Month: September 2023

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s just couldn’t stop Pads bats Sunday; Oakland hosts Seattle tonight at Coliseum

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The San Diego Padres Juan Soto helped the club pour it on the Oakland A’s. Here’s Soto taking a curtain call after hitting a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Oakland A’s (46-103) just completely got lit up on Sunday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum 10-1 by the San Diego Padres (72-78). The A’s dropped got swept by the Padres at home after going 3-3 on their last road trip.

#2 The Padres clubhouse was jubilant after the game with the win they captured their first four game win streak.

#3 The Padres Juan Soto hit two home runs in the nine run win. The Padres were noted to have been the only MLB team not to have over a three game win streak and were somewhat relieved to have picked up that fourth straight win.

#4 The A’s picked up their 103rd loss of the season the mark ties the 1979 A’s for 103 loses the most in A’s franchise history.

#5 The A’s open a three game series with the Seattle Mariners starting Monday night. Starting pitcher for Seattle Bryan Woo (3-4 ERA 4.16) he’ll be opposed by the A’s JP Sears (5-11 ERA 4.49) a 6:45pm PT at the Oakland Coliseum.

Barbara Mason does the Oakland A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

49ers grind out impressive 30-23 win over Rams to start 2-0

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San Francisco 49ers defensive back Deommodore Lenoir intercepts a pass in the second half in his team’s 30-23 win over the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Sunday SEP 17, 2023. (San Francisco 49ers)

by Marko Ukalovic @MarkoUkalovic

Ownage is ownage no matter how pretty or how ugly it gets.

The San Francisco 49ers defense stepped up to the plate in the second half as they defeated the Los Angeles Rams for the ninth straight time in the regular season in a 30-23 victory on Sunday afternoon at a pro-49er crowd at SoFi Stadium.

San Francisco continued its dominance over the Los Angeles down in “South San Francisco” with their second consecutive win. Los Angles dropped to .500 after stunning Seattle last week.

The 49ers (2-0) began the game with a methodical 11 play 75-yard drive on its opening possession that resulted in a 14-yard rushing touchdown by running back Christian McCaffery. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who had two catches on the drive, was injured but was able to return and finish the game.

Los Angeles (1-1) has surrounded veteran quarterback Matt Stafford with an arsenal of young weapons with running back Kyren Williams and wide receivers Puka Nacua and Tutu Atwell. All three had good games against one of the NFL’s best defenses.

After trading field goals early in the first half, the Rams evened the score on its second possession. The drive began with good field position when 49ers rookie kicker Jake Moody kicked the ball out of bounds on a kickoff after his 27-yard field goal.

Stafford found Williams on the outside with a screen pass and Williams motored into the endzone for his first career receiving touchdown with 9:49 left in the second quarter.

The Rams gained its first and only lead of the game when they marched down the field on a 11 play 88-yard drive that was finished off when Williams rumbled his way into the end zone from the 49ers four-yard line with 1:45 remaining.

San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy needed just seven plays to march his offense down the field to even the score with his one-yard quarterback sneak as time expired in the first half.

The 49ers defense, which looked suspect in the first half, dominated the second half as they only allowed two field goals, one at the end of the game with the outcome already in hand, to Los Angeles as they began to pressure Stafford and kept Williams ground attack in check.

“Trying to get more stickier in coverage, pressure Stafford a little more. Trying to eliminate the run game… We had to tighten things up on the back end try to make it a little bit harder on Stafford,” 49ers linebacker Fred Warner said.

Purdy didn’t have his sharpen game in a 49ers uniform as he missed three wide open throws that would have been for big gains if not touchdown receptions.

“Couple opportunities that I missed in terms of the deep ball but we found a way to win…I just overthrew them. One to BA (Aiyuk), to Deebo (Samuel), JJ (Jauan Jennings) on 3rd down. Those are on me. I’ve got to be better, I’ve got to hit ‘em in stride & not overthrow them. Simple as that,” Purdy said.

