Month: May 2023

Slump continues for River Cats, as they drop Game 3 to OKC Dodgers 11-4

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Skyline shot of downtown Sacramento from Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. The Oklahoma City Dodgers and the Sacramento Riverscats dueled in game 3 of the six game series on Thu May 25, 2023 (photo from mlb.com file)

By Stephen Ruderman

SACRAMENTO–The Oklahoma City Dodgers trounced the River Cats by a final of 11-4 in Game 3 of this six-game series to hand Sacramento their seventh loss in their last nine games.

The River Cats had Dodgers’ starting pitcher, Robbie Erlin, on the ropes in the bottom of the first. Luis Matos singled to lead off the inning; Tyler Fitzgerald walked; and they advanced to second and third on a double steal. David Villar struck out swinging, and Colton Welker grounded out to third to knock in Matos, but after Matt Beaty walked, Clint Coulter flied out to left to end the inning.

Tanner Andrews took the ball for Sacramento instead of Sean Hjelle, who was originally supposed to start, and after an uneventful first, Andrews struggled in the second, as the Dodgers tagged him for four runs. The inning was capped off by a three-run home run off the bat of Dodgers’ first-baseman, Justin Yurchak.

Andrews pitched a 1-2-3 third, and then was replaced in the top of the fourth by Phoenix Sanders, who the Giants had signed to a minor league contract on Wednesday, and was making his organizational debut. Sanders was greeted by a rude welcome, as the first man he faced, Jonny DeLuca homered to start the inning.

That would not be it for the Dodgers in the fourth, as Devin Mann hit a two-run home run with one out to open up Oklahoma City’s lead to 7-1. Sanders gave up an infield hit to Yurchak; walked Drew Avans; and struck out Michael Busch, but he was then removed after just two-thirds of an inning.

Meanwhile, Robbie Erlin settled in nicely, as he set down 13-straight batters after he walked Matt Beaty in the first. Luis Matos then got his and the River Cats’ second hit of the night with a single to start off the bottom of the sixth, and that was followed with a bunt single by Tyler Fitzgerald.

David Villar flew out to center, which advanced Matos to third, and then Colton Welker singled in Matos to make the score 7-2. Matt Beaty walked to load the bases, and the River Cats had Erlin on the ropes again, but Clint Coulter and Ricardo Genoves both struck out swinging to end the inning.

Cole Waits pitched a 1-2-3 seventh for the River Cats, but he was replaced by Clay Helvey in the eighth, and Helvey melted down. Devin Mann and Justin Yurchak walked to start the inning; Drew Avans singled to load the bases; and Michael Busch drew a walk to extend Oklahoma City’s lead to 8-2.

Luke Williams and Ryan both flied out, as neither were able to get the run in from third, but Jonny De Luca cleared the bases with a triple—his third leg of the cycle minus the double—to open up the lead to 11-2 and essentially put the game away.

The River Cats had some fight in them in the bottom of the ninth against Dodgers’ reliever, Wander Suero, as Ricardo Genoves singled, and Will Wilson hit a two-run towering home run to left to make it 11-4. Michael Gigliotti then hit an infield single over the mound, and Luis Matos singled to set things up for Tyler Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald had a 3-1 count, and was a ball away from loading the bases with still nobody out, but he struck out. David Villar walked to load the bases, but Colton Welker and Matt Beaty both struck out, and that would be it.

Robbie Erlin got the win to improve to 4-1, and Tanner Andrews took the loss to fall to 1-2. The River Cats have now lost seven of their last nine games, as they fall to 22-26, and remain seven games back of the first-place Reno Aces in the Pacific Coast League West.

Game 4 of the series will be tomorrow night at 6:45, with Drew Strotman slated to take the mound for Sacramento.

Aces rally to beat the Sparks, 94-85

Published on by psushawnLeave a comment

By Shawn McCullough

Down ten points at halftime, the Aces outscored the Sparks, 58-39 in the second half to beat Los Angeles, 94-85, at Crypto.com Arena.

“Great overall effort in the second half,” said acting head coach Natalie Nakase. “Just fighting back in the second half from an ugly start to get that win.”

Jackie Young led the Aces with 30 points, 17 coming in the second half.

“That’s Jackie,” said A’ja Wilson. “She is one of the bests two-way guards in the league.”

Wilson recorded a double-double, scoring 19 points and pulling down 13 rebounds.

