Author: Charlie O. Mallonee

I have been a sports reporter/broadcaster since 1976 which means ... I'm old and I love sports. I have done play-by-play for minor league baseball - including the infamous "Bad News Bees" - San Jose State football and football and high school sports in the Bay Area and on the Monterey Peninsula. I had the great privilege to host a weekly sports talk show on KNRY Radio Monterey/Salinas with my producer the late,great Gary Araki. I also hosted and produced "the Sports Fanatics" talk show on KSAC Radio in Sacramento. For the last 10 years, I have been a beat reporter covering the Oakland Athletics for Sports Radio Service. Three years ago, I became the senior reporter for our Sacramento Kings coverage. My goal is to bring you the news, views, fun and excitement of every event I am assigned to report on for Sports Radio Service.

A’s 9th-inning comeback ends up one run short; Nats win series final 11-10

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

MLB: Washington Nationals at Oakland Athletics
Sonny Gray did not earn his third win of the year on Sunday versus the Nationals Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports

“That’s American League baseball. A lead is never safe because they’re used to coming back and having big innings because the offensive clubs hit the ball out of the ballpark. We didn’t walk guys to get to that situation, they hit us,” opined Nationals manager Dusty Baker after the game.

I have the greatest of respect for Dusty Baker who I have covered as a manager since he was the skipper of the San Francisco Giants, but I have to disagree with him on his analysis of the game in Oakland on Sunday.

What the Nationals saw as they escaped with an 11-10 win in the third and final game of this interleague series match up was not American League baseball, it was Oakland Athletics’ baseball at home on Rickey Henderson Field. This 2017 A’s team loves to play at home in Oakland. At home they are tenacious, fierce and tough to beat which is why they are 16-12 in Oakland (on the road they are a different team, 8-20).

The second thing that Dusty Baker saw was a Nationals team that is now 35-20 on the season that had an 11-4 lead going into the bottom of the ninth inning against the last place team in the American League West lose its focus as they were looking ahead to a series with the Dodgers that begins in L.A. on Monday. Not to take anything away from the A’s, but that comeback should have never happened.

This was really a tale of two different games:

The Pitching Duel

Both starting pitchers were strong in this game. Which may surprise you when you look at the score.

Sonny Gray worked seven strong innings. He finished giving up three runs (all earned) on four hits. He walked three while striking out six National hitters. Gray threw 103 pitches (63 strikes). Sonny Gray wound up with a no-decision despite the fact that he pitched well enough to get a win.

MLB: Washington Nationals at Oakland Athletics
Tanner Roark recorded his sixth win of the year against the A’s on Sunday Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports

Washington starter Tanner Roark looked like he might wind up with a “CG” (complete game) with the way he was pitching. Roark was strong through seven innings but ran into trouble in the eighth. He finished going 7.2 innings giving up 4 runs (all earned) on five hits. He walked just one and struck out four A’s. Roark also pitched well enough to win but his bullpen really let him down, but he still wound up with his sixth win of the season.

Sonny Gray left the game with score tied 3-3 after seven complete innings.

Tanner Roark exited the game with two out in the bottom of the eighth with a 6-4 lead.

The relief pitching was a little scary

The A’s brought in Ryan Madson for the top of the eighth inning. Madson gave up three runs on just two hits including a three-run home run to Ryan Zimmerman (16). After the Zimmerman round-tripper, Madson induced Daniel Murphy to ground out. He was then replaced by Frankie Montas who caused Anthony Rendon to pop out to end the inning. Madson would take the loss in the game.

The 100+ mph throwing Montas came back for the ninth inning and got shelled by the Nats. Montas gave up five runs (all earned) on five hits including back-to-back home runs to Matt Wieters and Michael Taylor. Josh Smith had to be brought in to close out the ninth for Montas.

MLB: Washington Nationals at Oakland Athletics
Shawn Kelley picked up his fourth save of 2017 on Sunday in the win over the A’s Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports

Koda Glover who was able to get Tanner Roark out of a jam in the bottom of the eighth inning returned in the bottom of the ninth. Glover gave up five runs (all earned) on four hits. Shawn Kelley was brought to replace Glover and he gave up a grand slam home run to Matt Joyce while also earning his fourth save of the season.

