A’s lead late rally but fall 7-6 to Red Sox in 10 innings

A’s lead late rally but fall 7-6 to Red Sox in 10 innings
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 22, 2014


OAKLAND – Sunday afternoon, the Oakland A’s looked as though they were going to go quietly into the late afternoon against the Boston Red Sox as they trailed 6-1 with two outs in the eighth with Jon Lester on the mound looking to add another dominant start of the A’s to his game log.

But that hasn’t been the makeup of this 2014 A’s squad, and although they eventually fell 7-6 in 10 innings, they made the Red Sox work hard to avoid the first four-game sweep by the A’s in their home park since 1932.

“That’s as hard as we fought all year in what looked like a game we weren’t in for a little while,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin after the game.

“A testament to the fight these guys have. They really never feel like they’re going to lose a game until the last out is made.”

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A's beat Red Sox 4-3 on clutch Crisp single

A's beat Red Sox 4-3 on clutch Crisp single
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 20, 2014


OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s proved Friday night at the O.co Coliseum that you can get a lot more for a dollar than you think as they beat the Boston Red Sox the second straight night, winning 4-3 on an eighth inning Coco Crisp two-out RBI single as well as five scoreless innings from the bullpen.

Newly acquired pitcher Brad Mills struck out the first four batters he retired. The A’s got Mills for one dollar from the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday and he took injured started Drew Pomeranz’s spot in the rotation against the Boston Red Sox in the second of four games between the two teams this weekend.

Mills would get tagged for three runs, two of them earned, in four innings for the A’s.

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Kazmir, A's beat Red Sox 4-2

Kazmir, A's beat Red Sox 4-2
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 19, 2014


OAKLAND–Thursday night, the Oakland A’s defended their title as the team with the best record in the majors as they beat the defending champion Boston Red Sox by a 4-2 score in the first of four games at the O.co Coliseum between the two.

Stephen Vogt and Yoenis Cespedes were the offensive stars for the A’s. Vogt was 1-for-2 with two RBIs and Cespedes’ third inning home run gave the A’s a 3-0 lead through the first four innings.

Scott Kazmir (9-2, 2.07 ERA) was excellent once again, going seven strong innings–the only runs allowed coming off a two-run Dustin Pedroia home run in the sixth inning. That made the game 3-2, but the A’s tacked on a run in the seventh on a John Jaso RBI single that scored Eric Sogard from second base. Coco Crisp was thrown out trying to advance to third.

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A’s offensive smorgasbord sends off Jeter as they beat Yanks 10-5

A’s offensive smorgasbord sends off Jeter as they beat Yanks 10-5
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 15, 2014

OAKLAND–After a power outage delayed Saturday’s game nearly 40 minutes, the A’s could’ve powered the stadium themselves Sunday as they hit two three-run home runs in the first two innings en route to a 10-5 win to begin their ten game home stand winning two out of three at O.co Coliseum.

The A’s gave Derek Jeter a nice send off and presentation before Sunday afternoon’s game, including a standing ovation from a fan base whose hearts Jeter has stomped on before.

The A’s got the last laugh in Jeter’s final regular season game against the club, dominating them to a 6-0 second inning lead on the strength of two three-run home runs from Derek Norris and Coco Crisp on Father’s Day.

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Athletics overcome delay, beat Yankees 5-1 behind Kazmir

Athletics overcome delay, beat Yankees 5-1 behind Kazmir
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 14, 2014

OAKLAND–Saturday night, a 38-minute game delay caused by the lights in left field at O.co Coliseum going out couldn’t keep the home team from beating the New York Yankees 5-1 while not at their full strength.

Scott Kazmir (8-2, 2.05 ERA) allowed just one run in six innings, the fifth time in his last seven starts he’s allowed one run or fewer as he out-dueled Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda, who the A’s (perhaps with help from the shoddy stadium) knocked out before the end of the fifth inning.

The delay came as the bottom of the fifth inning was set to begin. The A’s had a 2-1 lead at the time, and would tag Kuroda for two more as he couldn’t complete the fifth inning, going 4 2/3 IP with 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, and 3 K.

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A’s beat Angels 7-1 with timely hitting, clutch defense

A’s beat Angels 7-1 with timely hitting, clutch defense
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 11, 2014


ANAHEIM, Calif.–Though they were unable to extend their American League West divisional lead over the second-place Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim after dropping the first two games of the series in Anaheim, the Oakland Athletics came away from Wednesday night’s game with a number of positives after securing a 7-1 victory.

The A’s ended the nine-game road trip against the Yankees, Orioles, and Angels with a winning record going 5-4 as they return to Oakland for ten games against the Yankees, Rangers, and Red Sox.

A’s manager Bob Melvin stressed the difference in ending a road trip with a winning record after the game.

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A’s fall 4-1 to Angels in Anaheim

A’s fall 4-1 to Angels in Anaheim
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 9, 2014


ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Oakland Athletics dropped the opener of their road series against the division rival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Monday night 4-1 as Garrett Richards had an impressive outing on the mound for the Angels, going seven strong innings. Oakland starter Jesse Chavez had a quality start but didn’t get the necessary run support to avoid the loss.