“I knew that I had to crash the boards and those are the possessions that we need,” said Wilson.

Guard Chelsea Gray added 16 points and eight assists.

With the win, the Aces improved to 2-0 on the season and will head home on Saturday for their home opener against the Sparks at Michelob Ultra Arena.

Head coach Becky Hammon will return from a two-game suspension on Saturday.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

The Aces shot 52.5% from the field.
Las Vegas went 10 for 23 from three-point range.
The Aces starting five scored 84 of the 94 total points.

Game Starters:

C – 3 Candace Parker
F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 0 Jackie Young
G – 10 Kelsey Plum
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Aces Injury Report:

Riquna Williams, Out, Lower Back

Mariners beat A’s 3-2 swept in four-game series; M’s France clouts two HRs at T Mobile

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Seattle Mariners’ Ty France hits a solo home run on a pitch from Oakland Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears during the first inning at T Mobile Center in Seattle on Thu May 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland A’s 3-2 Thursday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle. The Mariners completed a four-game sweep of the A’s. The A’s starting pitcher, J.P.Sears, had an outstanding outing. Sears went five innings, allowing one run and three hits. Sears struck out three and did not walk a batter. His ERA dropped to 4.70.

Trevor May relieved Sears in the sixth inning. The M’s first baseman, Ty France, who homered in the first, took May deep to tie the game. The Mariners’ starter Logan Gilbert gave up two runs in the first inning. Seth Brown homered to give Oakland an early 2-0 lead. Gilbert was lights out after the first.

In his next seven innings of work, Gilbert allowed one hit. He did not issue the A’s a walk. Closer Paul Sewald did his magic and set the A’s down in order in the ninth.

The A’s took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning. With one out, Ryan Noda doubled. Gilbert struck out Brent Rooker for the second out. The next hitter, Seth Brown, homered to put the A’s ahead 2-0 midway through the first. The Mariners put one on the board in their half of the first.

In his first game after being hit by a pitch Tuesday night, France hit a solo dinger off Sears. France hit a hanging slider for his fourth home run of 2023. France was 0-for-9 against Sears until his home run. For Sears, it was his 11th gopher ball that he has allowed. The A’s lead 2-1.

There was no scoring until the bottom of the sixth. A’s manager Mark Kotsay brought in reliever Trevor May to pitch. Sears allowed the M’s one hit in the four innings after France’s home run. The first Mariner that May faced was France. May hit France with a pitch Tuesday night.

May suffered a bone bruise and had to leave the game. The best revenge for France would be to hit a home run off May. That is what happened. France homered to tie the game. The score is 2-2 after six.

The Mariners scored a run in the bottom of the eighth. Lefty Richard Lovelady was on the hill for the A’s. Lovelady walked leadoff hitter Jose Caballero. It was the first walk issued by the A’s in the game. Lovelady struck out J.P. Crawford for the first out. The next hitter, France, hit a popup that A’s shortstop, Nick Allen, let drop. Allen threw out Caballero at second.

The A’s took a speedy runner off the bases by erasing Caballero at second. It was a smart move, as Julio Rodriguez doubled. France had to stop at third. The A’s issued an intentional walk to Jarred Kelenic to load the bases.

A’s reliever Garrett Acton walked Eugenio Suarez to force in the Mariners’ third run. The Mariners lead 3-2 after eight.
The Mariners brought in closer Paul Sewald to pitch the ninth. Sewald did the job by setting the A’s down to secure the win for Seattle.

Game Notes- With the loss, the A’s are 10-42 for 2023. They have lost eight in a row. The Mariners are 26-24.

The A’s Sears pitched well for Oakland. Sears gave up a home run in the first inning to France and then went four more innings allowing no runs and one hit. Sears threw 59 pitches. Kotsay said Sears did “a nice job.”

The Mariners’ Gilbert gave up a two-run blast to Brown in the first inning. Gilbert retired 15 hitters until Noda singled in the sixth. Gilbert’s line was eight innings, two runs, and three hits.

Noda had two hits, a single and a double. The A’s only other hit was Brown’s home run in the first inning.

The A’s will host the Houston Astros at the Coliseum for three games starting Friday night. The A’s will send James Kaprielian (0-4, 8.68 ERA) to the mound. The Astros will counter with Hunter Brown(4-1, 3.20ERA)

The time of the game was 2:01 and T Mobile crowd for Thursday night in Seattle 19,268.

