Cardinal stun No. 21 Buffaloes in Pac-12 hoops 72-64

gostanford.com photo: The Stanford Cardinal’s Bryce Willis whoops it up with his teammates as the Cardinal defeat the Colorado Buffaloes at Maples Pavilion on Sunday

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, March 1, 2020

Stanford took a large step toward solidifying its chances of reaching the NCAA tournament with a 72-64 men’s basketball victory over No. 21 Colorado Sunday at Maples Pavilion.

It was the fourth consecutive win for the Cardinal (20-9 overall, 10-7 Pac-12), and Colorado’s first three-game losing streak of the season.

Bryce Wills led the Cardinal with 19 points on 9-of-13 field goal shooting. Oscar da Silva was next with 16 points, followed by Daejon Davis and Tyrell Terry with 12 points apiece.

Wills, da Silva and Spencer Jones each grabbed five rebounds. Davis had five assists and Jones had two blocks, three assists and three steals.

Colorado’s top scorer was Tyler Bey with 17 points, followed by D’Shawn Schwartz with 14. McKinley Wright IV added 13 points and 10 rebounds for the Buffaloes (21-9 overall, 10-7 Pac-12), who held a 30-29 rebounding edge.

Aside from an early Colorado lead, Stanford led most of the game. A Wills basket with 8:13 to play. The Buffs responded by scoring 10 straight points on three hoops by Wright and two by Bey.

The Cardinal endured a four-minute scoring drought, ended on a short jumper by Wills. Colorado proceded to miss its next seven shots.

By beating Colorado, the Cardinal are assured of a winning conference record going into the final weekend of the regular season, and can still finish with a possible second-place tie.

The Cardinal travel to Oregon State on Thursday.

NCAA basketball podcast with Michelle Richardson: NCAA preparing for closing schools and large gathering at basketball games

photo from frogsowar.com: The TCU Horned Frogs Desmond Bane (1) drives on the Baylor Bears Saturday night at Fort Worth Texas

On the NCAA basketball podcast with Michelle:

#1 Michelle the NCAA said that it’s Science and Sport Institute are taking considerations about team travel and the possibility in the event of a all out pandemic or quarantine that is called due to the Corvid-19 virus games could be cancel and the NCAA wanted to prepare fans, media, and traveling ball clubs.

#2 The NCAA memo also stated that there is a possibility of closing schools and large gatherings that will impact college basketball.

#3 Michelle talk about the two games that were played on Saturday, #3 Baylor 72 @ TCU 75, and Michigan State 78 @ Maryland 66.

Michelle’s Final Thoughts

Michelle does the NCAA podcast each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: For 2020 Predictions Los Atleticos My predictions for this upcoming 2020 season

file photo from sfchronicle.com: Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien fields a grounder by San Francisco Giants’ Buster Posey, who was out at first during a baseball game in San Francisco. Semien will look to build momentum from a career season that included being top three in the AL MVP voting. He was rewarded with a new $13 million, one-year contract to avoid arbitration, a raise of $7.1 million

2020 Predictions: Los Atléticos

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

My predictions for this upcoming 2020 season.

(American League West)

1-Oakland Athletics 2-Houston Astros 3-Los Angeles Angels 4-Texas Rangers 5-Seattle Mariners

Oakland A’s  (Offense) This is the year everything will come together for the Athletics. For the second year in a row finished with an excellent 97-65 record and behind the Houston Astros. They will catch and pass the scandal-riddled Houston Astros.

A’s are a powerful offensive force with numbers that do the talking. Among all 30 teams,the A’s finished fifth in home runs with 257,number eight in runs scored 845 and number ninth in runs driven-in with 800.

The team of the greatest base stealer ever, and in my opinion the best all-around player in the history of the Oakland A’s,Rickey Henderson who stole 1,406 bases during a stellar Hall of Fame career,only stole 49 bases last season,which put them close to the bottom,only three teams in baseball stole less bases.

But nobody is perfect,that is not their game, only the Giants, Twins and Cubs stole less bases than the A’s. Unfortunately (if you are old school) at this time in history where 30 homers for a player is “normal” and many say boring,the stolen base is like the bunt,”Breaking News”when it happens.

(Pitching) Bob Melvin A’s had the sixth best earned run average for a pitching staff in baseball with 3.97. Only Astros, Dodgers, Rays, Indians and Cardinals showed a better ERA. Their 2020 staff is one of the youngest and most talented in the game. Sean Manaea, Jesús Luzardo, Frankie Montás, A,J Puk, Mike Fiers starting and leading the way.

(Bullpen) Liam Hendriks (25 saves and 1.80 ERA),who took over Blake Treinen as closer was robbed of the Reliever of the Year Award by New York Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman,but was one of the reasons the A’s got to the AL Wild Card game.

