Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open up two game series with Diamondbacks Tuesday night at Coliseum

Oakland A’s reliever Sergio Romo throws in relief in the sixth against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Sun Jun 6, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Oakland A’s (35-26) took two out of three games from the Colorado Rockies (24-36) over the weekend series at Coors Field in Denver losing the third game on Sunday 3-1. Elvis Andrus and Tony Kemp have helped offensively and at short and second defensively.

#2 Despite the loss on Sunday the A’s hold a one game lead over the Houston Astros and have been getting some key pitching.

#3 In the two games that the A’s won against the Rockies on Saturday night in the second game, A’s starter Cole Irvin pitched six innings, six hits and one run for the win 6-3.

#4 The A’s got a four run win over the Rockies on Friday night 9-5 and A’s starter Frankie Montas went five innings giving up six hits and three earned runs.

#5 The A’s host the Arizona Diamondbacks (20-41) on Tuesday night Jon Duplantier (0-1 ERA 9.35) will start for Arizona and the A’s will go with starter Chris Bassitt (5-2 ERA 3.53) Barbara talk about this match up.

Join Barbara Mason each Monday for the A’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Takes Game Two in Colorado 6-3

Oakland A’s get to celebrate again with a win over the Colorado Rockies in game two of the series on Saturday night Jun 4, 2021 at Coors Field (@Athletics photo)

Oakland Takes Game Two In Colorado 6-3

By Barbara Mason

Last night the Oakland A’s (35-25) held on to beat the Colorado Rockies (23-36) 9-5. Colorado made several bids to challenge the A’s lead but fell short.

Saturday night both teams clashed again in Game Two. It was a great start in the opening inning for Oakland taking a 2-0 lead when Matt Olson hit a home run and Mark Canha who was on second base scored.

The Rockies answered in the first inning scoring one run and the score going into the second inning was 2-1.

The third inning belonged to Chad Pinder who blistered a home run into the left field deck to extend Oakland’s lead to 3-1. Next at bat was the dangerous Matt Olson who was hit by Rockies pitcher Kyle Freeland. Matt Chapman hit into a double play allowing Matt Olson to score. After three innings the A’s led 4-1.

It was quiet for both teams in the fourth inning but the A’s got hot in the fifth inning when Matt Chapman sacrificed driving in Chad Pinder for a run and a 5-1 lead.

It was a three up three down for the Rockies and the A’s in the sixth inning. Oakland’s Irvin had pitched through six innings. Jesus Luzardo would come onto the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning.

After yesterday’s game we all saw the late inning run that the Rockies excel in. We saw this again in the seventh inning of this game. Colorado’s Brendan Rodgers hit a home run and Elias Diaz scored and just like that it was a baseball game again 5-3.

The Rockies Charlie Blackmon did have a hit in the eighth inning but his team could not capitalize and so no damage was done to Oakland’s lead and it was on to the ninth inning.

Tony Kemp had a nice triple to right in the ninth inning. Mark Canha would follow with a single driving Kemp home and the A’s had a nice insurance run on the board 6-3. Lou Trivino would come in to try to save the game for the A’s.

Trivino did indeed save this game thanks in part to an amazing catch by Mark Canha in center field. The offense of the A’s continues to crank and with some amazing defensive play Oakland is looking impressive going in to game three tomorrow. First pitch is at 12:10 PM.

Offensive Fireworks By Oakland Beats Colorado 9-5

The Oakland A’s rallied for four runs in the top of the third inning to defeat the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on Fri Jun 4, 2021 in Denver (@Athletics photo)

Offensive Fireworks By Oakland Beats Colorado 9-5

By Barbara Mason

After some offensive struggles the Oakland A’s (34-25) finished up their last series against the Seattle Mariners with not only some great defensive play but getting back on track offensively winning the series after dropping the first of the three game series.

Tonight the A’s were back on the field in a three game series against the Colorado Rockies (23-35) looking for more great offensive play. Frankie Montas was on the mound for Oakland and Jon Gray for the Rockies. The A’s offense went to work once again with a four run rally in the top of the third inning as the A’s defeated the Colorado Rockies to open the series 9-5 at Coors Field.

The A’s did not waste any time scoring in the first inning. Matt Olson hit a double and Mark Canha who was on second scored for the early 1-0 lead.

