Month: September 2021

Back To Jacks: Giants go home run-happy once again in 10-5 win at Colorado

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By Morris Phillips

Now that the pressure’s off, the Giants are swing happy once again.

Definitely a statement made tongue in cheek, but the Giants are done battling the Dodgers for now, and they looked loose and lethal in whipping the Rockies 10-5 on Labor Day afternoon in Denver.

The final 25 games of what’s becoming a signature season in the century plus history of the franchise promise to be jam-packed with tense moments. Those moments just didn’t surface on Monday: Kevin Gausman pitched the Giants into a comfortable place, and the team’s home run bats took it from there. A short turnaround from a late afternoon start in San Francisco to an early afternoon start two time zones away didn’t take away from the effort either.

“To be honest, I was expecting everyone to be a little sluggish,” starter Kevin Gausman said. “We expended a lot of energy that last series just mentally. And being locked in every single pitch and to come out, from the get-go, they were locked in. Quality at-bats and really making Freeland work.”

“The whole crew has a very, very quick turnaround and tired eyes this morning,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “These guys got ramped up well, got prepared and ready to hit, obviously, from the first pitch.”

Darin Ruf starred as the unlikely catalyst, thrust into the leadoff role in the absence of injured Austin Slater, who has concussion symptoms. Ruf homered in the first, and tripled in the four-run fifth, as the Giants jumped to a 8-1 lead and chased the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland, who beat the Giants earlier at Oracle Park and had been on a roll since the All-Star break. Freeland was looking to build on his 5-1 record against the Giants at Coors Field in his 10th home start against the visitors, but he was in trouble from the start.

Ruf and Buster Posey hit homers in the first inning, and Thairo Estrada homered in the fourth and the fifth innings. Ruf’s two-run triple capped the rally in the fifth. That blast came off Ben Bowden, who was summoned to replace Freeland.

Gausman turned in his most impressive and lengthiest outing since the All-Star break, pitching seven innings, allowing five hits and three runs. The Centennial, Colorado native may have energized by participating in the first starting pitcher matchup between Denver-area natives (Freeland is from Denver), but after some short outings in early July, he’s been trending back toward his season start and he picked up his 13th win for his efforts.

“I almost talked to Kap before the game, ‘Let me go 130 pitches, whatever it takes. These guys need a day off.,'” Gausman said. “I had some quick innings, some long (at-bats) and then followed by a one-pitch out.”

Despite their ragged effort, the Rockies stand as one of the Giants most formidable obstacles down the stretch. The Giants finish a 16 games in 16 days stretch here this week, and return on September 24 for three more meetings. While the Rockies have been dreadful on the road, winning just 18 of 68 games thus far, they’re 45-25 at home, a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde peformance that would be the biggest differential in home and road performance in the history of the Major Leagues if the percentages persist.

Freeland loomed as a big portion of the challenge facing Giants, as did the short turnaround, but at least on Monday, the Giants were up to the task.

On Tuesday, the Giants return to normalcy so to speak with an announced starter in Logan Webb, who may also give the bullpen a breather if he can continue his lengthy success now spanning more than half the season. The Rockies have announced Chi Chi Rodriguez as their starter.

Preview: A’s host Tony Russa and White Sox Tuesday; A’s need all the wins they can get to stay in race

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Former Oakland A’s manager Tony LaRussa returns to the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Sep 7, 2021 to face his former team for the first of a three game series (file photo from Redbird Rants)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Well, here we are. The Oakland A’s (74-63) meet the Chicago White Sox (79-58) for three games starting Tuesday night. The A’s returned home after finishing a road trip with a 2-4 record. Things did not go well for the Green and Gold on the trip. Yes, the A’s hitting was much better.

They took two out of three from Detroit. That was the good news. The Tigers hit nine home runs in the series, and they scored 17 runs. The A’s went to Toronto for a three game series against the Blue Jays. They scored 18 runs in the series and lost all three games. The A’s starters and bullpen were pounded by the relentless Blue Jay offensive juggernaut. The A’s lost by scores of 11-10, 10-8, and 8-0. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, must be wondering what happened to his pitchers.

The A’s chances of making the playoffs are getting slimmer by the day. They remain five and 1/2 games behind the Houston Astros. The Seattle Mariners have slipped past the A’s into second place in the AL West. The A’s are now four games behind the Boston Red Sox for the second Wild Card spot.

The Mariners trail Boston by three games. The schedule does not look favorable for Oakland as they head down the homestretch. The A’s play the Chicago White Sox for three games starting Tuesday night. The White Sox won three of the four games played in Chicago.

