Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: Lots of home runs for A’s edge Twins in ninth 7-6

Oakland A’s get a one run win over the Minnesota Twins on Sun May 16, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis to close the three game series (@Athletics image)

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 One thing you could say about the A’s they know how to save the best for the last part of the show avoiding going extra innings and getting a key run in the top of the ninth for a one run 7-6 win.

#2 Barbara, the game went back and forth the Twins were ahead at one time 4-1 and the A’s had a four run fifth to take the lead 5-4 and picked up a run in the top of the seventh and for a 6-4 lead. The Twins tied up the game in the bottom of the eighth scoring two runs.

#3 The A’s coming back to win in the top of the ninth no doubt tells you they have a good club and ball club that never gives up.

#4 The A’s also hit four homers in the game to give A’s starter Frankie Montas and the bullpen some cushion for the win.

#5 Starting pitchers for Tuesday night in Oakland vs. the visiting Houston Astros Cristan Javier (0-3 ERA 3.08) and for the A’s Sean Manaea will have another go after getting drubbed in his last outing against the Boston Red Sox at the Oakland Coliseum (3-2 ERA 4.40)

Join Jessica next Sunday for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Red Sox rout A’s 8-1; A’s Manaea shelled in first two innings for six runs

Oakland A’s starter Sean Manaea gets a new ball after surrendering a two run homer to the Boston Red Sox Bobby Dalbec as Hunter Renfroe (left) runs the bases to score ahead of Dalbec at Fenway Park in Boston on Thu May 13, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (23-16) were going for a sweep of the three-game series against the Boston Red Sox (23-16). The A’s pitching kept the potent Boston lineup quiet in the first two games of the series. The Sox scored two runs in the first game and just one run Wednesday night.

Oakland sent out lefty Sean Manaea to handle the pitching chores Thursday night. Manaea was brilliant in his last outing as he held Baltimore to one run and two hits in seven and 1/3rd innings of work. As baseball fans know, left-handed pitchers have to have pinpoint control when pitching in Fenway Park.

Lefties have to keep the ball down and away to prevent the right-handed hitters from pulling the ball and keeping in the park. Manaea was not up to the task as three of the first four Red Sox hitters pounded him for three runs. Manaea was tagged for three more in the second and could not get anyone out in the third. The Red Sox went on to win 8-1.

The Red Sox put three on the board in the first inning. Red Sox second baseman, Michael Chavis, led off with a double. Manaea retired Alex Verdugo for the first out. J.D. Martinez, usually Boston’s DH, was playing in left field. Martinez singled to drive in Chavis with the first run of the game. Xander Bogaerts was the DH. Bogaerts homered to left to put the Sox up 3-0 after one inning.

The Red sox plated three more runs in the second inning. Right-fielder Hunter Renfroe led off with a single. First baseman Bobby Dalbec homered to make it 5-0. The Sox weren’t done. Manaea walked Jonathan Arauz. Manaea retired Chavis and Verdugo. J.D.Martinez singled, sending Arauz to second. Bogaerts doubled to drive in Arauz with Boston’s sixth run. 

The Red Sox sent Manaea to the showers in the top of the third. The first three hitters, Christian Vasquez, Renfroe, and Dalbec, all singled to load the bases. A’s manager Bob Melvin had seen enough. He pulled Manaea from the game and brought in Deolis Guerra to pitch. Guerra got Arauz to hit into a double play. Vasquez scored to put the Sox in the driver’s seat 7-0 after three innings.

The Red Sox scored once in the sixth to lead 8-0. The A’s were able to put one on the board in the top of the eighth. The night belonged to Boston as they won 8-1.

Game Notes and Stats: With the loss, the A’s are now 23-16 for the year. Boston now has the same record as Oakland 23-16.

