Month: April 2016

Reports have Karl being fired by Kings on Thursday

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Bee and other news organizations are reporting that Kings head coach George Karl will be fired on Thursday when the team returns home from Houston. Sports Radio Service’s Kings Podcast predicted that Karl would not be retained as head coach based on his statements in the pregame and post-game news conferences on Saturday.

Karl has been on the “hot seat” since last summer when he sent up some trial balloons about possible trades for All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins. Reports had majority owner Vivek Ranadive wanting to dismiss Karl at that time.

Karl was also rumored to be close to termination in November following a confrontation with Cousins in the locker room after a game. Karl wanted Cousins suspended for two games but was overruled by vice president and general manager Vlade Divac.

Cousins was suspended for one game without pay in early March following a tirade during a timeout aimed at Karl (stop me if you are seeing a pattern here).

That fact is Cousins was against the Karl hiring from the beginning. Reports had Cousins “camp” telling management they thought Karl was not a good fit for the team and Cousins. The chances of a working relationship between coach and player was doomed from the beginning.

Karl is still owed $6.5-million from the 4-year contract he signed in 2015. He will be the fourth head coach to be fired by the Kings under the Vivek Ranadive ownership group.

League sources – speaking under the condition of anonymity – have indicated the Kings are interested in several people to take Karl’s place. The usual suspects of Tom Thibodeau and Scott Brooks have been named and are reportedly not interested in Sacramento.

Other names that are being floated include  Vinny Del Negro, Boston Celtics  assistant Jay Larranaga, ex-Cleveland Cavaliers coach David Blatt, Atlanta Hawks assistant Kenny Atkinson, ex-Phoenix Suns coach Jeff Hornacek, Charlotte Hornets assistant Patrick Ewing and ex-Houston Rockets coach Kevin McHale. Ironically, Del Negro was in Sacramento on Saturday night for the Kings final game in the old arena.

No matter who the Kings settle on as their next head coach, if DeMarcus Cousins does not buy in on the choice then Sacramento had better looking for their fifth head coach. That is a horrible situation to be in but the Kings created the problem when they allowed Cousins to become more important than his coach.

MLB podcast with Tony Renteria: Giants get long ball help in first win at Coors; Angels upend A’s again Oakland down 0-2

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On the MLB podcast with Tony the San Francisco Giants are getting the long ball help from from Trevor Brown who was actually brought up for his defensive skills but he’s really broke out the bats and hit two home runs he has three this season. Brown hit a two run homer in Colorado to help the Giants take the lead on the Rockies and eventually the Giants won it by seven runs 7-2.

The Giants Jeff Samardzija got the win and pitched one of his finest starts of the season going eight innings, the Giants got further home run help from Hunter Pence his second of the season of Rockies pitcher Tyler Chatwood. The Rockies didn’t stand a chance against Giant hitting on Tuesday night.

Oakland A’s continue their struggles and the relief staff has caved in again closer Sean Doolittle lost another save opportunity and was the losing pitcher on Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum as he gave way to a two run homer in the ninth to the LA Angels Geovany Soto. The A’s after the loss drop from being in first place after sweeping the Seattle Mariners to third place at 4-5. The A’s need to get it going soon because losing like this you could lose a lot of ground fast.

“We take a lot of pride in what we do. We were handed a lead late in the game and I couldn’t get the job done.” said Doolittle in the post game conference. The A’s on offense got help from A’s shortstop Marc Semien hit two home runs and now has three homers on the season. Not bad for Semien who hits ninth in the lineup.

Listen to Tony and the rest of the MLB podcast each week right here on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

mlb logo by blogs.getbongartwork.com

San Francisco Giants Tuesday game wrap: Brown homers in win

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By Jeremy Kahn

AP photo: San Francisco Giants Trevor Brown hits a two run homer off the Colorado Rockies Tyler Chatwood for the gamer on Tuesday night at Coors Field in Denver

Trevor Brown may have never heard of Wally Pipp, but he may want to google him after his first game at Coors Field.

Pipp, who was the New York Yankees first baseman prior to Lou Gehrig beginning his 2,130 consecutive game streak from 1925-1939.

Brown hit two home runs, while Jeff Samardzjia pitched eight strong innings, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 7-2 at Coors Field.

Hunter Pence hit a two-run home run for the Giants, who have four out of their last five and 6-2 on the young season.

Starting at catcher in place of Buster Posey, a Brown hit a two-run home run off of Rockies starter Tyler Chatwood in the top of the sixth inning and then added another two-run home run off of Rockies reliever Jason Gurka in the top of the eighth inning.

The four runs batted in by the rookie catcher were a career-high, and it was also the multi-home run game for Brown. It was the second and third home runs of the season for Brown, who broke up a no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park with his first major league home run.

