Month: August 2022

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Is Garoppolo ready to step in just in case?; Are Niners still Lance’s team?

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback who will remain with the team could he end up being back as starting quarterback at some point this season? (CBS Sports file photo)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 Dave, With 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo staying in San Francisco does that mean that there’s just that possibility that the 49ers may not be quarterback Trey Lance’s job after all.

#2 Dave, how concerned will head coach Kyle Shanahan have to be that wide receiver Deebo Samuel most likely will not be in the line up for Sep 11th due to a bad bruise behind his knee which he got during Thursday’s pre season game in Houston?

#3 Reports say that Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields looked much better Saturday in a game the Bears pulled off against Fields old team the Cleveland Browns 21-20. Fields was 14-16 for 156 yards and threw for three touchdowns. Will the 49ers defense have their hands full on Sunday?

Join David Zizmor for the 49ers podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Chasing No.61 — You Be The Judge

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New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, right, launches his 50th home run of the season as Los Angeles Angels catcher Matt Thaiss, center, and home plate umpire Quinn Wolcott watch in the top of the eighth inning at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Aug 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

Chasing No.61 — You Be The Judge

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On October 1, 1961 New York Yankee outfielder Roger Maris hit his home run No.61 of the season breaking the (at that time) major league record for most home runs in one season of 60 established by Babe Ruth in 1927. Today Yankee center fielder Aaron Judge is challenging Roger Maris record as well as making a bid to become the Most Valuable Player in the American League.

Roger Maris still holds the home run record for one season in the American League and another Yankee, Aaron Judge today, 95 years later is on a pace to break that record with his first-place team.

The major league record is that of Barry Bonds of 73 home runs in 2001. However because Bonds played during the much maligned ‘steroids era’, a period of time when a number of players were believed to have used performance-enhancing drugs, resulting in increased offensive numbers, Barry Bonds record is kind of hollow, compared to the historic 61 of Roger Maris.

Bonds was not alone during that era, there are other “regular suspects” like Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, José Canseco, Rafael Palmeiro whose records are also considered suspicious and therefore have lessen their impact. As a result these players with Hall of Fame statistics so far have fallen short of induction.

Beginning this Tuesday August 31, the Yankees have 33 games left this season. The Yankee have a very even schedule the rest of the way; 17 games on the road and 16 at Yankee Stadium.

The race for the MVP in the American League will be between two men, NY Yankees Aaron Judge and LA Angels Shohei Ohtani, who won it last year. In 2017 many believe that during his rookie year Aaron Judge was robbed of the MVP as he hit for .284 with 52 home runs and 114 runs batted in.

José Altuve of the Houston Astros won the MVP that season hitting for a .346 average with 24 home runs and 81 runs batted in. By the way that 2017 was also the last of the three batting titles Altuve has won so far.

I believe (and I do not have a vote) the MVP voting will be close this season. I am from the school of thinking that it should go to the player that helps his team win the Division; the Yankees are on the way to do that, while the Angels are finishing in fourth place this season.

The mere fact that Ohtani is a unique two-way player, (the most relevant since Babe Ruth) the Japanese super star, a very good hitter and a very good pitcher is going to seduce many writers to vote for him again. Let’s face it.

The national baseball media has a love affair with the Japanese super star. A relatively new baseball stat WAR, wins against replacement figures big today in the major leagues and applies to these two guys, when it comes to the MVP.

As of today Aaron Judge 50 home runs is on a pace to hit 62 home runs this year and therefore establish the new American League record. Can he do it? You be the Judge!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsadioservice.com

Lights Out: Giants suffer 5th consecutive loss, 6-5 to the Padres, further damaging their playoff hopes

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants needed working lights, of course. But at this critical juncture of the season, their wish list is lengthier than a functional ballpark.

An unusual night at Oracle Park unearthed few answers as the Giants suffered a frustrating loss to the Padres, 6-5.

Their fifth straight defeat was again littered with sporadic offense that didn’t take hold until the eighth inning, when they pushed across three runs, and disappeared as quickly as it materialized in the ninth.

Ironically, LaMonte Wade Jr. batted in the ninth, more than four hours after first pitch in a game extended by a pair of in-game delays, and struck out after looking at all three strikes.

So much for “Late Night” and so much for the Giants.

“I thought it was a better offensive performance, but there’s no question the main issue for us is we haven’t been as good in the (hitting) zone,” manager Gabe Kapler said. “I think earlier in the season, we were much better at driving balls in the zone.”