Sean Manaea’s line was two-plus innings of work. He allowed seven runs and ten hits. Sean’s record for the season is 3-2. The A’s bullpen went six innings and allowed one run. Deolis Guerra worked three innings and did allow a run. The Sox scored a run off Adam Kolarek. Reymin Guduan pitched two scoreless innings for the A’s

Garrett Richards’ line was six innings, five hits, and no runs. Richards won his third game of the year. He has two losses so far this season. Garrett Whitlock went three innings to earn his first save of the year.

The time of the game was two hours and fifty-five minutes. There were about 9300 fans in attendance on a chilly night in Boston.

The A’s are on their way to Minnesota to face the Twins for three games starting Friday night. Frankie Montas will go for Oakland. The Twins will send righty Matt Shoemaker out to handle the pitching chores. The game will start at 5:10 pm.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: What happens if A’s win World Series?; Will that save the team from leaving Oakland?

Former Oakland A’s owner Charlie O Finley who moved the club from Kansas City to Oakland in 1968 and won three World Series in a row. If the 2021 Oakland A’s can win the World Series this year will it help save the team? (Mercury News file photo)

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 What will it take to convince the Oakland City Council to realize that the Oakland A’s are a viable asset to the city? Will it take the A’s going all the way this season and winning the World Series or still that wouldn’t be good enough to save the team?

#2 A’s team president David Kaval says the A’s are committed to staying in Oakland but MLB is giving the instruction to the team to make preparations to look at other markets to possibly move to we didn’t get a chance to ask you Jerry if this is more of a pressure move by MLB or they really want the A’s to consider looking elsewhere?

#3 The A’s have been having much success they’ve won seven of their last 11 games, on the field none of the talk about them having to get a new ballpark built or they will have to move has distracted them whatsoever.

#4 Las Vegas Raiders owner Mark Davis weighed in and said that the Raiders would welcome the A’s to Las Vegas. Davis said the Oakland City Council is not capable of getting anything done from his experience with them trying to keep the Raiders in Oakland and he wouldn’t be surprised if the A’s will join the Raiders in Vegas.

#5 The A’s have had a successful series against the Boston Red Sox the will conclude the three game series tonight as A’s starter Sean Manaea who took a no hitter into the eighth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in his last outing (3-1 ERA 3.07) will start against the Boston Red Sox Garrett Richards (2-2 ERA 4.54) a 4:10pm first pitch.

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

A’s beat Red Sox 4-1 gives James Kaprielian his first Major League victory

Oakland A’s starter James Kaprielian pitches to the Boston Red Sox line up in the first inning at Fenway Park in Boston Wed May 12, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (23-15) sent James Kaprielian to the Hill Wednesday night to face the Boston Red Sox (22-16). Kaprielian was making his first Major League start. The young man from Southern California had his family in attendance, and he had to have some butterflies in his stomach at the start of the game.

The Red Sox welcomed him by scoring a run in the first inning. Kaprielian worked his way out of a jam and threw about 30 pitches in the frame. He settled down and kept the Red Sox off the board the next four innings. The A’s offense put four unanswered runs on the board, and James won his first game in the big leagues. 

The Red Sox drew first blood in the bottom of the first. Marwyn Gonzalez, who loves to hit against the A’s, got things going with a double to right field. Kaprielian walked Alex Verdugo and gave up a single to J.D. Martinez. The Red Sox had the bases loaded with no out and the chance for a big inning. Kaprielian retired the next two hitters. He walked Christian Vasquez to force in a run. Hunter Renfroe struck out to end the inning. Boston led 1-0 after one inning of play.

The A’s tied the game in the top of the fourth. With two out, Stephen Piscotty singled. Sean Murphy doubled to drive in Piscotty. The A’s scored two more in the top of the fifth. Mitch Moreland singled to start the rally. A’s shortstop Elvis Andrus doubled to center to send Moreland to third.

Jed Lowrie grounded out 6-3. Moreland scored on the play, Andrus advanced to third. Andrus scored when Eduardo Rodriguez committed a balk. The A’s led 3-1 midway through the fifth inning. Oakland added a run in the top of the seventh when Matt Olson blasted his eighth of the year. 