The momentum changing moment in the game came when Isaiah Oliver intercepted Stafford with 4:10 left in the third quarter when the ball intended for Williams bounced off the running back hands and into Oliver’s who returned it three yards.

“I think what sealed it and allowed separate ourselves was the two turnovers, we got” said 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan. “One Demmo (Deommodore Lenoir) with the awesome job jumping that and then Isaiah (Oliver) with the tip. I was just pumped with the way we finished (the game).”

San Francisco cashed in on the turnover as Moody converted a 57-yard field goal to give the 49ers back the lead at 20-17.

The 49ers put the game away early in the fourth quarter after forcing the Rams on a three and out on offense. Deebo Samuel finished off a seven play 74-yard drive when he took a pitch from Purdy and ran down the left sideline and back into the middle of the field breaking a tackle along the way for a 11-yard rushing touchdown, his first overall touchdown of the season.

“(The corner) He shots his guns but luckily, he shot at my foot & I was able to break the tackle & just get in the end zone. You can just see all the guys how determined they were to get me in the end zone w/all the blocking,” Samuel said.

Once again, the 49ers’ defensive ability to get pressure on Stafford forced a turnover as Los Angeles was trying to tie the game late in the fourth quarter. Lenoir stepped in front of a pass intended for Van Jefferson for his first interception on the season, Stafford’s second, with 4:48 left in the fourth quarter to seal the win for San Francisco.

Purdy finished 17 of 25 for 206 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. McCaffery led all rushers with 116 yards on 20 carries, including a 51-yarder that set up Moody’s first field goal. It is McCaffery’s second consecutive game with a 100-yard plus rushing game. Samuel led the 49ers in receiving with six catches for 63 yards.

Stafford went 34 of 55 for 307 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Williams paced the Rams rushing attack with 52 yards on 14 carries. Nacua led all receivers with 15 catches for 147 yards. Atwell chipped in seven catches for 77 yards.

Nacua became the first player in NFL history to have 10 plus catches for 100 plus yards in each of his first two games to start a season.

GAME NOTES: San Francisco finished 2-for-9 on third down conversions. Los Angeles was 7-for-14.

McCaffery has scored a touchdown in 11 consecutive games.

49ers tight end George Kittle, who had three catches for 30 yards, recorded his 400th reception on his second reception of the game. Kittle reached the mark in the fewest amount of games in franchise history (84 games). It is also the NFL’s fourth fewest amount of games by a tight end.

UP NEXT: San Francisco has a short week as they host the New York Giants in their home opener on Thursday 9/21 at 5:15pm at Levi’s Stadium.

Soto has grand time with 2 HRs in Padres landslide win over A’s 10-1

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Oakland A’s catcher Shea Langeliers pegs out the San Diego Padres Jose Azocar at first base in the top of the sixth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Diego (NL) (72-78). 000 202 240. – 10 13. 0

Oakland (46-103) 000 000 010 – 1. 6. 0

Time: 2:50

Attendance: 8,680

Sunday, September 17, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND—The A’s thought enough of Joe Boyle to have sent Sam Moll and an undisclosed amount of cash to the Cincinnati Reds two weeks before the Notre Dame alumnus’s 24th birthday to pluck him from the roster of the AA Southern Association Chattanooga Lookouts and assign him to the AA Midland Rock Hounds of the Texas League.

Three weeks later he was with the AAA Las Vegas Aviators, where he went 0-2, 2.25 over 16 innings in three starts in the hitter friendly PCL. Today he opened for the Oakland Athletics. It was an impressive debut for the fireballing right hander, who has been working on reducing his velocity in order to improve his control.

The youngster hurled three innings of one hit shutout ball, striking out four and walking two. He threw 58 pitches to the 12 batters he faced; 35 of those offerings counted as strikes. He wasn’t involved in the decision, an overwhelming 10-1 triumph for the visitors.

