Month: September 2019

Does It Matter?: A’s off their game day after securing Wild Card home field against the Rays, lose 3-1

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By Morris Phillips

With 97 wins in the bank and an important date booked for the Coliseum on Wednesday, the A’s weren’t in the mood to make any more deposits on Sunday.

The final day of the regular season played out without fanfare, as the A’s dropped the series finale to the Mariners, 3-1. Kyle Seager’s two-run homer in the first inning off Tanner Roark probably prompted the A’s disinterest as much as anything else.

“It was a 12 o’clock game, last game of the season, we’ve already clinched a wild-card spot, so I’m sure you guys can imagine where our minds are at,” Roark admitted afterwards.

Saturday provided all the clarity the A’s needed: the Rays dropped their penultimate game to the Blue Jays, and then the A’s held on to a nail-biter, 1-0 victory over the Mariners a few hours later. That combination clinched home field advantage for the A’s on Wednesday, which is a big deal given the fast exit the A’s made last season, spending more time flying to New York to face the Yankees, then they did as a postseason participant, losing to the Bombers, 7-2.

Sunday was significant only for loose ends. Stephen Piscotty, fresh off the disabled list, got a start in right field to shake off the rust. And Marcus Semien started then departed, playing in all 162 games in a season for the first time in his career.

“Give him 161 and cut him off, but that’s not going to happen,” manager Bob Melvin said of Semien’s achievement. “So we’ll get him an at-bat today. He deserves it.”

Mark Canha was a non-participant because of his groin injury. The outfielder missed the entire Seattle series, putting his Wild Card participation in doubt.

The A’s will choose between Sean Manaea and Mike Fiers as the starting pitcher versus Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Carr throws two touchdowns in Raiders’ 31-24 win

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photo from sfgate.com: Indianapolis Colts safety Khari Willis (37) breaks up a pass intended for Oakland Raiders wide receiver Tyrell Williams (16) during the first half of an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Sept. 29

By Jeremy Kahn

In the midst of their road trip, the Oakland Raiders road swing headed to Americas Heartland, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Derek Carr went 21-for-31 for 189 yards and 189, helping the Raiders break their two-game losing streak with a 31-24 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Carr took the Raiders down the field on their first series of the game, as he threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Foster Moreau that ended a 16-play 75-yard drive to give the Raiders an early 7-0 lead.

After the Colts were forced were forced to punt after going three-and-out on their first series of the drive, Trevor Davis quickly made it 14-0, when he took a Carr handoff and scampered 60 yards to the end zone just 10 seconds after taking the punt to the Raiders 40-yard line.

Jacoby Brissett, who was forced into the Colts number 1 position at quarterback when Andrew Luck abruptly retired during the preseason cut the Raiders down to 14-7, as he found tight end Jack Doyle for a five-yard touchdown pass.

Despite the loss, Brissett went 24-for-46 for 265 yards, throwing three touchdowns and was intercepted once.

After the Brissett to Doyle connection for a touchdown, Carr once again gave the Raiders a 14-point lead, as he found Tyrell Williams for a 19-yard touchdown pass.

Veteran Adam Vinatieri then cut the Raiders lead to 21-10 nearly half way thru the second quarter, as he connected for a 26-yard field goal.

On their first series of the third quarter, Daniel Carlson kicked a 26-yard field goal to give the Raiders a 14-point lead for the third time on the afternoon.

Like before, the Raiders, could not put the Colts away, as Brissett found Chester Rogers for a four-yard touchdown pass to cut the Raiders down to seven once again.

It looked like the Raiders put the game away, when Erik Harris picked off a Brissett pass and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown with just 2:09 remaining in the game.

Unfortunately for the Raiders, that was not the case, as Eric Ebron caught a 48-yard touchdown pass from Brissett with 70 seconds in the game.

Following a failed onside kick, Carr kneeled to end the game and the Raiders escaped with a seven-point victory.

