Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s open four game series tonight against Rangers

Oakland A’s Christian Beathancourt (23) welcomes Elvis Andrus (17) home after hitting a two run home run in the top of the sixth inning at T Mobile Park in Seattle on Wed May 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Oakland A’s (19-27) starter Paul Blackburn is starting to make a name for himself pitching 5.1 innings, one hit and five walks against the Seattle Mariners (18-27) to pick up his fifth win against no loses no about it Jerry Blackburn is dealing.

#2 The A’s got home run help from Elvis Andrus and Seth Brown off of former Cy Young Award winner and M’s starting pitcher Robbie Ray.

#3 With the win the A’s who took two out of three from the Mariners at T Mobile have passed up the Mariners in the AL West standings as Oakland are no longer occupying the cellar.

#4 The Mariners are in trouble that is of late and 45 games into the 2022 season losing eight of their last ten games and 21 of their last 28 games. M’s manager Scott Servas whose rumored to be on the hot seat says he’s aware that the M’s are not playing good baseball right now.

#5 The A’s open a four game series against the Texas Rangers (19-23) tonight at the Oakland Coliseum starting pitcher for Texas Martin Perez (3-2, 1.64) he’ll be opposed by Oakland starter Frankie Montas (2-4, 3.55) a 6:40 pm first pitch.

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

A’s behind Blackburn’s strong outing beat Mariners 4-2 for second game in a row

Oakland A’s starter Paul Blackburn throws against the Seattle Mariners line up in the bottom of the first inning at T Mobile Park in Seattle on Wed May 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s (19-27) finished the short six-game road trip with a victory over the Seattle Mariners (18-27) Wednesday afternoon at T-Mobile Park. Oakland won the game 4-2. The A’s took two out of three from the M’s and finished the trip with a 3-3.

A’s starter, Paul Blackburn, continued to pitch well. Blackburn’s record is now 5-0, and he lowered his ERA to 1.70. Blackburn went five and one-third innings and allowed just one hit. He came out of the game as he had walked a career-high five batters.

Robbie Ray, the reigning American League Cy Young award winner, went six innings and allowed seven hits and three runs. Ray had a season-high ten strikeouts. He was tagged for two home runs. Ray had given up a big fly in five consecutive games. He is 4-5, with an ERA of 4.77).

The A’s drew first blood in the top of the fourth. With two out, A’s first baseman Seth Brown blasted his third home run of the right into the stands in right field. When facing a left-handed pitcher this season, Brown entered the game with just one hit off the southpaws.

His luck changed on Wednesday. He tagged Ray for a double in the first and homered in the fourth.

In the sixth, with one out, Christian Bethancourt singled. A’s shortstop, Elvis Andrus, homered to left to make it a 3-0 game. For Andrus, it was his first home run of the year.

The Mariners fought back. They scored a solo run in the seventh and another run in the eighth to make it a 3-2 game. The Run in the eighth scored on Zach Jackson’s wild pitch. 

The A’s added an insurance run in the ninth. With two out, Luis Barrera singled to give the A’s a 4-2 advantage. Dany Jimenez closed out the game to earn his tenth save of the year.

Game Notes- With the win, the A’s are now 19-27. The M’s fall to 19-27. The Line for Oakland was four runs, nine hits, and no errors. Seattle’s line was two runs, five hits, and no errors.

The A’s will host the Texas Rangers for four games starting Thursday at the Ring Central Coliseum in Oakland.

The A’s will send Frankie Montas(2-4, 3.55 ERA) to do the pitching. The Rangers will have left hander Martin Perez (3-2, 3.62 ERA) doing the hurling for them.

The teams will meet for the second series this season. The Rangers took two out three when they were here in April. First pitch at 6:40 pm.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Lots of blow back Rangers manager calls Yankee Stadium a Little League Park; Umpire leaves game after getting hit by foul ball; plus much more

The New York Yankees Gleyber Torres gets ready to walk it off against the Texas Rangers last Sun May 8, 2022 at Yankee Stadium after the bottom of the ninth home run Ranger manager Chris Woodward said the stadium is like hitting in a Little League Park (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary:

#1 Texas Rangers manager Chris Woodward called Yankee Stadium a Little League Park after Sunday’s front end of a doubleheader when the Yankees Gleyber Torres hit a walk off home run. Woodward got an avalanche of heat for calling one of baseball’s cathederals a Little League Park.

