Month: June 2014

Giant step forward? The Giants could be player for the top talent at the trade deadline

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By Morris Phillips

It’s official. The Giants are a good team gone bad.  But half the season remains and there’s time to rebound a make a run at another World Series berth.

Nothing else will do for an organization bent on a run at a third world title in five years. But how do they get from here to there?  And how do they blunt the momentum of the Dodgers who have been playing better baseball for one, and surely are galvanized by their rapid ascent in the NL West.

For the Giants, the answer might not surprise you: pull out all the stops and make the biggest splash at the trade deadline.

The Giants grabbed all the headlines when they traded coveted prospect Zach Wheeler and emptied their wallets for Carlos Beltran in 2011. That didn’t work out so well, but the intent was there:  Grab the nearest available superstar, plug him in and see if the team catches fire.  But while Beltran was pretty good, the team couldn’t use the boost to get over the hump.

In 2012, Marco Scutaro and Hunter Pence were brought in to bolster the Giants’ chances. And this time it worked: Pence was constant presence holding down right field and while providing an offensive upgrade.  But Scutaro was simply fantastic, hitting for a high average, getting big hits to win games and providing a consistent offensive treat at the top of the order.

This time, the Giants not only are going bad, but the Dodgers have really picked up since June 8 when the Giants led the NL West by 9 ½ games.

So what would make the biggest difference in a race that on the surface looks like it goes to the hated rival down south?

Acquiring one or more top flight upgrades of top trade deadline like Jeff Samardzjia or David Price for one might do the trick. The Giants figure to be in the mix if they offer top pitching prospect Kyle Crick and are willing to pay a big salary.

Smaller names could help too, but in combination.   The Giants don’t have holes in their everyday lineup to fill exactly, but upgrades could be had.  Start at second base where Chase Utley could be available.  A fourth outfielder who can hit and play defense could improve the team.  Maybe even a talented third baseman that could displace Pablo Sandoval.

Whatever players are made available at or after the trade deadline will be possibilities for a team that has money, feels they can win now and relishes the competition with the Dodgers. The Giants didn’t wait this long to get good to let it all go

Especially let it go to the Dodgers.

On Tuesday, the Giants send Tim Lincecum to the mound in his follow up to last week’s no-hitter, and Marco Gonzales goes for the Cardinal at 7:15pm.

Tigers Stun Athletics in Grand Fashion

Published on by Matthew Harrington1 Comment

By Matthew Harrington

The Detroit Tigers may not always beat the Oakland Athletics, but the motor city kitties tend to find the most excruciating ways to do it. After bouncing Swingin’ A’s from the postseason in the last two campaigns, the American League Central leaders added another chapter of success against their West Coast foes Monday night at Comerica Park, converting a 4-1 deficit in the ninth inning into a walk-off grand slam for Rajai Davis and the Tigers (45-34).

With a decent lead in the ninth, Oakland A’s Manager Bob Melvin tabbed bullpen backend stalwart Sean Doolittle (1-3, 2.97) to sit the Tigers down for three final outs. Instead the A’s bench boss saw a surefire victory turned into a stunning defeat. Detroit came to the plate in attack mode against Doolittle, with Nick Castellanos and Alex Avila reaching base with no outs three pitches in to the left-hander’s night.

Doolittle found his footing, striking out Eugenio Suarez but failed to put Austin Jackson away on a full-count pitch. Instead Doolittle nibbled outside the strike zone to bring former Athletic Rajai Davis to the plate representing the winning run. Davis patiently took the first-pitch delivery from Doolittle for a ball, then crushed a belt-high breaking ball deep to left field about ten feet from foul pole for his sixth home run of the season. Davis made reliever Blaine Hardy (101, 2.89 ERA) the winner, handing the 27-year-old his first Major League win

Doolittle saw his scoreless inning streak snapped at 26 1/3 innings Saturday in Miami, blowing his second save of the season after allowing a Casey McGehee single to tie the game at 6-6. With a second blown save Monday night, he now has failed to shut the door in two-straight games after going the first 38 games of the season with only one missed opportunity. Since taking over the closer’s role for a struggling Jim Johnson, the first baseman-turned-reliever has collected 11 saves in 2014.

