Despite A’s 5 run third Marlins scratch enough runs for 7-5 win for sweep

Miami Marlins third baseman Jean Segura, right, reacts after missing a catch on a throwing error by starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara (not shown) as Oakland Athletics’ Ramon Laureano (22) heads for home to score during the third inning at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sun Jun 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

Despite A’s 5 run third Marlins scratch enough runs for 7-5 win

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Oakland Athletics (12-49) took on the Miami Marlins (32-28) in game three of their series getting swept in three games 7-5. After losing the first two games of the series the A’s who scored 5 runs in the top of the third inning couldn’t hold onto the lead as the Marlins tied the game 5-5 in the fifth and went ahead 7-5 for keeps in the eighth. In game one of the series, the A’s were shutout 4-0, and in game two Oakland was manhandled to the tune of 12-1.

Sunday game recap: Although the Marlins took an early lead scoring one run in the second inning, Oakland answered in the third inning scoring five runs. After the Marlins Yuli Gurriel doubled driving in Garrett Cooper , the A’s got to work. The third inning got underway with a Nick Allen bunt to the pitcher and Jace Peterson scored the first run of the third getting the Oakland scoring frenzy underway.

Esteury Ruiz singled Shea Langliers home, followed by a Ramon Laureano double that allowed two more runs to score. Laureano was able to cap off the inning scoring on a throwing error by Miami pitcher Sandy Alcantara. Oakland had built up a 5-1 lead.

The Marlins tied up the game scoring one run in the fourth and three more runs in the fifth inning. The fifth inning Garrett Cooper home run with two runners (Luis Arraez and Bryan De la Cruz) on base put the Marlins in the drivers seat. Letting this lead slip away was critical for Oakland.

Miami put the finishing touches on the game in the eighth inning scoring twice. Joey Wendle and Nick Fortes both scored. The Marlins came back in the eighth inning with two runs giving the Marlins the sweep.

It was a frustrating loss for Oakland after taking the 5-1 lead. Outside of the third inning the A’s only had one hit from Laureano in the sixth frame. Oakland only had six hits in this game and for the most part it was three up and three down for most of this game.

The A’s will now travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates starting on Monday night at 4:05pm PT. It has been a bumpy roller coaster ride with more downs than ups for the Athletics this season.

It will be another challenge for these young guys. The Pirates are currently in second place in the NL Central a half game behind the Brewers. JP Sears (0-3 ERA 4.37) will take the mound for the A’s and Johan Oviedo (3-4 ERA 4.50) will be on the hill for Pittsburgh. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 PM.

MLB podcast with Charlie O: Mets to honor Big Sexy with retirement send off on Aug 26 at Citi Field; Nats Strasburg still hurting this time nerve damage; plus more

Former New York Mets pitcher Bartolo Colon throws out the first ball on the seventh anniversary of his home run. Colon will be honored celebrating his retirement by the Mets when they host the Los Angeles Angels on Aug 26, 2023 at Citi Field. (AP file photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Bartolo Colon the former Oakland A’s and New York Mets pitcher will get a great send off at Citi Field on Aug 26th. Colon 50 who retired in 2018 finally will get his well deserved retirement party. Colon pitched for 21 years and on 11 MLB teams.

#2 He came riding high and with all the attributes and predictions of being a big league superstar and someone who could nothing short of making the Hall of Fame ballot with the talent he brought as a big league pitcher. Stephen Strasburg was a 2019 World Series MVP and signed a seven year $245 million contract with the Washington Nationals since 2020 he’s pitched only eight times, two times in 2020 and has suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome in his pitching arm. It was reported that Strasburg could return soon but is still suffering severe nerve damage.

#3 Charlie O, the Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts is doing it all and has been tabbed the “modern day Rickey Henderson” Betts whose in the leadoff role for Los Angeles is hitting .263, 57 hits, 45 runs, 15 home runs and 36 RBIs for this season. “It’s a pretty cool comparison, being compared to Rickey, but Rickey was a different breed,” said Betts.

#4 With the bases loaded for the Chicago White Sox in the bottom of the tenth inning the White Sox Tim Anderson at the plate and two outs with Detroit Tigers relief pitcher Jose Cisnero trying to work his way out of the inning Cisnero thought he got the signal to throw a sink when Tigers catcher Eric Haase called for a slider. The pitch didn’t sink and got away and hit home plate umpire Corey Blaser in the face mask knocking him to the ground. It was a live ball and it allowed the Sox Andrew Benintendi to score from third for the walk off wild pitch giving the White Sox the 2-1 win. Blaser is under observation and doctor’s care.

