Month: April 2026

Sacramento A’s game wrap: The Green and Gold Grind Down Seattle 5-2

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Apr 21 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Athletics right fielder Lawrence Butler (4) steals a base before Seattle Mariners second baseman Cole Young (2) can receive a throw during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images
 Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics did not need a wild comeback this time. They built this win piece by piece, and walked out of T-Mobile Park with a 5-2 score over the Mariners Tuesday. Nick Kurtz set the tone right away when he opened the game with a walk, stole second, and came home on Tyler Soderstrom’s line-drive double to right.

Kurtz kept doing what he has been doing so often this season, getting on base and creating pressure before Seattle could settle in. The Mariners answered in the third on Josh Naylor’s sacrifice fly, but the Athletics never looked rattled and kept a steady pressure throughout the entire nine innings.

That calm mattered, especially for Jacob Lopez. He worked 5.1 innings, allowed two runs, and kept the game from tilting after a few traffic-filled moments. He gave up singles, issued a pair of walks in the first, and watched Cal Raleigh tie the game at 2-2 with a solo shot in the fifth, but he never let the inning that ruins everything arrive. Instead of drowning in Seattle trouble, he kept the A’s close enough for their lineup to keep swinging.

The middle innings belonged to Jeff McNeil and Jacob Wilson. McNeil broke a 1-1 tie in the fourth with his first home run of the season, a drive to right-center that gave Sacramento a brief edge. After Raleigh answered in the fifth, the Green and Gold came right back in the sixth against Seattle’s bullpen. Soderstrom ripped his second double of the game, then Wilson punched a run-scoring double to left to make it 3-2. His hit pushed the Athletics back in front for good.

Then came Shea Langeliers going deep, again, because of course he did. Langeliers has been one of the Athletics’ most dangerous hitters, and in the seventh he punished a mistake by driving a solo homer to center. It was a clean, no-doubt kind of swing that sent the ball to the centerfield bleachers.

Suddenly it was 4-2, and Seattle was back to chasing. Carlos Cortes followed with a double, giving the Athletics yet another extra-base hit, and even though they did not cash that one in, the inning still made the point. This lineup was not living on one lucky bounce. McNeil homered. Langeliers homered. Soderstrom doubled twice. Wilson kept finding holes. The Athletics kept making Seattle pitch under stress.

The bullpen finished the job with very little drama. Scott Barlow handled the bridge work after Lopez exited and got four important outs. Hogan Harris stepped in with two men on in the seventh and got Naylor on a grounder to kill the threat.

Then Jack Perkins took the last six outs and never blinked. By the time the ninth inning arrived, the Athletics were ready to put a bow on it. Kurtz singled, Langeliers singled, Cortes moved both runners with a grounder, and after Seattle chose to intentionally walk Soderstrom, Wilson lined a single to center to score Kurtz and stretch the lead to 5-2.

For a team that came into this series carrying momentum and trying to stay near the top of the division, this was a strong kind of win. Not flashy. Not chaotic. Just good baseball. The Athletics got on base early, hit for power in the middle, played clean defense, and got the exact outs they needed from the mound. Seattle tied it twice, but the Athletics answered every time and then shut the door like a veteran team that had no interest in making the night any longer than necessary.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Jung Hoo Lee

Giants take series opener against the Dodgers 3-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo: Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee rips an RBI single against Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in the first inning of a game on April 21, 2026. Photo by Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab.

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The Los Angeles Dodgers–the heavy favorites to win the NL West, coming into San Francisco at 16-6–they’re going to beat the lowly 9-13 San Francisco Giants, right?

Not so fast, as the Giants surrendered just one run and had just enough offense to beat the powerful Dodgers 3-1. The Dodgers had come into the game averaging six runs per game to start the season, but starting pitcher Landon Roupp and the bullpen held the Dodgers to just three hits in the game.

The Giants’ offense started hot right from the get-go. Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto surrendered three runs to the Giants in the very first inning. After Willy Adames started the game with a ground ball to the shortstop Hyeseong Kim, Kim airmailed the ball into the dugout, putting Adames at second with nobody out. Adames was given an infield hit on the play, advancing to second on the throwing error.