The White Sox will be in the playoffs as they will be the AL Central division champs. After the White Sox leave, the A’s face the pesky Texas Rangers. The Rangers own the worst record in the AL West. The A’s are 9-7 against them. The Rangers have not rolled over for Oakland. The A’s go on the road to play the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Angels before the final 13 games of the year.

If the A’s will make the playoffs, the schedule has allowed them to go after the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. The A’s have seven left with Seattle and six with Houston. It won’t be easy. The Mariners are playing well and have improved in the second half of the season.

The Astros are 9-4 against Oakland and have had their way against the Green and Gold all season long. To this observer, it is highly doubtful the A’s will catch either team. The A’s have not played well since the All-Star break. They had a stretch when their hitting was suspect.

The front office helped by acquiring Starling Marte, Yan Gomes, and Josh Harrison. Matt Chapman’s power returned, and he is doing better. The injury to the A’s ace, Chris Bassitt, puy a monkey wrench in the A’s rotation. Frankie Montas is pitching well in the second half of the year. The same cannot be said for Sean Manaea, Cole Irvin, James Kaprielian, and Paul Blackburn.

So, the A’s have twenty-five games to right the ship. They face the powerful Chicago White Sox. Their lineup includes Tim Anderson, MVP Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert. A very tough lineup. The A’s will face lefty Dallas Keuchel on Wednesday and Reynaldo Lopez on Thursday.

The Sox have not announced their starter for the Tuesday opener. The A’s pitchers will be Kaprielian on Tuesday, Montas on Wednesday, and Manaea on Thursday. The A’s hope that the bullpen gets back on track after the shellacking they took on the road trip. Oakland needs to get hot. Let’s hope they can do it.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Giants cutting it close with Dodgers for division race; Giant vendors agree to negotiate before going on strike

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Local 2 union members and employees of Bon Appetit stand outside of Oracle Park in San Francisco before Sun Sep 5th’s Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants game. Employees agreed not to strike on Sunday and will negotiate with management during the week. (photo from twitter.com/UniteHereLocal2/)

On the Giants podcast with Marko:

#1 The Giants are in the middle of a nick and tuck battle for the NL West with the Los Angeles Dodgers during the most recent series the Giants and Dodgers exchanged sitting in first place.

#2 The Giants with their recent Covid 19 issues that involved pitchers Alex Wood and Johnny Cueto. Infielder Donovan Solano has returned from the Covid IL list and played shortstop on Saturday, Alex Dickerson joined the Injured List with a hamstring strain on Saturday and is out for ten days.

#3 Recent discussion about former San Francisco Giant Will Clark to be put on the ballot and in the Hall of Fame. Clark who played with the Giants, Baltimore Orioles, St Louis Cardinals, and Texas Rangers hit .303, had 2176 hits, 284 home runs, and 1205 RBIs. The Baseball Writers of America remember Clark mainly with the Giants he almost made the Hall of Fame ballot in 2006 and was voted down in 2018 by a Veteran’s Committee Today’s Game ballot.

#4 Giants food service concessionaires Bon Appetit employees has voted to go on strike because workers say they haven’t had a raise in two years they make $20.75 an hour are asking for a $3 raise, they want Covid-19 protection, health care. During the last contract negotiation between then Centerplate employees and Centerplate management the employees in 2013 who were making $10.25 an hour and were offered a 25 cent raise at the time. The Giants said in 2013 and 2021 the negotiations concession employees are between then and Bon Appetit management.

#5 Employees are pushing for more safety protection because fans are not wearing masks when they come to make their purchases at the concession stands Union Local 2 reported that 20 employees had been infected since the stadium reopened in June and need more PPE protection. The strike was supposed to take place Sunday but was called off as employees agreed to negotiate this week. The Giants have two more home stands left.

Marko Ukalovic is filling in for Morris Phillips who does the Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Buehler was off on this day in Giants 6-4 victory

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Walker Buhler looks in a state of shock as he walks off the field after the third inning giving up six runs to the San Francisco Giants in the first three innings at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Sep 5, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-If you were told prior to the game that the San Francisco Giants would beat a pitcher that was 7-0 in his career against them, you would think no way.

Brandon Belt hit a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning, helping the Giants to a 6-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers and regained the lead in the National League West by one game before a sellout crowd of 41,155 at Oracle Park.

Yes, entering the game, Walker Buehler was 7-0 with a 1.83 earned run average in 12 games (10 of them starts); however, now he is 7-1 against the Dodgers longtime rival.

Buehler lasted just three innings, allowing six runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out one and saw his record fall to 13-4 on the season.

