San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda conclude regular season in Calgary this Friday and Saturday

San Jose forward Patrick Giles (54) and Ontario Reign defenseman Augus Booth (24) battle on the ice at Tech CU Arena in San Jose on Sat Apr 12, 2025 (San Jose Barracuda photo)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Marko final home game of the regular season the San Jose Barracuda (35-26-5-4) gave up two goals in the first three minutes and could never find their way back eventually losing to the visiting Ontario Reign (41-24-3-1) at Tech CU in San Jose.

#2 What was impressive was the Reign’s goaltender 18 years old Carter George had 33 saves in his first professional game and what a way to start with your first shutout as well.

#3 The Reign’s Martin Chromiak scored his 17th goal of the season on a tipped in shot from the right point from between the circles for a 1-0 lead. The Reign’s Reilly Walsh scored his fifth goal of the season making it 2-0 going top shelf in the offensive zone off the face off.

#4 In the second period San Jose had opportunities to get on the scoreboard the Reign’s Walsh did it again scoring a perfect shot glove side under goaltender Yaroslav Askarov from between the circles. The Reign came away with a 4-0 shutout for the win on Saturday night.

#5 The Barracuda take on the fifth placed Calgary Wranglers next Friday and Saturday to conclude the regular season. The Wranglers are 36-27-4-3 and won five of their last ten games. How do you see this match up in Calgary?

Marko Ukalovic will cover the San Jose Barracuda post season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Cubs lose Steele for season needs elbow surgery; Jays Guerrero Jr glad contract issues settled; plus more news

Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele 2025 season is over due needed elbow surgery to repair a flexor tendon. Here Steele pitches to the Texas Rangers in the top of the first inning at Wrigley Field on Mon Apr 7, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Chicago Cubs pitcher Justin Steele will miss the rest of the 2025 season due to needed surgery on his left elbow to repair a flexor tendon, according Cubs manager Craig Counsell. It wasn’t know if Steele will need ligament replacement of the Tommy John revision with a internal brace. Steele will be out until the 2026 season.

#2 Vladimir Guerrero Jr is thrilled to be on board with the Toronto Blue Jays after singing a 14 year contract worth $500 million. Guerrero Jr who signed with the Jays last Monday was born in Montreal and his Hall of Fame father Vladimir Sr was born in the Dominican and played for the Montreal Expos. Guerrero signed with the Blue Jays at 16 years old in 2015 and made it to the big leagues in 2019.

#3  Toronto Blue Jays right hand pitcher Max Scherzer will pay a visit to a US specialist due to right thumb soreness. It will be his second to the specialist in the US this week said Jays manager John Schneider on Monday. Scherzer a three time Cy Young Award winner got a cortisone injection for the sore thumb when visited Dr. Thomas Graham on Mar 31st.

#4 Very sad news from the Cincinnati Reds Tommy Helms who was a slick fielding infielder who had won the 1966 National League Rookie of the Year. Helms also managed the Reds for short terms has passed away at age 83. Helms wife told the Reds Hall of Fame that Helms passed away of an unknown cause. Helms played 14 season in 1435 games, he was an All Star 1967 and 68. He won gold gloves in 1970 and 1971 those years Helms played Dave Concepcion and they were considered the best double play combinations in the game.

#5 Amaury check it out two homestands so far for the Sacramento A’s and two of the largest TV market teams have paid a visit to the A’s minor league park Sutter Health Park the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets. Reports have fans who came from New York saying the space is way too small to accommodate fans, players and media from either of those two markets visiting Sacramento. On the home opener the broadcasts went off the air one time for the A’s and one for the Cubs. During Saturday’s game the cart taking an injured Cub player off he diamond ran out of gas the player had to be assisted off the field.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason: Kings move onto next step with Play In game vs. Dallas Wednesday

The Sacramento Kings forward DeMar DeRozan takes a jump shot against the Phoenix Suns Cody Martin (17) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Sun Apr 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis and Jonas Valanciunas each chalked up a double double as the Sacramento Kings clinched for their first play in game after defeating the Phoenix Suns 109-98 Sunday.

#2 Sabonis scored 20 points and had 12 rebounds for his 61st double-double of the season. Valanciunas scored 22 points and ten rebounds.

#3 The Kings Zach LaVine scored 20 points and improved to 40-42 and are ending their regular season on positive note with a win.

#4 The Kings will meet the Dallas Mavericks for the play in game. The Kings finished the season in ninth place and the Mavericks finished at tenth place. The Play In game is one and done on Wed Apr 16 for a 7:00pm PDT tip off at Golden 1. How do you see this post season match up?

