Author: Jeff Hall

Web Designer, Graphic Designer at the University of California, Davis. Sports Reporter for Sportsradioservice.com, Covering the Sacramento Kings, Oakland A's, San Jose Sharks, San Francisco 49ers and San Francisco Giants.

Kings Defeat Raptors Despite Sloppy 4th Quarter

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By Jeff Hall

SACRAMENTO —The Kings faced the Toronto Raptors in the second game of a back to back pre-season matchup at Sleep Train Arena. It was another tightly contested pre-season matchup for most of 3 quarters before the Kings pulled away and defeated the Raptors 113-106 in front of 10,061 fans.

DeMarcus Cousins led the Kings with 19 points in 3 quarters of play.

The Raptors put up a fight scoring 30 in the fourth quarter taking advantage of several King’s turnovers.   DeMar DeRozan (25pts) and Kyle Lowry (23pts) led the charge for the Raptors.

Another impressive night for the King rookie Guard Nik Stauskas. Stauskas was 5 of six from the field and 2 for 2 from behind the 3 point line. Stauskas had 13 points total. Kings coach Michael Malone continues to be impressed by the rookie. “Even when Nik doesn’t have it, he has intelligence and feel for the game to make a play for someone else, very rarely does he force up a bad shot” said Malone following the game.

The coach was not impressed with the defensive effort however. “That’s another game where we gave up 30 points in the fourth quarter. Good offense, bad defense. “ Malone added.

The Kings turned the ball over 20 times and that led to 21 points for the Raptors. “We need to do a better job of valuing the basketball.” said Malone.

Up next the Kings head to the far east to Shanghai, China to face Brooklyn for a back to back series with the first game on Saturday, October 11th. Game time is 9:30pm Pacific time. Interestingly, both Malone and Cousins referred to the games in China as a business trip.

Dodgers Increase Lead in the NL West with Series Win over Giants

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By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO —The Dodgers increased their lead to 3 games in the National league West  taking the series with a 4-2 win over the Giants.

In a game that looked nothing like the first two games of the series, Giants starter Yusmeiro Petit and Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw matched up in an old fashioned pitchers Duel in front 41,932 fans in attendance at AT&T Park. It was Kershaw who pitched the better of the two. Neither side’s hitters were too fond of the strike zone of home plate umpire D.J Reyburn that led to a few animated discussions at home plate.

For Petit (5-4), he went 7 innings, striking out 8, but ran into trouble in the sixth Adrian Gonzalez doubled to deep center and then the big blow came off the bat of Matt Kemp who hit his 20th home run of the season. Kemp delivered at towering drive well over the left centerfield fence to put the Dodgers ahead 4-1. Petit had retired 9 straight before surrendering the back to back hits to Gonzalez and Kemp

Kershaw (19-3) lasted 8 innings, he walked 1 and struck out 9 . Kershaw became the Major League’s first 19 game winner. “They made me compete today, made me make big pitches.” Kershaw said following the game.  Kershaw remains dominant at AT&T Park, he improved his record to 8-2 in 11 starts there.

Kenley Jensen came on in the 9th getting the save pitching a perfect 9th.

The Dodgers opened the scoring in the second Hanley Ramirez led off the by beating out a slow roller to shortstop for a single one batter later Juan Uribe singled to right Hunter Pence trying to throw out Ramirez at third bounced it in the dirt where Pablo Sandoval was unable to handle the throw which got by Sandoval allowing Ramirez to streak towards the plate and slide safely on Petit’s errant throw home. Petit was backing up the throw. The Dodgers added a run on A.J Ellis deep sacrifice fly to right scoring Juan Uribe.

The Dodgers threatened to add on in the third, with back to back infield singles by Gordon and Puig to start the inning. The next hitter Adrian Gonzalez flied out to deep left and Matt Kemp hit into a double play to shortstop to end the threat.

The Giants had their chances against Kershaw.