#5 Charlie O, the vote for relocating the Oakland A’s could come right down the owners vote during the week of Jun 13-15th. The A’s according to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will not be charged for a relocation fee. The other MLB owners have not objected at least to the media or sources about the A’s not having to pay a relocation fee. The A’s and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo have an agreement on the funding of the new ballpark for $1.5 billion contingent on the Nevada Legislature’s approval. To show you that the assembly is under pressure by residents mostly who oppose the new ballpark they’re haggling amongst each other on how to vote and the deadline is Mon Jun 5th in 24 hours to vote as the session is ending.

Join Charlie O for the MLB podcasts heard Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cobb, Giants get five hit shutout beat O’s 4-0 at Oracle

San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Cobb works against the Baltimore Orioles during the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jun 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

Baltimore (36-22). 000 000 000 – 0. 5. 1

San Francisco (29-29). 003 001 00x. – 4. 10 0

Time: 2:35

Attendance: 32,416

Saturday, June 3, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–Just when you thought things were beginning to gel for the Giants, they dropped two in a row to the marauding Pittsburgh Pirates and then laid an egg in the first of their current three game series against the high flying Baltimore Orioles, losing a 3-2 heart breaker and dropping their record to 28-29.

The Orioles, who began the Saturday at 36-21, occupy second place in the American League East, whose members are, like all the children in Lake Woebegone, above average.

Not a single team has a losing record. The Giants, after finally climbing above the .500 mark on May 29, began Saturday looking up at it. With their 4-0 triumph over the Orioles tonight, they once more are on an even plane.

Although Logan Webb, whose bobblehead was tonight’s stadium giveaway, is the putative ace of the Giants’ rotation, Alex Cobb, their starting pitcher for tonight, took the mound with the best won-lost record of the group (4-2) and the second best ERA (3.05).

Only Webbs’ 2.85 was better than that. The club’s Cobb Webb combo is complimented in the bullpen by Camilo Doval, who was named National League Reliever of the Month for May in spite of a mediocre performance against Pittsburgh on the 31st.

Tonight, Cobb improved that already solid record, gaining his fifth win of the season in the process of thorughly dominating the Orioles’ lineup.

His opponent was sophomore right hander Kyle Bradish, sporting a 2-1, 3.89 mark for the seasons. This was his first appearance against the Giants, or against any other NL West team, for that matter. He went 4-7, 4.90 in his rookie year.

His performance tonight was lackluster, lasting only four innings, in which he threw 79 pitches 53 of which counted as strikes. He yielded three runs, all of them earned, on seven hits, a walk, and a wild pitch. His ERA climbed to 4.13, and he was charged with the loss.

The home team took the lead in the third frame. LaMonte Wade, Jr. smacked a one out double against the right field wall and scored on JD Davis’s single to right. Mike Yastrzemski, aided by a clock violation first ball, doubled to right center.

Wilmer Flores singled up the middle to center, driving in Davis and Yastrzemski. Blake Sabol singled to right, putting runners on first and second. It looked for a moment as though Giants would blow the game open, but Aaron Hicks made a leaping catch in front of the Orioles’ bullpen of Haniger’s drive to deep center field.

The inning ended with San Francisco still in front, 3-0, in spite of a wild pitch that advanced the two stranded runners to second and third. On inning later, Wade’s second consecutive double, a two out blast that bounced into the bleachers behind the Visa advertisement in right center, went to waste when Davis fanned.

Keegan Akin relieved Bradish to open the Giants’ fifth. He struck Yazrzemski out looking but yielded a Texas League single to Flores and made an off line throw to second on Sabol’s bouncer to the mound.

The base on balls he issued to Haniger loaded the sacks with Giants, which cost Akin a trip to the showers and brought Bryan Baker out of the pen and into the game to face Casey Schmitt and his .315 batting average. Baker fanned him, keeping the Orioles in striking distance of their hosts.

Walks to Crawford and Wade followed by a fly out to deep right center by Davis that moved Crawford to third brought Cionel Pérez in to pitch for Baltimore and Austin Slater to pinch hit for Yastrzemski in the home sixth.

He came through with a run producing single to center, charged to Baker. He stayed in the game and made a nice diving catch of Austin Hays’s sinking. liner to center in the top of the seventh.

It was Bruce Zimmerman on the hill for Baltimore after the seventh inning stretch. He held the Giants to a single by Bailey.

Ryan O’Hearn doubled to left on Cobb’s 102nd pitch, sending Hicks, who’d gotten to first on an infield single, to third. The Giants challenged the call at second, which was upheld. Cobb retired Jorge Mateo, 1-3, the runners holding, and then left the game.

