Month: September 2023

Short-handed Earthquakes earn a point in scoreless draw with DC United

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San Jose Earthquakes defender Rodriguez keeps the ball away from D.C. United forward Christian Benteke during the 0-0 match at Audi Field on Saturday SEP 9, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic @MarkoUkalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes escaped the nation’s capital with a much-needed point.

Despite having a man advantage late in the match D.C United had to settle for a 0-0 draw with San Jose on Saturday evening at Audi Field.

D.C United has earned points in consecutive matches and remained in ninth place in the Eastern Conference. San Jose has drawn in two consecutive matches after failing to earn a point in the previous two and maintained seventh place in the Western Conference. They are one point ahead of Minnesota United, who lost 1-0 to New England.

DC United (9-12-7-34 points) enjoyed the final ten minutes up a man when Tannor Beason fouled Theodore Ku-DiPietro in the 88th minute. Initially ruled a yellow card by referee Tori Penso, Beason’s fouled was upgraded to a red card after a VAR review determined the foul was a clear path one.

Despite eight minutes of stoppage time Wayne Rooney’s squad weren’t able to take advantage as they missed out on an opportunity to climb the Eastern Conference standings.

“At this point in the season, every point matters. So, it would’ve been nice to leave here with three points, for sure,” Rooney said.

Defender Daniel Munie made his first start at left back for ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez. Munie played all 90 minutes for San Jose and finished the match at center back.

“It was important to get that first start under my belt,” said Munie after the match. “I felt pretty good and felt confident after this whole time being out here and learning from these guys. The team having confidence in me helps me to go out there and perform to my best. I am getting better every day. It wasn’t perfect. I felt like it was a good performance. I’m going to keep working through this and get ready for whenever my name gets called next.”

D.C. United thought they had broken the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Steven Birnbaum slid a ball through the middle of the box over to Gabriel Pirani who made a nifty back tap with his left foot into the back of the net for his first MLS career goal. However, after a VAR review it was determined that Pirani was offsides cancelling out the goal.

The Earthquakes had two quality scoring chances just before halftime, but Cristian Espinoza and Jamiro Monteiro’s shot attempts missed the net.

“We had some challenges with player availability, with injuries and international callups. I am proud of our guys for adjusting to a different formation. Still, there are principles and concepts that we want to keep improving. I thought we had some good moments of building pressure and forcing turnovers, leading to good offensive transitions. I thought we rotated the ball quicker and with more simplicity. Credit to the guys, they put together a good effort,” Gonzalez said.

‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel earned the Man of Match with his eight save performance as D.C United peppered him from inside and outside the box with shot attempts throughout the entire match. Daniel earned his fifth clean slate of the season as he tied his season-best for saves in a single match.

D.C United goalkeeper Alex Bono didn’t have as busy a night as Daniel did as he made two saves to earn his third clean sheet of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with five corner kicks. D.C. United had seven.

The Quakes hold a 18-15-9 record against D.C. United, including a 9-10-2 record at home.

San Jose earned their eighth shutout of the season and have only lost one of their last four road matches.

Midfielder Jackson Yueill is now ranked fifth for most appearances in club history (172), passing Joe Cannon.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Real Salt Lake on Saturday 9/16 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

A’s Drop Game Two and Even Series Against Rangers 3-2

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Oakland Athletics’ Zack Gelof (20) celebrates in the dugout with the team after hitting a two-run home run that also scored Tony Kemp in the seventh inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sat Sep 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (44-98) were able to tie up game two against the Texas Rangers (77-64) thanks to a two-run home run from Zach Gelof. A seventh inning melt-down on the mound saw Lucas Erceg walk three runners in a row. Texas was able to score one run in that inning and that was the final 3-2

Recap: Oakland pitcher Sean Newcomb started and went four innings, terrific innings, allowing one hit and had five strikeouts. Kyle Muller relieved him in the fifth inning.

This game was scoreless through five innings. Texas got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning taking a 2-0 lead. Nathaniel Lowe singled Robbie Grossman home. Another single off the bat of Leody Taveras brought Mitch Garver home from third for the 2-0 tally.

Going into the seventh inning Oakland was still looking for their first run. The A’s had the bases loaded in the third inning but the bats had been pretty quiet since with only four hits.

