Author: Sports Radio Service

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants’ climb to get out of the cellar a long way off

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Photo credit: mccoveychronicles.com

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The San Francisco Giants’ loss last night represented their fifth loss in six games and they have not been out of the NL West cellar since May.

#2 They faced some solid pitching from the Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Alex Young (1-0, 1.80 ERA) who pitched five innings against the Giants for three hits and five strikeouts holding the Giants to just one run.

#3 Michael talks about putting on a finger on what’s wrong with the Giants hitters. Everyone in the lineup on Thursday night are hitting below .300.

#4 The Giants starter Tyler Beede pitched 5 1/3 for four hits, two earned runs and three strikeouts — a good outing, but the relievers gave up three more runs in the 5-1 loss.

#5 Starting pitchers for Friday night at Oracle Park. For the Diamondbacks, Merrill Kelly (7-7, 3.93 ERA), and for the San Francisco Giants, Shaun Anderson (2-2, 3.94 ERA).

Catch Michael for the Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes shutout Dynamo 2-0, Quakes prep for Cali Clasico; plus more

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes shutout the Houston Dynamo 2-0 at Avaya Stadium Wednesday to earn three points.

2. With the win, San Jose soared in the current MLS Western Conference standings.

3. The Quakes recently signed Mexican winger Carlos Fierro pending his P-1 visa.

4. The Quakes prepare for the Cali Clasico against the LA Galaxy at Stanford Stadium on Saturday, June 29.

5. The US men’s soccer team shutout Panama 1-0 in the Group D decider Wednesday.

Ana does the San Jose Earthquakes podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose State football walks the walk on ending violence against women

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State football team hasn’t went above and beyond in the past two seasons under head coach Brent Brennan, but here’s a silver lining on the team.

For the second summer in a row, the Spartans stood tall and took an evening stroll in high heels in their support to end all forms of violence against women in the Silicon Valley YWCA’s annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” fundraiser.

More than 110 Spartan players and coaches joined community leaders and concerned citizens in the quest to end violence against women everywhere.

“Love conquers hate. I was raised by women. I appreciate everyone out here,” said wide receiver Tre Walker, a junior from Los Angeles who led last year’s team in receiving yardage and yards per catch.

Raised funds for “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” 
For the Spartans to participate in this year’s event held in San Jose’s Santana Row, they raised the $1,500.00 registration fee through donations and a 2018 GoFundMe page in conjunction with t-shirt sales from the October 6 home game vs. Colorado State. The game was promoted as the “Set the Expectation” game in recognition of nationally-known rape survivor Brenda Tracy’s determination to raise and increase awareness of a problem that affects everyone.

Funds raised from this year’s event will provide support for domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking survivors through life-changing and life-saving services provided by the YWCA Silicon Valley. This year’s fund-raising goal is $185,000.

Part of the Spartans’ “Beyond Football” initiative
SJSU’s participation in the “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” fundraiser is one of its many “Beyond Football” initiatives. The week’s activities included a visit from city of San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia and members of the police department.

To support the Spartans’ participation in the Silicon Valley YMCA’s annual “Walk A Mile In Her Shoes” fundraiser, visit www.ywca-sv.org and click on the “Events” tab.

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Durant and Leonard could be signed with a new team by next week; Baseball epidemic, nets needed to protect fans; plus more

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Photo credit: @NBCSBoston

On Headline Sports with Tony Renteria:

#1 The Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant and the Toronto Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard are going free agency to see if they can get the maximum for their buck.

#2 Some of the teams that most likely will show interest in Durant and Leonard are the LA Clippers, Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks. It’s very likely everyone should learn either by Sunday night or Monday morning where they’ll be going.

#3 The Houston Rockets are shopping center Clint Capela, guard Eric Gordon, and forward PJ Tucker in their bid to get Philadelphia 76ers star Jimmy Butler. The Rockets are to trying to solidify themselves after failing to make the NBA Finals in the last two seasons.

#4 In the game of baseball, fans come many sit as close to the action as they can. After some serious injuries to fans last season, the MLB thought they got it covered with all the netting they possibly muster up to protect the fans. Last Sunday, a young girl was hit in the eye with a bullet hit by the Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger, and on May 29th, a two-year-old girl was hit by a foul ball hit by the Chicago Cubs’ Albert Almora Jr. that fractured her skull at Houston’s Minute Maid Park leaving her with injuries that she will have to battle with for years to come. The Dodgers, Nationals, and White Sox have said during the All-Star Break, they’ll be netting their entire stadiums from foul pole to foul pole.

