Month: April 2017

Royals and Giants, no longer on top of the world, have come back to the pack

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By Morris Phillips

A bunch has transpired since Madison Bumgarner became a household name, single handedly lifting the Giants over the Royals with his singular, five innings of relief in Game 7 of the 2014 World Series.

A bunch.

Since then, the Giants became World Series champs, the Royals also became champions, shaking off the disappointment of 2014 and capturing the title the following fall.  Players on both teams have moved on, or faltered, or retired.  And one especially bright young star, Kansas City’s Yordano Ventura died in a tragic car accident.

As a result, neither team is on top of the world at present, just a pair of struggling clubs mindful of making strides within their respective divisions before aspiring to another lengthy, playoff run.

Here’s what’s happened to the Royals and Giants over the last two-and-a-half years leading into the brief, interleague series between the two starting on Tuesday:

Nothing personifies the change within both organizations more than the two pitching staffs, beginning with the Game 7 starting pitchers, Jeremy Guthrie and Tim Hudson.  Hudson had a star-crossed evening on October 29, 2014.  Tabbed by Bruce Bochy to start the deciding game, Hudson lasted less than two innings.  Still, the 38-year old became a champion for the first time in his career.

Hudson would return to the Giants in 2015, his last season.  He would retire with 222 big league victories.

Guthrie pitched three innings that night, giving way to the heralded Royals’ bullpen, who shut the Giants down the rest of the way. The former Stanford pitcher would return to the Royals in 2015, only to be demoted from the starting rotation in August because of poor performances.  Guthrie has since been signed and released by the Rangers, Padres and Marlins.  Just two weeks ago, the Nationals tabbed Guthrie to start against the Phillies, but he allowed 10 runs in the first inning and was released again.

Jeremy Affeldt pitched two innings that night in a marvelous turn following Hudson, and leading to Bumgarner. That outing was the final assignment of his career as Affeldt announced his retirement in the days following the Series.

In fact, the Giants have moved on from all four relievers that were with the club for all three World Series titles. Affeldt retired after 2014, and Javier Lopez retired after the 2016 season. Sergio Romo signed with the Dodgers, and Santiago Casilla with the A’s after the Giants’ bullpen performed so poorly in 2016.

The only Giants’ bullpen holdovers from that World Series? 32-year old George Kontos, and Hunter Strickland, 28.  Of course, Strickland is well known for his high-90’s fastballs that fooled no one in the 2014 postseason in which he allowed six home runs just weeks after his major league debut. Since, he’s become a front-end bullpen guy, currently pitching in setup roles ahead of closer Mark Melancon.

The fate of the Royals’ bullpen since 2014 is even more stark than the Giants. The Kansas City trio of Wade Davis, Kelvin Herrera and Greg Holland was dynamic in their 2014 postseason run, shutting down opponents sometimes starting as early as the fifth inning.  In 2017, the often meteoric rise and fall of fireballing relievers is personified in the trio.

Davis, Herrera and Holland returned to their familiar roles in 2015, leading the Royals to the AL Central crown and the playoffs. Late in that season, Holland, the closer, was shelved in order to undergo Tommy John surgery that would cost him the entire 2016 season. Davis assumed the closer’s role and was fantastic, saving all four postseason chances while not allowing a run.

But in 2016, Davis experienced arm issues, was put on the disabled list, and was traded to the Cubs in December. Holland became a free agent shrouded in the unknown after a year of inactivity.  Holland drew interest from the Giants before signing with the Rockies. Holland earned his first save since saving 32 in 2015 on April 3, in the Rockies’ home opener.

Only the 27-year old Herrera remains with the Royals, now their closer in a bullpen that’s far less formidable than in 2015.

A’s shutout lose their fourth game in a row 7-0 as things start to go south for the team

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The A’s woes continued Monday night as they welcomed the Texas Rangers to the Oakland Coliseum. Both teams were looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Rangers were the one that did as they beat the A’s 7-0 before a sparse crowd on a cold and rainy evening.

Jharel Cotton started for Oakland and took the loss. Cotton went 5 and 1/3rd innings allowing five runs and five hits. Cotton walked four, and three of them scored. Former Athletic, A.J. Griffin won his second of the young season. Griffin restricted the A’s to just one hit in six innings of work. Griffin struck out eight, one less than his career-high. Griffin last pitched at the Oakland Coliseum on September 18th, 2013. Griffin underwent Tommy John surgery and was released by the A’s after the 2015 season.

