Tag: Washington Nationals

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

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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.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Can A’s surprise Nationals and Cardinals on this 6 game road trip

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Oakland Athletics’ Esteury Ruiz hits a single against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Aug 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Oakland A’s (33-82), fresh off winning their first (3-2) homestand of the year, are in Washington, DC, to play three games against the Nationals this weekend. 

#2 The Nationals are in last place in the NL East Divison with a record of 50-65. The A’s hope to take two out of three from the Nats this weekend.

#3 The A’s won three out of the last five home games. A’s centerfielder Esteury Ruiz and second baseman Zack Gelof have emerged as future stars for the A’s. Ruiz is second in baseball with 46 steals. Gelof has homered six times in 22 games.

#4 Mark Kotsay continues to have his players ready. Even though they have the worst record in baseball, Kotsay has them working to improve and has his guys wanting to grind out every at-bat to get a win.

#5  Paul Blackburn (2-2 ERA 4.35) will pitch Friday night 4:05PM PT the Nationals have not announced a starter for Friday. Two teams neither will be in the post season but if you ignore that can the A’s get some road wins against the Nats?

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Preview: A’s open three game set with Washington Nationals in DC Friday

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Paul Blackburn works against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum Sat Aug 5, 2023. Blackburn will be the A’s starting pitcher this Fri Aug 11, 2023 at Nationals Park in DC (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (33-82), fresh off winning their first (3-2) homestand of the year, are in Washington, DC, to play three games against the Nationals this weekend. The Nationals are in last place in the NL East Divison with a record of 50-65. The A’s hope to take two out of three from the Nats this weekend.

The A’s have announced their starters for the series. Paul Blackburn (2-2 ERA 4.35) will pitch Friday night 4:05PM PT, Luis Medina (3-8 ERA 5.47) goes Saturday 4:05PM PT, and lefty Ken Waldichuk (2-7 ERA 6.30) pitches on Sunday 10:35PM PT. A’s skipper Marl Kotsay hopes to see improvement from Medina and Waldichuk. Both performed well in the last couple of outings.

The Nationals, playing the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday, have yet to announce their starters. Josiah Gray, MacKenzie Gore, Patrick Corbin, Trevor William, and Jake Irvin are in the Nationals’ rotation. Nats’ manager Dave Martinez will announce which pitchers will perform after Thursday’s game.

As mentioned earlier, the A’s won three out of the last five home games. A’s centerfielder Esteury Ruiz and second baseman Zack Gelof have emerged as future stars for the A’s. Ruiz is second in baseball with 46 steals. Gelof has homered six times in 22 games.

No player in A’s history has ever achieved that feat. On the IL list, Ryan Noda looks like he will be a regular at first base. The A’s pitching is another story. The A’s starting rotation’s combined ERAs are the worst in baseball. The same goes for the bullpen. There has been some improvement lately, but not enough to get the A’s out of the bottom of the barrel.

The Nationals are in rebuild mode, too. The Nats have gone from the penthouse( World Series champs in 2019) to the outhouse, last place in the NL East. Max Scherzer is gone, and Stephen Strasburg has yet to throw a pitch this year. Both pitchers were instrumental in helping Washington win the World Series.

This weekend, Key players to watch are the Nationals’ right-fielder Lane Thomas, DH Joey Meneses, catcher Kelbert Ruiz, and shortstop C.J. Abrams. Thomas is hitting.284 with 20 home runs and 67 RBIs. Meneses’ numbers are .279, 11 homers, and 63 RBIs. Ruiz is batting .244 with 12 dingers and 42 knocked in. Abrams comes in at .258, with 11 bombs and 44 RBIs.

The Nats’ close Kyle Finnegan has recorded 18 saves this year.

After the series with the Nationals, the A’s play three games with the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals have the same record as Washington, 50-65. St. Louis, normally a contender for the NL Central Division crown, finds themselves in last place. The Cardinals were sellers at the trading deadline. St. Louis sent lefty Jordan Montgomery to the Texas Rangers and Jack Flaherty to the Baltimore Orioles.

