Month: March 2018

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Sharks prepare for three-game road trip starting tonight in Edmonton

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On the San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa:

1.The Sharks are coming off two wins out of their last four games. The Sharks got a 5-3 win past the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night. What a relief it was as San Jose recently struggled on home ice with losses to the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals.

2. The Sharks improved their power play with a power play goal last Thursday against the St. Louis Blues after going 0-30 on their 32nd try they lit the lamp to snap the drought.

3. The Sharks face the Edmonton Oilers, a team they handled without a problem on Tuesday, February 27th, but after the convincing win past ex-coach Todd McLellan and company, the Oilers will be out for revenge on their home ice tonight.

4. The Sharks also have to contend with Connor McDavid, who dominates in Edmonton and leads the Oilers in goals. Will the Sharks’ double team him to slow down his offense?

5. The Sharks conclude their road trip Friday and Saturday with back-to-back nights in Calgary and Vancouver. How do you see these match ups this weekend?

Mary Lisa Walsh is the San Jose Sharks beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Golden State Warriors Podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors aim to snap the two-game loss spell against Lakers on Wednesday night

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On the Warriors podcast with David:

1. The Golden State Warriors tip off against Lonzo Ball and the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night at Oracle Arena at 7:00 pm PT. The Warriors are coming off two straight loses to the Portland Trail Blazers and the Minnesota Timberwolves both road loses. Dave talks about how injuries have played a role in the recent loses.

2. The Warriors’ head coach Steven Kerr who appeared at a Newark High School has encouraged students at the school that their walkout is a for a good cause that gun violence must see it’s end by gun control and gun bans. Kerr’s father was killed by gun violence when he was a teenager and he really believes that this movement has some substance now for the first time.

David Zizmor does the Warriors podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Jose Barracuda Podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Cuda hit the road for four games after successful four-game homestand sweep

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On the San Jose Barracuda Podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda 26-22-3-3) swept the Cleveland Monsters (20-31-4-3) in a two game series last Friday and Saturday at SAP Arena in a 4-0 shutout, which is a morale builder for the club.

#2 The win for the Barracuda represented the first time that the club swept a four-game series in franchise history.

#3 There’s a lot that goes into a shutout and to do it a lot was riding on goaltender Antoine Bibeau (18-11-2), who stopped 23 shots.

#4 The Barracuda’s John McCarthy help set up Manny Wiederer’s pass at 1:37 Widderer got an insurance goal when he shot it past the Monster goalie Jeff Zaltoff’s (2-4-1) for McCarthy’s fifth goal of the season.

#5 Marko answers the question: Is this where the real heavy lifting begins as the Barracuda start a four-game road trip starting Friday in Bakersfield, Sunday in Ontario, and Tuesday and Wednesday in Tucson?

Marko Ukalovic is the San Jose Barracuda beat writer and podcaster for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News and Commentary: Melvin says Lucroy on track to catch 115-120 games; benches empty between A’s and Giants could lead to a rivalry of sorts; Kerr has freedom of speech to speak out on gun control

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Photo credit: sfchronicle.com

On the Podcast with Amaury:

1. Amaury talks about catcher Jonathan Lucroy and says that this A’s team can really sneak up on teams.

2. Lucroy, one of the many free agents who were available, signed on for this season for $6.5 million, who manager Bob Melvin says will catch 115-120 games.

3. The A’s and Giants starting to show some preseason action. Giants pitcher Sam Dyson threw high and tight at the A’s Khris Davis on Monday. Two hitters later, they were bean, which forced the umpires to warn both benches. Could this be the beginning of a Bay Bridge rivalry?

4. Steve Kerr, the Golden State Warriors head coach, spoke at a Newark High School gym on Monday about gun control and how his father was murdered by gun violence and that he supports the student walk out and protest for gun control. Amaury says Kerr has a right to say what he wants and that he has the freedom of speech.