Oakland extended their lead in the second inning when Sean Murphy hit his 6th home run of the season for a 2-0 lead.

The A’s Mark Canha would hit a home run in the third inning, his 11th of the season. The offense was on fire and showed no signs of letting down. Matt Olson would single, Brown walked, Lowrie singled scoring Brown. Matt Chapman would sacrifice and drive in Lowrie.

The A’s had 4 runs, 4 hits and a 6-0 lead. The Rockies would have a nice third inning scoring two runs off of hits by Tapia, Daza and Fuentes. The score after three innings was 6-2 in favor of the A’s.

The Rockies would score a run in the fourth inning . It was a quiet fifth inning for both teams going three up three out.

Oakland got something going in the sixth inning. Mark Canha would hit a double bringing in Matt Chapman who had singled. The A’s now led by the score of 7-3 after six innings.

This was offense at it’s finest for Oakland. Sean Murphy hit a double in the seventh inning bringing in Jed Lowrie and now the score stood at 8-3 for the A’s.

The Rockies did rally a number of times but Oakland was able to hang onto the lead. The A’s would finish off the game with a double play. The final score was 9-5. Oakland had scored in six of the nine innings in this game. First pitch in tomorrow’s game will be at 6:10 PM

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s just above water with one game lead over Houston

The Oakland A’s Mitch Mooreland gets congratulations in the dugout on Wed Jun 2, 2021 in Seattle after hitting a two run home run against the Seattle Mariners at T Mobile Park. Mooreland and the A’s will face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field Fri Jun 3, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, a little something different for the Oakland A’s (33-25) as they head into Denver to play the Colorado Rockies (23-34). The A’s will be playing in National League park no designated hitter how much of a pitching advantage will that be for the Rockies?

#2 The Rockies are in fourth in the National League West and have a good home record at 18-12 could that mean an interesting series in Denver?

#3 The A’s have an upper hand they have a good road record at 16-8 and could a park like Coors Field be used to their advantage as the A’s need wins in this series to catch up with the Astros who are right behind them in the standings.

#4 A recent article was written about the disadvantages of broadcasting games remotely. You don’t get to see some of the things you might catch when your at the ball park broadcasting since Covid how has this impacted radio coverage in baseball?

#5 Jeremiah talk about the pitching match ups for tonight’s game in Denver starting for the A’s Frankie Montas (5-5 ERA 4.45) and for the Rockies Jon Gray (4-2 ERA 4.45)

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

Preview of the A’s three-game series against the Colorado Rockies

Oakland A’s manager Bob Melvin seen here in Seattle against the Seattle Mariners on Wed Jun 2, 2021 will lead the A’s against the Colorado Rockies on Fri Jun 4, 2021 at Coors Field in Denver (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (33-25) will be in Denver to play a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies (22-34) starting Friday night. The A’s own a modest two-game winning streak and are hoping to extend the streak to five. Things will be slightly different for Oakland as they are playing in a National League park, and the A’s will not be able to use the Designated Hitter. The A’s pitchers will be taking batting practice as they will have to go to the plate and be ready to hit.

The Rockies are currently in fourth place in the National League West. The Rockies’ record for the season is 22-34. That will change as they are playing the Texas Rangers on Thursday. The Rockies are very good at home as they are 18-12. On the road, it’s a different story. Their road record is underwhelming as they have won four and lost twenty-two. The A’s, on the other hand, are great on the road. They are 16-8, while their home record is just 17-17.

Frankie Monras will go for Oakland Friday night. Montas is 5-5 with an ERA of 4.45. Montas has lost his last three starts but has pitched well, posting an ERA of 3.24. Montas is 0-2 in two starts against Colorado. Rockies’ manager Bud Black will send righty Jon Gray to face the A’s. Gray is 4-2 with an ERA of 4.45.

On Saturday lefty Cole Irvin will be on the mound for the A’s. Irvin has not done well in his last three starts. The lefty has allowed at least four earned runs in each start. Lefty Kyle Freeland (0-0, 4.50 ERA) will go for the Rocks. On Sunday, James Kaprelian will be on the hill for the A’s. Kaprielian is 2-0 with an ERA of 2.95. In his last start against Seattle, Kaprielian went three and 2/3rds innings and was tagged for four runs. The Rockies will counter with German Marquez (3-5, 4.13 ERA).

