Mets Get First Win of the Series Against Giants

San Francisco, CA– Coming off a long flight the night before, the NY Mets showed no signs of “jet lag” when they arrived at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The Mets 7-4 victory over the Giants took flight in the ninth inning with three stolen bases. Carlos Beltran doubled and, while Gary Sheffield was at bat Carlos stole third base. David Wright and Ramon Castro’s single allowed two players to score which secured the win.

“Carlos is that type of player, he can lead off a base hit, home run, etc… And still advance with his speed”, said Mets manager Jerry manuel. “We’ve been aggressive in the late innings. Guys are taking advantage of running the bases. So, it’s nice to see that kind of fight in our guys against a pretty good pitcher.

The NY Mets had seven steals against the SF Giants. Carlos Beltran had the biggest of the seven steals that led to uncertainty of the Giants players. After Beltran stole third, Benjie Molina, Pablo Sandoval and Giants manager Bruce Botchy thought he was out but the umpire ruled “safe”! It was a close call and did look as though Beltran was out.

“I look for the opportunities to steal bases and get myself in a position to score, said Carlos Beltran. You must take advantage of opportunities. This is not about me personally but about the team winning ball games.”

The Giants pitching attributed to not being able to hold the Mets runners on base. Jonathan Sanchez, who had lost his previous starts, allowed four runs and nine hits in 5 innings. Followed by Justin Miller and Brian Wilson who is known for owning the ninth inning but not tonight.

“If a guy is out. that’s a completely different inning, said pitcher Brain Wilson said. But he wasn’t, so… Its a different mind set when there’s a guy on third and one out. You’ve got to completely pitch differently. A tie game, you’ve got to think sacrifice fly, hit the other way. All those things go through your head.”

The Giants pitching was not at it’s best and did try to stay in the game. During the first inning they were able to score two runs off Emmanuel Burris and Benjie Molina’s single. Pitcher John Maine threw a few wild pitches and the Giants were able to take advantage and advance on the errors. Then during the bottom of the eighth it was Fred Lewis and Juan Uribe’s single that tied the game 4-4. But the Giants couldn’t stop the NY Mets ninth inning steals.

Notes - The Mets were without two of their best players Carlos Delgado and Jose Reyes who were both out with injuries. Giants Edgar Renteria was injured in todays game after straining his right hamstring. He is scheduled for a MRI exam tomorrow.

Written by Malaika Bobino

Giambi Homers Twice in A’s Loss

Oakland, CA–  The A’s rallied late in their loss to the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4.  The two game winning streak comes to an end.  Yet, they still had reason to celebrate and that was Jason Giambi’s two home runs in the seventh and ninth innings.  He now has 3 home runs for the season and 399 for his career.  After Giambi’s second home run the A’s began their rally for a come back.

In the 9th inning Jack Cust and Ryan Sweeny singled while Bobby Crosby walked loading the bases.   Second baseman Adam Kennedy then hit a line drive single to right and the A’s closed the lead to two runs.  The excitement was overwhelming, could the A’s come back for the win?  The deciding factor would be rookie catcher Landon Powell.  The bases are loaded and one hit could win the game or tie it.  Pitcher Scott Downs first pitch to Powell flew out in foul territory in deep right field and the game was over.
The A’s could not prevail during a crucial moment in the game.  Consistency is something the A’s needs right now.  Veteran Jason Giambi 2 home runs was the motivation that sparked the  the club in the 9th. The A’s have to  find a way to attack each game and maintain their momentum.
The Blue Jays started the game tough with good pitching from Brian Tallet.  He shut out the A’s for the first 7 innings before they scored a run.  The Jays were able to get a run  in the 1st inning.  They took advantage on every mistake the A’s made.  One of them being, (3B) Jose Bautista stealing 2nd base, at the top of the 5th inning.
The catcher Landon Powell over threw the ball and a runner came in to give the Jays a 4-0 lead.  The A’s will need to take advantage of opportunities and deliver.  But, most importantly is getting wins and making less errors.  The A’s will now look to find some consistency as they face the Kansas City Royals this week.