After the next batter Luis Arraez singled and then Matt Chapman walked, Rafael Devers poked a single into right-center field to give the Giants a 1-0 lead. Casey Schmitt followed with a sacrifice fly to shallow left-center field, where outfielders Alex Call and Teoscar Hernandez collided, allowing Arraez to score. Jung Hoo Lee then singled home Chapman, to give the Giants a 3-0 lead, which would prove to be more than enough to give the Giants the win.

Despite walking four batters in the fourth inning, Roupp pitched out of trouble when Alex Call hit into a 5-4-3 double pay with the bases loaded and one out. The only run the Dodgers scored in the game was a walk by Kim. Roupp ended the night going five innings, giving up just one run on one hit but escaped through five walks. He struck out seven batters.

The Giants bullpen took it from there pitching four scoreless innings. Reliever Ryan Walker, who blew a save against the Washington Nationals on Saturday, shut the door with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Walker had two strikeouts.

Shohei Ohtani, who went 1-for-4 in the game with two strikeouts, was left on deck as the potential tying run. Ohtani has now reached base 53 straight games, tying him for the longest streak in Los Angeles Dodgers history. Former Dodger Shawn Green had the previous 53-game streak.

Unfortunately for the Giants, outfielder Jung Hoo Lee got injured in the sixth inning when he tried to score from first on a base hit by Heliot Ramos. Lee appeared to try to take advantage of a slow relay from the Dodgers defense, but he was thrown out by plenty at home. Jerar Encarnacion replaced Lee in right field in the top of the eighth inning. The Giants have not yet said what his injury was.

Up next, the Giants will try to win the series against the Dodgers on Wednesday night. Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani (2-0, 0.50 ERA) will oppose Tyler Mahle (0-3, 7.23 ERA) at 6:45 p.m. at Oracle Park.

The Giants are now 10-13, and a series win against their heated rival would do wonders for their confidence as they try to climb over .500.

MLB The Show podcast Lincoln Juarez: What Mets must do to snap 12 game skid?; Bucs bullpen struggling could be factor in their run; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza walks in the dugout before the Mets meeting with the Chicago Cubs on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at Wrigley Field in Chicago (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 What factors have contributed to the New York Mets’ 12-game losing streak, and what changes might be necessary to turn their season around?

#2 How could the inconsistency of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen impact their chances of competing in a tight NL Central race this season?

#3 What are the potential economic and competitive implications of the Kansas City Royals’ proposed $1.9 billion ballpark project and public funding approval?

#4 Which standout individual performances from April 20 (such as multi-home run games or breakout hitting performances) could signal emerging stars or lineup changes?

#5 How might key pitching matchups and scheduled games (like Yankees vs. Red Sox or Dodgers vs. Giants) shape early-season momentum for contending teams?

Lincoln Juarez is a San Francisco Giants reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Sacramento A’s podcast Mauricio Segura: Cortes key in A’s win in Seattle could be a key role player in Sac line up

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson (right) jumps for joy in front of A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) after Sacramento defeats the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Field in Seattle on Mon Apr 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Mauricio Segura:

#1 Sacramento A’s Carlos Cortes Nick Kurtz, and Shea Langeliers all stepped up to the plate and hit solo home runs against the Seattle Mariners to come back three runs down at T Mobile Field in Seattle to win it 6-4 on Monday night.

#2 Cortes went four for five, slugging a fourth inning home run as the A’s worked to catch up with the M’s. Do you see Cortes developing into that key hitter in the A’s lineup.

#3 The A’s got back to back home runs from Kurtz and Langeliers and that forced a 3-3 tie and it shows why this team is getting clutch hitting and why their in first place in the AL West.

#4 The A’s Max Muncy in the top of the eighth hit a bases loaded sacrifice fly with no one out and that put the A’s in front and for insurance runs Lawrence Butler hit a two run base hit to put the A’s in front 6-3.

#5 The A’s and M’s continue this AL West Divisional battle Tuesday night at T Mobile starting for Sacramento LHP Jacob Lopez (1-1 ERA 6.38) for Seattle RHP Luis Castillo (0-1 ERA 5.40) first pitch 6:40PM PDT.

Mauricio Segura filled in for Tony Renteria who does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Quakes make easy work of LAFC 4-1 in the Southland; Host Austin Wednesday night

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Members of both the San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC meet in the run way in preparation for their match at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Apr 19, 2026 (San Jose Earthquakes X photo)

By William Espy

The San Jose Earthquakes’ dominant start to the season continued on Sunday evening.

