NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Senators return to action from Covid 19 protocols Nov 22; Kings Doughty on the mend; plus more

The Ottawa Senators Drake Batherson (19) goes for the congratulations skate in front of the Ottawa bench after scoring on the Pittsburgh Penguins at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Sat Nov 13, 2021. The Senators last played on Sun Nov 14 against Calgary Flames before having three straight games postponed due to Covid 19 protocols (Canadian Press file photo)

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, the Ottawa Senators returned to practice on Friday after having ten players on the Covid 19 protocol list. The Senators had three games postponed because of the positive tests and have not played since Sun Nov 14 and are expected to return to action Mon Nov 22 in Colorado.

#2 The Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty who got a knee to knee injury with Dallas Star defenseman Jani Hakanpaa on Oct 22 in a 3-2 overtime loss. Doughty was given eight weeks to recover and in his fourth week is just now skating with the club. Doughty is second in points with seven and six assists.

#3 The Anaheim Ducks left winger Max Comtois will be out at least six weeks due to hand surgery. Comtois had a small bone removed and missed the last three games and is on the Ducks injured reserve list. Comtois has just one assist in 13 games.

#4 The San Jose Sharks forward Kevin Lebanc has been suspended for one game for slew footing the St Louis Blues forward Tyler Bozak on Thu Nov 18th’s game in St Louis at 8:57 of the first period. When will Labanc start the suspension and could you talk about the play?

#5 Matt, talk about the Edmonton Oilers Connor McDavid’s response regarding ESPN’s John Tortorella’s saying that McDavid needs to shut up about not getting penalties called, for McDavid not to talk about it and that he needs to change his game a bit. McDavid said he guessed he’d better shut up.

Join Matt Harrington for the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Win Game One of Angels Series 5-4

Los Angeles Angel designated hitter Shohei Ohtani takes a few warm up swings on the on deck circle in preparation in facing Oakland A’s reliever Jake Diekman in the top of the seventh inning at the Oakland Ring Central Coliseum in Oakland on Fri Sep 17, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After winning their series with the Kansas City Royals the Oakland A’s traveled to southern California to take on the Los Angeles Angels in a three game series.

Cole Irvin was on the mound for Oakland and Jhonathan Diaz started for the Angels. Irvin has a 3.97 ERA and Diaz comes in with a 10.80 ERA.

The A’s took the early lead 2-0 in the second inning and Los Angeles answered with four runs in the same inning leading 4-2. Suzuki had a solo home run in the second inning to start off the scoring for the Angels.

The A’s would score a run in the third inning to pull to within one 4-3. The A’s had the bases loaded in the fifth inning and came up empty. This was a great opportunity squandered by Oakland and is something that they have struggled with this season. Leaving runners stranded has been a sore spot for the team.

In the sixth inning the A’s would take the lead 5-4 and win it in this closely contested ballgame.

After going six innings Cole Irvin was relieved by Jake Diekman in the seventh inning. Oakland needed the bullpen to step up and protect the slim lead. It was a three up, three down for Diekman.

With two innings left in the game the A’s needed an insurance run or two to take this first game of the series.

The Angels threatened in the eighth inning but a brilliant throw from Starling Marte to Matt Chapman tagged Kean Kong out at third for the third out of the inning.

Sergio Romo would take the mound to try and close out this game for Oakland. The A’s would hang on for their 80th win of the season. It was a very nice outing for the Oakland bullpen. There were no long balls for the A’s in this one but some great defensive play which salvaged this game for the A’s Game Two is scheduled for 6:07.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: If you like shutouts A’s-Angels series was for you

Oakland A’s pitcher Frankie Montas kicked off the four game series at the Big A in Anaheim with a three hit 4-0 shutout over the Los Angeles Angels one of multiple shutouts during the A’s visit to the Southland (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara the Oakland A’s came into Anaheim to battle their Southland rivals the Los Angeles Angels and although many don’t look at these two teams as rivals the first three games of the series were like it was with three consecutive shutouts pitched.

#2 The first game on Thursday night that was pitched in the series Oakland starter Frankie Montas threw for seven innings, three hits, three walks, the real kicker here was he kept Angel hitters off balance all game long and ended up with ten srikeouts.

#3 In the second shutout of the series on Friday night A’s starter Chris Bassitt was lazer beamed down Broadway throwing strikes showing command and getting Angels out and working his pitches through the innings. Bassitt went seven innings, giving up six hits, a walk and seven strikeouts in a 2-0 shutout.

