Seattle Mariners Jorge Polanco (right) celebrates his three run home run with teammate Cal Raleigh (29) in the top of the fifth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays in game 2 of the ALDS at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Mon Oct 13, 2025 (AP News photo)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 How did Seattle jump out to an early lead in Game 2 (which inning, which players, what kind of hits or home runs)?
#2 How did Toronto respond in the early innings — did they tie it or get back in the game, and via what plays?
#3 Which innings saw the biggest scoring bursts by the Mariners or the Blue Jays, and who drove in the runs?
#4 Which pitchers (starter or relievers) struggled or were effective, and at what point did the momentum shift?
#5 Wednesday night Game 3 this time in Seattle at T Mobile Park starting pitchers for the Jays RHP Shane Bieber (0-0 ERA 6.75) for the M’s RHP George Kirby (0-0 ERA 2.70)
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Milwaukee Brewers Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home in the bottom of the fourth inning at American Family Park in Milwaukee to go up in the series 2-0 on the Chicago Cubs in game 2 of the National League Division Series on Mon Oct 6, 2025 (AP News photo)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 The Milwaukee Brewers moved two games ahead of the Chicago Cubs defeating the Cubs on Monday night at American Family Park in Milwaukee 7-3 in convincing fashion in game 2 in the NLDS.
#2 The Cubs are painted in a corner down 0-2 and have their backs to the wall as they send game 3 back to Chicago. The lovable losers need every inch of support from their friendly confines at Wrigley Field on Wed Oct 8.
#3 What’s happened to the New York Yankees they caved on Monday night to the Toronto Blue Jays 13-7 at Rogers Centre in Toronto.
#4 It was all Blue Jays in the second inning with two runs, in the third inning with three runs, and the Jays fans turned their ball caps inside out in the bottom of the fourth as the Jays scored six runs and put away game two as the Jays go up in the series 2-0.
#5 Yankees pitchers got lit up in game two as well starter Max Fried who suffered pitching three innings allowing eight hits, seven runs, two walks and got only one strike out, reliever Will Warren went 4.2 innings seven hits and six runs and one walk and six strikeouts. What’s happened to the Yankees pitching?
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Sacramento A’s outfielder Brent Rooker models the Sacramento uniform the A’s will use when on the road for the 2026 season. (photo by Sacramento A’s X)
MLB Notes 2025 -Giants get No Satisfaction
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-González
The San Francisco Giants got “No Satisfaction” like the great Rolling Stones song, as they ended the season with an 81-81 record, a tie, and. a .500 mark. Not going to the postseason. The Giants last qualified in 2021. They have a lot of work to do in the next few months to try to join the “big boys” of this division, LA and SD.
Mets learned that Money is not the Answer. The New York Mets, with the highest payroll in baseball, featuring Juan Soto at $765 million and Francisco Lindor at $341 million, among others, had a shot but failed to win game #162.
They are not going to the postseason. Manager Carlos Mendoza? His job is in danger. In New York, there is always danger for managers. The Cincinnati Reds had the 22nd-largest payroll among all 30 teams, approximately $90 million, and one of the best managers, Terry Francona.
They clinched a wild-card spot in the last game of the season. The last time the Reds were in a postseason was in 2020. Cleveland Guardians (formerly the Indians) completed a historic comeback, overcoming a 15 1/2 game deficit to take the lead this month and won the AL Central Division on the last day of the season by leaving the Detroit Tigers in the rear view mirror.
The feat that makes it the largest deficit ever erased to win a division in Major League Baseball history. Manager and ex-Oakland A’s catcher Stephen Vogt, in his second season as manager, took the team to the top. Blue Jays, Oh Canada!
They won the LA East Title over the Yankees. Last time the Blue Jays were in the postseason? 2016. Again, Vlad Guerrero Jr. justifies his $500 million, multi-year contract. New York, New York, Start spreading the news.
The Yankees secured a wild-card spot and advanced to the postseason as they finished in second place behind the Toronto Blue Jays. While the Blue Jays have their eyes on their third World Series title, the Yanks are going after their 28th.
