Kyle Stowers' solo homer (8)
Kurtz all smiles after first extra-base hit in Athletics' win over Marlins
On "A's Cast", Dallas Braden and Jenny Cavnar speak with Athletics' rookie Nick Kurtz about his performance in the 3-2 win over the Miami Marlins on Sunday at loanDepot Park.Kurtz all smiles after first extra-base hit in Athletics' win over Marlins originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
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New York Times
3 hours ago
- New York Times
Where did this Blue Jays offence come from?
TORONTO — Most nights, Brent Rooker's fifth-inning double would've been a death sentence for the Toronto Blue Jays. It pushed two Athletics runners around the bases to score the A's fourth and fifth runs of the contest. Besting five runs would've been unfathomable for Toronto last week. It didn't score more than two runs on a six-game trip to the Tampa Bay Rays and the Texas Rangers, averaging just one score per contest. On the year, the Jays were just 4-21 when allowing four or more runs — until Friday. Advertisement The Blue Jays could've let up plenty more than five runs against the Athletics and still coasted to victory. Toronto's lineup battered baseballs for a second straight night, beating the Athletics 11-7 to move above .500, at 29-28. The Jays have scored 23 total runs in their last 18 innings against the A's — more runs in the two games than they've totalled in any series all season. Yes, the offensive explosion came against an Athletics team that entered the series with a 5.49 team ERA, third worst in baseball. Yes, the Jays tacked on hits against rookie relievers and position players. But those are the moments when good lineups put up sideways totals — the kind of games the Blue Jays' bats need to take advantage of. Before facing Toronto, Jeffrey Springs allowed two homers and four runs to the Philadelphia Phillies, the National League's top team. It was his worst start of May, after allowing just four total runs across the previous four outings. His start against the Jays could've been a classic rebound outing. Instead, Toronto chased him after two frames, scoring six runs off the starter. 'We did a very, very good job against the starting pitching,' manager John Schneider said. 'Made them work, got them out of the game early. Usually, when you do that, good things happen. So it starts with kind of not taking a while to get into the flow of the game.' The Blue Jays had 39 hard-hit balls across the two outings, but the key to the offence was swing decisions. The Athletics threw 336 pitches in the first two games, and Toronto's batters chased on just 22 of them, resulting in 16 walks. The Blue Jays entered the series against the Athletics with the eighth-highest chase rate in baseball, 28.9 percent. In two games against the A's, it was just 18 percent, which would be the lowest in MLB by 7 percentage points. Advertisement 'I think they're just putting together really good at-bats,' starter Chris Bassitt said. 'Drawing walks and just kind of like passing that baton.' It's easier to take walks against Jeffrey Springs than Jacob deGrom, but that kind of complete offensive performance hasn't been a given for Toronto against weaker opponents this year. This is the same Jays team that got shut out by a Rangers bullpen game earlier this week. A similar lineup to the one that tallied one score against the Houston Astros' Ryan Gusto in April and couldn't push a run across against New York Yankees vet Carlos Carrasco, who has since been designated for assignment. As Kevin Gausman noted last week, the Blue Jays have played to the level of their opponents at times this year, good and bad. Against the Athletics' suspect pitching, the Blue Jays separated themselves. We've seen blips like this before. Toronto's bats got hot at the Seattle Mariners and beat down a scuffling San Diego Padres team earlier this month. It's not about sustaining an 11.5 run-per-game pace, it's proving they can take advantage of scuffling pitching. In the first two games against the Athletics, Toronto did just that. (Photo of Myles Straw: Mark Blinch / Getty Images)
Associated Press
6 hours ago
- Associated Press
Blue Jays take on the Athletics after Clement's 4-hit game