Mark Kotsay continues to have his players ready. Even though they have the worst record in baseball, Kotsay has them working to improve and has his guys wanting to grind out every at-bat to get a win. The A’s do not want to break the 1962 New York Mets’ record of 120 losses.

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

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

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: SF returns from long road trip Tuesday to host Oakland; A’s Fans invite Giants fans for Reunite the Bay at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Scott Alexander walks to the dugout after he was relieved during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in DC on Sun Jul 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The Washington Nationals who have their own troubles this season put those problems aside when the San Francisco Giants came calling. On Sunday the Nats Lance Thomas swiped four bases and Washington’s starter MacKenzie Gore went five innings and gave up four hits.

#2 The Nationals got a little of everything a home run from Riley Adams and Gore threw five shutout innings it was the first sweep for the Nats since taking two games from the Toronto Blue Jays back on Aug 2021.

#3 Giants manager Gabe Kapler said they were a lot better offense than what their showing right now. Gore and the Nats pitching staff held the Giants to just one run and their run production is off. Is this just a slump or have they got other issues to be concerned about.

#4 The Giants return back to Oracle Park Tuesday night to host the Oakland A’s. Tuesday also means Oakland A’s fans from across the bay will be encouraging Giants fans to join in the Reunite the bay. A’s fans are inviting fans to chant “Sell the team” and stand up in the top of the fifth inning for the first hitter and later start changing “Sell the team.”

#5 The Giants have been here before with a five game loss streak what are some of the things that Kapler has done to get the club back on the winning track again. Does he make changes in the line up, does he select different relievers or just push confidence up and down the roster?

Join Marko with the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Underdog Nationals Sweep Giants in 6-1 win; SF drops fifth straight game

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San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, left, relieves starting pitcher Scott Alexander, with catcher Patrick Bailey, during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in DC on Sun Jul 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

Underdog Nationals Sweep Giants in 6-1 win; SF drops fifth straight game

By Barbara Mason

Sunday the San Francisco Giants (54-45) took on the Washington Nationals (40-58) looking to avoid a sweep. The Giants lost the first two games of this series getting beaten badly in game two 10-1. The Nationals had 14 hits in that game while the Giants offense fell short with fie hits.

The Nationals Lane Thomas matched a team most stolen bases record in a game with four and helped in the 6-1 win over the Giants at Nationals Park in DC. It was the Giants fifth consecutive loss on this current road trip.

In today’s game, the Giants had two runners on base in the first inning but left them stranded. Washington loaded the bases in the first and finished the inning scoring two runs taking an early 2-0 lead. San Francisco had fallen behind early as they had in the first two games of this series. Despite their struggles this season, the Nationals sure seemed to have dialed into the Giants number.

Washington went on to score a run in the third inning and two more in the fourth for a 5-0 lead. The Nationals already had eight hits through four innings. We have seen San Francisco come from behind numerous times but lately that has not been the case. They were digging yet another hole in this game.

That hole got a little deeper in the fifth inning when Riley Adams hit a solo homer for a 6-0 Washington lead.

Starting pitcher for the Giants Scott Alexander was pulled in the first inning. He allowed two hits and two runs. Anthony Desclafani relieved Alexander but also had a rough time. Through five innings he allowed seven hits and four runs giving the Nationals that 6-0 lead.

The Giants would cut into the Nationals lead in the seventh inning. Joc Pederson hit a solo home run. That would be all that San Francisco could manage and the Giants had lost their fifth game in a row. The Nationals had their first sweep of the season with this win.

Despite the Giants being favored in all three games, the Nationals had the winning formula in this series. Washington’s pitching was a huge part of this series sweep. The lack of offense by San Francisco was what hurt them but also the pitching.

It was not their finest moment from Alex Wood to Logan Webb and finally Anthony Desciafani. All three starters struggled. Wood allowed five hits and five runs, Webb allowing five hits and six runs and finally today reliever (relieved Alexander in the first inning) Desciafani allowing eight hits and four runs.