When things were looking pretty gloomy with two outs in the seventh inning, Oakland’s Gelof knocked one out of the park with Tony Kemp on second and this was a new ballgame all tied up at 2-2. It was his 11th home run of the year.

Oakland’s Lucas Erceg was having a solid seventh inning that turned ugly when he walked three back-to-back-to-back runners and the A’s had a situation that they needed to get out of with two outs. With the bases loaded that was it for Erceg.

Francisco Perez would take the mound and try to close out the seventh inning and keep this game tied. A wild pitch brought Grossman home and the Rangers had taken back the lead 3-2. The A’s got the third out but had some work to do going into the eighth inning.

A’s post game notes: Friday the Oakland A’s had a terrific win over the Texas Rangers by the score of 6-3. The Rangers had been in first place in the AL West but things are not going well for Texas right now. After spending five months in first place they are 5-16 in their last 21 games in a late-season collapse. They currently are a 1.5 game out of a wild-card spot and the A’s win just piled more misery on the Rangers with the win on Friday. Oakland wasn’t able to add to that misery in game two of this series losing in a one run game.

Oakland was able to get runners on base in both the eighth and ninth innings but could not get them home. The final was 3-2 in favor of the Rangers breaking a four game losing streak for Texas. Oakland will be in the hunt for a second win tomorrow. Luis Medina will take the mound for Oakland with a 3-8 win/loss record and a 5.46 ERA. Jon Gray will get the nod for the Texas with a 8-7 win/loss record and a 3.85 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 11:35 AM

MLB The Show podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Severino might have thrown his last pitch for Yankees; Braves Jones No.25 retired; plus more news

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New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino holds his left side as he’s escorted off the field by the Yankees trainer at Yankee Stadium in New York on Fri Sep 8, 2023 (New York Post photo)

On the MLB The Show podcast with Augie:

#1 He grabbed his left side and he knew he had to leave the game the New York Yankees pitcher Luis Severino against the Milwaukee Brewers due to a left upper body oblique strain. Severino was coming off the mound and held his left side saying he felt a sharp pain like he was just shot. Severino most likely might have thrown his last pitch for the Yankees.

#2 The Atlanta Braves will be retiring Andruw Jones No.25 and are making the case for Jones’ bid to make the Hall of Fame. Jones had a .254 career batting average and had 434 career home runs. His best season was in 2005 when he finished the year with 51 home runs.

#3 The Cincinnati Reds third baseman Noelvi Marte was struck in the face before Saturday’s game by a warm up throw from Elly De La Cruz. Marte was distracted when starting pitcher Carson Spiers and catcher Tyler Stephenson were walking off the field and De La Cruz didn’t realize that Marte was distracted and the ball he threw hit Marte in the face giving him a cut. Marte was replaced at third base for Spencer Steer.

#4 Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Juilo Urias won’t be returning to the Dodgers rotation anytime soon after he was booked last Thursday for domestic violence. Urias and his girlfriend were outside at MLS Stadium when they had an argument over a cell phone. One of the fans at the stadium took a cell phone video of the physical altercation and Urias was arrested. This is Urias’ second domestic violence charge the first one was on 2019.

#5 More bad news for the Dodgers Mookie Betts is out with a foot injury after fouling a pitch off his foot on Thursday against the Miami Marlins. Betts left the LoanDepot Park on crutches and no time line for his absence has been disclosed. Betts had x-rays that showed no fractures. Also pitcher Walker Buheler will be out for the rest of the season. He still hasn’t recovered from his second Tommy John surgery.

Augie Mesenburg does the MLB The Show podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers: Sharks defense has big skates to fill without Karlsson around anymore; Duclair expected to be a big part of the Sharks offense

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Anthony Duclair a former Florida Panther slides on his back in his effort to reach the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights in game 2 of the Stanley Cup Finals at T Mobile in Las Vegas on Mon Jun 5, 2023. Duclair is expected to be a big part of the San Jose Sharks offense this season (AP News photo)

On the SJ Sharks podcast with Troy Ewers:

#1 Troy when you take a look at the rumor mills of the San Jose Sharks wanting to trade Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier last season and they eventually did how much was it a distraction for the team in that last month of the season?

#2 The Ottawa Senators and San Jose Sharks both of whom dealt Erik Karlsson away looking back for both teams do you see them having regret in letting Karlsson go?

