Month: September 2017

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with Joe Lami: Considered two close game loses 49ers hope to seal the deal on Sunday Oct 1st

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) looks to pass during an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017, in Santa Clara, Calif. The Rams defeated the 49ers, 41-39. (Ryan Kang via AP)

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with Joe Lami:

1 Where did the San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer short on Thursday night Joe takes a look at Hoyer’s late game efforts for a come back

2 The big push was in the last 23 minutes when the 49ers scored 26 points coming up short 41-39 by two points

3 The 49ers remain 0-3 and 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan pulled out every offensive play he could out of the playbook but couldn’t get in the win column something he and the coaches will be working hard on in Washington for Sunday Night Football

4 Joe talks about what motivated the 49ers to put on a late rally like that against LA

5 For San Francisco quarterback Brian Hoyer Joe talks about what it’ll be like for him throwing against the Arizona defense this Sunday

Joe Lami does 49ers Podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Rams Finally Knock Off Niners In Shootout Win 41-39

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Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Sammy Watkins (12) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif.–The San Francisco 49ers continue to seek out their first win of the 2017 season, as their comeback attempt was thwarted in the final seconds of Thursday night’s contest against Los Angeles. Both defenses struggled in the nationally televised shootout, in which the Rams bested the Niners 41-39.

The contest came down to San Francisco’s final offensive play, a failed two-point conversion that was intercepted by Rams’ defensive tackle Michael Brockers. The Niners were forced to go for two after Robbie Gould missed a PAT earlier in the fourth.

Things didn’t start well for San Francisco after Brian Hoyer was picked off on a pass attempt to Marquise Goodwin on the first play from scrimmage by Nickell Robey-Coleman. The return was brought back to the three-yard-line and set up Todd Gurley’s first touchdown of the day. Just 12 seconds into the contest, the Niners were trailing 7-0.

“I just told him, “let’s start over”. It was the first play of the game. It was a tough way to start out, but I thought he did a good job leading us down on the score and making a play to get us in the end zone on that next drive,” explained, head coach Kyle Shanahan on how he dealt with Hoyer.

It looked like things were looking grim for San Francisco, but they were able to fire back with a score of their own. On the ensuing drive, San Francisco found the end zone for the first time this season with the help of a 20-yard run from Carlos Hyde and a Rams penalty on 4th down. Brian Hoyer kicked out to the right on a scramble and found his way to paydirt from nine yards out.

The Rams went into the half with a 24-13 lead, as Gurley was able to find the end zone two more times. The first one Jarred Goff hit him in the flat for a 7-yard score and Gurley was able to hammer the ball in from two yards out with 49 seconds remaining in the second.

Gurley was a force in the first half, but San Francisco was able to slow him down in the second, including a couple of goal-line stands. The third-year player finished with 113 yards on 28 carries and caught five passes for 36 yards for three total touchdowns.

Goff is beginning to match the expectations of the first overall selection in the 2016 draft, as he exploded through the air on Thursday, passing for 292 yards, completing 75% of his passes; all while setting a career-high in touchdowns with three and passer rating of 145.8.

Despite the Rams offensive explosion, the 49ers were able to keep it close with LA’s defense struggling just as much as San Francisco. The 49ers trailed by 14 at the end of the third quarter but scored 19 points in the 4th.

Garret Celek started the fourth quarter comeback, connecting on a one-yard pass from Hoyer. Trent Taylor scored his first NFL touchdown to cut the lead to 8 and Hyde ran in his second of the contest to make the score 41-39, but the missed PAT came back to haunt the 49ers.

The comeback was set-up by some great defensive plays in the fourth as well on special teams. After the Taylor score, Victor Bolden Jr. forced a fumble to set up the Hyde touchdown.

The Niners then decided to kick an onside kick and recovered. With the chance to win the game on a field goal and starting with the ball at the 50, their offense was unable to get anything going. The Rams wrapped up the victory on a 4th and long, sacking Hoyer for the fourth time.

Despite being sacked four times, Hoyer had his best performance in red and gold. He was able to get over opening the game with an interception. He finished the contest 23-of-37 for 332 yards and two touchdowns. Most impressively, the 49ers’ finally aired the ball deep, as Hoyer was able to connect on two deep balls for 59 and 50 respectively. Both of which came off a play-action.

The 59-yard strike found the hands of Pierre Garcon, who led the team with 7 catches for 142 yards.

