Month: September 2017

Warriors play first preseason game Saturday night fall to the Denver Nuggets 108-102

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Photo credit: GoldenStateWarriors (@warriors)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Golden State Warriors played the first of four preseason games Saturday night against the Denver Nuggets at Oracle Arena. The Dubs, preparing to defend their NBA championship, showed a lot of rust and the three-point shots did not fall. The Nuggets with their new addition of Paul Milsap leading the way beat the Dubs 108-102.

Coach Steve Kerr played his regular for about 20 minutes in the game. The Dubs wanted to give some of the players on the second and third units playing time.

The Warriors missed their first nine three-point shots and were 4-for-33 for the game. Draymond Green and Kevin Durant were each 0-for 5 and Steph was 1-for-7 in that department. Nick Young made the first three-pointer for Golden State late in the first half. The Dubs shot 40% from the field but had just seven assists which indicated that they didn’t have a lot of ball movement.

Denver shot 41% from the field in the first half. They made five three-pointers.

Warriors rookie Jordan Bell knocked down seven points in his first game as a Warrior.

Game Notes- Ben Wallace, winner of Defensive Player of the Year four times in his career, presented Draymond Green with the award.  Draymond, when he was a young man growing up in Saginaw, Michigan, idolized Wallace and he was totally surprised by Wallace’s appearance at Oracle Arena.

The Warriors fly to China on Sunday. They will play two games against the Minnesota Timberwolves there. The first game will be in Shenzen on October 5th and the second game will take place on October 8th in Shanghai.

Sharks Preseason 2017: Coyotes Shut Out Sharks 4-0

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Photo credit: San Jose Sharks

by M. Walsh

SAN JOSE– Arizona Coyotes goaltender Louis Domingue was the star of the show on Saturday, stopping 31 shots from the Sharks for a preseason shutout in San Jose. Derek Stepan, with linemates Clayton Keller and Max Domi impressed with their two goals, and another two came from Brendan Perlini.

That was disappointing for the home crowd, especially since the Sharks had most of their regular lineup in the game. Conversely, this was the first outing for them as a group this preseason. The Sharks lineup included Joe Thornton, Logan Couture, Joel Ward, Tomas Hertl, Chris Tierney, and Melker Karlsson up front. Also playing at forward were Timo Meier, Jannik Hansen, Kevin Labanc, Ryan Carpenter, and Mikkel Boedker. The defense was comprised of Brent Burns, Paul Martin, Marc-Edouard Vlasic, Justin Braun, Brenden Dillon and Tim Heed. The loss follows another in Anaheim last Thursday, when a very different Sharks lineup was also shutout.

The Coyotes started well against the Sharks on Saturday, maintaining a close shot count and scoring midway through the first. In the second, the visitors earned a powerplay goal while Kevin Labanc sat in the box for a hook. Both goals were scored by Derek Stepan from Clayton Keller and Max Domi.

The Sharks had a couple of good chances early in the game, but Louis Domingue was very sharp from the get go. San Jose failed to score despite back to back power plays that overlapped by 11 seconds in the first period.

A noteworthy incident followed the second goal, when Joonas Donskoi was called for boarding Nick Cousins. He received a five minute major and a game misconduct. The call was not popular with the home crowd. Cousins looked shaken up but did return to the ice before the end of the period.

The Coyotes extended the lead at 2:58 of the third when Brendan Perlini got by Brenden Dillon and then Tim Heed to make it 3-0. An assist went to Adam Clendening. After that third goal, the Coyotes shifted down into defensive mode and took very few shots. After staying within two on the shot clock, Arizona only took four shots. Unfortunetely for the Sharks, that fourth shot went into an empty net for Perlini. Assists went to Dylan Strome and Lawson Crouse.

Apart from taking 13 shots to the Coyotes 4, the Sharks did not make much progress in the third. Ryan Carpenter drew a tripping penalty at 5:37, sending Alex Goligoski to the box. At 9:13, the Sharks had another try at the power play when Nick Cousins was called for interference/slashing against Brenden Dillon.

The Sharks will play their final preseason game in Las Vegas on Sunday, October 1 at 5:00 PM PT, against the Golden Knights.

