That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Murakami whacks walk off double for 6-5 Japan win over Mexico in WBC; Reds Votto could be heading to Toronto; plus more

Japan players celebrate after Masataka Yoshida hit a home run scoring Kensuke Kondoh and Shohei Ohtani during the seventh inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Mexico, Monday, March 20, 2023, in Miami. (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 Amaury, I got to ask you team owners, general managers, managers, and coaches just to name a few have to be a little concerned when loaning some of their key star players to future World Baseball Classics after what happened to Team Venezuela and Houston Astro Jose Altuve getting hit on the hand and suffering a finger fracture.

#2 In the World Baseball Classic Japan’s Munetaka Murakami struggled in most of his at bats against Mexico but in the end Murakami after going 0-4 with three strikeouts. Murakami ripped a two run double off the centerfield fence that scored the game winning runs and won it for Team Japan 6-5 knocking in Shohei Ohtani and Masataka Yoshida for two RBIs.

#3 The Cincinnati Reds are considering trading Joey Votto to the Toronto Blue Jays if Votto would ask for the trade. The Reds would like to hold onto Votto but would seek a deal with the Blue Jays if Votto pushed for it if the Reds were out of the hunt later this season.

#4 Team USA teed off on Team Cuba on Sunday for a 14-2 win and they got home run help from Team USA’s Trea Turner. What went wrong with Cuba’s pitching they were in Team USA’s wheel house who pulled them over the fence.

#5 Amaury, San Francisco Giants pitcher Sergio Romo has just about one batter in him as he will go to the mound on Mon Mar 27th at Oracle Park to pitch to his last batter of his career as Romo will be retiring as a Giant when they face the Oakland A’s in the final exhibition game between the two clubs. Romo was on the 2012 and 2014 World Series Championship teams.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez and Manolo Hernandez Douen for the play by play action of 71 home games of the Oakland A’s on the A’s Spanish radio network 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburgh and read That’s Amaury News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Romo and Bum share a laugh when meeting; Puk starts a good game against KC

A’s pitcher AJ Puk goes two innings on against the Kansas City Royals and is expected to be a big part of the A’s starting rotation (Oakland A’s file photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Oakland A’s releiver Sergio Romo stepped off the pitchers mound on Tuesday afternoon to smile a bit before facing his longtime friend and former teammate the Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner. The two played together on the San Francisco Giants and won three World Series titles together.

#2 Bumgarner during the at bat was smiling the who time he was in the batters box facing Romo, It was the first time Romo saw Bumgarner smile on a baseball field in the whole time they played with and against each other.

#3 Bumgarner struck out on a looking fast ball third strike turned and said a word to plate umpire Adrian Johnson before walking back to the dugout. Romo had struckout his old teammate.

#4 Matt Olson seeing the ball well got a home run on Wednesday against the Kansas City Royals pitcher Jake Newberry. After the rake on Jake, Newberry got angry and struck out the next three hitters.

#4 In his start against the Royals A’s pitcher AJ Puk threw for two innings, two hits, two earned runs, one walk and four strike outs.

#5 Jerry everybody has been waiting to see how A’s pitcher Trevor Rosenthal and how he will perform he relieved Puk going one inning, two hits, one earned run, one walk, and one strike out. The A’s are expecting big things from Rosenthal this season.

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Petit and Romo just what A’s relief needed; Golf with no fans and celebrities different at the AT&T; plus more

Former Minnesota Twin pitcher Sergio Romo throws a pitch against the Cleveland line up in a game on Fri Sep 11, 2020. Romo joined the Oakland A’s pitching staff as of Sun Feb 14, 2021 (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Marcus Semien and Liam Hendriks won’t be in the A’s spring training camp no longer with the A’s but relievers Yusmeiro Petit and Sergio Romo will be. Talk about the impact they will have on closing games this season. 

#2 Petit signed a one year for $2.55 million deal plus incentives and and Romo is on board for one season for $2.25 million.

#3 Petit last season pitched in 26 games was 2-1 ERA 1.66 and Romo last season was 1-2 4.05 last season a 60 plus game season this year a full 162 games how preparation will Petit and Romo need?

#4 Amaury turning to pro golf, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am has been an event without fans and celebrities has this made a difference in this PGA Tour.

#5 Tennis pro Serena Williams whose currently participating in her 24th Grand Slam at the Australian Open. Williams was talking about how excited she was to own a women’s professional soccer team called the Angel City FC in Los Angeles. This has to be a great new venture a new and exciting business for Serena.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Feb 16, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Athletics Veterans in the Bullpen

Aug 24, 2020 Oakland A’s reliever Yusmeiro Petit throws against the Texas Rangers in Arlington during last year’s regular season. Petit is signed with the A’s for the 2021 season. (AP News photo file)

Athletics Veterans in the Bullpen

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The A’s solidifying their bullpen after they lost star closer Liam Hendricks, who was considered the best closer available among all the free-agents during the off-season, now with the Chicago White Sox and Joaquim Soria now with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The team is keeping Yusmeiro Petit, 36 years old and a solid veteran arm, one of manager’s Bob Melvin’s favorite and acquired “el veterano” Sergio Romo, who turns 39 in March. Petit and Romo won two World Series for the team across the bay.