The Rangers scored in the top of the first. Cotton gave up singles to Carlos Gomez and Elvis Andrus. Hot-hitting Nomar Mazara doubled to drive in Gomez with the first run of the game. As it turned out, it was the only run the Rangers would need.  The Rangers scored four times in the top of the fifth. Carlos Gomez and Mike Napoli each had a double and each drove in two runs to put the game out of reach. The Rangers scored two more in the ninth of A’s reliever Liam Hendriks.

Game notes- The A’s continued to play poorly on defense as they committed another error.  The offense has gone into the deep freeze as the best the A’s could do was two singles and a pinch-hit Ryon Healy double in the ninth, and only one player made it past second base.

The A’s are now 5-8 for the season, and the Rangers improved to 5-8.

The medical report was not good. Kendall Graveman, the A’s number one starter, was placed on the 10-day Disabled List with a shoulder strain. Marcus Semien, who was second on the team last year with 27 homers, will have surgery to repair a broken bone in his right wrist. Semien will be lost for 6 weeks. The A’s recalled infielder Chad Pinder and catcher Bruce Maxwell from Nashville.

Game two of the three-game set will be played Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. Andrew Triggs will pitch for Oakland, and the Rangers will counter with Yu Darvish. Game time will be at 7:05 pm.

 

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Is it the pitching or is it the lack of hitting that’s hampering San Francisco

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San Francisco Giants starter Jeff Samardzija walks off the mound at the end of a three-run thrid inning by the Arizona Diamondbacks in a baseball game Tuesday, April 11, 2017, in San Francisco.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

On the Giants podcast with Morris talking points:

#1 The Giants struggles continue with a 4-3 loss to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday

#2 The two teams wasted no time scoring early on a rainy night in San Francisco scoring three a piece in the top and bottom portions of the first inning

#3 Giants starter Jeff Samardzija dropped his record to 0-3 and left a few runners on base and allowed three runs in his first 15 pitches

#4 Morris how suspect is the Giants pitcing staff right now

Morris Phillips does the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice

 

 

 

 

Giants battle the Rockies, persistent rain, only to come up one run short 4-3

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–After an unscheduled interruption during the national anthem, five extra base hits and six runs in a first inning played in a vigorous downpour, and the groundskeeping crew’s constant resuscitating of the playing surface, the hearty fans that braved it all had to feel they were into an epic afternoon of topsy, turvy baseball injected with frequent scoring.

Instead the rain eased, the pitching soared, and the scoring all but drived up.  And the hero of the afternoon didn’t tote a bat, but carried a catcher’s glove and assisted on a putout at first base.  But what a play.

With the Giants threating to push across the tying run in the sixth, Brandon Crawford hit a dribbler up the line that figuratively died. But Tony Wolters shed his mask, raced to the ball, took airborne, and unleashed an accurate flip to first baseman Mark Reynolds for the out. SportsCenter? You bet.

Take away the moisture and Wolters’ gymnastics, and the Giants’ issue of  the moment– scoring too few runs–couldn’t have been more apparent.  Jeff Samardzija, who fell to 0-3 after the Giants’ 4-3 loss, allowed three of those runs in his first 15 pitches.  With the Giants’ offense sputtering for the majority of the afternoon, Samardzija’s early hiccup couldn’t be overcome.

“We need to figure out a way to scratch one or two across when we need them to close the gap,” Samardzija said. “That comes from not letting runs in early, so you can take the lead.”

The Giants fell to 5-8 on the season with the loss, with a trip to Kansas City to face the Royals up next.  The Rockies grabbed three of four in the series and improved to 8-5.

The rain left the field waterlogged, especially along the tracks and in the corners.  But the Giants’ groundskeeping crew worked tirelessly to minimize the moisture only to be thanklessly chased off the field at points by the time conscious umpires.  The rain was its most intense in the first two innings. It eased after that, but never ceased.