#3 How much do you see Karlsson complimenting the Pittsburgh Penguins defense going into this season with the talents of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin?

#4 How much will the Sharks feel it by missing Karlsson and his 101 points for a defenceman in the line up?

#5 Anthony Duclair is expected to add a lot to the offense, he’s a scorer and this is a negotiation year for Duclair so he’ll be working hard to light the lamp. He was key for the Florida Panthers during the NHL Stanley Cup Finals last season.

Troy Ewers covers the San Jose Sharks for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose State crushes Cal Poly 59-3

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Photo taken by Titus Wilkinson. Quentin Conley rushes into the end zone for a touchdown.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Spartans had a huge bounce back game against Cal Poly with a dominant win by a final of 59-3.

The whole game felt like a redemption arc after the dismantling they received from OSU on Sunday. As the Spartans offense scored the most points they have ever scored under head coach Brent Brennan.

The game started with SJSU kicking off and then immediately regaining possession as they forced a fumble and recovered it turning that into a field goal.

That play pretty much summed up the first half for Cal Poly as they totaled only 34 rushing yards and 58 passing yards. With Sam Huard only completing nine passes and throwing an interception.

San Jose State’s offense was potent as they totaled 132 passing yards and 178 rushing yards in the first half. Sam Olson got the first touchdown of the half with a 27 yard reception.

Of note was Quentin Conley who rushed for two touchdowns in the first half both for ten yards. Charles Ross also had a beautiful catch in the end zone on a 24 yard pass. By the end of the first half the score was 38-3.

During the second quarter there was a weather delay that lasted till 2:35 p.m.

Looking to keep up with Conley, Kairee Robinson rushed for two touchdowns in the third quarter. With one for 32 yards and the other for eight.

Then the Spartans did something they haven’t done since 2018 when Matthew Coleman returned a punt for a touchdown. The run was 75 yards and increased SJSU’s lead to 59-3.

With the lead so great SJSU put in Jay Butterfield at quarterback and Cal Poly did the same thing as well putting in Je’Kob Jones in the third quarter.

The 59-3 score would stand as SJSU totaled 205 passing yards and 268 rushing yards. Not to be overlooked was the Spartans defense which held Cal Poly to only 95 rushing and 74 passing yards.

If there is anything SJSU may want to improve on its penalties as they took six costing them 55 yards.

The win improves the Spartans record to 1-2 while Cal Poly’s record is at 1-1.

San Jose State will look to continue their momentum against Toledo when they play them on the 16th at 4 p.m. on the road.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: 49ers expected to see much success this season

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy is tuned up for the opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sun Sep 10, 2023 in Pittsburgh (AP file photo)

On the SF 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes:

#1 The San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy looked good in camp and in pre season. Does he look like he’ll have the kind of season he had last year?

#2 The Pittsburgh Steelers said they’re not worried about Purdy. It’s everyone else their concerned about.

#3 How confident are the Steelers in getting an intercepted ball thrown by Purdy?

#4 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan is confident that Purdy convert passes, how do you see him throwing against the Steelers defense.

#5 Defensive lineman Nick Bosa has been away a good 41 days before signing with the 49ers last week because his contract hold out. How ready in the short time that he’s been back will he be for this Sunday?

Join Joe Hawkes for the 49ers podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants end six game losing streak with rollercoaster win over Rockies 9-8

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Photo courtesy of San Francisco Giants Twitter. J.D. Davis and Mitch Haniger celebrate Haniger’s home run against the Rockies on 9/8/23

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN FRANCISCO- The orange-and-black played a wild game against the Rockies that ended with SF on top by a final of 9-8.

First pitch was thrown at 7:17 p.m. with the game having an attendance of 33,448.

The best left-handed pitching prospect in the MLB Kyle Harrison was on the mound tonight for the Giants. While for the Rockies they went with veteran left-hander Ty Blach to start.

Harrison was coming off a rough outing against the Padres when he gave up six runs in a 6-1 loss.

When an offense is cold it can be important to get off to a good start and get runners on base. The Giants did just that getting five on base in just the first three innings. None of them reached home. Though they got close as Luis Matos was caught trying to make it all the way on a single by Wilmer Flores.

On the other side of the coin the Rockies got three runners home in the second with Hunter Goodman knocking two of those home on a triple.