The only reason Hendriks did not win the award is because he pitches for the A’s and Chapman for the Yankees. The market was the deciding factor. However,the Astros had the top bullpen in the AL West and third best in baseball last year with ERA (3.75) and batting average against (.226). Roberto Osuna led the Astros with 38 saves,second in baseball only to San Diego’s Kirby Yates with 41.

(Defense) Los Atléticos finished tied with the Atlanta Braves as the fourth best defensive team in baseball,with a .987 fielding percentage. and committed total of 80 errors,only Cardinals,Royals, Houston and Braves committed less. It all starts with the Golden Corners; Matt Chapman and Matt Olson, both Gold Glove winners,plus a mostly improved Marcus Semien at shortstop,and very a talented outfield with Ramón Laureano in center field. Ramón’s arm is one of the best – nobody runs on him.

2020 A’s are very similar to 2019.The second base position still wide open, they acquired veteran Tony Kemp but also have A’s minor league star Jorge Mateo as well as Franklin Barreto who already have some major league experience with the club, as well as Sheldon Neuse and then there is Rule 5 pick Vimael Machín.They are all candidates at the second-base position that Jurickson Profar left vacant after he signed with the San Diego Padres.

Conclusion: It will be a battle for the division between the A’s and the Astros. Now under Dusty Baker,the Houston team still one of the best group of players in baseball,it should not be easy for the A’s, but they are ready for battle. It is of great importance that the A’s win the division,because they are starting to get the label that they cannot win a Wild Card game.

The LA Angels with the addition of one of the finest hitters and all around players in third-baseman Anthony Rendon, who will now be in a lineup with MikeTrout, Justin Upton,Shohei Othani and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols hitting sixth or seventh,they will score tons of runs, but they are still short of pitching.Good luck to a great baseball guy,Joe Maddon, now back in Anaheim as manager.

Texas will be Texas,Joey Gallo might hit 50 home runs,so what? and the Seattle Mariners will continue to look up to the others in the division. Seattle a great city that once had stars such as Ken Griffey Jr. Edgar Martínez, Randy Johnson, Ichiro Susuki, Féliz Hernández, Jaime Moyer, Raúl Ibañez and others, but for this season they will be a sad again. Mariners remain the only team in the division never to win the pennant.

Atléticos First Homestand features two Divisional champions. A’s Open 2020 this Thursday March 26th at 1:07PM with the first of a four games against the Central Division champion Minnesota Twins followed by the Western Division champion Houston Astros for a three game series starting Monday. The Twins loaded with power set a new MLB record last season with 307 home runs and the Astros lead the regular season with 107 wins.

Coronavirus Note: WHO(World Health Organization)tips about this virus. 1-Wash hands frequently 2-Maintain social distances 3-Avoid touching,eyes, nose and mouth 4-If you have fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio broadcasts and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Daniel Dullum: Islanders return to Uniondale next season; Thornton was hoping to be traded from Sharks; plus more

photo from masslive.com: Boston Bruins center Sean Kuraly (52) skates the puck behind the New York Islanders net against defenseman Scott Mayfield (24) during the first period an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020, in Uniondale, NY.

NHL podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1 Islanders return full-time to Nassau Coliseum for next season

2 Sharks’ Thornton said he was disappointed that no trade happened at the deadline

3 Rangers’ Chris Kreider signs extension, breaks ankle

4 YouTube TV reaches agreement on temporary extension with Sinclair, Fox regional sports networks; Ticket companies back removal of hidden fees

5 Blues’ D Jay Bouwmeester to sit out remainder of the season

6 CBS News correspondent not impressed with Zamboni driver’s feat

Daniel Dullum hosts the NHL podcast each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Gulls comeback to take down Barracuda in 4-3 overtime win

sandiegogulls.com photo

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif- Old habits die hard. Unfortunately for the San Jose Barracuda their habit of blowing third period leads is one that has been hard to break. The San Diego Gulls came back from a two-goal third period deficit as Maxime Comtois scored the game winning goal in overtime to secure a 4-3 victory on Saturday afternoon at SAP Center.

Justin Kloos led an odd-man rush, as San Diego caught San Jose on a bad line change, his shot was initially saved by ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko but Comtois crashed the net and batted home the rebound for his ninth goal of the season with 2:11 left in the extra session.

San Jose were actually the Churros for a day and wore specially themed jerseys to celebrate the occassion. It’s a tradition that started with the San Jose Giants. the minor leauge affilate of the San Francisco Giants.

The Churros (17-27-4-2), despite earning a point, have lost two games in a row and three out of their last four. The Gulls have won two in a row and five out of their last six. They have climbed back into fourth in the Pacific Divison with 63 points, one ahead of Ontario.