The Earthquakes traveled south to Los Angeles, specifically BMO Stadium to play the third-place team in the Western Conference and state rivals, LAFC.

After a scoreless first half, the Earthquakes’ offense came to play in the second 45 minutes. Shortly after Beau Leroux got a yellow card in the 51st minute, Ousenni Bouda scored his third goal of the season to give the Quakes a 1-0 lead in the 53rd minute.

Just a few minutes later, the Quakes’ big-name signing from over the winter made his presence felt, as Timo Werner scored his first career MLS goal in the 56th minute.

LAFC defender Ryan Porteous accidentally extended the Earthquakes’ lead even further during the 58th minute, scoring an own goal and giving the Quakes a 3-0 lead.

The Earthquakes would eventually return the favor though, as Reid Roberts got LAFC on the board with an own goal of his own in the 74th minute, breaking the shutout.

Bouda then bookended the night with his fourth goal of the season in the 80th minute, securing a 4-1 victory for the Earthquakes.

The Earthquakes will return home for a midweek match on Wednesday against Austin FC before heading back on the road on Saturday.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Athletics Silence Mariners 6-4 with Back to Back Space Needle Shots

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s Tyler Soderstrom (21) greets teammate Lawrence Butler (left) after scoring on a Max Muncy sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth inning at T Mobile Field in Seattle on Mon Apr 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Athletics Silence Mariners 6-4 with Back to Back Space Needle Shots

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s got a couple rocket shot home runs to beat the Seattle Mariners 6-4 Monday night. The Athletics spent the first few innings looking like a team dragging an old problem back onto the field with them. They came into Seattle having scored just one first-inning run all season, and T-Mobile Park wasted no time reminding them how ugly that trend can look.

Cal Raleigh launched a first-inning homer to left-center, Julio Rodríguez swiped second after a single, and Josh Naylor lined a run-scoring double to right to put the Mariners up 2-0 before the A’s had much of a chance to breathe. When Dominic Canzone opened the second with a home run to right-center, Seattle had a 3-0 lead, Emerson Hancock was in rhythm, and the game had the feel of one that could drift away in a hurry.

Instead, the Green and Gold hung around and flipped the game like a Sunday morning flap jack.

J.T. Ginn did not have a smooth beginning, but he did something that matters just as much on nights like this: he stopped the bleeding. After the Mariners tagged him for three early runs, the right-hander settled himself and gave the Athletics room to fight back. He worked around a double by Naylor in the third, stranded Canzone at third in the fourth, and rolled through a clean fifth before striking out Randy Arozarena to begin the sixth. It was not dominance, but it was toughness, and those are not the same thing. Ginn kept the game from turning into a Seattle parade.

The Athletics lineup, meanwhile, took a while to find the right wrench to unlock Hancock. Carlos Cortes finally cracked the silence in the fourth, driving a solo homer to right to cut the deficit to 3-1. It was a needed jolt for an offense that had spent the first three innings getting very little done besides a first-inning single from Cortes and a second-inning knock from Jacob Wilson. Even when the Athletics did scratch out a bit of traffic, Seattle had an answer. Hancock erased Lawrence Butler with a pickoff at second in the fifth after Butler had singled and stolen a base, which felt like the sort of play that can bury a rally and a mood all at once.

In the sixth, the whole game changed on back-to-back swings resulting in the A’s once again taking the top spot on the AL West Standings.

Nick Kurtz led off the inning by hammering a game-changing homer to center. One batter later, Shea Langeliers followed him with another shot to center, and just like that a 3-0 Seattle lead had vanished into the Northwest night.

Baseball can spend five innings pretending it is a quiet, methodical game, and then in two pitches it turns into fireworks. Kurtz’s blast fit the shape of the player he has been all month. He came into the night on a ten-game walk streak and with the most walks in the majors, and he added to the pressure all evening, later drawing another free pass in the seventh. Langeliers, whose bat has been one of the Athletics’ most reliable weapons dating back to last season’s second half, did what dangerous hitters do when a pitcher leaves even a little room for error. He punished it.