5. Amaury also talks about his Topps Basketball card from the 1990s when he was the Golden State Warriors’ Spanish play-by-play announcer.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the play-by-play Spanish talent for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Sharks Wrap Up Homestand With 5-3 Win Over Scuffling Red Wings

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sjsharks.com photo: Sharks players celebrate one of five goals against the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night at SAP Center in San Jose

By Matthew Harrington

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Sharks had a great opportunity in front of them Monday night and they took advantage. With the Detroit Red Wings, owners of a 26-32-11 record and no hope for the playoffs, visiting the SAP Center, the Sharks turned the paper win into an actual 5-3 win.

The Sharks wrapped up a six-game, eight-point homestand, pushing Anaheim back three points courtesy of a Ducks loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Los Angeles Kings shutout the Canucks Monday to stay two points back of San Jose for second place in the division with 13 games remaining for each team.

Detroit scored the first goal, but San Jose responded with three straight, then three times built two-goal leads to pick up the win over the former Western Conference foe turned Eastern Conference doormat. Joonas Donskoi accounted for the lone Sharks goal from the top line while depth pieces Eric Fehr, Timo Meier, Kevin Labanc and Chris Tierney all also lit the lamp for team teal.

Trevor Daley, a member of the 2016 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburg Penguins, lit the lamp for Detroit 5:01 into the 1st period, but San Jose’s response was swift and resounding. First Donskoi scored his 13th goal of the year with 9:05 left in the period, then Eric Fehr tipped home his first goal as a member of the sharks 1:44 later for a 2-1 lead.

Kevin Labanc made sure his March continues to be better than his February, scoring his second goal in five March games after scoring only one in 14 games in the previous month. The rookie winger crashed the net on a Chris Tierney shot, poking a loose puck through Jimmy Howard’s pads for a 3-1 edge 1:39 into the second. Gustav Nyquist responded 5:05 into the middle frame to cut into San Jose’s lead 3-2.

Timo Meier continued his breakout season, extending the lead on a power play goal 5:12 into the 3rd period. Detroit Stalwart Henrik Zetterberg pulled the Winged Wheelers back to within a goal just 41 seconds later, but Chris Tierney’s empty net goal sealed the 5-3 win.

The Sharks leave the friendly confines of home for the dreaded Western Canada road swing. First is a Wednesday tilt in Edmonton then a Friday-Saturday back-to-back against Calgary and Vancouver.

Kings show heart, but fall to OKC Thunder 106-101

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By: Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings and Oklahoma City Thunder came into their game at Chesapeake Energy Arena Monday evening, having very different seasons. The Kings have had a record of 21-46, and the Thunder a record of 39-29. The Kings lost their previous game to the Denver Nuggets 130-104. The Thunder won their last game 104-94 against the San Antonio Spurs. The tip-off was set for 5:00 pm PST.

In the first few minutes of the first quarter, it was all Thunder, especially Carmelo Anthony. Only three minutes had passed into the game and Carmelo had already drained three 3-pointers. The Thunder continued to look dominant with Russell Westbrook, slamming an authoritative dunk roughly halfway through the first quarter.

The Kings changed that narrative though. After battling back into position, Frank Mason would be fouled with 2:14 to go in the quarter. He made both of his free throws, and the Kings pulled within one, 16-17. The quarter would end with the Thunder leading 19-16.

The second would start with the Kings’ Buddy Hield drained a three to tie the game at 19 apiece. The game would go back-and-forth with only two points separating the two teams with 6:04 to play. Koufos, Bogdanovic, and Jackson would finish with the Kings scoring in the second. The game would go into halftime with the Thunder on top 46-40.

In the third quarter, the Kings would come out firing. Justin Jackson would drain a three to give himself eight points on the night and pull the Kings within three, 43-46.

With 10:30 to play in the third, the Thunder had extended their to 43-51 and it wasn’t looking good. The Kings jumped back into it though, thanks to a part by a Justin Jackson three that made it 50-53. Although it may sound like a broken record, this game constantly went back-and-forth.

No team really jumped out to a commanding lead, even though the Thunder has a couple leads in double digits. Vince Carter would hit a three with 1:40 to go, bringing the Kings within one, 73-74. To close out the third, Garrett Temple would throw a layup and make it 79-78 going into the final quarter.

The Kings went into the final quarter with little optimism after taking a small lead into the fourth quarter. However, the lead was short-lived as Ferguson would come out and drain a three to give the Thunder back the lead, 81-79.