#4 The third shutout came on Saturday afternoon when the Angels starter Jamie Barria was absolutely a mystery against the A’s line up. Barria was able to keep the A’s top hitters off balance with Mark Canha 1-3, Starling Marte 1-3, Matt Olson 1-4, and Ramon Laurenao 1-4. Barria’s line for the afternoon, 6.2 innings, two hits, one walk, and three strikeouts for the 1-0 shutout.

#5 The A’s have Monday off and return to Oakland Tuesday after concluding their ten game road trip to face Fernando Tatis Jr and the San Diego Padres. Starters for Tuesday night’s game for the Padres Blake Snell (4-4 ERA 5.44) and the A’s have not announced at starter.

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

Lack of Offense Hurts Oakland In 1-0 loss

Los Angeles Angels starter Jaime Barria goes into his motion to deliver a pitch to the Oakland A’s line up in the first inning at the Big A in Anaheim on Sat Jul 31, 2021 (AP News photo)

Lack of Offense Hurts Oakland In1-0 Loss

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Oakland A’s took on the Los Angeles Angels looking for a fourth win in a row. Oakland won the first game of this series 4-0 and yesterday evening the score was 2-0 in favor of the A’s. Two shutouts in a row and their eleventh shutout of the season.

Cole Irvin (7-9 3.62 ERA) took the mound for Oakland and for the Angels it was Jaime Barria (1-0 6.23 ERA).

It was a pitchers duel much as yesterday’s game was. For the first time in this series the Angels were first up on the scoreboard. In the third inning Shohei Otani hit a double to right center field allowing Matt Thaiss to score and thus the early lead for the Angels 1-0.

Through six innings there was not much offensively for the A’s. Mark Canha was hit, once again, and also had a double. Matt Olson had a double in the sixth inning but that was it for Oakland.through six innings.

In the seventh inning the A’s began to see more offense from players who had been quiet for most of the game. Laureano, Murphy and Kemp all had hits. Oakland had the bases loaded with two outs in the inning but could not capitalize. It’s just more of the same for this team.

With the score 1-0 this game was still up for grabs. Ramon Laureano very nearly tied up the game in the eighth inning hitting a very deep ball into left field for a double. Again Oakland came up empty in the inning.

The A’s could just not get the job done in the ninth inning. Cole Irvin had a great game with some outstanding pitching and it was very disappointing to have lost this one.

Tomorrow both teams will meet up for the final game of the four game series. First pitch is schedule for 1:07 PM.

A’s Record Their Second Straight Shutout 2-0 blank Halos

Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt delivering a pitch against the Anaheim Angels in the first inning on Fri Jul 30, 2021 at Angels Stadium (AP News photo)

A’s Record Their Second Straight Shut Out 2-0

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Oakland A’s started a four game series against the division rival Los Angeles Angels. The first game of the series was a good one for the A’s winning by the score of 4-0. Starting pitcher Frankie Montas recorded 10 strikeouts for Oakland. It was also a nice start for Starling Marte. The A’s took full advantage of some Angel errors in this game.

Friday night both teams were back at it with Chris Bassitt taking the mound for Oakland and for Los Angeles it was Patrick Sandoval. Neither team would score until the fourth inning. Oakland was first up on the scoreboard. Mark Canha walked with the bases loaded giving the A’s a 1-0 lead that would prevail into the seventh inning. Bassitt who has been consistent all year long lead the A’s with a 2-0 shutout in Anaheim.

There was not much offense for Oakland with Elvis Andrus, Sean Murphy and Jed Lowry coming in with singles through six innings.

Sergio Romo would relieve Bassitt to start the eighth inning. Chris Bassitt had seen seen seven innings of action. For Romo it was a quick three up three down inning.

The A’s would extend their lead in the eighth inning when Matt Chapman homered to center for 402 feet giving Oakland a 2-0 lead. Once again the A’s the bases loaded in this game and did not capitalize. This is happening far too much this season.

Lou Trivino would come into to try and save the game for the A’s. in the ninth inning. Trivino had a great inning giving the A’s a second straight shut out, their tenth of the season. The final score was 2-0.

The series will continue tomorrow, an afternoon game. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Marte debuts for A’s; Forst says Luzardo can do well with Washington

Former Oakland A’s pitcher Jesus Luzardo who left for the Washington Nationals has a lot of baseball left in him says A’s GM David Forst. Luzardo is 23 years old and hopes to make that adjustment going to a National League team (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Oakland A’s general manager David Forst said the A’s had sent down Jesus Luzardo down to triple A affiliate Las Vegas before he was traded to the Washington. Forst said Luzardo wasn’t performing but has a lot of baseball of ahead of him at 23 years old.

