Month: May 2025

Aces Jewell Loyd Hits Three To Steal Game From Mystics 75-72

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) and the Washington Mystics forward Kiki Iriafen (44) go after a rebound in first half WNBA action at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Fri May 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

LAS VEGAS–The Las Vegas Aces (2-1) trailed for the entire game coming to life in the final minute of play to beat the Washington Mystics (2-2) 75-72. The Mystics refused to back down every time the Aces made a run continuing to hang onto the lead. Washington was all over A’Ja Wilson shutting her down.

She did have a double double with 12 rebounds and 15 points and Jewell Loyd had a disappointing six points but that disappointment disappeared when she hit a three with 2.1 left in the game giving the Aces their first lead since the first quarter. The Mystics got a great effort from Kiki Iriafin who finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds in the losing effort.

Game recap: After the first ten minutes of play, the Aces trailed by a basket 16-18. The Mystics got a fast start that they carried into the second quarter of play leading at the half 42-33. Washington outscored the Aces in the quarter 24-17.

Las Vegas would need more from their starters in the second half. Jewell Loyd had a quiet first half as did A’Ja Wilson. After the first two quarters of basketball the only player that scored double digits was the Mystics Kiki Iriafen.

Iriafen also had seven rebounds. The Aces were beaten from beyond the arc, 46% to 31% as well as from the field 42% to 31%. It was a slow start in the first half from Las Vegas.

The third quarter turned into a very physical game as the Aces made a push. They had trailed by 11 points but began to turn it all around at 6:38. Neither team had scored a basket in the first 3 1/2 minutes of the quarter.

At 5:43 the Aces had pulled to within six points 44-38. The Mystics pushed back extending their lead to 49-38. Las Vegas was committing some uncharacteristic turnovers and it was really hurting them.

A’Ja Wilson and Jewell Loyd were both struggling and the team was missing far too many layups. The Mystics continued to extend their lead and at 3:36 had built a 12-point lead 54-42. Washington was all over A’Ja Wilson at times with two to three guards covering her.

They were having a lot of success shutting her down. Jewell Loyd continued to struggle with only four points. With 1:07 left in the quarter the Aces had pulled to within six points only to watch Washington hit a three pushing their lead back out to nine points, 59-50. After three quarters the Mystics led 59-50.

Las Vegas had one quarter left to turn this game around. The Mystics had built momentum that all began in the second quarter and they continued to feed off of it in the third quarter. The Aces had to dictate the pace of play and they had one quarter to do it.

Las Vegas pulled to within six points 59-53 when Jackie Young hit three shots from the line but every time the Aces got close, the Mystics shut it down. Las Vegas had not led in this game since the opening quarter in a really frustrating game for them.

With 2:01 left in the game, the Aces had pulled to within two points 68-66, the closest they had been since the first quarter. A glimmer of hope for Las Vegas which was shut down by a shot from downtown from the Mystics Sonia Citron.

With 11.6 left on the clock this game was tied at 72. The Aces took a time-out with 7.1 left in the game and the score tied at 72. Despite a disappointing game, Jewell Loyd hit the shot that made all the difference in this game and the disappointment was replaced by pure joy. With 2.1 left on the clock she hit a three that gave Las Vegas a 75-72 win in one wild game.

Game notes: Friday night the Aces took on a young Mystics team at Michelob ULTRA Arena. The one game that Las Vegas had lost this season was at the hands of the defending champion New York Liberty. A’Ja Wilson had a monster game with 31 points in the loss but came right back shooting for 20 points in their second game of the season beating the Connecticut Sun 87-62.

Jewell Loyd also had a solid game against the Sun with 20 points. The Aces got more tonight although it was close it was a win for Las Vegas. Wednesday night, the Mystics lost a close one to the Golden State Valkyries 76-74 in a real battle. Despite playing this game at home, the Aces had a real battle on their hands and they needed all hands on deck for this one.

Next up for the Aces will be a road trip up to Seattle for a matchup with the Storm. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 3:00 PM this Sunday May 25th at Climate Pledge Arena.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa: Oilers Skinner stops 25 Dallas shots in 3-0 shutout; Series tied 1-1 goes back to Edmonton

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Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) and defenceman John Klingberg (36) defend the goal against Dallas Stars centre Tyler Seguin (91) during the third period in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals in the NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoffs Wednesday, May 21, 2025, in Dallas. The Oilers aim to reset for Game 2 after a 6-3 loss in Game 1. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 The Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner stopped 25 shots shutting out the Dallas Stars in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals 3-0 at American Airlines Center on Friday night tying the series at 1-1.