NHL Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Pavelski’s OT goal let Stars live another game against Knights 3-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Dallas Stars’ Ty Dellandrea (10), Miro Heiskanen (4) and Roope Hintz (24) celebrate with Joe Pavelski (16), who scored against the Vegas Golden Knights in overtime of Game 4 at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Thu May 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Len:

#1 Len, the Dallas Stars Joe Pavelski scored the game winning overtime goal to help the Dallas Stars avoid being swept in the third round of the playoffs by the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday night 3-2.

#2 The Stars got help from Jason Robertson who scored two goals for Robertson’s first post season multi goal game in his career.

#3 Len it really seemed like the Stars were up for this game, they had to play the game of their lives and they did it without suspended Jamie Benn.

#4 The Stars got some great goaltending help from Jake Oettinger who had 37 saves and allowed just two goals. Oettinger was yanked in game 3 in the first 7:10 minutes for allowing three goals on five shots but sure turned it around on tonight.

#5 Game 5 goes back to Las Vegas Saturday night the Knights have the upper hand home ice and a 3-1 series lead how do you see the match up between the Stars and Knights at T Mobile Center?

Join Len Shapiro for all of the podcast action of the NHL Stanley Cup post season Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants use six pitchers to shut out Brewers 5-0

Published on by Sports Radio Service2 Comments

San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto hits a single during the fourth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Thu May 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

Giants use six pitchers to shut out Brewers 5-0

By Barbara Mason

After winning a series this week over the Minnesota Twins, the San Francisco Giants (25-25) traveled to Milwaukee to take on the Brewers (27-23). The Brewers are currently in first place in the NL Central. Wednesday the Giants took a beating at the hands of the Twins 7-1 after winning the first two games of the series.

After the beat-down in game three of the series in Minnesota, the Giants came right back and used pitcher Scott Alexander as an opener in the first of six pitchers to shutout the Brewers on Thursday night 5-0 to get back on track in Milwaukee.

Thursday night game recap: This game was scoreless through the first four innings. In the fifth inning the Giants got up on the board 1-0 when LaMonte Wade Jr. singled Casey Schmitt home from second base. This game had turned into a pitchers duel with only the one run on the board going into the eighth inning.

San Francisco turned this game around in their favor in the eighth inning. Michael Conforto got the inning going with a solo homer to give the Giants a 2-0 lead. Schmitt doubled in the inning and drove runners Blake Sabol and Mike Yastrzemski home and the Giants had a 4-0 lead going.

They would score one more time in the inning. Patrick Bailey doubled with Schmitt on base scoring his second run of the game. The Giants had a solid 5-0 lead going into the ninth inning. Unlike yesterday’s game, San Francisco was leaving few runners stranded in this one. They had 11 hits through nine innings to the Brewers four.

San Francisco closer John Brebbia took this game home for the Giants. The final was 5-0 in the shut out, their fourth of the season. The Giants sent six pitchers in this game with great success. Another key in this win was scoring latě in the game. San Francisco totally dominated Milwaukee in this first game of the four game series.

This was a solid win for San Francisco with great pitching, great offense and defense. Conforto was 4 for 4 in the game and was a huge part of this win. His game has continued to improve with each game after struggling to start the season.

Over the last ten games the San Francisco bullpen has continued to get better and better with each game. The team can now lean on these pitchers with a lot of confidence.

The Giants will take the field Friday in game two of this series with first pitch at 5:10 PM. Alex Wood (0-0 ERA 4.00) will take the mount for the Giants. Freddy Peralta (5-3 ERA 4.15) will be on the hill for the Brewers.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants can’t get the sweep in Minnesota; Open up 4 game series in Milwaukee tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants pitcher Scott Alexander seen dealing will start tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Park in Milwaukee tonight Thu May 25, 2023 (file photo McCovey Chronicles)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca;

#1 Edouard Julien was the leadoff hitter for the Minnesota Twins hit a home run, two RBIs, and scored twice helped the Twins in their six run win 7-1 over the San Francisco Giants.

#2 The Twins ended their three game losing streak and starter Joe Ryan giving up six hits and striking out four hitters, allowed one run in six innings. Talk about how Ryan had the Giants off balance and his control was on.

#3 Ryan also is doing well in the decisions department the win was his seventh win in eight games. Ryan had the help from four relief pitchers.