The A’s (51-31) looked securely en route to their fifth-straight win after taking a commanding 4-1 lead in the eighth inning. Oakland and Detroit entered the inning tied 1-1 after strong performances from A’s starter Scott Kazmir and his counterpart Anibal Sanchez. Sanchez opened the frame getting Yoenis Cespedes to bounce a grounder to short, but Suarez threw the ball away on the play. Brandon Moss made Detroit pay for the mistake by lacing an RBI double to left, chasing Sanchez from the game with no outs in the seventh. The 2013 ERA leader allowed the two earned runs on eight hits with only a pair of strikeouts (including the 1,000th of his career) but exited in line for the loss.

Joba Chamberlain fared far worse in relief of Sanchez, allowing the first two batters he faced to reach base, walking Josh Donaldson before yielding a single to Stephen Vogt to load the bases. A visit to the mound by Tigers Pitching coach Jeff Jones proved only a brief respite for Chamberlain, as Lowrie took the fifth pitch of the next at-bat to left for a two-run single to stake the A’s to a commanding 4-1 lead.

Lowrie knocked in the A’s first run of the game on an RBI single of Sanchez in the top of the sixth, but 2012 Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera responded in the home half of the inning by ripping a solo home run off Kazmir to left field, the 14th long ball of the season for the back-to-back American League Most Valuable Player.

Kazmir would then walk J.D. Martinez before exiting the game two pitches in to the next batter. Kazmir appeared to suffer tightness in his lead leg after bouncing the first pitch to Nick Castellanos well in front of the plate. After a brief visit from Melvin and trainer, the southpaw stayed in the game for one last pitch. After seeing his pitcher grimace on the pitch, Melvin instantly jumped up to pull his ace from the game.

After the game, Melvin stated that Kazmir was fine and the quick trigger was precautionary. Kazmir also departed his last start against the New York Mets on Tuesday earlier than expected, surrendering seven earned runs over three innings of a 10-1 shelling in Flushing Meadows. Aside from the one blip, Kazmir has been rock solid as the anchor of the A’s rotation, potentially in line to make this season’s All-Star team after going 9-3 with a 2.66 ERA in his first 16 starts for the green and gold.

The A’s won’t have an easy road bouncing back, as they’ll face the Tigers’ surpise of 2014 Rick Porcello (10-4, 3.41) in the second game of the three-game series. Oakland sends lefty Brad Mills to the mound in his first start since getting his first win since 2012, outdueling Zack Wheeler and the Mets last Wednesday.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Is Athletics 2014 season commanded by a higher power?

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

MIAMI–It seems the Oakland Athletics, who today have the best record in baseball with 51 wins, cannot do much wrong this season. Case in point, they just brought up from Sacramento Nate Freiman, who flew all night from Sacramento, California, to Miami, Florida and on Sunday, with just a few hours of sleep, hits a 3-run home run, which proves to be the decisive blow in their 4-3 victory and a sweep over the Miami Marlins.

How many teams today, could lose two of their five starting pitchers on their rotation (the A’s lost pitchers Jarrod Parker and A.J Griffin) plus their closer Jim Johnson, who during the past two seasons saved 101 games for the Orioles in relief, and still have this record?(Johnson is not hurt, but early lost his job as closer)
Baseball is a funny game.

The way this season has developed so far(and I say so far, because the Giants were also flying high and just lost a 9.5. game lead to the Dodgers in the past 21 days). Definitely it looks like there is some celestial influence going on here.

Now, I do not mean to take away any credit from A’s manager Bob Melvin, who could win his second Manager of the Year honors with the Athletics, and his third overall, but let’s get real here.

The A’s have been playing with three catchers, Norris behind the plate, Vogt in right field and Jaso as the DH and still winning, their the only team today that has used three catchers regularly in the same lineups.

The A’s open a three game series in Detroit Monday, the last time they will play the Tigers during the regular season, and a very possible preview of what it could be another clash between these two teams during this postseason.

Here is a surprise to a lot of people. When people think about the Oakland Athletics, they think of a team filled with rookies. Well, did you know the A’s are the only team in the majors this season that to this date they have not used a rookie on their roster?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio voice for A’s baseball and does News and Commentary each week for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s sweep the Fish in Miami

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

Nate Freiman flew all night from Sacramento, drank some coffee and hit the game winning three-run home run in the sixth-inning of the final game in Miami. The A’s beat the Marlins 4-3 to take the final game and sweep the series in South Florida. It was the seventh time the A’s have swept a series this season.