#5 The San Francisco Giants’ lineup has been noted for having the worst offense in baseball and possibly the worst in their franchise history. The Giants do not have a batter hitting over .300 in their lineup and have lost nine of their last 12 games.

Tony does Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Vako’s brace powers Earthquakes over Dynamo 2-0

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — In a game that was dominated from start to finish, led by Georgian striker Vako, the San Jose Earthquakes defeated the Houston Dynamo with a convincing 2-0 win on Wednesday evening at Avaya Stadium.

Vako put on a clinic out on the pitch for San Jose, whose unbeaten streak was extended to five games (4-0-1), scoring twice and had opportunities to score more than two as Houston had no answer in trying to stop him.

San Jose continued their transformation since starting the season 0-4 and have jumped to sixth place in the Western Conference that even has surprised head coach Matias Almeyda.

“I knew it was going to take a while,” said Almeyda. “I even thought it would take a little bit longer. The start was completely negative. But it’s day to day and we have to keep insisting on improving. This is one of the team’s that has the lowest payroll in the league and watching them compete at this level makes me proud.”

The Quakes (6-6-4) drew first blood halfway through the first half. Magnus Eriksson centered a pass that split two Dynamo defenders from along the right side of the goal-line to an unmarked Vako, who one-timed a chip shot past Houston goalkeeper Joe Willis for his first goal of the game and second goal of the season in the 22nd minute.

The Quakes controlled the tempo and play in the first half as they kept the Dynamo on their heels with the majority of the possession (61%-39%) being played in the Houston’s defensive zone in the opening 45 minutes.

“Really growing that belief,” said Wondo. “It’s a funny thing, confidence. We’ve bought into Matias’ game plan and when you execute it in the right way it’s very effective. It’s a lot of fun.”

In the second half, San Jose kept the pedal to the metal as they dominated play and were constantly in Houston’s end of the pitch getting six quality scoring chances in the first 20 minutes.

When Vako wasn’t scoring, he was setting up his teammates, including captain Chris Wondolowski. Vako centered a pass over to a wide-open Wondo, who was robbed from six yards out by Willis’ great two-handed save to keep the ball out of the net.

“It would’ve been very easy for him to just throw in town,” said Wondo regarding the play of Vako, who had struggled earlier on in the season. “But he’s (done) the opposite. As you saw tonight, he’s a very great player.”

Jackson Yueill led a three-on-one attack after stripping the ball off a Houston defender from 30 yards out, but his shot sailed wide of the mark in the 69th minute.

Houston (7-5-3) could not muster much of a counter attack against San Jose. An errant pass here, a turnover there was the story of the night for the fifth place Dynamo. Their poor offensive play was the catalyst for the quick counters by the Quakes that led to their numerous scoring chances.

San Jose doubled their lead in the 75th minute when Vako scored his second tally of the evening and third goal of the season when collected a rebound inside the box, dribbled five yard into the middle and rifled a shot past Willis to put the home team comfortably ahead.

“I’m just trying to stay focus and keep going,” said Vako. “I’m just happy I had some chances and I used it.”

GAME NOTES: Quakes defender Anibal Godoy underwent surgery on Tuesday to remove scar tissue from his abdomen that was impairing his bilateral nerves. He is expected to be sidelined for six weeks.

Quakes forward Danny Hoesen missed the game with an upper thigh injury.

Defenders Nick Lima (USA) and Harold Cummings (Panama) were away on international duty for their respective countries participating in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.

Houston’s Ronaldo Pena received a yellow card in the 17th minute for displaying unsportsmanlike conduct. AJ Delagarza Jr. also received a yellow card in the 57th minute on a low tackle attempt.

San Jose leads the overall series 7-4-2.

UP NEXT: The Quakes host the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, June 29 in the annual California Clasico at Stanford Stadium at 6:30 pm.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s Mengden demonstrates the evolution of the comeback, shutout Red Birds 2-0

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mercurynews.com photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Daniel Mengden serves up a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in a four hit shutout on Wednesday night at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.

