Author: Sports Radio Service

Bay FC match wrap up: Seattle comes back to tie match with Bay FC 1-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC’s Racheal Kundananji (9) celebrates scoring a goal against Seattle Reign FC in the first half at PayPal Park in San Jose, Calif., on Saturday, April 26, 2025. (Shae Hammond/Bay Area News Group)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the Seattle Reign on Saturday night in a contest between two teams fighting for seventh in the standings.

Early in the match, Bay FC was sustaining heavy offensive pressure and getting the ball toward Seattle’s net on a fairly regular basis. In the 18th minute, Maddie Dahlien of the Reign was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Kiki Pickett in the midfield.

13 minutes later, Rachael Kundananji finally got on the scoresheet with her first goal of the season for Bay FC, giving them a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute. Jordan Silkowitz was critical for Bay FC staying in the game, as she made some incredible saves including a 1-on-1 opportunity in the first half. Over the course of the night, the 25-year-old goalkeeper made a season-high four saves.

Bay would carry their 1-0 lead into halftime, and after 45 minutes, the momentum seemed heavily in their favor. Things would change quickly in the second half though, as Jordyn Huitema would score in the 49th minute, making it 1-1.

From there, momentum slowly started to shift in favor of Seattle. As the game progressed, they maintained more possession in their attacking third of the pitch, putting pressure on the Bay FC defense.

Despite more pressure, the chances the Reign generated weren’t as high quality as the ones they had in the first half. It would take until the 69th minute for Albertin Montoya to make some changes for Bay, bringing in Asisat Oshoala and Rachel Hill for Karlie Lema and Caroline Conti.

After the substations, momentum seemed to even out for both sides. Bay FC had a few opportunities that nearly led to a second goal, however they were unable to convert.

After 90 minutes, the score remained 1-1 and the two evenly-matched sides would walk away with a single point each. Bay FC will head on the road for their next two games, visiting the San Diego Wave and Kansas City Current over the next two weeks before returning home on May 17 to face Angel City.

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan Sun Apr 27, 2025; Williams is what 49ers are looking for on defense; Raiders Jeanty could wind up being leading running back; plus more news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco 49ers newest running back Mykel Williams is all smiles after being the first round draft pick and the 11th overall. Williams was addressing the media on Fri Apr 25, 2025 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Bruce MacGowan:

#1 Bruce, the San Francisco 49ers made it their mission to get first round draft pick pass rusher Mykel Williams. The 49ers had their eye on Williams but pumped the brakes two seasons ago because Williams had suffered an high ankle sprain. He recovered since and 49ers general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan hope to use Williams as a key and core person on the 49ers defense.

#2 The Las Vegas Raiders made a great choice in getting running back Ashton Jeanty as their top pick in the draft. Jeanty was one of the most effective running backs in college football last season at Boise State and Raiders head coach Pete Carroll is confident that Jeanty will end up being the number one running back for the Raiders in the future.

#3 The Las Vegas Review Journal ran a headline that the Athletics still have not come up with the $1.75 billion as the A’s had said in a March 5th Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting that the would have the money and would be ready by June to have shovels in ground. The article questions when will the A’s fund the park and there is a possibility it may not happen.

#4 The Golden State Warriors Jimmy Butler is still questionable for game 4 for Monday night against the Houston Rockets at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Butler who suffered a lower back contusion after getting his legs taken out from beneath him and missed game 3. Can Butler return and be playoff competitive Monday.

Bruce MacGowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Apr 27, 2025: Yanks skipper Boone demotes Williams as closer; Bucs Skenes demonstrates the mental part of his game; plus more MLB news

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Yankees starter Devin Williams has been demoted as the closer after a blown save against the Toronto Blue Jays on Fri Apr 26, 2025 at Yankee Stadium. Williams was booed off the field after the loss and will be a middle reliever. (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun Apr 27, 2025:

#1 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone is considering removing Devin Williams as the closer his return the closer role would be based on improved pitching. On Friday Williams blew a save and the Yankee fans were unmerciful booing him off the field as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Yankees 4-2. Boone said he’ll do everything he can to get him back on track.

#2  Pittsburgh Pirates pitching ace Paul Skenes was facing Los Angeles Dodger mega star Shohei Ohtani in the fifth inning and had a 3-1 count on the Dodgers two way player. Skenes knew his back was to the wall and grew some extra confidence and threw two pitches that was on the outer edge of the strike zone. Then Skenes delivered a wicked curve ball that was going down Broadway but dropped at Ohtani’s shoe tops and Ohtani taking a big cut for strike three. That was some test of skill right there.