The game didn’t have any real separation until the Thunder extended the lead to 102-92 with 2:48 to play in the game. The Kings would battle trying to fight their way back, but ultimately succumbed to their wounds. The final score was 106-101 and the Thunder got their 40th win on the season.

What’s Next?
Kings return home to face the Miami Heat on Wednesday night at 7:00 pm PST. The Thunder went on the road to face the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday at 4:30 pm PST. 

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: After losing two out of three, Sharks set for Red Wings tonight; Sharks able to contain Ovechkin last Sunday

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On the Sharks podcast with Len:

1 It’s two out of three for the Sharks as they drop their second on Sunday and their first a 3-2 one goal loss to Columbus on Saturday, March 4th. The Sharks got blanked 2-0 by the Washington Caps on Sunday after defeating the St Louis Blues on Thursday night 2-0.

2 The Caps got goals from Nick Backstrom and Lars Eller, which was enough offense to help them get past the Sharks.

3 The Sharks were able to contain Alex Ovechkin as he went 0-6 on shots on goal.

4 The Detroit Red Wings are in San Jose for a Monday night face off at SAP Center the Red Wings are 26-31-11 fifth in the Atlantic.

5 The Wings bring in goalie Jimmy Howard, who has a 2.82 GA, .911% save percentage. Backup goalie Petr Mrazek leads the team in shutouts with three.

Len has the Sharks podcasts every Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Morris Phillips: Buster has no problem with his ankle or swinging the bats; Pence gets break out slam; Giant legends pulling for the Baby Bull

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Photo credit: @BarryBonds

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

1 There was some concern that the Giants catcher Buster Posey would have ankle issues. but he answered that over the weekend, getting three hits including two doubles and left little doubt that his ankle and bat are back.

2 Giant outfielder Hunter Pence took a .056 clip into Sunday’s game struggling at the plate he got one that lept over the left centerfield fence for a grand slam. After the game Pence said his hitting has found a path and balance

3 Former Giant first baseman Orlando Cepeda was remembered by former Giant great Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, and Barry Bonds at the annual Spring Legends meeting, saying that Cepeda’s presence is sorely missed.

4 Giant pitcher Jeff Samardzija said he’s experimenting with several pitches for his 2018 repertoire. After having some rough spots in 2017, he wants an effective 2018.

5 Morris takes a look at the differences from last season’s club to this season’s team in Cactus League and says the Giants no doubt have improved.

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

 

A’s sign catcher Jonathan Lucroy to one-year, $6.5 million contract

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Monday, March 12, 2018

MESA, Ariz. – Free agent catcher Jonathan Lucroy landed with the Oakland Athletics on Monday morning after agreeing to terms on a one-year, $6.5 million contract, the team announced.

“We’ve been in touch for about a month,” A’s general manager David Forst said. “We kept the conversation going and ultimately, it got to the point where it became realistic and we became excited about it.”

To make room for Lucroy on the 40-man roster, the A’s designated left-handed pitcher Jario Labourt for assignment.

“It’s very positive for me,” Lucroy said. “I talked to Bob (Melvin, manager) and Kots (coach Mark Kotsay) about it. I know from calling some games against them, this is a pretty good lineup and (the A’s) have some pretty good arms on the mound.

“I think there’s a lot of positives to look forward to, and we can sneak up on some people. Our division is going to be good, but we’ll be right there with them.”

Lucroy, a two-time All-Star for Milwaukee in 2014 and 2016, split last season between the Texas Rangers and Colorado Rockies. After hitting .242 for the Rangers, Lucroy was traded to Colorado on July 30 for Pedro Gonzalez, and hit .310 in 46 games before becoming a free agent after the season.

The 31-year-old Lucroy is one of a growing list of free agents signing a one-year deal well into spring training.

“This is a good opportunity for me, both from a competitive standpoint and a playing time standpoint,” Lucroy said. “Any time you get a chance to compete for a division and the league, there’s a possibility to do that. And I’m happy and proud to put this uniform on.”

Lucroy figures to add a veteran presence and power to the otherwise youthful A’s lineup and will likely take over the starting duties behind the plate from incumbent Bruce Maxwell. He’s a .281 career hitter with 96 home runs and 458 RBIs over his eight-year career.