Carlos Hyde remained a beast for San Francisco, finding paydirt twice while carrying for 84 yards on 25 attempts.

Thursday night’s contest also saw a handful of injuries that set both teams back. San Franciso will use the next three days off to recover before coming back on Monday to set up their contest with the Arizona Cardinals a week from Sunday.

“I was proud of the guys, how they fought. We just need to get better. We’ve got 10 days until our next game. It’s a division opponent in Arizona. Right now, it is a grind to play on Thursday, but the benefit of it is you get a little bit more time to recover. I don’t really care about the record right now. I care about how guys are responding to it and I want these guys to come back Monday ready to go and ready to fight to get our first win,” said Shanahan.

Sharks Preseason 2017: Sharks Host Knights, Win 5-2

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Photo credit: San Jose Sharks

By M. Walsh

SAN JOSE- The  San Jose Sharks hosted the NHLs newest team on Thursday, defeating the Las Vegas Golden Knights 5-2. Sharks goals came from Kevin Labanc, Joe Pavelksi, Melker Karlsson, Jannik Hansen and Tomas Hertl. Knights goals came from David Perron and Teemu Pulkinen.

San Jose veterans seen in Thursday’s preseason match included Joe Pavelski, Brent Burns, Tomas Hertl, Martin Jones, Chris Tierney and Melker Karlsson. Noteable rookies seen included Timo Meir, Joakim Ryan and Kevin Labanc. The game winner was scored by Joe Pavelski, but the first Sharks goal was Labanc’s. Vegas did not have their presumed starting goaltender in net, Marc-Andre Fleury. Instead, they had Calvin Pickard, backed up by Maxime Lagace. Aaron Dell backed up Martin Jones for San Jose.

The Sharks held the Knights to a single shot for the first ten minutes of play, putting four of their own on net. Near the end of the first, Julius Bergman went to the box for tripping, giving the Sharks their second penalty in the period. By then, San Jose had six shots on goal, and Vegas took their second of the period during the power play.

A couple of minutes later, veteran Melker Karlsson went to the box for hooking. Joakin Ryan handled himself pretty well on the penalty kill, keeping the puck safely below the goal line while reinforcements arrived. The Sharks managed a couple of short-handed chances, including a breakaway for Tomas Hertl, but Vegas goalie Calvin Pickard kept it scoreless.

By the end of the period, the shots were 9-2 Sharks.

The Knights took their first penalty a few minutes into the second period. At first, the Sharks power play did not seem any more effective than the Vegas one. The Knights had their own breakaway, but Jones stopped that and when play went the other way, Kevin LaBanc found himself alone with the puck in the slot. His wrist shot found its way in for the first goal of the game at 4:13. Assists went to Timo Meier and Chris Tierney.

At 8:58 of the second, during a 5 on 3 power play, Joe Pavelski scored San Jose’s second. The first assist went to Burns for his feed from below the goal line. A second assist went to Dylan DeMelo. Curiously, Pavelksi had put one in the net moments earlier from a bounce off the safety netting. The whistle had already gone and no one really believed it was a goal.

Before the second penalty expired, Jannik Hansen picked up a rebound and put it behind Pickard for the Sharks’ third goal. Assists went to Tomas Hertl and Joakim Ryan.

The fourth Sharks goal came from Brenden Dillon all the way up at the blue line. Chris Tierney opted to pass it back to him instead of taking a shot from the faceoff circle. That was the team’s first even-strength goal of the game.

The second period ended 4-0 Sharks, with the shot count at 19-8.

The Sharks had an early power play in the third period, but it was negated by a goaltender interference call against Joe Pavelksi. With 37 seconds left in the Pavelski penalty, Timo Meier went to the box for slashing. The Knights started the five on three in the offensive zone. After three tries at cycling the puck around the boards and back to David Perron on the goal line, the Knights broke the shutout. The Knights scored again before the power play expired, a simple-looking play off the faceoff that left Teemu Pulkinen unguarded and free to shoot from the slot.

Tomas Hertl got one back in a nice play with Timo Meier. The two of them skated in and, as Meier took a shot, they switched sides and Hertl picked up the rebound to make it 5-2. A second assist went to Joakim Ryan.

During the final 34 seconds of the game, Brandon Mashinter and Stefan Matteau engaged in some fisticuffs.

Final score, 5-2 San Jose. The Sharks will play their next preseason game on Saturday in Arizona.