Oakland MVP caliber third baseman Josh Donaldson had an off night, committing three errors while also going 0-for-4 at the plate.

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Marquez and Alvarado looking to earn Pacquiao fight on Saturday

Marquez and Alvarado looking to earn Pacquiao fight on Saturday

Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
May 15, 2014


Saturday night, boxing returns to The Forum in Inglewood, Calif., as future first ballot Hall of Famer Juan Manuel Marquez squares off with Mike Alvarado in a welterweight bout that could very well determine the next opponent to Manny Pacquiao later this year.

Marquez got his start in the States at the old Forum, racking up victories as an obscure but talented technically sound Mexican fighter. It wasn’t until his controversial draw with Pacquiao a decade ago that Marquez began earning the respect of casual observers.

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A's win 5-4 over White Sox behind another strong Jesse Chavez outing

A's win 5-4 over White Sox behind another strong Jesse Chavez outing
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
May 13, 2014


OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics extended their win streak to a season high five games on Monday evening behind another strong outing from emerging right-hander Jesse Chavez. The A’s won 5-4 as Josh Donaldson put Oakland ahead for good with a fifth inning two-run home run, Donaldson’s eighth of the season.

Aside from a second inning Dayan Viciedo solo home run, Chavez (3-1, 2.44 ERA) was dealing. Once the A’s gained control of the game following Donaldson’s blast in the fifth, Chavez retired every batter he faced until the last one. After retiring ten in a row, Chavez came out for the ninth inning for the first time in his career as a starting pitcher. On an 0-2 pitch, Jose Abreu hit his 14th home run of the season, spelling the end of Chavez’s night. His masterful performance would read 8+ IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 7 SO, with 2 solo HR allowed.

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A's lose heartbreaker, fall 5-4 in 12 innings to Angels

A's lose heartbreaker, fall 5-4 in 12 innings to Angels
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
April 17, 2014


ANAHEIM–The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim once again forced The Oakland Athletics into extra innings on Wednesday night when their bullpen was unable to hold a ninth-inning lead for the second straight game.

Unlike Tuesday night, when the A’s managed to prevail in 11 innings, the A’s were unable to turn the momentum back in their favor as they ultimately fell 5-4 on a 12th inning Chris Iannetta solo blast. The home run just barely escaped the grasp of center fielder Craig Gentry, tipping off the top of his out-reached glove and over the wall.

After taking a 4-1 lead on a fourth inning three-run home run from Brandon Moss, the A’s bats fell silent and the Angels slowly worked themselves back in the game.

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A's win see-saw battle in extras over Angels, 10-9

A's win see-saw battle in extras over Angels, 10-9
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
April 16, 2014


ANAHEIM–It was a seesaw battle between the Oakland Athletics and cross-state rival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Tuesday night as the A’s eeked out an extra-innings win 10-9.

Oakland proved again that even when they’re not having their best day, you couldn’t count them out. The A’s overcame two leads and a game-tying home run from Mike Trout in the bottom of the 9th to win it in the 11th.

Dan Straily became the first A’s starter to allow more than three earned runs in 2014, getting tagged for six earned runs in just 3 2/3 innings pitched.

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A's win 6-3 as Moss, Cespedes go yard

A's win 6-3 as Moss, Cespedes go yard
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
April 6, 2014

OAKLAND–Just like on Opening Day, 24-year old Oakland Athletics phenom Sonny Gray didn’t begin with his best stuff on Sunday afternoon. By the end of his outing, Gray showcased the kind of repertoire that earned him that honor as he retired the last seven batters he faced in the A’s 6-3 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Gray (1-0, 0.75 ERA) walked two in the first inning and threw two wild pitches over the course of the first three innings. A Daric Barton error in the second allowed two unearned runs to come in, ending Gray’s career-high scoreless streak at 14 2/3 innings. Gray gave up his first earned run of the season in the third, as Robinson Cano scored on a Justin Smoak single up the middle.

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A's postponed second time in four days

A's postponed second time in four days
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
April 4, 2014

OAKLAND–After playing twelve innings the previous night, the Oakland Athletics were postponed in their second of four games against the division rival Seattle Mariners on Friday night. This time, a delay was caused despite few drops of rain in the hours that preceded the projected start time.

Though the Apr. 1 game against the Cleveland Indians was postponed due to heavy rain, Friday’s game was postponed because the field wasn’t covered by a tarp on Thursday night. This marks the second postponement in four days at the Coliseum after going fifteen years without one.

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Bullpen woes cost A’s two out of three against Indians

Bullpen woes cost A’s two out of three against Indians
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
April 3, 2014


OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics opened the 2014 regular season with some fantastic pitching from their starting rotation, but bullpen woes caused the A’s to be losers in two out of three games at home against the Cleveland Indians.

Starters Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir combined for 13 1/3 scoreless frames in the first two games.