#2 The Oilers Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored a goal and picked up an assist. The Oilers got additional help from Brett Kulak and Connor Brown who scored a goal each. Evan Bouchard got two assists for the Oilers.

#3 The Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger saved 22 shots. The Stars had won seven home playoff games in a row before losing Friday’s game 2 in Dallas.

#4 An injury report Roope Hintz of the Stars had to leave the game in the third period and did not return. Hintz got slashed by the stick of the Oilers Darnell Nurse at 3:46. Hintz was helped off the ice and had to have ice put on his leg by the team trainers in the Dallas dressing room. Further Hintz did not put any weight on the leg.

#5 Game 3 up next with the series tied 1-1 going back to Edmonton on Sunday. The Oilers are 4-1-0 so far in the playoffs. With a win for the Stars or the Oilers could put either club up 2-1 in the series.

Join Mary Lisa for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Landen Roupp Leads Giants to a Win Against Nationals in Game One 4-0

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants starter Landen Roupp pitched six innings of five hit ball against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in Washington DC on Fri May 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

The San Francisco Giants (30-21) beat the Washington Nationals (23-28) in game one of their series 4-0 at Nationals Park in Washington DC. The keys to this game were the Giants Willy Adames single driving in Jung Hoo Lee for the first run of the game in the seventh inning 1-0.

The Nationals walked in a run in the same inning extending the San Francisco lead to 2-0. Wilmer Flores’ had his 43rd RBI driving in a second run from Lee and a 3-0 lead in the eighth inning. A wild pitch allowed a fourth San Francisco run and the great start that Mackenzie Gore had given Washington faded quickly when he left the game in the seventh inning.

Game recap: Going into the bottom of the fourth inning the game remained scoreless. Neither team was having a lot of offense as this pitchers duel went into the fifth inning. Through four innings, each team had two hits. The Giant’s starter Landon Roupp was having a great showing on the mound.

He knocked out the first three at bats for Washington in the opening inning, allowed a double in the second and a single in the third. He did walk Luis Garcia Jr. in the fourth inning but that would be it for Washington. Gore was also having a very solid game only allowing two hits through the four innings.

As this game wore on the stalemate continued going into the top of the seventh inning. The pitchers duel continued into the inning. Lee walked in the top of the inning and the Giants had another runner on base with no outs.

Gore left the game in the inning and was relieved by Jackson Rutledge. Gore had been hit in the leg in the second inning which could have been the reason for the eventual relief. Both the trainer and manager came out to the mound making the decision although Gore argued that he was ok.

Rutledge walked Matt Chapman and San Francisco had runners at first and second still with no outs. The Nationals had their second double play of the game with Lee advancing to third.

Adames singled Lee home and the Giants were first up on the scoreboard with the first run of the game 1-0. San Francisco still had two runners on base, Adames and Casey Schmitt looking to extend their lead.

Rutledge walked Mike Yastrzemski and the Giants had the bases loaded with a great chance for more. Rutledge walked in a run and the Giants had drawn five walks in the inning now leading 2-0. That would be it for Rutledge as Zach Brzykcy came in to relieve him the bases still loaded. Brzykcy got out of the inning putting an end to any more San Francisco runs.

The Nationals put two runners on base in the bottom of the seventh and that would be it for Roupp. Randy Rodriguez one of the Giants best relievers took the mound. The Giants got out of the inning with a double play taking the 2-0 lead into the top of the eighth inning and the combination of Roupp and Rodriguez had been perfect.

The Giants got a great jump in the eighth inning off hits from Lee and Chapman, now with runners at the corners and one out. Flores singled driving in his 43rd of the season and San Francisco had a 3-0 lead. A wild pitch scored a fourth Giant’s run and not much was going right for the Nationals trailing 4-0.

Erik Miller took the mound for the Giants in the bottom of the eighth inning. He allowed one walk but that would be it for the Nationals who were three outs away from losing the first game of the series.

Camilo Duval closed out this game for San Francisco in the ninth inning. Nathaniel Lowe popped, Keibert Ruiz flied out and Luis Garcia Jr. lined out and that was the ball game 4-0 in favor of San Francisco.

Game notes: After dropping their last series to the Kansas City Royals winning game two but losing the first and third game, the Giants left the Bay Area traveling back east for a series with the Washington Nationals Friday night.

For the Giants starter Roupp pitched six innings allowing five hits and didn’t allow a run with two walks and two strike outs. For the Nat’s starter MacKenzie Gore pitched six innings allowing two hits and one earned run.

San Francisco was able to get back on track holding down second place in the National League West right now trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by two games.

