Month: April 2021

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: A’s hitters producing; A’s Luzardo looking for first win tonight

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Oakland A’s starter Jesus Luzardo will get the call tonight against the Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen both pitchers will be looking for their first win of the 2021 season at Chase Field in Phoenix on Tue Apr 13, 2021 (file photo from athleticsnation.com)

#1 The A’s picked up their fifth win in six games with a 9-5 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night at Chase Field in Phoenix to open a brief two game series.

#2 The A’s were already up 7-5 and they added two more runs in the ninth to cap off the win their getting some run production after that rough 0-6 start.

#3 The A’s Ramon Laureano, Mark Canha, Jed Lowrie, and Matt Chapman all scored two runs a piece against the Diamondbacks on Monday night.

#4 Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner was touched up for six earned runs and seven hits in 4.2 innings of work and ran his ERA up to 11.00.

#5 On Tuesday the A’s will start Jesus Luzardo (0-1 ERA 6.10) going against the Diamondbacks Zac Gallen (0-0 ERA 0.00) Luzardo is looking for that first win.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the A’s lead play by play Spanish announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Apr 13, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Smash and Splash: Hard-hitting Reds make themselves at home in Oracle Park, win 3-0

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The Massive Reds Hit Parade–2021’s answer to the Big Red Machine of the mid 70’s–had been rolling along for nearly two weeks, too short of a period to earn a snappier nickname, but long enough to insert sluggers Joey Votto and Jesse Winker into its powerful turbine engines.

But with worldly forces like COVID-19 and the common flu rearing themselves, Votto and Winker found themselves as passengers, not drivers of the formidable offense that leads MLB in batting average, runs scored, slugging percentage and RBI, while merely being tied for the lead in home runs with the Astros at 16.

That pecking order within the Reds machinery changed Monday night at Oracle Park as Winker and Votto hit their initial homers of the season in a 3-0 Cincinnati win. The surprising Reds have nine sluggers with at least one home run, and a total of 18 again only matched the Astros, who also connected twice on Monday.

When asked about the successful adjustments he’s made in his swing, Votto was nonplussed, while expressing disappointment to his season’s start, saying “the ball needs to go over the fence, the ball needs to go in the gap.”

Or into the Cove. Votto’s 400-foot drive off reliever Jarlin Garcia not only increased the Reds’ lead in the sixth, it allowed Votto to become the first Cincinnati slugger to take a ball into McCovey Cove, after 21 seasons of falling short.

Winker struck in the third, taking a slider over the center field wall, as Giants’ pitcher Aaron Sanchez in his Oracle Park debut, declined to turn and watch the ball’s flight.

Sanchez, who was facing the Reds for the first time in his career, didn’t let the Reds’ robust .279 batting average as a team increase, allowing just three hits, but he referenced falling behind in the count, just enough sin to get him beat when facing a dangerous lineup.

“I’ve got to, in a sense, go to them and give them something to hit,” Sanchez said of his encounter with Winker. “That’s what you saw, just a 3-1 pitch over the middle. Off the bat, I didn’t think it was a homer, and it ended up being a homer. It is what it is. It’s the big leagues. You’ve got to stay ahead and get ahead.”

Winker missed much of the Reds’ six-game win streak that ended on Saturday because of a bout with the flu. Votto missed two weeks this spring due to complications with a positive test for COVID. With both healthy, the Reds could continue to pressure the Cubs and Cardinals in the NL Central.

Meanwhile, the Giants continue in the search for a winning formula, after managing just two hits on the evening. Through 10 games, the Giants have pitched and defended at a high level, as well as hit home runs with 14 so far from seven power sources. But the team’s collective batting average of .192–which ranks 29th in MLB–won’t cut it.

“I think we’re the type of offense that sees a lot of pitches, gets pitchers on the ropes, gets big hits and produces big innings,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “We haven’t seen that consistently from our offense this year, but I believe that’s in there with this group.”

The lack of offense Monday fueled veteran pitcher Wade Miley, who worked fast, experienced little resistance, and picked up the win. The 34-year old needed just 73 pitches to complete five innings, as he admitted his cut fastball was below average and vulnerable, but more than made up for it with changeups that induced seven swings and misses.

Tejay Antone followed with 3 2/3 innings of hitless relief in which he refused to give Giants hitters anything they could elevate. Antone appears poised to backup his 2020 rookie season in which he was among the rookie leaders in strikeouts and innings pitched.

The Giants have little time to regroup with Kevin Gausman set to face Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo on Tuesday.