Tommy Milone recorded a quality start going seven-innings giving up three-runs (2 earned) on four-hits. Milone struck out three, walked two and gave up one home run en route to his sixth win of the season. Ryan Cook worked 1.1-innings and posted his first save of the year.

The game started off with what appeared to be a bad omen for the Athletics. In the bottom of the first-inning, the Marlins lead-off man Christian Yelich hit a triple to center field and came home to score on a throwing error by Callaspo trying to erase the runner at third. Yelich scampered home to score the first run of the game for Miami. It was Yelich’s first at bat since coming off the Disabled List on Sunday. Tommy Milone was not shaken and stopped the Marlins from scoring any additional runs until the sixth-inning.

Oakland needed Milone to go deep into the game as the bullpen was depleted following Saturday’s 14-inning 7-6 win over the Marlins. The A’s had only four relievers available at the start of the game without taking a chance of using one of their overworked relief pitchers. Milone did not disappoint and manager Bob Melvin was pleased with his starter’s effort.

The big inning for the A’s was the top of the sixth-inning. Tommy Milone led off the inning by striking out. Craig Gentry lined out to right field. Callaspo then singled to left. Yoenis Cespedes singled to right and Callaspo moved up to third. Josh Donaldson singled to left allowing Callaspo to score. Nate Freiman hit the first pitch from Andrew Heaney over the left center field wall for a three-run home run. The A’s would not trail again in the game.

Freiman was called up from Triple-A Sacramento to take Josh Reddick’s place on the roster. Reddick reinjured his right knee on throw to the infield on Saturday night. A MRI was taken of Reddick’s knee but the results have not been made public.

Freiman took a “red eye” flight to Miami and arrived in South Florida at 6:30 AM. After several cups of strong coffee, he was ready to play the game. After the game, Freiman credited Sacramento hitting coach Greg Sparks with his new found power. Freiman says that Sparks lowered his hands and that has helped his hitting and power. Freiman was hitting .277 with 14 home runs for the River Cats.

The A’s scored four-runs on eight-hits. Freiman’s homer was the A’s only extra-base hit.  Freiman had three-RBI and Donaldson posted one-RBI. Both Freiman’s and Donaldson’s RBI came with two-outs in the inning.

As a team, Oakland was two for three with Runners In Scoring Position. The A’s left just two men on base.

Sunday’s game marked the official halfway mark of the season for the A’s. Oakland’s record is 51-30 after 81 games in 2014. The 51-wins match Milwaukee’s 51-wins in the National League. The Brewers have played two more games.

After the game, the A’s headed for Detroit where they will open up a three-game series on Monday night. LHP Scott Kazmir will start for Oakland and RHP Anibal Sanchez will pitch for the Tigers.

Bailey shuts down Giants

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By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Homer Bailey came within seven outs of joining a very exclusive club that there are only two members of at the present time.

Bailey threw a complete game shutout, allowing no runs on just three hits and the Cincinnati Reds defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-0 before 41,541, the 291st consecutive sellout at AT&T Park.

With the victory, the Reds completed their first four-game sweep over the Giants since April 18-21, 1985 at Riverfront Stadium, and their first four-game sweep over the Giants in San Francisco since May 16-18, 1972.

This was the first time since AT&T Park opened on April 11, 2000 that the Giants have been swept in a four-game series.

Bailey nearly joined Addie Joss and Tim Lincecum as the only pitchers in major league history to throw multiple no-hitters against the team, but Buster Posey put an end to that theory in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Posey singled to right field with two outs, and then Pablo Sandoval singled Posey to third; however the would end there, as Michael Morse struck out looking to end the inning.

Billy Hamilton drove in the first Reds run of the afternoon, as he doubled in Skip Schumaker, who singled to leadoff the top of the third inning.

It was another tough loss for Tim Hudson, who went eight innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out six.

Hudson received no offensive support for the second game in a row, as the Giants have lost four in a row, six out of their last and 15 out of their last 19.

Coupled with the Los Angeles Dodgers win over the St. Louis Cardinals at Dodger Stadium, the two longtime rivals are now tied for first place after the Dodgers made up nine and a half games in just 22 days.

The Reds blew the game wide open in the top of the ninth inning, as they scored four runs off of Hudson, Jeremy Affeldt and Santiago Casilla.