San Diego came into the game with a record of 71-78, considerably better but no less disappointing than Oakland’s game time 40-102. The Padres were considered a legitimate threat to the Dodgers’ domination of the NL-West, but Bob Melvin’s crew took the field with an elimination number of seven with 13 games left to play.

So it was a day to enjoy the game and not think about its consequences in the standings. If you’re looking for a meaningful contest in the bay area, the Modesto Nut’s open the California League’s championship round at 7:30 tonight at John Thurman field.

The visitors also went the bullpen route, using Rick Martínez, whose two most frequently used pitches are the changeup and sinker, although he also employs the curve, cutter, and four seamer, as an opener. His last 11 appearances had been in relief.

He had started seven games before this one, which he began at 5-4, 3.84. He shut the A’s out on one hit, a broken bat single by Zack Gelof in the first, before departing after three frames, replaced by Pedro Avila.

Ken Waldichuk relieved Boyle to start the fourth inning and promptly gave up three consecutive hits, a lead off double to Manny Machado and singles to Xander Bogaerts and Luis Campsano. A late throw to first on a double play attempt and an infield single netted two runs for the visitors.

Avila also had trouble with the first batters he faced, issuing a base on balls to Gelof and allowing a single to Brent Rocker before settling down to retire Seth Brown, Shea Langeliers, and Lawrence Butler to preserve the Padres’ 2-0 lead.

Waldichuk set down San Diego in order in the fifth but yielded a sharp single to Bogaerts, leading off the sixth. Luis Camposano’s hard shot to short took an unexpected hop over Nick Allen’s head , and what looked like it would be a double play became a single that put two men on with no one out.

José Azocar laid down a sacrifice bunt that moved both of them up 90 feet, and Matthew Batten drove the two of them in to double the friar’s advantage.

Juan Soto’s 31st home run of the season with one on and no one down in the top of the seventh stretched the gap between the two teams to a half a dozen tallies. Soto’s blast sailed over the 388 foot marker in right center field travelled 411 feet and left his bat at 106.9mph, about 16mph faster than Waldichuk’s four seamer came in at.

Avila capped his three inning shutout performance by fanning all three batters he faced in the sixth. Tom Cosgrove, the first of two southhpaws to pitch for the Padres this afternoon, took over in the bottom of the seventh. The A’s touched him for a couple of singles by Seth Brown and Lawrence Butler, but that was all.

Devin Sweet, the rookie recently claimed off what used to be called the waiver wire from Seattle, got the nod to pitch the top of the eighth. He plunked Azocar, gave up a single to Batten and a walk to Profar but struck out Eguy Rosario and Tatis.

Oh, and by the way, after Tatis fanned, Soto blasted his second four bagger of the afternoon, his first career grand slam, a 407 foot wallop to left that gave Ray Kerr, the Pads’ other lefty to pitch today, a 10 run lead to protect in the bottom of the frame.

Geloff’s two out homer to left cut insignificantly into that lead. It was the rookie’s 13th dinger of the year, and Kerr went on to protect that nine run margin with a 1,2,3 ninth

Francisco Pérez, Oakland’s fourth pitcher of the afternoon, pitched a perfect ninth.

Avila earned the win. His record now is 2-1, 3.38. Waldichuk earned the loss. His record now is 3-8, 5.40.

The Seattle Mariners come to town to open a three game series with the A’s, starting tomorrow, Monday, evening at 6:40. The probable pitchers are Oakland’s JP Sears (5-11, 4.45) and Seattle’s Bryan Woo (3-4, 4.16).

Giants survive wild 11-10 game over Rockies

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies concluded their four-game series on Sunday. The Giants survived a wild 11-10 game over the Rockies at Coors Field. San Francisco improved to 76-74, while Colorado fell to 56-93.

The Giants’ last dance in Denver began with a starting lineup with Mike Yastrzemski, Thairo Estrada, Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, LaMonte Wade Jr., Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, Brandon Crawford, and Sean Manaea. Manaea pitched 5 1/3 innings and gave up eight hits, two earned runs, three strikeouts, and one home run.