Rookie Josh Jacobs led the Raiders in rushing with 79 yards rushing on 17 carries.

NOTES: Vontez Burfict was ejected from the second quarter, as he was called for unnecessary roughness for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Doyle. Burficts ejection came after the officials reviewed the penalty.

UP NEXT: Even though it is a home game for the Raiders, the game will be played in London, as the Raiders will face the Chicago Bears and former teammate Khalil Mack on October 6.

MLB The Show Postseason 2019 podcast with Daniel Dullum: Taking a look at wild card matchups; Bochy gets ready for retirement; plus more

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photo from the olympian.com: Oakland Athletics’ Ramon Laureano makes his way through the dugout after hitting a solo home run on a pitch from Seattle Mariners’ Marco Gonzales during the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Seattle.

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1 Playoff pairings are almost set: A’s to host AL Wild Card vs. Tampa Bay

2 Giants hope to give Bochy a good sendoff against Dodgers

3 Verlander gets 3,000th K, Astros clinch home field; Mets’ Pete Alonso sets MLB rookie HR mark

4 Look for managerial changes in the next few days

5 After 72 seasons, Cubs play final game on WGN-9

The MLB The Show podcast with Daniel is heard every Sunday and through the postseason on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: A’s ready to begin workouts at Coliseum and host Tampa Bay for wild card Wednesday

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photo from sfgate.com: Oakland Athletics’ Ramon Laureano hits a solo home run on a pitch from Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Marco Gonzales during the third inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 28, 2019, in Seattle.

On the A’s podcast with Joey F

#1 The Oakland A’s and the Tampa Bay Rays will workout at the Oakland Coliseum on Monday and Tuesday in preparation for the AL wild card game on Wednesday it will give both teams some time to adjust to two days off and getting ready for the contest.

#2 There’s no doubt that having home field advantage is huge for the Oakland A’s for a one and done wild card game.

#3 Talk about Wednesday’s starting pitcher for Oakland Sean Manaea since returning recovering from Tommy John surgery he’s gone 4-0 with an ERA of 1.21.

#4 The Rays come into the Coliseum with a winning 96-65 the A’s 97-64 both are evenly matched the Rays have players to look for Travis d’Arnaud, Ji-Man Choi, Brandon Lowe, and Tommy Pham.

#5 The A’s have some big boppers Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Marcus Semien, and Mark Canha all have home run success this season and they might apply that for post season.

Joey Friedman does the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Toner’s last-second field goal lifts Cardinal past Oregon State 31-28

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photo from sfgate.com: Stanford kicker Jet Toner (center) steps through after kicking a 39-yard field goal with one second left to squeak past Oregon State and end the Cardinal’s three-game losing streak.

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, September 28, 2019

Jet Toner kicked a 39-yard field goal with one second remaining in regulation, giving Stanford a 31-28 Pac-12 football victory over Oregon State Saturday at Reser Stadium in Corvallis, Ore.

The win extended Stanford’s winning streak over the Beavers to 10 games.

The Beavers came from behind to tie the game at 28-28 on a 1-yard touchdown run by Artavis Pierce with 1:55 remaining in the fourth quarter.

The Cardinal’s Connor Wedington returned the ensuing kickoff 43 yards. Stanford quarterback Davis Mills — starting in place of the injured K.J. Costello — threw for a first down and ran for another on the Cardinal’s final drive, setting up Toner’s game-winning kick.

Mills threw for 245 yards and three touchdowns for Stanford (2-3 overall, 1-2 Pac-12). Costello injured his thumb in the Cardinal’s loss last Saturday to Oregon.

The game was delayed for 15 minutes due to lightning in the Corvallis area. It was the home open for Oregon State (1-3, 0-1). The Beavers had a bye last week, and defeated Cal Poly two weeks ago.

Cameron Scarlett rushed for 92 yards on 24 carries for Stanford, while Wedington caught five passes for 31 yards. Wills threw touchdown passes to Michael Wilson, Colby Parkinson and Brycen Tremayne in the first quarter, and later caught an 8-yard scoring pass from Parkinson at 9:31 of the fourth period.