#2 How much was it based on frustration for Woodward on losing to the Yankees on Sunday as Yankee Stadium does have a short porch. You could be assured Woodward heard it from Yankee fans on Monday.

#3 Scary moment as home plate umpire Ron Kulpa was hit in the mask by Chicago White Sox third baseman Jake Burger by a foul ball on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Burger was checked by trainers after falling at the plate walked off the field under his own power and was replaced by Marty Foster.

#4 New York Mets coach Eric Chavez said that balls are being juiced to get out more there is no secret that all big league clubs are using humidors but on Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN prime time games Chavez said that he first didn’t believe it when players came to him about it but watched and said the ball was traveling further on the eye test but it also lined up with what the analytics were telling them.

#5 Amaury the last three games in Minnesota against the Minnesota Twins the Oakland A’s lost by some low scoring games but they can’t seem to break out the bats and get the run production that manager Mark Kotsay would hope. Luckily the Detroit Tigers are a struggling bunch and the A’s got a couple runs to get by them on Monday night to end their nine game losing streak at Comerica Park 2-0.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez with Manolo Hernandez Douen for all the play by play action on the Oakland A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco and for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A Lot From A Little: A’s avoid sweep, win 2-0, Irvin sharp for first, five innings

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–Don’t be surprised if you see A’s pitching star Cole Irvin on Monday… possibly on the back nine of your prized East Bay golf course seeking conditioning and relaxation.

Irvin was the biggest piece of the A’s lockout-tinged, shutout by committee which subdued the Rangers, 2-0 on Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum. Irvin’s one-hitter lasted just five innings and expended 87 pitches, but it was plenty effective. Irvin allowed a leadoff double, and three relievers consumed the final, four innings, scattering three Texas base hits.

The A’s avoided a sweep, winning the series finale despite scoring just three runs in three-game set.

This weekend was kind of tough offensively,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “We did a better job of being patient and working counts (in Sunday’s game).

A weekend absent of offense fits right in with the A’s quirky, but effective start of the season. They’ve impressed by scoring runs–they led the AL in runs scored at the start of this home stand–but 21 of those came in games 4 and 5 and not much more through 17 games now. While they haven’t frightened any opponents the team’s 9-8 start is encouraging.

Especially given that centerfielder Ramon Laureano is suspended, COVID absences marred the home stand, all the fans apparently didn’t get the memo to attend the games, and–don’t forget–a lot of talented players left town right before the season started.

Dizzying if you’re not a player, but for the A’s themselves, a bunch to digest. That and the first 17 games without a day off. Not surprisingly, Monday will be for mind and body rejuvenation for the team, with Irvin making his intentions clear in the clubhouse.

“I will be on the golf course,” Irvin said. “Taking my time, enjoying it. I’ve got to get on the links a little bit. Going to have some fun.”

Irvin’s already made four starts and he’s had some success. But he’s gearing up for the busiest of his four seasons at the big league level, and that was apparent in his post-game comments. Irvin’s making adjustments, developing characteristics and enjoying the process.

“I found some confidence in my slider grip and I figured out what I was doing to throw it more consistently,” Irvin said. “The cutter was moving like a slider but it was fun to throw, kept guys off balance. Fastball command was big, too.”

Relievers Zach Jackson, Kirby Snead and Dany Jimenez were unshakeable as the back end of Oakland’s inexperienced, but not youthful bullpen. Jackson cruised through the sixth and seventh, Snead retired Cory Seager after Marcus Semien doubled, and Jimenez survived an eventful ninth to earn the save.

I’m tipping my cap to Dany right now,” Kotsay said. “He’s done a tremendous job. He gets a little bit of traffic and still keeps his composure. Today, I still felt he threw quality pitches.”

“They’re pitching like they have experience,” said Stephen Piscotty of the relievers.

Piscotty’s home run in the fourth gave Oakland the lead and the only runs of the afternoon. The A’s homegrown outfielder doubled on Saturday, making his first two games back from the COVID-list eventful after he was hampered by injuries last season and saw his power disappear.

“I’m definitely trying to have more fun and it’s more fun when you’re healthy, no doubt about that,” Piscotty said. “I don’t know, just to get in there, get to play. It feels natural.”