After four scoreless innings, San Francisco got on the board first. Mitch Haniger doubled on a line drive to Brenton Doyle. J.D. Davis scored for a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning.

The Giants took a commanding lead in the top of the sixth inning. Joc Pederson doubled on a sharp line drive to Hunter Goodman. Thairo Estrada scored for a 2-0 lead. J.D. Davis singled on a ground ball to Nolan Jones. Pederson scored to make it a 3-0 game as Michael Conforto went to second base. Mitch Haniger doubled on a sharp fly ball to Brenton Doyle. Conforto and Davis scored to make it 5-0 as LaMonte Wade Jr. went to third base. Brandon Crawford homered on a fly ball to right center field. Wade Jr. and Mitch Haniger scored to expand the Giants’ lead to 8-0. Estrada capped the top of the sixth inning’s scoring with a single on a line drive to Doyle. Mike Yastrzemski scored to extend the Giants’ lead to 9-0.

The Rockies finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning. Hunter Goodman homered on a line drive to left center field. Nolan Jones scored to reduce the Giants’ lead to 9-2. Brenton Doyle homered on a fly ball to left field. Brendan Rodgers and Alen Trejo scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 9-5.

The Giants added to their lead in the top of the seventh inning. Patrick Bailey doubled on a sharp line drive to Hunter Goodman. Austin Slater and J.D. Davis scored to put the Giants up 11-5.

The Rockies made it a five-run game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Brendan Rodgers singled on a line drive to Mitch Haniger. Ezequiel Tovar scored to lower the Giants’ lead to 11-6 as Hunter Goodman went to second base.

The Rockies picked up the pace in the bottom of the ninth inning but fell just short. Hunter Goodman was out on a sacrifice fly to Austin Slater. Elehuris Montero scored to slash the Giants’ lead to 11-7 with one out. Kris Bryant reached on a fielding error by Camilo Doval. Nolan Jones scored to slice the Giants’ lead to 11-8 as Brendan Rodgers went to third base. Elias Diaz sealed the scoring with a single on a ground ball to Mike Yastrzemski. Rodgers and Sean Bouchard scored to put down the Giants’ lead to 11-10.

Notes
Thairo Estrada achieved a new personal best — a career-high 22 stolen bases.

The Giants wished a special 86th birthday to former Giant Orlando Cepeda. Cepeda, also known as the Baby Bull and Peruchin, played in San Francisco from 1958 to 1966.

Up Next
The Giants will continue their road trip against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. Pacific. The starters haven’t been confirmed yet.

Aces Win First Round of Playoffs Eliminating Chicago Sky 92-70

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A’ja Wilson (22) forward of the Las Vegas Aces snuffs a shot attempt by the Chicago Sky’s center Elizabeth Williams (right) during first half action in game 2 of the NBA Playoffs at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces took control from the opening quarter and never let down winning with dominating play over the Chicago Sky. Chicago did rally in the fourth quarter pulling to within nine points but Las Vegas surged and finished off this game 92-70 on Sunday in game 2.

Aces game recap: The Las Vegas Aces (34-6) took on the Chicago Sky (18-22) Sunday afternoon at Michelob ULTRA Arena in game two of the first round of this year’s playoffs. The Aces won the first game of the series last Wednesday night 87-69.

Las Vegas wasted no time getting off to a nice start winning the opening quarter 23-14. They would continue to pile on the points as this game wore on. They won the second quarter 21-15 and led at the half 44-29 leading by 15 points. They would have to play at the same pace in the second half where they have been known to dominate this season.

Las Vegas kept pushing in the third quarter winning the quarter 25-16 and leading after three 69-45. They seemed to have this game in total control. The Sky had other plans however making a move in the fourth quarter cutting a 28 point lead down to 11 points with 6:41 left in the game.

The Sky were making an incredible charge and the Aces needed to pull out all the stops to slow Chicago down. When this game got too close for comfort Las Vegas tightened it’s reins pushing their lead to 20 points 82-62 with under five minutes left on the clock.