Warriors Mission Bay arena: Real Estate occupancy at 99 percent in Mission Bay neighborhood

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by Jerry Feitelberg

SAN FRANCISCO–The Mission Bay properties for housing in recent developments are going like hotcakes and no wonder the rents in the city are being driven by the high tech firms purchasing of land and real estate developing condos and the future home of the Golden State Warriors is no different. You can only imagine what it’ll be like once the arena is completed.

Bio tech developer Alexandria Real Estate Equities had built out over one million square feet of property space that is already tenant occupied at a rate of 99 percent. There are 5,000 units that Alexandria is still constructing before the gap is filled in and you can best bet that these units are already spoken for. As it turned out this might be a better or equally good investment than where the Warriors originally wanted to build their new arena at Piers 30-32.

Mission Bay is showing tremendous growth and development for housing at nearly 100 percent and the Warriors who purchased Mission Bay land from Salesforce, once the new arena is developed the Warriors plan on adding retail, hotels, and condos the latter three are designed to off set the costs of building the arena.

The Warriors designs for the new arena will seat 18,000 and will be on 12 acres of property owned by the team, the Warriors have not selected an architect yet but in the selection process the team is reportedly consulting with other NBA teams about architects who designed their buildings. There is no question the Warriors want a state of the art building that is futuristic above other NBA arenas.

Sources also say the Warriors are considering installing an NHL regulation ice at the new arena. The San Jose Sharks’ CEO John Tortara this month said that the team would explore the possibility of moving out of SAP Center in downtown San Jose and build their own arena. The Sharks are considering Santa Clara and being next to the 49ers. If that deal doesn’t work out the Warriors could share the Mission Bay facility with the Sharks and make the arena NHL campatible.

The Mission Bay development still is hitting record levels for development for businesses too as just three blocks away from the arena site Kilroy Reality Co whose had a lot of success with development in the Mission Bay too said they are planning to build a $450 million R & D project for offices that include a 12 story building at 680,000 square feet.

Jerry Feitelberg is covering arena developments of the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s win a marathon 14-inning affair in the Miami heat and humidity

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By Morris Phillips

After more than five hours on the field in the heat and humidity of Miami grinding out a truly hard-earned win—their 50th in 2014—the A’s more than earned a reprieve.

That reprieve from contemplating all the pressing personnel issues facing the nicked up AL West leaders won’t last long though.  Catcher Derek Norris wasn’t available Saturday and won’t be able to play in Sunday’s series finale, Josh Reddick could be on his way back to the disabled list just days after he came off it, and all those concerned, discerning eyes focused on Sonny Gray go back on watch Thursday when the A’s welcome the first-place Blue Jays to the Coliseum.

Meanwhile, this 7-6 win for Oakland in 14 innings was a nail biter, a marathon, and an odd job all rolled up into one.  The A’s blew a 4-0 lead for the second night in a row, rebounded to lead again in the eighth only to surrender a game-tying run in the ninth.  In extra innings little drama played out until the 14th inning when the A’s broke through with a run, and then Jeff Francis had to come in and clean up Jim Johnson’s mess.   But in the end 25 guys—some personally proud of their contribution, others just wishing they could have performed better—got it done.

“If someone has a bad day, there’s a lot of other guys that can step up and make a pitch, make a play or get a hit or something,” Gray said in defining the secret of the A’s success.

“It’s frustrating when you give up a run and that leads to something like that, guys having to get extended, but the way they picked me up—the way it was a team effort—just unbelievable,” closer Sean Doolittle said.

Gray returned to the mound after a nine-day break mandated by the Oakland brass in order to preserve the young pitcher who projects to pitch more than 100 innings in a season for the first time.  The right hander was granted a 4-0 lead, then cruised through the first inning, but ran into trouble in the second.

Included in a three-run Marlins’ rally were four hits and an uncharacteristic throwing error on Gray who one-hopped first basemen Brandon Moss after a come-backer.  That gaffe preceded Russ Johnson’s two-run double and Gray’s return to the mound was officially a rocky one.

Gray would give up a pair of runs in the fourth and he was gone in the fifth after throwing 93 pitches.  The Vanderbilt product’s ERA sits at 3.20 on the season which is plenty respectable, but well off where he was earlier before his ERA soared above five in his last six appearances.  Afterwards, manager Bob Melvin didn’t seem to concerned, and felt his pitcher is experiencing a predictable falloff from his torrid, early pace.

