Author: lleonardbw

Giants and A’s podcast with Michael Duca: Tues night’s game was the best 6-2 pitchers duel;

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by Michael Duca

OAKLAND–There was no earthly way at the end the first inning of the first game with the Angels and A’s on Tuesday that you were going to be watching a pitchers duel. It was 5-2 A’s the Anegls were kind of limping along in the first inning on two consecutive pitches they gave up five runs and after that they seem to retire everybody they faced.

Meanwhile A’s pitcher Sonny Gray coughed up two in the top of the first but retired 16 straight after that it was pretty amazing. The next time the Angels got a base runner was in the second inning and then later in the seventh. So somebody asked if it were possible to watch a 6-2 pitchers duel and the answer is yes. Jared Weaver the Angels starter threw 91-92 MPH and got more control over his pitches and was able to command part of the strike zone.

On the A’s offense there’s four guys in the middle of that batting order that are hitting over .330, Josh Reddick (.360), Stephen Vogt (.355), Ike Davis (.328), and Billy Butler (.313). You should be able to score that way and you should be able to win some games. The relief staff needs to hold the lead and the defense has to have gloves with no holes in them. The A’s have made errors in 21 games. The A’s simply cannot afford to do that in this series with the Angels.

San Francisco Giants update: Giants catcher Buster Posey hit a two run homer for the gamer in the 2-1 win over the Dodgers on Tuesday night. An awful lot of credit has to go to Giants starter Madison Baumgarner he entered the game with an ERA up around 4.00 plus. Mad Bum basically said that enough was enough and that the Giants weren’t going to allow any more runs.

The Giants want to make hay and make some moves since the Dodgers are an extraordinary team, This reminds me a lot of a few years ago when the Dodgers got off to a poor start but later picked up Henley Ramirez with Yesiel Puig in the line up together and went out and played .700 ball for the last two thirds of the season.

This year this Dodgers team is missing pitcher Brandon McCarthy for the rest of the year, Hyun Jin Ryu is out for quite awhile, their closer Kenly Jansen is out for quite awhile, Puig is out right now. The Dodgers have five or six players on the DL and when they get healthy their going to be tough to make up ground on.

Michael Duca does Giants and A’s commentary each week listen to his podcast below at http://www.sportsrasdioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Astros have A’s number with sweep over weekend but A’s will regroup

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by Charlie O Mallonee

OAKLAND–The A’s who were swept by the first place Houston Astros over the weekend ended up with a record of 8-12 and their 3-7 in their last ten games and they’ve lost four in a row. Part of that four in a row were the sweep to the Houston Astros. Something that I did pick up on that I found very interesting is that the A’s home record right now is just 3-7 because of that sweep.

Their not going to get it done with that record, traditionally they say you got to win two out of three at home and .500 on the road to finish well enough to get in to the playoffs. Obviously looking at that 3-7 home record that’s not going to get it done. If we’ve learned anything over the weekend this is not your father’s Houston Astros.

They might be your grandfather’s Houston Astros because the Astros were a pretty good ball club a couple of generations ago. What we’ve seen over the last few years the Astros were a team that languished at the bottom of the National League where they made the transition into the American League. They hadn’t done much better we knew they were a team that was a in major rebuild when they came into the A.L.

The Astros who are in first place with that rebuilding program is starting to payoff and they are currently in first place in the A.L. West with a record 12-7. They’ve won four games in a row and their 8-2 over their last ten. If you look at the games over the weekend you have to focus on pitching. Particularly for the A’s on Friday night that game went 11 innings.

The Astros won the game by a score of 5-4 it was a real pitchers duel in that game and the A’s starter Scott Kazmir went seven innings he gave up five hits, no runs, struck out seven, walked three. Astros pitcher Dallas Keuchel pitched nine innings gave up two hits, no runs, struck four and walked just two. You pitch nine innings and no hits your going to come away with a victory and neither one of the starting pitchers figured in the final decision.