Pierce ran for 141 yards on 16 attempts and touchdowns of 43 and 1 yards for the Beavers.

Oregon State quarterback Jake Luton completed 27 of 39 passes for 337 yards and a touchdown, and was sacked four times.

Next Saturday, the Cardinal host Washington (4-1). Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

The A’s beat the Mariners and secure home-field advantage for the Wild Card

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AL Wild 1
Graphic/Photo: @Athletics

by Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics beat the Seattle Mariners 1-0 on Saturday night to win their 97th game of the season which tied their win total from the 2018 season. More importantly, the win guarantees them home-field advantage for the single-game Wild Card contest with the Tampa Rays on Wednesday night.

The A’s are 52-29 at the Coliseum this season and are 7-3 over their last 10 games. The Rays are 48-32 on the road in 2019 and 7-3 in their last 10 games. The tarps will be off on Mount Davis and the crowd could be up to 59,000-plus fans on Wednesday night to cheer the Athletics on to victory and into the AL Playoffs. The Coliseum can be an intimidating place for a visiting team.

The difference on Saturday night

It was a home run by Ramon Laureno that made the difference for the Athletics on Saturday night. Laureno hit his 24th HR of the season off Seattle pitcher Marco Gonzales in the top of the third inning with two out and count of 3-2. The ball traveled 392-feet over the left-field wall.

The A’s have hit 35 home runs versus the Mariners this season tying their franchise record for the most home runs in a single season against a single opponent. Oakland also hit 35 home runs against the Rangers this season.

Anderson gets the win

Brett Anderson was credited with the win. He now a 13-9 record for the season with a 3.89 ERA. Anderson worked 5.0 innings allowing no runs off three hits. He walked one and struck out three Mariners.

“I was willing to let him go out for the sixth. He got a little bit of elbow tightness so we took him out. But, I mean, good stuff. The best [velocity] of the year. I know it’s been eight, or nine or ten days or whatever. But we saw some 94s, some 93s, it looked good. (He) just felt a little something after the fifth. We didn’t want to push that,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin.

Luzardo gets the save

Jesus Luzardo worked 2.0 innings to earn his second save of the year. He allowed no runs off one hit. Luzardo walked none and struck out three.

A’s manager Bob Melvin said, “(He was) pretty calm. And we’ve seen him, in bases loaded nobody out situations in Texas too. I don’t think the nerves are really there. (He) hits a guy, then makes good pitches with his breaking balls in the last at-bat. And (Tim) Lopes is
swinging pretty good too. That’s kind of how we look at it today, we didn’t want him throwing too many pitches, but as long as he was under 30, we felt good about it. Now, three days rest for him as well…”

Melvin on Wild Card Home Field Advantage

“There’s going to be 50,000 people in Oakland, I got a feeling. When we get that bigger crowd at home, they have an effect. So, we’re excited about going home in front of our fans. There’s a great bond between us and the fans there, and they can get pretty loud.”

 

 

DeChambeau, Watney come crashing down while another NorCal soars to the top

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photo from sfgate.com: Cameron Champ hits on the sixth fairway in the third round of the Safeway Open at the Silverado Resort on Saturday. Champ’s emotions are in play as his grandfather Mack battles stomach cancer in the Sacramento area.

By Jeremy Harness

Saturday was not a very good day for Bryson DeChambeau or Nick Watney, and as a result, they fell from the top of the leaderboard while some new folks took over the top spots as the final day of the Safeway Open approaches.

DeChambeau’s four-over round of 76 dropped him toward the middle of the pack, while Watney’s round of 72 was a little more modest, and he is now tied for the fifth spot in the field and four shots shy of the lead.

Meanwhile, another native of Northern California grabbed the lead on Saturday with stellar play. Sacramento native Cameron Champ, who considered to be the longest hitter on the PGA Tour, used that distance to get good looks at birdies and ended up shooting a five-under bogey-free round of 67.