Lucroy, who finished fourth in the 2014 National League most valuable player voting, has also thrown out 177 base stealers, most by an MLB catcher over that span.

Labourt had not pitched this spring after Oakland claimed him off waivers on March 4 from Cincinnati, two days after he was picked up by the Reds on waivers from Detroit.

On Sunday, the A’s optioned Labourt and right-handed pitcher Lou Trivino to Triple-A Nashville. Oakland also reassigned left-handed pitchers Jeremy Bleich and Jarret Martin, right-handed pitchers Nolan Blackwood and Bobby Wahl, catcher Santiago Chavez and infielder Nick Noonan to their minor league camp.

The Athletics have 50 players in camp, including 39 on the 40-man roster (which is full) along with 11 non-roster invitees.

GIANTS UPDATE
The Giants, meanwhile, rank near the top of numerous Cactus League categories after 18 games. San Francisco leads in team batting average (.307), total bases (365) and on-base percentage (.371). Going into Monday’s game in Mesa, the Giants are also tied for second in home runs (34) and runs batted in (122).

Outfielder Mac Williamson is swinging one of those hot bats for the Giants. In 15 games, Williamson is hitting .412 with two doubles, two triples, four homers and 13 RBIs. Infielder Kyle Jensen, a non-roster invitee, has also had a strong spring for the Giants, with five home runs in 19 at-bats – most of any National League player.

The team reports that third baseman Evan Longoria is still listed as day-to-day with stiffness in his left heel and ankle. Catcher Hector Sanchez is dealing with a hamstring pull and hasn’t played since Feb. 28. He’s expected to possibly miss another week or two.

Following Monday’s game, the Giants optioned right-handed pitchers Tyler Herb, Pierce Johnson, Chase Johnson and Reyes Moronta; left-handed pitchers Steven Okert and D.J. Snelten; catcher Aramis Garcia and infielder Miguel Gomez to Triple-A Sacramento. San Francisco also reassigned right-handed pitchers Tyler Cyr, Jose Flores, Dereck Rodriguez and Madison Younginer; and infielder Alan Hanson to its minor league camp.

ORLANDO CEPEDA UPDATE
The Giants issued a brief update on the medical status of Hall of Famer Orlando Cepeda, saying, “The Cepeda Family would like to thank the baseball family for its concern and well wishes for Orlando. We are pleased to report that Orlando continues to make significant progress every day and is showing major signs of improvement. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers.”

Cepeda, 80, was hospitalized in February after suffering cardiac arrest and falling in a parking lot, where he sustained a severe blow to the skull.

THE GAME
Jarrett Parker’s RBI double in the eighth helped San Francisco regain the lead and take a 6-5 Cactus League decision Monday over the Athletics. Orlando Calixte, who was hit by a pitch from A’s reliever Daniel Gossett (0-1), scored on the play.

Righthander Roberto Gomez (2-0) threw 1 1/3 innings to get the win; Joan Gregorio and Manny Parra each threw a scoreless inning. Parra earned his first save of the spring.

The Giants broke the game open in with five runs in the top of the fifth inning. Centerfielder Steve Duggar’s two-run home run – his fourth – and a two-out, three-run double by catcher Nick Hundley were the key blows off A’s reliever Ryan Buchter.

Oakland rightfielder Stephen Piscotty belted his second CL homer, a solo shot to left in the second inning off San Francisco starter Chris Stratton. It was also the first hit off the righthander, who struck out three and walked one in four innings.

The A’s closed to within 5-4 in the sixth on Franklin Barreto’s two-run homer off Sam Dyson, and tied the game at 5-5 on Jake Smolinski’s sacrifice fly to center.

Jharel Cotton, the Oakland starter, struck out five and walked three in four hitless innings. Piscotty was 2-for-2 before departing in the fifth.

Announced attendance was 8,539.

THE WEEK AHEAD
The Giants (10-7-2) face a Chicago Cubs split-squad in Mesa on Tuesday, then head to Peoria on Wednesday (Seattle) and Thursday (San Diego) before taking Friday off. The A’s split squad visits Scottsdale on Saturday while the Giants send their other split squad to Goodyear to face Cincinnati.