After the Giants took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, the Dodgers immediately tied it up in the top of the second inning, when Will Smith singled to centerfield to allow Justin Turner to score from second base. Turner led off the inning by singling off of Jose Alvarez.

Dominic Leone started the bullpen game, for the Giants and retired the Dodgers in order in the top of the first inning before giving way to Alvarez, who did not get a batter out and gave up one run and one hit before he was replaced by Zack Littell, who pitched one inning, striking out one to pick up his second win of the season.

Buehler immediately gave the Giants the lead back in the bottom of the second inning, as he walked Brandon Crawford to lead off the inning, then Mike Yastrzemski doubled Crawford to third and the Giants took the lead for good, when Steven Duggar tripled down the right field line to score both Crawford and Yastrzemski.

Darin Ruf came off the bench to pinch hit for Littell, who got out of the jam in the top of the second and Ruf singled to left field off of Buehler to score Duggar from third base.

Crawford got in on the RBI act in the bottom of the third inning, as he doubled in LaMonte Wade, Jr., who doubled just in front of Crawford and after Yastrzemski lined out to Corey Seager at second base for the second out of the inning, Curt Casali singled for his first hit of the game to score Crawford from second base.

This bullpen game, fared better for the Giants, as Jay Jackson, Carlos Quintana, Camilo Doval, Tony Watson, Tyler Rogers and Jake McGee closed it out for the Giants, as they moved back into the lead in the NL West with 25 games remaining in the regular season.

The Giants had an ample opportunity to break the game wide open in the bottom of the sixth inning, as they got the first two runners on and would eventually load the bases with one out; however, David Price was able to work out of jam, as he got Thairo Estrada to pop out to Max Muncy for the second out of the inning and ended the inning, when he was able to get Belt to ground out to Muncy.

McGee was far from perfect to start the top of the ninth inning, as Kris Bryant committed a throwing error on a ball hit by pinch hitter Austin Barnes, when Belt could not keep his foot on the bag at first base.

Albert Pujols then came off the bench to hit for Andrew Vasquez, and on a 1-0 pitch launched his 16th home run of the season into the left center field bleachers and it was the 678th home run of his career.

After the Pujols home run that got the Dodgers within two, McGee was able to get Trea Turner to pop out to Thairo Estrada at second base; however, Muncy singled to left-center field to bring the tying run in the person of Mookie Betts to the plate and McGee struck him out looking for the second out of the inning.

Of course, a game between the Giants and Dodgers could not end in a normal way, as Yastrzemski made a sensational catch on by ball hit by Justin Turner down the right field wall near into the netting down the right field line and the play went to review and the play was upheld, giving the Giants the win and sending the fans wearing orange and black into a frenzy.

NOTES: Doval was recalled from Sacramento, while Sammy Long was optioned to Sacramento. Also, Austin Slater was placed on the seven-day concussion IL and Duggar was recalled from Sacramento and went 1-for-4 with the game-winning hit, when he hit a two-run triple in the bottom of the second inning.

With the win, the Giants won the season series 10-9 and this was the 99th win by the Giants over the Dodgers at Oracle Park since the park opened on April 11, 2000.

Belts home run was the 202nd of the season for the team, trailing the Toronto Blue Jays, who have hit a MLB leading 206 home runs.

UP NEXT: Kevin Gausman will take the mound on Monday afternoon, when the Giants open up a two-city, six-game road trip to Colorado and Chicago and Gausman will be looking for his 13th win of the season. Kyle Freeland will go for the Rockies, as he looks for his sixth win of the season.

Max Scherzer will go to the mound in search of his 13th win for the Dodgers on Monday, as they continue their two-city, seven-game road trip with an afternoon against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium and the Cardinals will send Milos Mikolas to the hill, as he looks for his first win of the season.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s need this homestand to get back in the post season race

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Oakland A’s pitcher James Kaprielian will start Tuesday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox who have not announced a starter yet (file photo from Athletics Nation)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, the A’s have just concluded three games with Toronto and before that three games in Detroit. The A’s are still chasing the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox in the AL Wild Card trailing by four games and in the AL West they trail the Houston Astros by 4.5 games lots of work ahead of Oakland to try and get back in post season contention.

#2 Barbara, things don’t get easier the A’s take on the first place Chicago White Sox who are hot right now winning seven of their last ten games they’ll face the Sox on Tuesday night at the Coliseum for three games.

#3 Barbara, during the Blue Jays series the A’s bullpen struggled on Friday’s game starter Sean Manaea surrendered two runs and the three relievers Lou Trivino, Yusmerio Petit, and closer Sergio Romo were all rocked for a combined nine runs.