Brown is the first Giants player since 1991 to hit three home runs as his first three hits of the season, when Kevin Mitchell turned the trick.

Samardzjia pitched eight strong innings, as he allowed eight hits, striking out five and allowing two runs over that span.

The two-run home run by Pence was his second home run of the season, breaking a 1-1 tie in the top of the fifth inning.

Oakland A’s Tuesday game wrap: The A’s fall to the Angels as the bullpen fails to close out the game.

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: The LA Angels Geovany Soto took A’s pitcher Sean Doolittle deep for a ninth inning two run homer which led to the Angels victory on Tuesday night

OAKLAND–The A’s wasted a terrific outing by Kendall Graveman Tuesday night as they lost to the Angels by a score of 5-4. Graveman went six innings and allowed just one run and four hits. John Axford did his job in the seventh but Ryan Madson gave up two runs in the eighth and Sean Doolittle did the same in the ninth. The Angels snatched victory from the jaws of defeat, and the team came running out of the dugout to congratulate Huston Street for shutting the A’s down in the ninth. Doolittle was charged with a blown save and the loss.

The A’s jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter, Billy Burns, drew a walk from Angels’ starter Hector Santiago. Burns stole second then advanced to third when Josh Phegley flew out to right field. Josh Reddick singled to drive in Burns.

The Angels tied the game in the top of the second. Graveman walked Albert Pujols, who led off the inning. Kole Calhoun singled to right advancing Pujols to third. Graveman got Andrelton Simmons to ground into a 5-4-3 double play. Pujols scored on the play.

The A’s scored twice in the bottom of the third. A’s shortstop Marcus Semien hit a home run over left field fence to start the inning. Billy Burns then singled. Burns went to second on a ground out. Burns stole third and scored when Josh Reddick grounded out to first. Pujols thought about throwing home, but there was no way that he could have thrown Burns out. Reddick received credit for his second RBI of the game. A’s lead 3-1 after three.

The A’s added a run in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-1 lead. Marcus Semien hit his second solo home run of the game. For Semien, it was his third home run of the season, and they have all been solo jobs.

The Angels rallied in the top of the eighth. With one out, Yunel Escobar and Daniel Nava singled to put men on at first and second. The A’s third pitcher of the night, Ryan Madson struck out Mike Trout for the second out. He now faced the ever-dangerous Albert Pujols. Madson had Pujols in a two-strike hole, but the future Hall of Famer came through with a double to left driving in Escobar and Nava.  A’s lead 4-3 heading into the bottom of the eighth.

The Angels took the lead in the top of the ninth. With one out, A’s closer, Sean Doolittle, walked pinch-hitter C.J.Cron. Angels ‘ catcher Geovany Soto hit his first home run of the year off Doolittle to give the Halos the lead 5-4. The Angels’ Huston Street set the A’s down in order in the bottom to secure the win for Los Angeles.

Game Notes- The hitting stars for the A’s were Marcus Semien with two solo home runs and Josh Reddick with two RBIs. The A’s record drops to 4-5 and, with the win, the Angels improve to 4-4. Game three of the series will be played at 12:35 PM at the Oakland Coliseum. Lefty Eric Surkamp will make his second start of the season for Oakland, and the Angels will counter with Matt Shoemaker.

Time of game was two hours and forty-one minutes. 13,492 fans left the stadium disappointed as the A’s bullpen failed to close out the game.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Jones is familiar with old teammates at the Kings

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photo credit USA Today: The LA Kings Dustin Brown (23) scores in the third period on the San Jose Sharks goalie Martin Jones in October 15, 2015 game at Staples Center

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa the advantage that Sharks goaltender Martin Jones has going into the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs is that he’s familiar with the opponents the Los Angeles Kings. You can also say that the Kings are familiar with Jones as well. There was also the thought what would have been better if the Sharks got to face the Anaheim Ducks to get to the Kings and what would be better.

The Sharks have a bone to pick with the Kings and this is what they should want for the first round to get right back in there and redeem themselves from getting knocked in four straight games two years ago in post season.

There’s more a whole lot more on post season coverage of SJ Sharks hockey click below to hear Mary Lisa’s commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: Expect George Karl to leave Kings; talk new coach already eminent

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photo credit zimbio.com: Sacramento Kings head coach George Karl might be coaching his last game in Houston as Kings coach on Wednesday night

On the Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O the Kings play their last game of the season on Wednesday night in Houston and it will be a season that is longed to be over with. The Kings had their struggles throughout the season. With question of if head coach George Karl will stay, owner Vivek Ranadive pushing for Karl to be fired but back tracking.

