Month: April 2021

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants pitch third shutout in a week; Alex Wood, relief core blank Marlins 1-0

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Miami Marlins third baseman Brian Anderson puts the tag on San Francisco Giants’ Mike Yastrzemski (5) in the first inning of play on Sun Apr 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris, the San Francisco Giants (9-6) on Sunday used five pitchers and the Florida Marlins (7-8) used four pitchers you would think both teams would be putting on a hitting clinic but just the opposite both teams were trying to stop any runs from scoring in the 1-0 Giants win.

#2 Taking a look at pitcher Alex Wood’s performance five innings, three hits not that he would be allowed but Wood looked like he could have got some late innings for the Giants.

#3 The bullpen has to get a lot of credit to hold the Marlins line up to no hits after Wood departed for the rest of the four innings.

#4 The Marlins starter Pablo Lopez went six innings giving up six hits and striking out nine batters before being lift on the Marlins side of the coin they got good starting pitching and great relief help but lost the game.

#5 Morris, the Marlins proved to be a worthy opponent beating the Giants in the first two games of the series but they sure found out why San Francisco has the second best record in baseball with some great pitching on Sunday. The Giants open up a three game series in Philadelphia starting tonight.

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

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips Mon Apr 19, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s win 8 straight; Twins games postponed from racial injustice and Covid-19 issues

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Manager Bob Melvin is none too surprised that the A’s had a seven game win streak after starting the season at 0-6. Melvin had said the team is too talented to be 0-6. (AP File photo)

On the podcast with Barbara:

#1 It’s not a matter of asking “who are these guys” with the recent eight game winning steak of the A’s but rather the question is more like “who are these guys” when the opened the season 0-6.

#2 A’s manager Bob Melvin knew all along that after breaking out of that opening week funk the A’s were good enough, smart enough to make things happen.

#3 In the four game series that the A’s (9-7) just completed against the Detroit Tigers (6-10) over the weekend the A’s threw two shutouts. A’s starting pitchers Frankie Montas and the bullpen on Friday threw a dandy after Montas who pitched six innings and surrendered just two hits left and three relievers shutout the Tigers the rest of the way for the 3-0 win.

#4 On Saturday’s game A’s starter Cole Irvin and three relief pitchers shutout the Tigers 7-0. Irvin went six innings and gave up just four hits.

#5 Tonight the Oakland A’s three game series against the Minnesota Twins (6-8) has been postponed until Tuesday as a doubleheader due the Twins having Covid-19 protocol issues.

#6 The Twins as an organization have been concerned and paid tribute regarding the recent murder of young motorist Daunte Wright 20 at the hands of 26 year veteran Brooklyn police officer Kim Potter , the Twins had postponed one of their games against the Boston Red Sox on Mon Apr 12th at Target Field out respect for Wright. The Derek Chauvin case is going to the jury if Chauvin is found guilty for involuntary manslaughter chances are Minneapolis could face heavy protesting and sports in Minnesota will most likely be further postponed.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason Mon Apr 19, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Oakland A’s special report: A’s vs Twins Monday game Postponed, Tentatively will play Doubleheader Tuesday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Oakland Coliseum will sit empty Mon Apr 19, 2021 as the game between the Minnesota Twins and Oakland A’s has been postponed and will be made up as a doubleheader on Tue 20th Covid protocols withstanding (file photo from the Hometown Fan)

A’s vs Twins Monday game Postponed, Tentatively will play Doubleheader Tuesday

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Minnesota Twins scheduled to arrive in Oakland Monday for a three-game series against the A’s had to cancel their last two games Saturday and Sunday at Angel Stadium against the Anaheim Angels, when Kyle Garlic and another player, whose name was not provided, plus a staff member tested positive for covid-19.

The team was already without their regular shortstop Andrelton Simmons, also because of covid problems. MLB said the delay will enable the Twins to allow more covid testing on their players. A’s vs Twins Monday game has been postponed, they will tentatively play a Doubleheader on Tuesday.

The Minnesota Twins scheduled to arrive in Oakland Monday for a three-game series against the A’s had to cancel their last two games Saturday and Sunday at Angel Stadium against the Anaheim Angels, when Kyle Garlic and another player, whose name was not provided, plus a staff member tested positive for Covid-19.

The team was already without their regular shortstop Andrelton Simmons, also because of covid problems. MLB said the delay will enable the Twins to allow more covid testing on their players.

The A’s and Twins are tentatively planning a regular doubleheader at the Oakland Coliseum this Tuesday afternoon.