Barbara Mason covers the Sacramento Kings podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bay Area Panthers game wrap: Panthers upend Wranglers 50-28

Bay Area Panthers warm up before their game against the North Arizona Wranglers at SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Apr 13, 2025 (photo by Daisy Amaya Sports Radio Service)

By Madison Montez

The Bay Area Panthers dominated the North Arizona Wranglers at SAP Center in San Jose on Sunday night 50-28. The Panthers in the first half had their offense going with a 22-7 lead. The Wranglers quarterback CJ Fowler at 10:56 threw an intercepted pass that was intercepted by the Panthers Tevaughn Grant at the Arizona 11 yard line and ran in for a touchdown making it 8-0 Panthers.

At 7:00 Fowler threw to wide out Marvin Kinsley for a six yard touchdown and the Wranglers were on the scoreboard cutting the Panthers lead to one point 8-7. The Wranglers kicker Brandon Fischer hit a 49 yard kick off that was returned by the Panthers Arsiah McCorker Sr for a touchdown at 6:04 making it 16-7. The Panthers concluded the first half with another score at 5:06 when Panthers quarterback Josh Jones threw a 15 yard pass to Tyrese Chambers for a 22-7 Panthers lead at the half.

Third quarter action Fowler threw a 13 yard pass to Kinsley at 11:57 and the Wranglers had their second score of the game making it 22-14 Panthers still ahead. Panthers running back Joshua Tomas scored on a two yard carry at 7:08 as the Panthers improved on the scoreboard 29-14. The Wranglers David Elder scored on a hand off for a six yard scamper at 3:39 to make it 29-21 Panthers lead was to eight points. Bay Area’s Joshua Tomas scored after taking a pitch into the end zone for a six yard carry at 14:10 to conclude all the scoring in third quarter making it 36-21

Fourth quarter action the Bay Area scored twice unanswered: Wranglers quarterback Fowler threw an intended pass to Jamal Couch but the ball was intercepted by Panthers Trae Meadows who ran it back for a 50 yard touchdown Panthers up 43-21. The Panthers would score one more time for the evening to ice the game when Jones hit Chambers at 1:57 for a 19 yard run. Panthers hit the 50 point mark making it 50-21. The Wranglers hard as they tried scored for the final time of the game with 26 seconds left in the game when Fowler hit Elder for a three yard run but it was not enough for Northern Arizona who lost it 50-28.

Panthers next game is at the Fisher Freight. It will be the Panthers first IFL meeting with the Fish in the two franchises history Sat Apr 19th at 4:05pm PDT.

Bay FC game wrap: Chicago’s Ludmila scores twice enough to defeat Bay FC 2-1 at Pay Pal Park

With clenched fists midfielder Caroline Conti (15) celebrates her goal at the 58th minute as Bay FC avoids getting shutout by the Chicago Stars FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sun Apr 13, 2025 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy /Sports Radio Service staff writer

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the newly rebranded Chicago Stars FC on Sunday evening in the two teams’ first matchup of the season. Bay FC was looking to avenge a loss to the Washington Spirit while Chicago was hoping to get their first win of the season. The Stars Ludmila scored twice in the fifth minute and in the 41st minute enough to defeat Bay FC 2-1 at Pay Pal Park.

Chicago seemed to get an early lead in the fifth minute when the ball got past Jordan Silkowitz and into the back of the net, but the assistant referee’s flag was up and the play was offside. After a momentary delay, the referee was called over for a review and the call was changed once again though. Chicago was awarded the goal, and Ludmila got her first goal of the season.

Abby Dahlkemper saved a goal in the 18th minute, as Silkowitz charged out at the ball carrier. The shot went past Bay’s goalkeeper but went right to Dahlkemper. Chicago would get a second goal during the first half though, as Ludmila made it a brace in the 41st minute.

Chicago would carry that lead into halftime.

Early in the second half, the first yellow card of the night was shown to Camryn Biegalski for a foul on Rachael Kundananji.

Bay FC would get on the board in the 58th minute, when Caroline Conti would score on a penalty, which was the result of a handball inside of the box by Chicago.

Penelope Hocking had a chance for an equalizer in the 92nd minute, but the shot sailed over the goal for a goal kick. A similar result happened when she got an opportunity in the 96th minute.

Chicago would end up picking up their first win, and points, of the season as Bay FC were unable to find an equalizer late in the match. Their 2-1 loss is also Bay’s first loss of the season at PayPal Park as they drop to 1-2-1 on the season.