#2 Forst said the team was focusing on the 2021 season and the A’s are trying to catch the Houston Astros and win the division as one of their goals and said sometimes you have to give up on good players.

#3 Forst said that adding Starling Marte to the line up give the team a bat. Marte whose hitting over .300 is an upgrade and that he’s a great clubhouse guy. Marte’s contract with the Marlins is up at the end of this season and is seen as a rental. The Marlins will pay the remainder of Marte’s $4 million contract.

#4 Marte has played center for the Marlins and started at center on Thursday night to open up the Angels series in Anaheim. He’s facing American League pitching now will that be an adjustment for the Marte or opposing pitchers who don’t see him very much when he was with Miami?

#5 The A’s will be starting Chris Bassitt (10-3 ERA 3.46) and he’ll be opposed by the Angels Patrick Sandoval (3-4 ERA 3.52) talk about how you see this match up at the Big A tonight this actually could be a pitching duel.

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

A’s take the first game of four-game set from LA Angels 4-0

Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas throws to the Los Angeles Angels line up in the second inning at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Thu Jul 29, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s behind Frankie Montas’ outstanding performance beat the Los Angeles Angel 4-0 in Anaheim Thursday night. Starling Marte, acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins, was in centerfield for the Green and Gold. Ramon Laureano moved over to right.

The A’s won the game 4-0. After 11 hits in each of the last two games against the San Diego Padres, the A’s hitters hit one double and three singles. The A’s picked up the win as the Angels beat themselves. Dylan Bundy’s wildness in the first inning allowed the A’s to score three runs.

The only hit was Ramon Laureano’s two-run double. The fourth run came across the plate due to a throwing error by Jose Quintana. The Angels had three hits and three errors in the game.

 The Angels’ starter, Dylan Bundy, did not get off to a good start. He hit A’s leadoff hitter Mark Canha with a pitch to get the game going. Bundy then walked Marte and Matt Olson to load the bases. A’s second baseman drove in Canha with the A’s first run on a ground out. Laureano doubled to drive in Marte and Olson. The A’s put three on the board with just one hit. 

Bundy settled down and did not allow the A’s another hit until the fifth inning. With one out and a man on first, Marte singled to move Mark Canh to second. Angels’ manager Joe Maddon ended Bundy’s night when he brought in lefty Jose Quintana to face Matt Olson. Quintana struck out Olson and Lowrie to end the inning.

The A’s plated a run in the top of the seventh. With a man on first and one out, Mark Canha singled, sending Elvis Andrus to third. Andrus scored when Jose Quintana’s pickoff throw to first got by Angels’ first baseman Phil Gosselin. The A’s led 4-0.

Montas went seven innings and allowed three hits and no runs. He struck out ten hitters. He threw a season-high 109 pitches and won his ninth game of the year. Sergio Romo pitched a scoreless eighth, and Lou Trivino retired the Angels 1-2-3 in the ninth to preserve the win. Oakland wins 4-0.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the A’s are now 58-46 for the year. They trail the Houston Astros by five and 1/2 games in the race for first place in the AL West. The Angels are 51-51.  

The Angels were without three of their best players Wednesday. Three-time AL MVP, Mike Trout, was still not available due to a leg injury. Third baseman Anthony Rendon is still on the 10-day IL with a hamstring injury. First baseman, Jared Walsh, who has hammered the A’s this year, is also on the IL. Another A’s tormenter, David Fletcher, went hitless in four trips to the plate.

The time of the game was three hours and fourteen minutes. !8,631 fans watched the Halos fall to the A’s.

The A’s will send Chris Bassitt to the hill Friday night. Lefty Patrick Sandoval will handle the pitching chores for the Angels. The game will start at 6:38 pm.

A’s win a laugher 10-4 snap a four-game losing streak in San Diego

Oakland A’s starter Sean Manaea throws against the San Diego Padres line up in the first inning would up retiring the first 16 hitters and striking out nine on Wed Jul 28, 2021’s matinee at Petco Park in San Diego (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s turned the tables on the San Diego Padres Wednesday afternoon at Petco Park in San Diego. The A’s won a laugher 10-4 behind another outstanding performance by lefty Sean Manaea. Manaea retired the first sixteen Padre hitters he faced on Wednesday.

Jurickson Profar broke up the perfect game with a walk with one out in the sixth. Eric Hosmer, pinch-hitting for pitcher Craig Stammen, singled to break up the no-hitter. Manaea retired the next two hitters to finish his work for the day. He threw 90 pitches in his six innings of work. He struck out nine and allowed just one hit. 