With 3:32 left in the game A’Ja Wilson took a shot in the right eye and had to take the bench. Wilson appeared to be ok but would not take the court for the rest of the game. With 2:27 left in the game Las Vegas had a 90-66 lead and with 38 points and 16 rebounds Wilson had another double-double. The bench players got a chance to finish off this game.

This was an outstanding game for the Aces winning the first three quarters. The Sky did win the fourth quarter 25-23 but this was far too little too late. A’Ja Wilson outdid herself finishing with another double-double and thankfully, her eye injury was not serious and she was no worse for wear.

Wilson’s supporting cast had a fairly quiet game. Jackie Young finished with 15 points and Kelsey Plum had 10 points. Young, Plum and Chelsea Gray will all have to step up as Las Vegas goes into the semi-final round of the playoffs.

While they did not have a banner game, many of the points the Aces did score came at critical junctures to finish off this win. What was also critically important was the defensive effort from the Aces forcing 18 Sky turnovers.

The energy that the Aces came into this game with was contagious as they rolled through most of this game. When the Sky rallied the Aces shut it down in record time to move into the next round of the playoffs.

Las Vegas now waits to see who they will play in the semi-final round. They will play the winner of the Dallas Wings vs Atlanta Dream series. Dallas leads that series 1-0. If that series is tied Game 3 will be played next Friday. This coming week the Aces will find out who their semi-final opponent will be with that first game being played next Sunday at 2:00 PM in Las Vegas.

Raiders Blown-out By Bills 38-10; Las Vegas to host Pittsburgh on Sunday Night Football

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The Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver DeVante Adams scores the only touchdown the Raiders would have for the game in the first half against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium Orchard Park NY on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

An outstanding game Sunday from Josh Allen and company blew the Raiders out of the stadium as the Bills beat the Raiders 38-10.

In Week 2 the Raiders (1-1) traveled to Buffalo (1-1) for a game at Highmark Stadium with Josh Allen and the Bills. Buffalo lost their opener at MetLife Stadium to the New York Jets, despite the early exit of Aaron Rodgers in the first quarter , 22-16.

Turnovers really hurt the Bills in Week 1. Allen threw three interceptions in the wild and often ugly game. The loss was a stunner especially in the absence of Rodgers. It’s a good bet that the Raiders will see an entirely different Josh Allen in Week Two.

The temperature at kickoff was 71 degrees, a balmy afternoon for this game. As this season goes deeper we will no doubt see some very nasty weather but Sunday’s game was played in clement conditions.

Game recap: The Raiders were first up on the board in the opening quarter. Las Vegas quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo found Davante Adams for 16 yards and the touchdown giving the Raiders the 7-0 lead. Buffalo tied up the game in the first quarter on a four Yd rush by Latavius Murray 7-7.

Raider’s kicker Daniel Carlson made a 47 Yard Field Goal in the second quarter, but the quarter belonged to Josh Allen who threw two touchdown passes. The first score in the quarter was a pass from Allen to Dawson Knox for two Yds in the opening minutes.

As the quarter began to wear down Allen found Kahlil Shakir for 11 yards and a second touchdown with 18 ticks left in the first half. The score at the half was 21-10. Josh Allen was hot unlike the awful game he had last week pulling it all together in the first two quarters. He was 18 of 21 for 142 yards, a vast improvement this week.

There was good quarterback production on both sides in this first half. Garoppolo did have a pick, a tipped ball, but other than that he was solid.

The Bills had won the coin toss and had elected to defer to the second half. At 5:59 in the third quarter, Allen struck against this time a two yard pass to Gabe Davis and a 28-10 lead. This was Allen’s third touchdown of the game.

Buffalo’s Tyler Bass kicked a 29 yard field goal to start the fourth quarter taking a commanding lead 31-10. Las Vegas was in deep trouble. The Raiders had very little opportunity with so little time on the field in this game.

