Headline Sports podcast with Tony Renteria: Vazquez admits to solicitation charges with minor; Astros’ Cole K’s 300 batters in a season; plus more

photo file from nytimes.com: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez admitted to Pennsylvania Police that he had sexual relations with a 13 year girl. Vazquez’ admissions has sent shockwaves through the Pirates organization and MLB.

On Headline Sports with Tony Renteria:

Breaking: Antonio Brown will not be prosecuted for rape allegations from Florida ex-trainer Britney Taylor

#1 Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez admitted that he did have sexual relations with a 13 year old minor. The mother of the minor said she contacted police after finding photos that Vazquez sent to her daughter’s phone. Vazquez reportedly admitted to contacting the minor, who he met at a Pirates game when he was in the bullpen and got her contact information at the time.

#2 Houston Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole struck out 300 batters becoming the 18th pitcher in MLB history to do so. Cole is 18-5 with an ERA of 2.61. The Astros are having a great year and having pitching like this from Cole certainly has complimented the ball club.

#3 Just looking ahead to the postseason, the Oakland A’s are in first place in the AL wild card. They have dominated some of baseball’s best teams winning series from teams like the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. If the A’s can get past the wild card, the road to the World Series is past teams like the Astros and Yankees.

#4 After Sunday’s second quarter drubbing by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland Raiders are regrouping and taking a look at their secondary, who took a bath when the Chiefs scored four touchdowns all the scoring they needed to upend Oakland 28-10.

#5 After the tough loss last Sunday at home, the Raiders have four away games in their next five games, which schedule wise can be considered their toughest challenge of the season.

Tony does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

S.F. Giants Thursday game wrap: Bucs take 3 out of 4 from Giants with 4-2 win

sfgate.com photo: Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Joe Musgrove works in the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Thursday, Sept. 12, 2019, in San Francisco.

By Jeremy Harness

It was a matinee that surely will be forgotten by all as the San Francisco Giants fell flat 4-2 on Thursday afternoon to conclude the three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates losing three out of four. Pirates starter Joe Musgrove was the talk of the town getting a quality start off SF pitching five innings of shutout ball and got a triple to help his own cause.

The Pirates’ Jacob Stalling provided some offensive punch by contributing a home run. The Giants’ Evan Longoria hit a homer, but it wasn’t enough as the Giants now have lost four of their last five. The Pirates have been dominating since 2014 when visiting San Francisco winning 14 of their last 20 visits.

Musgrove improved his record to 10-12 and has said that he improved his motion by shortening his delivery, thanks to Bucs pitching coach Justin Meccage. Musgrove said he’s trying to eliminate a couple steps in his backswing for the shorter motion.

Musgrove in his five inning pitched surrendered four hits and struck out seven hitters for the win. It was reliever Felipe Vazquez, whose mix of pitches, sat the Giants down as he picked up his 28th save in the ninth going an inning with one walk, and two strikeouts.

Vazquez is remembered for his Monday clubhouse brawl with teammate Kyle Crick on Monday when Crick was playing music that Vazquez asked him to turn it down. Vazquez then invited Crick to punch him and he didn’t so Vazquez got to slugs in on Vazquez and Crick got a punch on Vazquez that bloodied him. It might have fueled the Bucs because they walked away with a 3-1 series win.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Charlie Silvera was a Giant in SF even though he wasn’t a Giant; Giants-Bucs in game 3 of 4-game series today

photo from newyorktimes.com file: Charlie Silvera, second from right, was Yogi Berra’s backup catcher during the Yankees’ dynasty years of the 1950s. He gave pointers to three young catchers (from left, Gus Triandos, Lou Berberet and Vince Pisani) at a pre-season Yankee workout in Glendale, Calif., in 1953

On the Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 He wasn’t a Giant, but he was a huge part of the San Francisco baseball community former New York Yankee and San Francisco native Charlie Silvera, who passed away at age 94, caught for the Yanks for nine seasons between 1948-56 was a staple in the Giants press box for many years as a baseball scout.

#2 Michael talks about their working relationship as Charlie was a fixture in the press box and his many conversations they had about baseball in their many years working together.

#3 After winning two out of three games in Los Angeles, the Giants came back to Oracle Park and lost the first game of the series to the Pittsburgh Pirates then Tuesday the Giants get a one-run win 5-4, and it goes back to what Michael says, you just never know what’s always going to happen on any given day.