In the third, With one out Kershaw walked Petit, Blanco struck out looking, Joe Panik stroked a single to right center, Buster Posey then drove a liner to gap to score Petit. But Posey was thrown out by Puig trying to stretch the single into a double ending the inning.

With 1 out in the seventh the Giants had back to back singles by Andrew Susac and Joaquin Arias, the next batter, Gregor Blanco struck out and Matt Duffy on as a pinch hitter for Petit dropped a single out of the reach of center fielder Yasiel Puig who collided with right fielder Matt Kemp and the ball fell between the two scoring Susac.  Angel Pagan grounded out to shortstop to end the inning and the last real threat the giants would muster against the Dodgers

With the win the Dodgers have one 6 out of their last 7 against the Giants.

Up next, the Giants will be in Arizona tomorrow. Ryan Voglesong (8-10, 3.90) vs left hander Wade Miley (7-11, 4.28)

A’s Continue to Struggle, Fall to the Mariners

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By Jeff Hall

SEATTLE — If the A’s have any hope of making the post-season, simply put they are going to have to play better baseball. It was more of the same for the A’s, poor execution on defense and lack of timely hitting; or hitting at all on offense. The A’s fell 4-2 to the Mariners losing the first game of the series and now cling to a half game lead in the wild card over both the Kansas City Royals and the Mariners. With the loss the A’s have dropped 12 of their last 15 games

The Mariners jumped out to an Early 1-0 lead when Robinson Cano homered just over the left field fence with 2 outs in the bottom of the first inning off A’s starter Jason Hammel (10-11)

The Mariners added a run when Kyle Seager led off the  bottom of the second with a walk, he stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by A’s catcher Geovany Soto. Two batters later Mike Zunino blooped a ball into shallow right that eluded the outstretched arms of A’s shortstop Jed Lowrie and left fielder Jonny Gomes who seemed to lose the ball in the lights, the ball landed for a double and scored Seager from third base.

The A’s pulled within a run in the top of the third. Mariners Starter James Paxton (6-2) struggled finding the strike zone and with one out walked Sam Fuld. Fuld stole second the next batter Coco Crisp walked and they A’s had their first real threat of the ballgame with Josh Donaldson at the plate. Donaldson singled to right center to drive in Fuld and move Crisp to third. Derek Norris was walked to load the bases, but Lowrie struck out leaving the bases loaded.

The A’s tied the game 2-2 in the top of the fourth. Nate Freiman singled to lead off the inning and Hammel who became a hitter after the A’s lost their designated hitter in the bottom of the third inning laid down a good bunt that ended up with him  being safe at first on Kyle Seager’s throwing error trying to get Freiman at second base, Freiman would get to third on the error . The A’s lost their DH when Geovany Soto left with back spasms. Derek Norris took over behind the plate costing the A’s their DH in the move, and  putting Hammel in the lineup . Freiman scored the tying run on  a safety squeeze by Sam Fuld.

From that point on Paxton found his groove and shut the A’s down and at in a stretch of 8 hitters he struck out 7.

Fernando Rodney came on in the ninth and gave up back to back singles to Brandon Moss and Fuld, but settled down and picked up his 45th save to close out the game for Seattle.

Up Next, the A’s will face Felix Hernandez (14-5). The A’s will send Sonny Gray (13-8) to the mound.

Notes: Before the game the A’s  activated closer Sean Doolittle from the 15-day disabled list. Doolittle was placed on the DL on Aug. 24 because of a strained right intercostal muscle. Since taking over as closer, Doolittle has 20 saves in 23 chances. He has a 2.28 ERA in 54 total appearances and currently is on a 13-inning scoreless streak. Doolittle has struck out 80 and has walked only five this season.

The A’s announced they are renewing their contract with Double A Midland through 2016.

 According to the A’s Public Relations department the club has extended its player development contract with Double-A Midland of the Texas League through the 2016 season.  The Midland RockHounds have had a minor league affiliation with the A’s since 1999.