Besides averaging 335 yards off the tee this week that ranks him at the top of the field, including a 372-yard bomb on Saturday, Champ also leads the field this week with a 91.67 scrambling percentage. He is also tied for the fewest bogeys this week.

“I’m extremely pleased,” Champ said. “Not to make a bogey on the scorecard, mission is accomplished. I’m hitting it well, I’m giving myself so many chances. I’m just executing everything. I’m hitting my shots, I’m not making the little mistakes I was, then I’m getting it up and down when I need to.

“Today was like a faultless day.”

Champ currently leads the tournament by three shots, while Sebastian Munoz also shot a 67 on Saturday to get into the second spot. Munoz has had some recent winning experience, as he won the Sanderson Farms Championship earlier in the 2019-20 season.

He then followed that up with a tie for seventh place at A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier.

“I’m hitting the ball pretty solid, I’m making the putts, so I’m feeling great,” Munoz said.

Joining Munoz in the No. 2 slot are Canadians Adam Hadwin and Nick Taylor. Hadwin first a five-under 67 while Taylor shot 70 to give themselves a chance to win on Sunday.

Barracuda sweep preseason with 5-3 win over the Eagles

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Photo credit: @SJBarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Barracuda continued their success on the power play in the preseason. They scored two more goals with the man advantage en route to a 5-3 victory over the Colorado Eagles sweeping the two-game series against their Pacific Division on Saturday evening at Solar4America Ice at San Jose.

Colorado drew first blood early in the first period. Igor Shvryev scored his first goal of the preseason beating Cuda goalie Josef Korenar, who made his preseason debut, at the 5:16 mark.

San Jose scored the equalizer when a deflected puck found its way in front of the net where Krystov Hrabik was camped out in front. Hrabik tipped in the puck past the reach of newly acquired Eagles goalie Antoine Bibeau for his second goal of the pre-season at the 13:47 mark. Bibeau was traded yesterday by the San Jose Sharks to the Colorado Avalanche for defenseman Nick Meloche.

The Cuda gained the lead on power play with under a minute remaining in the opening frame. Jayden Halbgewachs fed a pass over to Noah Gregor, who skated in from the left slot and released a wicked wrist shot past Bibeau for his second goal of the preseason at the 19:14 mark. Nick DeSimone received the secondary assist.

Colorado outshot San Jose 10-9 in the first period.

A scary moment happened with under eight minutes left in the second period. A shot from the point by Nikolai Knyzhov deflected off a stick that hit Sasha Larocque hit in the face and went down bleeding on the ice. Larocque returned in the third period and finished the game.

San Jose had a full two-minute 5-on-3 power play with 7:03 remaining in the middle frame. However, they couldn’t cash in as they only registered two shots on goal.

Colorado gained momentum off the penalty kill and three minute later tallied the equalizer. Julian Nantel sent a backhander near the right side of the net for his first goal of the preseason at the 16:02 mark. Yuri Terao and Sheldon Dries received assists on the goal.

Maxim Letunov gave the Cuda back the lead on the power just before the end of the second period. Joachim Blichfeld sent a pass from the right faceoff circle down low to Letunov near the crease. Letunov then made a highlight move going backhand to forehand with his back to the net and lifted the puck just under the cross bar for his first goal of the preseason goal at the 18:07 mark.

In the third period, Ivan Chekhovich gave the Cuda an insurance goal when sent a wrist shot through a sea of traffic into the lower left corner of the goal that beat Hunter Miska, who replaced Bibeau with 9:48 remaining in the second period, for his first goal at the 8:52 mark. Thomas Gregorie and Marcus Vela assisted on the goal.

Trevor Carrick iced the game with an empty-net goal from center ice at the 17:33 mark, when the Eagles pulled Miska for an extra attacker. Nick DeSimone received the only assist.

Michael Joly slapped in a one-timer goal from the faceoff right circle to complete the scoring at 18:33 mark.

