Author: Sports Radio Service

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball–In Dodgerland, a tram could be in the works

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A rendering shows a gondola car carrying passengers from Union Station to Dodger Stadium. (Aerial Rapid Transit Technologies LLC)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is the most visited stadium in the world, according to Eric Garcetti, Mayor Los Angeles,with 3.7 million people attending each year. Los Angeles also leads the country in the category of traffic gridlock. During Dodger games the 5 and 110 Freeways are basically bumper to bumper for hours, all around Dodger Stadium and this project hopes to ease such gridlock.

The proposed Tram (gondola system) will be totally privately financed, under a tag of $125 million. It will be from Union Station to Dodger Stadium a 1 1/4 mile trip and the Tram(s) will carry 5,000 passengers per hour and will take only 5 minutes. Currently, they have express buses going to Dodger Stadium, but the word “express” when it comes to traffic in LA is only a La La Land dream.

The only thing that is espresso in LA is coffee. All reports from Los Angeles say that most Dodger fans and residents are elated by the news, which they overwhelmingly support. The Los Angeles Board of Supervisor is on this project and hope to have an Environmental Report ready by the end of the year. It everything goes “Gondola-like” (according to the powers-to-be) this will become a reality by year 2022. Good luck LA!

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Giants’ 4-run seventh inning helps them down Dodgers 6-4

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO–You never know what you are going to see in a game between the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers, and this game was the epitome of that statement.

Pedro Baez committed a balk when he tripped on the mound that allowed Gorkys Hernandez to score from third base, as the Giants came back from a 4-2 deficit to defeat the Dodgers 6-4 in the opener of the four-game series before a sellout crowd of 41,936 at AT&T Park Friday night.

Hyun-Jin Ryu helped out his own cause, as he drove in two with a two-run double down the left field line.

Yasmani Grandal cut the Giants lead in half, as he doubled in Matt Kemp, who walked just prior to the Grandal double.

After a Cody Bellinger walk, Yaisel Puig tied up the game with a double down the left field line and it looked like Bellinger was going to score; however, a fan down the line touched the ball and Bellinger was forced to stay at third base.

Kyle Farmer then struck out for the first out of the inning, and then Ryu took a Holland pitch down the left field line to score both Bellinger and Puig.

Ryu went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on four hits, not walking a batter and struck out seven; however, he did not fare in the decision.

It was a different story for Holland, who was pulled after the Ryu double. Holland went 3.1 innings, allowing four runs on four hits, walking four and striking out four. Like Ryu, he did not fare in the decision.

Things looked for the Giants after they took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning, as Evan Longoria hit a long solo home run to straightaway centerfield and then three batters later, Brandon Crawford deposited a Ryu offering onto the arcade.

Brandon Belt extended his hitting streak up to nine games, as he legged out an infield single in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Belt went to second on a Tony Cingrani wild pitch, but was then thrown out at third base by Kike Hernandez, who threw to Kyle Farmer for the first out of the inning.

Crawford then walked, and then Hernandez got the Giants within one run, when he singled in Austin Jackson.

Tomlinson then took a Cingrani offering and doubled into left field to tie up the game, and then most bizarre play of the night took place, when Baez fell off the mound, for a balk to give the Giants the lead for good.

Joe Panik then extended the lead up to 6-4, as he hit a sacrifice fly to score Tomilnson from third base.

Former Dodgers reliever Tony Watson came on in the top of the eighth, and despite giving up two hits that put runners on first and second with one out, he was able to get out of the jam, when both Chris Taylor and Austin Barnes flew out to Hernandez for the last two outs of the inning.

NOTES: Chris Stratton will take the mound in the first game of a day-night doubleheader on Saturday afternoon, while the Dodgers have not decided on a starter.

Stratton became a father on Wednesday night at 11:53, as his wife Martha Kate gave birth to a daughter named Mary Bennett and she weighed in at eight pounds, four ounces and 20 inches long.

Johnny Cueto will take the mound in the second game, as he looks to improve to 3-0 on the season, while Alex Wood will go for the Dodgers, as he still looks for his first win of the season.

This is the first doubleheader between the Giants and Dodgers since September 27, 2003, where the Giants and Dodgers split the twin bill at AT&T Park.

Mac Williamson, who crashed into the wall near the Giants bullpen in the game on Tuesday night against the Washington Nationals was placed in the concussion protocol.

