and is caught in the middle of a very tense situation.

Sometimes we here in the US are very naive when we travel abroad, and forget that what in our free country is just a misdemeanor in other countries is a felony and in this case an international crisis.

This is not about basketball but about the tough job of diplomacy between two countries that for many decades (back to the Cold War) have never liked each other.

Griner is facing a ten year sentence if she is convicted and not released because she was carrying cannabis oil inside her luggage.

If this would have happened before the Russian-Ukraine war, chances are we might not even have known about it, and Griner would have been home for months, but she is very unlucky that this happened when a war was just beginning.

The US has sent Ukraine billions of dollars in weapons of war, supporting the fight against Russia. The US, although not involved with soldiers, is fighting Russia. This is the typical proxy war.

All this above sounds like at least a made-for-TV movie or even a feature film in Hollywood. Unfortunately we are all witnessing this as it happens, in real time, in this real crazy world it is more like a Live Reality Show with international consequences.

My hopes are that Brittney Griner can gain her freedom soon and return to her family in the United States.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaruy News and Commentary podcast: Can A’s win another series against Astros again?; Houston and Oakland up for three game set tonight at Coliseum

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s right hander Adam Oller faces the visiting Houston Astros at the Oakland Coliseum on Mon Jul 25, 2022 to open a three game series. Oller is looking for his first win of the season. (San Francisco Chronicle file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The Oakland A’s (35-63) Houston Astros (64-32) square off here at the Oakland Coliseum tonight for the first of three in a row. The Astros one of the hottest teams in baseball and will be starting Jake Ordorizzi who is 4-2 with an ERA 3.56 has won four of his last seven games.

#2 The A’s will be starting right hander Adam Oller (0-3, 8.56) Oller had no decision in his last start against these very same Astros on July 17th. Oller tied his previous strike out high of retiring three batters. Oller did give up two solo home runs to the Houston Astros Kyle Tucker.

#3 The Astros have won five straight games defeating the New York Yankees in a two game series then sweeping the Seattle Mariners in three games.

#4 The last time the A’s faced the Astros was at Minute Field Jul 15-17th at Minute Maid Field in Houston. The A’s won the series taking two out of three no easy accomplishment. Can

#5 Amaury on Paul Blackburn just big surprised that he was racked up the way he was against the Texas Rangers they way he was on Sunday afternoon giving up ten runs on ten hits. Was it just a matter of he was missing with pitches or were the Rangers yesterday just seeing the ball very well.

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