Michelle Obama, Mother of the Year!

Michelle Obama has been named Post Mother of the Year 2009 for her outstanding leadership and contributions as a role model by nurturing and caring for her children and family. During the first 100 days, Michelle – who calls herself our “Mom in Chief” - visited children around the world, in schools of the District of Columbia and with the military families. Her gardening, voluntarism at food banks, caring for pets and maintaining a style of “substance” has created a national sensation of imitation. Her extraordinary “ordinary” clothing designs have created a wave of appreciation. By serving as America’s First Lady with her two daughters Sasha and Malia, Michelle also is the nation’s mother figure.
Michelle’s mother Marian Robinson also lives in the White House where she shares the care of the children. President Barack Obama remembers his mother Ann Dunham Obama Soetoro, who died in 1995 at 52 and his grandmother Madelyn Dunham, 86, who died the day before he was elected President. His Kenyan grandmother Sarah Obama visited the Inauguration.

A Great Come Back to Even the Series

Oakland, CA– It was a great day for baseball at the Oakland Coliseum Thursday. Clear skies, warm weather and no wind. A perfect day for the Oakland A’s to win beating the Texas Rangers 9-4. Good defense and great pitching from rookie Trevor Cahill, brought the moral of the team up allowing  the A’s to even the series 1-1. Cahill went seven innings before giving up one run in the seventh with no walks.  In the bottom of the fourth Jack Cust hit a grand slam off Brandon McCarthy. It’s Cust’s second career grand slam, his first was August 10, 2007 against the Detroit Tigers. This was the pinnacle point for the A’s during the game. Jack Hannahan followed with a double that brought in Bobby Crosby to give the A’s a five run lead.

“In that situation, you know, obviously that’s the best result you can get, ” said Cust about his slam and easing the team’s tension form lack of hitting. It definitely got the team pumped up … it kind of let everybody take a little breathe and not be tense.”

The A’s have been struggling for hits all season. Cust’s grand slam was the spark that the A’s needed to get motivated and focused. In the bottom of the 5th Matt Holliday hit a three-run homer off reliever Kris Benson to increase the lead 8-1. It is the 4th home run for Holliday this season.
The hits were coming back to back and the A’s finally had their moment of victory! Lack of confidence was not a factor for the A’s today, Bobby Crosby hit a double to center and brought in Ryan Sweeny. But before Crosby’s double, Kurt Suzuki led off with a single to left field, followed by a Jason Giambi single. The A’s displayed team work and looked comfortable on the field. No signs of defeat from the past nor struggles with getting hits were displayed. Hopefully the A’s will keep the momentum up and get more wins. This is the 10th win for the A’s as they still remain in last place in the AL West. The A’s will face the Toronto Blue Jays at home this weekend.

Mistakes Costly for the A’s

By: Malaika Bobino

Oakland, CA- The good thing about a two game series is it’s over quick and easily forgotten. Well, that is if you lose and probably the best way to describe the Anaheim Angels win over the Oakland Athletics 5-3 on Tuesday night. The Angels walked away 2-0 and swept the series. The A’s had too many costly errors that led to their loss.

A’s starting pitcher Dallas Braden has won each of his last two starts but was unfortunate tonight. Braden gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk over six innings. This was a night the A’s do not want to remember. With several costly errors, the A’s allowed Anaheim to maintain an edged going into the ninth to win the game.

A’s third baseman Bobby Crosby’s fielding error led to two unearned runs in the second inning, that gave Anaheim a two run lead. Later shortstop Orlando Cabrera couldn’t get the ball out of his glove on Gary Matthew’s hit in the 4th that also led to a run being scored.

Despite the A’s consistency in failed attempts to find a rhythm they did manage to get a double from right fielder Travis Buck that led to 1 run. Left fielder Matt Holliday followed with a two run homer in the 9th. Had there been a few more innings, and more time for a miracle? The A’s might have come away with the win.

Now back to reality, the A’s have lost two straight and three of the last four games to fall to a season’ high, tying five games under .500 for the second time this year at 9-14. The A’s will face the Texas Rangers in their next series and will try to put this loss behind them.