From there, the game became a bullpen and timing contest, and the Athletics finally won both. Hogan Harris, who entered the night with a spotless road ERA, took over after Ginn and handled the middle innings with authority. He struck out Rob Refsnyder to end the sixth, blew through the seventh, and helped hand the late innings to Mark Leiter Jr. with the game still tied. Leiter then walked a tightrope in the eighth after Rodríguez and Naylor put pressure on the defense, but he struck out Arozarena and got Refsnyder to fly out, preserving a lead that had only just been built.

That lead arrived in the top of the eighth, and it arrived with force. Tyler Soderstrom started the inning by ripping a double to left. Wilson followed with a single to right, continuing his strong work against Seattle, and Jeff McNeil worked a walk to load the bases with nobody out.

Max Muncy lifted a sacrifice fly to right to bring home Soderstrom and push the Athletics in front 4-3. That alone would have been enough to change the inning. Butler made sure it became something bigger. He shot a sharp single to right, scoring both Wilson and McNeil, and the Athletics suddenly had the kind of breathing room that had looked impossible two innings earlier. Butler later got picked off again, which was not exactly a textbook night on the bases, but by then the damage he had done with the bat was the bigger story.

Seattle made one last push in the ninth when Cole Young singled and Leo Rivas doubled him home, trimming the lead to 6-4. But Joel Kuhnel closed the door from there, getting J.P. Crawford to pop out and Raleigh to fly out to right to end it.

That final out wrapped up a win that felt bigger than one April game. The Athletics came in off a shaky homestand, facing a Mariners club that has given them headaches for years, and spent the first two innings looking ready to add one more to the pile. Instead, they answered with poise, power, and one loud eighth inning that turned a flat night into a sharp one.

The A’s and M’s continue this AL West Divisional battle Tuesday night at T Mobile starting for Sacramento LHP Jacob Lopez (1-1 ERA 6.38) for Seattle RHP Luis Castillo (0-1 ERA 5.40) first pitch 6:40PM PDT.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Firefish Seafood Grill Restaurant Santa Cruz/Sportstalk podcast Mon Apr 20, 2026

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Firefish Seafood Grill Restaurant Santa Cruz/ Sportstalk cast: left side going left to right Lee Leonard (producer), Lance Haggard (owner partner & general manager Firefish), Marko Ukalovic (host/ SJ Earthquakes reporter), right side right to left Vince Cestone (SF Giants reporter), Daisy Amaya (advertising), Brien G (The Voice Santa Cruz radio) photo by Andrea-Firefish Seafood Restaurant server.

Firefish Seafood Restaurant Santa Cruz/Sportstalk podcast Mon Apr 20, 2026

Sportstalk podcast remote from Firefish Grill in Santa Cruz with Marko Ukalovic (San Jose Earthquakes reporter/host), Vince Cestone (San Francisco Giants beat reporter), and Brien G (The Voice Santa Cruz radio), and Lee Leonard (producer)

Our thanks to our hosts at Firefish Grill Owner and chef Mark Gilbert and general manager Lance Haggard. Firefish Grill with Fresh Seafood, Full Bar, and Exceptional Views located at 25 Municipal Pier at the Santa Cruz Wharf near the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. Call 831-423-5200 or visit http://www.firefishgrill.net

Add some fire to your next dining experience at the Firefish Grill. We specialize in fresh, traditional seafood, steaks and homemade pasta dishes served California-cuisine style at reasonable prices. We feature a mesquite charcoal broiler in our exhibition kitchen. When it comes to refreshment, we offer a full bar, specialty drinks, and a selection of beer and wine.

You’ll experience fabulous ocean views from every seat in the house. Celebrating over 30 delicious years on the Santa Cruz Wharf.

Open every day for lunch and dinner from 11:00 am until closing.

Stanley Cup Playoffs/Utah Mammoth:Mammoth Blow Third Period Lead, Falling 4-2 To Golden Knights In Game 1 Of Western Conference First-Round Series

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Vegas Golden Knights center Colton Sissons (10) scores against the Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) during game 1 of first round of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas (AP News photo)

Stanley Cup Playoffs/Utah Mammoth:

By Tom Walker

SALT LAKE CITY–Utah was positioned to steal home ice advantage in Game 1 of the opening playoff series, but Vegas launched third period comeback for the win 4-2.