A’s rough up MadBum in 9-5 win over Snakes

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Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo makes a pitching change as starter Madison Bumgarner hands over the ball in the fifth inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Mon Apr 12, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Monday, April 12, 2021

Oakland jumped to an early lead against Arizona starter Madison Bumgarner and defeated the Diamondbacks 9-5 Monday in the first of a two-game interleague series at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Chris Bassitt (1-2) picked up his first win of the season, giving up two earned runs and two hits while walking five in five innings. Bumgarner (0-2) struck out five in 4 2/3 innings, but was tagged for six earned runs on seven hits while walking three. Bumgarner’s earned run average ballooned to 11.20.

Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when Mark Canha scored on Jed Lowrie’s infield ground out. The A’s picked up two more runs in the third when Lowrie hit a two-run double to left.

The Diamondbacks cut the Oakland lead to 3-2 on an RBI single by Kole Calhoun and Asdrubal Cabrera’s sacrifice fly to center.

Oakland scored three times in the top of the fifth. After Lowrie delivered a run-scoring single and scored on Matt Olson’s sacrifice fly to left, Matt Chapman hit a solo home run to left, giving the Athletics a 6-2 lead.

Arizona battled back to pull within 6-5 with a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh on a run-scoring double by Cabrera, who scored on David Peralta’s single to center.

Elvis Andrus singled to drive in Stephen Piscotty in the top of the eighth, and the A’s tacked on two more runs in the ninth on an RBI single by Chapman and Sean Murphy’s run-scoring double.

Chapman finished 3-for-5, while Lowrie, Ramon Laureano and Sean Murphy each collected two hits, as the A’s outhit Arizona 12-7. Calhoun finished 3-for-4 for the D-Backs.
In the series finale, Oakland will start Jesus Luzardo (0-1, 6.10), and the Diamondbacks will counter with Zac Gallen (0-0, 0.00). Game time is 11:40 a.m.

Curry’s historic 53 point night powers Warriors to 116-107 win over the Nuggets

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Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) gets the water works from teammate forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, left as they celebrate their win over the Denver Nuggets on Mon Apr 12, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Stephen Curry made Warrior history Monday night to lead his team with 53 points to a 116-107 win over the visiting Denver Nuggets. The Nuggets, embarrassed by the Boston Celtics’ 31-3 late in the game to beat Denver at home, were hoping to get back on track against Golden State. The Warriors did not have Eric Paschall, Kelly Oubre, or James Wiseman available due to injury. The Warriors’ head coach, Steve Kerr, had Kent Bazemore fill in for Oubre.

Here is a list of all the things that Curry did Monday night. Curry needed 19 points to pass Wilt Chamberlain for the all-time Warrior scoring record. Curry scored 21 in the first period to pass Chamberlain’s 17,783 points. Curry was a one-person wrecking crew in the first half.

He led the team with 30 points. It was the seventh straight game with 30 or more points. Rick Barry was the last Warrior to accomplish that feat, and Barry did it in 1974. It was the 24th game of the year that Curry scored 30 or more.

It was his fifth game of the year with 40 or more points. It was his ninth 50 -point game in his career. He also connected on ten three-point shots. Curry accomplished that for the 18th time. It was also the third time that Curry had 50 points and ten threes in a game.

As mentioned above, the Nuggets were still smarting from the loss to Boston last Saturday in Denver. The Nuggets beat the Warriors earlier this year and looked to make it two wins over Golden State. The teams played a very entertaining first quarter. Curry was on fire, as mentioned above.

With Oubre and Paschall out, the Warriors needed to get all the starters into double-figures if they hoped to win. They had to find a way to contain Denver’s all-star center, Nikola Jokic. Denver improved their roster at the trade deadline by acquiring Aaron Gordon and former Warrior JaVale McGee. They also had to contain Jamal Murray, Will Barton, and Michael Porter. The Nuggets won the first quarter 33-32. Curry had 21 to pace the Warrior offense.

The Nuggets went on an 11-2 run to start the second period to lead 42-35. The Warriors did not score in the first three minutes of the quarter. Kent Bazemore and Draymond Green connected on a couple of threes to make it 48-42.

Curry returned to action and knocked down a three to close the gap to 48-45. Bazemore connected from downtown to tie the game at 54. Denver then went on a 7-0 run to go ahead 61-54. Curry made a two-point shot. Denver went to the halftime break leading by six 61-56.