#4 Madison Bumgarner had a quality start even though the Giants lost the game to four runs in the top of the ninth inning on Monday night, Bum went seven innings, six hits, two earned runs, and five strikeouts.

#5 Michael talk about the torn labrum and capsule in the throwing shoulder of Giant pitcher Reyes Moronta. Manager Bruce Bochy says Moronta will had the surgery in LA on Tuesday to repair the tear.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts weekly at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cueto looks dominant in season debut, Giants get past Pirates 5-4

Photo credit: sfexaminer.com

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — After missing over a year after Tommy John Surgery, Johnny Cueto looked phenomenal in his season debut.

Cueto went the required five innings, allowing just one hit, walking just and striking out four and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-4 before a crowd of 26,877 at Oracle Park.

With the one-run victory, the Giants are now 34-15 this season in one-run games and their .694 winning percentage is the best in the majors.

The Giants gave Cueto all the runs that he would need in the bottom of the first inning, as Mauricio Dubon singled to lead off the inning, Brandon Belt doubled Dubon to third and after an Evan Longoria strikeout, Stephen Vogt singled both Dubon and Belt for the first two of his four RBIs on the evening.

Kevin Pillar then singled and then Brandon Crawford squirted one thru the infield to score Vogt with the third run of the evening.

Vogt added a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he hit his ninth home run of the season.

The Pirates, who could not muster anything off of Cueto, finally got in the top of the eighth inning with two outs. Kevin Newman got the rally started, then former Giants farmhand Bryan Reynolds singled, and then former Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera doubled down the right-field line to get the Pirates on the board.

Josh Bell then cut the Giants lead down to one, as he launched his 37th home run of the season into the left field bleachers.

Mitch Keller also went five innings, allowing five runs on nine hits, not walking a batter and striking out seven.

Shawn Anderson pitched the final 1.1 innings to notch his first major-league save and his first since pitching for the University of Florida.

NOTES: To make room for Cueto on the 40-man roster, Williams Jerez was designated for assignment.

Cueto is the 62nd different Giants player to suit up this season, the most in the National League and second most in the majors, behind the 63 that put on the uniform of the Seattle Mariners.

The 62 players are the most in Giants history and currently tied for the fourth-most in major league history.

Prior to this season, the Giants’ record for most players in a season was 51 set during the 1990 season.

Bruce Bochy won his 1,996th career game, leaving four shy of the magical 2,000 mark.

Pirates reliever and former Giants pitcher Kyle Crick underwent surgery on the index finger on his right hand as the result of an injury that occurred during an altercation with Felipe Vázquez in the clubhouse.

The behavior exhibited by these two players last night is unacceptable, inconsistent with the standards expected of a Major-League player and will not be tolerated by the organization,” general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement.

Thin Bullpen: Giants wilt in the ninth, Pirates win 6-4 in front of smallest crowd since 2010

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO — Kevin Newman maybe auditioning for a role as the Pirates’ leadoff man, but he maybe better suited as the team’s focal point.

Newman knocked in a pair of runs in a four-run ninth inning and the Pirates shocked the Giants 6-4 on Monday night. The Pirates improved to 11-5 in the games the speedy, powerful Newman has batted leadoff.

The Giants started Madison Bumgarner, who was attempting to win for the 61st time at Oracle Park, surpassing former teammate Matt Cain as the winningest pitcher in the park’s history. Bumgarner was in line for the win after allowing two runs and six hits in seven innings, but the Giants’ injury-ravaged bullpen let him down.

With relievers Reyes Moronta, Tony Watson and closer Will Smith unavailable due to injuries, manager Bruce Bochy stuck with Tyler Rogers, who pitched a scoreless eighth inning. But Rogers allowed Kevin Kramer to reach on an infield single, and was replaced by Fernando Abad after just one pitch in the inning.

Abad walked Josh Bell, and gave up Elias Diaz’ lengthy drive to the left field gap that one-hopped the wall. But the smash registered as just a base hit when Mike Yasztremski fielded the ball cleanly and appeared to have a catch to the Pirates’ baserunners. Both Kramer and Bell retreated as Diaz advanced almost creating an out-making logjam on the basepaths, but the Pirates were still set up with bases loaded and Newman up.

Newman delivered to tie it, the first time the Pirates had been even since the fifth inning. Kevin Reynolds’ base hit untied it, and Jose Osuna provided insurance with his sacrifice fly that scored Newman.