Carlos Rodon left the Giants in an early hole, allowing three runs in the first, capped by Brandon Drury’s two-run shot. Rodon, who was fantastic in his previous start at Detroit, was baffling on Monday. He needed 28 pitches to survive the first inning, and his fastball to Drury–pitch number 24–left the slugger little choice but to deposit it into the bleachers.

Rodon never got untracked, and after a 40-minute delay to fire up the stadium lights preceded by a 10-minute delay when home plate umpire Marvin Hudson twisted his knee trying to track a foul pop, he was left to be philosophical.

“It was odd, right? Poor guy behind home plate tonight, who knows what he did to his knee, but hopefully he’s all right. Then the light thing. It was kind of an odd game today, right? A little different,” Rodon said.

Rodon went just four innings, and departed with the Giants down, 5-0.

The Giants’ comeback that fell a run short started in the fourth with Joc Pederson’s homer that trimmed the deficit to 5-2. In the eighth, Austin Slater knocked in two runs with a base hit, and J.D. Davis followed with an RBI single that scored Thairo Estrada.

Padres’ closer Nick Martinez was summoned to get a four-out save and allowed both run-scoring hits. But he recovered, retiring Austin Wynns to end the eighth, and Tommy La Stella, Wade and Wilmer Flores consecutively in the ninth.

“All of a sudden, the eighth inning feels like the ninth inning and to have to come out and recreate that adrenaline again in the ninth is just another something that really he hasn’t been through,” manager Bob Melvin said of Martinez, who has supplanted the struggling Josh Hader in the San Diego bullpen.

The Giants are 10-14 in August, and a season-worst four games below .500. But here’s what’s even more disheartening: the Padres, one of two teams the Giants need to catch, are 13-13, and would be feeling the heat given all their splashy, in-season additions if the Giants were applying pressure.

On Tuesday, Logan Webb is matched against the Padres’ Blake Snell in the middle-game of the three-game set.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: How Carr and Raiders will approach Chargers for week 1 on Sunday

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) tunes up at the Raiders practice camp on Tue Aug 23, 2022. Carr has said he’s ready to go under center Sun Sep 11, 2022 for the opening game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SOFI Stadium in Los Angeles (AP file photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony wanted to get an idea how you see Raiders quarterback Derek Carr for opening day against the the Los Angeles Chargers for this Sun Sep 11th?

#2 Raiders quarterbacks Chase Garbers and Jarrett Stidham shared quarterback duties last Friday at Allegiant Stadium. Garbers was 12-22 for 141 yards and Stidham 4-6 for 72 yards.

#3 Tony, talk about the role Stidham and how he supports and backs up starter Derek Carr going into this 2022 season?

#4 At running back Brittan Brown carried 11 times for 28 yards and a touchdown and Austin Walter six carries for 20 yards and no touchdowns in last Friday’s game.

#5 Opening day this Sunday as the Raiders kickoff the regular season against the the Chargers. Chargers always a tough customer how do you see these two team battling in interdivision AFC West football this Sunday?

Join Tony for the Raiders podcasts Mondays or Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Preview Oakland A’s and Washington Nationals open three game series Tuesday night

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Oakland A’s starter Cole Irvin gets the ball back. Irvin will get the start Tue Aug 31, 2022 at Nationals Park in Washington DC to open a three game series. (@Athletics photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s will start a three-game series against the Washington Nationals Tuesday evening in Washington DC at Nationals Park. The Nationals, who won the World Series Championship in 2019, are currently in last place in the NL East Division.

The Nats own the worst record in the National League and the worst in all of baseball, 43-85. The A’s have the worst record in the American League, 48-81, and it is the second worst in baseball.

The Nats had a magical year in 2019. Things didn’t go well for them in the first half of the season. However, they caught fire and made the playoffs. They won the National League pennant and then defeated the Houston Astros to win the World Series Championship.

The A’s won 97 games that year. They didn’t advance past the first round. What happened to these teams is not unusual these days in baseball. Some of the players became free agents and went to work elsewhere. Other players got traded.

As a result, the A’s and the Nats find themselves at the bottom of the barrel for 2022. They are in the process of rebuilding the team. The A’s have traded players like Matt Olson, Matt Chapman, Chris Bassitt, and Sean Manaea and lost Mark Cannha, Starling Marte, Josh Harrison, and Yan Gomes to free agency. They traded Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino to the Yankees at the 2022 trade deadline. The A’s hope the players they got back will develop into stars in the coming year.

