Featured

A’s Beat Angels, Stay Alive in Wild Card Race

Published

12 years ago

September 22, 2014

Oakland, CA – Call it a hoax but the Angels have not been successful in winning at O.co this season. The rally possum wasn’t needed tonight as the A’s dominated in the first by scoring six runs to seal their victory over the Halos 8-1. Jeff Samardzija was a gem on the mound once again and this time he had the runs to back him.

“It was good to see us take the walks, not try to be too aggressive, which maybe we’ve been too much recently, but made him work, throw a lot of pitches,” said Oakland’s manager Bob Melvin. “Next thing you know we put up a six-spot.”

The A’s got off to a rough start when Jonny Gomes misplayed leadoff hitter Kole Calhoun’s line drive to left field. Gomez error allowed Calhoun to advance to third. Mike Trout’s sacrifice fly scored in the Angels first run making it a 1-0 game. Oakland responded bottom of the inning after C.J. Wilson loaded the bases with one out.

Coco Crisp leadoff the frame with a single and Wilson walked both Josh Donaldson and Jonny Gomes. He then walked Derek Norris and tied the game 1-1. Bases still loaded, Wilson walked in another run. Oakland made it a 2-1 game. Geovany Soto grounded a single up the middle and drove in two runs to extend The A’s lead 4-1.

“You really can’t call a timeout in the middle of the game and go review the tapes,” Wilson said. “There’s no headset to the offense coordinator where you can call in a different viewpoint. Seeing it in slow motion, I was able to confirm what I was doing wrong.

He tossed 2/3 innings, allowed two hits, six runs (four earned) and walked four but was charged for six walks. Wilson pitched his second shortest start of his career and allowed a season-high six tying runs. The Halos couldn’t catch a break after that, David Freese threw Nick Punto’s ground ball down the right field line for a three-base error scoring in two more runs.

Mike Morin forced Crisp to ground out to first base to end the inning. After two scoreless innings pitched from the Angels bullpen, they loaded the bases again. Crisp hit a single and both Sam Fuld and Donaldson were issued a free pass. But Dunn flew out to center field to end the threat.

“We’ve been through a lot during this last month and a half, two months, so it’s good to see everything starting to come together, everything clicking, playing great defense, taking great at-bats and pitchers pitching,” said Samardzija. “That’s what you want and I think we’re doing it at the right time.”

The A’s got another opportunity in the seventh. After back-to-back walks to pinch-hitters Brandon Moss and Dunn, Jed Lowrie hit a single and Stephen Vogt followed with a two-run single extending the A’s lead 8-1. Soto has hit safely in each of his four games against the Angels this year.

“He’s a shark,” Soto said. “He’s coming at you. He’s coming for some blood.”

Samardzija’s night ended after seven frames. He allowed five hits, one run and struck out three. Evan Scribner came in and gave up a three-run homer to Albert Pujols trimming the lead in half. Samardzija is Oakland’s first starter with 7+ innings pitched and no error allowed in three straight starts since Trevor Cahill in 2010.

This is the second time this month Oakland has won back-to-back games. They haven’t won three straight since Aug 7-9. The A’s have a one game lead over the Royals for the top American League Wild Card spot. Winning three of their last four, Oakland can put themselves in a good position if they can take the series but it’s one day at a time.

“There’s not many options we have right now,” said Angels manager Mike Scioscia.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

2014 ATHENA Award and ATHENA Young Professional Leadership Award Recipients

Don't Miss

Chris Tucker Delivers Laughs at the Paramount

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Community

Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life

BLACKPRESSUSA NEWSWIRE — The American Cancer Society recommends that African American men speak with their doctor at age 45 about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. Men at even higher risk should have that discussion at age 40, especially those with one or more close relatives who were diagnosed at an early age.

Published

1 day ago

September 10, 2026

Post News Group

Prostate Cancer is Twice as Likely to Kill Black Men. Talking to Your Doctor Could Help Save Your Life

American Cancer Society board member Dr. Robert Winn discusses risk factors for the disease and why too many Black men still aren’t getting screened

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, and as both a Black man and a cancer center director, I know many men in our community think it’s bad luck to talk about cancer. But I’m here to tell you it’s bad luck not to talk about it.

We, Black men in the U.S., are nearly 70% more likely than White men to be diagnosed with prostate cancer. We’re also twice as likely to die from the disease.

But I’m telling you, if you’re diagnosed early, you can still enjoy a long, happy life doing the things you love, whether that’s playing with grandkids or staying active in your community. That’s because although it can become a serious illness, most men diagnosed with prostate cancer won’t die from it.