The Utah Mammoth played Game 83 for the first time in franchise history on Sunday night, squaring off against the Golden Knights in Las Vegas for Game 1 of the Western Conference First-Round Series. The last time Mammoth predecessors, the Arizona Coyotes, played in the postseason was August 19, 2020 during the strange COVID-shortened season, losing 7-1 in Game 5 of the first round to the Colorado Avalanche.

The lone Coyotes goal-scorer in that game was current Mammoth captain Clayton Keller, assisted by Jason Demers and Derek Stepan. The only other remaining Coyotes player in that game’s box score who also participated in Utah’s Sunday night post-season debut was forward Lawson Crouse. Barrett Hayton, who has been out of the lineup since March 24 with an upper-body injury, also played that final 2020 playoff game for Arizona.

The first period seemed destined to be a scoreless affair, but with 11 ticks left on the clock, Logan Cooley found the back of the net to put Utah up 1-0 on his first career playoff goal. Cooley had initially taken the puck into the offensive zone, and after some keep-away with Vegas defenders passed the puck to Crouse, who sent it to inaugural season Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt, who zipped it back to Cooley who one-timed a slap shot into the net.

At 3:44 of the second period, Colton Sissons knocked in a loose puck at the crease to tie the game, assisted by Cole Smith and Brayden McNabb. The Mammoth regained the lead 83 seconds later on a fluke goal where Kevin Stenlund shot the puck from the dasher boards near the top of the faceoff circle, the puck being slapped away by Vegas netminder Carter Hart but off the body of defenseman Kaedan Korczak and into the net, with Sean Durzi and Ian Cole picking up the assists.

Utah took their 2-1 lead into the third period, but could not hold on. At 3:45 of the frame, Alexander Kerfoot went to the penalty box for hooking against Ivan Barbashev. With 12 seconds remaining in the penalty kill, Mark Stone knocked in a rebound from Karel Vejmelka to even the score at 2-2, assisted by Tomas Hertl and Mitch Marner.

Less than two minutes later, Mammoth defenseman MacKenzie Weegar turned over the puck in Utah’s defensive zone, and Noah Hanifin sent it across to Nic Dowd who deflected it perfectly into the net to give the Golden Knights their first lead of the game 3-2. At 18:21, with Vejmelka pulled for an extra attacker, Barbashev put the game away with an empty net goal to give Vegas the victory and a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Interviewed in the locker room after the game, Cooley said, “Right from the start I knew it was going to be physical. A super fast game. Not a lot of room out there. I think early on we did a good job of playing our game, playing our style. We let off a little bit towards the third and it cost us, but it’s a long series and we just gotta regroup and clean up a few things.” Asked about his goal and getting into the pace of his first playoff game, Cooley responded, “It’s always nice to get on the board early, but I think after the first shift you get into it, maybe get a few bumps, and now it’s just another game.” On his own physicality, he commented, “It’s the playoffs, you’re playing for the Cup, you’re doing whatever you can to help your team win – whether that is physical, or scoring, playing good defensively – whatever the team needs, and I think that’s our mindset in this locker room too. It’s all about the team focus and trying to win games.” Wrapping up the interview, Cooley said, “A lot of us, it’s our first playoff game – to get that nerve out, get settled in … obviously we’d like to get the win, but just to get your feet wet a little bit and know how it is and what we need to do to beat them in Game 2.”

Lawson Crouse, one of two Mammoth players on the ice to have participated in the final Arizona Coyotes playoff game in 2020, said, “They played a heck of a game. It was a physical affair. There wasn’t much open ice out there, that’s kind of what we expected, but you know they played a great game. We feel we got a little bit better, but you know we get a day now to learn and make some adjustments. … It’s a different style of hockey in the playoffs, we knew that. I feel like we can be better. We’re competitive guys, we want to do whatever we can to help this team win, just like everyone in our locker room. We’re going to try to step up.” Of teammate Logan Cooley, Crouse said, “Cools is one of the biggest competitors I know. He’s done that all season long, ever since I’ve known him and played with him. He’s a battler and definitely a guy that you want to follow.” Brogan Houston of the Deseret News asked Crouse, “This is the first playoff game for yourself and a lot of the guys with fans in the stands, how does it compare to the COVID bubble?” He responded, “Obviously an incredible atmosphere out there. Their fans do a great job cheering, and to be honest I like that energy. I think we’re able to harness it and use it to our advantage as well. Obviously they’re very into the game. They’re loud. It’s a fun environment to play in.”