The 2019 Nationals featured a very potent lineup. Their infield comprised first baseman Matt Adams, Brian Dozier, Trea Turner, Anthony Rendon, and Howie Kendrick. Addams and Dozier each had 20 homers, Turner, 19, Rendon 34, and Kendrick had 17.

Kurt Suzuki and Yan Gomes were the catchers. 21-year-old Juan Soto homered 34 times. The pitching staff featured Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg, Joe Ross, and Anibal Sanchez. Turner and Scherzer were traded to the Dodgers last year. Soto is now with the San Diego Padres.

Rendon went to the LA Angels as a free agent after the 2019 season. Rendon has been injured for most of the last three years. Anibal Sanchez is the only player listed above who is still with the Nats.

So, on Tuesday night, the who are these guys Oakland A’s will be playing the who are these guys Washington Nationals. As bad as their record, the A’s still have some bright spots on their roster. Lefty Cole Irvin (6-11, 3.16 ERA) was brilliant in his last start against the Miami Marlins last Wednesday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Irvin went seven innings and allowed three hits. He struck out a career-high eleven hitters and did not issue a walk. He has pitched way better than what his record would indicate. Adam Oller, who did not pitch well earlier this year, seems to have corrected some of his problems while at Triple-A Las Vegas. Oller was brilliant in his last outing against the Yankees.

He allowed one hit in eight innings of work. He did not get the decision, but his performance in his last couple of outings gives the A’s hopes that he will be a featured starter next year. J.P. Sears, acquired from the Yankees, has pitched well.

He took the loss against his former team last week, but all indications appear that Sears will be in the starting rotation. Another young player that the A’s got in the Matt Olson trade, Shea Langeliers, appears to be headed for a regular spot in the A’s lineup.

Langeliers has 11 hits in 47 At-bats since joining the team. He has hit the ball hard and has homered twice.

Oakland severed ties with Jed Lowrie, Stephen Piscotty, and Elvis Andrus. Nick Allen has become the A’s everyday shortstop. Vimael Machin has spent a lot of time at third base. Sheldon Neuse and Jonah Bride have played at several infield positions. Cal Stevenson is patrolling centerfield these days as Skye Bolt and Ramon Laureano are on the 10-day IL.

So, we now take a look at the Nats’ roster. Righty Eric Fedde will go for Washington Tuesday night. Fedd is 5-8, with a 4.88 ERA. On Wednesday, the pitchers will be James Kaprielian for Oakland against veteran Anibel Sanchez. The Yankees pounded Kap in his last start. Sanchez is 0-5 with a 5.72 ERA. The A’s have not announced a starter for Thursday. Cade Cavalli will pitch for the Nats.

The Nats’ bullpen will feature all right-handers except the well-traveled lefty, Jake Mcgee. Fans can expect to see Kyle Finnegan, Carl Edwards, Jr., Steve Cishek, Victor Arano, Hunter Harvey, and Erasmo Ramirez get the call from Nats’ manager Dave Martinez.

The power-hitting Luke Voit will be at first base. Voit came to the Nats from the Padres in the trade for Juan Soto. Luis Garcia will be at second, C.J. Abrams is the shortstop, and llDemaro Varga will be at third base.

The Nats will have Lane Thomas in left, Victor Robles in the center, and Joey Meneses in right. Josh Palacios is the backup outfielder. The DH will be Nelson Cruz or Luke Voit. Cruz, who loves to hit against the A’s, has hit just ten homers this season.

The Series will be about two teams trying to see what players will be on the roster next year. While neither team will be in the playoffs, the fans should watch to see who will be up to the challenge.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s Martinez good pitching beat Yankees good hitting on Sunday

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Oakland A’s starter Adrian Martinez was dealing against the New York Yankees at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara talk about the pitching efforts by Oakland A’s starter Adrian Martinez against the New York Yankees line up on Sunday going 5.1 innings, three hits, one earned run and struck out six hitters.

#2 Martinez has been called up by the A’s triple A affiliate in Las Vegas four times and this was his best appearance of the four with a great mix of pitches and keeping the hitters off balance with off speed pitches.

#3 A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “This kid just seems to feed off big environments or the Triple-A numbers don’t show how he’s able to go out and perform here. He did that today against one of the best lineups in the league.”

#4 Martinez even had control over Yanks superstar Aaron Judge striking him out one three pitches. Judge even chased a few pitches and had to go down for them.