San Jose Barracuda Saturday post game wrap: San Jose gets OT goal from Helewka for first pre season win 2-1

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sjbarracuda.com photo: The San Jose Barracuda left winger Adam Helewka (46) takes the puck past two Stockton Heat defenders on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center on Saturday

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–What a difference a day makes. The San Jose Barracuda rebounded less than 14 hours after their terrible pre-season debut to win a thrilling 2-1 game in overtime over the visiting Stockton Heat at the SAP Center. San Jose’s Adam Helewka scored the game winner with less than a minute left in overtime. Helewka used some nifty stick handling to maneuver around defenders before he wristed a shot past Heat goalie Mason McDonald.

The Heat got on the board first with exactly 11 minutes left in the second period when Joel Lowry was able to clean up a rebound from a Spencer Foo shot near the right point that Barracuda goalie Antoine Bibeau initially stopped but wasn’t able to corral the rebound as the puck trickled through his legs that Lowry was able to tap past him for the 1-0 lead.

The Barracuda were on the verge of their second straight shutout until Manuel Wiederer scored just over a minute into the 3rd period. It was McDonald’s first test after he came into the 3rd period replacing starting goalie Tyler Parsons, who left after the 2nd period. Parsons finished with 16 saves, including a couple of point blank chances, before being replaced by McDonald.

McDonald took the loss after allowing two goals on 13 shots in 20 minutes and 46 seconds of action. Bibeau earned the win by making 24-of-25 saves. Both teams were unsuccessful on their power play opportunity in the first period.

NEXT UP: The San Jose Barracuda begin their regular season on the road at the Stockton Heat next Saturday October 7th at 6pm.

Stanford Cardinal Football Podcast with Morris Phillips: Stanford gets lots of Love on offense with 34-24 win over ASU

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Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love (20) fends off Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Chad Adams (21), during a NCAA Football game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Stanford Cardinal at the Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California. Valerie Shoaps/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

By Morris Phillips

PALO ALTO–Stanford Cardinal running back Bryce Love had a big pay day for Love 25 carries and 301 yards. Like former Stanford running back Christian McCaffrey was their key guy last year and now it looks like Love could be the go to guy for ground game offense. Stanford head coach David Shaw doesn’t like to talk a lot about his players individually and sure enough here was Shaw again talking about Love’s performance. Stanford got a ten point win over Arizona State University on Saturday at Stanford Stadium 34-24.

Shaw talked about how versatile Love is, how fast he is and just how tough he is. He really gave ASU more than they can handle. Shaw said that the offensive line played as well as they have all year in Saturday’s game. This was Stanford’s second straight win and it was a game that the Cardinal wanted to put out of their minds after that tough loss at San Diego State.

Morris Phillips is filling in for Matt Harrington who does Stanford Cardinal podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Love runneth over: Arizona State bludgeoned by Stanford back’s record-setting performance

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Stanford running back Bryce Love, left, runs for a touchdown past Arizona State defensive back Demonte King (28) during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in Stanford, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Morris Phillips

PALO ALTO, CA–Less than a year after Coach David Shaw was forced to step out of character, and heap platitudes on one member of his Stanford football team, the coach who preaches selflessness and teamwork, had to do it again.

This time Shaw had a plan, one he executed in his first utterings to the media after Stanford bludgeoned Arizona State, 34-24 on Saturday.

“The opening statement is Bryce Love, and the answer to every question is Bryce Love,” Shaw declared.

Love had himself a day, rushing for a school-record 301 yards and three touchdowns, surpassing the previous record of 284 yards, set by Christian McCaffrey in November. Love also became only the third FBS back since 2004 to top 1,000 yards rushing in his team’s first five games, joining Northern Illinois’ Garrett Wolfe (2006) and Leonard Fournette (2015).

Folks, that 1,000 yards just days after the official end of summer. Given that, Shaw couldn’t help himself. Like he did when describing the running style of the Heisman trophy runner-up, McCaffrey, Shaw had a few, additional things to say about the guy who last season was merely McCaffrey’s backup.

“He runs physical, he runs tough, and if he breaks a tackle, he’s gone,” Shaw gushed. “I’ve never seen anybody get hit and stumble and then get back up full speed. I’ve just never seen that before. It’s unbelievable.”