The Warriors came out firing on all cylinders to start the third quarter. They stunned the Nuggets as they went on a 21-5 run to regain the lead 77-68. Curry was making shots from all over the court. The Warriors defense stopped the Nugget offense cold.

The Warriors outscored the Nuggets 43-22 to lead by 16 points 99-83 heading into the fourth quarter. Denver fought back to trail by ten 107-97. Cury was back in the game. The Warriors got sloppy with the ball, and Denver was able to creep closer 111-104. Curry and Green made free throws down the stretch to preserve the win for Golden State 116-107.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the Warriors are 26-28 for the year. Denver is 34-20.

The Warriors needed their starters to produce and did they ever. Green had a season-high 18 points. He was 7-for-8 from the floor, and he knocked down two threes. Green pulled down seven rebounds and made seven assists.

Bazemore had 14. He made three threes. Andrew Wiggins had 17 and was a force on defense. Damion Lee, coming off the bench, had eight. Kevon Looney did not score, but he had ten rebounds and played well on defense. The Warriors shot 48% from the floor. They connected on 18 threes in 44 attempts. On defense, the Warriors forced 19 Denver turnovers.

Nikola Jokic had a double-double for Denver. His line was 27 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Michael Porter was second in scoring for Denver with 24 points and nine boards. The Warriors held Aaron Gordon and Will Barton to nine points each. Bench player Monte Morris had ten for Denver.

Denver’s Jamal Murray suffered a knee injury with just 50 seconds left in the game. Murray hit the floor and was in extreme pain for several minutes. He was helped to the locker room for further examination. He probably will have an MRI. 

The Warriors travel to Oklahoma City to play the Thunder on Wednesday night. The game will start at 6 pm.

Stolarz’s 44-Save Shutout Leads to 4-0 Ducks Win Over Sharks

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San Jose Sharks center Ryan Donato (16) jumps to get out of the way of Anaheim Ducks goaltender Anthony Stolarz (41) in the second period at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Mon Apr 12, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Matthew Harrington

After mostly keeping the band together after Monday’s trade deadline, the San Jose Sharks missed out on a prime opportunity to move closer to the final playoff spot in the West Division Monday night. Team Teal fell to the visiting Anaheim Ducks 4-0 after seeing that the Coyotes (ahead of San Jose by two points) fell to the Avalanche early in the night. Ducks third-string netminder Anthony Stolarz made 44 saves, Max Comtois had two points and Alexander Volkov scored a pair of goals in the penultimate contest between the California rivals.

The Ducks (first goal came after Radim Simek failed to clear the puck out of the Sharks end and partner Christian Jaros likewise failed to advance the puck. After sustained offensive pressure, Comtois was able to redirect a shot-pass from Derek Grant just 1:59 into the first period.

Alexander Volkov then took advantage of slow reactions by Tomas Hertl who had the puck in his own end facing Martin Jones in net. Volkov hit Hertl’s stick, forcing the puck on net and past Jones for his first goal of the game 8:12 into the first. Volkov added his second of the period 12:19 into the period for a 3-0 lead.

Rickard Rakell, a player identified as a prime trade target heading into Monday’s trade dealine, wound up staying put with the Ducks. He rewarded his team’s inactivity by capping off the win with 3:26 off the clock in the third period.

“Even at 3-0 we knew that they played last night,” said Sharks coach Bob Boughner. “We felt in the second period that we were grinding them down, they were starting to turn pucks over. We were getting a lot of offense off that.”

“We thought this game was far from over,” added Boughner. “We couldn’t solve Stolarz and that fourth goal probably capped it off.”

Whether the Ducks had scored one goal or 100 wouldn’t have mattered with how Anthony Stolarz performed in net. The Ducks tender turned away 44 Sharks shots, a career high for the 27-year-old net minder. He came one save away from matching the Ducks franchise record for saves in a shutout in just his 30th career NHL game dating back to 2017.

The Sharks offense turned it on after a dismal first period that saw them outscored 3-0 despite outshooting Anaheim 14-13. They held the Ducks to just six shots on goal over the final two periods, but couldn’t crack Stolarz on 32 shots in the final pair of periods.

“I think it’s our job as a staff to get in there and address the situation,” said Boughner after his team’s third loss in four games. “To make the proper changes and adjustments. To show them the things we did well, but to continue to harp and teach on the things we didn’t do well.”

“It’s a funny game,” said Bougner. “Last week we were on top of the world and all the sudden you hit a couple games like this and you start gripping the stick tight. Maybe over thinking things. We need to get back to our structure.”