Gray’s departure would set the stage for seven other A’s pitchers to get in the game not including starter Tommy Milone who pinch-hit for Dan Otero in the 12th.  Melvin’s hand was stretched thin not only by the length of the game but the departure of Reddick when he reinjured his knee playing the outfield in the fourth inning.  Norris also wasn’t available due to his balky back.  But the A’s battled on short-handed in the heat, through extra innings brought upon when Doolittle allowed a run in the ninth that got the Marlins even at 6.

The A’s got the go-ahead run in extras when Josh Donaldson singled up the middle off Jacob Turner with a pair of runners aboard in the 14th.

The embattled Jim Johnson pitched the 12th and 13th flawlessly, but when given the opportunity to close out the game, he ran into trouble in the 14th.  After Johnson loaded the bases, Melvin turned to long man Jeff Francis who struck out Jarrod Saltalamacchia looking and got Donovan Solano to fly out to end it.

The A’s are 20 games over .500 for the first time this season and on pace to win 100 games.  The Angels won in Kansas City Saturday to remain 4 ½ games behind Oakland in the AL West.

On Sunday, the A’s attempt to sweep the Marlins with Milone facing Miami’s Andrew Heaney at 10:10am PST.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sharks Draft Weekend: Europe First

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By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks were busy on NHL Draft weekend, starting with something of a European focus.

The team announced on Friday that they had added popular former Shark Niklas Sundstrom to their European scouting staff. In the announcement, GM Doug Wilson said:

“One of Nicky’s strongest assets has always been his hockey sense, which is off the charts,” said Wilson. “We are excited to add Nicky’s insight and abilities to our talented scouting group and welcome him back to the Sharks family.”

In that same vein, the Sharks’ first three draft picks were all from overseas. The Sharks traded their 20th and 179th picks for Chicago’s 27th and 62nd.

With that 27th pick, San Jose chose Russian born right wing Nikolay Goldobin. Goldobin spent last season with the OHL’s Sarnia, where he earned 94 points in 67 games. That was good for seventh in the league.

Early Saturday, the Sharks traded their 51st pick and a 2015 fourth rounder for the 46th pick from the Nashville Predators. they used that to acquire Swedish defenseman Julius Bergman. In the Swedish Junior League last season, he recorded 34 points and 54 penalty minutes in 45 games. He was ranked 19th among European skaters by Central Scouting.

With their 53rd pick, the Sharks chose Swiss right wing Noah Rod. In the Swiss Junior League last season, Rod earned 37 points and 51 penalty minutes in 31 games. In 28 games with the Swiss top league, he scored a goal and two assists.

Returning to North America, the Sharks have re-signed Travis Oleksuk to a one year contract. Oleksuk was voted the “Unsugn Hero” of the Worcester Sharks last season. He finished last season with 40 points and 20 penalty minutes in 74 games. Oleksuk is not European. He is from Thunder Bay, Ontario.

The Sharks used a third round pick acquired from Nashville to select Alex Schoenborn. The North Dakotan forward spent last season with the WHL’s Portland, earning 36 points and 121 penalty minutes in 72 games.

With a second third round pick, the Sharks selected Dylan Sadowy. Of Sadowy, the Sharks said:

The five-foot-eleven, 183-pound left wing recorded 36 points (27-9=36) and 69 penalty minutes in 68 games with Saginaw. Sadowy was Saginaw’s nominee for the 2013-14 Ontario Hockey League Most Outstanding Player of the Year after leading the team with 27 goals.

In the fourth round, the Sharks selected QMJHL defenseman Alexis Vanier from Baie-Comeau. At six-foot-four, 215 pounds, Vanier finished last season tied for first among the team’s blueliners in goals and second in points.

In the fifth round, the Sharks chose center Rourke Chartier 149th. Ranked 136th among North-American skaters by Central Scouting, Chartier finished last season with 58 points and 8 penalty minutes in 72 games.

The Sharks used their final pick to select Brooklyn native Kevin Labanc 171st overall. Labanc played with Barrie of the OHL last season, posting 35 points and 30 penalty minutes in 65 games. He was a member of the Team USA that won a silvermedal at the 2013 U-18 World Junior Championship.