Former Golden Knight Nate Schmidt told the media, “This is a long series. That’s what we planned on at the beginning. There’s a lot of lessons to be had tonight. Our effort was there. There were some momentum swings. That’s the playoffs. They score a power play goal to get it even there early in the third and I think it tilted the ice a little bit for ’em, and I liked our response to that in the last little part of the game. There are things to build on for Game 2. I think some of our guys tonight got a taste for what it’s like, and all the emotional parts of it, the [excitement] that is playoff hockey. I’m excited for it to be a long series and for Game 2.” Asked about Cooley, Schmidt added, “I think he is a player that’s ready to take that step on the center stage here in the playoffs and be a guy that commands a lot of space out there and he really makes a lot of plays for guys and creates space for people. I love his game, I love that he’s nasty around the puck. He’s not a someone that’s going to shy away from it, and that’s what I love about him. I think as we go on here, he’s gonna show more and more, and there’s some young legs that are willing to do that dirty work which is something that is really important at this time of year, guys are willing to stand over the puck and be willing to take the abuse and I think he will.”

Head Coach André Tourigny opened his post-game comments, saying, “That was a great game, I think we know Vegas is a really good team. It was a hard fought game – was physical, was intense. Every inch was contested, so I’m proud of our prep – like the way we came out and I think the guys were pretty composed, they were in control – like I said it was a hard fought game. We know when we exploit our speed, that was a good factor for us, we need to keep focusing on that. … I really like the way the guys stayed in control. You just want to get better. From now on it’s a race of improvement. I think we have stuff we can be better, and we’ll make some adjustments and stuff, but I’m really proud of the way we performed.” Of Cooley’s performance, Bear was effusive with praise, “He was on a mission. He was really good. I think him and his line played a solid game. You guys know Cools – how competitive he is – and I think he just put it on display.” Of the team overall, Tourigny added, “I’m proud of the way where our guys were mentally. I think at this point as a coach what you need to do is make sure your team is in the right mindset, the right approach, they’re in control, and they control their performance, and I’m proud of the way they played in that sense. … I think as a first game, would have loved to win the game, no doubt about it, but I think we pushed back after they took the lead, we stayed in control, the guys were calm on the bench, were even-keeled, we didn’t act like we were a young team or a team with a lack of experience – the reverse I felt we were in control.”

The Mammoth look to even the best-of-seven series on Tuesday night, 7:30pm MDT.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s open three set with M’s in Seattle

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s starter Jeffery Springs delivers a pitch agianst the Chicago White Sox in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Apr 19, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The A’s went into Sunday’s game with the series tied looking to beat a young but very capable Chicago White Sox team.

2. It was a tough outing for Jeffrey Springs pitching through five innings but giving up nine hits and a whole lot more setting up the White Sox nicely.

3.Once Springs was relieved the A’s relief pitching really stepped up keeping the White Sox off the scoreboard.

4.Sacramento made a game of it in the seventh inning when they had not only some great offense but took advantage of walks and wild pitches.

5. Next up for the A’s a three game series with the Seattle Mariners starting Monday night at T Mobile Field in Seattle. In the past the Mariners have had the A’s number but they have at times turned that around. How do you see the A’s fare in this series.

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

San Jose Barracuda Playoffs podcast Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda open up playoffs Wednesday in Henderson

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Jose Barracuda goaltender Gabriel Carrierre (35) defends the net against the Bakersfield Condors at Tech CU in San Jose on Sat Apr 18, 2026 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

San Jose Barracuda Playoffs podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 How will Quentin Musty’s playmaking ability impact the Barracuda’s offensive production against Henderson’s defense in Game 1?

#2 Can Kasper Halttunen continue his scoring momentum and create matchup problems for the Silver Knights’ top defensive pair?

#3 What role will Jerod Crespo play in generating secondary scoring depth for San Jose in this playoff opener?

#4 How important will Kyle Crnkovic be on the blue line in terms of both defensive stability and transitioning the puck out of the zone?

#5 Will Gabriel Carriere be able to set the tone in net early and give the Barracuda a strong foundation in Game 1 on the road?

Marko Ukalovic does the San Jose Barracuda Playoffs podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com