On Friday the Athletics were involved in a four-player trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Athletics got more bullpen help with lefty Adam Kolarek plus outfielder prospect Cody Thomas. In return they send infielder Sheldon Neuse and minor league right handed pitcher Gus Varland.

Right now, looks like a very good deal for the Athletics, as Kolarek last season was 3-0 with a 0.95 earned run average in 20 games and 1 save. Kolarek is the ideal lefty to face a lefty hitter in a game situation late in a game.

Sheldon Neuse played some infield for the A’s and Gus Varland is a prospect and might be the key for the Dodgers who are basically loaded with talent and tweaking their club as they are favorite to repeat this year again.

The Western Division this season will be a three-team race, between the reigning division champion Athletics, the Houston Astros and possibly the Los Angeles Angels. I will have my analysis of this division before the season opener April 1.

The Oakland Athletics open the season at home with a 4-game series against the Houston Astros, followed by the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers for a three-game series.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI La Grande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Youngsters spoil big day at the Stadium

By Jeremy Kahn

NEW YORK–This was supposed to be the day that the New York Yankees honored one of their legends, but it was the San Francisco Giants youngsters that spoiled the party.

Ehire Adrianza broke up Andy Pettite’s no-hit bid and shutout with one swing of the bat in the top of the sixth, and Tony Abreu won it with a run-scoring double in the top of the eighth inning and the Giants came back to defeat the Yankees 2-1 at Yankee Stadium.

Pettite, who announced he was retiring at the end of the season, pitched into the eighth inning and was pulled after giving up a double to Pablo Sandoval and given a standing ovation by the Yankee faithful.

David Robertson gave up the eventual game-winning hit to Abreu, and was replaced by the hero of the day, Mariano Rivera.

The all-time saves leader, who announced in spring training that he would be retiring at the end of the year came out to a rousing ovation.

Rivera was treated to a 50-minute ceremony, which included a rocking chair from the Yankees and a live performance from legendary Bay Area band Metallica, who performed Rivera’s theme song, “Enter Sandman.”

Javier Lopez picked up the victory, and Sergio Romo notched his 36th save of the season in 41 opportunities.

Jeremy Kahn covers Giants baseball for Sportstalk Radio

Pill with the big hit in Giants win

By Jeremy Kahn

Brett Pill just wanted the opportunity to play down the stretch for the San Francisco Giants ,and he got it against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers.

Pill hit a two-run single off of Cy Young Award candidate Clayton Kershaw in the top of the seventh inning, as the Giants came back to defeat the Dodgers 4-2 at Dodger Stadium.

The Pill single drove in Pablo Sandoval and Joaquin Arias, and on the play, Pill advanced to second when Andre Ethier bobbled the ball for an error in centerfield.

Hunter Pence continues to be one of the Giants hottest hitter, as he hit his 22nd home run of the season, an opposite field poke off of Chris Withrow in the top of the eighth inning.

Madison Bumgarner went the first six innings for the Giants, as he he allowed two runs on five hits, walking only two and striking out six.

The lone mistake of the night by Bumgarner was when his former teammate Juan Uribe smashed a two-run home run over the left-center field wall to break a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Arias got the Giants on the board in that same top of the seventh inning when Pill hit his two-run single, as Arias hit a single that scored Pence.

It was the 12th win of the season for Bumgarner, and the 34th save of the season for Sergio Romo, who pitched the final one and one-thirds to nail it down.

Romo allowed two hits and struck out rookie sensation Yaisel Puig with two on and nobody out in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Adrian Gonzalez grounded out on a wacky play to end the game, as his batted ball went up the middle off of Romo’s ankle and bounced over to Arias who threw to Pill to end it.

Lincecum defangs Diamondbacks

By Jeremy Kahn

August 30, 2013

PHOENIX-Tim Lincecum is a free agent at the end of the 2013 season, but if he pitches the rest of the way like his two last starts, he should be wearing Orange and Black next season.

Lincecum went seven innings, allowing zero runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out two on his way to his second consecutive win and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks 1-0 before a crowd of 24,380 at Chase Field.

“Best I have had felt out there in a while,” said Lincecum, who threw 99 pitches on the evening.

The win was also special for Giants centerfielder Angel Pagan, who made his return to a major league diamond for the first time since May 25, when hit a walk-off two-run inside-the-park home run at AT&T Park against the Colorado Rockies.

In his first major league at-bat in 82 games, Pagan hit a double off of Diamondbacks starter Randall Delgado and then scored the only Giants run that they would need, as Brandon Belt hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield that scored Pagan from third base in the top of the first inning.