Not the news the hottest team in the American League wanted, the Athletics have won eight games in a row after sweeping the Detroit Tigers in a 4-game series at the Coliseum.

The A’s and Twins are tentatively planning a regular doubleheader at the Oakland Coliseum this Tuesday afternoon.

Notes: The top news story the hottest team in the American League the Athletics have won eight games in a row after sweeping the Detroit Tigers in a four-game series at the Coliseum.

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

Sacramento snaps out of it defeats Dallas 121-107; Losing streak ends at nine

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento Kings guard Delon Wright, center, Dallas Mavericks guard Jalen Brunson, left, and forward Tim Hardaway Jr. (11) all struggle for the basketball on Sun Apr 18, 2021 at Dallas (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings have had their share of ups and downs this season. Consistency and defense has been a constant problem for the team and now another kink in their armour; the loss of Richaun Holmes with a confirmed right hamstring strain. He will obviously be out tonight and will not travel to Phoenix and Dallas. His confirmed return to action will be simply when appropriate. Just another blow for the team this season, a very tough one.

There is some good news for Kings fans however and that is that the Golden 1 Center will be welcoming fans back on April 20th. Frontline workers will be honored by being the first fans back in the arena to not only honor but to also thank them for their tireless efforts. Capacity for the first game back will be 1,600 fans.

Sunday night the Kings took on the Mavericks. Dallas has a 30-25 record while Sacramento has a 22-34 record. A win in this game would be a very good thing considering that the Mavericks are currently in 7th place in the Western Conference.

The first quarter was a close one with the Kings outscoring the Mavericks 22-20 but it was the second quarter when the Kings really pulled out into the lead outscoring Dallas 45-30. The score at the half was 67-50. A sizable lead but the Mavericks had a lot to play for and this game was by no means a done deal for the Kings.

After three quarters the Mavericks still trailed but the Kings lead had shrunk from a 17 point lead to a 10 point lead. The score at the end of the third quarter was 87-77 in favor of the Kings. Sacramento had to hang on for one more quarter to seal the win. The King’s needed De’Aaron Fox to really step up the pace along with some defensive stops.

It was a very nervous fourth quarter for the Kings and with under eight minutes left in the game they led by seven points. The Mavericks were not going anywhere and the Kings would have to earn this win. Luka Doncic had gone off in the fourth quarter. Every time the Mavericks got close Sacramento would answer. De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes came up with some huge points and Terence Davis had an amazing 23 points in 28 minutes off the bench.

With one minutes left in the game the Kings led by twelve points and Sacramento had delivered when they needed to. The final score was 121-107. Fox would finish with 30 points and Barnes with 24 in an impressive win for Sacramento.

The Kings will be back in play on Tuesday taking on the last place Timberwolves. Tipoff is at 7:00 PM.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Is the Giants vs. Dodgers Rivalry being replaced?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

One of the most famous moments in the San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Dodgers rivalry came in 1965 when Dodgers catcher John Roseboro (center) threw a ball past the ear of San Francisco Giants hitter Juan Marichal (left) and he came out swinging the bat on Roseboro’s head, Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax tried to intervene (ESPN still file photo)

Is the Giants vs. Dodgers Rivalry being replaced? 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary 

By Amaury Pi-González

 With the recent ascent of the San Diego Padres, who fully reloaded their team and spend big bucks during the off-season, it should be asked.  Is the Giants vs. Dodgers rivalry still tops in the National League. The SF vs. LA rivalry is one of the oldest in major league baseball, second only to the Yankees-Red Sox and in between the Cardinals and Cubs, and it continued when both teams moved to California in 1958.

From the early 1960’s Candlestick Park in the Bayview-Hunters Point, to the current Oracle Park something very interesting has been happening.  When the Giants host the Dodgers, Giants fans come out in droves to root their team and with the “Beat LA” chant you hear it all the time at Oracle.  

However, when it is the other way around, when the Giants played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Dodger fans are just there to root for their team but show not much passion against the Giants, the Giants became like any other team that is playing at Dodger Stadium.

Obviously there is a contingency of Giants fans that make the trips to LA as well as Dodgers fans who reciprocate. Maybe it is because Giants fans are more passionate, or is it an envy factor?  The Dodgers have won six World Series since they moved from Brooklyn to LA, while the Giants three in SF since they moved from the Polo Grounds in the Big Apple.  

Could it be the envy of success the main factor for Giants fans who hate the Dodgers with a passion?  It is all good, competition and passion should be part of the game. It is true that Dodgers fans usually leave games earlier at Dodger Stadium, it is the culture, LA is a car culture, the long commute, millions of cars in the freeways all the time, it is understandable.  