#4 The Giants also left 15 runners on the bases and just couldn’t move the runners over going two for 16 with runners in scoring position.

#5 The Giants will get after it again as they face the Milwaukee Brewers at America Family Field. The Giants will send left hander Scott Alexander (4-0 ERA 4.42) to start the Brewers have not announced a starter for Thursday night as of yet.

#5 Buster Posey is being inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame tonight and no doubt he’ll be on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot as well. Three time World Series Champion catcher with a lifetime .302 average.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: What the tentative agreement between A’s and State of Nevada on ballpark mean

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas site of a 30,000 seat ballpark for the Oakland A’s. The home plate towards the outfield will be facing the Las Vegas Airport (photo by KSNV 3 TV Las Vegas)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 The Oakland A’s took another step closer to getting the working for their $1.5 billion ballpark reality as the A’s and the major players in Nevada government have reached tentative agreement. There were no details on what numbers the state or Clark County would be on the hook for?

#2 The power of the government are at hand in making the millions of dollars part of that reality, Governor Joe Lombardo, legislative representatives, Clark County, the Nevada State Treasurer, took the step to make sure they put a financial plan together to get the tax credits lined up in a row.

#3 Jerry, bill language needs to be put together and get passed in the legislature and this needs to be put together before the June 5th deadline. No doubt the legislatures want to get this sorted out before they go on their one year hiatus.

#4 A’s president David Kaval said he’s thrilled about the support he got from the state and Clark County saying , “We look forward to advancing this legislation in a responsible way,” 

#5 Gov Lombardo said that the cost of the stadium would be 25% less of the public financing of the proposal, the Tropicana a retractable roof park would be the third lowest financed park of the 14 MLB ballparks built this century.

Jerry does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s continue to lose skid reaches six; Mariners beat Oakland 6-1

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Oakland Athletics’ Ryan Noda walks away after striking out against Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller during the first inning at the T Mobile in Seattle on Wed May 24, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s woes continued once again on Wednesday night. The Seattle Mariners (25-24) sent the beleaguered team down to the seventh consecutive loss by a score of 6-1. The A’s are now 10-41 for 2023. The A’s needs to play better. The starting rotation has an earned run average of 7.5 runs per game.

Teams can only win games with good pitching. A’s manager, to his credit, has his players giving 100%. There is no quit on the team, but the A’s do not have the talent to win. It’s a very sad situation. The A’s coaching staff hopes things will turn around. Oakland has yet to have a one-game losing streak this year. As the losses pile up, players must wonder when things will change. They may, but it appears hopeless at this point in the season.

The A’s played a bullpen game Wednesday night. Reliever Austin Pruitt started the first inning and allowed one hit. Lefty Ken Waldichuk was next as he was brought in to pitch to start the second inning. The A’s lefty gave up three hits to the M’s in the second inning and struck out the side in the third, but things went south in the bottom of the fourth.

The Mariners put five runs on the board. M’s catcher Cal Raleigh started the rally. Waldichuk struck out Teoscar Hernandez for the first out. Waldichuk walked Jose Caballero, sending Raleigh to second. A.J. Pollock singled to load the bases. Sam Haggerty, playing first base instead of the injured Ty France, doubled to drive in two. Pollock stopped at third. J.P. Crawford singled to drive in Pollock with the M’s third run.

Julio Rodriguez singled to make it 4-0. The bases remained loaded. Waldichuk walked Eugenio Suarez to force in the fifth run of the inning. A’s manager replaced Waldichuk with Lucas Erceg. The M’s sent eleven men to the plate in the fourth, leading 5-0.

The A’s put a run on the board in the top of the seventh. JJ Bleday led off the frame with a single. Ramon Laureano struck out. Jace Peterson singled, sending Bleday to second. Aledmys Diaz doubled down the left-field line to drive in Bleday with the A’s first run.

The Mariners’ Teoscar Hernandez, 0-for-11 in the series with the A’s, led off the bottom of the seventh with his ninth big fly of 2023. A’s reliever Sam Long settled down and retired the next three hitters to end the seventh. The Mariners now lead 6-1.

The Mariners bullpen kept the A’s scoreless in the eighth and ninth to secure the win for Seattle. The Mariners beat the A’s 6-1.

Game Notes- The A’s lost for the seventh time in a row and the ninth time in the last ten games. The hapless A’s now own baseball’s worst record, 10-41. The Mariners are now 25-24.