San Francisco is looking forward to coming home to Oracle Park. They do have one game to make up in Detroit on Monday. This game is a make-up game from back on April 18. The Giants have not announced a starter and most likely will go with an opener for the Tigers Tarik Skubal will get the start (0-1 ERA 5.25) First pitch is a 10:10 AM start.

Whether it comes down to fatigue in this long road trip or not, San Francisco will be beyond relieved to come home. Tuesday night, the Giants will welcome the Oakland A’s to Oracle Park for a two game series. Projected pitchers are; for San Francisco Alex Cobb (6-3 ERA 3.15) and for Oakland Ken Waldichuk (2-6, ERA 6.75) a 6:45pm PT first pitch.

Giants Lose Fourth In a Row to Nationals 10-1

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The Washington Nationals CJ Abrams rounds the bases after connecting for his ninth home run of the season against the San Francisco Giants at Nationals Park in DC on Sat Jul 22, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants Lose Fourth In a Row to Nationals 10-1

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the San Francisco Giants (54-44) lost their third game in a row and the first game of their series with the Washington Nationals (39-58). They needed to put a stop to the string of losses and even up this series, they couldn’t do it dropping their fourth game in a row losing a in laugher to Washington 10-1 at Nationals Park in DC on Saturday night.

The Nationals had a very hot second inning scoring six runs and putting the Giants in a pretty good size hole. There was a lot of baseball left in the game with those runs coming early but San Francisco would have to really get the offense going.

The Giants got up on the scoreboard in the third inning, J.D.Davis sacrificed bringing LaMonte Wade Jr. home from third. San Francisco had scored their first run of the game and needed a whole lot more.

The Nationals made any comeback by the Giants even more challenging. Washington scored four more runs in the fourth inning. The 10-1 lead gave the Nationals control of this game.

Neither team would score for the remainder of the game.

S.F.’s pitcher Logan Webb had a tough outing. He lasted 1.1 innings giving up five hits and six runs. Sean Manaea came in to relieve. He had trouble with the Nationals as well. He allowed nine hits and four runs. It was a tough day on the mound for the Giants.

CJ Abrams continued his hot streak homering on what just so happened to be his bobblehead night. The Nationals won a game that, just like last night, had them as underdogs. The Nats will be going for the sweep Sunday and the Giants are just looking to break a four game losing streak.

First pitch is scheduled for 10:35 AM. Anthony Desclafani (4-8 ERA 4.72) will be on the mound for the Giants. The Nationals will start Mackenzie Gore (5-7 ERA 4.59).

Giants Lose Third Straight, Fall to Nationals 5-3

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Photo credit: San Francisco Giants starter Alex Wood wipes his face between pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Friday, July 21, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants took on the Washington Nationals on Friday at Nationals Park. The Giants lost 5-3 to the Nationals in their series opener. San Francisco fell to 54-44 and lost three games in a row, while Washington improved to 39-58 and ended a two-game losing skid.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured LaMonte Wade Jr., Joc Pederson, J.D. Davis, Michael Conforto, Mike Yastrzemski, Patrick Bailey, Blake Sabol, Brett Wisely, Casey Schmitt, and Alex Wood. Wood (4-4, 4.99 ERA) took the loss after pitching for four innings and giving up five hits, five earned runs, two walks, one strikeout, and two home runs.

The Giants got on the board first. J.D. Davis homered on a fly ball to right field for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Nationals quickly responded with a game-tying run and a go-ahead run in the bottom of the first inning. Lane Thomas homered on a fly ball to center field for a 1-1 tie. Keibert Ruiz doubled on a line drive to Blake Sabol. Jeimer Candelario scored for a 2-1 lead. Joey Meneses went to third base.

The Nationals added a run in the bottom of the second inning. CJ Abrams homered on a fly ball to center field for a 3-1 lead.

The Giants tied the game in the top of the third inning. Joc Pederson homered on a fly ball to right field. LaMonte Wade Jr. scored for a 3-3 tie.

The Nationals regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Michael Chavis doubled on a line drive to Blake Sabol. Stone Garrett scored for a 4-3 lead.