Most of the time the Giants vs. Dodgers rivalry has been a great one from New York to California. With some rare exceptions of violence among fans, most of the time is has been a healthy rivalry. Today the San Diego Padres, who have never won a World Series since they began as a major league franchise in San Diego in 1969, are considered one of the elite clubs in the game. 

All because, this past winter the San Diego Padres were the busiest team in baseball acquiring great talent, with the ownership opening their check books, definitely they are a team looking to go all the way and win that elusive first World Series. Padre’s shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. is one of the great talents in the game today and a franchise player who generates emotion and passion with his flair and style of play.

Yet, with all that talent the Padres have the pressure now to perform and win, because although on paper they look very solid, you do not play on paper, you play on the field. The Padres could replace the Giants as the ‘número uno’ rivalry against the Dodgers in the next few years.

Things evolve, there is a new generation of fans in both San Francisco and Los Angeles, the tradition of the rivalry still remains, while San Diego is soon becoming a hot bed for baseball. Yet, the Padres have not won the hardware they need to brag a little, like the World Series trophy.

 This 2021 season the Padres are going for it and the Giants are trying to compete inside a division the Dodgers have owned for eight consecutive years. No, the Giants are not rebuilding per say, but in a couple of years guys like Posey, Crawford, Belt and so on could be gone and then they will have to work on a system where they can content with the Dodgers.  

The Padres look much stronger than any other team in the western division, except the Dodgers. There is a re-alignment of rivalries starting this 2021, one is the Dodgers vs. Padres, and in the American League the old Yankee vs. Red Sox is more now, the Yankees vs. Rays. My grandfather Armando used to tell me, “Amaury, time changes things, nothing stays the same.”  He was correct. 

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

A’s win streak hits eight, sweep the Tigers with 3-2 walk off job

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–The A’s tried to give Sunday’s contest away, but it was the Tigers that actually booted it, on Jeimer Candelario’s fielding error in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Mitch Moreland’s sharply hit ground ball got under Candelario’s glove and body, allowing Matt Olson to score from second base, in the A’s 3-2 win at the Coliseum.

What appeared to be an unlikely mistake with the game on the line gained greater context in the recent history between the two clubs in which the A’s have dominated, winning 22 of 23 since June 2015. Simply, disaster strikes Detroit when facing the A’s, and the Tigers’ new manager A.J. Hinch is merely catching up to the facts.

“Everything that kind of could go wrong did go wrong in this four-game series,” Hinch said. “We didn’t hit and then ultimately we just couldn’t finish them all off.”

Before the game’s deciding play, the A’s did plenty to damage their hopes, especially in leaving a baserunner stranded at third base in the fourth and eighth innings, as five Oakland hitters failed to hit the ball past the infield, and three of the five struck out. Overall, the A’s were 0 for 7 with a runner in scoring position, along with Mark Canha getting picked off first base in the second, and Aramis Garcia hitting into a double play in the fifth.

But while the A’s shot themselves in the foot on the basepaths, starter Chris Bassitt was keeping the A’s afloat with his first exemplary outing of 2021.

Bassitt went six innings, striking out eight, and retiring 14 of 15 in one stretch. The 32-year old veteran relied heavily on his mid-90’s cutter throughout, and caused Detroit’ batters pause with occasional curves and changeups. After being uncharacteristically wild at Arizona, Bassitt controlled his space by starting 15 of 25 batters with strikes, and issuing just two free passes.

“I thought he threw great,” manager Bob Melvin said of Bassitt. “We just didn’t score enough, didn’t support him enough early on. But he only ends up giving up two runs and keeping us in the game.”

The sixth inning offered the Tigers an opportunity they couldn’t refuse or squander, that after an amazing streak of 23 scoreless innings dating back to the first inning on Friday. Candelario drew a leadoff walk, then Willi Castro singled. With two outs, and after both runners advanced, Harold Castro delivered a two-run single and the lead to the Tigers.

Castro’s master stroke effectively ended Bassitt’s afternoon as well, but it didn’t end Detroit’s misfortune at the Coliseum.

In the bottom of ninth with the game tied following Sean Murphy’s solo shot, the sun demanded it make an impactful, cameo appearance. Victor Reyes was cast as the victim, unable to locate Olson’s fly ball as it landed harmlessly 20 feet to his right. That set the A’s up with the potential game-winning run at second base 6with one out. After Matt Chapman struck out, and Murphy walked, Moreland entered as a pinch-hitter batting lefty against left-handed reliever Gregory Soto.