The Giants haven’t experienced a rain out at home in 10 years with the last one coming in 2006 against the Astros. By comparison, the A’s did rain out with their home game set to start at the same time as the Giants.  But with the Warriors hosting a playoff game next door, and far fewer A’s tickets sold that Giants’ tickets, economics may have explained the team’s different approaches to the weather, more so than the Giants’ more reliable field drainage system.

Petaluma’s Madeline Haedt sang the national anthem, and did so flawlessly until an unscheduled interruption half way through.  But after gathering herself, and clearing her throat, she finished flawlessly as well.

Sharks Run Out Of Steam In A Heartbreaking Loss Oilers lead series 2-1; Talbot stands on his head stopping all 23 shots in 1-0 shutout

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Edmonton Oilers’ Zack Kassian, bottom center, celebrates after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series Sunday, April 16, 2017, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Barbara Mason

SAN JOSE–In Game 1 the San Jose Sharks looked unbeatable after a shaky first period. In Game 2, the Sharks looked positively awful allowing not one but two short-handed goals. Unheard of!! Connor McDavid came to life in game 2 and San Jose found themselves in deep trouble. While winning one on the road is a beautiful thing, the Sharks have to come out strong in Game 3 at home and do their best to take both games at SAP. It won’t be easy due to the key injuries suffered by San Jose but they have been here before and they are absolute veterans and up for the challenge. Having Joe Thornton back in the line-up will no doubt help a great deal.

Although mid-way through the first period neither team scored the Sharks were clearly the aggressor. Both teams had one penalty with neither able to find the net. The score was 0-0 after 20 minutes. The Sharks would have 13 shots on goal while Edmonton had 6. This game had all the makings of a real nail-biter and it was evident that goals would not be easy to come by.

The Sharks would have one power play in the second period which normally is a very good thing. The only problem is that San Jose was on two power play goals, something you rarely see. As the period wore on this game became a battle of wills. After forty minutes Edmonton led the shots on goal with 18 to the Sharks 17. Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot stopped all 23 Sharks shots for the shutout 1-0.  This game could not get any closer or more intense and that’s exactly what playoff hockey is all about. San Jose seemed to be hitting harder and hopes were that it would begin to wear on the Oilers. The score remained 0-0 after two periods. It would be that one turnover, that one mistake, that would decide this game.

And it was indeed a costly turnover in the third period at 10:45 when Zach Kassian intercepted the puck in front of the net for an unassisted goal, his second of the playoffs. That single goal was all that the Oilers needed to secure the win 1-0. Something that had many scratching their heads were the open shots that the Sharks did not take in the third period. Rather than shoot the puck San Jose chose to pass on a number of great scoring opportunities. This could have been a win for the Sharks but the team just seemed to run out of steam after a great first period. They could only manage 10 shots on goal in the second and third periods combined.

Tuesday night the Sharks will play Game 4 at home in a crucial meeting. San Jose does not want to head back to Edmonton trailing 3-1. The puck drops at 7:00. Oilers in front in the series 2-1.

 

The Warriors slug it out with the Portland TrailBlazers for three periods before putting the game away in the fourth 121-109

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Portland Trail Blazers guard C.J. McCollum, center, drives between Golden State Warriors forward David West (3) and guard Ian Clark (21) during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 16, 2017. The Warriors won 121-109. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

by Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors began their quest for a second championship in the last three season by defeating the Portland TrailBlazers 121-109. The Blazers, coached by Terry Stotts, gave the Dubs a tussle for the first three periods The Blazer’s backcourt of C.J.McCollum and Oakland native, Damien Lillard were on fire, especially in the first half.  McCollum (27) and Lillard (21) tallied 48 of the Blazers’ 56 points. The Dubs led by four 31-27 at the end of the quarter but the Blazers outscored the Dubs by four in the second quarter to tie the game at the half.

Both teams played fantastic basketball in the third period. Neither team would give an inch. Eleven of the twenty lead changes in the game came in the third period. Neither team could pull away, but the Dubs defense started to assert itself. Draymond Green blocked a shot that sent the fans into a frenzy. Steph Curry led the Warriors’ offense. He had help from Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and JaVale McGee. However, the Blazers stayed with the Dubs, and the score was tied at 88 at the end of 36 minutes of play.  However, the fourth quarter belonged to one Draymond Green whose will and intensity lit up Oracle Arena. The Defense imposed its will on the Blazers as the Dubs went on a 15-2 run to start the fourth quarter. Portland was one-for-eleven from the floor as the Warriors opened up a thirteen-point lead 103-90. Draymond continued to block shots, deflect passes, make steals and utterly confound the Portland players. Ian Clark, starting the fourth quarter, scored 7 points early in the period that seemed to knock the starch out Portland. Kevin Durant continued to shine in his first game in the playoffs as a warrior. The Dubs won game one of the best of 7 series 121-109.