San Diego (28-8-5-2) drew first blood early in the first period. Christ Mueller led a 2-on-1 rush up the ice. He fed a cross ice pass over to Alex Dostie who buried a wrist shot past Sawchenko for his 11th goal of the season at the 5:35 mark.

San Jose evened the score in the final five minutes of the opening frame. Sasha Chmelevski fed a pass out to newly acquired Anthony Greco, playing in his second game as a member of the ‘Cuda. Greco skated down the left wing and lasered a wrist shot far side past Gulls goalie Kevin Boyle for his first goal in a Churro uniform at the 15:40 mark.

The Barracuda gained the lead less than two minutes later. Nick DeSimone sent in a shot from the right point where Jeffery Viel redirected the puck with his stick into the back of the net for his 13th goal of the season at the 17:26 mark.

There was no scoring or penalties in the second period that saw both goalies make key saves. San Jose outshot San Diego 12-10 in the middle frame.

San Jose looked to have put the game away just 22 seconds into the third period with an insurance goal. Joachim Blichfeld won a battle along the boards behind the net as he checked the puck away from Jani Hankapaa with a hard hit. Blichfeld quickly centered a pass in front to a trailing Jayden Halbgewachs who blasted a one-timer past Boyle for his team leading 17th goal of the season.

The Gulls responded back right away to cut the deficit to one-goal.

Alanis last second heroics save Quakes in 2-2 draw with Toronto FC

photo from centredaily.com: San Jose Earthquakes’ Guram Kashia (37) Toronto FC’s fouls Marky Delgado (8) during the second half of an MLS soccer game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Feb. 29, 2020.

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif- The San Jose Earthquakes wanted to upgrade their backfield so they went out and acquired Mexican national Oswaldo Alanis. He paid immediate dividens as he scored a spectacular goal right near the end of stoppage time to seize victory away from Toronto FC in a 2-2 draw on Saturday afternoon at Earthquakes season.

The center back, on loan from Chivas de Guadalajara for a year and occupies the Quakes international spot on the roster, had a free kick from 20 yards out on the right side. His shot sailed high into the upper left corner of the goal stunning Toronto FC and sending the home crowd into a frenzy in the season opener for both teams.

“I know Alanis. It’s not the first goal he’s scored from a free kick. I think he played 95 good minutes with a certain personality. He was enthusiastic and he showed why we brought him on (to the team),” Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said about Alanis’ heroics.

Toronto FC (0-0-1) drew first blood in the 40th minute thanks to a controversey call by referee Armando Villarreal. With Toronto FC positioned for a corner kick, Jozy Altidore was taken down inside the box by Andres Rios before the kick and Toronto was awarded a penalty kick.

Alejandro Pozuelo easily buried the ball past Quakes goalkeeper Daniel Vega for his first goal of the season.

San Jose (0-0-1) had two quality chances to score in the first half. In the 27th minute, Nick Lima’s shot from 15 yards out was deflected away at last second by Toronto FC goalkeeper Quentin Westberg. Then in the 43rd minute, Danny Hoesen dribbled in from inside the D when his shot sailed just to the left of the goal.

Toronto FC dobuled its lead six minutes into the second half. Pozuelo led an counter-attack as he passed the ball out to Tsubasa Endoh. Endoh’s shot was kicked out by Vega, but Ritchie Laryea, who subbed in to start the second half, cleaned up the rebound for his first goal of the season and a 2-0 lead in the 51st minute.

The Quakes fired back two minutes later in the 53rd minute. Christian Espinzoa centered a pass from the right side of the D that was chipped in over Westberg by a sliding Rios in for his first goal of the season.

“I thought it was great character to show some fight. It’s never good to go down 2-0. Especially the response after the (Toronto’s) second goal,” forward Chris Wondolowski said.

The game featured sloppiness by both sides and missed calls by the officiating that seemed to favor Toronto FC that had many of the Quakes players as well as Almeyda frustrated throughout the match.

Alanis’ goal saved the Quakes from a disappointing start to the season as they had started out 0-4 last year.

“I hope there will be many more (goals like that) as I try to do my best. I’m a defender but I can bring some things offensively to the team,” said Alanis.

GAME NOTES: San Jose registered 11 shots. Toronto FC had 10.

San Jose had three corner kicks. Toronto FC has seven.

Cautions-Tommy Thompson was issued a yellow card in the 33rd minute for a tackle from behind. Jackson Yueill was also issued a yellow card in the 70th minute. Altidore was issued a yellow card in the 71st minute. Goram Kashia was issued a yellow card in the 81st minute.