#3 Minnesota Twins obtained the services of infield Kody Clemens from the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies received cash for the exchange. Clemens was struggling for the Phils going 0-6, a walk, in seven games he was designated for assignment on Wednesday. The Twins added him to the 26 man roster and he made it in time for the Twins game on Saturday versus the Los Angeles Angels in Minneapolis. The move was made to fill infielder Luke Keachall who on the 10 day IL with a right forearm fracture.

#4 Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Tommy Pham was suspended by Major League Baseball for one game for “inappropriate actions toward fans” at Angels Stadium this week. Pham was supposed to be suspended for Friday’s game vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers but that suspension is in abeyance after Pham appealed. Pham 37 was caught on camera using a lewd hand gesture towards fans over the left field wall. Later a ball that was hit down the left field line that Pham made a play on a fan stuck out his glove on Pham. That fan was later moved to a different part of the park.

#4 Charlie, the Sacramento A’s who started the season in dead last in the AL West and at one time had a 2-7 home record have turned things around after sweeping the Chicago White Sox on the road and coming back to Sacramento this week taking two out three games from the Texas Rangers and and the first game of the three game set from the White Sox the A’s have added three more wins to their home record at Sutter Health Park to 5-9 as of Saturday. Was the rough beginning just a matter of getting used to the park for the A’s or was it a matter for the A’s to get their chemistry going?

#5 The San Francisco Giants paid tribute for former All Star and two time World Series Champion shortstop Brandon Crawford at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Saturday with former players on hand celebrating his retirement from baseball. Crawford career had 1404 hits, 147 home runs, 674 runs, and 748 RBIs and a career average of .249. Crawford played in San Francisco from 2011 to 2023 and finished his career in St Louis his last season was in 2024.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum Sun Apr 27, 2025: Fan support in Sacramento has been on the fence; Did not taking the Sacramento name turn some fans off?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sutter Health Field in Sacramento as it looked on opening day April 2, 2025 with the Chicago Cubs and Sacramento Athletics this game was the closest the A’s came to selling out. The A’s have no sell outs so far this season. ( photo by Joe McNamara 93.1 KFBK facebook)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 The issue of the Sacramento A’s selling tickets is a question that’s been raised so far the A’s have not sold out one home game since opening day this month. The A’s have the highest priced ticket in baseball and they are not carrying the Sacramento name although the press call them Sacramento anyway is this part of the stigma?

# 2 The fans in Sacramento want the A’s to stay and fans in Sacramento basically need to sell the park out and basically show support of what the A’s front office is doing. Short of that it’s not likely anyway the A’s will not be staying in Sacramento.

#3 In Las Vegas reports were that Clark County had all the commercial grading permits were all in order and the A’s were prepped for stadium construction. The problem once again is the A’s share of the construction costs which run at $1.75 billion but could go even higher the longer they wait. The A’s and the Las Vegas Stadium Authority said that they were confident that shovels would be in the ground in June.

#4 The A’s are not paying rent to Sacramento River Cats and Sutter Health Park owner Vivek Ranadive the trade off for Ranadive is that outside chance that Vegas falls through and the A’s get to stay in Sacramento.

#5 Daniel from what we’ve heard in covering this story the players are not happy playing in a minor league facility but are not publicly saying anything. Their desire is to play in a Major League facility. The players and the players union if it gets to the point where this whole minor league park idea is not working could file a grievance through the union and say that playing in a minor league park is not acceptable and want to move to a MLB park for the remaining two interim years.

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers Draft podcast David Zizmor Sun Apr 27, 2025: Niners hoping Williams to pile up the sacks and pass rushing for rookie season; plus rest of draft pick review

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Georgia Bulldogs lineman Mykel Williams (13) seen here playing against Florida in the second half on Sat Nov 2, 2024. Williams was selected as the 11th pick by the San Francisco 49ers on Thu Apr 24, 2025. (AP News photo)

San Francisco 49ers Draft podcast David Zizmor:

#1 David talk about the San Francisco 49ers top draft pick Mykel Williams who had 14 sacks in three seasons for the Georgia Bulldogs. Williams played on the Georgia defensive line and had success with getting to the quarterbacks.

#2 Williams is considered somewhat of a gamble when it comes to the pass rush but his two best games came against the Texas Longhorns and offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. Banks was the ninth overall pick for the New Orleans Saints. Williams against the Longhorns had four sacks out of five attempts. Will he be the kind of pass rusher that the 49ers expect him to be?