The Giants improved to 10-3 on the season, when they score first.

UP NEXT: The Giants play a doubleheader Saturday with Game 2 at 1:05 pm PT and Game 3 at 7:05 pm PT.

Roadrunners end Barracuda’s season with 3-0 shutout victory in Game 4

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda (1-3) were veterans of playing with their backs against the wall this season. Winning six straight games just to make the playoffs, their luck ran out on their season as the Pacific Division champion Tuscon Roadrunners (3-1) finished off the best of five series 3-1 with a 3-0 shutout victory in Game 4 on Friday evening at Tuscon Convention Center Arena. Tuscon will take on the Texas Stars in the second round of the playoffs.

The Cuda gave a much better performance from the other night, but it wasn’t enough to force a decisive Game 5 as they were shutout in back-to-back games, thanks to another solid performance by goaltender Adin Hill (3-1). Hill stopped all 25 shots in doing his part to help the Roadrunners advanced to the next round. Tuscon outscored San Jose 9-0 in the final two games of the series.

San Jose had an early scoring chance in the first period when captain John McCarthy, with 40 seconds left on the penalty kill, had his short-handed wraparound attempt stopped by a sprawling Hill to keep the puck out of the net.

However, the ice would be tilted in favor of Tuscon in the first 20 minutes. Antoine Bibeau (1-3) was Superman making big saves on a breakaway chance by Michael Bunting eight minutes into the game, robbed Lawson Crouse of a goal two minutes later and a point-blank chance on Mario Kempe after he skated in all alone right out of the penalty box seconds after the Roadrunners killed off his slashing penalty. Tuscon outshot San Jose 10-4.

Joachim Blichfeld’s empty-net chance was taken away when two Roadrunner defensemen collapsed on him to knock the puck away from Blickfeld’s stick two minutes into the second period.

Tuscon would break the seal in the second period after a failed clearing attempt by the Cuda. Carter Camper was able to feed the puck over to Kempe, who snapped home a shot from the hash marks that trickled past Bibeau’s arm into the back of the net for his third goal of the playoffs at the 4:24 mark. Andrew Campbell received the secondary assist.

Conor Garland would give the Roadrunners an insurance goal with his first goal of the series. A Campbell shot from the point rattled off Adam Helweka’s body and hit off Garland into the back of the net for a 2-0 lead at the 4:53 mark in the third period. Dylan Strome received the secondary assist. It was his eight straight game with a point.

Kempe completed the scoring with his fourth goal of the series with an empty-net goal with 59 seconds left to seal the fate for the Cuda.

Bibeau had another MVP performance in net, making 31 saves on 33 shots in the tough luck loss. Hill, over the past two games, stopped 46 Cuda shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 0/2 on the power play. Tuscon went 0/4.

Rourke Chartier and Brandon Mashinter were out of the lineup due to suffering injuries in Game 3. Jon Martin was in the lineup for the Cuda.

The Barracuda resigned defenseman Radim Simek to a two-year contract extension. They also resigned McCarthy to a one-year deal earlier this week.

 

49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft: Rounds 2 and 3

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Photo credit: @49ers

By: Ana Kieu

The 2018 NFL Draft continued Friday night at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and Rounds 2 and 3 were carried out in red carpet fashion.

Let’s take a closer look at who John Lynch and the San Francisco 49ers selected in Rounds 2 and 3.

Round 2
The 49ers were on the clock. San Francisco traded up to No. 44 to select wide receiver Dante Pettis from the University of Washington. Pettis played college football for four seasons in the Emerald City, where he amassed 163 receptions for 2,256 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns. Pettis also set an NCAA record with nine career punt return touchdowns.

 

 

If used correctly, Pettis will be an offensive weapon for the 49ers.

Round 3
The 49ers were back on the clock. San Francisco selected Fred Warner, a linebacker who was a BYU product, with the No. 70 pick. Warner spent four seasons in Provo, Utah, where he accumulated 262 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks and seven interceptions. According to Lance Zierlein of NFL.com, Warner’s versatility is one of his best traits.

 

 

 

Warner fits the mold in the San Francisco Bay Area because he has great speed and provides great coverage.

Round 2 of this year’s draft wasn’t quite done yet, but the night was over for the 49ers, who selected defensive back Tarvarius Moore with the No. 95 pick. Moore played college football at the University of Southern Mississippi, where he played for two seasons after transferring from Pearl River Community College in Poplarville, Miss. Moore excelled in his senior year as he became a starter and went on to lead the Lady Eagles in both tackles and interceptions.