Oakland A’s Podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Mengden inspiring club; Young players battling for jobs could mean good series with Texas

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Oakland Athletics first baseman Matt Olson looks out from the dugout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Oakland A’s Podcast with Jerry:

1  A’s starter Daniel Mengden looks like he’s got this team turning things around he pitched a gem going seven innings surrendering seven hits of shutout ball

2 Mengden struck out four hitters and has pitched 16 innings of shut out ball

3 A’s manager Bob Melvin is loving what his young players are doing saying they’re trying to make names for themselves and you can see what the call up have been doing

4 The A’s had tremendous success against Detroit sweeping them in these games Jerry points out what the key points of sweeping that series was all about

5 The A’s open up a three game series against the Texas Rangers. The A’s still have players who want to win jobs next season it could be a great series with all the hungry players looking to battle for jobs next season

Jerry does the A’s podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

A’s meet the Texas Rangers as the 2017 home season comes to a close.

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Oakland Athletics’ Boog Powell, center, slides to score beneath Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos, right, in the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. Powell scored on a single by teammate Marcus Semien. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND- The Oakland A’s start the final homestand of the season as they play three games against the Texas Rangers and three with the Seattle Mariners. The A’s finish the season on the road as they will meet the Rangers again for four games in Arlington.

The A’s finished the nine-game to Boston, Philadelphia, and Detroit with a record of 6-3. The young players have been sparking the offense, and they are building confidence that this team will be competitive next season. The front office will have to strengthen the starting rotation and the bullpen if the A’s are going to make it back to the playoffs. The fans can see the improvement as players such as Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Chad Pinder, Boog Powell, Bruce Maxwell all have made contributions to the offense since they were called up from Nashville. Khris Davis, Jed Lowrie, and Matt Joyce, all veterans, have played well. Davis and Joyce are under contract for next season.Lowrie is not, and he may be with another team come spring.

The young A’s will be squaring off against the Texas Rangers starting Friday night. The Rangers are still alive in the chase for the second Wild Card spot in the American League. Entering play tonight, the Rangers were just 2 1/2 games behind the Minnesota Twins. Their chances are slim, but the A’s would love nothing better than to help eliminate them from contention. The Rangers are a veteran team. They do not hit for average, but they have several players that can knock the ball out of the park. They are led by Adrian Beltre. The veteran third baseman was on the DL for part of the season. He reached the 3000 hit plateau earlier this season, and he is a sure bet for baseball’s Hall of Fame. Shortstop Elvis Andrus is having a good year. He is hitting .301 and has 41 doubles and 20 homers on his stat sheet. Mike Napoli, Joey Gallo, and Rougned Odor are not hitting for average, but they have hit 29, 38, and 30 home runs respectively. Gallo and Odor are just 23-years old. The outfield will be manned by Nomar Mazara, Delino DeShields, Shin-soo Choo, and if he is able to play, Carlos Gomez.

Kendall Graveman will go for Oakland Friday night. Graveman is 2-0 with an ERA of 2.61 and a WHIP of just 1.07 in his last three starts against the Rangers. Nick Martinez will pitch for Texas. Martinez is 0-1 with an ERA of 4.15 in his two starts against the A’s. Saturday’s game will feature the Rangers’ Nick Martinez going against leftSean Manaea. Gonzalez is 8-11 but has won only once after coming over from the White Sox. This will be his first start against Oakland. Manaea is 11-10 but had a rough road trip. He was bombed in Boston but got the win in Philly. In his last two starts in Oakland, Manaea has allowed just two runs in 11 innings of work. Lefty Martin Perez pitches for Texas on Sunday, but the A’s have not announced their starter as of Thursday.

This weekend will be Fan Appreciation Weekend at the Coliseum. Friday night is the annual Filipino Heritage night. There will be a Star Wars themed fireworks display after the game. Sunday’s game will be Hispanic Heritage Day. Lots a giveaways as a thank you to the fans that have been so loyal supporting this club this year.

San Francisco Giants-Los Angeles Dodgers Preview: Dodgers worst enemy isn’t their rivals the Giants but themselves

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Jeff Samardzija this Friday’s starter in Los Angeles works against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 15, 2017, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Jeremy Harness

 At one point, the Los Angeles Dodgers were flying high atop the major leagues, with no one being able to stop them but themselves.

 Well, the Dodgers have stopped themselves quite a bit lately.

