Month: April 2017

The Angels beat the A’s, win second game in a row over the Green and Gold; Halos starter Richards pitches five shutout innings in 5-0 win

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by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND– The visiting Los Angeles Angels beat the A’s 5-0 Wednesday night at the Coliseum. A’s starter, Jharel Cotton, did not have his best stuff as he was tagged for five runs and gave up eight hits. The Angels’ Garrett Richards, who was making his first start since May 1st, 2016, was pitching well until he left the game with an injury in the fifth inning. Richards allowed just one hit in 4 and 2/3rds innings of work. He was diagnosed with cramping in his right biceps and the Angels took him out of the game as a cautionary move.

The Angels did not hit A’s starter very hard in the second inning. However, they put together a single, walk, double, single, and another double to give them a 3-0 lead. With one out C.J.Cron singled. Cotton walked Cameron Maybin to put men on at second and first.  Angels’ shortstop Andrelton Simmons blooped a double down the right field line to drive in Cron. Danny Espinosa, who hit a 3-run dinger last night to beat the A’s Tuesday night, also hit a blooper to drive in two. Espinosa was out caught stealing, and that ended the Angel threat.

The Angels tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth. With one out, Cotton walked Yunel Escobar. Singles by Kole Calhoun, Mike Trout, and Albert Pujols sent Cotton to the showers. The Angels led 5-0 and neither team scored after the fifth inning. Angels win 5-0.

Game notes and stats. The Angels line score was five runs on thirteen hits and no errors. The A’s managed just six hits against the four Angel pitchers. The win went to J.C.Ramirez and Jharel Cotton absorbed the loss.

The A’s announced that reliever John Axford had discomfort in his shoulder while throwing in the bullpen. They placed Axford on the 10-day DL retroactive to April 2nd and he should be able to return within a week. The A’s recalled Jesse Hahn from Nashville.

The A’s and Angels conclude the four-game set Thursday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum at 12:35 pm. Righty Andrew Triggs will make his first start of the season for the A’s and the Angels will send lefty Tyler Skaggs to the hill.

The Warriors defeat the Suns 120-111, clinch home-court advantage throughout the playoffs

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors, playing without defensive standouts Draymond Green and Andre, Iguodala, beat the Phoenix Suns 120-111 to clinch the best record in the Western Conference for the third straight season. The Warriors won their thirteenth game in a row and now own a 65-14 record. They play the next three games at home, and Kevin Durant will return to action Saturday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

The Warriors behind Steph Curry’s torrid first period raced out to a 43-20 lead early in the second quarter. Stephy scored 23 points in the quarter, but the Suns were not willing to roll ver and play dead. The Suns got their act together and finished the first half trailing 58-52.

The Warriors behind Steph and Klay Thompson were able to keep the Dubs in the lead. The young Suns were not able to catch the Warriors, and the Dubs won the game.

Game Notes and Stats- Steph Curry had a fantastic game as he led the Dubs with 42 points, 11 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 blocks and 2 steals. Klay Thompson finished with 22. None of the bench players made double-figures, but they all contributed to the win. James Michael McAdoo, Matt Barnes, JaVale McGee, and David West all scored 8 points. Patrick McCaw finished the night with nine.Scoring leaders for Phoenix were Devin Booker with 21, Tyler Ulis 20, Jared Dudley 19, and Alan Williams 16. Williams pulled down 17 rebounds for the Suns.

The Warriors shot 50% from the floor and made 13 3-point shots. Steph led the Dubs with 8 3-pointers. They held Phoenix to just 41.7%  shooting. On defense, the Warriors made 13 steals and had 9 blocks.

The Warriors meet the New Orleans Pelicans Saturday night at Oracle Arena.

 

 

Never-too-early first impressions of the 2017 A’s show improved outlook offensively

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By Morris Phillips

It would be a fair question for anyone trying to assess the 2017 Oakland A’s after only two games, and of course, the answers aren’t written in stone, but here goes: If the A’s are to show measureable improvement over the 69-93 A’s of 2016, in which of these three 2016 problem areas–offensive production, especially at home; bullpen performance; and defensive ability–could the A’s improve dramatically?

And the answer would have to be (again, after just two contests) ability to score runs with an emphasis on improving those run totals at the O.co Coliseum.   A major-league leading five home runs hit by A’s is the core of that belief, but other factors have emerged as well.

Last season, the A’s were 21st out of 30 big league clubs in home runs, and 26th in total bases.  This season–after two games–the A’s are first in homers, second in total bases.  All three of the team’s middle of the order guys–Davis, Ryon Healy and Stephen Vogt–have homered in the cool air of the first two nights of the season, and Healy’s bomb was a Josh Donaldson special: plenty of backspin, and directly over the centerfield wall.