Charlie O does an A’s commentary podcast each week on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Jeremy Kahn: Lincecum’s struggles on Monday and the Dodgers top heavy hitters

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by Jeremy Kahn

The Giants starter Tim Lincecum on Monday night struggled a little bit in the opening game of the series in Los Angeles he ended up pitching four innings surrendering eight hits and four runs. He faced the Dodgers at AT&T last week during the Giants homestand and he faced them again on Monday night.

The Dodgers wanted revenge from last week’s visit to San Francisco where they were swept by the Giants in three games. Yes Lincecum was off on Monday night but on Tuesday night Madison Baumgarner pitched better. The Dodgers have some top heavy guys in the line up right now with Andre Eithier .310, Andrian Gonzalez .382, and Howie Kendrick .314. The Dodgers are missing one big cog and that’s Yesiel Puig whose on the disabled list right now.

The Dodgers have many things they’ll always have is hitting, they’ll always have the pitching and they’ll always have the big power hitters right up the middle. They’ve had them for 50-60 years and they’ve always had a good middle of the line up hitters they have one right now. The Dodgers have all around talent top to bottom in their line up.

They have a good pitching staff and a good bullpen, they were decimated with injuries with the loss of Brandon McCarthy and he’s out for the season. That’s devastating for the Dodgers, they’re going to be okay and it’s like our co-talk show host Troy Clardy said last night on the talk show “It’s April people don’t panic.”

Dodger starters Zack Greinke and Clayton Kershaw have had success this year getting things done, Greinke is your money pitcher and Kershaw is one of the best pitchers in MLB if not the best. He shows that every night and does his job.

Jeremy Kahn is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com listen to his podcast below

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baltimore under curfew due to riots Orioles will play to empty stadium on Wed

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–For the second night in a row the Baltimore Orioles have canceled their game. Tonight, their game against the Chicago White Sox has been officially canceled because of the riots. However, the third game of the series on Wednesday will be played as per schedule. The Orioles announced today the stadium will be closed Wednesday, but they will play. In other words they will play in an empty Camden Yards.

The game will begin at 2:05 p.m. ET. The team additionally moved a three-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays, which is set to take place May 1-3, at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Orioles will retain the benefits of the home team during that series.

A sad state of affairs for the Orioles, but the curfew in that city and the tense situation that still prevails, with demonstrators, and criminals looting and burning stores caused the unprecedented situation for the American League team. This surely will impact the city of Baltimore economically, as the Orioles are one of the businesses that employ more people in the city during the summer.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the TV Spanish voice for the Angels and the radio Spanish voice for the A’s at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Josh Hamilton to Texas not a surprise

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–I covered Josh Hamilton since he first put the Los Angeles Angels uniform on, and signed a $125 million contract for 5 years. There was no secret Arturo Moreno the Angels owners was more than disappointed by Hamilton’s behavior, that of re-lapsing into the use of recreational drugs. Hamilton is now back with the team he enjoyed his most success, the team which he won an MVP, the team which he played in two World Series. The city of Arlington and the fans he likes.

The Josh Hamilton situation goes further than baseball and hitting or not hitting. In 2014 Hamilton hit all his ten home runs with the Angels and 28 of his total of 44 runs batted in, on the road, not at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. He never was the “real” Josh Hamilton with the Los Angeles Angels.

Hamilton never really enjoyed any affinity with the Angels fans. Angels pitcher C.J Wilson was one of his best friends with the Angels, and said, that “this would not have happened if Josh would have performed with the Angels”. That could be true, but the truth is that Hamilton is an addict, he is now going through a divorce, his home in Newport Beach is on the market for sale for $13 million.

Sometimes baseball is the best therapy for somebody with Josh Hamilton’s off the field problems, but some other times that is not enough and the end could not very very pretty. Hamilton turned himself in, last time he used drugs, that means he is crying for help. A reasonable person would think a man of Hamilton’s economic resources could easily walk into a drug rehabilitation center and try to cure himself.
There is one person that could help Josh Hamilton, and that is Josh Hamilton.