The young ace for the orange-and-black despite the rough start was able to calm the waters and strike out five. In the sixth Harrison threw a slurve to Nolan Jones that ended up being crushed to center field making it 4-0 and ending the young pitchers night. Coming in to replace Harrison would be Jakob Junis who ended the sixth giving up no more runs.

Then in the bottom of the sixth the bats came alive. It started off with Luis Matos drawing a walk and then on a sinker Flores took Blach deep to center field giving San Francisco some life. With the game now 4-2 and the fans starting to make some noise Mitch Haniger stepped up to the plate. Blach then on a 2-2 pitch threw a changeup that caught the bottom of the zone that Haniger somehow managed to poke over the center field wall making it back-to-back home runs.

Just when the moment couldn’t seem to get any bigger J.D.Davis delivered by launching another one over the center field wall sending the crowd into a frenzy. The Giants had just hit back-to-back-to-back home runs which San Francisco hadn’t done since April 4th, 2016. With the game now tied Blach was pulled from the game and in his place came Matt Koch. Koch was able to get the next three batters out but the damage had already been done.

The seventh felt like a crash back down to earth as after two singles Elias Diaz smacked one to left field and over the wall making it 7-4. The culprit was Taylor Rogers who threw a sweeper that Diaz dug out and launched.

Looking for another spark in the seventh Mike Yastrzemski pinch hit for Joey Bart and delivered with a single. The home run derby then continued when Blake Sabol roped one to center field notching his 12th homer of the season and making it 7-6. That homer got Koch yannked from the game and replaced by Jake Bird who finished the inning only giving up a double to Matos.

Momentum continued to go the Giants way as in the eighth after Brandon Crawford and DeJong got on base Yastrzemski got Crawford home tying the game up at seven.

Camilo Doval came in to try and close the game and did not get off to a great start as he gave up a lead off single to Charlie Blackmon. Nolan Jones then got a double knocking in a run with two outs. After that Doval closed the game on a ground out giving the Giants the victory.

John Brebbia was given the win while Jake Bird took the loss.

The second game of this series will be tomorrow at 6:05 p.m.

Las Vegas Handles Phoenix 94-73

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Las Vegas Aces Kelsey Plum (10) and guard Sydney Colson (51) exchanges hand shakes as they battle the Phoenix Mercury at Footprint Center in Phoenix on Fri Sep 8, 2023 (@LVAces photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Vegas Las Aces (33-6) took on the Phoenix Mercury (9-30) and after a slow start crushed the Mercury 94-73. The Aces had led by as much as 30 points in the fourth quarter.

The Aces got a slow start which has plagued them throughout the season. After one quarter the game was tied 20-20. Las Vegas got things rolling in the second quarter squelching the Mercury 28-11, led at the half 48-31 and after playing a very close first quarter the Aces had this game well in hand.

The Mercury played a better third quarter but could not break the stranglehold Las Vegas had on this game and after three the Aces led 72-48. The Mercury won the fourth quarter 25-22. Phoenix did try to rally in the final quarter after trailing by thirty points but just did not have the fire power of Las Vegas only making a small dent in the Las Vegas lead.

A’Ja Wilson finished the game with another electric performance scoring 30 points with nine rebounds. Kelsey Plum had 18 points with Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray both scoring double digits. Both teams protected the ball well finishing with only ten turnovers apiece. The Aces shot at 54.3% from the field and the Mercury came in with 34.7% which was the difference in this game.

Aces post game notes: The WNBA 2023 season is rapidly winding down with two games left in the regular season. The Aces have dominated all season and now look forward to the playoffs. There was however, one team that took Las Vegas to task beating them in three out of four games in the month of August and that was the New York Liberty. The Liberty are nipping at the Aces heels with a 32-7 record, both teams vying for home court advantage.

The Aces will play their last game of the regular season on Sunday taking on the Mercury in front of their home crowd at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff in that final game is scheduled for 12:00 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: Schools over Stadiums needs funding to get petitions signed in Nevada

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Former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan and Port of Oakland Commissioner Michael Colbruno spoke at a fundraiser on Aug 26, 2023 to support Schools over Stadium Nevada initiative to stop use of public funds for an A’s new ballpark in Las Vegas and put funding for use towards schools and education (@MikeOpera photo)

On the A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, Dawn Etcheverry, a music teacher and President of NSEA and Schools Over Stadiums in Nevada is moving on a petition referendum to stop the use of public funding tax dollars that would be used to build a ballpark at the Tropicana hotel and casino that was approved by the Nevada State Legislation in June in a special session.