“I was going, I was going to challenge (A.J. Pollock),” said Pagan.

Despite taking the loss, Delgado pitched an admirable game, as he went seven innings, allowing one runs on just three hits, walking two and striking out three; however he saw his record fall to 4-5 on the season.

Paul Goldschmidt, who entered the game with a .529 clip in his career versus Lincecum was retired in his first at-bats, but finally got to Lincecum, as he hit a single in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Following the Goldschmidt single, Martin Prado hit a single that sent Goldschmidt and immediately following the Prado single, Aaron Hill walked to load the bases.

After going 1-for-3 on the night, Goldschmidt is still hitting at .an .500 clip, as he is now 10-for-20 in his career versus the two-time Cy Young Award Winner.

Lincecum then struck out Miguel Montero on three consecutive pitches, and Pablo Sandoval saved the shutout, as he dove for an A.J. Pollock hit down the left field line, got up and threw to Belt for the final out of the inning.

“Ball down the line, looking at a crooked number,” said Bruce Bochy, “that was how we won the game.”

Marco Scutaro made an amazing play at second base, as Goldschmidt was running on the pitch, Scutaro was covering second and a ball hit by Prado was snared by Scutaro, who tagged second and threw to first to complete the double play.

Sandoval was forced to leave the game after being hit on the knee by a Brad Ziegler pitch in the top of the ninth inning and was replaced by Joaquin Arias at third base.

Sergio Romo came on in the bottom of the ninth inning, and shut the Diamondbacks down to pickup his 33rd save of the season.

Romo extends two different streaks at Chase Field, as he now completes 20.0-consecutive scoreless innings, tied for the second longest streak all-time by a visiting pitcher in the history of the ballpark (according to Stats LLC).

Also, Romo completed his 23rd consecutive inning of scoreless appearances at Chase Field, the longest such by any visiting pitcher at any ballpark since 1921 (according to Stats LLC).

NOTES: Ryan Vogelsong will take the ball in the second game of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon, while former Oakland A’s starter Trevor Cahill will toe the rubber for Kirk Gibson’s Diamondbacks.

Former Diamondbacks pitcher Yusmeiro Petit will face his former team on Sunday, while 13-game winner Patrick Corbin will head to the mound for the Diamondbacks.

To make room for Pagan, Francisco Peguero was optioned to Fresno and Andres Torres was transferred from the 15-day to the 60-day disabled list after having surgery on his left Achilles.

With the victory, the Giants are now 5-10 following an off day this season, their first win after an off day since Chad Gaudin defeated the Diamondbacks on July 19 at AT&T Park.

The Giants have raised their record versus the National League West to 31-24, the best out of any team in the division.

When the game began at 6:40 (local time) it was a balmy 91 degrees outside of the ballpark, but a cool 78 degrees inside.

SF Giants split series, defeat Brewers 4-1

By Jerry Feitelberg

August 8, 2013

The Giants were looking to even the four game series with the Milwaukee Brewers Thursday afternoon at AT&T park. The Giants sent Tim Lincecum to the hill. Lincecum entered the game with a 5-11 record for the season but he looked like the Timmy of old as he picked up the win going eight innings allowing no runs and just ONE hit as the Giants won the game 4-1. Marco Scutaro and Brandon Crawford were terrific at the top of the lineup as they both had three hits each in the game. They had back to back hits in the first, second and sixth inning. The big blow of the game came in the first inning went Brandon Belt hit a three run homer. The game summary follows.

The Giants jumped out to 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Marco Scutaro led of with a single to left. Shortstop Brandon Crawford followed with a double to left center field to put men on at second and third with no out. With one out, first baseman Brandon belt launched a home run to deep right field to score Scutaro and Crawfor ahead of him. Giants lead 3-0 after one inning of play.

The Giants added a run in the bottom of the second. With two out, Marco Scutaro doubled down the left field line. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and then scored on a single off the bat of Brandon Crawford. Giants lead 4-0 after two.

The Brewers got on the board in the top of the ninth. Khris Davis, pinch hitting for the pitcher, doubled to start the frame. Davis scored when Jean Segura singled with one out. Sergio Romo nailed nail the win getting the last two outs of the game. Giants win 4-1. Lincecum gets the win and he is now 6-11 for the season and Donovan Hand took the loss . Hand’s record is now 0-4.

Notes: The Giants entered the game homer less in eleven straight home games. The last home run at home was on July 20th.The Giants are now 8-12 since the All-Star break. The Giants recalled Hector Sanchez from Fresno and he caught the game for the Giants. Catcher Guillermo Quiroz was designated for assignment. With the win, the Giants are now 12 games under .500 and their home record improves to 30-29. The Giants play an inter-league series with the Baltimore Orioles Friday night at AT&T park at 7:15 pm.

Attendance was 41,219. It was the 233rd consecutive sellout for San Francisco.