How did the A’s win the game? The Padres sent former Cy Young award winner, lefty Blake Snell to the mound Wednesday afternoon. Snell entered the game with a 4-3 record. He was 3-0 at Petco Park.

Snell, however, could not get into a groove Wednesday afternoon. He walked A’s leadoff hitter, Mark Canha, to start the game. He retired Ramon Laureano for the first out. Canha moved to second on the play. Canha then stole third. Olson walked to put men on at first and third with one out.

Jed Lowrie drove in Canha with the A’s first run with a sacrifice fly. Snell walked Sean Murphy. It was the third walk of the inning. A’s third baseman, Matt Chapman, smoked a Snell pitch deep into left field. The ball hit off the facade of the second deck. The ball traveled 404 feet. The A’s led 4-0 midway through the first. They tallied four runs on just one hit.

Oakland made it 5-0 in the second. Elvis Andrus led off with a single. Sean Manaea laid down a beautiful sacrifice bunt to send Andrus to second. Mark Canha followed with a single to drive in Andrus.

The A’s were not done tormenting Blake Snell. Padres’ manager Jayce Tingler did not want to go to the bullpen. Snell had to take one for the team. In the fourth, three straight singles by Chapman, Stephen Piscotty, and Elvis Andrus put the A’s ahead 6-0. Canha Singled to drive in Piscotty with the A’s seventh run of the game.

The A’s added three more in the seventh. Matt Olson led off the frame with a double to left. With two out, Padres’ shortstop, Fernando Tatis, Jr. fielded Matt Chapman’s ground ball. His throw to first pulled first baseman Jake Cronenworth off the bag. Olson scored on the play.

Chapman went to second on the error. Padres’ pitcher Nabil Crismatt fielded Stephen Piscotty’s dribbler in front of home plate. His throw to first base went past Cronenworth and down the line into right field. Chappie scored the ninth run of the game for Oakland. Piscotty reached second safely. Elvis Andrus singled to drive in Piscotty. The A’s led 10-0 midway through the seventh.

San Diego scored their first run of the game in their half of the seventh. J.B.Wendelken was now pitching for Oakland. Padres’ third baseman, Manny Machado, singled to start the rally. Wendelken retired the next two hitters. He walked Will Myers to put two men on with two out. The next hitter, catcher Austin Nola, doubled to drive in Machado. The A’s led 10-1 after seven.

Deolis Guerra worked a scoreless eighth inning for Oakland. Bob Melvin let Guerra come out to pitch the ninth. He gave up consecutive singles to Jake Cronenworth and Will Myers. Guerra retired Austin Nola for the first out. Former A’s second baseman, Jurickson Profar, doubled to drive in Cronenworth with San Diego’s second run.

Melvin had seen enough. He summoned lefty Andrew Chafin from the bullpen to finish the game. Chafin, acquired from the Chicago Cubs on Monday, made his first appearance as an Oakland Athletic. The first hitter he faced was pinch-hitter Victor Caratini.

Caratini hit his first pitch for a single to make it 10-3. Profar went to third on the play. Chafin then uncorked a wild pitch that allowed Profar to score. Chafin was able to record the last out of the game without any further damage. The A’s win 10-4.

Game Notes and stats: With the win, the A’s improve to 57-46. They remain six games behind the Houston Astros. The Astros beat the Seattle Mariners 11-4 on Wednesday. The A’s now lead the Mariners by two games in the second AL Wild Card race. The Padres are 59-45 for the year. 

Sean Manaea ‘s record improved to 8-6. It was his second straight impressive performance. He beat the Mariners 4-1 last week in Seattle. Blake Snell was the losing pitcher. 

The A’s made a trade with the Miami Marlins on Wednesday. They acquired outfielder Starlin Marte in exchange for pitcher lefty Jesus Luzardo. There was no question the A’s were not happy with the lack of production from the two players in right field.

Marte should help solve that problem. While it was difficult to give up on Luzardo, the A’s had to give something to get something. Luzardo was hampered by injuries early in the season. The A’s sent him to Las Vegas to get back on track. The front office must have felt that Luzardo was not going to fit into their pitching plans. 

The hitting stars for Oakland were Mark Canha, Matt Chapman, and Elvis Andrus. Canha reached base four times on Wednesday. He had two hits, two walks, and two RBIs. Chappie was two-for-five with a single and a three-run blast. Elvis Andrus had three hits and two RBIs.