 “We are extremely pleased to continue our affiliation with the Midland RockHounds,” said A’s Vice President and General Manager Billy Beane. “Their owners, Miles Prentice and Bob Richmond, and their entire front office, led by Monty Hoppel, have been fantastic to work with over the last 16 years.  I believe it has been a mutually beneficial relationship, and we look forward to playing at Security Bank Ballpark through 2016 and beyond.”

 The RockHounds, who face Tulsa in Game 3 of the Texas League Championship Series at Security Bank Ballpark tonight, posted a 77-63 record this season and advanced to the championship round by beating Frisco, three games to one, in the division series.

 Security Bank Ballpark, a 4,709-seat venue that features grass berm areas that add substantially to the overall capacity, first opened in 2002.  The A’s affiliation with Midland dates back 16 years and is the longest tenure in franchise history.  It is also among the longest active in all of Double-A Baseball.  The RockHound’s Monty Hoppel, a five-time Texas League Executive of the Year and the 2010 Minor League Baseball Executive of the Year, has served as team’s general manager for 25 years.

 

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Sports Radio Service Visits with Northern California Prospect Max Stassi

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By Jeff Hall

OAKLAND, CA —Sports Radio Service caught up with Northern California product Max Stassi during the Astros series in Oakland

Stassi, 23, is a graduate of Yuba City High School and was called up to the Astros earlier this week. Stassi was drafted by the A’s in the 4th round in 2009 and was traded to the Astros along with Chris Carter and Brad Peacock for Jed Lowrie.

Max just completed his first full season in Triple A with Oklahoma City. “It was great, I learned a lot.” Said Stassi. “It was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to advancing from there .”, Stassi added.

Stassi is no doubt highly touted by the Astros. He is ranked by MLB.com as the Astros top catching prospect, and ranked as the Astros 19th overall prospect.

Stassi batted .247 with 9 homers, 20 doubles and 45 RBIs with Oklahoma City.

Not a bad season overall and he was selected to the Triple A All-Star team. “It was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”, said Stassi, about the opportunity to play in the game in Durham, North Carolina. “ I got to see my old buddy Andrew Susac, who also made the team, it was fun.”, said Stassi. (Susac is currently on the Giants Roster)

Life on the Road in the minors can be long. “Basically I say goodbye to my family in February”, Stassi said.  Max discussed the rare opportunities playing games near his home, both in Sacramento and in Oakland. “It’s something special, you don’t take it for granted playing close to home, it was really cool coming back home, almost kind of surreal.”

Stassi continues to stay connected to his hometown and for the past 6 years he hosts an annual charity event in Yuba City called Homers for the Homeless. “Its A home-run derby of sorts”, says Stassi. The event has raised nearly $100,000 since it started.

Click below to hear the interview!

Astros Walk Away with Win and Take Series from A’s

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Houston Astros' Gregorio Petit (3) drives in a run with a single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)
Houston Astros’ Gregorio Petit (3) drives in a run with a single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Jeff Hall

OAKLAND — What a difference a day makes. It was not exactly the way you would expect a team to bounce back after coming off an emotional victory the day before against the red-hot Houston Astros team.

Yesterday it was an elated locker room following the game and a day later it was a gloomy scene. Primarily, because the way in which the game was lost as the A’s fell  4-3 to the Astros.

The A’s  took a gritty 3-2 lead into the 9th thanks to a Nate Freiman’s 2-run  homer off reliever Jose Veras (4-0) to left that put the A’s in front. But that would be the pinnacle moment for the A’s. Nate Freiman reflected after the loss, “It was disappointing to lose today, after having a lead late., good teams are able to put it behind them.”