Another factor that trends toward increased offense is the veteran presence in the A’s most likely daily lineups with Healy the youngest and least experienced of the group.  Healy debuted late last season, and thrived, and there aren’t any signs of slowdown with manager Bob Melvin batting his young third baseman in the three hole in both lineups to date.  Matt Joyce, 32, and Rajai Davis, 36, aren’t speedsters or young, but they are veterans capable of setting the table, and Joyce and drawn 389 walks in his career, an offset to his .242 career batting average.

The third veteran addition, Jed Lowrie, returns to an every day role in Oakland, the combo that produced a career year for the Stanford product in 2013, when he hit .290 with 75 RBI.  Lowrie has embraced the opportunity so far with five hits in eight at-bats with two extra base hits, including a home run.  Lowrie’s double of Matt Shoemaker on Tuesday was well struck also, reaching the wall in right center before either Angels’ outfielder could cut if off.

And the biggest factor to preface an A’s offensive resurgence? There’s no way they could be as porous as they were last season leaving Coliseum fans with little to cheer for.

The A’s bullpen is stocked with names, experience and ability, but which of those names will emerge?  In the first two games, Melvin has mixed and matched Santiago Casilla, Ryan Madson, Sean Doolittle, Liam Hendricks and Ryan Dull in a search for late game outs.  Dull and Madson have appeared both nights, rookie sensation Frankie Montas not at all, and John Axford in a late announcement after both games, has landed on the disabled list with a shoulder issue. This could be the opening Montas needs to become a big factor, or it could be a reminder that the flamethrower needs more seasoning.

Last season, the A’s bullpen was expected to a be a major strength.  In fact, it was a bit of disappointment, and definitely not healthy enough to be a standout.  So far, this season it could be more of the same.

Defensively, the A’s have just one plus defender in their regular starting lineup in first baseman Yonder Alonso.  Other than that, it’s a mixed bag from Khris Davis’ subpar arm, range issues at second and third with Lowrie and Trevor Plouffe, who missed all of last season, and even Davis, who has lost a step from when he previously wore an A’s uniform.  Again, this isn’t an area that necessarily see a significant uptick in production after last season’s team landed at the bottom of the American League in terms of fielding percentage and errors committed.

 

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Sacramento Kings podcast with Charlie O: From the first day of the Kings and Golden One Arena to this month it’s been a great experience

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Sacramento Kings guard Langston Galloway, left, shoots against Dallas Mavericks forward Dwight Powell during the second half of an NBA basketball game Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in Sacramento, Calif. The Kings won 98-87. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

By Charlie O

SACRAMENTO–Time flies it just seems like yesterday when it was the opening of the Sacramento Kings new arena and the beginning of the season and now look were just a week away from the end of the season. I was just downstairs last night at Golden One Arena and it seems like old hat and were all kind of taking it for granted the amazing facility of Golden One as a whole and the professionalism of the Kings media relations staff. Now that were able to work in that great new arena. It’s wonderful to hear the feed back of other people coming into the building about what it’s like to come to Sacramento and cover a game.

The Kings know their not going to the playoffs so you want the best position in the draft lottery you want to get as many ping pong balls that you possibly can because you want to get that number one pick. Last night you have the Dallas Mavericks as a lottery pick team. You got the Kings in the lottery pick and everybody is resting everybody. The Kings rested multiple players last night and it didn’t feel right so somehow the Kings wound up losing it to the Mavs 98-87.

Charlie O does the Sacramento Kings podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: A’s-Angels one run games keeping things interesting; Astros expected to be the top team in the A.L. West

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Oakland Athletics’ Sonny Gray throws during a spring training baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Tuesday, March 7, 2017, in Scottsdale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–Let’s see how the A’s can play as a cohesive unit because your competing in a very tough division you have the Astros with Jose Altuve and Carlos Carrea. The Astros who can do a lot of damage with players like George Springer, Nori Aoki, and Carlos Beltran. There are future MVPs on the Astros who have batting titles like Altuve who has two titles under his belt. Then you have the Texas Rangers that won the division and are loaded with talent.

For the A’s they aren’t expected to compete but they like to beat the underdog and right now their playing competitive baseball with the Angels through the first two games. There in a situation that one expects them to do much and the national media are expecting the A’s to be another last place team. The Angels have Albert Pujols and Mike Trout and look forward to break out year.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish Angels TV talent, the Spanish A’s radio talent, and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

  

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Dedication to former N.L. executive Katy Feeney; plus all the latest that’s Giants

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Katy Feeney in her office at Major League Baseball’s headquarters in 2012. (Jessica Foster / MLB Photos)
Associated Press

By Michael Duca

SAN FRANCISCO–This is the first opening day since 1885 where neither former Philadelphia A’s manager Connie Mack or former Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully have been actively involved in MLB. It’s also the very first opening day since 1918 that it did not include a member of the Stonham family. Charles Stonham who owned the New York Ginats in 1919 then his son Horace Stonham took over to own the Giants in 1936 and owned them until 1976. Then his son in law Chub Feeney was president of the National League and then Chub’s daughter Katy Feeney was executive of MLB until she past last Sunday.