“Too bad we couldn’t hold on to give him a win,” Bochy said of Bumgarner, his strong outing squandered.  “You look at his body of work; he’s been a savior. Guys who give you innings like that are invaluable. Not just innings but quality innings.”

The Giants fell to 30-39 at home–the third worst record in the National League–after losing for the sixth time in their last seven home games. Meanwhile, the youth-infused Pirates have won 11 of 17 after being dreadful for almost all of July and August.

Newman and Reynolds, the former Giants minor leaguer acquired in the Andrew McCutchen deal, have been a big part of the recent surge.

“I think the combination of the two has them getting the results they’ve been getting,” said manager Clint Hurdle.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants have no offense in LA as they prepare for Bucs series tonight

from sfgate.com photo: San Francisco Giants starter Dereck Rodriguez reacts during a pitching change during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2019.

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers in Sunday’s game had a breakout fourth and fifth innings when they scored two and three runs in each respective inning. One thing they’re noted for is they can swing the bats.

#2 The Dodgers wound up getting a 5-0 shutout against the San Francisco Giants behind Dodger starter Kenta Maeda, who pitched four innings surrendering just one hit and struck out six.

#3 Meanwhile, Giants starter Derek Rodriguez continues to struggle. He went 4.2 innings, three hits, two earned runs, and four strikeouts. Rodriguez drops his record to 5-9.

#4 No one hits RBIs in this one. Buster Posey just picked up two hits and a hit each for Mike Yastrzemski and Austin Slater simply no offense Sunday for the Giants.

#5 The Giants open a four-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates starting Monday night at Oracle Park at 7:15 pm. Starting for Pittsburgh, Trevor Williams (7-6, 5.16 ERA), and for the Giants, Madison Bumgarner (9-8, 3.81 ERA).

Morris does the SF Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB podcast The Show with Daniel Dullum: Halos throw no-no in honoring Skaggs; Gooden in jail for coke possession; plus more

photo from latimes.com: Angel players place their Tyler Skaggs jerseys at the pitchers mound after no-hitting the Mariners. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel:

1 Angels throw combined no-hitter while honoring Tyler Skaggs

2 Dwight Gooden reportedly arrested for cocaine possession

3 Former All-Star Matt Kemp released by Mets

4 Pirates’ catcher Francisco Cervelli denies saying career is over following sixth concussion

Daniel Dullum does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: Pirates get bang for their Buc with 6-4 win over A’s Saturday

photo from apnews.com: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Gregory Polanco, right, and Bryan Reynolds (10) celebrate after scoring on a triple by Kevin Newman off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher J.B. Wendelken (57) during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 4, 2019.

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Joey:

#1 The Oakland A’s wasted no time in the first inning of Saturday night’s game at PNC Park, getting three runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates. It’s always key to jump to a early lead.

#2 Taking a look at the scoring, Khris Davis singled to right to drive Matt Chapman home to score. Kendrys Morales hit his first triple of the year to drive Davis home to score, and Morales would score the third Oakland run of the inning on a Stephen Piscotty single to left field to help the offense in the A’s three-run rally.

#3 It didn’t last long as the Pirates Josh Bell hit a homer in the second inning off A’s starter Chris Bassitt and Bell came back in the bottom of the third and took Bassitt to deep center with a two-run homer to tie the game.

#4 The Pirates scored three more runs in the bottom of the seventh Kevin Newman hit his first triple of the season off A’s reliever JB Wendelken that drove in two runners on base to score and gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead. Francisco Cervelli then hit a 2-2 change up from Wendelken into left field that allowed Newman to score easily from third base for a 6-4 lead, which was the final.

#5 The Oakland A’s Frankie Montas (4-2, 2.97 ERA) gets the start against the Pirates Jordan Lyles (4-2, 2.42 ERA) to conclude the three-game series at PNC Park Sunday

Joey does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s score first, but can’t hold on to get the win in Steel City

Graphic: @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics shot out of the gate quickly on Saturday night in Pittsburgh, hanging three runs up on the scoreboard in the top of the first inning. Khris Davis singled to right to drive Matt Chapman home to score. Kendrys Morales hit his first triple of the year to drive Davis home to score, and Morales would score the third Oakland run of the inning on a Stephen Piscotty  single to left field. That was a very promising start for the green and gold.

The Pirates put their first run up on the board in the home-half of the second inning when Josh Bell hit a Chris Bassitt 84 mph cutter over the right field wall.