Could the #1 city in the country have another parade? As I was on vacation, I ran into their last parade in Lower Manhattan in 2009, the last World Series they won. The Seattle Mariners won the AL West division, clinching their first AL West title since 2001.
Catcher Cal Raleigh had 60 home runs, 125 RBIs, and a .248 batting average. First catcher ever to hit 60 home runs in a single season, and the 12th catcher in history to have multiple 30-plus HR seasons. Cal Raleigh holds the MLB record for most home runs by a switch-hitter in a single season, surpassing Mickey Mantle’s 1961 record of 54 home runs with his 55th of the 2025 season, and, like above-mentioned, he ended with 60 home runs.
He is one of two top candidates for the AL MVP, with Yankee Aaron Judge, who won the batting title. hitting .330 with 53 home runs and 114 RBIs, plus an OPS of 1,149. The Brewers from Milwaukee ended with the best record in baseball, 97-65, winning the AL Central Division and marking their best year in franchise history.
They have never won a World Series. In 1982, they lost their only World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals, in the battle of the “beer cities.” Four million Blue. The Los Angeles Dodgers surpassed 4 million in attendance.
The Dodgers hold the record for the longest active streak of consecutive playoff appearances in MLB, a streak that stands at 13 seasons. They were the favorites to win the World Series prior to the start. With the MLB postseason underway, the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are all involved.
“All World” Ohtani hit his 55th home run during their last game of the season at Chávez Ravine. My pick for the team that could go all the way, not mentioned here, is the San Diego Padres. They have all the talent necessary to make it all the way to the 2025 World Series Champions.
A’s Big News ! The A’s biggest news at year’s end. The Athletics will be introducing a new gold/yellow alternate jersey for the 2026 season, featuring “Sacramento” written on the front, in honor of their temporary home at Sutter Health Park. Why?
Lots of people, not only in California but all over the country, had NO IDEA where the A’s were playing. I know I missed other teams that are in the postseason, but I am exhausted.
Quote: Baseball was made for kids, and grown-ups only screw it up. ~Bob Lemon Adiós muchachos!
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics hits a two run home run during the bottom of the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 28, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO–The Athletics welcomed the Kansas City Royals to Sutter Health Park for the final game of the 2025 season on Sunday afternoon.
Earlier in the day, the famously not Sacramento Athletics unveiled a new Sacramento gold jersey they will wear in 2026. The Athletics President, Marc Badain, released a statement about the decision for the new jersey.
“It’s been an unforgettable first season in West Sacramento, and this uniform is another way to celebrate the passion we’ve already felt throughout the community.”
On Sunday, the A’s fell in 9-2 fashion to finish off the regular season 76-86.
The A’s elected to go with a bullpen game on Sunday, starting things off with opener Brady Basso. Basso struggled in his one and a third innings of work as he allowed one run on three hits while walking two.
Next out of the bullpen was Tyler Ferguson, who got the last two outs of the second inning without issue.
Elvis Alvarado pitched a scoreless third inning for the A’s as he walked one and struck out two.
Mitch Spence, who proved to be the longman for the A’s on Sunday, pitched the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Spence labored and didn’t have his best stuff as he allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out one Royal hitter.
Michael Kelly came on for the seventh inning and also struggled as he only managed to get one out while allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits.
Osvaldo Bido finished off the seventh inning and also pitched the eighth, giving up two runs on two hits in his one and two thirds innings of work. He also struck out two batters and walked one.
Scott McGough pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the A’s to finish off the season on the defensive side of the field.
The A’s bats struggled all game against the Royals pitching staff. The A’s tallied seven hits and three walks in the game while scoring only two runs.
The A’s two runs came courtesy of Nick Kurtz, who hit his 36th home run of the season to get the A’s on the board in the eighth inning.
Mark Kotsay spoke about the season after the game—specifically, how he felt the team played after their nearly 20 straight loss stretch.