#4 On Saturday the A’s pitching staff gave up ten runs starter Paul Blackburn gave up nine hits and four runs, relievers Daulton Jefferies, Jake Diekman, Lou Trivino, and Burch Smith were tagged for a combined six hits and six runs. Manager Bob Melvin has to be concerned with the pitching staff when trying to make post season and they got swept 8-0 on Sunday by the Blue Jays.

#5 The A’s host ex-manager Tony LaRussa and the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday night at the Ring Central Time Oakland Coliseum the White Sox have not announced a starter yet and the A’s will go with James Kaprielian (7-4 ERA 3.97) a 6:40pm first pitch PDT.

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

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Moore to battle for wide receiver job; Carr excited about receivers for regular season

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Former Seattle Seahawk wide receiver David Moore (83) who signed with the Las Vegas Raiders this week is looking for a starting job with the Raiders (MSN photo file)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Raiders signed wide receiver David Moore to a one year deal this week. Moore was a former receiver at the Seattle Seahawks. Moore signed a two year deal with the Carolina Panthers but released him this week. The Raiders were surprised that Moore didn’t get another offer from the Seahawks who was a fan favorite in Seattle but were glad to pick him up this week.

#2 The Seahawks who have only four receivers and could have used Moore’s services but the Raiders were glad to sign him. Moore previous to his signing with Carolina signed to be on the Raiders practice squad and Moore couldn’t get on an active NFL roster.

#3 Moore 26, for right now will try and win a job against some of the Raiders younger receivers it’ll be competitive but he has one advantage and that’s experience.

#4 Raider quarterback Derek Carr said he’s excited about the various wide receiver options as he’s looking to make plays with younger receiver Bryan Edwards and Zay Jones.

#5 Carr is also looking forward to throwing to dependable Henry Ruggs III and Hunter Renfrow. Ruggs is noted for his speed and he can out run opposing defenders and Renfrow is noted to be the go to guy on third down plays and is said to be as tough as nails.

Join Rich for the Raiders podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces fall to Sky, 92-84

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Photo by Jeff Bottari/NBAE via Getty Images The Aces and Sky were expected to be two of the top teams in the WNBA this year.


By Shawn McCullough

The Aces struggled, shooting just 41.1% from the field, in a 92-84 loss to the Sky at Wintrust Arena in Chicago.

The loss snapped a three-game winning streak for the Aces.

Las Vegas got a game high 23 points from guard Kelsey Plum, as she went 7 for 16 from the field and 7 for 7 from the foul line.

Forward A’ja Wilson scored 18 points and pulled down 12 rebounds, while Riquna Williams added 14.

The Sky were led by guard Allie Quigley, who dropped 22 points.

With the loss, the Aces fell to 20-8 on the season and sit 1.5 games behind the Connecticut Sun for first place.

The Aces will next play at home on Wednesday against the 18-9 Minnesota Lynx with just four games remaining in the regular season.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • The Sky shot 50.7% from the field.
  • Las Vegas outrebounded the Sky, 38-37.
  • A’ja Wilson and Kiah Stokes combined for 22 rebounds.


Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 3 Riquna Williams
C – 41 Kiah Stokes
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Angel McCoughtry—Out, right ACL
Dearica Hamby – Out, left ankle sprain
Liz Cambage – Out, health and safety protocol

A’s Swept in Toronto: Lose 8-0, fall further behind in the AL Wild Card chase

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By Morris Phillips

Not the day to be north of the border with an important appointment with AL pitcher of the moment Robbie Ray.

For the A’s, not at all.

The last time–and only other time–they saw Ray, he was trying to string together victories for the first time this season and admittedly struggling with fastball command. Ray of May 4, 2021 allowed solo shots to Matt Chapman and Ramon Laureano, but didn’t falter much more than that in a six-inning stint that was slightly above pedestrian, but only nabbed him a no-decision.

Fast forward four months and Ray’s fastball-slider repertoire is top shelf, well known for fooling AL batters from coast-to-coast. On Sunday, he mesmerized the A’s without allowing a hit through five innings, and striking out 10 in before being lifted after 107 pitches in the seventh.

“He’s probably the best pitcher in baseball right now, from what I’ve seen,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said of Ray. “When he takes that mound, everybody feels he’s going to give you a chance.”

With Ray pinpointing mid-90’s fastballs on both sides of the plate, the Blue Jays cruised, winning 8-0, and sweeping the A’s in the process. Oakland’s struggling, to term it kindly, having lost 14 of 20, and probably consecutive losses away from being a footnote in the AL Wild Card chase that’s gotten away from them.