The Raiders only had the ball for close to 15 minutes through three quarters. The Bills had the ball for almost 13 minutes in the third quarter. It was complete domination by the Bills as Buffalo was stuffing the Raiders rushing game, and shutting down their passing game.

With 5:08 left in the game the Bills had their second rushing touchdown of the day taking a 38-10 lead. Buffalo was on their way to their first win of the season.

With so little time of possession, the Raiders didn’t have much of a chance and the two interceptions didn’t help. Jimmy Garoppolo was 16/24 for 185 yards, one TD and two interceptions.

They only had 55 total rushing yards and one fumble. It was a truly forgettable game. To make things even worse, Davante Adams left the field late in the fourth quarter after a heavy hit. With Jacobi Meyers out due to concussion suffered in the Denver game, the Raiders cannot afford losing another player on their receiving corp.

Josh Allen was 31 of 37 passing for 274 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. The Bills had 183 yards rushing and no fumbles playing a tremendous game.

Raiders post game notes: Last Sunday the Raiders squeaked out a nice win over a division rival to start the 2023 season. They beat the Denver Broncos 17-16. As Davante Adams put it, “it ain’t got to be pretty, ” and it certainly was not pretty but Las Vegas got the job done opening the season with a win. The Broncos special teams self-destructed and the Raiders took full advantage.

In Week Three the Raiders will welcome the Pittsburg Steelers to Allegiant Stadium for Sunday Night Football. The Steelers are playing the Cleveland Browns on Monday Night Football and looking for their first win of the season. Kickoff for the Raiders vs Steelers game next week will be Sunday night at 5:20 PM.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders defense doesn’t show up; Garoppolo and offense only 20 minutes of possession; Home opener Sunday for Vegas

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (10) and the offense had only 20 minutes of possession. The Raiders defense spent most of the day on the field against the Buffalo Bills at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park on Sun Sep 17, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich, it wasn’t even close as the Las Vegas Raiders were landslided by the Buffalo Bills 38-10. The Bills had a lopsided more time of possession on offense than the Raiders.

#2 On both sides of the ball the Raiders struggled. Quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo was pretty three and out all day and the turnovers hurt the Raiders chances to get some time in the red zone.

#3 In the first half the Bills made themselves at home at Orchard Park scoring seven in the first quarter and in the second quarter 14 points the Raiders could only answer with ten. Second half the Raiders were shutout.

#4 Jimmy Garoppolo threw a pass for Davonte Adams but Buffalo had three man coverage and put Adams in jeopardy he got to his feet after getting laid out late in the fourth quarter.

#5 The Raiders turned the ball over three times including a penalty late in the fourth quarter offensive holding on the Raiders tight end Michael Mayer the Bills declined and the ball went back to the Bills.

#6 Garoppolo went 16-24, 186 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. For the Bills quarterback Josh Allen 31-37, 274 yards, and three touchdowns.

#7 Raiders make their season home opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers. For Sunday Night Football Sep 24 kickoff at 5:20pm PT at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The Steelers played on Monday Night Football against the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh and will have six day rest before kicking off against the Raiders Sunday. Raiders are coming off a tough loss can they overcome it and take advantage of home field.

Join Rich after every home and away game during the 2023 Raiders season for the Raiders podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O: Where will Ohtani land next season?; Misiewicz line drive scary moment for Yankees and Pirates; plus more news

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 Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani before a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Ohtani will miss the rest of the season because of an oblique injury, the team announced, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP News photo)

On MLB podcast The Show with Charlie O:

#1 Los Angeles Angels two way star Shohei Ohtani who cleared out his locker on Friday night and is done for the rest of the 2023 season. Ohtani has been out of the line up since Sep 4th is will need a procedure for his right elbow. Ohtani’s personal items were seen in a garbage can in the Angels clubhouse according to reporters and Ohtani didn’t speak to the media after taking batting practice in a cage before the game.