“…the character of the group showed up, mindset changed, and I think you saw a team that fought throughout the rest of the year to try to get back to the .500 mark and we fell short, unfortunately, but I thought we played our best baseball and the show each in the last three months with winning records.”
Kotsay was alluding to the winning records the A’s posted in July, August, and September to close out the season. The A’s were not an easy opponent in the second half and gave plenty of good teams a tough time.
Brent Rooker spoke with the media after the game, saying he was proud of how the team played even after a rough stretch during the middle of the season.
“I think when you look around the room, there’s a ton of guys that kind of established themselves this year as real pieces on a roster that can compete with those teams that made the playoffs and that’s what we’re going to do. I think we performed well, specifically three months of the season, and is pretty indicative of who we are as a team and we’re excited to go back to work this off season and come into spring training with higher expectations than we have.”
Nick Kurtz, who many regard as the next star of MLB, spoke to us on how he reflects on his first season with the A’s.
“I mean, it was awesome. It was fun, it was exciting, kind saw it all. I had personal tough at bats and tough times and we had the really highs also. As a team you also have a little bit of both as well. So I think moving on, we all learned a lot about ourselves and as a unit, what we need to do to come back here next year and get a potential playoff spot and play some October baseball.”
The A’s will open their 2026 season on the road in Toronto as they take on the Blue Jays on March 26th, 2026.
San Francisco Giant call up Bryce Eldridge replaced the injured first baseman Dominic Smith on Mon Sep 15, 2025 and went 0-3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in his big league debut at Chase Field in Phoenix (photo from Bay Area News Group)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 What happened to the San Francisco Giants after winning some 15 out of 17 games and made to third in the NL Wild Card. They ran into a brick wall losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday and Sunday and lost in a landslide on Monday night to the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-1. The Giants are now two games back of the NL Wild Card.
#2 Not ready for prime time for Bryce Eldridge? Eldridge who started Monday’s game went 0-3 against the Arizona Diamondback and is now the Giants starting first baseman after being called up from Triple A Sacramento after Dominic Smith was injured stretching at first base to make a catch doing the splits on a throw by third baseman Matt Chapman. Smith ended up with a hamstring injury. Eldridge 20 years old was ranked number 29 in the ESPN rankings for prospects.
#3 The Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette is seeking a second medical opinion for his knee injury and could return as the designated hitter. Bichette has been out since Sep 7 and was seen by Dr. Dan Cooper. Jays manager John Schneider said there was no news and that Dr. Cooper was just checking the injury for the recovery process.
#4 Nick Kurtz has really set the tone at the Sacramento A’s since breaking in. He had that four home run game, he’s up to 32 home runs and is hitting .298, 32 home runs, 112 hits, and 80 RBIs. He’s a top candidate for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
#5 The Chicago Cubs who are in first place for the NL Wild Card and are looking to shore up some pitching activated right hander Michael Soroka off the 15 day IL on Monday night against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Cubs intend to use Soroka as a reliever. Soroka threw for two innings on Monday night in the Cubs 4-0 shutout win.
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre Toronto on Sat July 19, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP)
Insomniac Lunatic Fringe Postgame with Stephen Ruderman 7-19-2025 (this show was pre recorded)
Stephen last Saturday talks about the San Francisco Giants who have lost four straight games and lost on Saturday. The Giants didn’t get shutout but lost with the Blue Jays scoring four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning with Giants pitcher Logan Webb getting the call. Eric Lauer made the start for the Blue Jays to get 13 up and 13 down.
The Giants were fouling off a lot of pitches. They were working the count but they just couldn’t get on base. Webb on the other hand was having to work in and out of trouble with runners at first and second with nobody in the bottom of the first with the Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero first pitched turned out to be a chopper to Willy Adames that turned out to be a 6-3 double play.
The Jays had a big inning with four runs scored in the bottom of the sixth inning and added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth for the final touches in their 6-3 win. The Jays would later wind up sweeping the Giants in the three game series on Sunday.