DeMarcus Cousins accumulating 16 technical fouls this season alone. The refs might have pushed on Cousins because of his ability to lose it on them at times. There were the suspensions during the season of Couisins and the questions of whether Cousins will stay in Sac or not.

Charlie O recaps the Sacramento Kings season on the podcast click on to hear it all at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast predictions with Joe Lami Tue Apr 12, 2016

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photo credit USA Today: The NHL Lord Stanley Cup

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Podcast Joe Lami has all your NHL playoff predictions coming into round one of the playoffs. Take listen as Joe counts down the top teams going for the Cup.

Los Angeles Kings vs. San Jose Sharks

Dallas Stars vs. Minnesota Wild

St Louis Blues vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Anaheim Ducks vs. Nashville Predators

Florida Panthers vs. NY Islanders

Tampa Bay Lighting vs. Detroit Red Wings

Washington Capitals vs. Philadelphia Flyers

Pittsburgh Penguins vs. NY Rangers

Categories NHL

The real foundation of the 2016 Giants? Explosive offense more so than dominant pitching

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By Morris Phillips

zimbio.com photo: The San Francisco Giants Ehire Adrianza whose expected to add some punch to the Giants line up gets congratulated by teammate Angel Pagan

The first place Giants can pitch.  All the money spent on that high-profile rotation and a better than respectable 3.38 team ERA after a week of games attest to that.

But the argument definitely can be made that the highest scoring team in the National League is actually driven by its offense and the ability to turn games with a explosive inning or even one swing of the bat.

Through seven games, the Giants have homered 14 times, with all eight regular starters hitting at least one.  Ehire Adrianza, Trevor Brown and Madison Bumgarner have gone deep as well, meaning opposing pitchers don’t get a lot of breathing room maneuvering through the San Francisco lineup.

But home runs aren’t the real story, but actually the byproduct of the real story, which is the team’s ability to hit deep in counts, not give at-bats away,  and wear opposing pitchers down then pounce.  The patient, but confident, approach sure worked last week as the Giants fell behind five times, but rallied each time to win.

Dave Roberts and Craig Counsell, the opposing managers, noticed the wearing effect the Giants’ hitters had on their pitching staffs as each admitted their relievers could do little to get Giants’ hitters off-balance.   Plate discipline was a major factor in the team’s first week success as San Francisco batters put the ball in play–striking out an NL-low 36 times as a collective–or drew walks, the definition of keeping the line moving.

Bruce Bochy’s decision to bat his pitcher eighth, which he did in all seven games, got an immediate endorsement from Angel Pagan, who scored a team-best eight runs and hit .320 the first week as the regular No. 9 hitter.  Brandon Belt led the team in on-base percentage at .433 by compiling seven hits and six walks.  Denard Span and Matt Duffy both hit below .250 but came up with some big hits, combining for 13 RBI.

The Giants continue their campaign Tuesday at Coors Field facing a Rockies’ team that has already hit 17 home runs, but hasn’t gotten the pitching performances that the Giants have.  So here are the indicators for the upcoming series to look for as signs the Giants are continuing their encouraging trends:

Do they produce the big inning?  The Giants had six innings the first week in which they scored three or more runs.  With such a consistent, and potent hitting lineup that should happen a couple of more times in Denver if the team’s playing well.

The team’s unusual roster composition continues to help.  Bochy kept 13 pitchers, and all 13 saw action in the team’s first week.  This allows the team to more frequently go to situational matchups after the starter departs and should keep the bullpen fresh.  Those assets could be most helpful in facing the Rockies.

Can Duffy and Panik be among the league’s best hitters?  The Giants’ third baseman surprised in his first year as a starter in place of Pablo Sandoval, and Panik was a revelation leading up to the 2014 postseason.  Already, one national writer is touting the second baseman as a challenger for the league’s batting title.  That may or may not happen this year, but watch both infielders for improved extra-base pop; they both had three extra-base hits in the first week.

On Tuesday, Jeff Samardzija looks for his first win as a Giant in a matchup with Colorado’s Tyler Chatwood.  The 26-year old missed the entire 2015 season after enduring a second Tommy John procedure, but he tamed the Diamondbacks in his first start, allowing seven singles and no walks in a 4-3 Rockies’ win.

 

Curry’s first double double leads to Kings’ win in Phoenix

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by Michael Martinez

picture credit Robin Hagy Photography

SACRAMENTO- It all came down to free throws at the end of the game. Fortunately, the end of the game was not constantly fouling the Kings, who gave up a 15 point lead they had early in the fourth quarter.