 Although they have clinched a playoff spot, the Dodgers still have not closed out the NL West at this point. That’s because the team has suffered a sudden stretch of ineptitude after absolutely cruising for the first six-and-a-half months of the season and building a sizable lead.

 At press time, the Dodgers still lead the second-place Arizona Diamondbacks by nine games and can wrap up the division this weekend, if not sooner.

 The magic number to clinch the division for Los Angeles is one, so the Dodgers can wrap up the NL West crown Friday night, when the Giants head to Dodger Stadium to start a three-game series.

 The last-place Giants, on the other hand, are playing for nothing more at this point than to spoil things for their upcoming opponents, and they would love nothing more than to set the Dodgers back in their quest to not only clinch the division but to also stake their claim to the best record in the majors.

 The 60-93 Giants will send Jeff Samardzija (9-14, 4.42 ERA) to the mound against Dodgers lefty Rich Hill (10-8, 3.60 ERA) for Friday’s opener.

 After a miserable start to the year, Samardzija had a stretch between Jul. 26 and Aug. 28 that saw him five of six decisions. However, he has lost his last two starts but had a solid outing in his last start, last Friday in a losing effort against Arizona that saw him surrender three runs on six hits. He struck out seven hitters and did not walk anyone.

 Hill, meanwhile, has lost four of his last five starts, but he seemed to get things back together in his most recent outing, surrendering only a run on one hit while walking two and striking out seven more over five strong innings against the Washington Nationals.

 

NFL Podcast with Tony Renteria: Defense was problem in Seattle game; 49ers look like a lack of offense against the Rams Thursday night; Raiders look road ready for Sunday Night Football

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer (2) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

On the NFL podcast with Tony:

1 The San Francisco 49ers who played last Sunday to a 12-9 loss in Seattle Tony takes a look and some of the mistakes made in that game and what the 49ers need to do to get back in the win column.

2 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer like Sunday in Seattle struggled most of Thursday night but the 49ers did get a touchdown score in the first period but has trailed most of the game with the Los Angeles Rams

3 Tony discusses some of the things that 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will be looking to improve in the game with the Rams

4 The Oakland Raiders play Sunday Night Football at Washington. The Raiders are playing their second road game are looking like the best team on both sides of the ball and should be able to take this game from Washington

5 The Raiders left little doubt in their handling of the New York Jets last Sunday and they go in with momentum this Sunday night and Tony tells you all about it

Tony Renteria does the San Francisco 49ers podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Oakland-Washington Preview: Raiders travel East for prime-time game against Redskins

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Oakland Raiders running back Marshawn Lynch (24) is congratulated by quarterback Derek Carr (4) and tackle Donald Penn (72) after scoring a touchdown against the New York Jets during the first half of an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Radio Service Writer

OAKLAND — Coming off a dominate 45-20 Week 2 victory against the lowly New York Jets in their home opener, the Raiders (2-0) play their first of five prime-time games with a cross-country trip to Washington to face the Redskins at FedEx Field with a 5:25 p.m. PT kickoff.

This will be the first game between the two teams since 2013, which resulted in a 24-14 win for Washington in Week 4 at Oakland.

Derek Carr shredded the Jets, completing 23-of-28 for 230 yards and three touchdowns, all to wide receiver Michael Crabtree. Crabtree led all receivers with six receptions for 80 yards while Carr posted a 136.6 passer rating in the game.

Oakland’s running game found open lanes in New York’s defense, racking up 180 yards on the ground, with a 6.7 yards per carry.

Running back Jalen Richard and wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson each scored long rushing touchdowns, 52 and 43 yards respectfully. Oakland’s native son, Marshawn Lynch, scored his first touchdown in front of his hometown fans in the second quarter.

Lynch finished with 12 carries for 45 yards and one overly-publicized dance on the sideline early in the fourth quarter with the Raiders holding a commanding 35-13 lead.

Defensively, Oakland’s defense was sound, holding the Jets to 271 yards of total offense and forcing one fumble by safety Karl Joseph, who also registered his first career sack. Joseph’s sack was one of four recorded by the Silver and Black on the day.

Safety Reggie Nelson led the team with eight tackles and first-round rookie cornerback Gareon Conley made his NFL debut, recording a pass break up.

Washington (1-1) won in Los Angeles 27-20 behind a 11-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Kirk Cousins to wide receiver Ryan Grant in the final two minutes of the fourth quarter.

Cousins finished 18-of-27 passing for 179 yards.