Bell came back to haunt the A’s again in the bottom of the third inning with two out and Starling Marte on at first. Bell hit his eighth home run of the season over the center field wall off a 93 mph sinker that tied the game at 3-3.

The A’s retook the lead in the fifth inning when Khris Davis hit a single to center field that drove Matt Chapman home to score the fourth run of the contest for Oakland.

Pittsburgh broke this game open in the bottom of the seventh inning when they scored three runs. Kevin Newman hit his first triple of the season off Wendelken that drove in two runners on base to score and gave the Pirates a 5-4 lead. Francisco Cervelli then hit a 2-2 change up from Wendelken into left field that allowed Newman to score easily from third base. After seven complete innings, the Pirates held a 6-4 lead.

Pirates (15-15) focus

Josh Bell hits one of his two home runs Photo: @Pirates

• Josh Bell was the star of the game for Pittsburgh. He hit two home runs, picked up three RBI and scored two runs. Bell is batting .291 for the Pirates.
• Gregory Polanco went 2-for-5 for Pittsburgh on Saturday. He hit a double and scored a run for his team in the win.
• Outfielder Bryan Reynolds had a good night for his team, going 2-for-3 at the plate. Reynolds also scored a run.
• Michael Feliz picked up his first win of the season working in relief.
• Felipe Vazquez recorded his ninth save of the year preserving the win for his team.

A’s (15-20) spotlight

Skye Bolt gets his first major league hit Photo: @NBCS

• Matt Chapman had a 2-for-4 game scoring two runs. He hit a double and a triple in the game.
• Khris Davis picked up two RBI and scored a run in his 2-for-4 night for Oakland. Davis played left field in the game because there is no designated hitter because this is a National League ballpark.
• The A’s are hoping that this was a breakout game for Kendrys Morales who went 2-for-4 with the bat scoring a run and adding an RBI.
• Skye Bolt, who was just called up to the majors, picked up his first major league hit in the game.
• Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt did not figure into the final decision. The loss was charged to J.B. Wendelken (0-1) who pitched 1.0 innings giving up three runs (all earned) off four hits. He walked one and struck out one.

Up next

The third and final game of the series will be played on Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 10:35 AM Bay Area time. Frankie Montas (4-2, 2.97 ERA) will take the hill for Oakland. The Pirates will counter with Jordan Lyles (2-1, 2.42 ERA).

Phegley Plates 8, A’s Sink Pirates 14-1

Photo credit: @Athletics

By Matthew Harrington

The Oakland Athletics boast one of the most fearsome hitters in Khris Davis, so it’d be no surprise to see an nine RBI game for an A’s player. What is surprising is that it was journeyman catcher Josh Phegley, who did it Friday night at PNC Park in a 14-1 A’s win over the Pittsburgh Pirates, not Davis.

The A’s knocked in 11 runs between the second and fourth innings, including scoring seven off Bucs starter and losing pitcher Joe Musgrove (1-3, 2.63 ERA). Phegley went 4-for-5, knocking in an obvious career high in eight runs, including a solo homer in the ninth inning. Matt Chapman also homered in a pair in the seventh for the A’s runs after their early game rally. Brett Anderson (4-2, 3.89 ERA) got the win after going six innings allowing four hits and the one run on a Josh Bell RBI ground out in the bottom of the first.

Khris Davis started the second inning rally, reaching base on a throwing error from Jung Ho Kang, the Stephen Piscotty doubled. Kendrys Morales knocked in Davis with an RBI single to tie the game. Jurickson Profar was hit by a pitch to load the bags for Phegley, who cleaned them with a double for a 4-1 lead. Marcus Semien knocked in Phegley later in the inning on a grounder to first and a 5-1 lead.

Davis led off the next inning and advanced to 2nd on Morales’ single, but the A’s were looking at two outs and coming up empty after Profar flew out. Phegley knocked in Davis for a 6-1 edge and later in the inning Semien walked with the bases loaded for a 7-1 edge. Semien, along with Chapman and Phegley were the only A’s with multiple RBI.

Profar singled in a run off Nick Kingham in the top of the third and Phegley hit another bases-loaded two-bagger to knock in three and give the A’s an 11-1 advantage. They wouldn’t need more, but they’d get more with the two long balls in the late innings.

The A’s hope they have more runs in their bats Saturday when they continue their interleague trip to Pittsburgh. Chris Bassitt takes the mound after a sterling season debut in his last outing, while Trevor Williams takes the hill for the Pirates.