And Moreland made it work.

The A’s were hoping to continue their mastery of AL Central teams on Monday, but the Twins are dealing with COVID issues on multiple fronts and they were shutdown Saturday and Sunday against the Angels, then not cleared for Monday in Oakland. The hope is the Twins’ positive tests will cease and they can resume play with a Twins-A’s doubleheader on Tuesday.

The A’s hope so: they’ve won 69 of 89 since June 2017 against the Twins, Tigers, White Sox, Indians and Royals.

NBA podcast with Joe Hawkes: Warriors pushing for last playoff spot; Kings might have to look towards next season

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) defends the Oklahoma City Thunder’s guard Theo Maledon (11) during Wed Apr 14, 2021 game at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City (AP News photo)

#1 The Golden State Warriors (28-29) had won four straight before having played the Boston Celtics (31-26) on Saturday night. The Warriors Stephen Curry left it all out there with 47 points but it wasn’t enough as the Celtics got a 119-114 win to snap the Warriors winning streak.

#2 The Warriors are in ninth place just behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth and final spot for a playoff birth. Knowing how Stephen Curry has been scoring in the 40s and had a 53 point game vs. Denver this month this team could actually push for the last and final eighth spot in the Western Conference.

#3 The Sacramento Kings (22-34) in the middle of a nine game losing streak are in Dallas tonight to face the Mavericks and one of the things they’d like to avoid is continuing this losing streak in double digits.

#4 The Kings have the talent to win ball games but it just seems like they in certain quarters have a let down they’re not a bad team if you look over who they have on the roster but they just are suffering on defense.

#5 Joe talk a little about head coach Luke Walton as you know the Kings organization well if their not happy with the way the team is going the make a coaching change could you see that happening with Walton at the end of the season?

Join J Hawkes each Sunday night for a look at the NBA on the NBA podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Wood throws a gem in Giants debut 1-0 over Marlins

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Alex Wood throws for the San Francisco Giants against the Miami Marlins at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Sun Apr 18, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Alex Wood made a great impression in his debut wearing the Orange and Black of the San Francisco Giants.

Wood, who signed a one-year contract worth three million dollars in the off-season, went five innings, allowing three hits and not walking a batter, as the Giants salvaged the finale of the three-game series with a tough 1-0 victory over the Miami Marlins at loanDepot Park.

The left-hander, who resides in the Miami area in the off-season made his debut after being shut down in the middle of spring training with a back issue and looked great in his first start as a member of the Giants.

Alex Dickerson drove in the only run of the game in the top of the third inning that Tommy La Stella from third base. La Stella reached third base with two outs, as Jesus Aguilar was unable to field the ground ball hit by Brandon Belt to first base.

Tyler Rogers was placed in the closers role and pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up his first save of the season, as the Giants picked up the third shutout in the last seven games.

The Giants bullpen, which lost the past two games retired the last 13 batters of the game to get the victory.

Camilio Doval, who was brought to the big club after Johnny Cueto was laced on the 10-day injured list with a right lat strain and threw a perfect seventh inning, including getting Adam Duvall to strikeout to end the inning.

Austin Slater made the play of the day in the bottom of the third inning, as he dove to his left to rob Pablo Lopez of extra bases.

Lopez, who saw his record fall to 0-2 on the season struck out a career-high nine in six innings, as he allowed an unearned run.

NOTES: Closer Jake McGee and Logan Webb were placed on the injured list due to lingering effects from the COVID-19 vaccine.

Buster Posey sat out the game with a bruised left elbow that he sustained in Saturdays game, when he was hit by a pitch against Sandy Alcantara and the x-rays were negative.

Wood was activated prior to the game and Chadwick Tromp was called up from the Alternate Training Site.

UP NEXT: Kevin Gausman will head to the mound on Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, as the Giants open a three-game series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Curry’s 47 points not enough, Celtics win thriller down the W’s 119-114

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Jayson Tatum (0) of the Boston Celtics and the Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) have a post game conversation following Sat Apr 17, 2021 game at the Boston Garden (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Boston Celtics snapped the Golden State Warriors’ four-game winning streak Saturday night by a score of 119-114. The Warriors’ incomparable Stephen Curry made history with his tenth consecutive 30 plus point game. The only other player 33 years old to have done that was Kobe Bryant. Cury tallied 47 points, but it was not enough to put another game in the win column. Boston’s Jayson Tatum put 44 points on the board to lead the Celtics to a thrilling 119-114 win over Golden State.