Game Notes and Stats. The Warriors announced that forward Matt Barnes, who suffered a bruised knee and missed the last two games of the season, will return to action. The Blazers are hoping their big center Jusuf Nurkic, will be available Wednesday. Nurkic suffered a broken bone in his leg and will play if he can tolerate the pain. Nurkic came to Portland from Denver at the trade deadline. Nurkic helped the Blazers right the ship, and they were able to make the playoffs as the eighth seed.

KD led the Warrior attack with 32 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double. Steph Curry finished the night with 29 points,4 assists, 5 boards, and he blocked a shot. Klay Thompson scored 15. The man of the game, Draymond Green, had a double-double, too. Green scored 19 points, 9 assists, 12 rebounds, 5 blocked shots, and 3 steals. The Warrior bench outscored the Blazer bench 22-9. C.J.MCollum finished with 41. Damien Lillard kicked in with 34. Evan Turner had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds. Maurice Harkless finished with 11.

Steph Curry had this to say about the play of McCollum and Lillard. “When they got it going, they’re hitting tough shots in the first half, some you just have to live with.” “They were able to finish, but over the course of 48, you just try to wear them down.” Kevin Durant talked about his evening’s work this way:” the game ratchets up when you get to the playoffs. I definitely felt good out there.”

The Warriors meet the Blazers for Game 2 Wednesday night at Oracle Arena. Game time is at 7:30 pm.

Extra Dribbles: Durant shows he’s ready for long postseason run with Warriors

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates during the second half of Game 1 of a first-round NBA basketball playoff series against the Portland Trail Blazers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, April 16, 2017. The Warriors won 121-109. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND — The whole basketball world knows that the only way that it’s championship-or-bust for the Golden State Warriors this season.

Even after leading the NBA in wins for a third-straight season (67-15), if the Warriors don’t bring home their second Larry O’Brien trophy in three years, the 2016-17 season will be considered a failure.

Period.

But forward Kevin Durant and the top-seeded Warriors look like they are ready to claim their rightful place as the best team in the NBA at the end of June, after holding off the visiting eighth-seeded Portland Trail Blazers 121-109 victory Sunday in front of frenzied, sold out Oracle Arena in Game 1 of the first-round series.

Here are a few of my takeaways from Golden State’s win:

Durant is big time: Durant finished with a team-high 32 points to go along with 10 rebounds in his playoff debut with Golden State. Durant shot 12 of 20 from the floor and showed no signs of a player who missed 19 games in the second half before returning for the Warriors’ final three games of the season due to a recent knee injury.

“The game ratchets up when you get into the playoffs,” Durant said after the game. “I definitely felt good out there.”

Entering Sunday’s playoff game, Durant is averaging 28.8 points and eight rebounds per game in 91 career playoff games, according to ESPN Stats and Information.

Another day at the office for Mr. Green: Draymond Green continues to be the heartbeat of the Warriors and it was business as usual for Green after recording a near triple-double, finishing with 19 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists, five blocked shots (two that kept Oracle buzzing), and three steals.

With all due respect to Durant, Stephen Curry (29 points, 9/19 FG, 5 REB, 4 AST) and Klay Thompson (15 points, 6/16 FG, 1/6 3FG), Green is vital for Golden State to win the title this year. Green is the emotional leader of the team, the guy who brings his lunchbox and hard hat to work game-in, game-out, and possibly, the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year this season.

Trail Blazers have Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum, but not much more: McCollum tied a Trail Blazers franchise record for most points in the first half of a playoff game with 27, and Damian Lilliard scored 21 points as Portland’s backcourt combined to score 48 of the team’s 56 points at half time.