#3 David will have you now go down the list of the rest of the 49ers selections for the 2025 draft.

David Zizmor is a San Francisco 49ers analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman Sun Apr 27, 2025: Hicks gets the start for Giants today; SF Bailey’s walk off single edges Rangers in ninth 3-2 Saturday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants pinch hitter Patrick Bailey (center) is congratulated by teammates Heliot Ramos (17) and Willy Adames (right) after his walk off single that scored Ramos in the bottom of the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Apr 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants Patrick Bailey hit his fourth career walk hit as a pinch hitter that scored Heliot Ramos from as they Giants who were down at one time 2-0 came back and defeated the Texas Rangers 3-2 at Oracle Park on Saturday.

#2 The Rangers starter Tyler Mahle who came into Saturday’s game with a 3-0 ERA 0.68 got touched up for eight hits and two earned runs. The Giants were facing a tough competitor in Mahle but came away with a comeback win.

#3 The Giants Willy Adames has been key in the line up he tied the ball game in the bottom of the fifth inning with a two run RBI single. Adames now has 14 hits that has either tied up a game or gave the Giants the lead.

#4 Pitching wise Giants starter Robbie Ray went seven innings, allowing five hits, two earned runs and eight strike outs. Ray didn’t get the decision but again another good outing and enough for the Giants to pick up their 17th win of the season.

#5 The series is tied 1-1 and the stage is set for game 3 of the series today here at Oracle Park. The Rangers will be going with RHP Jack Leiter (2-0 ERA 0.90) and the Giants will be going with RHP Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.59) first pitch slated for 1:05pm PDT. It’s been a competitive series so far how do you see the match up going into the rubber match.

#6 Big tribute for former Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford who retired from baseball after playing for the Giants from 2011-2023 that brought speeches from former Giants players and Giants personnel before Saturday’s game, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, former Giants manager Bruce Bochy, and CEO Larry Baer.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Graf’s late go propels Barracuda into second round with 2-1 win over Reign, sweep series

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By Marko Ukalovic

Collin Graf scored the game winning goal with 2:18 left in the game as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Ontario Reign 2-1 in Game 2 of the Pacific Division first round series on Saturday evening at Crypto.com Arena.

The sixth seeded San Jose swept the third seeded Ontario two games to none as they won their first playoff series since 2017. The Barracuda will play the division winner Colorado Eagles in the semifinals of the Pacific Division Playoffs.

Ethan Cardwell set up Graf’s heroics when he centered a pass out to Graf who beat Reign goalie Phoenix Copley with a sliding backhander for his first goal of the playoffs. Collin White received the secondary assist on the play.

The first period was scoreless as San Jose had two power play opportunities compared to just one for Ontario. Neither team was able to find pay dirt as both penalty kills were dominant in the opening 20 minutes.

Early in the second period was where the momentum shifted toward the Barracuda. Cuda goalie Alexander Askarov made a point-blank save on Martin Chromiak who was camped out in front of the crease when Charles Hudon threw the puck at the net just under seven minutes into the middle frame.

Less than a minute later, San Jose (2-0) drew first blood. Cuda captain Jimmy Schuldt sent the puck down to the goal line. White centered the puck from behind the net to Anthony Vincent who beat Copley with a one-timer to the short side for his first goal of the playoff at the 7:40 mark.

Ontario (0-2) answered back in the third period with an even strength goal. Glen Gawdin centered the puck over to Chromiak in the high slot. Chromiak beat Askarov with a one-timer for his first goal of the playoff.

The Reign pulled Copley with under two minutes left in the game for an extra attacker. However, San Jose bent but didn’t break as they kept Ontario from scoring the equalizer and escaped Southern California with a series win.

Askarov finished the game stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced for his second win of the playoffs and first series win. Copley made 23 saves on 25 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-3 on the power play. Ontario went 0-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Askarov (29 SV/30SA), 2) Graf (1G,0A) 3) Chromiak (1G,0A).

UP NEXT: San Jose takes on the Colorado Eagles in the semifinals of the Pacific Division Playoffs. Schedule TBD.