He’d gone 7-2/3 innings and thrown 103 pitches, only 33 of which were balls. He shut the O’s out on five hits and no walks while striking out seven, bringing his ERA down to 2.71. Scott Alexander got the final out of the inning and gave way to Duval for the top of the ninth.

Camilo Doval – who else? – was called on to face Balitmore’s second, third, and fourth batters in the top of the ninth. Adley Rutschman went down swinging. Anthony Santander grounded out to first. Hays grounded out to second, Doval earned his 15th save in 16 opportunities, and the Giants returned to .500.

The teams will play the rubber game of the series Sunday, afternoon at 1:05. Baltimore will send starboard side starter Tyler Wells (3-2, 3.29) to the mound against San Francisco’s righty Anthony DiScalfani (4-4, 3.48).

A’s Drop Game Two in Marlins Series 12-1

Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Luis Medina, front left, talks with catcher Shea Langeliers (23) during the first inning at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sat Jun 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

A’s Drop Game Two in Marlins Series 12-1

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the Oakland A’s (12-48) continued their series with the Miami Marlins (31-28) and it was not the outcome Oakland would have wanted this time getting crushed by their hosts 12-1 at LoanDepot Park in Maimi.

Friday was no better either Oakland was shut out by Miami 4-0. The A’s were coming off a great series in the beginning of the week actually winning a series against the NL East leading Atlanta Braves.

They played some very nice ball against the Braves in that series but it all came to a screeching halt yesterday when they lost that first game against Miami Friday.

Saturday game recap: In game two of this series it was all Miami after only two innings into the game. The Marlins went on top taking a 4-0 lead. Jonathan Davis doubled and Nick Fortes and Joey Wendle both scored for the 2-0 lead.

The Marlins Luis Arraez singled in Davis and a Bryan De La Cruz sacrifice got Arraez home giving the Marlins a 4-0 advantage. The Marlins were putting on a great show for their home crowd at LoanDepot Park.

The Marlins would strike again in the third inning scoring three times and take a 7-0 lead. Miami loaded the bases and Arraez came to the plate and doubled. Arraez set a career for most hits in a game with five and five RBIs to chip in on the offensive effort. Jean Segura, Joey Wendle and Nick Fortes all scored to end the inning.

There was two more runs in the fifth inning for Miami taking a 9-0 lead. The Marlins had 12 hits through seven innings and the A’s had only five hits. When it was all said and done, Miami had 14 hits and the A’s had eight.

In the eighth inning the A’s got up on the board. They did have the bases loaded but only managed to score a single run leaving runners stranded. Shea Langliers singled Laureano home for the one run.

The Marlins would tack on three more runs in the bottom of the eighth taking a 12-1 lead that was the final. After the great series that the A’s had to start the week this current one was turning into a real disappointment. The A’s down 0-2 with game three on tap Sunday.

Sunday, the A’s will head into game three with Miami trying to avoid another sweep. Paul Blackburn will take the mound for Oakland with a 0-0 record and a 2.25 ERA. Sandy Alcantara will be on the hill for Miami with a 2-5 W/L record and a 4.93 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 10:40 AM.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Charanbir Mahal: Do Knights have the upperhand opening up on home ice?

Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill speaks with the media ahead of the NHL Stanley Cup hockey final Friday, June 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup podcast with Charanbir:

#1 Charanbir, the Finals tonight will be the first time since 1994 that the Finals will be on cable. TNT who is under the umbrella of Warner Brothers Discovery Sports in their second season televising the NHL.

#2 TBS has done the NCAA men’s basketball finals only three times and the NHL and NBA Conference Finals and MLB league championship series but this for TNT is a historic plateau, reaching the mountain top if it were doing the entire finals all on cable as first.

#3 Charanbir, turning the Vegas Golden Knights this is their sixth year in the NHL since their first year going to the finals and nearly becoming pro sports first expansion team to win the championship in their first year which they lost to the Washington Capitals.

#4 For the finals this week the Knights who are hosting during the morning skate Thursday fans were directed to the overflow lot and were hoping to get in the rink where the lines were 30 deep to get in at T Mobile Center.

#5 The Knights William Carrier who was on that original team one of six remaining players says this team says this Knights team says this team is better overall and the original team were mostly on a contract year.

#6 Charanbir, the puck drops at 5:00pm tonight at T Mobile Center for game 1 of the NHL Finals between the Florida Panthers and Knights how do you see this one opening up the series?