Oakland (8-7-2) heads to Glendale to face Kansas City on Tuesday, has an off day on Wednesday, returns to Hohokam Stadium for games on Thursday (Seattle), Friday (Cleveland), Saturday (Seattle – SS) and Sunday (Chicago White Sox).

TAGS
San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, A’s, Jonathan Lucroy, Cactus League, Sports Radio Service.

Kings run out of air at a mile high as Denver wins 130-104 on Sunday

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
SAC vs DEN featured image
photo @SacramentoKings

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Sacramento Kings kicked off a short two-game, three-day road trip on Sunday afternoon 5280-feet in the air versus the Denver Nuggets. The loud crash that you heard was the Kings hitting the proverbial brick wall at 120 mph as they were blown out by the Nuggets 130-104.

Denver entered the contest fighting for their playoff lives in ninth-place in the Western Conference, one-half game out of eight-place and being in the NBA playoffs. With the battle for the playoff berths in the West so close, every game is critical for the Nuggets.

Their victory on Sunday moved Denver into a three-way tie for the eighth and final playoff spot with the Clippers and Jazz. The Nuggets are just one-half game behind seventh-place San Antonio.

The final 15-game stretch of the regular season in the Western Conference is going to be a real “dog fight” as 10 teams battle for eight playoff positions.

SAC was a statistical mess

The Kings just suffered in almost every area of the game on Sunday:

  • They shot 42.9-percent from the field while allowing Denver to shoot 56.2-percent for the game.
  •  The Kings went 6-for-31 (19.4-percent) from “3-point land” while the Nuggets hit 15-of-37 (40.5-percent) from long-range. If you are not hitting 3-pointers, a team cannot afford to have their 3-point defense breakdown and hope to win the game.
  • SAC was out-rebounded 51-38 in the game. The Nuggets owned the defensive glass pulling down 43 rebounds on defense to the Kings 31. A team like Sacramento needs those second-chance point opportunities.
  • The Kings had only three steals. Dave Joerger will not be happy with that number because he is all about making deflections on defense.
  • Sacramento recorded only one blocked shot in the game.

Positive numbers:

  • SAC went to the free throw line 26 times in the game which is they type of numbers the coaching staff would like to see on a consistent basis. The Kings converted 20 of those 26 free throw attempts.
  • The Kings protected the ball very well in the contest as they turned it over just three times which resulted in just five points for the Nuggets.

Individual numbers

Kings (21-46)

SAC vs DEN starting 5
 The Starting Five Photo @SacramentoKings
  • Kosta Koufos started at the five spot again. Koufos posted 14 points and he made it a double-double game with 10 rebounds.
  • De’Aaron Fox was back in the starting lineup and played just over 30-minutes. “Swipa” scored 12 points, distributed nine dimes and had three rebounds.
  • Buddy Hield came off the bench to lead the team in scoring with 18 points. “Buddy Buckets” had a much better shooting night hitting 8-of-15 field goal attempts. He did struggle a bit from behind the arc as hit converted 2-of-6 from long-range.
  • There was more good news for SAC as Willie Cauley-Stein returned after being out with back trouble. WCS scored 12 points and grabbed eight rebounds in just over 30 minutes of playing time.

Nuggets (37-30)

Denver’s starting five was very productive as four of the five scored in double figures and three of the five scored at least 20 points.

  • Nikola Jokic was the man for the Nuggets as he posted a triple-double scoring 20 points, pulling down 11 rebounds and distributing 10 assists. He also had a blocked shot.
  • Gary Harris was the leading scorer for the Nuggets with 21 points.
  • Jamal Murray was the other starter who scored 20 points for Denver shooting 8-for-16 for the game.
  • Trey Lyles had big game coming off the bench scoring 14 points in just over 18 minutes of playing time for his team.

Up next

Kings

SAC wraps up this mini two-game road trip in Oklahoma City on Monday night. The Kings are 4-9 on the second night of back-to-back games this season. The Thunder are 39-29 so far this season and are currently tied for fourth-place in the Western Conference.

Nuggets

Denver has Monday off and then returns to action on the road in Los Angeles versus the Lakers on Tuesday night.