#2 Ohtani’s agent Nez Balelo said that Ohtani will be in someone’s line up next season as a DH. Balelo didn’t mention when Ohtani could be back pitching again. The question is will his market value be less when he come up for free agency after this season?

#3 Friday night New York Yankees pitcher Anthony Misiewicz was hit in the head on a come backer hit by the Pittsburgh Pirates Ji hawn-Bae. On a 1-2 pitch Misiewicz threw Bae a curve ball that shot back and hit Misiewicz on the side of the head. Misiewicz hit the ground but did not lose consciousness.

#4 Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel 79, suffered a stroke on Saturday while going under a procedure in Florida. The medical team was able to take care of the stroke and remove a blood clot. Doctors in Florida said the next 24 hours will be crucial for Manuel.

#5 MLB announced that the owners will vote on the relocation of the Oakland A’s in mid November. The process will start with a three man committee submit the review to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Manfred will then submit his approval to an eight man committee and then they will send it onto the 30 owners for a vote in mid November.

Join Charlie O for the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Quick start propels Earthquakes over Salt Lake 2-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes Twitter. Goalkeeper Daniel celebrates a goal against Salt Lake on September 16th.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- Back on home turf after their tie against Washington San Jose came out swinging and beat Salt Lake by a final of 2-1.

Attendance: 15,390

For San Jose Daniel was in goal coming off a clean sheet against Washington when he made eight saves. On the other end Zac MacMath got the start for Salt Lake.

Typically the Earthquakes get off to poor starts however, this game ended up being quite the opposite. As less than two minutes in Cristian Espinoza feed the ball through to a streaking Jeremy Ebobisse who finished the play with a well placed shot. The goal was mainly due to a forced turnover by Cade Cowell which ended up being a running theme throughout the first half.

The second goal did not take much longer as off a corner at the 15th minute kick Salt Lake failed to clear the ball and it came right to Espinoza. Not wasting much time Espinoza took the turnover and chipped it to Rodrigues who tipped it in with his left foot getting his first goal of the season.

A little before the goal at the 13th minute the first yellow of the game was given to Salt Lake’s Brayan Vera for a bad foul.

Towards the end of the first half Salt Lake did start to push back leading to a header on goal by Rubio Rubín that was saved by Daniel. The rebound though popped up in the air and Cristian Arango tapped it just across the line scoring at the 44th minute and making it 2-1.

The second half began similarly to the first with San Jose dictating the pace and maintaining possession. At the 50th minute Espinoza almost picked up another assist as he feed it to Jamiro Monteiro but it was saved by MacMath.

Another yellow was given to Salt Lake this time at 69th minute on a bad foul by Arango.

Once again Salt Lake pushed towards the end of the half but Daniel stood tall making a save at the 89th minute off of Anderson Julio.

San Jose would hold on to get the victory bringing them up to 40 points and tied for fifth with Houston and Salt Lake in the Western Conference.

Daniel finished the night with six saves totaling 14 saves over his past two matches.

Of note was San Jose’s discipline as they only fouled five times and took no yellows.

“Yea we were aggressive but we were smart and we controlled emotions and we attacked without fouls,” manager Luchi Gonzalez said after the game.

San Jose won’t have much time to rest as they play Portland this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on the road.

Cardinal Stung and Stunned by Aggressive Hornets; Lose Home Opener with New Coach vs. Old Team, 30-23

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The Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) throws against the Sacramento State Hornets at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (USA Today photo)

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) opened up their home schedule with a thud, as they could not swat away the swarming Sacramento State Hornets (3-0) 30-23 on the Farm, as first-year coach Troy Taylor was downed by his former team.

Taylor congratulated the coaches, staff and players of his former place of employment.  He also surmised what happened in the game:  “They made more plays than we did, and they won the game.”  Taylor also addressed the scenario of facing his former squad and all the colleagues and friends still there.  “Once the game starts, you’re just competing.”  Uttered Taylor.