Charanbir Mahal is a INDTVUSA reporter and is doing analysis for the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcasts and was filling in for Matt Harrington who does the NHL podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NBA Final podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Nuggets dominate and early; Jokic finshes off Heat with triple double in game 1

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, left, passes the ball next to Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler, center, during the first half of Game 1 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Thursday, June 1, 2023, in Denver. (AP News photo)

On the NBA Final podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic got a triple double in his first career final and the Nuggets Jamal Murray scored 26 points. With Jokic and Murray provided the offense could this set the tone for this series?

#2 Jokic scored 27 points, 14 rebounds, and ten assists it’s been 47 long years for the Nuggets to make the finals and their finally here.

#3 The Heat who lost by nine points saw Bam Adedayo lead with 26 points, Gabe Vincent 19 points, and Haywood Highsmith with 18 points great shooting but it just wasn’t enough to keep up with the Nuggets.

#4 The Nuggets trailed for 34 total seconds in the contest and topped off with a 24 point lead. The Nuggets also had Aaron Gordon contribute with 16 points and Michael Porter Jr 14 points. They can rely on other players to contribute other than just Jokic and Murray.

#5 Nuggets up 1-0 and game 2 is slated on Sunday at Ball Arena, Jeremiah after watching game 1 did the thin air play a part in the Heat trying to keep up. They’ll have three days to get acclimated for game 2 if that was the case.

Join Jeremiah with analysis of the NBA Finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Orioles get 3-2 edge on Giants despite Wade Jr’s splash hit

San Francisco Giants’ LaMonte Wade Jr., right, is congratulated by teammate J.D. Davis, left, after hitting a home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jun 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Troy Ewers

SAN FRANCISCO–In front of a crowd of 27,873 in Oracle Park on a beautiful 59 degree night, it was the Baltimore Orioles against the San Francisco Giants in their first meeting since 2019 and it was a duel between Logan Webb and Dean Kremer.

The Orioles came into this game with the third best record in the league (35-21) and it showed with good pitching to keep the Giants off balance and the O’s hitting to just get by 3-2 on Friday night to open a three game series.

The game started with Webb going three up three down in the 1st and the energy seemed like it was all Giants when LaMonte Wade Jr. hit a solo leadoff home run and not just any home run, the 100th “Splash Hit” here at Oracle Park.

The second inning was the Orioles time to shine when Austin Hays scored from a Ryan O’Hearn single, then Aaron Hicks scored off a short roller single by Jorge Mateo and the second inning ended with The O’s up 2-1.

In the third inning Mike Yastrzemski hit a double that scored J.D. Davis and evened out the score, 2-2. Between the fourth inning and the seventh inning, each pitcher had quick innings and no one had the upper hand it felt like.

The game changer was from Gunnar Henderson hitting a leadoff home run in the top of the seventh and now the Giants were gonna have to fight back. In the eighth inning no energy from the Giants’ bats , but in the ninth inning SF had to try to score on one of the top closers in the business, going for his 15th save of the season, Felix Bautista.

Bautista struck out the first two batters, then Casey Schmitt shot some adrenaline in the building with a double, but Bautista would still get his save when he struck out Michael Conforto to end the game and the Orioles came away with a one run win. This is the 15th save for Bautista, making him the second best closer in the MLB.

Next game is Saturday night at 7:05pm PT and it will be Kyle Brandish (2-1, 3.89) on the hill for the Orioles and Alex Cobb (4-2, 3.05) for the Giants at Oracle Park.

Early Goal Is All Roots Needed To Beat Colorado Springs FC in 1-0 Victory

Napo Matsoso setting up the offense (Photo from Roots Instagram)

By Troy Ewers

In Colorado Springs, it was Oakland Roots against Colorado Springs FC and this was a major game for the Roots and it was needed if they wanted to stay at top five in the west in the table. This game started with a heavy amount of possession in Oakland’s favor and that led to a clean right footed shot by Johnny Rodriguez for a goal from outside the box. 1-0 Roots.

That was all the scoring for this as the rest of the game went at a grueling slow pace, because of fouls and an injury for Daniel Gomez. Gomez had to be carted off and he was replaced by Joseph Nane. Colorado had really no major momentum in the first half, except for a major attack in the 40th minute, but no foul was called and play went on.

The first half ended with both teams under three shots on goal. The possession in the first half was 58% in the favor of Oakland. The second half was an even slower pace, but this time from just sloppy play on both sides. Every time you looked, someone was either on the floor or arguing over a call (or lack of call).

A brace was almost scored for Oakland in the 94th minute, but the attempt was stopped in its tracks by the Colorado defense and before you knew it the game was over and Oakland got the win. Johnny Rodriguez has had a big season and this goal marks his five point this season. Next game for the Roots will be in Phoenix Rising Stadium in Phoenix Arizona against Phoenix Rising FC.