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sat : Astro Fan grabs ball out of Halo Trout’s glove, ruled foul fan tossed; Yanks Stroman on 15 day IL for inflammation; plus more news

Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mike Trout is none too happy after Houston Astros fan Jared Whalen took the ball out of his glove after reaching into the stands and making a catch. Whalen apologized and tried to hand the ball back to Trout. Whalen was ejected out of the park but later returned to meet and apologize to Trout in person at Daikin Park in Houston on Sat Apr 12, 2025 (New York Times photo)

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O:

#1 Los Angeles Angels right fielder Mike Trout was racing towards the right field stands to make a leaping catch while extending his arm in what would have been a great catch but a fan who was wearing a Houston Astros jersey caught the ball before Trout and took the ball away. The umpires further ruled that the fan had took the ball out of Trout’s glove. The fan looked sorry for the misdeed raised his arms and offered to give the ball back to Trout. The fan was escorted out of the Daikin Park in Houston. First base umpire Alan Porter ruled the ball foul rather than rule it a fly out. Astros hitter Yanier Diaz later ended up flying to center to end the inning. Jared Whalen the fan later said he was protecting his son’s face and later met with Trout in the clubhouse area where Trout ended up giving a bat to Whalen’s son.

#2 The New York Yankees announced on Saturday that Marcus Stroman will be placed on the 15 day IL due to left knee inflammation this being one day after Stroman surrendered five runs with two outs in a 9-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. Stroman was sent to the hospital after throwing 46 pitches during a rainy Friday game.

#3 Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Richard Fitts had to leave Saturday’s game against the Chicago White Sox with right shoulder pain. Fitts surrendered two hits, struck out five and walked a batter and left in the fifth inning. Fitts will be coming back to Boston to undergo an MRI said Sox manager Alex Cora.

#4  Emmanuel Clase of the Cleveland Guardians was one of the most dominating relievers in baseball last season. Clase said he was not a pitching machine and that he was human and that he could make mistakes. Clase has struggled in the first few weeks of the season. So far Clase is 2-0 with one save. On Saturday night he gave up six runs on 14 hits.

#5 Could the Los Angeles Dodgers end up being one of the best big league teams. The all time win record for a season sits at 116 held by the 1906 Chicago White Sox and the 2001 Seattle Mariners. The Dodgers are good enough but can they eclipse the Sox and M’s for the all time wins in a season record.

Join Charlie for headline sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings Secure Home Court in 109-98 Win Over Suns; Sac hosts Dallas Wednesday at Golden 1 in Play In

Domantas Sabonis on Sunday in the game against the Phoenix Suns (Photo: Sacramento Kings on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — It was game 82 of 82 on Sunday afternoon. In a season known more for turmoil than winning, the Kings laced them up one last time in 2025, trying to secure a home play-in game on Wednesday against the Dallas Mavericks.

After a disappointing season for the Phoenix Suns, they traveled to Sacramento to take on the Kings on Sunday. Officially eliminated from playoff contention, the Suns wouldn’t play any of their stars. Brad Beal, Kevin Durant, and Devin Booker all sat for the Suns. The environment was ripe for a Kings win and they took advantage of the resting Suns with a 109-98 win at Golden 1 Center on Sunday to advance to the play in playoffs.

In the first quarter, the Kings outscored the Suns 33-25 to get off to a quick start. The Kings’ energy and intensity were good, and they looked like a team that came to win. Zach LaVine scored 10 points in the first quarter to get off to a hot start offensively.

In the second quarter, the Suns made a run and outscored the Kings 29-24 to get the game within three points going into halftime at 57-54. The Kings’ scoring in the first half came from Domantas Sabonis, who had 17 points in the half.

In the third quarter, the Kings expanded their slim halftime lead to 11 points by the end of the period. The Kings outscored the Suns 29-21 in the third as they looked to complete the win in the fourth.

In the final quarter, the Kings largely played the bench unit as the regular season came to a close. The Kings and Suns both scored 23 points in the final quarter, allowing the Kings to secure the 109-98 victory. The Kings’ best performance came from Jonas Valanciunas, who scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds on the day.

The Kings will stay home to take on the Dallas Mavericks in the 9/10 seed play-in game on Wednesday. Tip-off is set for 7 PM PST inside Golden 1 Center.

SF’s Jung Hoo takes NY’s Rondon deep twice; Giants Take Series Over Yankees Winning 5-4

San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee is psyched after hitting a three run home run in the top of the sixth innings against the New York Yankees at Yankees Stadium on Sun Apr 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (11-4) got a series win off the New York Yankees (8-7) in game three of their series winning 5-4 now with an 11-4 season record. Jung Hoo Lee had a terrific game hitting not one but two home runs, the first a solo shot and the second a three run home run.

He has been probably the most exciting player to take the field this year along with Wilmer Flores who was great in the game two of the series. Ryan Walker closed out the game beautifully dismissing Aaron Judge for the third out in the ninth inning.