This was exactly the way that the San Francisco Giants wanted to get this road trip underway. They will be looking for a second win Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 PM. Lefty Kyle Harrison will take the mound for San Francisco with a 0-0, 3.38 ERA. The Nationals will start Jake Irvin who had a 3-1 win/loss record and a 3.88 ERA.

A’s Make Roster Moves Ahead of Phillies Series Amid Nine-Game Skid

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Seth Brown (Photo: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics made a flurry of roster moves on Friday following a four-game sweep at home against the Los Angeles Angels. The A’s, now losers of nine straight games, will look to get back on track against the Philadelphia Phillies, who come to Sacramento having won their last seven contests.

A’s roster moves leaving the big league club:

The Athletics optioned RHP Carlos Duran to Triple-A Las Vegas. Duran made his MLB debut just yesterday (Thursday) for the Athletics. Duran, who missed most of the 2023 season due to Tommy John surgery while with the Dodgers organization, walked three batters and gave up three runs, managing to record only one out in his debut.

The Athletics optioned C Jhonny Pereda to Triple-A Las Vegas. Pereda struggled in 42 plate appearances with the A’s this season, batting only .167 while managing just one extra-base knock.

The Athletics optioned OF JJ Bleday to Triple-A Las Vegas. JJ has struggled with the big league club this year, hitting only .204 for the A’s. He did manage six home runs up until his demotion on Friday.

The Athletics DFA’d OF/1B Seth Brown. Drafted by the A’s in 2015 out of Lewis-Clark State College, Brown made his MLB debut for the A’s in 2019. Brown was the longest-tenured Athletics player on the roster prior to Friday’s move, playing parts of seven seasons with the A’s. His best season came in 2022 when he posted a 1.9 WAR, a .230 average, and clubbed 25 homers. This will most likely be the end of Brown’s tenure with the A’s as he is exposed to waivers and may be claimed by any club.

A’s roster moves joining the big league club:

The Athletics have recalled LHP Jacob Lopez from Triple-A Las Vegas. Lopez will make the start for the A’s on Friday against the Phillies.

The Athletics have recalled INF CJ Alexander from Triple-A Las Vegas.

The Athletics have recalled OF Denzel Clarke from Triple-A Las Vegas. Clarke, who is seen as an elite defender, will take over the majority of the work in center field vacated by JJ Bleday. Per Martin Gallegos of MLB.com, A’s GM David Forst confirmed the plans for Clarke. Clarke is in the starting lineup for the A’s tonight, batting ninth and playing center field.

The Athletics selected INF/OF Logan Davidson from Triple-A Las Vegas. Davidson, selected in the first round by the A’s in the 2019 draft, plays multiple positions. He will undoubtedly serve in a utility role for the A’s and was hitting .303 with a .879 OPS for the Aviators.

The Athletics selected C Willie MacIver from Triple-A Las Vegas. Willie will serve as the replacement for Jhonny Pereda in backup duties behind Shea Langeliers.

A’s injury roster moves:

Zack Gelof was transferred to the 60-Day IL as he recovers from a fractured hamate bone. A stress reaction in Gelof’s ribs has delayed his return.

The A’s placed INF Gio Urshela on the 10-Day IL with a hamstring injury he suffered yesterday against the Angels.

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 23, 2025: Former Brewer Ruf’s career ending injury over metal at end of tarp; When will Mets Soto snap out of funk?; plus more news

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Former Milwaukee Brewer Darin Ruf hit his knee while chasing a foul pop towards the stands. The tarp had a metal ending that he hit his knee on. Ruf said the injury ended his career on June 2, 2023. (AP News file photo)

MLB The Show podcast Michael Duca Fri May 23, 2025:

#1 Former Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Darin Ruf got hurt by a metal ending from the tarp at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati which he said caused him career ending injuries two years ago. Ruf during the June 2, 2023 game gave chase of a pop up toward the first base stands in foul ground hit his knee on the metal ending of the tarp rolled up by the stands. Ruf had successes with the San Francisco Giants 2021 and 2022 before going to Milwaukee.

#2 Michael, what is wrong with the New York Mets Juan Soto. You remember the one game where he didn’t leave the batters box and watch a fly ball hit the fence and he only got a single out of it. He might eventually get out of this funk but is the pressure of being one of the highest paid players in the number one market something that’s been overwhelming for him?