Yes, it was a weird game.

Stars on offense

Both teams had stars on offense. The A’s scored 10 runs on 10 hits while leaving two runners on base. The Nationals scored 11 runs on 11 hits leaving four runners on base. There were a total of five home runs hit in the game. There were also three doubles and one triple hit in the contest.

The Nationals were led on offense by designated hitter Ryan Zimmerman who went 3-for-5 on Sunday with three RBI and scoring two runs to go with his 16th home run of the season.

Washington shortstop Trea Turner had a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored and two RBI. Turner hit his third triple of the year off Sonny Gray.

MLB: Washington Nationals at Oakland Athletics
Nationals catcher Matt Wieters hit a home run on Sunday Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports

Catcher Matt Wieters went 2-for-3 scoring two runs and posting two RBI. Wieters hit his fifth homer of the year off Montas in the ninth inning.

The Nats number nine hitter – Michael Taylor – had a day every number nine batter would like to have any day. Taylor recorded a 2-for-4 day with two runs scored and one RBI. Taylor also hit his sixth home run of the season off Montas in the ninth inning of the game.

MLB: Washington Nationals at Oakland Athletics
Khris Davis hit his 17th home run of the season on Sunday Photo Neville E Guard USA Today Sports

The Athletics Khris Davis had a day he would have liked to have had on Saturday – his bobblehead day. Davis went 3-for-4 scoring three runs with two RBI that included his 17th home run of the year and his sixth double.

Outfielder Matt Joyce posted four RBI and scored two runs while going 2-for-4 against the Nationals on Sunday. Joyce hit his seventh home run of the season in the A’s six-run ninth inning.

Up next

The A’s have three more games at home this week with the Toronto Blue Jays. The series begins on Monday night. The Blue Jays will send J.A. Happ to the hill in the first game of the series. He is 0-3 on the year with 4.50 ERA. The A’s will counter with lefty Sean Manaea who is 4-3 with a 3.91 ERA. The first pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.

Sacramento Kings Podcast May 31, 2017: Reporter Jerry Tipton analyzes point guard De’Aaron Fox

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fox detail

Charlie O talks with Jerry Tipton – sports reporter for Kentucky.com and the Lexington Herald-Leader – about Kentucky Wildcats top rated point guard De’Aaron Fox. Fox has been projected as a possible pick for the Kings with their number five selection in the NBA Draft.

Jerry and Charlie O discuss:

  • Fox’s character

  • His ability to play under adverse conditions

  • Fox’s rebounding ability

  • Is Fox a pass first or score first guard

  • What pro player is he most like

  • Should the Lakers take Fox over Lonzo Ball

You will gain some great insight from a reporter who followed Fox all season long.

 

 

Holliday’s homer crushes Cotton’s no-no bid on Saturday; Bombers beat A’s 3-2

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

MLB: Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
Matt Holliday’s home run ruined Jharel Cotton’s day Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports

The Oakland Athletics reached out to their Triple-A affiliate for a starting pitcher to face the New York Yankees on Saturday. Jharel Cotton – who was sent down to Nashville after starting seven games (3-4) for the A’s – was back in a big league uniform for game two of the three game series in New York.

The Athletics M.A.S.H. unit is back in action as injuries are taking their toll on the major league roster. Kendall Graveman was unable to make his scheduled start on Friday night due to shoulder soreness. The projection is that he will be going to the disabled list.

Pitcher Jesse Hahn was moved to the 10-day disabled list after a triceps injury that occurred during his start last Tuesday. A MRI has ruled out any physical damage, but the team wants Hahn to rest his arm because he has dealt with this problem before in his career. The Hahn move made room for Cotton on the 25-man roster.

Cotton got off to a shaky start

Cotton issued a one-out walk to Gary Sanchez in the bottom of the first inning. He then hit Matt Holliday with a pitch. With Starlin Castro at bat, Cotton threw a wild pitch that allowed Sanchez to go to third and Holliday to second base. Castro hit a sacrifice fly to right field on the 2-1 pitch that brought Sanchez home and moved Holliday up to third.

Cotton induced Aaron Judge to fly out to center field for the third out of the inning, but the Yankees held a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.