A’s manager Bob Melvin turned the pitching chores over to his bullpen after the fifth inning. Burch Smith pitched two perfect innings. With Lou Trivino pitching in the eighth, the Red Sox mounted a threat. With one out and men on at second and third, Red Sox catcher Christian Vasquez grounded out to Lowrie who threw to Olson.

Xander Bogaerts committed a baserunning blunder as he tried to score from third on the play. A’s first baseman, Matt Olson, threw home to nail Bogaerts trying to score. The A’s led 4-1 after eight complete.

The A’s summoned lefty Jake Diekman from the bullpen to close out the game in the ninth. Jake retired the Red Sox 1-2-3 to preserve the win for Kaprielian.

Game Notes: With the win, the A’s are now 23-15 for the year. The Red Sox are 22-16. 

Kaprielian worked five innings and allowed one run and four hits. He struck out six and walked three. Kaprielian’s father was in attendance to watch his son start his first game in the Majors. The A’s acquired James in a trade with the Yankees in 2017. The trade sent Sonny Gray to New York. The Yankees picked Kaprielian in the first round of the 2016 draft. Kaprielian missed two years of playing time due to arm injuries. 

The A’s will be attempting to sweep the Red Sox on Thursday. The A’s pitching shut down the vaunted Boston offense allowing them three runs in the first two games of the series.

The A’s will send Sean Manaea to the hill on Thursday. Manaea was outstanding in his last performance. Garrett Richards will pitch for Boston. 

The game will start at 4:10 pm on Thursday.

Oakland Wins Game One Against Boston 3-2

Oakland A’s players share congratulations after defeating the Boston Red Sox in game 1 of the three game series on Tue May 11, 2021 at Fenway Park in Boston (@Athletics photo)

Oakland Wins Game One Against Boston 3-2

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday evening the Oakland A’s took on the Boston Red Sox at the storied Fenway Park in the first of a three game series. Both teams sit in first place in their respective divisions. The series will be a challenge for the A’s. This is probably the toughest series that they have faced all year, even tougher than Tampa Bay.

Ramon Laureano is back in the lineup which is great news for Oakland. They will have to call on all their resources to match up with Boston. The Red Sox have some heavy hitters; one of them Martinez who sacrificed in the first inning driving in Verdugo. After one inning the Red Sox had taken a 1-0 lead thanks to J.D. Martinez.

Chris Bassitt was on the mound for Oakland and Nathan Eovaldi pitched for Boston. With the exception of the one run in the first inning both pitchers were having solid performances through the first three innings.

It was quiet for the A’s until the fourth inning. Seth Brown walked and Matt Olson singled bringing Brown in and the game was tied 1-1. This was proving to be a highly contested ball game. Through six innings Chris Bassitt had nine strikeouts as this game remained deadlocked.

Boston’s Darwinzon Hernandez would take over on the mount in the top of the seventh inning. The A’s had a great chance in the seventh inning with Olson on third, Lowry on first with no outs. Matt Chapman singled and Matt Olson scored to break the tie 2-1. That’s all it took and after 16 pitches the Red Sox made a pitching change bringing in veteran Adam Ottavino. Elvis Andrus would single and Chapman scored to extend the lead to 3-1 in favor of Oakland.

The seventh inning was a good one for Boston as Rafael Devers homered cutting into Oakland’s lead 3-2. This game was going down to the wire.

It was a quiet eighth inning for both teams. The A’s could get nothing going in the top of the ninth and so the game was in the hands of Jake Diekman and he came through. The Red Sox made some noise in the ninth inning but came up short and the A’s won game one of the three game series.

Preview of the A’s-Red Sox series By Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt will start against the Boston Red Sox to open the series at Fenway Park on Tue May 11, 2021. Bassitt is seen here pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays on Wed May 5, 2021 (photo from AP News)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s start a nine-game road trip Tuesday evening against the Boston Red Sox. The A’s then play three in Minnesota and finish the trip in Houston with three against the Astros.