Reds Steal One From San Francisco; Giants’ Woes Continue

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By: Joe Lami

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.–The Cincinnati Reds stole a game from the San Francisco Giants on Saturday Night at AT&T, as they beat the Giants 7-2 in 11innings.  Cincinnati was trailing 1-0 going into the ninth inning, when Brandon Phillips hit a two-run homerun to put the Reds ahead.  A Giants rally capped off by a RBI double from Buster Posey in the ninth would force extra innings, but the Reds were too strong in the 11th for the Giants to come back.

The Giants continue to slump, as they are now 4-14 in the last 18 games.  The Giants have had one bright spot in that span, with Tim Lincecum’s No Hitter this past Wednesday against the Padres, but before then the Giants haven’t won a game at home since June 12, where they hammered the Nationals 7-1.

San Francisco was led by a strong pitching performance from Matt Cain, who hasn’t been himself this season going into Saturday.  Cain entered Saturday with a 1-6 record and a 4.82 ERA in 12 games.  Cain looked like the pitcher we have known though on Saturday, as he pitched seven scoreless innings, while giving up six hits, two walks and striking out four.  Saturday also marks the first time since September 26, 2012 in which Cain pitched at least seven scoreless innings.  However, the great performance goes for not, as Cain is given the no decision.

“It was a tough one, Cain pitched his heart out,” said Giants’ Skipper, Bruce Bochy after game.

Alfredo Simon was great on the other side as he surrendered one run on three hits.  Simon has been stellar for the Reds on the season boasting a 10-3 record with a 2.92 ERA, heading into Saturday night, and it continued to show, as he getsa no decision.

The Giants started the night with a bang, as Gregor Blanco led off with a base hit.  However, the Giants would have to wait until the fifth inning, until they got their next one.  The only Giant to get on base between the first and fifth inning was Pablo Sandoval in the fourth inning, when he hit a grounder and it was misplayed by Zack Cozart for an error.  Brandon Crawford recorded the second hit of the evening on his bobblehead night with a single.  Adam Duvall followed up by doubling into the left field corner sending Crawford to third.  With one out in the inning, it sent Joe Panik up to the plate.  Panik would knock in the only run for the Giants of the night, as he hammered one right up the middle but, it was knocked down by Simon and Brandon Phillips made the throw to first.  Matt Cain ended the fifth on a bunt for hit attempt to get the second run in, by he was thrown out at first.

San Francisco led the game into the top of the ninth, when Sergio Romo came into the game.  Romo started the shaky inning with a walk to Joey Votto, bringing Phillips up to the plate.  Phillips entered the at bat 0 for 3 on the evening, but made the difference in the ninth when he shot a hanging a slider deep into left field to give the Reds the 2-1 lead.  Romo was forced to finish the inning, but had trouble doing it as both Devin Mesoraco and Ryan Ludwick would hit it to the warning track before being gloved down by Juan Perez.

The Reds entered the ninth inning with the lead and one of the most dangerous closers in the game coming in, Aroldis Chapman.  Chapman entered the game 16 for 16 in saves situations, and pitching his fourth day straight.  The Giants would be the first team to break Chapman on the season as they started the ninth inning with a Hunter Pence single to right.  The turning point was an amazing ten-pitch walk forced by Sandoval putting runners on first and second.  Buster Posey was the pinch hitter and drove a 101 MPH fastball to left to bring home the tying run on the no-out double.  Runners were at second and third with no outs, and the Giants looked like they had the win in the bag, however Chapman buckled down and forced two ground outs and then struck out Duvall to end the ninth.

The Reds would strike again in the 11th inning scoring two runs off of Cozart single, that brought in Votto; who doubled to start the inning, and Phillips who was intentionally walked to set up the double play ball.  Cincinnati would put the nail in the coffin when Chris Heisey knocked two more in with a triple to right to put the Reds up 6-2.  The bleeding would continue for the Giants when Billy Hamiliton doubled to right to bring in Heisey to make it 7-2.  The Giants would get one back in the bottom half to make it 7-3.

Jonathan Broxton earns the win for Cincinnati to up his record to 3-0.  Javy Lopez gets the loss, dropping his record to 1-1. The Reds take a 3-0 series advantage this weekend, as they will go for the sweep tomorrow with a pitching matchup of Homer Bailey vs. Tim Hudson.