The Warriors played well for most of the first half. Curry led the Warriors with 14 points in the first quarter. Golden State led by nine 33-24 after the first 12 minutes of action. The Warriors’ small-ball offense continued to shine as they increased the lead to 16, 66-50 late in the second quarter. Boston’s offense woke up and went on a 10-0 run to trail by six 66-60 at the end of the first half. Curry had 22. Andrew Wiggins added 12, and Kent Bazemore knocked down 14. Jayson Tatum was Boston’s leading scorer with 23.

The Celtics continued their run to start the second half. They gained the lead for the first time, 71-68. Curry made a three to tie the game at 71. Boston went on a 7-0 run to go ahead 78-17. From that point until the final few seconds of the game, the teams switched leads several times. The teams were tied at the end of the third quarter 89-89.

In the fourth quarter, Boston led 101-100. Curry made two threes, and Andrew Wiggins also connected on a three to give the Warriors the lead 109-103. The Celtics scored the next eight points. Jayson Tatum and Marcus Smart each hit a three to put Boston ahead 111-109 with 1:16 left to play. Kevon Looney made a two-point bucket to tie the game at 111. Tatum made a two-pointer, and Kemba Walker hit a three to give Boston the lead 116-111. Curry answered with a three of his own to make it 116-114 with 18 seconds left. The Warriors fouled Jayson Tatum, and he made both free throws. The Celtics added one more point to win 119-114.

Game Notes and Stats: With the loss, the Warriors are 28-29 for the year. Boston won their sixth in a row and are now 31-26.

Cury had quite a night with 47 points, seven rebounds, and three assists. He was 15-for-27 from the floor. He connected on 11 threes in 19 tries from downtown. Wiggins finished with 22. Bazemore 16, Poole 12, and Draymond Green five. Green had ten assists. The Warriors shot 51% from the floor. The Warriors made 17 three in 40 attempts. Boston took 14 more shots than the Warriors. Boston’s defense forced 17 Warriors turnovers that resulted in 23 points for Boston. 

The Warriors meet the Philadelphia 76ers Monday night in Philadelphia. The game will start at 4:30 pm

Barracuda come back from 2 goal deficit, beat Stars 4-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif—The San Jose Barracuda came back from two goals down in the second period to score three unanswered in the middle frame en route to a 4-2 victory over the Texas Stars on Saturday evening at SAP Center.

The Barracuda have won three games in a row and are three games over .500 for the first time all season. Texas coincidentally have lost three games in a row and are three games under the .500 mark. San Jose went 3-1 against Texas in the four-game series.

There was no scoring in the opening 20 minutes as Texas held a slim margin on the shot clock with a 7-6 edge over San Jose.

Texas (12-15-2-0) scored the icebreaker in the second period with the game’s first goal on the power play. Ben Gleason skated down the left wing and fired a shot on net that Cole Schneider redirected past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his eighth goal of the season at the 2:06 mark.

The Stars captain leads the team with five power play goals.

The Stars doubled its lead less than three minutes later. Thomas Harley’s shot from the point was initially saved by Melnichuk but the rebound went out to the left where a crashing Joseph Cecconi slammed home the puck into an empty net for his second goal of the season at the 5:14 mark.

San Jose (12-9-4-2) cut the lead in half on the power play. Ryan Merkley sent in a wrist shot from the right point and Scott Reedy tipped home the puck past Stars goalie Colton Point for his third goal of the season at the 12:56 mark.

The Barracuda rode a wave of momentum as they scored the equalizer 56 seconds later when Steenn Pasichnuk scored his second career AHL goal at the 13:52 mark. Zachary Gallant and Lean Bergmann were credited with the assists.

Bergmann now has a three-game point streak.

Just 22 seconds later, San Jose gained its first lead of the game when Ivan Chekhovich scored an unassisted goal, his second goal of the season, at the 14:14 mark.

Evan Weinger sealed the deal for the Barracuda with an empty net goal from his own defensive zone, his third of the season and second in as many games at the 18:38 mark.

Melnichuk (4-5-3) finished the evening stopping 24 of the 26 shots he faced to earn his fourth victory of the season. Point made 19 saves on 22 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 1-for-4 on the power play. Texas was 1-for-3.

Alex True played in his 200th AHL game.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Chekhovich 2) Schneider 3) S Pasichnuk

UP NEXT: The Barracuda continues its homestand with a two-game series with the San Diego Gulls on Tuesday 4/20 at 6:00pm at SAP Center.