#3 Since the 1962 New York Mets it took until 2024 for another team to become the worst team in MLB history in the Chicago White Sox. The Sox this season have some competition with the Colorado Rockies who are on a pace to catch and pass the Sox. After a 2-0 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies Thursday the Rockies now have dropped their record to 8-42 and have the worst start of a club in MLB history in the first 50 games. That record was previously held by the 2023 Oakland A’s who were 10-40.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels Taylor Ward belted a grand slam and the Angels took it to the Sacramento A’s on Thursday afternoon with a 10-5 win. For the Angels a seven game win streak for the A’s their ninth consecutive loss. To think the A’s at the beginning of this month were just one game away to get a tie for first place in the AL West but have since sank to dead last place.

#5 After rehabbing from a torn ACL in his left knee Atlanta Brave Ronald Acuna will be returning to the Braves on Friday night. Acuna has been out for almost a year after injuring the knee May 26, 2024. He had surgery on June 6th. Acuna returns to the Braves after playing six games in the minors going 6-15 hitting two home runs. How ready is Acuna for his return?

Join Michael Duca Fridays for the MLB The Show podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro: Panthers rolling go up on Hurricanes 2-0 with 5-0 shutout

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Florida Panthers Matthew Tkachuk (19) gets the puck past the Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) for a goal in game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals in Raleigh NC on Thu May 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Len Shapiro:

#1  The Florida Panthers won a commanding 5-0 game 2 over the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh at the Lenovo Center on Thursday night to go up on Carolina 2-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals.

# 2 The Panthers got offensive help from Sam Bennett and Carter Verhaeghe who both had three points and Florida goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky saved 17 shots

#3 Further the Panthers got help from Matthew Tkachuk who scored and got an assist, the Panthers Aaron Ekblad and Evan Rodrigues were able to get two assists.

#4 The series now moves onto Florida with the Panthers up 2-0. From the face of it the Panthers could make easy work of the Hurricane. With their backs to the wall do you see the Hurricane having a chance to keep this series alive. Game 3 is Saturday.

#5 Edmonton Oilers and Dallas Stars battle later tonight in game 2 in Dallas. The Stars have a 1-0 lead with game 2 in Dallas. One of the things the Oilers need to avoid is the injury and to go behind the Stars 0-2 to start the series.

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Fridays podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ogden gets a jump on Ballers in 13-9 win Thursday

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The Oakland Ballers lost a tough contest against the Ogden Raptors on Thu May 22, 2025 at Raimondi Park in Oakland (Oakland Ballers photo)

Ogden Raptors (2-1) 250 240 000 13 11 2

Oakland Ballers (1-2) 103 004 001 9 14 3

Time: 3:14

Attendance: 3,118

Thursday, May 22, 2025

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–On this chilly Thursday evening in May, more suitable to football than to baseball, the Ogden Raptors thrashed the Oakland Ballers by the football score of 13-9. It would have been a close game had they been playing that other sport. But they weren’t, and it wasn’t.

Ironically, the drubbing came as a moral victory for the Oaklanders. They had endured two innings of self-inflicted misery that would have caused a lesser outfit to abandon all hope, but the flawed hometown heroes kept a slim but real hope alive until the penultimate put out.

Carter Mize’s two run shot over the right field fence off starting pitcher Mac Lardner put the Raptors up 2-0 in the first. The Ballers responded by scraping up a run in the bottom of the frame on Tramayne Cobb’s leadoff double, two walks and a throwing error by shortstop Elliot Good on Cam Buffard’s grounder We now had the makings of a tight ball game.

They ended in the top of the second, in which the Raptors made 11 plate appearances, but they didn’t bat around the order; they walked around it. The visitors scored five runs on two hits, both singles, and five bases on balls.

Ogden tagged on two more tallies in the fourth and another four in the fifth, in which the B’s found new ways to self-destruct. Good led off with a single to right. In the next two plays, the Ballers made errors on sacrifice bunts. Edwin de la Cruz reached first on a throwing error by pitcher Brady Eglite, who had mercifully relieved Lardner after he had faced six batters in the second without retiring any of them. Kenny Oyama then reached first on a throwing error and took second on the ensuing action, in which de la Cruz advanced to third and Good scored. De la Cruz then crossed the plate on a passed ball, Oyama taking third. The Raptors picked up two more runs by more conventional methods (a single and a sac fly) before they were done.

From the depths of this despair, with fans deserting Ernie Raimondi Park in droves, the Ballers battled back. Cobb smacked a one out double to right off of Braydon Bonner, who had relieved Matthew Colucci, who in turn had relieved starter Eli Ellliott in the bottom the fifth.

Lou Helmig drove Cobb home with a single, also to right and then reached third on when Davis Drewek got yet another single. He, too, advanced 180 feet on a single to right, this one off the bat of Christian Almanza, driving in Helmig. Bufford’s double to left plated Drewek.