The A’s managed just two hits on the afternoon, but tellingly, that wasn’t their low light. Starter Cole Irvin didn’t survive three innings–the shortest start of his career–and left trailing 7-0 after surrendering home runs to Marcus Semien and Alejandro Kirk. That early deficit left the A’s in an impossible spot, regardless of Ray’s presence, but did take the pressure off their leaky bullpen, which gained some confidence by pitching 5 2/3 innings and allowing just one run.

Coming in the A’s porous relievers had blown seven saves in the previous 13 games. A’s starters haven’t done their part to help that bullpen, having completed just five innings or fewer in 13 of the last 21 games. And the A’s offense has been okay lately, but they haven’t made a habit of striking first, and their herculean comeback efforts have come up short more often than not.

In times like this–with the A’s now four games behind the second Wild Card-seated Red Sox, and having Toronto and Seattle in front of them as well for the first time after Sunday’s results–it’s good to have an unwavering supporter. The A’s have that in manager Bob Melvin.

“I think the best part of our season is yet to come,” Melvin said. “I really do. I think we’re gonna get home and play our best stretch of baseball. We’re gonna get on a run before the season is over and have two teams we need to beat (Seattle and first place Houston) there at the end.”

Getting through the next two weeks comes first for Oakland, and the AL Central-leading White Sox come to the Coliseum on Tuesday to test their resolve. Step one for the A’s: gain traction at home against the Sox and Rangers over the weekend, and stop the bleeding.

And of course, avoid Robbie Ray types.

On Tuesday, the A’s have James Kaprelian in a starting role in a matchup with the White Sox’s starter, who has not been determined as of yet.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Garoppolo looks to be starter for opener in Detroit; Bosa, Ford and Tartt looking good in practices

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San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Dee Ford after suffering nine months from a back injury will play in Sep 12th’s opener at Detroit (San Francisco Chronicle photo file)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 When at a recent practice about who will start Sep 12th’s opener in Detroit San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told the media scrum standing about “I bet you guys could figure it out” Joe just wanted to get your take on Shanahan’s answer?

#2 It’s been 357 days since defensive end Nick Bosa had torn his ACL and cartilage in his left knee. Bosa sat out all three pre season games how concerned is Shanahan about Bosa returning to top playing shape to start the season?

#3 Bosa has only been involved in 10 snaps of the closed to the media for full practices for 11 on 11 sessions. It’s hard to judge in that small amount of time but how Bosa will do but Shanahan said he’s expecting a lot from Bosa.

#4 49ers general manager John Lynch said that pass rusher Dee Ford will be used cautiously, Ford who had a third serious back injury and missed 15 games last season. Lynch said Ford has looked well in practices and drills. Ford didn’t play in any pre season games and his expected to take 15-20 snaps during games in pass rushing plays.

#5 Jaquiski Tartt looks as he will be the starting strong safety. Tartt missed nine months of last season due to surgery for turf toe. Tartt reportedly has looked like he hasn’t missed a step since returning to practice Aug 25th. Tartt participated on two practices during the week and against the Raiders last Sunday was in 29 snaps in the last pre season game.

Join Joe Sundays for the San Francisco 49ers podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAA Football podcast with Michelle Richardson: Oklahoma and Penn State in close game wins; Kiffin test positive in breakthrough case

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Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Spencer Rattler (7) threw for 304 yards and a touchdown against the Tulane Green Wave on Sat Sep 4, 2021 at Norman Oklahoma for the opening day win (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Football podcast with Michelle:

#1 Close game on Saturday Michelle as the Oklahoma Sooners just got by the Tulane Green Wave 40-35. It was a contest both schools were tied after the first quarter 14-14 but the Sooners broke it wide open with 23 points in the second quarter for a 37-14 lead. The Green Wave defense held the Sooners just to a field goal in the second half but fell short for a win.

#2 The Penn State Nittany Lions defense held back the Wisconsin Badgers 16-10 it was all defense in the first half as the score was 0-0 at the half. Third quarter each team scored seven for a 7-7 tie. Fourth quarter the Nittany Lions would score 9 to the Badgers 3 for the win. Penn State quarterback Sean Clifford threw for 247 yards and one touchdown.

#3 University of Mississippi head coach Lane Kiffin test positive for Coronavirus and will not coach on Monday against Louisville in Atlanta. Kiffin who is vaccinated tested positive is experiencing mild symptoms and said he is thankful that he is vaccinated. Kiffin said no other players and coaches tested positive.

Join Michelle for the NCAA Football podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com