The Kings even had a seven point lead within a minute to play, but the Suns never quit. Phoenix would cut the lead down to two with 21 seconds left in regulation. Ben McLemore got to the line where he missed both free throws and gave the Suns some hope to tie it up. Luckily, rookie sensation Devin Booker missed a jumper and James Anderson got the rebound and got to the line. Anderson made them both to put the Kings up by four. After a couple of free throws by Quincy Acy to maintain their four point lead with three seconds to go. The Kings picked up win number 33, 105-101.

Without DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo, Seth Curry and Kosta Koufos stepped up in a huge way. Curry got his first career double double in the ball game with 20 points and 15 assists. Curry made some outstanding passes as he drove to the hoop and broke down the defense. On 8-14 from the field and 3-6 from beyond the arc, Curry continues to be an effective scorer. One of those threes he juked his defender, made a spin move and knocked down the shot. Curry is solidifying himself with his recent play and the Kings’ decision to sign him has paid off. Hopefully he will continue to develop and make an impact for this team who might not retain Rondo after this offseason.

As DMC sat out, the Kings lost his 26.9 points per game but Koufos did a good job on the offensive end with 19 points and eight boards. Gay chipped in 15 points and although McLemore missed two late free throws, he added 14 points of his own.

The Kings turned the ball over 19 times, which led to 27 points for the Suns. Phoenix also out rebounded Sacramento, 51-40. Phoenix grabbed 17 offensive rebounds and they scored 17 second chance points. Their turnovers and a bit lack of size almost cost Sacramento the game, but the Kings shooting 49.3% led to their victory.

Sacramento will finish their season on the road in Houston against the Rockets. Cousins will once again not play, so expect Koufos to get playing time once again. And whether or not Rondo plays, Curry must get more minutes in the season finale to to see his development as he continues to set career highs.

Trout knocks one out; The LA Angels take Game one, beat the A’s 4-1.

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: The Los Angeles Angels Yunel Escobar comes in sliding past the Oakland A’s catcher Stephen Vogt in the sixth inning of Monday night’s game in Oakland

OAKLAND–The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Oakland A’s Monday night 4-1 in the first game of the three-game series. Angels’ all-star center fielder, Mike Trout, hit a two-run homer in the sixth inning to send A’s ace Sonny Gray down to his first defeat of the year. The A’s are still in first place in the AL West with a record of 4-4. The Angels improve to 3-4. The game summary follows below.The Angels scored three runs on three hits in the top of the sixth inning. Sonny Gray was sailing along allowing just two hits in five innings of work before heading into the fateful sixth. With one out, Yunel Escobar doubled to right center field. A’s right fielder; Josh Reddick made a valiant effort to catch the ball, but it just eluded hos outstretched arm. Daniel Nava singled to drive in Escobar with the Angels’ first run of the game. The next batter, Mike Trout, sent a Sonny Gray pitch over the left Centerfield wall for his first home run of the season to put the Angels in the lead 3-0.

The Angels scored three runs on three hits in the top of the sixth inning. Sonny Gray was sailing along allowing just two hits in five innings of work before heading into the fateful sixth. With one out, Yunel Escobar doubled to right center field. A’s right fielder; Josh Reddick made a valiant effort to catch the ball, but it just eluded hos outstretched arm. Daniel Nava singled to drive in Escobar with the Angels’ first run of the game. The next batter, Mike Trout, sent a Sonny Gray pitch over the left Centerfield wall for his first home run of the season to put the Angels in the lead 3-0.

The Angels added a run in the top of the eighth. Albert Pujol;s singled sharply to left to start the frame. With one out, Pujols, believe it or not, stole second for his first stolen base of the year. Hendricks retired C.J.Cron for the second out, but, Angels’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons singled to drive in Pujols with the run.

In the bottom of the ninth, the A’s scored with two outs to avoid the shutout. Jed Lowrie led off with a single. He advanced to second on a ground out. Yonder Alonso flew out to center for the second out. Marcus Semien singled to drive in Lowrie with the A’s first run of the game. Angels’ manager, Mike Scioscia brought in his closer, Huston Street, to face Coco Crisp. Coco flew out to left to end the game. The Angels take the opener of the three-game series 4-1. Nick Tropeano won his first game of the year, and Sonny Gray took the loss. His record is 1-1 for the year.

Game Notes- The Angels snapped the A’s three-game winning streak. The A’s pinch-hitters are 0-for-10 with three strikeouts to start the season. Coco Crisp was 2-for-5 with a triple, and Jed Lowrie went 2-for-four.

The A’s meet the Angels again Tuesday night at the Coliseum. Game time will be at 7:05 pm. Kendall Graveman will pitch for Oakland, and the Angels will send lefty Hector Santiago to the mound. Each pitcher will be seeking his first win of the young season.

Time of game was three hours and five minutes. 13,371 fans watch the A’s go down to defeat.