Newly appointed ace, Gray, pitched six shutout innings without his best stuff, getting out of a number of jams that included getting a couple of force outs at home plate. He left the game knotted in a 0-0 tie, and offensively the A’s were unable to take advantage of a number of opportunities. Josh Donaldson hit a 400-foot single to deep center field that Daric Barton failed to score off of from second. New closer Jim Johnson came into the game in the top of the ninth and gave up two runs, leaving to a chorus of boos in his A’s debut.

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Karim Mayfield suffers first pro loss

Karim Mayfield suffers first pro loss
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
April 1, 2014


Saturday night, San Francisco junior welterweight Karim Mayfield suffered the first defeat of his professional boxing career. Mayfield dropped a unanimous decision to Thomas Dulorme in Atlantic City; the bout was televised by HBO.

It was a bizarre week for Mayfield, as Thursday evening saw news break that his de facto manager Marlon Sullivan was caught up in serious allegations as they related to Senator Leland Yee.

Yee, a one-time candidate for mayor of San Francisco in 2011, found himself right in the thick of charges such as accepting campaign contributions in order to carry out orders solicited from undercover agents. Such orders included gun running.

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Boxing news around the Bay Area

Boxing news around the Bay Area - Mar. 25
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
March 25, 2014

Former Oakland boxer James Buggs shockingly passed away last Tuesday at the early age of 43 from an apparent heart attack.

Over the course of a 10-year professional career that ended in 2009, Buggs was a win some, lose some type of fighter. He compiled a record that consisted of eight wins, ten losses, and three draws, often taking fights on short notice and under unfavorable circumstances against a number of up and comers.

It is within the confines of Oakland’s famed King’s Gym that Buggs’ absence will be felt the most in the boxing community. It is there that Buggs worked with the city’s youth, teaching them the basics of the sweet science while also becoming a reliable figure in the gym for anyone to bounce their problems off.

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Oakland starter Jarrod Parker out for season, needs second Tommy John surgery

Oakland starter Jarrod Parker out for season, needs second Tommy John surgery
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
March 18, 2014


Bad news struck the Oakland Athletics organization as projected Opening Day starter Jarrod Parker will miss the entire 2014 season due to the need of Tommy John surgery.

This will be the second time that Parker will undergo the reconstructive ulnar collateral ligament replacement, as he had the procedure done in 2009.

Despite the fact that the A’s have a ton of pitching depth, the loss is still a huge blow. Parker was a large reason the A’s won the American League West for the second straight year in 2013. Parker went 9-0 over 19 starts from May 22 to Sept. 16, the longest unbeaten run from an A’s starter since Lefty Grove went 21 straight without a loss in 1931.

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Boxing Around the Bay

Boxing Around the Bay
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
March 9, 2014


Sacramento’s Robb signs with manager, fights Apr. 5

Sacramento featherweight Guy Robb has proven himself to be one of the most consistently exciting fighters in northern California since his professional debut in 2010. Due to the lack of pro shows in the region, Robb only fought twice in 2013. The inactivity will hopefully come to an end as Robb signed with local manager Herb Stone on Tuesday, the fighter told the Gazette. The 25-year old Robb (12-1, 5 KOs) put on a gutsy display for a nationally televised audience in his lone defeat, a January 2012 loss to fellow unbeaten Joel Diaz Jr.

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Friday night fights in Redwood City

Friday night fights in Redwood City
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
March 4, 2014

Friday night at the Fox Theater, local favorite Bruno Escalante scored an easy one round knockout of Mexican veteran Lorenzo Trejo in the ten-round main event.

Trejo is a 36-year old Mexican journeyman who had been stopped in the first round his previous two fights. He unsurprisingly met the same demise at the hands of his much younger foe. Trejo took one good left hand well and then it was all downhill from there. The end came when Escalante landed a crushing body shot followed by a right hook. Trejo was down in the corner and showed no interest to continue.

Escalante (12-1-1, 6 knockouts) is coming off an impressive 2013 where he gained valuable experience, going ten rounds for the first time in his career against a capable opponent. Trejo represented a major step back in terms of the level of opponent. If the fans were interested to see their guy get an easy knockout, the promoter ensured they’d get it.

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Reddick robs SF newbie in spring opener

Reddick robs SF newbie in spring opener
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
March 2, 2014

Oakland Athletics outfielder Josh Reddick made two catches that robbed crosstown rival San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Morse of home runs. They were two catches that would easily be contenders for the best of the year–weren’t it not Feb. 26 and more than a full month before Opening Day.

Twice, Reddick climbed the right field fence at Phoenix Municipal Stadium and reached up and grabbed long fly balls that should have resulted in a banner spring start for Morse. The first catch was the more spectacular, but the second one concluded with him doubling off a runner at second base.

Reddick is hands down one of the best defensive players in the game. His range gives him the ability to track down balls and turn them into routine plays and he has a cannon of an arm. And of course, he will make the occasional ridiculous catch like he did Wednesday.

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