Korenar finished the game stopping 20 of the 23 shots he faced to earn the win.

GAME NOTES: San Jose 2/4 on the power play. Colorado was 0/3.

Jacob Middleton and Anti Suomela were reassigned to the Barracuda earlier in the day.

Meloche made his debut for San Jose.

San Jose went 4-2-1-1 versus Colorado last season.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda kick off the regular season against the Ontario Reign at Toyota Arena on Friday, October 4 at 7:00 pm.

Ryu helps out own cause in Dodgers’ 2-0 win

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Photo credit: ktla.com

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Hyun-Jin Ryu helped out his own cause with just one swing of the bat when it was needed the most.

Ryu hit a single by Evan Longoria to score Gavin Lux form third base in the top of the fifth inning, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the San Francisco Giants 2-0 before a crowd of 37,518 at Oracle Park.

Max Muncy extended the Dodgers lead up to 2-0, as he deposited a Logan Webb pitch onto the arcade over the right-center field wall in the top of the sixth inning.

It was the 35th home run of the season for Muncy, tying his career-high that was set just last season.

This was the 16th time this season that the Giants have been shutout and the seventh time at home. It is the most that the Giants have been shutout in a season snice they were also shutout 16 times during their first World Championship season of 2010.

On the other hand, the Dodgers picked up their 17th shutout of the season and fourth versus the Giants.

The 105 win by the Dodgers tied the 1953 Dodgers for the most wins in team history. That season, the Dodgers made it to the World Series, but lost to the New York Yankees in ix games, as the Yankees won their fifth straight World Series.

Ryu, who is getting ready for the playoffs, went seven innings, allowing zero runs on five hits, walking no one and striking out seven on his way to his 14th win of the season for the National League Western Division Champion Dodgers.

Webb was the unfortunate hard luck losing pitcher in his last start of the season, as he went six innings, allowing two runs on six hits, walking just one and striking out six and his finished the season with a 2-3 record.

The rookie got his first major league hit in the bottom of the fifth inning, but was nearly thrown out at first base by Joc Pederson for what would have been the third out of the inning.

Over his last two starts to end the season, Webb posted an earned run average of 2.25, as he allowed just three earned runs in 12 innings of work. Webb also struck out 12 times in those two starts.

Tyler Rogers struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning, as his earned run average since he made his debut on August 27 is the fifth lowest amongst National League relievers.

NOTES: Mike Yastrzemski saw his 18-game on-base streak end, as he went 0-for-1 after he flew out in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Bruce Bochy managed his 4,031st game of his career, passing Sparky Anderson for seventh-most in major league history.

UP NEXT: Dereck Rodriguez takes the mound in the season finale on Sunday afternoon for the Giants, while Rich Hill will close out the regular season for the Dodgers, who will open up defense of their back-to-back National League Championships on Thursday at Dodger Stadium versus the winner of the Wild Card game.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Gambrell to make team; Hertl and Kane a great duel on the third line; plus more

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Photo credit: sjbarracuda.com

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks finally picked up a win this time past the Vegas Golden Knights at SAP Center on Thursday night a 4-1 win. Was the difference in this game as opposed to previous games the Sharks wanted to shake off those first three loses and just wanted to come out and play hard for a win?

#2 Evander Kane and Tomas Hertl both scored a goal each that helped the Sharks. There is no doubt that Kane and Hertl will be valuable this season.

#3 One thing about Thursday’s game, both teams were scoreless going into the third period and the Sharks took turns trying to light the lamp. Dylan Gambrell made the team after scoring two goals.

#4 The Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane line should be potent and ready for opening night. The Sharks will play the Knights in Vegas on Sunday (preseason) and on Wednesday night and T-Mobile Center is a tough place for hockey.

#5 In closing talk about Marty Jones in net and how’s his defense has been looking, he’s certainly working to keep the puck out of the net this season.

Join Mary Lisa each Saturday for the Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com