Third Time Not a Charm for Quakes to Capture Clasico Magic

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By Matthew Harrington

STANFORD, Calif. – There would be no customary rally for the San Jose eleven Saturday night at Stanford Stadium, snapping a streak of thrilling come-from-behind wins in the clash of California sides. Earthquakes supporters expecting the customary late California Clasico offensive burst instead had to settle for the explosions the of post-game fireworks with the Quakes long since retired to their locker room to dwell on the 1-0 defeat at the hands of the Los Angeles Galaxy.

For the first time in three years, the Earthquakes (4-6-4) had no answer for the Los Angeles Galaxy. San Jose didn’t need three second-half goals like in 2012, nor did they need stoppage time goals from Shea Salinas and Alan Gordon as they did last season. No, the Quakes needed a lone strike to salvage a point. Unfortunately for the men in blue, time ran out on this year’s comeback bid despite a valiant second half.

“We knew that our performance where it needed to be in the first half,” said Watson. “We had a few moments, we had a few chances. I thought LA dictated the play. We knew we’d have to come out with more energy and use the ball better.”

The two teams battled to a standstill after 45 minutes of play, matching each other move for move. Los Angeles attempted eight shots on goal to the Quakes’ seven, but neither side converted. The two sides appeared even in possession, though LA controlled the play for 55% of the opening half. It was San Jose striker Steven Lenhart however, that had the best chances of the half. Lenhart narrowly missed putting the ball into the back of the net on a pair of headers that beat LA keeper Jaime Penedo but trickled wide of the goalpost.

Gyasi Zardes erased the clean sheet in the 62nd minute, firing a point-blank rocket from dead center past a defenseless Jon Busch to give the Galaxy a 1-0 lead. The Galaxy forward was set up on his third goal of the season by Marcelo Sarvas who, with his back to the keeper, found Zardes squared up on goal for the strike. In total, Los Angeles had 17 attempts on net to 13 for the home squad. Five went on goal for Los Angeles, one for the Quakes.

“Our guys competed all night,” said Earthquakes coach Mark Watson. “I thought they just had a little bit more quality on the night. I think it was a game where there wasn’t that many chances. I think we had an equal number of scoring chances, we just couldn’t finish them.”

LA nearly double its advantage in the 72nd minute after midfielder Stefan Ishizaki lofted a shot on net from just outside the penalty box corner to the right of Busch. The ball beat Busch’s cross-body dive and rang off the back post. A Quakes defender swooped in to clear the ball from a hungry Zardes and allow the San Jose netminder to regain position.

Naturally, the man who coined the “Goonies” nickname for San Jose nearly gave the home side new life with a late equalizer. In the 88th minute, Lenhart once again used his head to advance on the Galaxy net. Penedo narrowly managed to get his left fingertips on the bid to preserve his shutout, while Los Angeles (5-3-5) weathered the final surge to nab the three points and hold San Jose off from the seventh spot in the Western Conference. The Galaxy entered play one point (17 total) ahead of the Quakes entering play Saturday. LA continued a five-game unbeaten streak.
San Jose received some bad news before even taking the pitch, as centerback Clarence Goodson was a late scratch after aggravating an injury in warm-ups.

“(Clarence) pulled his groin in the warm-up,” said Watson. “We had to make a late substitution, which was disappointing. We worked with Clarence, he’s a big part of our team. I thought Jason Hernandez came in and did a fantastic job. He had 10 or 15 minutes to get himself mentally prepared and he did what he always does. He battled hard and gave everything he had.”

The Quakes were also short Shea Salinas with an injury while Chris Wondolowski and Victor Bernardez performed World Cup duties. While Bernardez and Honduras were ousted from the preeminent tournament of soccer after group play, he wasn’t quite on a time table to return to MLS play just yet.

“It was going to be close,” said Watson on the status of Bernardez Saturday. “We knew that. He played Wednesday in Brazil. It’s a long flight. He just didn’t feel he could give one hundred percent. He’ll be ready for Wednesday.”

The Quakes may also have Salinas back in the line-up Wednesday at Buck Shaw Stadium when they welcome Chivas USA to the Bay Area. The Quakes previously snapped a season-opening five-game winless streak by topping Chivas 1-0 at Buck Shaw on April 26th.