#5 The A’s head to Washington to face the Nationals at Nationals Stadium in Washington. Starting pitcher for the A’s on Tuesday night left hander Cole Irvin (6-11, 3.16) and for the Nationals right hander Erick Fedde (5-8, 4.88) a 4:05 pm first pitch.

Join Barbara for A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

What’s Wrong With The Yankees? More Like What’s Right With The A’s in 4-1 win

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By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–Mark Kotsay promised enthusiasm would be his greatest currency in what has proved to be a trying, first season as manager of the A’s.

On Saturday, Adrian Martinez matched that enthusiasm and carried into Sunday’s series finale with the Yankees.

The 25-year old rookie shut down the AL East-leading Yankees into the sixth inning, and the A’s made two, first inning runs stand up in their 4-1 win. Martinez, making his fourth appearance in Oakland this season each time summoned from Triple-A Las Vegas was impressive, mixing pitches and changing speeds to fluster the New York lineup for a second straight day.

“When I saw Adrian last night, he had a big smile on his face,” Kotsay said. “This kid just seems to feed off big environments or the Triple-A numbers don’t show how he’s able to go out and perform here. He did that today against one of the best lineups in the league.”

Aaron Judge, the Major League leader in WAR (7.4) and home runs (49) was transformed into Martinez’ poster child, striking out twice, both times on just three pitches. Judge finished the day 0 for 4.

“Got a lot of swings and misses on the changeup and threw strikes with his fastball,” Kotsay said.

The win didn’t prevent the A’s (48-81) from mathematical elimination from the AL West crown (the earliest they’ve been eliminated in Oakland history) but it did open the door to the possibility that Martinez could earn a regular turn in the rotation down the stretch. His door was opened by Kotsay’s decision to move Zach Logue to the bullpen.

“I’m going to keep on working and continuing to work will hopefully allow me to continue to be with the team,” Martinez said with the aid of an interpreter.

Meanwhile the Yankees ended a week of bi-coastal ups and downs highlighted by desperately-needed wins over the Mets on Tuesday and Wednesday, followed by 18 innings of one-hit offense against A’s pitching starting with the final innings on Friday night. Yankees fans and manager Aaron Boone glossed over the five-game win streak the Gothams squeezed in and fretted over their one-series win (Mets, two games) in their last eight series.

“We should be able to put together more offense,” Boone said. “We got to if we’re going to be the kind of team we expect to be.”

A’s 20-GAME WIN STREAK REUNION: The 2002 A’s might not be the biggest fans of “Moneyball” the movie dramatizing the team and the organization with the 20-game streak being the film’s dramatic apex, but they are fans of each other and what they accomplished.

“I tell people this all the time, and all of us are in the same boat, we all won the lifetime lottery ticket,” said Rick Peterson, that team’s pitching coach.

Approximately half of the 2002 squad and many of the coaches were present for the reunion prior to Sunday’s game and the invitation-only meet-and-greet. Manager Art Howe, players Dave Justice and Scott Hatteberg, among the biggest personalities from the movie spoke to the assembled. Justice voiced his displeasure with how Howe was portrayed in the movie.

One of the team’s biggest stars, Miguel Tejada who departed for Baltimore after the 2003 season, was especially jazzed to be in the Coliseum and revisit his professional roots.

“This is the team that gave me the opportunity to come from the Dominican,” he said. “I played my first game in this stadium. Walking here makes me proud.”

Cory Lidle, who died tragically in a 2006 plane crash in which he was the pilot, and Jeremy Giambi, who committed suicide less than a year ago, were fondly remembered.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants try to make up ground in wild card chase open against Padres tonight; Rodon gets the start

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San Francisco Giants starter Carlos Rodon will go into his wind up tonight against the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park in San Francisco to open a three game series. (file photo San Francisco Chronicle)

On the Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 The only competitive game out of the three game series for the San Francisco Giants against the Minnesota Twins was on Saturday when the Twins edged the Giants 3-2. But the bullpen lost that game for the Giants allowing two runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for the loss.

#2 With a 3-3 tie the Giants couldn’t hold on the tie and starter Jakob Junis was charged with six earned runs on his pitching line. The Twins scored five times in the bottom of the fifth inning to pull away from San Francisco on Sunday.

#3 The bullpen has been struggling trying to get the Giants out of log jams this one wasn’t any different after Junis was lifted in the bottom of the fifth reliever Alex Young who pitched two thirds of an inning gave up two runs both earned and two walks.