The Rockies traded their best player, Nolan Arenado, to the St. Louis Cardinals before the 2021 season. There are rumors that their star shortstop, Trevor Story, will be traded before or at the trading deadline. Currently, on the 10-day IL, Story will be a free agent at the end of the year.

The Rockies still have players that the A’s will have to handle. Rockies’ right fielder, Charlie Blackmon, is having a down year. Blackmon, a career .300 hitter, is hitting .250 with three home runs and 26 RBIs. The A’s pitchers will be hoping that Blackmon doesn’t find his stroke in the series.

Another player the A’s are familiar with is first baseman C.J.Cron. The A’s faced Cron many times when he was with the LA Angels. Cron is hitting .275 with five dingers and 18 RBIs. Their new third baseman, Ryan McMahon, is making a name for himself. His batting average is .259, and he has 13 homers and 32 RBI’s to his credit.

The A’s offense woke up in the last two games against the Mariners. The A’s had 23 hits in the last two games and scored 18 runs. A’s shortstop, Elvis Andrus, is hitting over .300 for the last three weeks. Tony Kemp had five RBIs in Tuesday’s game in Seattle. Matt Chapman, struggling at the plate, had two hits Wednesday night. Matt Olson had three. Mitch Morland blasted a 444-foot monster home run Wednesday night.

The A’s lead in the West is precarious. The Houston Astros are just 1/2 game the A’s in the race for first place in the AL West. The Astros have won four in a row. They have won the last three against the Boston Red Sox and will be going for a sweep of the four-game set Thursday afternoon. A Houston win will tie the A’s for first place. A loss will put them a game behind Oakland.

The A’s will be ready for the Rockies as they have an off-day on Thursday after playing 17 consecutive days. Oakland will need their starters to pitch well. The Rockies would love nothing more than to upset the A’s plans. The series starts Friday night at Coors Field at 5:40 pm.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Angels-Giants open two game series today at Oracle Park

LaMonte Wade arrives at first base after hitting a single against the Colorado Rockies in second inning as he talks things over with first base coach Antoan Richardson (00) on Apr 11, 2021. Wade had played first base on Fri May 28th in Los Angeles from his usual outfield position (file photo from the San Francisco Chronicle)

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris talk a little about the addition of the San Francisco Giants LaMonte Wade who was put into the role of first baseman on Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wade normally is a lead off hitter and plays outfield. Wade scored twice and had a hit and two walks to help the Giants in an extra inning 8-5 win.

#2 The Giants have three first baseman who were hurt in the Dodgers series in LA, Brandon Belt who out with a oblique strain, Darin Ruf out with a hamstring and Wilmer Flores just returned on Saturday night from a hamstring injury.

#3 Giants manager Gabe Kapler talking about the Ruf and Flores injuries saying that hamstrings are tricky and said the team doesn’t want to go to far out in advance. The Flores return Saturday was observed by Kapler and the training staff as Flores got through the game alright. Flores he had some good at bats during his return on Saturday three at bats, three hits, two runs scored, one RBI.

#4 The Giants Austin Slater and Mauricio Dubon took Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw deep which helped the Giants just get by the Dodgers 5-4 Sunday and take three out of four from LA in the series.

#5 It’s back to Oracle Park for a Memorial Day game as the Los Angeles Angels come to San Francisco to open up a two game interleague series with the Giants. Pitching match ups for the Angels and Giants have not been announced as of Monday morning yet. Morris set this series up for us.

Join Morris for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants day off report: Cueto and Yastrzemski expected to return this weekend

San Francisco Giants pitcher Johnny Cueto throws against the Cincinnati Reds line up on Apr 14, 2021 is expected to return to the Giants pitching rotation by this weekend against the San Diego Padres (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants had Thursday off before they start a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Friday.

After falling to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday and losing the series, the Giants could use some good news, and they got it.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Johnny Cueto, who has not pitched since April 14 due to a minor lat injury, will be back in the rotation this weekend. Cueto will start on Sunday against the Padres, which will be his fourth start of the season.