Las Vegas Stays Undefeated Winning Fifth In A Row Beating Dream 92-87

The Las Vegas Aces bench with Chelsea Gray (12) are jubilant as the Aces remain undefeated in WNBA action with a win over the Atlanta Dream at Gateway Center Arena in Atlanta on Fri Jun 2, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

Las Vegas Stays Undefeated Winning Fifth In A Row Beating Dream 92-87

By Barbara Mason

Friday evening the Las Vegas Aces (4-0) traveled to Atlanta to take on the Atlanta Dream (2-2) and for Aces they remained undefeated with a 92-87 victory. Las Vegas has started the season with a bang amid controversy which has not slowed them down. They played without their Head Coach Becky Hammon in the first two games of the season.

Despite that they sailed through the first two games without Hammon and went on to capture the following three games now sporting a 5-0 record. They clocked their fifth win Friday night.

The Aces have more points per game, a higher percentage of field goals, rebounds, and assists then the Dream. They are also adept when it comes to stealing the ball and there is not much that they cannot do.

The solid starting roster that the Aces have presented huge problems for opposing teams. They are, of course, led by A’Ja Wilson, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Candace Parker. There is not a starter or bench player that is not a threat on this team.

The threat that the Dream brought to this game is Cheyenne Parker, Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, everyone of them solid starters. They crushed the Sky last Tuesday 83-65 while the Aces celebrated their fourth win of the season over Minnesota 94-73 on Sunday.

Friday game recap: The Aces got off to a nice start leading after the first ten minutes 24-15. The Dream were only shooting at 31% and the Aces were doing a nice job defensively.

After leading by more than ten points in the second quarter, the Dream made a run but the Aces finished off the first two quarters leading by 15 points 45-30. The Dream were challenged defending Wilson and Young. It was all Aces so far in this game. Parker, who has 16 seasons under her belt, was all over the court dictating play throughout the first two quarters.

Las Vegas continued to lead as the third quarter came to an end, 72-58.

The Aces had led by as much as 19 but the Dream made a run in the fourth quarter to pull to within ten points, 82-72 with 4:10 left in the game. Ten turnovers for the Aces were hurting Las Vegas as the Dream tried to work back into the game trailing 82-86 with 1:38 left in the game.

Atlanta was threatening to hand the Aces their first loss of the season. With under one minute left in the game the Aces were clinging onto a three-point lead 87-84.

A Las Vegas steal gave the Aces an 89-84 lead in a real nail-biter. With 22.5 left in the game Chelsea Gray hit a clutch two giving her team a 91-87 lead. The final was 92-87. The Dream fought hard and very nearly pulled off the upset but just came up short.

Las Vegas had to pull out all the stops to win this game. Wilson finished the game with 21 points and Young had 20 points. The high score for the Dream with 25 points was Cheyenne Parker. It was a close game but the Aces dug deep and came away with the win.

Sunday afternoon the Aces will take on the Indiana Fever on the road. Tipoff is scheduled for 1:00 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Special session possibly needed for A’s ballpark vote past Jun 5th deadline

The possible future new home of the Las Vegas Athletics at the Tropicana Casino and Hotel as seen on May 9, 2023 (file photo Nevada Independent)

On the A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel there is talk now that some owners are against the Oakland A’s getting a free pass from being allowed not have to pay for the relocation fee to Vegas and it’s not sitting very well with the owners.

#2 One thing about not enforcing the relocation fee is that this might set a precedent for future moves in MLB and clubs will want that relocation fee waved.

#3 If MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred was to wave the relocation fee that might make a difference in how owners will vote and that might have them vote no on the A’s moving out of Oakland.

#4 Daniel in the event that the Nevada State Assembly votes no on public funding for the Tropicana ballpark at the tune of $395 million. $185 from the State of Nevada and Clark County $145 million. There has been talk that the A’s will seek other cities that will have them and not return to Oakland. That said the Mayor of Oakland Sheng Thao has said that she would take a phone call from the A’s if it doesn’t work out in Vegas.

#5 The Assembly met in Carson City as you know last Monday Memorial Day and it sounded very much like a favorable meeting for the new park but two items stand in the way the one we talked about at the top of the show with MLB owners possibly objecting to move the A’s because they don’t have to pay a relocation fee and the other public pressure on the Nevada Assembly showing in a recent poll that over 80% of Las Vegas residents are opposed to using public funds to pay for the park and 21% are in favor for using public funds for the park.

#6 Sacramento has also shown interest in the A’s moving to Northern California in the event that the Las Vegas deal falls through.

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