 

 

The 49ers remain in contact with ex-safety Eric Reid and hasn’t closed the door on re-signing him yet. However, San Francisco has made the right choice in Moore as he will likely add some depth to their secondary due to his speed, size and versatility.

Notes
The 49ers traded tackle Trent Brown and their 2018 fifth-round (143rd overall) draft choice to the New England Patriots in exchange for the Patriots’ 2018 third-round (95th overall) draft choice.

The 49ers signed safety Jaquiski Tartt to a two-year contract extension through the 2020 season.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Williamson day to day; Samardzija work in progress; Moronta Express

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SFGAuthentics photo: Mac Williamson who hit a tape measure shot last Monday against the Washington Nationals and another homer the next night pictures his bats he used in spring training in March

On the Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 Mac Williamson the Giants outfielder is listed as day to day with a stiff neck caused by crashing into the AT&T Park padding while chasing down a fly. Williamson missed Wednesday’s game and is anxious to get back into the line up

#2 Williamson has impressed manager Bruce Bochy not only for his hustle but those tape measure home runs during the Washington series and his bat speed making solid contact

#3 In his second start on Wednesday pitcher Jeff Samardzija was rocked and early over four innings of work, eight hits, six runs, and we asked Michael is Samardzija really ready after his rehab

#4 Giants pitcher Reyes Moronta has been the talk for his first win on Tuesday night he was able to retire Washington hitters either from the left or right side of the plate. In Moronta’s debut he pitched for a 0.64 ERA.

#5 The Giants open a four game series tonight at AT&T Park against the Los Angeles Dodgers which includes a double dip on Saturday to make up for a rain out earlier this month. Michael goes into the length of time that the players, coaches, managers (from both teams) and stadium employees put into working both ends of a day night doubleheader. The first game starts at 1:00PM and the second game starts at 7:00PM on Saturday night.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Joe Lami: Pens open series with 3-2 win past Caps; Bruins and Bolts open game 1 Saturday; Too much Knights for Sharks; Jets-Preds face off tonite for game 1

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@penguins photo: The Pittsburgh Penguins provided great defense to hold onto their one goal lead for the win 3-2 on Thursday night in Washington in game 1 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the best of seven round II

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Joe:

#1 Pittsburgh took game one 3-2 past the Washington Capitals to take a 1-0 series lead

#2 The Boston Bruins face off in Tampa Bay for a noon time matinee Saturday

#3 The San Jose Sharks were shelled by the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Center in game one on Thursday night.

#4 The Winnipeg Jets open up their best of seven series in Nashville tonight at 5pm this series has the feeling of a Stanley Cup Final

Joe does the Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Raiders draft Miller and trade for Bryant in Round 1 of NFL Draft

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Photo credit: @RAIDERS

By Jeremy Kahn

When the Oakland Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers flipped coins to see who would draft nine or 10 at the upcoming draft, the Raiders lost the coin toss and were scheduled to pick 10th.

That all changed on Draft Night, as the Raiders traded their pick to the Arizona Cardinals for their pick in the first round at 15, a third and fifth round over the next two days.

With the pick at 15, the Raiders went Kolton Miller, a 6 foot 9 inch, 308-pound offensive lineman out of UCLA.

Miller, who grew up in Roseville, north of Sacramento; however, he was born in Redwood City and graduated from Roseville before heading down south to play for the Bruins.

While at the Combine in Indianapolis, Miller set the broad jump record for offensive lineman, as he jumped 10 feet one inch.

Miller is the second Bruins player in a row to be drafted by the Raiders, as last year, the Raiders drafted defensive lineman Eddie Vanderdoes.

“He was super stoked,” Miller said. “To be drafted on the same team as Eddie… Him being from Placer, too, just down the road from Roseville, that’s something pretty neat.”

During the draft, the Raiders made a trade with the Pittsburgh Steelers, as the Raiders received wide receiver Martavis Bryant, who caught 50 passes for 603 yards and three touchdowns during the 2017 season.

In exchange for Bryant, the Steelers will receive the third round (79thpick), the pick that the Raiders received in the trade with the Cardinals earlier in the draft.

“It’s like drafting a player,” said Reggie McKenzie. “I feel like we drafted Martavis Bryant.”