Cotton put the first inning behind him and took control

MLB: Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
Lowrie puts the tag on Gardner for the out Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports

Cotton set the side down in order in the second inning. In the third inning, the right-hander walked Brett Gardner. With Gary Sanchez batting, Gardner attempted to steal second, A’ catcher Josh Phegley delivered a nice throw on the first base side to Jed Lowrie who put the tag down on headfirst sliding Gardner’s backside six inches before his hand could touch second base. Sanchez went down on strikes to end the inning.

Cotton set the Yankees down 1-2-3 in the fourth and fifth innings.

The sixth inning was no “Holliday” for Cotton

After getting the first two batters to fly out, Cotton walked Gary Sanchez. That brought former Oakland Athletic Matt Holliday to the plate. Holliday hit the 1-0 pitch over the left center field wall for a “no doubt about it” two-run home run to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead.

Cotton remained in the game to face Starlin Castro. Castro hit a single and that was all for Cotton. Frankie Montas came in and struck out Aaron Judge to end the inning.

Cotton worked 5.2 innings giving up three runs (all earned) on just two hits. He struck out five Yankees and walked three. Cotton threw 107 pitches (61 strikes). He was charged with the loss, so his record drops to 3-5 for the season.

Oakland kept the game close

 

MLB: Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
Healy drives in Khris Davis with the first of his two doubles Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports

Khris Davis worked Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia for a two-out walk in the top of the sixth inning. Ryan Healy then hit his 10th double of the season on an 0-2 count to left field that brought Davis home for A’s first run of the game. Healy moved to third on the throw home but was left stranded there when the inning ended.

In the top of the seventh inning, Josh Phegley made it a one-run game after he hit his second home run of the year over the left center field wall. Adam Rosales followed Phegley and hit a double to center field. That chased Sabathia from the game. Adam Warren took over on the mound. Rosales was left stranded at third when the inning was over.

Oakland threatens in the eighth frame

With Tyler Clippard on the hill, Khris Davis worked the pitcher for another walk. Ryan Healy then followed by hitting hit 11th double of the campaign to left field, but this time Davis had to hold up at third base.

That sent Clippard to the showers and New York brought in the 6-foot-8 right hander – Dellin Betances. Betances struck out Trevor Plouffe and Chad Pinder to end the inning with the potential tying and go ahead runs left on base.

Not that guy again

Betances came back out the top of the ninth for the Yankees and set the A’s down in order to end the game and earn his fifth save of the year. Betances’ ERA now stands at 0.52. He worked 1.2-innings and threw 24 pitches (14 strikes). He allowed no runs, no hits, no walks and struck out three Oakland hitters.

Sabathia was amazing as well

MLB: Oakland Athletics at New York Yankees
C.C. Sabathia struck out nine on his way to the win Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports

Vallejo’s favorite son is still looking very strong on the mound. He worked 6.1-innings on Saturday giving up two runs (earned) on six hits (one HR). He walked three. Sabathia struck nine Oakland A’s. Not long ago some were talking about Sabathia as being a “has been” as a major league pitcher.

Don’t call a low strike on Jed Lowrie

Jed Lowrie led off the top of the eighth inning for the A’s. He worked the count to 2-2 versus Tyler Clippard. Clippard’s 2-2 pitch was a fastball that dropped low in the zone and home plate umpire Will Little called it strike three.

Lowrie began to immediately give Little his opinion of the call in language I do not think he learned to speak at Stanford. Little tossed Lowrie looking at him and explaining you called me a name. Really? You called me a name. Now, if you call my mother a name – then it’s on but you called me a name?

But seriously, Major League Baseball has to establish a strike zone that is consistent and realistic. It must also be hitter friendly. The majority of fans come to the park to see home runs … not strike outs.

Rubber game of the match on Sunday

Both teams have the opportunity to win the series on Sunday. The Athletics will send RHP Andrew Triggs (5-3, 2.77) to the hill Sunday. Triggs has been the man the A’s have been able to depend on this season. What he needs from his team is run support.

The Yankees will counter with RHP Michael Pineda (5-2, 3.35). Pineda has gone at least six innings in each of his last four starts.