In the three games he’s pitched so far this year, Cueto has a 1.80 ERA, a 1.91 FIP and 18 strikeouts to four walks in only 20 innings on the mound. Cueto will replace Logan Webb, who struck out five and walked three in just 3 2/3 innings in Wednesday’s 6-5 loss to the Rockies at Coors Field.

Additionally, who has been out since April 25, is expected to return this weekend.

Kapler hopes that Buster Posey, who left the game on Wednesday with a sore hamstring, benefited from the day off and will be back in action this weekend.

After the game on Wednesday, the Giants optioned catcher Joey Bart back out to Triple-A Sacramento, where he will start the River Cats season.

Perhaps the biggest news on the Giants’ day off was celebrating the 90th birthday of legendary center fielder Willie Mays. The Say Hey Kid spent nearly all of his 22 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Giants. The Giants filled their Twitter account with birthday messages and retweets honoring the Hall of Famer,

In addition, the Giants Community Fund introduced the Willie Mays Scholars, a program dedicated to addressing racial and educational inequities by providing black youth in San Francisco with scholarships of up to $20,000 and academic support.

Rockies edge Giants 6-5; Rox starter Gray goes six allows two runs

Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Jon Gray throws to the San Francisco Giants line up at Coors Field in Denver on Wed May 5, 2021 (AP News photo) 

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants fell 6-5 to the Colorado Rockies on Wednesday, dropping the series to the worst team in the division and going 2-4 in the road trip.

Right hand pitcher Jon Gray tossed six solid innings and struck out eight at Coors Field. Gray allowed two runs and four hits and improved 4-0 in his five starts at home, where he said he feels “comfortable.”

“It’s home for me and I know I can outpitch the other guy,” Gray said.

Brandon Crawford had a two-run homer in the second inning. He said he feels “good at the plate” and has been able to lay off pitches he was swinging early on.

“Been able to square balls up recently and when you square balls up in Colorado they typically seem to go a long way,” Crawford said.

Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb began strong, retiring the first 10 players at bat. But Colorado made inroads in the fourth inning, with Charlie Blackmon hitting a two-run single that tied the game. A walk loaded the bases and Webb was done after Alan Trejo got an RBI with a four-pitch walk.

“That last one was tough,” Webb said.

Gray continued his good afternoon with an RBI single. Then Raimel Tapia hit a two-run single that put the Rockies up 6-2.

Webb struck out five and walked three in just 3 2/3 innings.

Darin Ruf hit a two-run homer to put the Giants within two runs in the seventh inning, but they were not able to catch up to Colorado.

Giants catcher Buster Posey left in the fifth inning due to a tight right hamstring.

Manager Gabe Kapler said Posey’s whole lower half has been tight and they did not want to risk him getting further injured.

“I’m optimistic Buster will be fine and be in the lineup on Friday,” Kapler said.

The Giants open a three-game series against the San Diego Padres on Friday with right hand pitcher Anthony DeSclafani on the mound. First pitch is at 6:45 p.m.

Giants and Rockies split doubleheader at Coors Field; Giants win front game 12-4; Rox win night cap 8-6

The San Francisco Giants Brandon Belt is congratulated as he scores after hitting a two run homer in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in game two of the doubleheader on Tue May 4, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Only three players remain from the glory years of the San Francisco Giants, and all three of them came through in a big way in the first game of a doubleheader.

Brandon Belt hit a grand slam in the top of the first inning, and then four pitches later, Buster Posey hit a solo home run and the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 12-4 at Coors Field.

The Giants ended up scoring 10 runs in that opening frame, as they chased Rockies starter German Marquez after just 0.2 innings, as he allowed eight runs and six hits, as he lost to the Giants for the third time this season.

Both Belt and Posey each picked up three hits in the rout, and it was the seventh home run of the season for Posey, who sat the 2020 to be at home with his newly adopted twins.

Brandon Crawford hit a two-run home run off of Lucas Gilbreath in the top of the sixth inning, as the teams were making up Mondays rainout.

Newly acquired Mike Tauchman batted in the leadoff spot for the first time since arriving, and scored two runs in the top of the first inning, as he doubled to lead off the game against Marquez. Tauchman later walked in the inning, as the Giants reached double figures in the first inning since they scored 11 runs in the opening frame against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29, 1967.