That was a terrific loss for baseball I wanted to take a moment to get that in because Katy was a special person she had done the scheduling for baseball for years.  She worked club relations and always ran during post season the media scrum in the back of the game and did it with kindness, sweetness, a smile, and a gentility that will be missed.

Michael has much more on the Giants podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Espinosa’s three run belt in ninth gets Halos one run win over A’s Tuesday 7-6

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Los Angeles Angels’ Danny Espinosa (3) celebrates with Jefry Marte (19) after hitting a three-run home run off Oakland Athletics’ Ryan Dull during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Matt Harrington

The Oakland Athletics dropped a 7-6 decision to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in game two of a four-game series Tuesday.

The A’s scored the first run of the game as Ryon Healy homered on a fly ball to center in the bottom of the first inning.

The Angels answered with three runs in the top of the second inning. Martin Maldonado hit a two-run single to Matt Joyce. Both Jefry Marte and Cameron Maybin scored on Maldonado’s single. Yunel Escobar followed with a single on a sharp ground ball, scoring Andrelton Simmons.

“It was unbelievable,” Matt Shoemaker told MLB.com when asked about Maldonado’s laser throw. “When he threw out Davis, I just crouched down and heard ‘Whoosh!’ That’s nice to have.”

Jed Lowrie made it a one-run game in the bottom of the second inning. He homered on a line drive to right center.

Fast forward to the top of the fifth inning when Mike Trout extended the Angels’ lead to 4-2 with an RBI triple to Khris Davis, scoring Kole Calhoun.

The A’s made it a one-run game once again in the bottom of the seventh inning. Yonder Alonso singled on a sharp ground ball to Calhoun, scoring Lowrie. The A’s then took a 6-4 lead when Rajai Davis tripled to outfielder Danny Espinosa, which was deflected by Marte. Davis, Alonso and Marcus Semien all scored on Espinosa’s throwing error.

However, the A’s lead was short-lived. In the top of the ninth inning, Espinosa homered on a fly ball to right center, scoring Marte and Andrelton Simmons. The A’s comeback fell short as the Angels took game two with a 7-6 win. Shoemaker settled for a no-decision in his first start since taking a liner to his head on Sept. 4. The 30-year-old held the A’s to two runs in five innings.

A’s left-hander Sean Manaea allowed four runs on five hits and two walks with four strikeouts over six innings.

Notes
Lowrie fell a triple short of the cycle. He’s 5-for-8 in this series. He almost got his fourth hit in the eighth inning, but Calhoun robbed him with an outstanding diving catch, covering 57 feet in 3.9 seconds.

A’s manager told MLB.com: “He (Jed Lowrie) had a great night…That last one, if it gets by him, he’s probably got himself a cycle. Calhoun made a great play, and those are the type of plays that show up in a game like that when it ends up being a one-run game.”

Up Next
Both teams face each other again in Game 3 Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. on NCSA and FSW.

Angels right-hander Garrett Richards will start. Richards missed most of 2016 after being diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament. However, he received an injection of his stem cells in his damaged elbow to avoid Tommy John surgery.

A’s right-hander Jharel Cotton will appear on the mound. Cotton will make his sixth career start. He went 2-0 with a 2.15 ERA and .185 opponents average in five starts with the A’s last September.

OMG! The Kings win second consecutive game downing the Mavericks 98-87

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

SACRAMENTO–Here is your 2:20 Game Wrap from the Kings 98-87 win over the Mavericks

It is that time of year when winning can be losing and losing can be winning

If you are an NBA team that is not headed to the Playoffs, there is very little incentive for your management to encourage your team to win games. The fact is – the more games your team loses – the better your chances are in the NBA Draft Lottery and the NBA Draft.

The 2017 NBA Draft has been labeled as one of the most talent-laden drafts in a decade or more. Non-playoff teams want to have the best possible selection positions as possible for this once in decade or more event. The question becomes how do you tell your players and fans that their team needs to lose games now to make things better in the future.

“Tanking” is a word that no one in NBA HQ wants to hear or acknowledge exists. The whole concept of a professional sports team doing less than its best to win a game is repugnant to sports fans everywhere, but yet, the current draft system totally encourages teams to “tank” after they are eliminated from Playoff contention.