Bryant missed the 2016 season because of a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

When it got to the third round, we felt it was something very interesting to us,” said Steelers General Manager Kevin Colbert. “We wish Martavis nothing but the best.”

The 26-year old Bryant will enter his last year of his contract, as he joins Amari Cooper and recently signed Jordy Nelson to make a great trio of wide receivers for quarterback Derek Carr.

49ers’ 2018 NFL Draft: Round 1

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Photo credit: @49ers

By: Ana Kieu

The 2018 NFL Draft was held in the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, which made the annual event the first ever in franchise history to be held in an NFL stadium and in the state of Texas.

So this year’s draft was held in the home stadium of the Dallas Cowboys, also known as America’s Team, and the red carpet was rolled out for the top prospects in the nation.

John Lynch and the San Francisco 49ers entered the draft with a total of nine selections, but let’s just focus on Round 1 Thursday night. The 49ers selected offensive lineman Mike McGlinchey, who stands at 6-foot-8 and weighs 309 lbs, with the ninth overall pick. McGlinchey’s stock has risen over the last 48 hours after he emerged as the consensus top tackle in this year’s draft class. McGlinchey played college football at Notre Dame.

With this pick, the 49ers have now acquired the obvious heir to offensive tackle Joe Staley. Staley is reportedly more eager than ever in Year 12. Not only that, Staley was named to the Pro Bowl six times in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2017. That being said, San Francisco completed a flawless touchdown when they drafted Staley with the 28th overall pick in the 2007 NFL Draft after they traded their first round with the New England Patriots.

After that, the 49ers were certainly ready to make Jet McKinnon and company, which includes McGlinchey.

NFL Network draft analyst and former New York Giants safety Mike Mayock commented on McGlinchey, saying, “He is a pile driver in the run game.”

 

Giants and Dodgers will meet once again

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Photo credit: @Laurel_Inn_SF

By Jeremy Kahn

Coming off of back-to-back series wins for the first two times this season, the San Francisco Giants return to play in the National League West and an old rival comes to town.

The reigning National League Champion Los Angeles Dodgers make their second of three trips to the Bay Area this season for a four-game series at AT&T Park.

This will be the last time that the Dodgers come to AT&T Park until the last weekend of the season, as they will face the Giants from September 28-30.

Derek Holland will take the AT&T Park mound, as the left-hander looks for his first win as a member of the Giants, while the Dodgers will send Hyun-Jin Ryu, who looks to improve to 4-0 on the season.

The Giants are coming off a 15-2 loss to the Washington Nationals, as Jeff Samardzija made his second start of the season, but he did get out of the fourth inning.

Samardzija went 3.2 innings, allowing six runs on eight runs, walking three and striking out three in his first AT&T Park start of the season.

Ryu is coming off a seven inning performance against the Nationals on Saturday night, as he went seven innings, allowing no runs on just two hits, walking three and striking out eight.

This is the third consecutive start that Ryu won, as he did not fare in his first start of the season, as the Arizona Diamondbacks defeated the Dodgers 8-7 at Chase Field.

Brandon Belt continues to hit the ball well, as he went 2-for-4 in Wednesday’s loss to the Nationals and is now batting .304 on the season.

Mac Williamson was a late scratch to Wednesday’s game, as he suffered a neck strain from the attempt at a foul ball in Tuesday night victory over the Nationals, where he hit the game-winning home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s winning ways get them just three games out of first place

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Photo credit: @BleacherReport

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry:

#1 The Oakland A’s, who swept the Chicago White Sox, took two of three from the Red Sox and won the first two games in Arlington from the Texas Rangers. They’re now only just three games out of first place.

#2 The A’s are getting the hitting now from Marcus Semien .269, Chad Pinder .281, Jed Lowrie .363, and Khris Davis .258.

#3 They just got by the Rangers on Tuesday night with a one-run 3-2 win and it took some good pitching this time to win that one from Andrew Triggs (2-0), going six innings, four hits, and one run.

#4 Looking ahead after this series, the A’s head to Minute Maid Field and face the Houston Astros, who are in first place in the AL West–ahead of the Los Angeles Angels.

#5 The A’s send out starter Sean Manaea (3-2) he’ll face the Astros Dallas Keuchel (1-3) on Friday night. With the A’s going strong right now, how do you see them matching up with Houston and after Manaea’s last start throwing a no-hitter last Saturday night against the Boston Red Sox?

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