Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: What really went on with Spurs Paul and Suns Durant jawing match; Coach Poppovich not expected to return this season for Spurs; plus more news

Kevin Durant (35) of the Phoenix Suns and Chris Paul (3) of the San Antonio Spurs get into a jawing match during their Thu Feb 20, 2025 contest at Frost Bank Center in San Antonio (Getty photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie, tell us a little more about what went on when the Phoenix Suns primarily mild mannered Kevin Durant went up and gave an earful to the San Antonio Spurs Chris Paul. Also Paul pulled teammate De’Aaron Fox to get between them during the exchange. Was Paul getting a little physical or was it just frustrations coming out in last Thursday’s game?

#2 Gregg Popovich is not expected to return as head coach for the for the rest of this season. Popovich after suffering from a mile stroke in November. Things got even more difficult for the Spurs with 21 year old Vic Wembanyama out for the rest of the season suffering from blood clots in his right shoulder.

#3 The Sacramento Kings try as hard as they can just couldn’t get past the Golden State Warriors at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Friday night they were defeated 132-106. It was a game where the Kings just couldn’t shut down Moses Moody and former King Buddy Hield each scoring 22 points.

#4 Spring training has begun and the Sacramento A’s were clobbered in their first Cactus League game at Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria Arizona 10-3 on Saturday. The A’s scoring for the day saw Tyler Soderstrom in the top of the first with a base hit RBI scoring Lawrence Butler. Later in the game Butler hit a 423 foot sixth inning solo shot to right center. In the seventh Daniel Susac hit a sacrifice fly to center scoring Drew Avans.

#5 Some big questions were raised if baseball is dying? The answer was due to declining TV viewership and attendance. Charlie would you also chalk up in addition MLB’s rule changes and the robo umpire that’s coming and now you have two teams the A’s and Rays playing in minor league parks as reasons that fans are turning off the game?

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Soderstrom getting around on the baseball; Erceg is back from strain injury; plus more news

Oakland A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom who hit home runs in back to back games last Sunday and Monday has impressed manager Mark Kotsay with his improved hitting. (AP News file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry:

#1 Oakland A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom hit back to back home runs one Sunday against Toronto and another Monday in San Diego. A’s manager Mark Kotsay is encouraged by Soderstrom’s improvement at the plate saying he’s getting better. Soderstrom is hitting .222 has 14 hits, 8 RBIs, and three home runs.

#2 Jerry, A’s reliever Lucas Erceg threw a 20 pitch bullpen session on Sunday. Erceg said he’s feeling healthy Kotsay said since Sunday Erceg has had no issues with the right forearm strain and came into relieve in Wednesday afternoon’s game against the Padres.

#3 Ross Stripling who has struggled all season with a 1-9 record and an ERA 5.82 is expected back in July his injury update is he’s a on a throwing program. Stripling is looking forward to increase the distance of his throws as Kotsay and the pitching coaches will determine when Stripling will be ready to see live action.

#4 Everybody is asking about Esteury Ruiz who last season lead the American League in stolen bases with 67. Ruiz is not having that kind of season this year. He’s battling a wrist injury he incurred when diving for a fly ball in the outfield in May. He was sent down to triple A Las Vegas to start the season. The A’s said there is no timetable for Ruiz’ return but he could return as soon as sometime this month.

#5 The A’s announced last week that they will be playing 10 percent of their home games away from Las Vegas to improve the team’s and the MLB brand. The A’s would play neutral site games anywhere from other minor league parks but the one top choice is they would play internationally where baseball wants to market and maybe expand.

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

Boyle, A’s defeat Angels 7-3 for 50th win

Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics continued their division rivalry series against the Los Angeles Angels on Saturday night. The A’s defeated the Angels 7-3 at Angel Stadium for their 50th win of the season. Oakland improved to 50-111, while Los Angeles fell to 72-89.

The A’s starting lineup featured Ryan Noda, Zack Gelof, Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday, Shea Langaliers, Jordan Diaz, Carlos Pérez, Nick Allen, Esteury Ruiz, and Joe Boyle. Boyle (2-0, 1.69 ERA) took the win after pitching for seven innings and giving up two hits, three earned runs, two walks, six strikeouts, and one home run.

The A’s wasted no time getting on the board. Zack Gelof homered on a fly ball to left field for an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Angels finally got on the board in the bottom of the seventh inning. Mike Moustakas was out on a sacrifice fly to Brent Rooker. Nolan Schanuel scored to tie the ballgame 1-1. Brandon Drury went to third base with two outs.