Ryan Cook came on to close the game, but Cook couldn’t’ find the strike zone and walked the lead off hitter Marwin Gonzalez to begin the 9th, he then got Jon Singleton to pop out to catcher Geovanny Soto, Cook then walked both Gregorio Petit and Alex Pressley to load the bases.That would be all for Cook (1 – 3) who was replaced by Fernando Abad

Abad allowed a deep fly to center driving in Petit with a sacrifice for the game tying run. The A’s elected to intentionally walk Jose Altuve who has hit the A’s hard this season and then Abad walked Dexter Fowler who picked up what turned out to be the game winning RBI. Jonathan Villar mercifully concluded the inning with a fly out to right caught in foul territory. It was a complete implosion by Cook and the bullpen. In all the Astros scored 2 runs on 5 walks and no hits in the inning It’s a game the A’s will soon want to forget. I couldn’t make pitches, there’s no excuses, I didn’t make pitches, that’s all there is to it.” said Cook following the game.

The A’s got on the board first when Derek Norris grounded out to Altuve that scored Andy Parrino who reached on an error  The out could have been an inning ending double play, but Altuve was unable to field the ball cleanly.

The Astros came right back in the top of the 7th. Chris Carter led off the inning with a double high off the right center field wall. Next, Jason Castro walked and both later scored on a single up the middle by former Athletic Gregorio Petit, to give the Astros a 2-1 lead

With the loss the A’s fall 7 behind the Angels who beat the Twins easily today.

The numbers are pretty gloomy A’s fans, the A’s have lost 8 of the last 10 games and 10 of the last 14.  They went 2-4 on the brief homestand, losing a series each to Seattle and Houston.

There were a few highlights, Jason Hammel had another quality start for the A’s. Hammel allowed two earned runs in 6.2 innings pitched, striking out 7.  Jed Lowrie was 3-4 and has feasted off of Houston pitching. He is batting .369 with 10 runs, 9 rbis and 7 walks against the Astros.

Up next the A’s head to Chicago to Face the Whitesox beginning tomorrow. Sonny Gray (13-8, 3.25) vs. Hector Noesi (8-8, 4.28)

Raw Postgame Audio from A’s clubhouse following the game. Includes Jason Hammel, Ryan Cook, Nate Freiman, and Eric O’Flaherty

 

Giants Starter Tim Lincecum moved to the bullpen

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By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants manager Bruce Bochy announced Monday that the team would be moving Tim Lincecum to the bullpen. The Giants will start Yusmeiro Petit (3-3 3.59) in Lincecum’s place in the rotation.

Petit has been strong in relief and has retired 38 straight hitters over a 7-outing stretch. and  has not allowed a run in his last nine relief appearances.

Lincecum (10-9) had won 4 straight since his no-hitter against San Diego 25th. Since then, Lincecum has lost 4 of his last 5 starts and is coming off his shortest start of his career Saturday against the Washington Nationals.

According to Giant’s Manager Bruce Bochy, “He’s going to the bullpen to work on some things.”

It’s not the first time in the bullpen for Lincecum, a two-time NL Cy Young Award winner, he pitched in relief in the 2010 and 2012 World Series.

Petit will start the final game of the series against the Rockies on Thursday.

It’s yet to be decided if Lincecum will return to the rotation on his next turn. ”We’ll make that call on the next start after this Petit start,” Bochy said.

 

A’s fall Behind Quickly and Lose Series Finale to Angels

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By Jeff Hall

OAKLAND — The Angels salvaged the final game of the series and regained 1st place with a 9-4 win over the A’s at the Coliseum.

A’s starter Scott Kazmir retired the side in order in the first on just 6 pitches and looked like he was on his game, however Kazmir faltered in the 2nd losing command of his pitches in the inning allowing 3 runs on 3 hits and 2 walks.

Things did not improve for Kazmir in the 3rd, Albert Pujols doubled to lead off the inning and Josh Hamilton followed with his 10th Home run of the season. Kazmir would give up 2 more hits in the inning to David Freese and Erick Aybar before getting out of the inning.

In the 4th, Kazmir again ran into trouble facing the top of the order to start the inning Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout singled , Pujols followed with a run scoring single to make it a 5-0 game and drove Kazmir out of the game .