On the A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg:

#1 Oakland A’s pitcher Daniel Mengden is back from his rehab assignment from Las Vegas and pitched a shutout against the St. Louis Cardinals in a 2-0 win.

#2 Mengden pitched for six innings giving up four hits and no runs striking out five. Not bad for his first game of the 2019 season.

#3 Mengden takes over for Frankie Montas’ spot and gets a great performance in after Mengden pitched lights out. The A’s are really looking for someone to also be an effective pitcher as well.

#4 The St. Louis Cardinals players got a chance to honor the St. Louis Blues before the game on Wednesday night by giving the Blues players a ride around the park with the Stanley Cup in the open convertible car.

#5 The A’s are back on the west coast after the St Louis trip and are in Anaheim tonight against the Los Angeles Angels. For the A’s, Tanner Anderson ,who is looking for his first win of 2019 (0-2, 4.20 ERA), and for the Angels, Griffin Canning (2-4, 3.88 ERA).

Catch Jerry on the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Trump says Rapinoe’s protest is inappropriate; War of words starting to brew between Trump and Rapinoe over protests; plus more

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photo from time.com: Megan Rapinoe #15 of USA (center) and her teammates are standing for the national anthem during the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup France Group F match between USA and Chile at Parc des Princes on June 16, 2019 in Paris, France.

On the Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 The war of tweets and words has initially begun at the US World Women’s soccer matches between President Trump and US Women’s soccer star Megan Rapinoe. Rapinoe originally took a knee during national anthems during the 2016 games. Now she stands without putting her hand over her heart unlike the rest of the teammates. Rapinoe said she will not visit the White House if the US team wins the championship. Trump says by her not doing it, Rapinoe is inappropriate and said she should win first before she talks.

#2 Rapinoe said that the reason she is protesting is because of unjustified treatment by police and law enforcement officials towards minorities and people of color. Rapinoe told American Soccer Now, “Being a gay American, I know what it means to look at the flag and not have it protect all of your liberties.” With the World Cup going on, this will most likely not be the last of the stand off between Trump and Rapinoe.

#3 We asked London about the World Cup putting up signs on the scoreboard indicating that there will game delays for replay reviews. This lends to fans following the games and thinking that their team has the game in hand, but they’ll wait until a replay review has been called for.

#4 After going five straight games without a loss the San Jose Earthquakes lost to LAFC who took it to the Quakes with a 3-1 win in Los Angeles last week on Thursday. For LA, Adama Diomande scored twice, which led LAFC to the two-goal win.

#5 The Quakes continue their road trip tonight against Houston at Avaya Stadium in San Jose as they face the Dynamo. The Dynamo are in fifth place in the MLS West at 7-3-4. The Dynamo are 2-1-3 in their last six games and have lost their last two games to Minnesota and Portland.

London Marq covers the San Jose Earthquakes and does Headline Sports podcasting each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball in England? “This is Bloody Cool”

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Photo credit: @visitlondon

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

Major League Baseball’s first regular season series will take place this weekend from June 29-30 at London Stadium in London, England.

The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox are the greatest rivalry in baseball and perhaps professional sports. The Red Sox are the home team, which makes a lot of sense for their first ever game in England, since the Red Sox play in New England. The NFL and the NBA have played in England, but this is a first for the MLB.

The Yankees have an on-going major league record of 29 consecutive games hitting a home run, plus they just ended a 10-game homestand with a 9-1 record. As this series gets underway, the Yankees are leading the AL East with 52-28 and a nine-game lead over the reigning champion Red Sox, who are in third place.

The two-game series between the Yankees and Red Sox will see the biggest and oldest rivalry in US sports in front of an estimated 130,000 fans.

London Stadium is a multipurpose outdoor stadium with a capacity of 66,000. One of the most iconic cities of the world, London has Big Ben, Tower of London, Buckingham Palace, and the Coca Cola London Eye, a huge observation wheel next to the Thames river. It is a scenario worthy for a James Bond movie.

It will be aired on FOX Sports Saturday, June 29 at 1:10PM EDT and ESPN Sunday, June 30 at 10:10 AM EDT.

Baseball in England is a spectacle, and like the British would say, “This is bloody cool.”

Bumgarner looks dominant in Giants’ 4-2 win

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Photo credit: @KNBR

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — After one of his worst starts of the 2019 season, Madison Bumgarner came back with a vengeance.