The Nationals extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Joey Meneses doubled on a sharp line drive to Blake Sabol. CJ Abrams scored for a 5-3 lead.

Notes
The Giants were saddened to hear about the loss of Tony Bennett, who passed away at 96 on July 21st. Bennett recorded his signature song “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” in 1962. The legendary crooner sang “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” at San Francisco City Hall in 2012 in front of over 100,000 fans in a ceremony commemorating the Giants’ 2012 World Series win.

Giants outfielder Austin Slater reached 500 MLB games played on July 20th.

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

Four-Game Split For Giants; SF loses to Reds 5-1 at Great American Park

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (left) sets up to put the tag on Cincinnati Reds base runner Luke Maile (22) in the bottom of the fourth inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Thu Jul 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Four-Game Split For Giants Losing to Reds 5-1

By Barbara Mason

Thursday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (53-43) were not only looking to get back on track but to also win the series having won the first two games. The Cincinnati Reds (52-46) was aiming to tie up the four game series. The Giants were defeated in the getaway day matinee 5-1 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati struck first putting two runs up on the scoreboard in the third inning for the 2-0 lead. The Reds Luke Maile homered with Will Benson on base.

The Reds would add to their lead in the fourth inning. Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled Jonathan India home and next up Will Benson doubled. Encarnacion-Strand scored for a 4-0 Cincinnati lead.

The Reds would top it off in the fifth inning with an India single. Jake Fraley scored giving the Reds a 5-0 lead.

Cincinnati would not score for the remainder of the game. This would have been a shut-out for the Reds had it not been for a Wilmer Flores home run in the ninth inning.

It was all Reds in this game as they split the series with the Giants. Cincinnati had 12 hits and the Giants had two. Reds pitchers Andrew Abbott and Derek Law combined for the two-hitter. Abbott went eight innings allowing one hit. Law allowed the one hit and the Flores home run.

It was tough going for San Francisco starting pitcher Alex Cobb. He allowed nine hits and five runs without a single strike-out.

Giant notes: On Wednesday the Cincinnati Reds snapped the San Francisco Giants seven-game winning streak. The Reds held onto a 3-2 lead through the eighth and ninth innings for the win.

The Giants will be taking on the Nationals Friday night in Washington for a three-game series. Alex Wood (4-3 ERA 4.53) will be the starting pitcher for the Giants and Jake Irvin (2-5 ERA 4.96)will take the mound for the Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05pm PT.

MLB All-Star Game: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. defeats Randy Arozarena 25-23 in MLB All-Star Home Run Derby

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The Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr waves to the T Mobile Field crowd in Seattle during the 2023 All Star Game Home Run Derby during introductions. Guerrero Jr was the winner for this year’s home run derby on Mon Jul 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By: Mary Anne

The 2023 MLB All-Star Home Run Derby, better known as the most anticipated baseball event of the summer, got underway at T-Mobile Park in Seattle on Monday.

Seattle Mariners star outfielder Julio Rodríguez, also known as J-Rod, was especially popular with the crowd in Seattle. Julio Rodríguez lost in the finals against then-Washington Nationals outfielder Juan Soto last summer but he became the first slugger to record multiple 30-homer rounds in a single derby.

Other sluggers included Toronto Blue Jays first baseman and designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts, Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena, New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso, Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman, Chicago White Sox outfielder Luis Robert Jr., and Texas Rangers outfielder Adolis García.

Bracket
#1 Luis Robert Jr. vs. #8 Adley Rutschman
#4 Adolis García vs. #5 Randy Arozarena
#6 Mookie Betts vs. #3 Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
#7 Pete Alonso vs. #2 Julio Rodríguez

Round 1
Arozarena defeated García 24-17.

Robert Jr. defeated Rutschman 28-27.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Betts 26-11.

Rodríguez defeated Alonso 41-21.

Round 2
Arozarena defeated Robert Jr. 35-22.

Guerrero Jr. defeated Rodríguez 21-20.

Final
Guerrero Jr. defeated Arozarena 25-23.

Up Next
The American League and the National League will battle each other in the 2023 MLB All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park on Tuesday at 5:00 pm Pacific.