McCollum finished with a playoff career-high 41 points on 16 of 28 and eight rebounds, while Lillard scored 34 points on 12 of 26 shooting and five rebounds.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Lillard and McCollum are the first Trail Blazers teammates to score 34 or more points in a playoff game since Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter on May 19, 1992. Their 75 points were two off the franchise playoff record by teammates.

That sounds all good,  but Portland won’t win a game in the series if their star-studded backcourt has to continue to shoulder the load and not get any help from the role players.

Maurice Harkless was the only other Trail Blazer who had double-digit shot attempts (5/13 FG) and finished with 11 points. Evan Turner scored 12 points.

Portland’s bench was missing in action, scoring just nine points, while reserve guard Ian Clark scored 12 of Golden State’s 22 points off the bench.

The Trail Blazers were without center Jusuf Nurkic, who missed the game with a non-displaced fracture in his right leg.

Game 2 is Wednesday back in Oakland. Golden State is hoping that reserve forward Matt Barnes, who didn’t play in Game 1 due to an ankle injury, is ready to go.

Golden State held the rebounding edge (45-38) and shot 53.1% (43/81 FG) from the floor, while holding Portland to 43% shooting (40/93 FG) for the game.

 

 

 

San Jose Sharks & NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Game 3 with Len Shapiro: Sharks need to push Oilers out from the middle of play

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San Jose Sharks’ Logan Couture (39) is stopped by Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) as Oilers’ Andrej Sekera (2) during the third period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 14, 2017, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

On the Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 The San Jose Sharks Logan Couture returned for game two of the series from the physical standpoint how is his progress coming along

#2 The Edmonton Oilers got these two shorthanded goals in game 2 what does that say about the Sharks power play

#3 On offense the Sharks just couldn’t get anything going are the oilers just that potent on defense

#4 Taking a look at the two short handed goals it looked as if Sharks goaltender Marty Jones was either out of position or was fooled by the direction of each shot

#5 Game 3 is coming up and it’s on Sharks home ice how important will it be for San Jose to set the tone for games three and four at SAP Center in SJ

Len Shapiro does the SJ Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Podcast with Daniel Dullum : Sharks need to take advantage of home ice; Leafs get crucial win over Caps; Hawks can’t score for losing; more NHL news

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San Jose Sharks’ Justin Braun (61) is checked by Edmonton Oilers’ Patrick Maroon (19) during the second period of Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series Friday, April 14, 2017, in Edmonton, Alberta. (Jason Franson/The Canadian Press via AP)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Podcast with Daniel:

1 Sharks return home after 1-1 split in Edmonton.

2 Kapenen goal in second overtime gives Maple Leafs win in game two over Washington.

3 Predators hold Chicago scoreless for the second straight game, go to Nashville leading 2-0.

4 Minnesota at St. Louis, game three Sunday afternoon, Blues up 2-0 going in.

5 Getzlaf goal lifts Ducks past Calgary, up 2-0

6 Phaneuf scores rare goal, this one in OT as Senators come from behind against Boston

7 Blue Jackets Matt Calvert gets one-game suspension for cross-check, must sit out game three in Columbus against Pittsburgh

Daniel Dullum does the NHL Stanley Cup podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Ana Kieu: After O’Regan’s banner season he and Barracuda get set for Stockton and post season

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sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda Timo Meier (28) who was with the Barracuda in this Mar 17th photo celebrates with his teammates as the Cuda hope to create more scenes like these as they host the Stockton Heat on Friday night at SAP Center for game one of the first round of the playoffs

On the podcast with Ana:

1. Ryan Carpenter scored the Barracuda’s lone goal in a 2-1 loss to the Roadrunners last Tuesday, despite outshooting Tucson 33-19.

2. The AHL announced that head coach Roy Sommer won the Louis A.R. Pieri Memorial Award as the league’s outstanding coach for 2016-17.

3. Danny O’Regan was named the AHL Rookie of the Year. What do you have to say about that vote?

4. O’Regan scored his 23rd goal of the season, but the Cuda dropped a 4-3 decision in overtime to the Roadrunners last Thursday. How did he, his teammates and the coach respond during postgame?

5. The Barracuda closed out the regular season at Rabobank Arena against the Bakersfield Condors. Tell me a little bit about that game.

Ana Kieu is covering the San Jose Barracuda playoffs listen to her podcast on the AHL Post Season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com