The Red Sox and A’s have been rivals since 1901. Both teams are charter members in the American League. The A’s have represented three cities-Philadelphia, Kansas City and Oakland. The teams have played in Fenway Park since 1912. Each team has won nine World Series Championships.

The A’s and Red Sox have met four times in the AL Playoffs. The Red Sox beat the A’s in 1975 to go to the World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. The A’s sent the Red Sox home in 1988 and 1990. The A’s went to the World Series in those years. Boston beat the A’s in 2003 in the AL Division series. Boston did not make it to the World Series that year.

Both teams are in first place in their respective divisions. The A’s record is 21-15. They own a two-game lead over the Houston Astros. The Red Sox are 22-13 and are leading the New York Yankees by 3 1/2 games. The Red Sox are finishing a four-game set with the Baltimore Orioles Monday night.

The A’s have announced that righty Chris Bassitt will go for Oakland Tuesday night. Bassitt is 2-2 with an ERA of 3.70. Bassitt has pitched well for Oakland and has been reliable so far this year. The Red Sox will counter with Nathan Eovaldi. Eovaldi is 4-2 with an ERA of 4.62. In seven career starts against Oakland, Eovaldi is 1-2 with an ERA of 4.28.

On Wednesday, the Red Sox will send lefty Eduardo Rodriguez to the hill. Rodriguez is 5-0 with an ERA of 3.82. Due to injuries to Mike Fiers and Jesus Luzardo, the A’s have not announced a starter for either Wednesday or Thursday. Garrett Richards, the former Angel, will go for Boston on Thursday. Richards, this season, is 2-2 with an ERA of 4.54. In 18 games(14 starts), Richards is 3-4 with an ERA of 4.29.

The Red Sox did not fare well in the 2020 season. The ace of the staff, Chris Sale, had Tommy John surgery. Sale will pitch later this year. Eduardo Rodriguez came down with Covid-19 last year. Rodriguez had complications and missed the entire year. Nathan Eovaldi was hurt.

The Red Sox bullpen was a mess. Things have changed for Boston in 2021. The Starters have been reliable, and General Manager Chaim Bloom has rebuilt the bullpen. The Red Sox are currently in first place in the AL West. The Sox, as usual, are loaded with guys that can hit. Their designated hitter, J.D. Martinez, has been on a tear to start the season. Martinez is hitting .331 with ten home runs and 31 RBIs.

His ten dingers tie him with Shohei Ohtani for first in the AL. He leads the AL with 31 RBIs. His OPS of 1.075 is third-best in the league. Shortstop Xander Bogaerts is hitting .349. Bogaerts has seven homers and 20 RBIs. His OPS is .985. Leftfielder Alex Verdugo, who came to Boston in the trade that sent Mookie Betts to the Dodgers, is hitting .306 with four dingers and 16 RBIs.

Third baseman Rafael Devers’ batting average is .288. Devers has slammed eight home runs and driven in 28. The Red Sox will have Bobby Dalbec at first base, Marwyn Gonzalez at second. Franchy Cordero will be the centerfielder, and Hunter Renfroe will be in right field. Christian Vasquez will handle most of the catching.

The Red Sox bullpen will be staffed by Darwinzon Hernandez, Matt Andriese, Garrett Whitlock, Hirokazu Sawamura, Adam Ottavino, and the closer’s role is handled by Matt Barnes. Barnes has eight saves in eight opportunities so far this year.

The A’s need t get their offense going if they hope to have success in Fenway. The A’s need big games from Mark Canha, Ramon Laureano, Matt Olson, and Matt Chapman. The Red Sox can put a lot of runs on the board. The A’s pitchers need to shut down the Boston offense. If the A’s get good pitching, timely hitting, and solid defense, they can hold their own with Boston’s Big Boppers. The A’s would love to get the first win Tuesday night to get the road trip off on a high note.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Why is Ted Williams in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame?

