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A’s Lose To Mariners In Extra Innings

Published

10 years ago

April 11, 2015

Oakland, CA – It began as a pitcher’s duel. But a challenge in the eighth was the game changer for the Mariners. Snapping a thee-game losing streak Seattle evened the series with a 5-4 win over the A’s. No one saw it coming, if you mulled over the events of the afternoon, it still might not make sense.

Both pitchers were dominant and in a zone. Sonny Gray has been remarkable on the mound since last season. But he got himself in a jam when he surrendered his first home run of the season to Dustin Ackley to leadoff the third. Gray has allowed just two runs, one earned, on seven hits this season.

“It was definitely one of those games that was going to be a grind,” said Gray. “I knew that warming up in the bullpen, but I knew after that solo homer that if I could keep them right there and give us a chance to get back in it. We did that in the seventh, just unfortunately couldn’t hold them off.”

Gray’s career-high scoreless inning streak ended against Ackely. The streak dated back to last September. While feeling under the weather he still had a great start. Gray tossed 7 1/3 frames allowing six hits two runs, one earned, one walk and four strikeouts. He retired the first six batters he faced before giving up the home run.

“Last night we got punched in the face,” Mariners manager Lloyd McClendon said. “And we got hit in the mouth today as well. I thought our guys rebounded and did a little punching of their own. This shows the type of fortitude this club has, because that was a gut-wrenching type of game, and they really battled and continued to fight and came out on top in the end.”

Seattle’s pitcher J.A. Happ kept his streak of wins going as he recorded his third win against Oakland in three starts. He pitched a shutout six innings allowing no runs until the seventh. The A’s cleverly knocked out Happ in the seventh when they scored two runs to take the lead 2-1.

Billy Butler leadoff with a single and is the only Athletic to hit safely in each of the first six games and is the only American Leaguer with a six-game hitting streak. Cody Ross followed with a single, Brett Lawrie’s sacrifice bunt moved both runners up. And Josh Phegley’s RBI single tied the game 1-1.

“We let them back into the game,” said Phegley. “But you saw how hard we fought.”

Two on in the corners with one out, Marcus Semien gave Oakland the lead with a RBI single. Tyler Landendorf bunted and was safe at first but the runner at home was out. A’s manager Bob Melvin challenged the call, that the catcher blocked the plate. After the review, the call stood, citing there was no violation at the plate.

“It was a bad throw 100 percent,” Eric O’Flaherty said. “We work on that all spring, and I messed up. You’ve got to throw that over the bag there, so that’s on me.”

Another call challenged by the Mariners in the eighth changed the face of the game. Justin Ruggiano hit into a forceout, Flaherty threw to second for the attempt and Semien stopped short of the base before throwing to first. Seattle quickly challenged the call and after further review, the call was overturned.

They ruled it as an assist to the pitcher and an error to the shortstop. That put Jackson back at second with two runners on base. Robinson Cano lined out to first baseman Mark Canha and both runners advanced. Dan Otero replaced O’Flaherty and gave up a three-run homer to Nelson Cruz making it a 4-2 game. But the A’s weren’t done yet.

“It wasn’t a terrible pitch,” said Otero. “But in that circumstance, it obviously didn’t work out and he was looking for it. Put a good swing on it, unfortunately it didn’t end our way in the end”.

Oakland rallied back, Canha singled to leadoff the eighth and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Ben Zobrist hit a RBI double and moved to third on Butler’s sacrifice bunt. Lawrie’s double scored in Zobrist and tied the game 4-4. But Semien grounded out to third baseman Kyle Seager to end the inning.

Closer Tyler Clippard got himself into a jam in the ninth when he gave up to walks to both Mike Zunino and Brad Miller after retiring the first two batters. With two batters on in scoring position, Jackson was caught looking at the plate and Clippard escaped without any damage.