The Oakland Athletics host the Angels starting tonight for a three game series at Oakland. Last week the two western division rivals split the four game series. Now playing left field for the Angels, (the position that Hamilton played)is Matt Joyce, who was acquired by the Angels in the off season from the Tampa Bay Rays.

When the Angels face a left handed pitcher, Mike Scioscia then uses Collin Cowgill. A healthy of ‘mind and soul’ Josh Hamilton is no comparison to those two players. So the Angels will not turn the page and try to concentrate on the field with the team they are going to have the rest of the season.

It was really a fantasy when the Angels signed Hamilton. And that fantasy was a line-up of Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton, three MVP’S batting in the middle of that lineup, but that never materialized and Angels fans could only dream, about those three hot at the plate at the same time.
Good luck Josh Hamilton, I hope your life in the future consist more of peace with yourself,and finding a cure for your addiction, than just hitting home runs and driving runs.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Angels Spanish TV voice and the A’s Radio Spanish voice and does News and Commentary each week on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sportstalk @ Piperade Restaurant podcast in downtown San Francisco Mon April 27, 2015

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Piperade in San Francisco
Piperade in San Francisco

Cast: Michael Duca (host), David Zizmor, Morris Phillips, Jeremy Kahn, Troy Clardy, and Lee Leonard (producer). Sportstalk discusses the Warriors second round bound playoff series. Also their successes from the first round against the New Orleans Pelicans. Also the A’s have not lost one bit of once of confidence after getting swept at home by the Houston Astros as they get set to host the Los Angeles Angels for this week’s series. The Giants are taking a look at the improvement of Hunter Pence and his chances to return after suffering a broken wrist.

Also Sportstalk enjoyed basking in wonderful Basque dinning at Piperade Restaurant at 1015 Battery Street in downtown San Francisco. Michael Duca talks with owner and chef Gerald Hirigoyen also author of such fine Basque cooking cuisine, read his book Pintxos on small plates and Basque tradition and The Basque Kitchen tempting food from the Pyrenees. It’s a great taste of France and Spain and it’s all happening at Piperade Restaurant. Our thanks to Gerald and restaurant manager Stephanie Torres.

Cal Bears football report: Ex-Cal assistant coach Ingram to be arraigned May 15

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by Morris Phillips and Michael Duca

BERKELEY–Former Cal assistant coach Pierre Ingram will be arraigned for solicitation on May 15th in Alameda County Superior Court. The case will be pending a review from prosecutors. The Bears Burl Toler III who is a quality control special teams assistant will be out on the road starting next week handling recruiting duties. The Bears have not made an announcement if Toler or anyone else would replace Ingram.

Ingram was the running backs coach when he first came to Cal from Louisiana Tech with Cal head coach Sonny Dykes. Ingram was arrested for suspicion of solicitation on April 16th as part of a prostitution sting. Both Ingram and Dykes came to Cal in December 2012. Ingram has a wife and two young children.

A spokesman for the university said in a statement regarding Ingram, “Assistant football coach Ingram was placed on paid administrative leave following his recent arrest for solicitation. We are not renewing his contract, and he will no longer represent or act on behalf of this university in any capacity.” said the statement.

Ingram’s attorney Darryl Stallworth said, “Pierre Ingram is deeply sorry for the embarrassing or pain that he’s caused his family, first and foremost and to the university. He has already begun addressing the issues that put him in a place where he would be detained and arrested for solicitation.”

Michael Duca and Morris Phillips cover Cal Bears football for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NFL podcast with Tony Renteria: Carr excited about new playbook and Crabtree; League tosses tough first two games on Raider sked

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by Tony Renteria

The Oakland Raiders are no doubt pretty excited to see wide receiver Michael Crabtree in camp with them and it’s about time he shed his diva attitude and there’s a lot he needs to prove with the Raiders. What he’s really trying to do is trying to be the player that everybody needs around and maybe he could put up some numbers and get a huge contract in his third year.