UP NEXT: The Earthquakes take on the Minnesota United FC on Saturday 3/7 at 4:45pm at Earthquakes Stadium.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Patty Marleau is back in San Jose this time as a Penguin tonight

sfchronicle.com photo: Pittsburgh Penguin Patrick Marleau is returning to San Jose tonight who played 19 seasons in San Jose will return to grind it out against his former team at SAP Center

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Pittsburgh Penguins Patrick Marleau just can’t stay away from San Jose, his home is in San Jose and he played in San Jose 19 seasons in San Jose and he returns to SAP Center tonight

#2 Marleau hasn’t been away from the Sharks too long but he will get a warm ovation when he is introduced in tonight’s starting line ups

#3 The question is will Marleau return to San Jose again? He was traded in 2017 to Toronto and returned last season

#4 The Sharks Joe Thornton would like to finish up his career with San Jose he was on the trade block but survived getting traded around the time Marleau was shipped to the Penguins

#5 The Sharks (27-33-4) and the Penguins (37-19-6) go at it tonight Mary Lisa sets the scenario for us

Mary Lisa does the San Jose Sharks podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Matt Harrington: Aves get key win over Canes 3-2 in Carolina; Flyers win five straight 5-2 over Rangers in Philly; plus more

washingtonpost.com photo: Avalanche have a 19-44-3 record (41 points), which puts them on pace for the worst season in franchise history since relocating in 1995.

On the NHL podcast with Matt:

#1 Samuel Girard nailed a goal at 2:37 to lead the Colorado Avalanche to a 3-2 win over the home team Carolina Hurricanes. Tyler Jost of the Aves scored twice to help Colorado extend their winning streak to five games.

#2 The Philadelphia Flyers continue to roll with a 5-2 win over visiting New York Rangers at Wells Fargo Center. Claude Giroux scored twice and the Rangers lost Chris Kreider to a fractured ankle.

#3 Alex Stalock stopped 24 shots getting his fourth shutout of 2019-20 season as the Minnesota Wild defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-0. The Wild dominated from the puck drop.

#4 The Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson saved 28 shots against the Pittsburgh Penguins in a narrow 3-2 win at the Duck Pond in Anaheim. The Pens who come into San Jose tonight are on a five game losing streak.

#5 The Las Vegas Golden Knights picked up a 4-2 win against the Buffalo Sabers on Friday night as the Knights Reilly Smith scored two goals to pace Vegas to victory.

Join Matt each Saturday for the NHL podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Coronavirus Threatening Tokyo Olympics

That’s Amaury News and Commentary Amaury Pi-González

Coronavirus Threatening Tokyo Olympics

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The Tokyo Olympics,scheduled to start on July 24 and end August 25 according to the IOC (International Olympic Committee). Japan is one of the countries affected around the world with the Coronavirus and officials of the OIC say there could be a final decisions as late as the end of May.

Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Japan is to ask all schools to close this coming Monday to prevent spread of the Coronavirus. The closure will affect 13 million students and will continue until the school year ends in late March.

The Coronavirus now affecting most of the world,has forced cancelling of dozens of sporting events events in Asia and Europe and many international events like car racing. Little or no events, so far, in the sports world have been cancelled here in the United States, but things could change at any time,as this virus keeps spreading.

So far MLB, NBA,NHL and others have not announced any plans for events cancellations.

The biggest company in the world (Bay Area based) Apple stock has dropped as of today,as well as all the financial markets and the world has taken a hit through this week.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish voice for Oakland A’s baseball on KIQI 1010 San Francisco for all home games Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Catch Amaury each week for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL podcast with Joe Lami: Sens Ryan gets ovation scores hat trick; Jet’s Hellebuyck gets fifth shutout; plus more

photo from NJ.com: Ottawa Senators right wing Bobby Ryan (9) celebrates his goal against the Vancouver Canucks with defenseman Ron Hainsey (81) during third-period NHL hockey game action in Ottawa, Ontario, Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020

On the NHL podcast with Joe:

#1 Bobby Ryan of the Ottawa Senators coming off a NHL/NHLPA alcohol assistance program since November 20th stepped on the ice and scored a hat trick for the Senators 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.

#2  The Winnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck picked up his fifth shutout of the season with a 3-0 win over the Washington Capitals. Hellebuyck had his moments standing on his head stopping a Alex Ovechkin twice and a great glove save from the Caps Ilya Kovachuk’s shot in the second period on a power play.

#3 The San Jose Sharks picked up an overtime win against the New Jersey Devils 3-2 when the Sharks team captain Logan Couture scored an overtime goal his first since his return from his injury

#4 The Nashville Predators Mikael Granlund got a game winning goal with just 0.1 of a second left in the game to force overtime against the Calgary Flames. Granlund then scored in the overtime stanza at 1:20 for the game winner.

#5 The Chicago Blackhawks Dominik Kubalik scored a hat trick in the third period during the Hawks five goal rally to come back to beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. The Blackhawks Corey Crawford stopped 37 shots. It was the Bolts fourth loss in a row.

Joe Lami does the NHL podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com