Kazmir (14-7) suffered his worst loss of the season allowing a season high tying 7 runs and a season high tying 10 hits in just 3 innings. Afterwards Kazmir owned up to his performance, “I’d throw two strikes and get ahead of the guy and then throw the ball right down the middle, I felt like I just wasn’t aggressive at all.”

Jesse Chavez who relieved Kazmir in the fourth gave up a Sacrifice fly to Hamilton and a single to Howie Kendrick allowing all of the inherited runners to score.

Mike Trout led off the sixth with his 29th homer of the season, off of Chavez, making the score 9-0

Angels Starter Jered Weaver (14-7) got the win after pitching six strong innings and striking out 8 before running into trouble in the 7th  when the  A’s were able to knock Weaver out of the game with 3 runs on 4 hits including a 2 run shot by Alberto Callaspo, his 4th homer of the season. One out later Andy Parrino hit a solo shot in to right. It was Parrino’s 1st home run as an Athletic.

Sogard added the A’s final run in the bottom of the 9th with a Sacrifice fly to make it 9-4.

It was a big series with the A’s taking the first 2 games. “Every game matters, going forward with less than 35 games remaining.”, said Manager Bob Melvin after the game.

The A’s went 5-2 on the  homestand. Up next, the A’s will head to Houston to face the Astros. RHP Jeff Samardzija (3-3, 4.07) vs. RHP Scott Feldman (7-9, 4.37). Gametime is 5:10pm

Notes: Before the game, the A’s announced that Sean Doolittle (Intercostal) and John Jaso (concussion symptoms) would be placed on the DL. Josh Donaldson, who missed tonight’s game with a knee and hip injury, had an MRI and according to A’s Manager Bob Melvin, the results showed there was no structural damage and depending on how he is feeling Donaldson may be in the line-up Monday against Houston.

Injury Bug strikes the Athletics

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By Jeff Hall

OAKLAND —The wear and tear of a long season is beginning to impact A’s players as the injury bug strikes  Sean Doolittle and Josh Donaldson will undergo MRIs. Doolittle sustained an intercostal injury. Donaldson has been hampered by both a knee and a hip injury. Doolittle will likely be placed on the DL. According to A’s manager Bob Melvin, Donaldson lobbied to play in Sunday’s finale against the Angels.

John Jaso will head to the DL with severe concussion symptoms suffered a few weeks ago. Jaso has had concussion issues in the past.

The A’s announced today that they acquired 31-year old right-handed hitter Geovany Soto from the Texas Rangers for cash considerations along with minor league catcher Bryan Anderson from the Cincinnati Reds. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster the A’s transferred first baseman Kyle Blanks to the 60-day disabled list. Soto, a career .248 hitter will join the A’s in Houston for the start of the 3 game series on Monday.

Giants Win Finale and Take Series From the Mets

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By Jeff Hall

With two out in the top of the ninth Pablo Sandoval broke up a 3-3 tie driving in Gregor Blanco with a ground rule double off of Jenrry Mejia for what turned out to be the game winner in the Giants 4-3 win over the Mets at Citi Field.  Santiago Casilla shut down the Mets in the bottom of the ninth retiring the side in order to record his ninth save of the season. Sergio Romo who came into the game in the eighth picked up his fifth win.

Tim Hudson, who started the game for the Giants, surrendered a two run homer to Daniel Murphy to quickly put the Giants behind. Sandoval tied the game in the third with another two out double off Met’s starter Dillon Gee.

The Mets regained the lead in the fifth scoring an unearned run after a Buster Posey throwing error which allowed the Mets to score on a David Wright infield single.

The Giants tied the game 3-3  in the seventh when Hunter Pence scored on a wild pitch after Pence led the inning off with a triple.

Up next;  the Giants head to Milwaukee to face the Brewers tomorrow night. It will be Tim Lincecum facing Jimmy Nelson of the Brewers.