San Francisco Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) pitches against the Kansas City Royals on Tue May 20, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco and will start against the Atlanta Braves Mon Jul 21, 2025 at Truist Field in Cumberland Cobb County GA (AP file photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:
#1 Addison Barger of the Toronto Blue Jays hit a two run homer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr and George Springer slugged home runs as the Jays beat the Giants in a two run decision 8-6 last Sunday.
#2 The Giants were swept in the three game set with the Jays and the sweep for the Jays matches a franchise record for their tenth straight home win.
#3 The Giants starter Robbie Ray struggled in this one allowing five hits, five earned runs, five walks and three strike outs in 4.1 innings of work.
#4 The Giants Justin Verlander didn’t last long on Friday night he got shelled by the Jays line up with nine hits and four earned runs in 2.2 innings of work. Verlander dropped his record to 0-8. Marko do you think Verlander should move to middle relief from the starting role?
#5 Staring pitchers for Monday’s game in Atlanta for the Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (4-3, ERA 4.11) for the Braves RHP Bryce Elder (3-6, ERA 5.65) first pitch is 4:00pm PT at Truist Field in Cobb County.
#6 The White House said they want the Washington Football Team to immediately return the name to Redskins and their is talk that the Cleveland Indians name will be ordered to return. The Braves name has been offensive for some Native American tribes do you see the Redskins and Indians returning back to their old names by order of the White House which many find offensive?
Toronto Blue Jays Addison Barger watches his two run home run sail in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sun Jul 20, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP photo)
By Barbara Mason
This was another tough loss for the San Francisco Giants (52-48) getting swept by the hottest team in baseball right now the Toronto Blue Jays (58-41). The final score was 8-6. San Francisco made it close in the sixth inning pulling to within one run in the top of inning.
The Giants did have 12 hits in the game outhitting the Blue Jays who had nine. Robbie Ray had a rough outing only going 4 1/3 innings so it is back to the drawing board for the team as they continue their road trip.
Game recap: The Giants got a good start in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Heliot Ramos singled Jung Hoo Lee home but as we have seen all week, the Blue Jays came surging back tying up the game 1-1 off a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. solo home run.
The Blue Jays continued their surge scoring two runs in the third inning extending their lead 3-1. Bo Bichette doubled driving both Vladimir Guerrero and Ernie Clement home. There was no holding the red-hot Blue Jays down. They are on a mission right now whether it be pitching, defense or offense It is pure magic in Toronto right now.
In the fifth inning the Giants did score a run when Andrew Knizner singled Matt Chapman home. Every time the Giants challenged Toronto came roaring back and the fifth inning was no exception scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning taking a 7-2 lead.
George Springer had a solo home run, Alejandro Kirk singled Bo Bichette home and they finished off the inning with a two run home run courtesy of Addison Barger with Bichette on base.
San Francisco was behind the eight ball going into the sixth inning. The Giants had a very productive inning scoring four runs and they were right back in this ball game trailing by a single run 7-6.
Matt Chapman got the rally going with a two run home run. Brett Wisely came to the plate singling Dominic Smith home followed by a Jung Hoo Lee single driving Wisely home. Unfortunately Lee was thrown out trying to reach second base.
With this game being so very close, Toronto was looking for some insurance runs and they did get one in the bottom of the sixth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled George Springer home and they had an 8-6 lead which they took into the top of the ninth inning.
The Giants were three outs away from being swept in this series. Casey Schmitt and Jung Hoo Lee both grounded out, and Heliot Ramos lined out and that was the ball game and the hottest team in the American League had won the game 8-6 and swept the San Francisco Giants in their tenth win in a row at home.
It was a most disappointing game for San Francisco pitcher Robbie Ray. He did not have his best appearance allowing five hits, five runs, five walks with three strikeouts. He only lasted four 1/3 innings and Toronto had beaten two of the Giants best pitchers in Ray and yesterday Logan Webb.
Game notes: The Giants were swept on Sunday in game three of this series. San Francisco lost game one despite having 11 hits and their offense really stalled out in game two with only four hits. They did lead in game two going into the bottom of the sixth inning but the Blue Jays took the lead in that inning and never looked back. The Jays on Sunday scored four runs in the fifth inning that helped in their two run 8-6 win over the Giants.