Commissioner Adam Silver and his staff need to come up with a plan that rewards non-playoff teams for winning rather than losing as they head into the Draft Lottery. It would be better for the fans, players and the game overall. The game cannot have a system where winning is losing.

The Kings won the game because of their 3-point shooting and rebounding

The Kings shot an incredible 54.5-percent (12-for-22) from beyond the 3-point line on Tuesday night. Ben McLemore was a perfect 5-for-5 from downtown. Buddy Hield hit 4-of-7 from long range. Langston Galloway converted 2-of-4 three point attempts.

The Mavericks attempted 43 three-point shots. They were successful just 12 times(27.9-percent).

Sacramento outrebounded Dallas 50-39. The Kings grabbed 10 offensive rebounds and 40 on defense.

The Kings outscored the Mavs in the paint 38-30.

Ben Mac was on fire

Ben McLemore scored 11 points in the final 4:02 of the third quarter. He would go on to lead the Kings in scoring with 22 points. McLemore went 5-for-5 from beyond the 3-point arc.

Buddy Hield – the Western Conference Rookie of the Month – finished with 16 points. Four of his five field goals were 3-point baskets.

The Kings converted 12-of-22 (54.5-percent) from 3-point land in the game.

Game snapshot

  • Biggest lead: Kings 12 Mavericks 7
  • Lead changes in game 10
  • Number of times the game was tied 9

Coach Joerger’s final analysis of the game

Up next for the Kings

The Kings will have two days to rest and regroup before they have to fly to Southern California to face the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Sharks Beat Canucks 3-1, Set Up Showdown for Home Ice With Oilers Thursday

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

San Jose Sharks center Chris Tierney (50) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks during the third period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, April 4, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE–Blink and you might have missed two-thirds of the San Jose Sharks goals Tuesday night at SAP Center. San Jose beat the visiting Vancouver Canucks 3-1, scoring twice in the opening 30 seconds for the win and a franchise record for fastest two goals.

Kevin Labanc, Joel Ward and Chris Tierney scored for San Jose, while Joonas Donskoi picked up a pair of assists. Martin Jones was stellar in net, making 33 saves in the Sharks’ first game without Joe Thornton. Thornton was injured in the Sharks last game, a win in Vancouver against the same Canucks.

Labanc opened the scoring 18 seconds in by beating Richard Bachmann in Vancouver’s net on a spin-around shot after Joe Pavelski tied up the puck on the faceoff. Ward added another goal just 12 seconds later, his 9th of the year.

Vancouver pulled within a goal early in the third period after defenseman Christopher Tanev finally beat Jones for his 2nd goal of the season 3:30 into the third. San Jose would answer back with another goal from a depth player, with Chris Tierney tipping a Brent Burns point shot for his 10th goal of the year almost halfway through the third period.

By virtue of the Kings beating the Oilers Tuesday, the Sharks hopes for home ice in the opening round remain intact. The Sharks appear to be on a collision course with the Edmonton Oilers, the team tied with them in the standings with 97 points. The two teams meet Thursday night at SAP with a chance for one team or the other to create some distance.

The Warriors win their 12th straight, pummel the Timberwolves 121-107

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Golden State Warriors continued their winnings ways as they beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 121-107 Tuesday night at Oracle Arena. The Warriors gained a measure of revenge as they lost to the T-Wolves on March 10th in Minneapolis. They were near the end of an 8-city thirteen-day road trip that covered 13,000 miles, and there was no question that the schedule was not kind to the Dubs. The tired players lost to Minnesota, and the next day, Steve Kerr rested four of his player much to the dismay of the NBA. However, since that loss, the Dubs have won every game including five in a row against playoff teams.

The task Tuesday night was to keep the Wolves best player, Karl-Anthony Towns under control. The Dubs defense has been fantastic during the winning streak, and it did the job again as the held Towns to just 21 points. The Warriors’ offense was led by Klay Thompson. Klay tallied 41 points and made 7 3-point shots. Steph finished with 19 and had 9 assists. Matt Barnes had 12, and Andre Iguodala finished with 11. The T-Wolves scorers were Andrew Wiggins with 24, Towns,21, Ricky Rubio15, and Shabazz Muhammad, coming off the bench, had a big night with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The Dubs moved the ball well as they found the open man and recorded 33 assists and the defense had 9 steals and 7 blocks.

Game Notes and Stats- The Warriors set an NBA record Tuesday night with the win. The have won 204 games in the last three season to break the record set by the Chicago Bulls. The Dubs can extend the record as they have 4 games left, three at home. The Warriors magic number dropped to two. Any combination of Warrior wins, or San Antonio losses will give the home-court advantage to the Dubs throughout the playoffs. The Spurs didn’t help the Dubs as they beat Memphis to remain 2 games behind the Dubs in the loss column.