The first pitch is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. PDT on Sunday.

 

 

UNBELIEVABLE! Kings will pick at 5 & 10 but it could have been at number 3 & 10

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

Right at the top of this story – let me say that it is time for the NBA Lottery to go away. Yes, it creates some interesting discussions during the playoffs for the fans of non-playoff teams, but the purpose of the inverse draft is to allow the worst teams in your league to obtain top talent to become competitive again. 

The National Basketball Association is a worldwide marketing behemoth that is spreading its brand across the globe at a lighting pace. The NBA no longer needs gimmicks like the Draft Lottery when they have Steph Curry, James Harden, LeBron, Russell Westbrook and the 3-point shot to captivate fans for 48 minutes per game. The game itself is enough to market to the fans. No gimmicks are needed at this time.

The Kings got lucky and then got ******!

sixers logo

The problem with the whole scenario is the Kings did this to themselves. The Kings made a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers to trade number one picks if the Kings selection was a better pick than the Sixers pick in 2017 as a part of a salary dump trade in 2015. That trade also cost Sacramento their 2014 first-round pick shooting guard Nik Stauskas. And if that is not enough, the Sixers get the Kings first-pick unprotected in 2019 now that Chicago can no longer receive a first-round selection from Sacramento.

reich

Confused? Nate Silverman and former Secretary of Labor Dr. Robert Reich will be holding a seminar at UC-Berkeley on Wednesday to sort the situation out for “die-hard NBA fans” (that’s not true).

The Kings came into the lottery with the eighth worst record in the NBA. Sacramento has never been particularly lucky when it comes to the ping-pong balls on Lottery Night. On Tuesday night, the Kings jumped from number eight to number three. For a brief moment, Sacramento became the luckiest team in the lottery. Then the Philadelphia 76ers raised their hand and said we’ll take that pick.

The Kings immediately fell back to number five in lottery order. They still made a major move from number eight to number five, but the fact is that for “one shining moment” Sacramento was number three in the order.

bar fight

There were many loud and demonstrative discussions going on over beer and shots in sports bars all over the Sacramento area on Tuesday night about what had just happened to their beloved Kings.

The Kings will also pick at number 10 thanks to DMC and the Pelicans

The Kings will have two lottery selections because of the DeMarcus Cousins trade to New Orleans. That pick was protected if it had been an one to three pick. It held at its pre-lottery spot of number 10. In this talented laden 2017 draft, the Kings are sure to have the opportunity to draft a high quality prospect with that selection.

Will that player be another DeMarcus Cousins? Probably not. Will he be a highly talented player that Kings can build around to become a playoff contender? The answer is probably yes.

Who will be available at number five?

isaac

Tankathon.com (my new personal favorite site for many reasons) has the Kings taking small forward Jonathan Isaac out of Florida State at number five. He is 6-11 and would have just turned 20 years old as the season starts. He averaged 12.0 points per game along with 7.8 rebounds and 1.5 blocked shots per game. If Rudy Gay does opt out of his contract, the Kings will need a small forward.

DeAaron-Fox-2

Draft Express says the Kings will wind up with Kentucky’s fine point guard De’Aaron Fox with the number five selection. Finding a young point guard who can be with the club for the long-haul has been a goal the Kings have been trying to fulfill for some time. Fox scores 16.7 ppg, 4.6 assists per game to go with 4.0 rebounds per game. Sacramento loves Kentucky Wildcats players (see Willie Cauley-Stein and Skal Labissiere).

tatum

NBAdraft.net has the Kings taking Duke small forward Jayson Tatum at number five. Tatum is a 6-8 SF that is seen a good wing prospect. Again if Rudy Gay is opting out, the Kings need to replace that talent on the floor. Tatum is a good mid-range scorer who can score from multiple spots on the floor. He is also known as a good defender. By the way, he is also a Duke guy. If Coach K liked him, that is a pretty high recommendation.

And who will be there when the number 10 pick is on the board?