Unquestionably, this was the perfect storm, but that didn’t necessarily mean that Love would be perfect.  But he was.  Two weeks ago, Arizona State’s beleaguered defense surrendered 216 yards to San Diego State’s Rashaad Penny, and ASU Coach Todd Graham conceded during the week that Love would provide an even bigger challenge.

From Stanford’s perspective, quarterback stability is often the last piece to the puzzle, and they appear to have that, with K.J. Costello, the sophomore who made his first college start on Saturday, after his eye-opening second half of football against UCLA last week. Combine Costello’s emergence with the Cardinal’s offensive line having what Shaw said was their best performance to date, and Love was basically off and running from the opening kickoff.

Less than two minutes into the game, Love went 61 yards for a score, motoring past Sun Devils’ defenders like a speeding commuter on 101 during rush hour.

Early in the second quarter, Love knifed through the line, then broke outside on his way to a 43-yard score down the sideline.

Then early in third quarter, Love broke free up the middle, and ran 59 yards untouched for his final score.

“Every play that he broke, we had someone there, unblocked, and couldn’t tackle him,” Graham said. “You have to give him a lot of credit. He’s very, very good.”

But the run that had everyone talking was Love’s final one of the afternoon, a 7-yard run that was all effort and will, and ended with three ASU defenders with hands on the running back.

 

Cain’s career ends with a heartbreaking loss to Pads 3-2

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain raises his arms walking to the dugout after pitching in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in San Francisco. Cain made his final start after announcing his retirement. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-On the day where Matt Cain pitched the final game of his 13-year career, he was not able to get the win.

Austin Hedges hit a two-run double with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, as the San Diego Padres came back to defeat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 before a crowd of 40,394, at AT&T Park.

Down to his last strike, Hedges hit a ball over the head of Hunter Pence in right field to score Christian Villanueva and Cory Spangenberg.

Cain was sharp in the final start of his career, and was in line for the win; however, the bullpen was unable to hold the lead that Pence gave them in the bottom of the third inning.

Pence narrowly beat out a Carlos Asuaje throw to first base that Pablo Sandoval to score from third base, as the Giants took a 1-0 lead.

Pence drove in Ryder Jones with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.

Cain went five innings, allowing just two hits, while striking out five and left to a standing ovation from the fans.

Not only did Cain receive a standing ovation from the fans, but every member of the Giants staff and players hugged 32-year old right-hander. The Padres also showed their respect, as they applauded for their longtime rival as he left the field for the final time.

Reyes Moronta blew the save in the top of the sixth inning, as he gave up the game-tying home run to Wil Myers.

It was the 30th home run of the season for Myers, becoming the first Padres player to top the 30-home run plateau since Chase Headley did so when he hit 31 in 2012. This was the sixth home run of the season for Myers.

Jhoulys Chacin pitched six strong innings in his last game of the season for the Padres, as he gave up one run on five hits, walking two and striking out six. Chacin finished the season with a record of 13-10.

During his career, Cain was a part of 109 no-decisions since 2005, which ranks as the third-most in the major leagues during that period. In 44 of those 109 games, Cain left the game with the lead

Not only did Cain receive a standing ovation from the fans, but every member of the Giants staff and players hugged 32-year old right-hander. The Padres also showed their respect, as they applauded for their longtime rival as he left the field for the final time.

Cain is just the fourth player to play at least 10 years and just wear the Giants uniform, joining Jim Davenport, Scott Garrelts and Robby Thompson.

Even though he did not fare in the decision, Cain ended his career with a 10-game losing streak, the longest of his career and the longest by a Giants pitcher since Rod Beck lost 11 in a row from August 21, 1995 thru April 29, 1997.

The right-hander ended his career at AT&T Park with a record of 60-60 in 179 regular season games.

NOTES: Johnny Cueto will close out the season for the Giants, as he takes the mound one last time, as he looks for his ninth win of the season. Like the Giants, the Padres season will come to a close on Sunday as well and they will send Luis Perdomo to the mound in the season finale.

The ninth inning loss was just the fourth loss of the season by the Giants after they entered the eighth inning with a lead. Coming into the game, the Giants were 49-3.