The A’s had a chance to close it out in the tenth. Zobrist leadoff the inning grounding a single to right field. Pinch-hitter Ike Davis doubled but Zobrist was tagged out at home. Lawrie was walked intentionally and Davis stole second. Vogt got a free pass to load the bases but Semien grounded out leaving all three runners stranded.

By the eleventh things got away from Oakland when Abad gave up a single to Logan Morrison to leadoff the frame. Ackley followed with a sacrifice fly and Miller doubled scoring in Morrison to make it a 5-4 game. Jesse Chavez replaced Abad to retire the next two batters but the A’s offense had nothing left.

“There are just so many things you could look back on this game that could’ve decided it one way or the other, probably for both teams,” Melvin said. “And they just got one more big hit than we did.”

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‘Donald Trump Is Not a God:’ Rep. Bennie Thompson Blasts Trump’s Call to Jail Him

“Donald Trump is not a god,” U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

Published

12 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Congressman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., said he not intimidated by President-elect Donald Trump, who, during an interview on “Meet the Press,” called for the congressman to be jailed for his role as chairman of the special congressional committee investigating Trump’s role in the Jan. 6, 2021, mob attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“Donald Trump is not a god,” Thompson told The Grio during a recent interview, reacting to Trump’s unsupported claims that the congressman, along with other committee members like vice chair and former Republican Rep. Liz Cheney, destroyed evidence throughout the investigation.

“He can’t prove it, nor has there been any other proof offered, which tells me that he really doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” said the 76-year-old lawmaker, who maintained that he and the bipartisan Jan. 6 Select Committee – which referred Trump for criminal prosecution – were exercising their constitutional and legislative duties.

“When someone disagrees with you, that doesn’t make it illegal; that doesn’t even make it wrong,” Thompson said, “The greatness of this country is that everyone can have their own opinion about any subject, and so for an incoming president who disagrees with the work of Congress to say ‘because I disagree, I want them jailed,’ is absolutely unbelievable.”

When asked by The Grio if he is concerned about his physical safety amid continued public ridicule from Trump, whose supporters have already proven to be violent, Thompson said, “I think every member of Congress here has to have some degree of concern, because you just never know.”

This story is based on a report from The Grio.

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City of Oakland Celebrates Reopening of Main Library

“Libraries are such critical facilities for all Oaklanders, whether it’s children coming to story-time, adults reading the newspapers or borrowing the latest novels, and people engaging with a range of services and programs that the library hosts,” said Council President and District 2 Councilmember Nikki Fortunato Bas. “Such library services and programs are only possible when the facility’s electricity, heating, roof, and lighting are fixed and running efficiently. I’m proud to join this re-opening of our Main Public Library.”

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

Left to Right- Jamie Turbak, Director of Library Services, LaTonda Simmons, Assistant City Administrator, Nikki Bas, President Oakland City Council, Shen Thao, Mayor of Oakland, Carroll Fife, Oakland City Councilmember District 3, Harold Duffey, Assistant City Administrator, Sean Maher, Projects Coordinator. Photo by Kevin Hicks.

The branch had been closed since May for critical infrastructure upgrades

Special to the Post

The City of Oakland leadership and community partners gathered to celebrate the reopening of the Main Library after completion of critical infrastructure upgrades to enhance the library’s facilities and provide a better experience for patrons.

Renovations include new roof installation, skylight repair, critical electrical system upgrades, new boiler control system installation, auditorium heating and cooling system installation, and improvements to lighting, flooring and ceilings throughout the building.

“This is truly something to celebrate, the reopening of our wonderful Main Library! I congratulate the staff and our partners for this important project to make the Main Library a more comfortable place for everyone for years to come, said Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao. “Thank you to Oakland voters and the California State Library for making these crucial improvements possible.”

“Public libraries are a wonderful resource for our residents, offering a safe space for learning and being,” said District 3 Councilmember Carroll Fife. “It is critical to improve and modernize our libraries so more members of our community can utilize and enjoy them. I’m excited that the necessary renovations to the Main Library have been completed successfully and thank everyone involved, particularly the City team, who helped secured the necessary grant funds for this work.”