Bailey walks off Rangers, as Giants win 3-2 on Brandon Crawford Day

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford addresses the crowd in his retirement speech at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Brandon Crawford Day Sat Apr 26, 2025 before the Giants hosted the Texas Rangers (AP News photo)

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Texas Rangers 2 (15-12)

San Francisco Giants 3 (18-10)

Win: Ryan Walker (1-1)

Loss: Jacob Webb (2-1)

Time: 2:38

Attendance: 40,153

By Stephen Ruderman

Patrick Bailey capped off a festive and an exciting afternoon by sending everybody home happy with a pinch-hit walk-off base-hit to propel the Giants to a 3-2 win over Bruce Bochy’s Rangers on Brandon Crawford Day.

Even though the Giants and Rangers had a game Saturday, the only thing on anyone’s mind today was Brandon Crawford. Crawford, one of the greatest shortstops in Giants’ franchise history, and possibly the greatest shortstop in San Francisco Giants’ history, had his official retirement ceremony prior to the game.

Some of Crawford’s former teammates, including Buster Posey and Hunter Pence were there, as was his old manager, Bruce Bochy. Something tells me that having this ceremony when Bochy was in town with the Rangers was a calculated decision, and a good one at that.

Crawford, who is beginning to look the part of a retired ballplayer with noticeable gray whiskers, took to the podium and made his speech. Afterwards, Crawford threw out the ceremonial first pitch to Posey, who was in the squat behind home plate in his executive attire, and he and his family took a lap around the field.

There was of course the ballgame that was supposed to be played Saturday. The Rangers shut out the Giants in the series opener Friday night, and the Giants looked for some of the old mojo and vibes to lead them to victory Saturday.

It was also a matchup of two undefeated pitchers in Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle. Both pitchers came into today’s game with 3-0 records, though Ray’s ERA was substantially higher.

Both pitchers were slow to get their feet on the ground, Ray even more so. The Rangers plated a run off Ray in the top of the first inning, as Wyatt Langford doubled with one out; advanced to third base on an infield hit; and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jake Burger.

Mahle worked his way out of jams in the bottom of the first and second, and Ray somewhat settled down with a scoreless top of the second.

However, Ray ran into problems again in the top of the third. Well, it was really a problem, and that problem was former Giant and Willie Mac Award Winner Kevin Pillar, who played for Bochy in his final season at the helm of the Giants in 2019.

Pillar lined a base-hit to left field to start the inning. He then stole both second and third, and then he scored on the second sacrifice fly of the game by Burger.

Mahle pitched scoreless innings in the bottom of the third and the fourth. Ray got his first one, two, three inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and did the same in the top of the fifth.

Mahle had pitched four shutout innings, but he was far from dominant. He had yet to throw a one, two, three inning, as the pesky Giants did everything they could to get on the board.

The Giants would finally break through in the bottom of the fifth. Christian Koss started the inning with a base-hit to right, and Sam Huff got him over to third with a double. Mike Yastrzemski popped up to Nick Ahmed, another former Giant, at short for the first out, but Willie Adames lined a base-hit to left-center to knock in both runners and tie it.

Mahle ended up going five innings, while giving up two runs.

Robbie Ray, on the other hand, was in complete control. He threw another one, two, three inning in the sixth, and he ended up setting down 13-straight Rangers. Josh Smith broke the streak with a two-out base-hit in the top of the seventh, but Ahmed then flew out to end the inning and a really strong start for Ray.

In seven innings, Ray gave up two runs and five hits. He walked just one, and he struck out Ray. While neither pitcher got a decision in this one, Ray definitely won the battle of undefeated starting pitchers.

Tyler Rogers threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and this game sailed into the ninth. Neither team could get the lead back, and this game was going to be settled one way or another.

Ryan Walker was once again entrusted with the top of the ninth, but the Rangers pounced on him right away. Marcus Semien and Jonah Heim both singled, and Texas had runners on first and second to start the inning.

Walker was in trouble again, but he bore down. Kyle Higashioka attempted to lay down a sacrifice bunt, but Walker got him to pop out to the catcher, Sam Huff, in foul territory. Walker then struck out Josh Smith and Joc Pederson to get out of it unscathed and with the game still tied.

The Giants went to the bottom of the ninth in perfect position to win it, and you kinda just knew they were going to win it.

Jacob Webb, who finished the bottom of the eighth for the Rangers, was back out for the bottom of the ninth. The Giants wasted no time, as Heliot Ramos singled to center, and LaMonte Wade walked on four pitches. Unlike Higashioka, Christian Koss was able to get the sacrifice bunt down, as he got the runners over to second and third.