Rangers end seven game losing streak beating the Athletics 5-3 Friday night

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a's nunez hr

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Game 160 is in the books for the Oakland Athletics and it will go into the loss column as the Texas Rangers won the game 5-3. After falling behind early in the game, the A’s fought their way back into the contest but could not overcome the Rangers five-run lead.

The end of a dream

The Athletics (74-86) went into the final four-game series in Texas with the goal of catching the Rangers in the standings and finishing the season in a tie for fourth-place in the American League West. The only way that could happen was for the A’s to sweep the series in Arlington. That cannot happen now and the A’s will finish alone in last place in the West.

Perez gets his revenge

The A’s chased Martin Perez from the game last Sunday in Oakland when they scored five runs off him in the bottom of the fifth-inning. Perez went to the showers after 4.2-innings on the mound and was tagged with the loss as the Athletics completed a sweep of the Rangers.

On Friday night, Perez worked 6.0 — innings giving up three runs (all earned) off five hits. He walked two and struck out two A’s. Perez allowed one home run.

Three Texas relief pitchers worked one inning each and allowed no runs and no hits in their time on the mound. The relievers worked the principle of the “Goose Eggs” to perfection. By allowing no runs in their three innings of relief work, they preserved the win for Perez.

Nunez chased Perez from the game

In the top of the seventh inning, Perez walked the leadoff batter Khris Davis. He then gave up a single to Ryon Healy that allowed Davis to move up to second base. That brought rookie Renato Nunez to the plate who took a 1-2 Perez fastball over the wall in right-center field for a three-run home run — the first of his MLB career. Unfortunately for the A’s, that would be the end of their scoring for the night.

Alcantara takes the loss

a's alcan tex

Raul Alcantara made another start for Oakland on Friday night. He struggled in his 4.1-innings of work. Alcantara allowed four runs (all earned) on five hits. He walked two, struck out two and allowed one home run. Alcantara (1-2) was tagged with the loss.

The A’s used four relief pitchers. Moll gave up a run while Castro, Casilla and Coulombe were able to post “Goose Eggs”.

Texas was efficient at the plate

a's andrus

The Rangers scored five runs off nine hits while leaving six runners on base. They were 2-for-3 with runners in scoring position.

  • Shin-Soo Choo tied a career high by hitting his 22nd home run of the season with a runner on base raising his RBI total to 78.
  • Elvis Andrus hit his 43rd double of the year.
  • DH Nomar Mazara went 2-for-4 with two RBI and run scored. He raised his RBI total to 99 for 2017.
  • Rookie Willie Calhoun — who was born in Vallejo — went 3-for-4 in the game with an RBI.

A’s with the bats

  • Jed Lowrie broke the all-time Oakland record for doubles in a season when he hit number 48 off Perez Friday night. Jason Giambi was the previous record holder with 47.
  • The A’s scored three runs on seven hits while leaving seven men on base.
  • Oakland went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position.

Up next on Saturday

The A’s will send right-hander Daniel Gossett (1-4, 6.81) to the hill to face the Rangers RHP Andrew Cashner (7-4, 3.42). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m.

Photos by USA Today Sports Andrew Dieb

Stratton thrives for spot in 2018 rotation

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Chris Stratton works against the San Diego Padres during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 29, 2017, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-What a nice night for the San Francisco Giants to get some offense, especially with 100 losses looming on the horizon.

Well, with their 8-0 victory over the San Diego Padres, the Giants’ chances to lose 100 games is nil, as the team won their 63rd game against 97 losses.

The 1985 Giants remain the only team in team history to ever lose 100 games in a season, and the next season, the Giants won 79 games and in 1987, they won their first National League Western Division Championship since 1971.

Chris Stratton pitched a great game, as he went 6.2 innings, allowing zero runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out seven and the right-hander finished the 2017 season with a record of 4-4.

Buster Posey got the scoring started in the bottom of the first inning, as he drove in Joe Panik, who singled with one out in the inning. Brandon Crawford then drove in Posey with a single and then Pablo Sandoval made it three run scoring hits in a row, as he doubled in Crawford for the third and final run of the inning.

All was quiet on the Shores of McCovey Cove until the bottom of the fourth inning, when the Giants erupted for four runs to extend their lead up to 7-0.