CS Bakersfield Arizona Basketball

Tankathon.com projects the Kings taking Arizona big man Lauri Markkanen with the number 10 selection they picked up from the Pelicans. He will be 20 years old by the beginning of the season. He is a seven-footer who weighs 225 pounds. Markkanen averaged 15.6 ppg with 7.2 rpg and shot 42.3-percent from beyond the 3-point line. Can you say “stretch four”?

collins

Draft Express says that the Kings will bring the “Zags” Zach Collins to Sacramento with the number 10 pick. The 7-0 foot power forward/center averages 10 points per game to go with 5.9 rebounds per game. Drafting Collins could mean that Koufos could be on the move.

Ntililinilna

NBAdraft.net has Sacramento going with point guard with the number 10 selection. They see the Kings taking international sensation Frank Ntilikina tenth. This kid is the darling of the Euroleague. He is 6-5 with a seven foot wing span! He is a true point guard with a pass first mentality. The drawback is that he is young – just 18 years old. He is a project. Ntilikina needs to learn how to play at the next level, but everyone says he has a very high basketball IQ. The reality is – he is not NBA ready yet. Well, neither was Skal Labissiere. Some time in Reno took care of that problem.

It’s now a war room problem

Between now and June 22, 2017 there will be multiple scenarios that will be run through the war room in Sacramento about who should be drafted by the Kings. Players will be brought in for tryouts and teams will be calling about possible trades for the draft slots that Kings have available.

What happens in the next 30 days may be the most important decisions that have been made in the history of this franchise in the last 20 years. What decisions are made will most certainly set the direction of the franchise for the next five to seven years. This is high drama if you are a fan of the Sacramento Kings.

 

A’s win in a walk off beating the Tigers 6-5

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

Here’s the 2:20 Wrap from the Coliseum on the A’s big win

A’s manager Bob Melvin was very happy to talk about the win after the game

Here are some Adam Rosales moments from the game

 

Athletics end three losing streaks with 2-1 win over Astros on Saturday night

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

Astros alternative logoA's primary logo

The Oakland Athletics ended a five-game losing streak on Saturday night in Houston with a 2-1 win over the Astros. The victory also ended a 10-game winning streak by the Astros over the A’s that carried over from the 2016 season. Houston was 3-0 this season versus Oakland until Saturday night.

It’s not often that a team can end three losing streaks with one win.

This game was all about the pitching

Athletics

astros triggs
Andrew Triggs won his fourth game of the season in Houston on Saturday night
  • RHP Andrew Triggs returned to his winning ways as he posted his fourth victory of the season by scattering five hits over seven scoreless innings. Triggs walked none while he struck out nine Houston batters. Triggs’ ERA dropped to 1.84. His record is now 4-1 for the season. He is tied with Dallas Keuchel and Ervin Santana for the most wins in the American League.
  • Ryan Dull (0.1-innings) and Sean Doolittle (0.2-innings) combined to handle the eighth inning. Doolittle allowed the Astros to score their only run of the game when Jose Altuve hit a solo home run (3) over the left center field wall with two out and no runners on base.
  • Santiago Casilla recorded his fourth save of the year by closing out the game. He gave up an infield single to Carlos Beltran who led off the ninth inning but was able keep the Astros from scoring and closed the game preserving the win for Oakland.

Astros

astros joe mosgrove
Joe Musgrove pitched well but took the loss for the Astros
  • Joe Musgrove (1-2) took the loss for Houston. Musgrove spread five hits over 6.1-innings while he struck out six batters and walked just one. His one major error came in the fourth inning with one out when Jed Lowrie hit his second home run of the season to right center field with no one on base.
  • Tony Sipp and Michael Feliz came in to close out the seventh inning for the Astros.
  • Will Harris came out of the bullpen for Houston in the eighth frame. Harris retired the first two Oakland hitters but then he had to pitch to Khris Davis. Davis took a Harris pitch deep to right center field for his 10th home run of year. That would turn out to be the game winning hit and run.
  • Brad Peacock worked the top of the ninth for the Astros. He had to face five A’s hitters to retire the side but he did so without allowing another run.