The Giants will continue their road trip tomorrow heading into Atlanta for a three-game series with the Braves. Hayden Birdsong will take the mound for the Giants while the Braves will start Bryce Elder. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 4:15 PM.
San Francisco starter Justin Verlander who lost Fri Jul 18, 2025’s ball game dropping his record to 0-8 to the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre in Toronto is part of the talk show discussion with Stephen Ruderman (Canadian Press via AP photo)
Stephen Ruderman at sportsradioservice.com is a talk show host with his post game show following the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blues from Fri Jul 18, 2025. This show is pre recorded.
The San Francisco Giants Luis Matos (29) slide in safely under Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman (55) in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The San Francisco Giants (52-47) lost game two to the Toronto Blue Jays (57-41) now trailing in the series 2-0. The Blue Jays had four run innings in both games to win the second of this series 6-3.
Toronto was offensively on fire with every player in their lineup coming away with at least one hit and Addison Barger did a whole lot of damage with four hits.
It was a tough pill to swallow for San Francisco with only four hit in the game. The Giants had their ace Logan Webb on the mound but he all fell apart in the sixth inning when the Blue Jays scored the four runs.
Game recap: Both pitchers breezed through the first four innings. The Giants went three and out in the first four innings. The Blue Jays also struggled but they did manage three hits, a walk and Tyler Heineman was hit by a pitch. They did have a great opportunity in the second inning with a couple of singles and a walk but came up empty.
The Giants were first up on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Willy Adames hit a home run to center, a solo shot for a 1-0 lead. San Francisco would score again in the sixth inning to extend their lead to 2-0. A Heliot Ramos sacrifice drove Luis Ruiz home and the Giants with only three hits in this game had taken full advantage of the few runners reaching base in the game.
The sixth inning was another good one for the Blue Jays. Yesterday they had a four-run second inning and today another four-run inning in the sixth. taking a 4-2 lead. A couple of singles and three doubles later Toronto had put away a great inning. Addison Barger, Will Wagner and Tyler Heineman all hit doubles and Bo Bichette and Ernie Clement had singles in a huge inning for the Blue Jays.
San Francisco pushed back scoring a run in the seventh inning making this game closer trailing 3-4. Willie Adames hit a solo home run, his second of the game. With only four hits in this game San Francisco needed runners on base and while home runs are great, solo home runs only bring in a single score home. With hits few and far between for San Francisco, coming from behind is not easy with the absence of multiple runs.
Toronto capped this game off with a Tyler Heineman home run with Myles Straw on base for a 6-3 lead and that would be the final.
The Giants now trail in this series losing the first two games. They had 11 hits Friday and couldn’t even score a single run and Saturday finished with only four hits and managed three runs but it was just not enough.
The Giants have had trouble this year hitting off lefties. San Francisco allowed four run innings in both games and could not respond with runs of their own. The good start in this game for the Giants paled as the game went on.
Game notes: It was a new day for the Giants and San Francisco was looking to make it a good day but once again couldn’t overcome. Friday they suffered a disappointing loss against the Jays in game one despite having 11 hits but they just could not manufacture any runs.
San Francisco pitcher Justin Verlander who has had an awful time this season was pulled after 2 2/3 innings and dropped is win loss record to 0-8 Friday night. The Giants struggled at the plate Saturday scoring only three runs on only four hits.
The Giants sure had enough hits (11) in Friday’s game to have won the game but didn’t. Webb on Saturday gave up 11 hits and four runs. The Giants offense could only produce three runs and San Francisco fell three run short of the Blue Jays.
Sunday the Giants will be looking to avoid a sweep. They will be counting on Robbie Ray to be a part of a win in the third game of this series. He has a 9-3 win/loss record and a 2.65 ERA, The Blue Jays will start Jose Berrios who has a 5-4 win/loss record and a 3.75 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 9:05 AM PT.
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