Former Boston Red Sox and of Mexican heritage Ted Williams in 1941 hit for .406 a record that still stands today (photo from masslive.com)

Why is Ted Williams in The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame, was founded in San Francisco, California in 1999, registered by the State of California as a non-profit 501 (c) (3) organization. Through the years at many of the exhibits, at different cities, baseball parks, libraries and community events, people ask why Ted Williams is inducted into the museum. Few people knew Teddy Ballgame had Mexican ancestry.

He just did not tell people about it. His father was Teddy Samuel Williams. Ted Williams was named after his father and Teddy Roosevelt. His mother May Venzor, was Mexican-American, born in El Paso, Texas, about 9 miles from Ciudad Juárez, México.

In that time in history (1940’s and 1950’s) Williams did not discussed his mother’s Mexican and Basque heritage. Williams wrote in his biography, ‘My Turn at Bat’, “If I had my mother’s name, there’s no doubt I would have run into problems in those days, with the prejudices people had in Southern California”.

But Williams also had credited his uncle, Saul Venzor, teaching him to hit and throw a baseball. It’s important to understand the era and circumstances when considering why Williams didn’t discuss his mother’s Mexican and Basque heritage. During an exhibit of the museum, at the San Francisco Main Library, in downtown San Francisco, a lot of people asked why Ted Williams is in this Hall of Fame.

Obviously many people still ignore his heritage and that is understandable, since the name Ted Williams is anything but Hispanic. Included in the purpose of the museum mission, is to inform the public in this regard about the great diversity that makes the large group of nations in Latin America as well as those born in the United States of Hispanic heritage.

There are 33 different countries in Latin America, with different cultures and traditions and even different languages. As a matter of fact in Brazil (the largest country in Latinamerica) Spanish is not the predominant language, but Portuguese. Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world by territory, larger than Russia, Canada, US and China. Brazil is one of the great fútbol (soccer) powers of the world with a leading five (5) World Cup titles. But they also play baseball in Brazil.

Yan Gomes today is a catcher for the Washington Nationals. Other Brazilian-born players that have played in the Major Leagues: Paulo Orlando, Luis Gohara, Thyago Vieira and Andre Rienzo. Brazil has also participated in the World Baseball Classic.

The HHBMHOF is dedicated to recognizing the contributions made to baseball by Hispanic players. Since its inception, the HHBMHOF has inducted (74) players, coaches, broadcasters, Negro leagues Hispanic players, MLB Scorers, and Pioneer Executives. The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame, respects the heritage of all players. The museum is proud to have the great Ted Williams in its Hall of Fame. The new museum website http://www.hhbmhof.com.com Stay well and stay tuned.

Mr.Gabriel (Tito) Avila Jr. is the Founder and President of The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame and Amaury Pi-González is co-founder and Vice President. The traveling museum was founded in San Francisco and ex-Athletics and Giants players Orlando Cepeda and Tito #23 Fuentes were co-founders of the popular museum. Amaury does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Congress will be asking detailed questions as to how signs got stolen

wkyt.com photo: The Houston Astros Jose Altuve waits his turn at bat could be called as a witness to whether he was wearing a wire or electronic device that help him indicate which pitch was coming next during the 2017 season.

Amaury does the News and Commentary podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#1 There is little doubt that Congress will call witnesses and former players and current players and coaches into the sign stealing scandal to come to testify

#2 Amongst the center of the probe will be former Houston Astros manager AJ Hinch and former general manager Jeff Luhnow and current Astro Jose Altuve

#3 In the congressional inquiry congressmen will be expected to turn this scandal upside down while they get to the bottom of what exactly happened?

#4 Also in the probe look for former New York Mets manager Carlos Beltran and former Boston Red Sox manager Alex Cora to be asked what role they played while with Houston Astros

#5 Oakland A’s pitcher Mike Fiers said he had just about enough when he reported that signs were being stolen with high technology when he played with the Astros and guilt more than anything played a role into his coming forward.