Panik got the party started in the bottom of the fourth inning, as after Nick Hundley and Stratton made the first two outs of the inning, Hunter Pence began a streak of five straight Giants players to reach base.

It was a big night for Panik, as he went 4-for-5 with two runs scored and a run batted in.

Hunter Pence singled then Panik doubled him in, then Posey hit his second of three doubles to score Panik and then Crawford singled in both Denard Span, who walked and Posey.

The Giants added to their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Posey hit his third double of the night that scored Pence.

All three of Posey’s doubles ended with a run scoring, as the Giants got their biggest run differential win since June 2, when Ty Blach shutout the Philadelphia Phillies 10-0.

NOTES: Matt Cain will make his final start of his 13-year major league career on Saturday afternoon, as he will face Jhoulys Chacin, who is looking for his 14th win of the season.

This will be the 331st and final start for Cain in his career, the second most in San Francisco Giants history behind Juan Marichal who made 446 starts for the Giants.

On the 63rd anniversary of Willie Mays famous catch in Game One of the 1954 World Series, Major League Baseball Commissioner Robert Manfred announced that the World Series MVP Award will be renamed the Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player, this is effective with the 2017 World Series.

San Francisco Giants honor Hundley wins Willie Mac Award

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AP File Photo: San Francisco Giants’ Nick Hundley signals to the infielders during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Arizona Diamondbacks Wednesday, Sept. 27, 2017, in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks defeated the Giants 4-3. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-In his first year with the San Francisco Giants, Nick Hundley was awarded the most prestigious award that the organization gives out.

Hundley received the 37th annual Willie Mac Award, as voted on by Giants players, coaches, training staff, clubhouse staff, the fans and Willie McCovey himself.

The backup catcher is hitting .246 with nine home runs and 34 runs batted in, while appearing in 99 games this season. Hundley started 63 games behind the plate, while 32 of his 69 hits on the season have been for extra bases.

Hundley is the eighth player in the history of the award to win it in his first season with the team, joining the likes of Mark Leiter, Shawon Dunston, Benito Santiago, David Bell, Marquis Grissom, Mike Matheny and Bengie Molina.

Here is a list of all the winners.

1980 Jack Clark

1981 Larry Herndon

1982 Joe Morgan

1983 Darrell Evans

1984 Bob Brenly

1985 Mike Krukow

1986 Mike Krukow

1987 Chris Speier

1988 Jose Uribe

1989 Dave Dravecky

1990 Steve Bedrosian

1991 Robby Thompson

1992 Mike Felder

1993 Kirt Manwaring

1994 None

1995 Mark Leiter

Mark Carreon

1996 Shawon Dunston

1997 J.T. Snow

1998 Jeff Kent

1999 Marvin Benard

2000 Ellis Burks

2001 Mark Gardner

Benito Santiago

2002 David Bell

2003 Marquis Grissom

2004 J.T. Snow

2005 Mike Matheny

2006 Omar Vizquel

2007 Bengie Molina

2008 Bengie Molina

2009 Matt Cain

2010 Andres Torres

2011 Ryan Vogelsong

2012 Buster Posey

2013 Hunter Pence

2014 Madison Bumgarner

2015 Matt Duffy

2016 Brandon Crawford

Javier Lopez

2017 Nick Hundley

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with Joe Lami: 49ers have shown flashes but need to put one in the win column

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan has his eyes on the play during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks Sunday, September 17, 2017, in Seattle, WA. The Seahawks won the game 12-9. (Terrell Lloyd via AP Images)

On the 49ers Podcast with Joe:

1 Despite losing their last three games Joe talks about the 49ers showing some signs of improvement

2 They played a tough game at Levis Stadium Thursday Sep 21st rallying in the second half for 24 points in 26 plays.

3 In the rally how much credit does 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer get

4 Joe talks about how much planning that head coach Kyle Shanahan had to put in to makes some of the plays work

5 The 49ers are all set for action for this Sunday in Arizona Joe talks about how he likes this match up

Joe Lami is a beat writer for San Francisco 49ers football and Daniel Dullum will be filling in for Joe this Sunday in Arizona at http://www.sportsradioservice.com