All the scoring came via the long ball

Oakland

astros davis hr 2
Davis is tied for the lead in home runs in the American League
  • Khris Davis hit his 10th home run of the season which scored the A’s second and winning run. With 10 home runs, Davis is tied with the Yankees Aaron Judge for the lead in that category in the American League. It was his 17th RBI which ties his him for ninth in that stat. It’s also the second time this season he has gone yard in back-to-back games. The other time was against the Astros in Oakland on April 14 and 15.
  • Jed Lowrie hit his second home run of the season and upped his RBI total to five. He was the only Athletic to have a multi-hit game going 2-for-4.
  • The A’s collected a total of eight hits. Others in the hit parade were: Healy, Alonso, Vogt, Phegley and Pinder.
  • The A’s were 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position. They left eight men on base.

Houston

astros altuve hr

  • Jose Altuve put up his third home run of the year in the game and it gave him his eighth RBI of the season. He was the only Astro with a multi-hit game going 2-for-3.
  • Others posting hits were: Reddick, Beltran, Gurriel, Gattis and Bregman for a total of seven.
  • Houston was 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.

Key stat for the A’s

The Athletics committed no errors in the game. This is a very important stat to a team that is dead last in fielding percentage in the American League.

Up next

The A’s and Astros will close out their three-game series on Sunday morning 11:10 am PDT from Houston. RHP Jesse Hahn (1-1, 2.08) will take the hill for the Athletics. The Astros will send the undefeated Dallas Keuchel (4-0, 1.22) to the mound to the face the A’s in the “rubber game” of the series.

Sacramento Kings make major additions to the front office staff

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

change_sign

The Sacramento Kings basketball operations division has been under fire during the entire transition to the new ownership group headed by Vivek Ranadive. When the initial front office staff was dismissed and turned over to a staff headed by former Kings star Vlade Divac, the concern was the executive group lacked experience.

As the Divac era progressed, the lack of experience criticism continued to grow with transactions like the one with Philadelphia that could cost the Kings valuable position in the upcoming draft lottery. There have also been rumors that the minority owners group have been pressuring Ranadive to increase the size of the basketball operations staff and reshape it into a more traditional NBA style structure.

The two new additions to the basketball operations staff show that someone in the ownership group is listening.

Kings add Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations

scott perry
Scott Perry is now executive vice president of basketball operations for the Sacramento Kings. Photo NBAE

The Kings have hired Scott Perry as executive vice president of basketball operations. Perry has been in “the association” in various positions since 2000.

Perry has spent the previous five seasons as the executive vice president of basketball operations for the Orlando Magic. He served in the same capacity for the Detroit Pistons when they won the NBA Championship in 2004. Perry  was assistant general manager in Seattle when the Supersonics drafted Kevin Durant.

Perry also has considerable experience at the collegiate level. He was the head basketball coach at Eastern Kentucky from 1997-2000. Perry spent time as an assistant coach at the University of Michigan, UC Berkeley and Detroit Mercy.

“I am thrilled that Scott will be joining our front office team,” said Divac. “His extensive experience in the league and management talents will help build our progress as we work to develop a winning franchise.”

Perry will report directly to Divac and will assist in all areas of the day-to-day basketball operations.

It’s a numbers game

Luke Bornn
Luke Bornn Sacramento Kings new VP of Strategy and Analytics

The days of “going with your gut” to select talent from the draft for you NBA team are over. Yes, it worked for Hall of Fame coaches like Auerbach, Sharman and even Don Nelson. Those great coaches had to go by the “gut” and the most basic of stats because that was all that they had available to them.

Today it is a brand new world. Analytics have changed the way players are analyzed and the number of areas that are looked at have increased in exponential proportions. Is there still a place for the intangible, intuitive decisions? Yes, they can play a part in making the final decisions but the most important selections will be made based on hard, cold statistics.

To compete in this “brave new world”, the Kings have hired Luke Bornn – PhD and Harvard professor to Spearhead Team’s analytical efforts – as vice president of strategy and analytics.

Bornn will report directly to Vlade Divac – vice president and general manger of basketball operations. His job will be to provide the data to the operations staff to help make informed decisions about roster makeup, player evaluations and overall team strategies. The data will be gathered in multiple ways including wearable technology.

Bornn will not be the only hire for the analytics staff. The Kings will be adding additional personnel to the department over the next few weeks. Sacramento has two big immediate decisions to make about who to draft with their two lottery draft picks in the June NBA Draft.