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Sign-Stealing Scandal–Politician calling for Congressional Oversight Hearing

congress.gov photo: Illinois Rep Bobby Rush is calling for an official congressional investigation into the sign stealing scandal involving MLB general managers, managers, players and front office staffs

Sign-Stealing Scandal:  Politician calling for Congressional Oversight Hearing

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Representative Bobby Rush from the State of Illinois wants an official Congressional Oversight hearing on the current scandal. He had said so in a letter to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, which is in charge (among other things) of oversight of major league sports. So now the government might get involved as major league baseball is going to an unprecedented crisis.

Last time Washington D.C. got involved in a baseball scandal was 2005. The Mitchell Report – (steroids era) some players had to testify in public open hearings among those were Mark McGwire,Sammy Sosa and Rafael Palmeiro. During that scandal Barry Bonds and Bret Boone were Implicated, while others like José Canseco and Ken Caminiti admitted their use of steroids.

As the Office of the Commissioner of baseball continues this wide investigation others aside from Representative Bobby Rush are also voicing their opinions. The Los Angeles City Council is expected to vote in a resolution urging MLB to recall the World Series trophies awarded to the Astros in 2017 and Red Sox in 2018 and award them to the Dodgers instead.  Pitcher CC.Sabathia, who announced his retirement last season,said that the Yankees got cheated by the Astros and Manfred should take their away their title.

Looks like Dusty Baker is getting interviewed this Monday by the Houston Astros for their open managerial position. Good luck to a good genuine baseball man.

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum will be participating again at the Oakland Athletics Fanfest this next Saturday the 25th from 9:30AM to 3:00PM at Jack London Square. Admittance if Free. All are welcome to visit our new bilingual website https://www.hhbmhof.com/

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice of the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Bang the drum slowly; Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico; Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

abchouston13.com file photo: Former Boston Red Sox manager Joey Corey was fired on Tuesday by the Boston Red Sox after it was disclosed that he over saw the technology of sign stealing via TV monitors and plastic cans as drums when as bench coach of the Houston Astros and manager of the Red Sox

Terrible 2020 for Puerto Rico: Alex Cora is Out as Red Sox Manager

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Days after Puerto Rico was shaken by powerful earthquakes, another thing has shaken the island. A day after the Houston Astros fired their Manager and General Manager, the Boston Red Sox part ways with their manager Alex Cora. This decision directly related to the investigation of the Astros sign-stealing allegations in the 2017 season. Cora was the bench coach for the Astros in 2017 and was found to have been involved in the operations from the replay room to transmit the signs in game situations.

Commissioner Rob Manfred statement on Alex Cora: “Cora was involved in developing both the banging scheme and utilizing the replay review room to decode and transmit signs,” Manfred wrote in his findings. “Cora participated in both schemes, and through his active participation, implicitly condoned the players’ conduct. I will withhold determining the appropriate level of discipline for Cora until after the [Department of Investigations] completes its investigation of the allegations that the Red Sox engaged in impermissible electronic sign stealing in 2018 while Cora was the manager.”

Alex Cora won the World Series as manager of the Boston Red Sox in 2018, becoming the first manager born in Puerto Rico to do so. Carlos Beltrán named new manager for the New York Mets last year, after season’s end, is also under investigation as he also was part of decision making for the the Houston team.

This has been a terrible beginning of this 2020 year for the island of Puerto Rico. The recent earthquakes that continue to devastate the island and now what just happened with Cora and also potentially Carlos Beltrán also born in Puerto Rico. The difference is that Beltrán has not managed his first game yet this upcoming season.

We probably have not heard the last on the sign-stealing scandal. And there should be more to come.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez has been covering the MLB sign stealing scandal and is the Oakland A’s radio Spanish play by play announcer on KIQI 1010 and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com