“I am proud of the City staff and project partners who kept this important project on schedule and under budget,” said Assistant City Administrator G. Harold Duffey. “The library is an incredibly important resource for our community members, and this project is an investment into the library’s future.”

“December 2nd was a momentous occasion for Oakland Public Library as we proudly reopened the doors of the Main Library following extensive infrastructure repairs,” said Director of Library Services Jamie Turbak. “Closing the Main Library for six months was no easy decision, as it serves as the central hub for our library system and is truly the heart of Oakland. Yet, this renovation was essential, representing more than just physical upgrades—it reflects our ongoing commitment to creating a safe, welcoming space for everyone.”

The City Administrator Jestin Johnson also attended the press conference and signalled his support for the completion of the record-setting completion of the renovations. Gay Plair Cobb, a newly appointed Library Commissioner said the Library represents the soul and brains of our community.

The Oakland Public Library secured funding for these crititcal repairs through a variety of sources. The California State Library’s Building Forward Library Facilities Improvement Program awarded the Main Branch $4.2 million. To comply with the grant terms, the City of Oakland provided matching funds through Measures KK, as approved by the Oakland City Council in October 2023.

The Main Library will host an Open House to celebrate the reopening on February 22, 2025, 10 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

About the Oakland Public Library

The Oakland Public Library is a part of the City of Oakland in California and has been in existence since 1878. Locations include 16 neighborhood branches, a Main Library, a Second Start Adult Literacy Program, the Oakland Tool Lending Library, and the African American Museum and Library at Oakland (AAMLO). The Oakland Public Library empowers all people to explore, connect, and grow. Oaklandlibrary.org

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Biden’s Legacy Secured with Record-Setting Black Judicial Appointments

His record surpasses previous efforts by his predecessors. President Jimmy Carter appointed 37 Black judges, including seven Black women. In stark contrast, Donald Trump’s first term resulted in only two Black women appointed out of 234 lifetime judicial nominations. The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Published

13 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Oakland Post

iStockphoto.

By Stacy M. Brown
WI Senior Writer

President Joe Biden’s commitment to diversifying the federal judiciary has culminated in a historic achievement: appointing 40 Black women to lifetime judgeships, the most of any president in U.S. history.

Biden has appointed 62 Black judges, cementing his presidency as one focused on promoting equity and representation on the federal bench.

The White House said Biden’s efforts show a broader commitment to racial equity and justice.

Meanwhile, Trump has vowed to dismantle key civil rights protections, including the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division.

“Having the Black woman’s experience on the federal bench is extremely important because there is a different kind of voice that can come from the Black female from the bench,” Delores Jones-Brown, professor emeritus at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told reporters.

Lena Zwarensteyn of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights told reporters that these district court judges are often the first and sometimes the final arbiters in cases affecting healthcare access, education equity, fair hiring practices, and voting rights.

“Those decisions are often the very final decisions because very few cases actually get heard by the U.S. Supreme Court,” Zwarensteyn explained.

Biden’s nomination of Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court further reflects his commitment to judicial diversity. Jackson became the first Black woman to serve on the nation’s highest court.

Patrick McNeil, spokesperson for the Leadership Conference, pointed out that over half of Biden’s Black female judicial appointees have backgrounds as civil rights attorneys and public defenders, experience advocates consider essential for a balanced judiciary.

Meanwhile, Congress remains divided over the expansion of federal judgeships. Legislation to add 66 new judgeships—approved unanimously by the Senate in August—stalled in the GOP-controlled House until after the election. House Republicans proposed distributing the new judgeships over the next decade, giving three administrations a say in appointments. President Biden, however, signaled he would veto the bill if it reached his desk.

Rep. Jerry Nadler, D-N.Y., argued the delay was a strategic move to benefit Trump’s potential return to office. “Donald Trump has made clear that he intends to expand the power of the presidency and giving him 25 new judges to appoint gives him one more tool at his disposal,” Nadler said.