In fact, more than 3.5 million U.S. men who’ve been diagnosed with prostate cancer are still alive today. And when it’s diagnosed early, you boost your odds of survival. It’s that simple.

Generally, prostate cancer is most likely to develop after age 50, but when it develops in Black men, they tend to be younger. That means we need to be on the ball about understanding our personal risk. The risk factors include a family history of prostate cancer and certain genetic health risks that come from a parent.

When it comes to family medical history, we need to get a lot better at talking. For me, it turned out I had uncles who’d died from prostate and other cancers, but I didn’t always know that, so I couldn’t use that information to help me make smarter screening choices.

The American Cancer Society recommends that African American men speak with their doctor at age 45 about whether prostate cancer screening is right for them. Men at even higher risk should have that discussion at age 40, especially those with one or more close relatives who were diagnosed at an early age.

Look, I get that no one looks forward to a screening, but it typically starts with just a simple blood test, called a prostate-specific antigen, or PSA.

Even if you end up needing a digital rectal exam, it takes less than a minute and could save your life. So, what I say to people is, what’s the price of your life? Isn’t it worth a minute of being uncomfortable?

Brothers, this is essential for you to know: just because you’re feeling good doesn’t mean you don’t have early-stage prostate cancer. By the time you start to actually experience symptoms, the disease could be at an advanced stage and might be harder to treat.”

Prostate cancer is significantly impacting our fathers, our brothers, and our sons. That’s why the American Cancer Society is working with health systems and professionals in your community to help remove barriers in the fight against the disease.

We can help you find low-cost or free screening locations. And for men who need cancer treatment, the American Cancer Society can reduce the financial burden of traveling to medical appointments by providing free rides and, if you live far away from where you receive treatment, a free place to stay.

When it comes to prostate cancer screening, one size doesn’t fit all. So, it’s important for all men – and especially Black men – to talk to their doctor about what’s best for them based on their age, risk, and health history. Please make that appointment, because we don’t want you to risk missing out on the best years of your life.

For more information, call the American Cancer Society’s 24/7 helpline at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.

Dr. Robert Winn is a nationally recognized physician-scientist and researcher. He currently serves as cancer center director at Temple Health’s Fox Chase Cancer Center. Since 2021, he has served on the board of directors for the American Cancer Society, a leading cancer-fighting organization with a vision to end cancer as we know it, for everyone.

Post News Group

Posts by Post News Group

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of September 2 – 8, 2026

Published

4 days ago

September 7, 2026

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Business

Longtime BWOPA Member Brendalyn Goodall Appointed to California Workforce Development Board

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board. Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on

Published

2 weeks ago

August 30, 2026

Post News Group

Post Co-Publisher Gay Plair Cobb with Brendalynn Goodall. Courtesy photo.

By California Black Media

Gov. Gavin Newsom has appointed longtime Black Women Organized for Political Action (BWOPA) member Brendalynn Goodall to the California Workforce Development Board.

Goodall, an Oakland resident with decades of experience in public service, has held leadership positions focused on employment, aging services and assistance for underserved communities.

“Brendalynn will be a great addition to this Board,” said Gay Plair Cobb, who served as former state Assemblyman Sandre Swanson’s alternate to the California Workforce Development Board (CWDB).

“She understands that California’s non-profit organizations serve persons who have the most significant barriers to their labor market success and that the Board should help these groups navigate the complicated requirements of state funding.

“In other words, she will be a strong advocate for our most marginalized populations. Her voice is needed now, more than ever.”

CWDB works with the governor to shape workforce policies, programs and investments designed to strengthen the state’s economy. It collaborates with employers, workers, labor organizations, educational institutions, community groups and California’s 45 local workforce development boards to expand access to quality jobs and respond to regional employment needs.

According to the board, its work includes coordinating state programs and guiding investments in workforce training and development.

BWOPA California celebrated the appointment, describing Goodall as a dedicated advocate for workers, families and older adults.

“Her appointment reflects a lifetime of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to strengthening California’s workforce and expanding opportunity for all,” the organization stated in a press release.

Goodall served as summer jobs program coordinator in the Oakland Mayor’s Office from 2012 to 2014. In that position, she helped connect young people with employment opportunities and job experience.

Before joining the Mayor’s Office, Goodall was division manager for Aging and Adult Services in the City of Oakland Human Services Department from 2002 to 2011. She previously served as senior services supervisor and program director for the city’s Department of Aging, Health and Human Services from 1990 to 2002.

Goodall is also a member of the California Commission on Aging, which advises the governor and state officials on policies and programs affecting older Californians.