Bob Melvin then sent in Patrick Bailey to pinch-hit for Sam Huff. Bruce Bochy countered by bringing in the left-hander, Jacob Latz, to force the switch-hitting Bailey to hit right-handed. For Bailey it was no problem. Bailey took the first pitch, a changeup at the bottom of the knees, and flipped it out to right for a base-hit, and Ramos scored to win it.

It was the Giants’ fourth walk-off win of the season, as they improve to 18-10.

Ryan Walker was rewarded for his hard work and perseverance during this long week with the win. Jacob Webb took the loss for the Rangers. And yes, Robbie Ray and Tyler Mahle still remain undefeated at 3-0.

The Giants will try to win the series in the finale Sunday afternoon. Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.59 ERA), who has had some rocky starts early on, will take the ball for the Giants. Jack Leiter (2-0, 0.90 ERA), the son of former major leaguer, Al Leiter, and the nephew of former Giant, Mark Leiter, will make the start for the Rangers.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Saturday was also the fifth sellout for the Giants so far this season at Oracle Park. Since 2019, the most games the Giants have sold out in a single season at Oracle Park is 10, which they did in both 2022 and 2024.

A’s Fall to White Sox 10-3, Setting Up Rubber Match on Sunday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Brent Rooker in the game against the White Sox on Saturday afternoon. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics came into Saturday’s matchup against the White Sox riding high. The A’s had just won a series against the Texas Rangers and handled business in the first game of the three-game series against the White Sox. Riding stellar bullpen performances and timely hitting of late, the A’s looked to win consecutive home series for the first time in their brief history at Sutter Health Park.

The White Sox had other plans, handling the A’s with ease in a 10-3 victory.

A’s starter Jeffrey Springs struggled early, as has been the case in a few of his starts this season. Springs gave up four runs in the first inning and two more in the second, putting the A’s in an early hole against baseball’s worst team. The game felt firmly in the White Sox’s possession, and the only question was whether the A’s offense could do enough to win a slugfest.

However, in a game that was bad early for Springs, he did settle in nicely, managing to go six innings. He gave up only one more run in the sixth, finishing with seven runs allowed on seven hits with two walks and four strikeouts. It was undoubtedly a good sign for Springs, who early on looked like he might not finish two innings.

On the offensive side, the A’s couldn’t get much going against the White Sox. They got a run back in the fourth inning on a Miguel Andujar groundout that scored Brent Rooker, who had doubled earlier in the inning.

In the seventh, the A’s added another run courtesy of a Luis Urías homer, but only after the White Sox had expanded their lead against the A’s bullpen in the top half. The White Sox scored three runs against reliever Noah Murdock, who pitched two innings, giving up three runs on three hits while walking three batters. It was not Murdock’s best outing, as he had been stellar of late for Mark Kotsay.

Grant Holman pitched the top of the ninth for the A’s, firing a scoreless inning with no walks and a strikeout.

The A’s were able to add a run in the ninth thanks to a Nick Kurtz RBI single after a Miguel Andujar triple, but they would drop the second game of the series 10-3 to the White Sox.

The A’s fell to 13-14 with the loss as the White Sox improved to 7-20 with the win.

Up Next: The A’s and White Sox will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday at 1:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. Osvaldo Bido is slated to go for the A’s, countered by Davis Martin for the White Sox.

Las Vegas Raiders Draft podcast Rich Perez Sat Apr 26, 2025: Jeanty expected to be the Raiders number 1 running back

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty celebrates his selection by the Las Vegas Raiders as the sixth overall pick in the first round of the NFL draft on Thu Apr 24, 2025 in Green Bay (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Raiders Draft podcast Rich Perez:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders head coach Pete Carroll said all along that he wanted a deep, running, heavy offense and he’s looking forward to getting that out of the Raiders top draft pick Ashton Jeanty who was at the top of this year’s class and rated one of the best players coming out of the draft.

#2 Coach Carroll expects Jeanty to be rough and ready from the jump and looks to see Jeanty’s competitiveness and Jeanty is expected to take the ball right away.

#3 Carroll and the Raiders expect to build a foundation on offense with Jeanty and tight end Brock Bowers. These two players the Raiders are considering building their future on.

#4 Jeanty at Boise State was a tough running back and was tough to bring down when covering the ball and his performance translates to future successes in the NFL. Jeanty had 126 forced tackles, the most FBS, and had 1733 yards after contact and that was 590 more any other FBS player in the 2024 season.

#5 The Raiders current depth chart at running back will have Jeanty be the number one running back. The Raiders running back will join Raiders running back Raheem Mostert, Zamir White, Sincere McCormick, and Dylan Laube.

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com