The A’s visit Oracle Park and the Giants on Tuesday, the first of two by the Bay. Dalton Jeffries gets the start in the opener.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Rangers Martin leads with shutout over A’s; Montas’ great outing is showcase for other teams shopping him

Texas Rangers Martin Perez throws against the Oakland A’s in the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Apr 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

Michael Duca joins Amaury on That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Oakland A’s (8-8) having a tough time getting some offense they dropped the first game of this three game series to the Texas Rangers (5-9) on Friday 8-1 and then were shutout on Saturday 2-0.

#2 On Saturday A’s starter Frankie Montas actually had a decent outing with eight strikeouts, giving up just two earned runs on three hits the two runs coming in the top of the eighth inning in a heartbreaker 2-0 loss.

#3 This is a showcase game for Montas a lot of teams who were shopping for Montas will continue to bang on the A’s door it’s surprising that Montas is still with the club.

#4 Sunday starters for the Rangers Garett Richards (0-0 ERA 4.50) and for the Athletics Cole Irvin (1-1 ERA 4.32) for a 1:07 pm PDT first pitch at the Coliseum.

Michael Duca joins Amaury Pi Gonzalez for That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Lack of hitting leads to A’s recent loses

Texas Rangers’ Eli White (41) gets in ahead of the tag by Oakland Athletics catcher Sean Murphy, front left, after a ball hit by Rangers’ Brad Miller in the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Apr 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Oakland A’s (8-8) having a tough time getting some offense they dropped the first game of this three game series to the Texas Rangers (5-9) on Friday 8-1 and then were shutout on Saturday 2-0.

#2 On Saturday A’s starter Frankie Montas actually had a decent outing with eight strikeouts, giving up just two earned runs on three hits the two runs coming in the top of the eighth inning in a heartbreaker 2-0 loss.

#3 This is a showcase game for Montas a lot of teams who were shopping for Montas will continue to bang on the A’s door it’s surprising that Montas is still with the club.

#4 Charlie, talk about the Rangers Brad Miller who did get a big hit in the eighth inning for two RBIs that was the difference as the A’s have lost three of their last four games.

#5 Sunday starters for the Rangers Garett Richards (0-0 ERA 4.50) and for the Athletics Cole Irvin (1-1 ERA 4.32) for a 1:07 pm PDT first pitch at the Coliseum.

Join Charlie O every other Sunday for the Oakland A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Miller’s eighth inning single gets Texas 2-0 win over Oakland

The Texas Rangers Brad Miller swings for an eighth inning two run single that was all the Rangers needed to defeat the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Apr 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

The Oakland A’s were back in action on Saturday as they took on the Texas Rangers in the middle game of the series. The A’s lost the opener against the Rangers on Friday by the final of 8-1. On Saturday, the A’s would look to get back on track against the Rangers at RingCentral Stadium in Oakland. The A’s were unable to pull out the win on Saturday losing in a shutout 2-0.

The A’s couldn’t get much of anything started on the offensive side of the ball. The A’s had three line hits in the ballgame and none of them came to threaten the Rangers.

The first hit was a third inning two out double that didn’t amount to anything as Tony Kemp struck out as the next hitter. The A’s second hit was a two out single from Christian Pache, and their final hit was a one out double from Stephen Piscotty. Overall, the A’s had no runs, three hits, and two walks.

For the Rangers, they received all of their offense in the eighth inning. The Rangers scored twice on a Brad Miller single that ended in an interference call at home plate to score the second run. The Rangers didn’t do much on offense but it was just enough to move past the A’s. The Rangers finished on offense with two runs, five hits, and one walk.

On the pitching side of the ball, Frankie Montas pitched a great game for the A’s. Frankie went 7.1 innings allowing two runs, three hits, and a walk. It was a solid mine that would ultimately be spoiled by the way it ended in the eighth inning.

For the Rangers, Martín Pérez pitched six innings of shut out ball allowing two hits and a walk. Matt Busch got the save in the game pitching the ninth inning.

The A’s will look to avoid the sweep on Sunday as they play in Oakland at 1PM PST.