The time of the game was three hours and twenty-nine minutes. Thirty-five thousand three hundred fans were watching the game at Petco Park.

The A’s are on their way to Anaheim to play four against the Los Angeles Angels starting Thursday night. The A’s are 9-3 against the Angels this year. Frankie Montas will go for Oakland, and the Angels’ Alex Cobb will oppose him. The game will start at 6:38 pm.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Olson going deep and hitting for average

Eye on the ball as the Oakland A’s Matt Olson hits for an RBI single in the seventh inning during Tue Jul 20, 2021’s ball game against the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

Oakland podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Matt Olson is seeing the ball well he hit a home run against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday for his 25th home run of the season.

#2 What an afternoon for Olson on Tuesday hitting the home run plus an RBI single and the Angels decided to intentionally walk Olson

#3 Olson is hitting a whopping .302 against left handed pitchers and is batting .284 against right handed pitchers. Either way pitchers are having a tough time getting Olson out.

#4 Olson had a great series against the Angels in the two game series. Olson had a homer in each game on Monday and Tuesday at the Coliseum.

#5 A’s starting pitcher for tonight’s game at T Mobile Field in Seattle for the A’s Frankie Montas (8-8 ERA 4.33) and for the Seattle Mariners Yusei Kikuchi (6-5 ERA 3.92)

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

A’s Kaprielian, bullpen blank Halos on 7 hitter 6-0

Oakland A’s closer Deolis Guerra gets congratulations from catcher Sean Murphy after closing the door on the Los Angeles Angels at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Jul 20, 2021 (AP News photo)

LA Angels 0 – 7 – 0

Oakland 6 – 8 – 1

By Lewis Rubman

Tuesday, July 20 2021

OAKLAND–It was a lovely day for a slugfest. With a temperature of 66 and rising at game time under a bright, cloudless sky, we could expect a shower of long balls and high flies lost in the sun. What we got was a tight pitching duel for two thirds of the game, followed by a one sided offensive outburst that gave the home team a 6-0 victory.

José Suárez (4-2 ERA 2.29), the 23 year old Angels lefty best known for his effective change up, kept the A’s off the basepaths for the first 3-2/3 innings he pitched, until Matt Olson unloaded on an 80 mph hanging curve for a 356 foot homer to right, his 12th circuit clout of the season.

Suárez gave up a single to Laureano in the fifth but that was all the offense Oakland could muster until they began to play little ball in the sixth. Jacob Wilson, the Athletics’ 30 year old rookie who had nothing to show for his first four major league at bats, got his first hit in the bigs with a lead off single to center.

Tony Kemp promptly pinch ran for him. Suárez then hit Canha with a pitch, SOP for the Athletics´left fielder. Then Andrus dropped a sacrifce bunt in front of the mound, moving Kemp and Canha up a base.

LA elected to walk Olson to fill the bases, which brought Lowrie to the plate. His sac fly to right scored Kemp and streched Oakland´s lead to two runs. Laureano opened up the game with a two run double to left. Mike Mayers relieved Suárez and struck out Chapman.

Suárez had been almost impregnable but ended up with a line of 5-2/3 innings pitched, four earned runs allowed on three hits, including one round tripper, a walk, which was conceeded, and a hit batter. He threw 73 pitches; 49 counted as strikes

The floodgates opened when Junior Guerra was pitching to the rejuvenated A’s in the seventh. He retired Murphy and Piscotty, but back to back singles by Kemp, Canha, Andrus, and Olson brought in the first two and earned an RBI each for the second pair. Guerra then got Lowrie to ground out to second to end the inning.

Before Dylan Bundy could throw a pitch to inaugurate the bottom of the eighth, home plate umpire Bill Miller gave Angels manager Joe Maddon the heave-ho. Bundy retired the A’s in order

Meanwhile, James Kaprielian (4-3, 2.90), without approaching Suárez´s early near perfection, held the visitors scoreless for six frames, striking out the fearsome Shoei Ohtani twice in the process. Kaprielian held the Halos to five hits and two walks. He threw 100 pitches.

37 were balls. Sergio Romo took over in the seventh and also held the visitors scoreless, but, since he had only one chance to strike out Ohtani, had to settle for that. Sam Moll pitched a scoreless eighth, giving way to Deolis Guerra, who set the Angels down in order in the ninth.

The Athletics now go on a ten game, three city trip to Seattle starting Thursday, then move onto San Diego, and Anaheim they will have Wednesday off. Their next game at the Coliseum will be at 6:40 on August 3, an inter-league contest against the San Diego Padres.