The Angels then took the lead. Logan O’Hoppe homered on a fly ball to center field. Brandon Drury scored to put the Angels up 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The A’s responded with a five-run eighth inning to regain the lead. Zack Gelof singled on a ground ball to Jo Adell. Nick Allen scored to cut the Angels’ lead to 3-2. Esteury Ruiz went to third base, while Ryan Noda went to second base. And, with Brent Rooker batting, Ruiz scored on a balk to tie the game 3-3. Noda advanced to third base on a balk, while Gelof advanced to second base on a balk. In addition, Shea Langaliers homered on a fly ball to right center field. Noda scored to extend the A’s lead to 6-3.

The A’s added a run in the top of the ninth inning. Zack Gelof singled on a ground ball to Mickey Moniak. Tyler Sodestrom scored to expand the A’s lead to 7-3. Esteury Ruiz went to third base.

Notes
Esteury Ruiz tied the AL rookie stolen base record with 66 stolen bases.

In his second season with the A’s, Dany Jiménez (reliever) represents San Cristobal, Dominican Republic, for Hispanic Heritage Month.

Up Next
The A’s will conclude their series and season with a finale against the Angels on Sunday afternoon at 12:07 pm Pacific. The A’s will start JP Sears (5-13, 4.49 ERA), but the Angels’ starter is TBD.

A’s get blown out 8-2 by the Nationals

Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics and Washington Nationals started this weekend with a three-game series at Nationals Park. The A’s lost 8-2 to the Nationals in their series opener on Friday. Oakland fell to 33-83, while Washington improved to 51-66.

The A’s starting lineup consisted of Esteury Ruiz, JJ Bleday, Zack Gelof, Seth Brown, Jordan Diaz, Tyler Soderstrom, Shea Langaliers, Lawrence Butler, Nick Allen, and Paul Blackburn. Blackburn (2-3, 4.52 ERA) took the loss after pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up eight hits, four earned runs, four walks, and three strikeouts.

The A’s quickly got on the board with two runs in the top of the first inning. Jordan Diaz singled on a line drive to Stone Garett. JJ Bleday and Zack Gelof scored for a 2-0 lead.

The Nationals cut the A’s lead in half and tied the score in the bottom of the second inning. Ildemaro Vargas singled on a ground ball to Lawrence Butler. Keibert Ruiz scored to cut the A’s lead to 2-1 as Dominic Smith went to third base. Stone Garrett singled on a ground ball to Butler. Smith scored to tie the game 2-2 as Vargas went to second base.

The Nationals took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jake Alu was out on a sacrifice fly to JJ Bleday. Ildemaro Vargas scored for a 3-2 lead with two outs.

The Nationals extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Keibert Ruiz homered on a fly ball to right center field for a 4-2 lead.

The Nationals expanded their lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ildemaro Vargas homered on a fly ball to left center field. Lane Thomas and Keibert Ruiz scored for a commanding 7-2 lead.

The Nationals added to their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Jake Alu homered on a fly ball to right center field for an 8-2 lead.

Notes
The A’s recalled Lawrence Butler from Triple-A Las Vegas, placing Tony Kemp on the paternity leave list on Friday.

On Thursday, Zack Gelof became the fastest to reach six home runs in A’s history.

Up Next
The A’s and Nationals will continue their series on Saturday at 4:05 pm Pacific.

That’s Amaury News and commentary podcast: A’s rookies break into show open Twins series; MLB owners to look at A’s documents before vote; plus more news

Oakland A’s rookies designated hitter Tyler Soderstrom (left) and second baseman Zack Gelof (right) made their MLB debut against the Minnesota Twins at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Jul 14, 2023 (USA Today photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, talk about Oakland A’s Tyler Soderstrom and Zack Gelof who both were in the line up on Friday night making their Major League debut against the Minnesota Twins how did they look?

#2 The A’s also have pitcher Freddy Tarnok do you look to see him as a middle reliever or a closer?

#3 Both pitcher Richard Lovelady and catcher Manny Pina were place on the IL before Friday night’s game how long are they expected to be out?

#4 A’s starter Ken Waldichuk got the call Friday night he was looking for the win he had a good night out on the mound keeping run total down early.

#5 Amaury, I didn’t get to interview you about Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao do you see her visit last Sunday in Seattle a last ditch effort to keep the A’s in Oakland or a hope that she could show the owners that the A’s did have something on the drawing board and it was close to fruition prior to A’s president David Kaval saying the team had a binding deal in Las Vegas?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com