Michael O’Hara followed up with as ground out to first, which brought in Oakland’s fourth and final run of the frame. The B’s still trailed, 13-8, but the worm had turned. They still had a shot at a comeback. They managed to score an unearned run in the ninth, but that was all they could muster.

But the team’s self respect had been restored. They even outhit their guests, 14-11, but with so many gifts of walks and errors, the Raptors really didn’t need many hits. They used five pitchers to subdue the B’s, the win going to Colucci. Manager Aaron Miles and pitching coach Jim Dedrick also sent a quintet to the mound. A trio—Carson Lambert, Conner Sullivan, and Cameron Edmonson—kept Ogeden off the board over the final four frames, two of which were handled by Lambert. The loss went to Lardner, now 0-1 with a gaudy ERA of 63.00.

Colucci was the winning pitcher. There was no save.

The season’s still young; 93 games still remain in it. There’s room for plenty for surprises. Let’s wait until Friday, evening at 6:35pm to see what new ones await us in the fourth game of this six game series.

NBA Playoffs podcast Michael Roberson: Thunder go up 2-0 on Timberwolves

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Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) who was named NBA MVP before game 2 of the Western Conference finals playoffs led the Thunder in scoring with 38 points against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City on Thu May 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the NBA Playoffs podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 The Oklahoma City Thunder have done it again with another 118-103 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Paycom.com Arena on Thursday night in the Western Conference finals. The Thunder takes a 2-0 series lead.

#2 The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led with 38 points and you can see why he was named the NBA MVP which was announced before game 2 of this playoff series.

#3 NBA Commissioner Adam Silver awarded Gilegous-Alexander the MVP trophy before the game and Gilegous-Alexander went out and scored 12 of 21 field goals and 13 of 15 free throws, eight assists and three steals looks like he earned his MVP and his keep.

#4 The Timberwolves Anthony Edwards was hard at work taking 26 shots to score 32 points. Jaden McDaniels had 22 points, and Nickeil Walker-Alexander scored 17 points.

#5 Game 3 is Saturday and the series goes back to the Target Center at Minnesota. The Timberwolves have their backs to the wall and another loss could very put them out of this series. The Thunder have been in control in the first two games can they put it away in Minnesota?

Michael Roberson does the NBA Playoffs podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Home field advantage just isn’t working as A’s drop 9th straight game to Angels

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Sacramento A’s starter Luis Severino (40) pitches to the Los Angeles Angels line up in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Thu May 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Jeremiah, another tough loss for the Sacramento A’s dropping a four game home series with the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday afternoon at Sutter Health Park 10-5. Even with home field advantage the A’s just can’t get any traction going.

#2  The Angels Taylor Ward hit a grand slam and the Angels never looked back. Logan O’Hoppe slugged a home run as the Halos poured it on with five runs in the seventh inning.

#3 For the Angels things are going well they have now won seven games in a row and the Los Angeles Dodgers are part of that mix besides the Athletics.

#4 Starter for the A’s Luis Severino looked good at the beginning going six innings, allowing seven hits and two runs it’s like you were saying in your article Severino gave it his all but the bullpen just collapsed.

#5 Up next for the A’s the Philadelphia Phillies come calling. Starting pitcher for the Phillies Zack Wheeler (5-1 ERA 2.67) and A’s manager Mark Kotsay has not announced a starter for Friday night yet at Sutter Health Park with a 7:05pm PDT start.

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Sacramento A’s beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants get the home runs but not the win

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman touches home after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed May 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Wednesday the Kansas City Royals Salvador Perez got three hits and belted a two run home run. Bobby Witt Jr and Maikel Garcia contributed with two hits and two RBIs.

#2 The Royals came back from their loss on Tuesday night to take the three game series over the San Francisco Giants 8-4 on Wednesday.

#3 Even though the Royals scored three or fewer runs in their last seven games and scored four or less runs in their last 42 of 50 games this is a team that can compete.

#4 You can’t say the Giants did it without home run help. They got home runs from Matt Chapman, Patrick Bailey and Heliot Ramos. Ramos also hit a two run home run in the top of the ninth inning off Royals pitcher Lucas Erceg that closed the deficit in half 8-4.

#5 The Giants open a three game series in Washington on Friday night at Nationals Park. The Giants will start RHP Landen Roupp (2-3 ERA 4.11) the Nationals will start LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-4 ERA 3.67) first pitch 3:45pm PDT.

Stephen Ruderman filled in for Morris Phillips who does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com