#2 Etcheverry said the petition is pursuing every path possible to stop the use of public funding to pay for the Tropicana Park for a future Las Vegas A’s relocation. Etcheverry said that the Nevada voters were shutout in the process and didn’t have a say in the use of public funds for paying for the ballpark to the tune of $380 million.

#3 The organization Schools over Stadiums goal is to make sure public funding goes to public schools and not the Tropicana Park and once enough signatures are on the petitions from four the Nevada districts including Clark County which Las Vegas and Tropicana hotel are a part of the measure to stop using public money will be put on the ballot.

#4 If Nevadans vote to stop the use of public funds to build the Tropicana ball park succeeds the funding for the ballpark ceases and the A’s will have to seek private funding if they want to continue pursuing Las Vegas. They possibly could go back to the City of Oakland and negotiate terms about building at Howard Terminal.

#5 If everything goes as planned Schools over Stadiums will have the vote in November 2024, one year and two months from now. The MLB owners are voting on the A’s relocation in December. If the owners vote yes to relocate the A’s, the Schools over Stadiums measure could hold up shovels in the ground at the Tropicana until the voters have their say in Nov 2024.

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s take care of business with 6-3 win over Rangers

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Mary Anne

The Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers met again for game two Friday. The A’s sealed their rodeo road game with a 6-3 win over the Rangers at Globe Life Field. Oakland improved to 44-97, while Texas fell to 76-64. Devin Sweet (1-0, 4.50 ERA) took the win in his first game pitching for the A’s.

The A’s starting lineup featured Zack Gelof, Brent Rooker, Ryan Noda, Aledmys Díaz, Jordan Diaz, Kevin Smith, Shea Langaliers, Nick Allen, Esteury Ruiz, and Paul Blackburn. Blackburn pitched three innings and gave up six hits, two earned runs, three walks, five strikeouts, and one home run.

The A’s got on the board first. Ryan Noda grounded out to Nathaniel Lowe and Jordan Montgomery. With two outs, Zack Gelof scored for an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The A’s lead was short-lived as the Rangers went ahead in the bottom of the first inning. Corey Seager homered on a fly ball to right-center field. Marcus Semien scored for a 2-1 lead.

The A’s quickly responded with a game-tying single in the top of the second inning. Esteury Ruiz singled on a line drive to Evan Carter. Nick Allen scored to tie the ballgame 2-2. With three outs, Ruiz was at second base on the throw from Carter to Jonah Heim to Corey Seager.

The Rangers regained their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Nathaniel Lowe singled on a line drive to Brent Rooker. Marcus Semien, a former Oakland Athletic from 2015 to 2020, scored for a 3-2 lead.

The A’s immediately tied the ballgame 3-3 in the top of the fifth inning. Esteury Ruiz homered on a fly ball to left-center field.

The A’s took a two-run lead in the top of the sixth inning. This was a “welcome home” moment for Shea Langaliers. Langaliers, a Keller, Texas, native and a Keller High School and Baylor University alum, homered on a fly ball to center field. Kevin Smith scored for a 5-3 lead.

The A’s extended their lead just before the seventh-inning stretch. Ryan Noda doubled on a sharp fly ball to Leody Taveras. Brent Rooker scored for a 6-3 lead in the top of the seventh inning.

Notes
On Friday, the A’s reinstated Lawrence Butler from the bereavement list and optioned Jonah Bride from Triple-A Las Vegas.

A’s left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas made his MLB debut Friday. Lucas pitched one inning and gave up two hits, one earned run, two walks, and one strikeout.

Tony Kemp was named the A’s nominee for the 2023 Roberto Clemente Award. Vote for Kemp at mlbtogether.com/clemente21.

The A’s Filipino Heritage Night, hosted by P-Lo and Anthony Presents, is coming up. Get your tickets at athletics.com/filipino.

Up Next
The A’s and Rangers will meet again on Saturday for game three at 4:05 p.m. Pacific. The A’s starting pitcher is TBD, while the Rangers’ starter will be Nathan Eovaldi (11-4, 2.95 ERA).