Bornn most recently worked as head of analytics for A.S. Roma of the Italian Serie A Football League. Prior to that, he was a visiting scholar and professor at Harvard University in the Department of Statistics.

 

 

 

Athletics win fifth game in a row downing the Mariners 4-3

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

MLB: Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics
A’s starter Jharel Cotton labored but picked up the win on Saturday Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

The Oakland Athletics now have the longest winning streak in the American League with five consecutive wins. They have also taken the first three games of the four-game series with the Seattle Mariners by recording 4-3 win on Saturday in Oakland.

The A’s fell behind quickly in the game when Robinson Cano hit his third home run of the season off of A’s starter Jharel Cotton with two outs and the bases empty in the top of the first inning. It looked like Seattle was ready to put up a fight in game three of the series.

The Athletics did not allow the M’s to hold the lead for long as Adam Rosales did his best Ricky Henderson imitation by hitting a leadoff home run over the center field wall to tie the game at 1-1 off Seattle starter Ariel Miranda.

The A’s were not done scoring in the bottom of the first. After Jed Lowrie singled, Ryan Healy took Miranda deep for two-run homer (3) over the left field wall. Oakland staked their starter Cotton to a 3-1 lead after the first inning.

Both teams scored again in the third inning of the contest. The Mariners added a run when Nelson Cruz hit a sacrifice fly that allowed Mitch Haniger to score. The A’s posted a run when Ryan Healy doubled to left driving Jed Lowrie home from third base. After four innings, Oakland held a 4-2 lead.

The Mariners gave the A’s a scare in the top of the eighth inning. Cano led off with a single. After a pitching change, Nelson Cruz drew a walk off of Oakland reliever Liam Hendriks. Taylor Motter grounded into a double play but Cano moved up to third on the play. Kyle Seager was brought in as a pinch-hitter and hit a towering fly ball to center field that grazed the wall and fell in for a triple. Cano came home from third to score the third and final run for the M’s.

MLB: Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics
Ryan Madson picked up the save for the A’s on Saturday Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

The Athletics tapped Ryan Madson to come out of the bullpen to closeout the eighth inning which he did by getting Guillermo Heredia to ground out four to three.

Madson returned in the top of the ninth to close the came game out for Oakland and preserve the 4-3 win.

On the hill

Athletics

  • Starter Jharel Cotton (2-2, 4.76) picked up the win going 6.0-innings giving up two runs (both earned) on six hits. Cotton struck out two and walked two. He still had a tough day. After the game, A’s manager Bob Melvin said that Cotton was not able to get into his regular rhythm. Melvin said it was a growth opportunity for Cotton who pushed through the difficulties.
  • Ryan Madson earned his first save of the season going 1.1-innings allowing just no runs on one hit. He struck out three and walked none.
  • Daniel Coulombe and Liam Hendriks also appeared in relief for Oakland.

Seattle

  • Ariel Miranda started the game for M’s and took the loss. His record is now 1-2 on the season. Miranda went just 3.0-innings giving up four runs (all earned) on seven hits. He struck out three and walked none, but Miranda gave up two home runs.
  • Chase De Jong worked four innings of relief allowing no runs on just one hit. He struck out two and walked two.
  • Edwin Diaz closed out the game for the M’s tossing one inning of scoreless baseball

In the Batter’s Box

A’s

MLB: Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics
Ryan Healy hits a two-run home run Photo Credit: Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports
  • Ryan Healy was the man with the bat for the Athletics on Saturday. He went 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored. Healy hit his third home run, his fifth double and upped his RBI total to nine.
  • Jed Lowrie also had a big day for the A’s. He went 3-for-4 at the plate and scored two runs on Saturday.
  • Adam Rosales hit his second home run of the young season.

M’s

  • Robinson Cano led the offense for Seattle with a 3-for-4 day at the plate scoring two of the M’s three runs.
  • Jarrod Dyson had a two for five day in the batter’s box. Dyson had one stolen base and one caught stealing.

Looking ahead to Sunday

Seattle (7-12) and Oakland (10-8) will meet in the fourth and final game of the four-game series on Sunday at 1:05 PM. RHP Yovani Gallardo (0-2, 6.19) will take the hill for the Mariners. The man who has become the “Ace of the Staff” – Andrew Triggs – will start for the Athletics. Triggs is 3-0 with an 0.00 ERA in 17.2 innings for the A’s this year.