Rangers take opener of three-game set with A’s 8-1

Oakland A’s reliever Sam Selman (40) delivers in relief against the Texas Rangers at the Oakland Coliseum on Fri Apr 22, 2022 (photo from Oakland A’s twitter)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s welcomed the lowly Texas Rangers to Ring Central Coliseum Friday night to start a three-game weekend series. Texas Rangers’ manager Chris Woodward was hoping to have his team upset the A’s applecart in the opening game of the series.

Despite their acquisition of star players Corey Seager and former A’s shortstop Marcus Semien, the Rangers started the season with a record of 3-9. On the other hand, Oakland surprised the league and came into the game with an 8-6 record.

However, as the fans know, baseball is a strange game. Anything can happen on any given night. Poor teams can beat the better ones. That is what happened at the Coliseum Friday night. In the second inning, the Rangers put a five-spot on the board as they coasted to an easy 8-1 victory.

A’s manager sent righty Adam Oller to the hill. Oller was looking for his first win of the year. The Rangers had Glenn Otto handling the pitching chores. Oller was hoping to pitch better to keep his spot in the rotation.

His hopes faded in the top of the second when the Rangers put five runs on the board. Adolis Garcia got things going for Texas when he reached on an infield single. Rangers’ first baseman, Nate Lowe, sent Oller’s offering over the wall in center.

The blast traveled 387 feet to give the Rangers an early 2-0 lead. Oller retired Kole Calhoun for the first out. The next batter, Andy Ibanez, made it 3-0 when he hit a 390-foot blast over the fence in left field. Oller’s problems were not over.

He walked Rangers DH Willie Calhoun. Former A’s catcher Jonah Heim doubled, sending Calhoun to third. Shortstop Brad Miller drove in Calhoun on an infield single. Former A’s shortstop Marcus Semien drove in Heim with a sacrifice fly. The Rangers lead 5-0 midway through the second inning.

The A’s managed to put a run on the board in the bottom of the fourth. With two out, back-to-back doubles by Sean Murphy and Seth Brown produced the only run of the game for Oakland. The two doubles were the only hits the A’s could muster Friday night. The A’s trail 5-1 after four.

There was no more scoring in the game until the top of the ninth. Adam Kolarek was now pitching for Oakland. The Rangers nailed him for three hits and three runs as they made it an 8-1 game. Rangers’ reliever Garrett Richard set the A’s down in order in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win for Texas.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 8-7. The Rangers improved to 4-9.

Adam Oller was the losing pitcher. His record is now 0-2, and he owns an 11.70 ERA. Glenn Otto earned his first win of the season. Otto and Oller were high school classmates at Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, Texas.

The A’s announced that they would retire Dave Stewart’s number 34 in a ceremony at the Coliseum on September 11th, 2022. Stewart won 119 games over eight seasons, pitching 49 complete games, and nine shutouts while compiling an ERA of 3.63. 

The A’s will send their ace, Frankie Montas, to the mound Saturday afternoon. Montas is 2-1 with an ERA of 3.63. Lefty Martin Perez (0-2, ERA 6.75) will go for Texas. The game will start at 1:07 pm.

A’s down O’s take three out of four from Baltimore in 6-4 win

The Oakland A’s Sean Murphy (12) forearm bashes teammate Tony Kemp (5) after belting a two run home run as Baltimore Orioles catcher Anthony Bemboom (right) can only watch at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Apr 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s rebounded from a tough 1-0 loss Wednesday night to down the Baltimore Orioles 6-4 Thursday afternoon by four runs. The A’s won the four-game series three games to one. A’s starter Paul Blackburn won his second game of the year.

He went five innings and allowed no runs and just three hits. Blackburn struck out four and did not walk a batter. He threw 62 pitches. Here’s how the A’s did it.

The A’s put the game’s first run on the board in the top of the third. Rookie centerfielder Cristian Pache sent Tyler Wells’ 2-2 pitch 381 feet over the leftfield wall. For Pache, it was his second dinger of the season. With one out, Tony Kemp doubled.

The A’s third baseman, Sheldon Neuse, followed with a single to drive in Kemp with the A’s second run. Sean Murphy ended Wells’ day when he singled to put two on with two out. Orioles’ manager Brandon Hyde brought in Joe Krehbiel to get the final two outs of the frame. The A’s lead 2-0 at the end of three complete.

The Orioles’ offense made the game a wee bit closer in the top of the fifth. O’s first baseman Ryan Mountcastle started the rally with a single. A’s starter Paul Blackburn retired Rougned Odor for the first out.