Crabtree and Raider quarterback Derrek Carr are getting along great and are cohesive and if Crabtree was able to perform up to his level and full potential he could end up being the number one receiver that the Raiders actually need to have on their team. The Raiders have done almost everything that they need to do in this off season.

The Raiders need to land a number one wide receiver and the draft should be able to bring that for them with a recruit like Amari Cooper from Alabama. You never know what Raider General Manager Reggie McKenzie has up his sleeve, let’s see what happens he’s been a very slow tried but true GM full stride.

He has gone down a different path saying, “let’s do this, let’s do that” he had two big openings to fill at quarterback with former Raider quarterbacks Matt Schaub and Matt Flynn who didn’t work out. Other than that McKenzie has put together a great group of young core talent of quality guys who can actually play some football. Last year’s draft he hit a home run with Khalil Mack and starting Carr so there’s so much to look forward to this season.

The Raiders offense are going to a quick no huddle type offense and Carr is thrilled about that because that’s the kind of offense he ran in college. Carr is going to go back to what he knows the best throw the football around the football field and keep an up tempo kind of style. Adding in a couple different positions here and there and going into the season with all these quarterbacks trying out in training camp and doing their reps will help Carr build some kind of chemistry.

Tony Renteria does NFL commentary each week on http://www.sportsradioservice.com listen to the podcast below

Golden State Warriors playoffs podcast with David Zizmor: W’s saving the best for the last with recent comeback wins late

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by David Zizmor

OAKLAND–The win for the Warriors in New Orleans in Thursday’s game three was not just about the Warriors getting into overtime but how the Warriors got there. They did not play a very good game, they started off very fast they had five straight three pointers but from that point on the offense never found it’s gear until later.

The defense was kind of scuffling as the Pelicans were just hitting everything. For most of the first, second, and third quarter the Warriors were just stuck in first gear. In the fourth quarter the defense came around and the offense followed it. Despite having a 20 point deficit to make up that’s what they did.

The Pelicans played really hard they had a good game but they played really hard and they put in an effort into those first three quarters and when the Warriors made that big comeback it was just kind of demoralizing for New Orleans. The Pelicans played a really, really strong game three their defense was good, their offense was on target all night long.

Despite playing such a solid game the Warriors still had the wherewithal to come back, that’s what really killed the Pelicans. You play a great game and you still can’t destroy the Warriors and on your home floor mind you. This where the Pelicans have seen this time and again this year. The Warriors have come back from big deficits more than any other team in the NBA.

The Warriors have such great shooters and they have a strong defense and they get those things working in tandem they can score in bunches and they can gain ground really quickly. The W’s were down 17 with about six minutes to go in that game, forget about being down by 20 in the fourth. They were down 17 with six to go and they still managed to tie it up in regulation.

The Warriors took over the game in overtime and won it 122-118 for the fourth largest comeback in NBA history. The Pelicans made a valiant effort their a good team they have Anthony Davis whose going to be a superstar in this league he’s already a superstar in the NBA and he’ll probably be an MVP at some point in the next five years.

David Zizmor is doing Warriors commentary throughout Golden State’s playoff participation listen to Dave’s podcast below:

Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Joe Lami: Liking the Habs chances and plot thickens Tampa and Wings tied up

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by Joe Lami

Montreal 3 vs. Ottawa 1: Its going to be tough for Ottawa to come back the Senators got a little bit lucky on Wednesday night where they got the 1-0 win. Ottawa goalie Craig Anderson whose been righting the ship all year helped get the shutout over the Habs. You can bet that on Friday night the Habs go back to the Bell Centre their not going to get shut out again.

It’s too hard of a building to play in and with 22,000 cheering for the Habs this ones going past five games Montreal should get the win on Friday night.