Washington’s top play-makers are tight end Jordan Reed and former Oakland quarterback-turned-wide receiver Terrelle Pryor led the Redskins in receptions (11) and receiving yards (97) respectfully.

While veteran Rob Kelley (22) and rookie running back Samaje Perrine (21) get the majority of carries, fourth-year runner Chris Thompson leads the team with two rushing touchdowns.

Chris Thompson is also a great pass catcher out of the backfield, hauling in one of two Washington’s touchdowns through the air to go along with seven catches for 81 yards this year.

On defense, linebacker Zach Brown is a tackling machine, ranking third in the NFL in tackles with 22 entering Week 3. Third-year linebacker Preston Smith leads the Redskins with two sacks, while fellow linebacker Ryan Kerrigan is second on the team with 1.5 sacks.

The seven-year pro from Purdue has one of Washington’s two interceptions for the season, returning it 24 yards for a touchdown.

Prediction: Raiders 28-17.

Oakland’s offense led by Carr have too many weapons for Washington to handle. Washington’s cornerback tandem of Bashaud Breeland and the trash-talking Josh Norman will be a great test for Oakland’s wide receiving combo of the aforementioned Crabtree, and Amari Cooper, but Carr has improved his throwing mechanics and now can make every throw seem effortless.

Combined that with a versatile ground attack led by Lynch and Richard, (not to mention DeAndre Washington) to go-along with a wild-card like Patterson, Washington will have problems covering all the players the entire night.

This game in Washington could be a “trap” game for the Silver and Black, with a trip to Denver looming in Week 4 if they take the Redskins lightly.

Don’t expect that to happen Sunday night from the Nation’s Capital for the Raiders who have bigger goals in mind this season.

 

 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS PREVIEW: 49ers have to avoid going 0-3

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AP Photo File: New York Jets quarterback Bryce Petty (9) rolls on his back after being sacked by San Francisco 49ers strong safety Jimmie Ward (25) Ward is suffering a hamstring injury but is expected to play Thursday night against the Los Angeles Rams. This photo from an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jeremy Harness

SANTA CLARA– Only two games into the season, the 49ers already have their backs against the wall.

 After a tough loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday, the 49ers have to turn around quickly and try and pick up their first victory Thursday night at Levi’s Stadium. To do it, they will face a Los Angeles Rams team that go into Thursday’s game with a 1-1 record after an emphatic win over Indianapolis in the season’s first week.

 The 49ers, on the other hand, are currently 0-2 and can ill afford to get off to an 0-3 start. On the positive side, however, the 49ers have had recent success against the Rams, as both of their victories last season came against Los Angeles.

 In the meantime, there are some injury concerns for the 49ers.

 Linebacker Reuben Foster is nursing a high right ankle sprain and will miss Thursday’s game, and there is no telling when he will return. However, there was a huge sign of encouragement that showed up on Wednesday when Foster was without the stabilizing boot that he had been wearing the past week and a half.

 Besides the absence of Foster, the 49ers are also hurting in the secondary. Eric Reid suffered a sprain of his posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in the team’s loss on Sunday at Seattle and is expected to miss at least one game because of it.

 Jimmie Ward (hamstring) and Jaquiski Tartt (neck) were also injured during Sunday’s game, but they were at least able to practice on Wednesday, although it was in a limited capacity. Both are expected to be able to play Thursday but are listed as questionable.

 On the offensive side of the ball, the 49ers have a good thing going in the run game, as Carlos Hyde had a good deal of success running the ball against a usually-tough Seattle defense, and he should have more of that against a Rams defense that did not have a good showing in Sunday’s loss to Washington.

 However, the passing game certainly needs to improve, as quarterback Brian Hoyer acknowledged after Sunday’s game that his performance was less than stellar and needs to get better if the 49ers are going to have sustained success offensively.

 

Oakland A’s Podcast with Charlie O: Charlie takes you on a tour of Comerica in Detroit as A’s sweep

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Daniel Mengden is greeted in the dugout after the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

Charlie O with the A’s Podcast:

1) Charlie talks about the Motor City experience- how did you like Comerica Park?

2) A look at Detroit a real sports & entertainment center

3) A review of Wednesday’s game between the A’s & Tigers

4) What about this sweep & the entire road trip how wild how it been?

5) What about the series coming up with Texas – what should we expect?

6) What should be the A’s goals for the rest of the season?

7) What’s your opinion of the new ballpark site?

Charlie O covers A’s baseball for http://www.sportsradioservice.com