#4 The first bad sign about going to Minneapolis was the opening game on Friday where the Giants got outslugged 9-0 and Giant starter Alex Wood got rocked after pitching six innings giving up eight run earned runs on six hits.

#5 The Giants go back to the drawing board and get set to host the San Diego Padres at Oracle Park to open the homestand. Starting pitcher for the Padres Mike Clevinger (4-5, 3.59) the Giants will be starting Carlos Rodon (12-6, 2.81) a 6:40 pm PDT first pitch.

Join Morris Mondays for the San Francisco Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Swept By Twins For Fourth Loss in a Row In a 8-3 Final

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Junis Jakob delivers a second inning pitch against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sun Aug 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

Giants Swept By Twins For Fourth Loss in a Row In a 8-3 Final

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (61-65) took on the Minnesota Twins (65-61) Sunday afternoon to finish off their three game series. It has been tough going for the Giants in the first two games. Game one was one to forget losing 9-0 and Game two was crushing after leading into the top of the ninth inning and falling 3-2 in extra innings.

The Giants attempted to stop the bleeding in the final game of the series. They are struggling with injury and at times poor offense. Leaving runners stranded has added to their woes. It was just too much Twins who scored five runs in the bottom of fifth that pretty much put the game out of reach for the Giants.

Both teams scored one run in the third inning and took the 1-1 tie into the fourth inning. The Giants LaMonte Wade Jr. doubled driving in Austin Slater for their first run of the game. The Twins answered with a Carlos Correa double driving in the speedy Gilberto Celestino.

The Twins walked in a run giving the Giants a 2-1 lead. With the bases loaded Minnesota walked Wilmer Flores and Austin Wynns scored.

That lead was short-lived when Jake Cave sent a bullet out of the park with Nick Gordon on base and the Twins were on top for the first time in the game 3-2.

The Giants tied up the game 3-3 in the fifth inning. Evan Longoria scored off a Brandon Crawford single.

The Twins would have another monster inning in the fifth similar to the run that they had Friday night that one in the third inning. They scored five runs all of them coming off doubles. Max Kepler, Jose Miranda Gio Urshela and Jake Cave all doubled giving the Twins an 8-3 lead. San Francisco had a lot of ground to make up going into the seventh inning.

The Twins would hang onto the 8-3 lead and sweep the series. This was the Giants fourth loss in a row.

The Giants will head home for another tough series with the San Diego Padres. The Padres are currently in second place in the National League West with a 70-58 record. Carlos Rodon 12-6 will take the mound for the Giants coming in with a 2.81 ERA. The Padres will send Mike Clevinger 4-5 with a 3.59 ERA. First pitch on Monday will be 6:45 PM PT.

Seattle Storm Squeak By Las Vegas 76-73

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The Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) takes a shot against the Seattle Storm center Ezi Magbegor (13) in the WNBA semifinal playoff game in Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Aug 28, 2022 (AP News photo)

Seattle Storm Squeak By Las Vegas 76-73

By Barbara Mason

Going into this WNBA semifinal, the Las Vegas Aces were playing some excellent basketball. Their opponent the Seattle Storm had beaten Las Vegas on June 29 but since then Las Vegas has dominated. This will be a battle that everyone expected to see between the two top teams in the Western Conference.

Breanna Steward and the Storm came out strong in the first half. They overwhelmed the Aces in the first quarter 26-15. The Aces Chelsea Gray kept the game manageable, Las Vegas winning the second quarter 21-17. At the half the Storm held a 43-36 lead.

After the third quarter the Aces had begun to make a move winning the quarter 21-17 but still trailing 60-57 after three. Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum and Jackie Young all were in double digits after three and Las Vegas would have to make a real push in the fourth quarter.

With six minutes left in the game, the Aces took their first lead 65-64. The Storm got a bit sloppy in the final quarter with turnovers but refused to take their foot off the pedal. With 34 seconds left in the game the Storm had taken a three point lead. The Aces had made some costly mistakes in the final minutes that really hurt them. The final was 76-73 in favor of the Storm in game one of this series.

Jewell Loyd finished with 26 points and Breanna Steward had 24 for an outstanding offensive effort. Tina Charles had 18 rebounds and 13 points in this hard fought game.

The Aces Chelsea Gray had 21 points followed by Kelsey Plum with 20. Las Vegas came up just short losing a tough one at home.

Game two will be on Wednesday night with tipoff at 7:00 PM with the Storm leading 1-0.