In six innings of work, Bumgarner struck out a season-high 11 and added a RBI single, as the San Francisco Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-2.

Bumgarner, who raised his record to 4-7 on the season followed up a terrible start against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he allowed six runs in 3.2 innings of work.

“He’s shown that ability so many times to come off a bad start and put it behind him and wash it off and bounce back,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He did that tonight. What a great game he threw.”

Bumgarner did not give up a hit until Ian Desmond hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning, as he stopped a streak of retiring 10 in a row.

The Rockies also scored in the top of the sixth inning, as left fielder Alex Dickerson lost the ball in the lights that allowed Charlie Blackmon score on a double by David Dahl that cut the Giants lead down to one run.

“I’ve been getting caught just pitching to just one side pretty much every pitch,” Bumgarner said. “These guys are too good to do that to. The plate is small enough as it is so you better use the whole thing.”

In six innings of work, Bumgarner gave up two runs on three hits and three walks along with 11 strikeouts. It was the first double-digit strikeout game for Bumgarner since April 2, 2017 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Donovan Solano picked up a single of his own in the bottom of the fourth inning, and then Bumgarner came up with one of his own to lengthen the Giants lead up to 3-1.
This was the first appearance for Chi Chi Gonzalez in the majors since the 2016 season, and he got off to a great start, as he struck out the side in the top of the first inning. In all, Gonzalez gave up three runs on six hits in five innings of work.

Tyler Austin put the finishing touches on the scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning, as he hit a pinch-hit home run.

It was the seventh home run of the season for Austin and his second pinch-hit home run for him this season.

The bullpen trio of Sam Dyson, Tony Watson and Will Smith pitched a perfect three innings, following up Derek Hollands three innings of perfect work on Monday night.
Smith pitched the ninth inning to notch his 21st save in 21 chances this season.

NOTES: Bumgarners 11 strikeouts moved him past Matt Cain for third place in San Francisco Giants history.

Brandon Belt batted leadoff for just the second time in his major-league career, and he struck out on three pitches in his first at-bat against Gonzalez.

“It didn’t look too smart the first at-bat,” Bochy said. “I told him, `You’re supposed to make me look good, but three pitches and you sit down.’ He laughed.”

UP NEXT: Jeff Samardzija takes the mound for the Giants on Wednesday afternoon, while the Rockies will counter with German Marquez.

Headline Sports podcast with Barbara Mason: Will Kawhi say goodbye to Toronto?; Giants’ Pomeranz throws heat, strikes out 11 Rockies Monday night; plus more

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Photo credit: @ChrisBHaynes

On Headline Sports podcast with Barbara:

#1 Will Kawhi Leonard bolt from the Toronto Raptors? It looks like Leonard will decline the $21.3 million player option and will consider becoming a free agent. There is talk that Leonard is considering signing on with the Raptors and Leonard said he love playing in Toronto so much last season why ruin an opportunity and re-up with the Raptors again.

#2 San Francisco Giant starter Drew Pomeranz, who had some very rough outings this season, has also had some successful games. Monday night against the Colorado Rockies was one of them throwing for 11 strikeouts at Oracle Park after throwing 93 pitches was lifted in the bottom of the fifth inning.

#3 The New York Mets are going through some rough times. There is talk that the Mets general manager Brodie Van Wagenen has been making in game moves and over ruling Mets manager Mickey Callaway. What’s so bizarre about it is Callaway has followed Van Wagenen’s decisions resulting in the Mets finding themselves nine games out of first fourth in the NL East.

#4 The biggest baseball name was Aaron like in Hank Aaron famous for the home run, then there is the New York Yankees’ Aaron Judge, who had a lights out season last season, then there’s the Yankees’ Aaron Hicks, whose home run on Monday night help extend and tie the Major League mark for the most consecutive home runs by a team at 27.

#5 After a young girl Katlin Salazar was hit in the face by a Cody Bellinger bullet, the Los Angeles Dodgers have decided to extend the netting from the dugouts to the foul poles at Dodger Stadium. The bullet hit the girl who was seated four rows just up from the dugout. She had to leave some 15 minutes after being hit and was also paid a visit by Bellinger between innings.

Barbara does Headline Sports each Tuesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com