Astros vs Athletics Sunday finale postponed due to rain – looking ahead to the Rangers

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

By Charlie O. Mallonee

rainout

OAKLAND–The third and final game of the series between the Houston Astros and the Oakland Athletics that was scheduled to begin at 1:05 pm on Sunday has been postponed due inclement weather. A quick check of the records appear to make this the first postponement in Oakland since April 4, 2014 when a Mariners – A’s game had to be canceled due to a wet infield. The tarp was not put on the infield the night before and a rainstorm drenched the field.

In some ways, this may be a relief for the Athletics. The Astros mastery of the A’s continued on Saturday as they overcame a strong pitching performance by Sean Manaea that included 5-plus no-hit innings to comeback and win the game 10-6.

Houston is now 2-0 versus the Athletics in 2017 and have won nine consecutive games  from the A’s dating back to last season.

The make up date has not been announced. The Astros next visit to Oakland is June 19-22 for a four-game series. It is highly unlikely that it would be turned into a five-game series due to pitching rotations. That would make the three-game series scheduled for September 8-10 the best candidate for a day-night doubleheader. Oakland has an off day on September 7 and a travel day on the 11th.

The A’s and Astros in the standings

A's elephant logoAstros primary logo

 

 

 

 

The Athletics started the day in third place in the American League West with a record of 5-7. They are three games back of the Astros. Oakland is 4-6 in their last 10 games and have lost three games in a row.

The Astros currently lead the AL West with eight wins and four losses. That is the best record in the American League. Houston is 6-4 in their last 10 games and have won four consecutive games.

Up next

The Athletics are scheduled to begin a three-game series with the Texas Rangers on Monday night in Oakland. The A’s are 1-2 versus the Rangers so far this season.

A’s manager Bob Melvin has announced that the plan is to push the pitching rotation back a game so the probables will be as follows:

Mon 4/17 vs TEX   RHP Jharel Cotton (1-1, 3.97) vs. RHP A.J. Griffin (1-0, 6.75) 7:05

Tue 4/18 vs TEX    RHP Andrew Triggs (2-0, 0.00) vs. RHP Yu Darvish (1-1, 2.33) 7:05

Wed 4/19 vs TEX RHP Jesse Hahn (0-1, 3.75) vs. LHP Martin Perez (1-1, 2.20) 12:35

Roster moves for the Athletics

pinder
Chad Pinder

Shortstop Marcus Semien has been placed on the 10-day disabled list retroactive to Saturday due to a right wrist contusion. Semien is scheduled to have more testing on the wrist performed on Monday.

Infielder Chad Pinder has been recalled by the A’s from Triple-A Nashville to take Semien’s place on the roster.

Pinder was batting .324 for the Sounds with one RBI in nine games. He had played six games at second base and three games at shortstop for Nashville. Pinder made his Major League debut with the A’s last season batting .235 with four RBI in 22 games.

Manaea dazzles then fizzles as Astros beat Athletics 10-6 on Saturday 

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Here’s your 2:20 Game Wrap

  • Manaea is the first A’s starting pitcher to allow no hits without pitching a complete game since Chris Codiroli was removed after 5.1 innings versus the White Sox on June 27, 1986
  • The A’s have lost their last nine games versus the Astros which carries back to last season
  • Khris Davis’ home run was his sixth of the season and second in this series
  • The A’s allowed five stolen bases in the game on Saturday
  • At 8-4, this is the Astros best 12-game start since 2006

Bob Melvin was not happy about the results of the game for his Athletics

April 15th is Jackie Robinson Day – we salute you Mr. Robinson

MLB: Houston Astros at Oakland Athletics
All major league players wore #42 on Saturday in honor of Jackie Robinson Photo: Andrew Villa USA Today Sports

Same two teams on Sunday

The Astros and Athletics will close out this three-game series on Sunday with 1:05 PM game. RHP Charlie Morton (0-1, 4.09) will go for Houston while RHP Jharel Cotton (1-1, 3.97) will take the hill for Oakland.