It took a large portion of the initial quarter before any scoring took place by either team.  Both defenses will get credit for the lack of offense; however, Sacramento State was not intending to be a sacrificial lamb for the power five school.

With about six and a half minutes left in the quarter, the home team got on the scoreboard first.  Senior running back Casey Filkins burst through the defense for a one-yard touchdown.  Stanford led 7-0 near the end of one.

The Hornets actually had an answer before the 15 minutes expired.  With :44 left before part one of the game concluded, junior kicker Zack Schreiner booted a 24-yard kick to put the Hornets within four, 7-3.

In the second stanza, there was a lot more action for the sparse crowd.  Cardinal sophomore quarterback Ashton Danaiels launched a 51-yard bomb to fellow sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor for a touchdown, putting them up by 11, 14-3.

Stanford was looking to squash the state capital bugs, by attempting an immediate onside kick.  The result was a success, and the Cardinal regained possession of the ball.  This marked the first time in over 20 years (2001 – Oregon) the team was able to accomplish this feat.

As the Cardinal tried to capitalize on this fortuitous play, they gave the ball right back a few minutes later on a turnover.  Daniels had his pass attempt deflected and picked off in the endzone.  

The touchback put Sac State on their own 20, and they seemed to have garnered momentum.  In less than five minutes, the Hornets reached paydirt on a one-yard TD by sophomore running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver, bringing them within four again, 14-10, Cardinal.

As Sacramento State did in the first quarter-score with less than a minute left-they duplicated in the second.  Bennett scored on a two-yard QB keeper, putting the visitors ahead for the first time, 17-14, with :35 before recess.

The Cardinal were down by three at intermission, but had the luxury of receiving the ball in the beginning of the second half.

In the third quarter, the “Hot” foot of senior kicker Joshua Karty came into play.  He was working on a streak of 22 consecutive kicks without a miss.  At the 10:35 mark, he tied up the game at 17, on a 41-yard FG, extending his streak to 23.

Just under seven minutes to go in quarter number three, Hornets QB Bennett throws an interception on Stanford’s 1-yard line.  Unfortunately for the Cardinal, they gave it right back two minutes later.  Sophomore QB Justin Lamson, who came in for Daniels, threw an inopportune interception.  

Sac State drove the ball down, then settled for a 22–yard Schreiner FG, putting them back up by three, 20-17.  This time they scored with more than two minutes left in the quarter.  However, Stanford was not able to do anything with the clock moments.  After three, the Hornets were up 3, 20-17.

The fourth had a lot of excitement for the announced 23k+(?) souls in the stadium.

Karty was at it again, converting his 24th consecutive FG from 40, this time.  The Cardinal evened the score at 20, and appeared to be taking the momentum back from the Hornets.  Especially when Bennett tossed another INT, which was returned for an assumed pick-6.  The officials deemed the interception legit, but the return was not allowed.

Karty made sure they at least got something out of that big turnover, so he belted his 25th consecutive kick through the uprights midway through the final portion of the contest.  The Cardinal were on top again, and the Farm faithful hoped for the remainder of time.

The pesky guests from Sac-Town were not on the same page as the majority gathered in Metro Palo Alto.  Schreiner did his own footwork, and scored a 44-yarder, tying the game at 23.

The common theme of the Northern California battle, the Hornets scored the last points of every quarter.  This time in the most important one, Bennett, on the verge of being sacked, lofted a pass to senior running back Marcus Fulcher, which resulted in a 49-yard eventual GW TD.  After four quarters of action, the Sacramento State Hornets are the victors, 30-23 on the Farm.

Stanford will remain on the Farm and host Arizona, next Saturday September 23 at 4 pm PDT.  Sacramento State will travel to Idaho and face the Vandals next Saturday at 1 pm local time.

Note: Cardinal senior Kicker Joshua Karty is currently at 25 consecutive field goals without a miss,  He was 3-3 in this game.

The Hornets’ junior QB  had quite a game.  21-33, 279 yards passing, TD & 2 INT; 100 rushing yards and one TD.