Tampa Bay 2 vs. Detroit 2: Thursday night’s game had Tampa Bay winning 3-2 coming back after the Red Wings had a 2-0 lead going into the third period. The Lighting stormed back and was able to tie the game and then get the game winner in overtime with the great play of Tyler Johnson. He’s going to be the difference maker with four goals already in the series.

The Red Wings have to worry if they can come back after a monsterous collapse in the third period. The Wings were getting ready to go up 3-1 all of sudden the series is tied going back to Tampa.

NY Rangers 3 Pittsburgh 1: The Rangers with the lead in this series is par for the course it’s a matter of time as the Rangers should be facing off against the Habs in the Eastern Conference the way it works out this year. With the bracket the Rangers up 3-1 its not expected that there should be any more trouble the rest of the way.

The Penguins have had a little bit of trouble and that was kind of expected with the injury to Kenny Malkin he hasn’t been 100 percent when he has played. The Rangers have one of the best defensive teams and one of the best goalies in Henrik Lundvquist getting ready to try to close the series on the Pens on Friday night.

Washington 3 vs. NY Islanders 2: The Caps absolutely destroyed the Islanders 5-1 on Thursday night getting a huge win at MCI Center in DC to take a 3-2 series lead. Now this series is headed back to the old barn in Uniondale New York and can the old barn do the magic for the Islanders. It was such a huge loss for the Islanders as the Caps offense of Evegeni Kuznetsov and Karl Alzner scored the first two big goals of the game.

The Caps just lit up the Islanders, the Islanders got on the board at 5:48 in the first period for the first goal of the game scored by the Isles scored by Josh Baily. Five unanswered goals were later scored by the Caps. The Caps have all of the momentum trying to finish this series out later this weekend.

Calgary 3 Vancouver 2: The Flames want to seal the deal with just one more game to try and do it after the Canucks held onto to win game five on Thursday night 2-1. The Canucks Daniel Sedan scored his second goal of the playoffs for the gamer at 1:47 of the third period to get the Canucks within one game of tying up this series.

The Flames would be better off if they can get a chance to finish off the Canucks. This series has been really physical you really got to respect how these two teams have been playing as rivals. The fact is the Flames Michael Ferland can keep it up with his physical play. You just have to worry now that this series is going deep and it’s headed for game six.

Anaheim 4 vs. Winnipeg 0: The Ducks swept this series but by no circumstances did the Ducks dominate the Jets. The Ducks looked more dominate in game four than anything else The Ducks in this series was a great third period team in the regular season and that really showed in the playoffs that they were able to come back three different times trailing in the third period.

The Ducks Ryan Kessler had a great game four scoring two of the three goals for Anaheim. I predicted the Ducks to get past the Jets with no problem the Ducks are too good of a team. But it would have been great for the Jets to at least celebrate one home win. My prediction at the beginning of the playoffs that it would be Anaheim in five.

Chicago 3 Nashville 2: The Predators won game five in fashion with a three goal win 5-2 over the Chicago Blackhawks. To begin with this was not a surprise this was going to be a very good series. We knew this going into Chicago and the Preds played a better game when it mattered. This series has seen two overtimes both of which the Hawks already won.

Two nights ago in game four your looking at a game that went into triple overtime before the Hawks Brent Seabrook was able to find the slapper from the point and shot past Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne this game finished at 1:00 AM Chicago time. The fact is game four was a draining game. This series going in was expected to be one of the best with the Preds having an outstanding season.

St.Louis 2 vs. Minnesota 2: The Blues absolutely dominated the Wild on Wednesday night in game four 6-1. The Blues had won the second game at St.Louis 4-1 to tie it up at 1-1 at Scotttrade Center. These two teams match up again on Friday night and it’s going to be a very important game because the Blues can get the win.

The Wild can come back from that 6-1 loss and win on opposing ice and be extremely impressive on Friday in St.Louis.

Joe Lami will be reviewing the Stanley Cup Playoffs each week listen to his podcast below right here on http://www.sportsradioservice.com