Athletics (23-35, fifth in the AL West) vs. Toronto Blue Jays (29-28, third in the AL East) Toronto; Saturday, 3:07 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Athletics: Gunnar Hoglund (1-2, 5.13 ERA, 1.41 WHIP, 22 strikeouts); Blue Jays: Braydon Fisher (1-0, 0.00 ERA, 0.48 WHIP, 12 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Blue Jays -159, Athletics +134; over/under is 9 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Blue Jays take on the Athletics after Ernie Clement's four-hit game on Friday. Toronto has a 29-28 record overall and an 18-12 record in home games. Blue Jays hitters have a collective .386 slugging percentage to rank eighth in the AL. The Athletics have a 23-35 record overall and a 14-16 record on the road. The Athletics are 20-6 in games when they out-hit their opponents. The teams match up Saturday for the third time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has eight doubles and eight home runs for the Blue Jays. Addison Barger is 12 for 35 with four doubles, a home run and three RBIs over the past 10 games. Jacob Wilson has seven home runs, 13 walks and 31 RBIs while hitting .344 for the Athletics. Lawrence Butler is 15 for 41 with six doubles, a triple, two home runs and six RBIs over the last 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Blue Jays: 6-4, .270 batting average, 2.86 ERA, outscored opponents by 15 runs Athletics: 1-9, .266 batting average, 8.18 ERA, outscored by 43 runs INJURIES: Blue Jays: Anthony Santander: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Andres Gimenez: 10-Day IL (quadricep), Tyler Heineman: 7-Day IL (concussion), Yimi Garcia: 15-Day IL (shoulder), Max Scherzer: 60-Day IL (thumb), Erik Swanson: 60-Day IL (hand), Ryan Burr: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nick Sandlin: 15-Day IL (back), Alek Manoah: 60-Day IL (elbow), Angel Bastardo: 60-Day IL (elbow) Athletics: Nick Kurtz: 10-Day IL (hip), Zack Gelof: 60-Day IL (hand), Gio Urshela: 10-Day IL (hamstring), J.T. Ginn: 15-Day IL (quadricep), T.J. McFarland: 15-Day IL (groin), Jose Leclerc: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Brady Basso: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ken Waldichuk: 60-Day IL (elbow), Luis Medina: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Associated Press
6 hours ago
- Associated Press
Marlins host the Giants on home losing streak
San Francisco Giants (32-25, third in the NL West) vs. Miami Marlins (22-33, fifth in the NL East) Miami; Saturday, 4:10 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Giants: Robbie Ray (7-0, 2.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 69 strikeouts); Marlins: Edward Cabrera (1-1, 4.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 43 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Giants -170, Marlins +143; over/under is 7 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: The Miami Marlins play the San Francisco Giants looking to end their three-game home skid. Miami is 13-16 in home games and 22-33 overall. The Marlins have gone 15-7 in games when they scored at least five runs. San Francisco is 15-16 on the road and 32-25 overall. Giants pitchers have a collective 3.20 ERA, which ranks second in the NL. The teams meet Saturday for the second time this season. TOP PERFORMERS: Kyle Stowers has 10 home runs, 20 walks and 32 RBIs while hitting .286 for the Marlins. Jesus Sanchez is 12 for 37 with a double, a triple, three home runs and seven RBIs over the past 10 games. Jung Hoo Lee has 14 doubles, two triples, six home runs and 31 RBIs for the Giants. Heliot Ramos is 12 for 43 with a triple, three home runs and seven RBIs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Marlins: 4-6, .257 batting average, 4.75 ERA, outscored by 12 runs Giants: 4-6, .214 batting average, 2.20 ERA, outscored by six runs INJURIES: Marlins: Derek Hill: 10-Day IL (wrist), Rob Brantly: 60-Day IL (lat), Xavier Edwards: 10-Day IL (back), Griffin Conine: 60-Day IL (arm), Declan Cronin: 15-Day IL (hip), Andrew Nardi: 60-Day IL (back), Braxton Garrett: 60-Day IL (elbow), Eury Perez: 60-Day IL (elbow) Giants: Justin Verlander: 15-Day IL (pectoral), Jerar Encarnacion: 60-Day IL (finger), Tom Murphy: 60-Day IL (back) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