The Sharks get a chance to rebound against the Ducks (and presumably not Stolarz in net unless Ducks coach Dallas Eakins chooses to ride the hot hand) Wednesday night at San Jose. Boughner didn’t have an update on Tomas Hertl after the game, he headed to the dressing room late in the third period with an injury. There will surely be more on him in the coming days.

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings Lose Seventh In A Row to Pelicans 117-110

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Brandon Ingram forward (14) of the New Orleans Pelicans takes a shot over the Sacramento Kings guard Tyrese Haliburton (right) Mon Apr 12, 2021 in New Orleans (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

With the regulation season approaching the final lap, team’s are fighting for that eighth spot. The eighth spot is a very real possibility for a few teams but the Sacramento Kings and the New Orleans Pelicans are probably not one of them. The Kings were defeated in New Orleans for their seventh straight loss 117-110 to the Pelicans on Monday night.

The Pelicans have made a bit of a move and are now in 11th place, three games behind the eighth place Grizzlies. With roughly have 19 games left in the regular season; now is the time to make a move for both of these teams. The Kings are 22-31 and in 12th place; a full five games behind the Grizzles. A win tonight is exactly what the Kings are gearing up for. They have lost six games in a row and desperately need a win.

The Kings started off the game on a slow note. The Pelicans led after one quarter 31-19. The second quarter did not go well for the Kings either. They trailed going into the locker room at the half 68-45. Sacramento had a lot of ground to make up in the second half. The Kings were having trouble stopping the Pelican offense. This is not surprising since the team has suffered with poor defense all season.

The Kings would need starters Richaun Holmes, Harrison Barnes, and Tyrese Haliburton to really step up in the second half. The Kings made up a lot of ground in the third quarter. They trailed 86-74 cutting their half time deficit in half. De’Aaron Fox was having a great game with 31 points through three quarters.

The Kings would pull to within four points of New Orleans but just plain ran out of clock. The slow start in this game came back to bite them in the rear resulting in the disappointing loss.

De’Aaron Fox had the high score of the game with 43 points for the Kings. Harrison Barnes finished with 16 points and Maurice Harkless had 15. The Pelicans Brandon Ingram had 34 points and Zion Williamson had 30. This loss is the seventh in a row for Sacramento.

On Wednesday evening the Kings will take on the Wizards. Tip off is at 7:00 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s showing signs of snapping out of it; Had day off on Sunday

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Oakland A’s hitter Jed Lowrie singles for two RBIs in the seventh inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston against the Astros on Sat Apr 10, 2021 (AP News photo)

#1 The Oakland A’s started the 2021 season going 0-6 but once that streak ended the A’s have now won three of the their last four games. Including two wins in Houston against the AL Champion Astros.

#2 The A’s got a big 7-3 win over the Astros on Saturday that included a two run home run from Ramon Laureano for his first home run of the season.

#3 The A’s run production came up with two runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings something they lacked in those first six games and stayed ahead for the series win.

#4 The A’s got pitching help from starter Frankie Montas going six innings giving up six hits and one run, reliever Sergio Romo threw for two thirds of an inning giving up one hit and two runs. A’s relievers Jake Diekman and JB Wendelken shutout the Astros for the rest of way.

#5 The A’s open a brief two game series in Arizona against the Diamondbacks who have lost six out of their last ten games. The D-Backs are in dead last at 3-6 but the season is still early. The A’s will start Chris Bassitt whose looking for his first win of the season (0-2 ERA 5.56) the Diamondbacks will counter with Madison Bumgarner (0-1 ERA 11.00) since coming to the Diamondbacks he’s struggles and in his last outing he surrendered five runs on eight hits to the Rockies.

Join Barbara for the A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason Mon Apr 12, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants getting good starting pitching at the start of season

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San Francisco Giants starter Johnny Cueto seen here working in the first inning later pitched into the ninth inning on Sat Apr 9, 2021 against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

#1 The San Francisco Giants (5-3) have won five of their last seven games most of those wins have come on the road. They opened the home season last Friday and have won the series form the visiting Colorado Rockies.

#2 The Giants are getting key hits as the Giants Brandon Belt demonstrated with his three run home run on Saturday it proved to be a vital homer has the Giants would win that game by a run.

#3 The Giants also have been getting key pitching from starter Johnny Cueto in Friday’s home opener he got into the ninth inning and held the Rockies to just one run and gave up four hits.

#4 In Saturday’s 4-3 game the Giants starter Logan Webb gave up three runs and eight hits in five innings of work but four pitchers mopped up in relief not giving up a run for that win as the bullpen comes through.