Not only did the Giants score 10 runs in that first inning, as they picked up eight hits and sent 13 men to the plate.

That first inning was the biggest inning for the Giants since they scored 11 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 7, 2008 at AT&T Park.

Aaron Sanchez allowed four runs on seven hits in four innings of work, and the lone runs crossed the plate when Raimel Tapia hit a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning. It was the third career grand slam for Tapia.

Things were looking good for the Giants, as they entered the bottom of the seventh inning in the second game of the twin bill with a four-run lead; however, these games were at Coors Field.

Charlie Blackmon hit a three-run home run off of Camilo Doval in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the Rockies scored six runs in the inning to pick up the spilt with a thrilling 8-6 victory over the Giants in the nightcap of the doubleheader.

Closer Jake McGee came on in a non-save role; however, he lasted only 0.2 of an inning, as he allowed four runs on four hits before he was replaced by Doval, who gave up the walk-off home run to Blackmon. Doval came on to replace McGee and immediately gave up a single to C.J. Cron that sent Ryan McMahon to third, and then Blackmon hit his second home run of the season to send the fans home happy.

Belt got the Giants in the top of the first inning, as he hit a two-run home run off of Ryan Castellani to give the Giants a quick 2-0 lead.

The Belt home run was a historic one in Giants lore, as he became the first San Francisco Giants player to hit home runs in the first inning of both games of a doubleheader since Willie Mays turned the trick on May 22, 1965.

Cron tied up the game in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he hit his fifth home run of the season.

Steven Duggar gave the Giants the lead in the top of the fifth inning, as he hit a two-run single to score Wilmer Flores and Evan Longoria.

Flores stretched the Giants lead up to 6-2 in the top of the sixth inning, as he hit a two-run home run. It was the second home run of the season for Flores.

Trevor Story began the Rockies comeback, as he hit a two-run double to cut the Giants lead in half, as his double scored Alan Trejo and Garrett Hampson. McMahon then singled score Story and the Giants lead stood at one, and then Blackmon ended the game with one swing of the bat.

Alex Wood went five innings, allowing two runs, scattering four hits, walking two and striking out two and was in line for the win until that nightmarish seventh inning.

Ben Bowden went the final 1.2 innings, allowing just two hits and striking out two, as he picked up his first win of the season.

NOTES: Kevin Gausman was placed on the injured list after experiencing symptoms from the Covid-19 vaccination. Gausman should be clear after a day or two, this according to the Giants medical staff. Joey Bart was recalled from the alternate training site.

Tommy La Stella was placed on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to Monday) with a left hamstring strain. Gabe Kapler said that La Stella could miss up to six weeks and Jason Vosler was recalled from the alternative training site.

Conor Menez was appointed as the 27th player for the doubleheader, but he was not used in either games of the doubleheader.

UP NEXT: Logan Webb closes out the series and the road trip, as he takes the mound on Wednesday afternoon, while the Rockies will send Jon Gray to the hill.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants open three game series with Rockies tonight

San Francisco Giant catcher Buster Posey seen here in Mar 10, 2020 in spring training against the Chicago Cubs has been on a tear at the plate in the 2021 season with a .359 batting average (AP News file photo)

#1 Morris the San Francisco Giants (16-11) have been playing close to .500 ball they lost a series to the San Diego Padres (16-12) at Petco Park as the Padres are tough customers. The Giants won the third game avoiding getting swept thanks to the fine hitting of Mike Tauchman’s three run home run.

#2 The Padres have some hitters on the club that have delivered and who wouldn’t expect Manny Machado at some point in the series to come through which he did with a three run homer on Saturday night.

#3 Giants catcher Buster Posey has been swinging the bats he’s hitting .359 with 23 hits, six home runs, and nine RBIs.

#4 The Giants for their most recent wins have been getting some good pitching from Alex Wood (3-0), Caleb Baragar (2-0) and Johnny Cueto (2-0). How’s Cueto’s progress coming along since his injury when he had to leave the game.

#5 The Giants are in Colorado to face the Rockies for a three game series the starting pitchers for tonight’s game have not been announced the Rockies (10-17) have played .500 ball in their last ten games going 5-5.

Join Morris for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com