The next hitter, O’s right fielder Austin Hays doubled to drive in Mountcastle. Blackburn retired the next two hitters to end the threat. The A’s came back in their half of the inning to put two more on the board. With one out, Tony Kemp singled to get the rally going.

O’s reliever, lefty Keegan Akin, retired Sheldon Neuse for the second out. The next hitter, A’s catcher Sean Murphy, blasted Akin’s first pitch 411 feet over the wall in left field to give the A’s a 4-1 advantage after five innings.

The Orioles rallied to plate two runs in the top of the seventh. Ryan McKenna to start the rally. A’s reliever Justin Grimm nailed Ryan Mountcastle with a pitch to put two men on with no out. The O’s Rougned Odor singled to drive in Mountcastle. Austin Hays followed with a single to make it 4-3.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay brought in Domingo Acevedo to pitch. Acevedo retired the next three hitters to get put the fire out. The A’s maintain a narrow 4-3 advantage halfway through the seventh.

The A’s answered by pushing two more runs across the plate in their half of the seventh. With one out, rookie Nick Allen, who made his Major League debut Tuesday night, doubled for his first hit in baseball.

O’s reliever Dillon Tate retired Tony Kemp for the second out. Sheldon Neuse followed with his third hit of the game to drive in Allen. The next hitter, Sean Murphy, doubled to drive in Neuse with the A’s sixth run. Oakland leads 6-3.

The O’s refused to go quietly into the night. O’s centerfielder Cedric Mullins led off the eighth with a double. He went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly. The A’s failed to score in their half of the eighth. The A’s still lead 6-4.

Game Notes- With the win, the A’s are 6-4. The Orioles’ record is 4-9.

The hitting stars for the A’s were Sheldon Neuse, Sean Murphy, Tony Kemp, and Cristian Pache. Neuse had a double and two singles and drove in two runs. Murphy had a single double and a home run. Murphy drove in three. Tony Kemp had two hits. Cristian Pache also homered. For Pache, it was his second of the season.

A’s reliever Dany Jimenez recorded his second save as he set the O’s down in order in the ninth.

Oakland’s line score was six runs, eleven hits, and one error. Baltimore’s line was four runs, seven hits, and no errors.

The A’s meet the Texas Rangers for three games starting Friday night. Adam Oller (0-1 ERA 13.50) will pitch for the A’s, and Spencer Howard (0-0 ERA 18.00) for the Rangers will oppose him.

The time of the game Thursday was 2:50 today’s attendance 4,429 fans watched the A’s win their eighth game.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Major League Baseball locks out tonight; MLB clubs dealing before window closes

Former Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, left, puts the tag on Atlanta Braves’ Eddie Rosario on an attempted steal during game 5 of the NLCS Oct 21, 2021. Seager joins the Texas Rangers after signing with them on Mon Nov 29, 2021 (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury:

#1 Amaury the window is closing as the lockout deadline is approaching and tonight this will be the last day of doing business as tonight at midnight Major League Baseball will enter it’s first work stoppage since the unforgettable 1994 baseball strike.

#2 MLB teams are on the move and trying to clean house before the work stoppage kicks in tonight the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers are no exception last night dealing shortstop Corey Seagar to the Texas Rangers a ten year deal worth $325 million and on Sunday the Rangers signed second baseman Marcus Semien for seven years at $175 million, Semien played for the Toronto Blue Jays last season.

#3 Former Dodger pitcher Max Scherzer will be throwing for the New York Mets he signs a three year deal for $130 million. Scherzer was 15-4 ERA 2.46. Talk about how much of an addition he will be for the Mets.

#4 Former Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Cy Young Award winner Robbie Ray will be joining the Seattle Mariners Ray and the M’s agreed on a five year $115 million deal and with Ray’s experience and accomplishments both will be expecting big things. Ray was 13-7 ERA 2.84 last season for the Blue Jays.

#5 Former Los Angeles Angel Alex Cobb will join the San Francisco Giants details of an agreement has not been disclosed on Monday night. Cobb was 8-3 with an ERA 3.76, he’s 34 years old how much do you see him helping the Giants in 2022?

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary for exclusive coverage of the Major League Baseball lockout 2021 at http://www.sportsradioservice.com