#5 The Giants open a series with the Central Division leading Cincinnati Reds (5-3). The Reds until Saturday had a six game win streak going. The have been getting excellent pitching in their series last week against the Pittsburgh Pirates they’re offense scored 36 runs in the four game series against the Bucs. How do you see this series which kicks off tonight at Oracle Park?

Join Morris for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips Mon Apr 12, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Barracuda route Reign in 5-1 victory

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The San Jose Barracuda share congratulations after their win over Ontario Reign at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo on Sun Apr 11, 2021 (@sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

EL SEGUNDO, Calif—The San Jose Barracuda scored three goals in the first period as they dominated the Ontario Reign in a 5-1 victory on Sunday afternoon at the Toyota Sports Performance Center.

San Jose’s win gave them 24 points as they continue to occupy fourth place in the Pacific Division and the final playoff spot. Ontario have lost four of its past five games.

The Barracuda (9-8-4-2) opened the scoring early on in the first period. Alex True picked up the puck after a multi-player collision along the right boards and quickly found a wide open Sasha Chmelevski in front of the crease and he snapped home a wrist shot past Reign goalie Matt Villalta for his first goal of the game and his fourth goal at the 4:00 mark.

Chmelevski didn’t take long to double the ‘Cuda’s lead to 2-0. Once again it was True setting up his winger. True spun away from an Ontario defender and found Chemelevski in the right slot. The Orange County native then fired home a wrist shot top-shelf past Villalta for his two-goal afternoon and fifth of the season at the 6:36 mark.

Ontario (9-15-3-0) cut the lead in half just under two minutes later. A failed clearing attempt by San Jose was intercepted by Lias Andersson and he sent the puck back up to the point where Austin Strand fired a shot through a body of traffic past ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for this first goal of the season at the 9:04 mark.

San Jose regained its two-goal lead when Nicolas Meloche led an odd-man rush down the left wing. Meloche centered a pass over to Brinson Pasichnuk who lasered home a wrist shot top-shelf past Villalta for his first career AHL goal at the 13:52 mark.

The Barracuda outshot the Reign 10-9 in the opening frame.

San Jose went up 3-1 more than halfway through in the second period as Scott Reedy also scored his first career AHL goal. Joel Kellman sent a cross ice pass from the right slot over to Reedy who beat Villalta with a well placed wrist shot at the 13:52 mark.

The Barracuda out shot the Reign 13-11 in a penalty free middle frame.

San Jose put the game way late in the third period when Jacob Middleton intercepted a pass inside the ‘Cuda zone. Middleton raced down the ice on a breakaway where his initial shot was saved by Villalta but the veteran defenseman cleaned up his own rebound with a backhander for his third goal of the season at the 14:25 mark.

Sawchenko finished the game stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced to earn the victory. Villalta made 27 saves on 32 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 0-for-2 on the power play. Ontario was 0-for-1.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Chmelevski 2) True 3) Pasichnuk

UP NEXT: The Barracuda host the Texas Stars on Tuesday 4/13 at 6:00pm at Solar4America Ice.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Adams medication was cut off by doctor; Triggered murder spree at doctor’s home

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Former San Francisco 49er and Oakland Raider defensive back Phillip Adams (left) who killed five people and himself on Thu Apr 8, 2021 in Rock Hill SC his father Alonzo (right) said “football messed him up” and that Adams “was a good kid” (WCNC NBC TV Charlotte image)

#1 Former San Francisco 49er and Oakland Raider defensive back Phillip Adams 32, who killed five people on Thursday morning in Rock Hill South Carolina, Dr. Robert Leslie 70, his wife Barbara Leslie 69, grandchildren Adah Leslie 9, Noah Leslie 5, air conditioner repairmen James Lewis 38, and seriously injured Robert Shook and died later on Saturday.

#2 Adams died of a self inflicted gunshot wound to the head at 2:30AM on Thursday after the Leslie killings. A motive has not been established.

#3 The police went to Adams parents home where Adams was staying where they found Adams dead at the home. Adams father Alonzo said, “he’s a good kid, football messed him up”

#4 NFL agent Scott Casterline who represented Adams said he was shocked that Adams would do such of a thing but knew that Adams recently was not in his right mind.

#5 The Adams’ family has given the medical community permission to check for CTE in Adams brain and they will reveal results when they come available. Adams played 31 games in Oakland during the 2012 and 2013 seasons and suffered two concussions during that time.

Join Jessica each Sunday for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com