The line for Oakland was one run, seven hits, and no errors. Seattle’s line was six runs, 11 hits, and no errors.

Ken Waldichuk was the losing pitcher. He is now 1-4 with an astronomical 7.40 ERA. The Winning pitcher was Bryce Miller. Miller improved to 3-1.

The Mariners have beaten the a’s all six games played in 2023. The M’s are 29-8 in the last 37 games between the two teams.

The only stats of note for Oakland belonged to Esteury Ruiz. Ruiz leads Major League baseball in two categories. Ruiz has the most stolen base with 26 and has been hit with a pitch 11 times. Ruiz had his eight-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday night as he went 0-for-three.

The A’s wrap up the four-game series Thursday night in Seattle. Left J.P. Sears (0-3 ERA 4.99) will pitch for Oakland. Logan Gilbert (2-2 ERA 3.81) will be on the hill for Seattle. The game will start at 6:40m pm PT.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: LeBron will think it over about retirement; Rogers says Jets is like a dream job; plus much more

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

LeBron James (6) of the Los Angeles Lakers says he not sure if he will retire from basketball skipped the Lakers practice facility press conference on Tue May 23, 2023 at Crypto Arena in Los Angeles. The Lakers were swept in four games by the Denver Nuggets and eliminated from the 2023 post season. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Los Angeles Lakers future Hall of Famer and star LeBron James did not show up for the Lakers practice facility the day after the Lakers were swept out of the playoffs by the Denver Nuggets. All players on the Lakers were present and accounted for except LeBron who said he’s taking time off to consider whether he will retire or not.

#2 New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers is having a great time with his new team but sat out of practice on Tuesday due to a minor calf muscle strain. Rogers is no doubt enjoying being on the Jets saying it’s like a “dream” so far.

#3 Jessica it looks as if Nick Nurse and Doc Rivers are the top contenders for the Phoenix Suns head coaching job. Nurse has also been mentioned as a top candidate for the Milwaukee Bucks head coach vacancy. The Suns are looking to fill former head coach Monty Williams’ position after he was fired for losing to the Denver Nuggets who are in the NBA Finals.

#4 The Tampa Bay Rays entered Tuesday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays as the team that has given up the fewest runs in the American League that all changed when the Jays bombarded the Rays 20-1. The one laugher was when the Jays Vladimir Guerrero struck out against a position player outfielder Luke Raley who pitched in the eighth and Guerrero returned to the dugout laughing. The game was a laugher too for the Jays.

#5 The Oakland A’s and the State of Nevada have reached a loose agreement that reduces the State’s tax credit debt to less than $195 million and for Clark County to pay less than $200 million less than the $395 million needed toward building a ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip’s Tropicana property. Previously the State were going to kick in $100 to 195 million toward the tax credits. Once an agreement is in place.

Jessica does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Nevada Governor announces agreement to bring A’s to Vegas

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo waves to the crowd shorty after he was inaugurated governor in Jan 2023. Lombardo announced on Wed May 24, 2023 that the State of Nevada and the Oakland A’s have reached an agreement to finance a 30,000 seat ballpark at the Tropicana Casino and Hotel on the Las Vegas Strip (Las Vegas Review Journal file photo)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The Las Vegas Culinary Union has assured it’s working staff if the Oakland A’s and the State of Nevada will have union protected jobs at the Tropicana Casino and Resort. The Culinary Union is the strongest union in Vegas and they are assured union paying jobs as the Tropicana plans to build another tower across the street from the ballpark. The old tower will be torn down and the newer tower will be part of the square block with the A’s who will have their ballpark on nine acres of land.

Nevada governor Joe Lombardo announced on Wednesday a tentative agreement between the A’s and the State of Nevada a bill that will go forward to the Nevada Legislature that would bring Major League Baseball to Las Vegas. “The agreement follows month of negotiations between the state, the county, and the A’s and I believe it gives us a tremendous opportunity to continue building on the professional sports infrastructure of Southern Nevada.” said Lombardo.

The agreement will be drafted into legislation and later will be introduced to the Nevada State Legislature that will allow the public and lawmakers to debate over the project. Las Vegas A’s team president David Kaval said “We’re very appreciative of the support from the State of Nevada and Clark County leadership. We want to thank Governor Lombardo the Legislative leadership, the treasurer, and Clark County Commissioners and staff on the collaborative process. We look forward to advancing this legislation in a responsible way.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com