Game recap: The Yankees got a hot start scoring three runs in the first and second innings. In the first inning, Paul Goldschmidt singled Aaron Judge home for the 1-0 first inning lead. New York extended their lead in the second inning with two additional runs.

J.C. Escarra doubled Jasson Dominguez home followed by a single off the bat of Ben Rice driving Escarra home for a 3-0 Yankee lead. New York was off and running.

San Francisco had been quiet in the first three innings able to contact the Carlos Rodon pitches although those hits didn’t have a lot of mustard on them. The Yankees were handling business in the outfield.

The Giants figured him out in the fourth inning and they did not look back. The ever consistent Jung Hoo Lee hammered a solo home run to right centerfield and San Francisco was on the board 3-1.

In the sixth inning, Lee hit his second home run, again to right centerfield, but this time Christian Koss and Willy Adames were on base and San Francisco had taken the lead 4-3 after having trailed 3-0 in the early innings.

The Yankees starting pitcher Rodon was relieved after 5.2 innings. To start the sixth inning, Rodon began to falter giving up an infield single, an Adames walk, a second Lee three run home run and another walk putting Matt Chapman on base.

Mark Leiter Jr. took over on the mound getting out of the inning. Rodon got through 5.2 innings allowing three hits, four earned runs, three walks with eight strikeouts in a mixed bag.

The Giants got an insurance run in seventh inning when Yankee first baseman Goldschmidt had a fielding error and Casey Schmitt scored giving San Francisco a 5-3 lead. The Giants had only four hits so far in the game but they were walked five times but gave them a real advantage.

San Francisco threatened in the eighth but came away empty leaving runners on second and third base. Lee and Chapman both walked but the Giants couldn’t get the hit to bring them home.

Wilmer Flores struck out, Mike Yastrzemski grounded out and Schmitt struck out; it remained a two run game. The Yankee’s went on to make it interesting in the bottom of the eighth inning when Jazz Chisholm Jr hit a solo home run making it a one run game 5-4 in favor of San Francisco.

San Francisco couldn’t get anything going in the top of the ninth inning. Patrick Bailey and Christian Koss both struck out and Heliot Ramos grounded out. The Yankee had one inning left to turn this game around with Austin Wells at the plate with the possible tying run.

Ben Rice and Aaron Judge would follow him. Wells flied out and Rice grounded out to third. Judge came to the plate New York’s last hope to at least tie up this game. With the count 2-2 closer Ryan Walker finished off Judge striking him out and San Francisco had taken the series winning this game 5-4.

San Francisco pitcher Logan Webb got his second win of the season now with a 2-0 record. He went five innings allowing five hits, three earned runs and five strikeouts.

Game Notes: Sunday afternoon the Giants played the Yankees in game three of their rubber matchup.

In game one the Giants dominated New York in a rain-soaked Yankee Stadium 9-1 which was called in the sixth inning on Friday.

Saturday the Yankees leveled the series winning in dominant fashion 8-4.

Sunday both teams were looking for a win in the series. Both teams had dominant wins in their respective games and this game was a good one. The crowd looked different Sunday with the absence of rain slickers and inclement weather gear. This was a much more comfortable day for everyone in the stands and on the field with no rain in the forecast.

It is now off to Philadelphia for a four-game series that begins Monday afternoon with first pitch scheduled for 3:45 PM PDT. Landen Roupp (0-1 ERA 3.60) will be on the mound for the Giants and the Phillies will send Taijuan Walker (1-0 ERA 0.00) for the first game of the series.

Ginn Shines as A’s Even Series with 3-1 Win Over Mets

Max Muncy on Saturday at Sutter Health Park in the game against the Mets (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s and Mets were back in action Saturday afternoon for the second game of a three-game series. First pitch was tossed at 1:05 PM PST under immaculate 70-degree conditions at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

The A’s sent J.T. Ginn to the hill opposed by Mets starter David Peterson. Both pitchers threw well, but Ginn particularly shined in his five and one-third innings of work, allowing four hits, one run, and two walks while striking out six.

Peterson also delivered a solid outing, pitching six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, and striking out five A’s hitters. The A’s took the second game of this three game set with a 3-1 win on Saturday.

The A’s got on the board first, scoring two runs in the fourth inning to take a 2-0 lead. Tyler Soderstrom singled home Jacob Wilson for the first run and later came around to score on an RBI groundout by JJ Bleday.

The Mets responded in the top of the sixth inning when Brandon Nimmo hit a solo home run to right field, tagging Ginn for his only run allowed on the day.

Sacramento quickly answered back in the bottom of the seventh inning as Jhonny Pereda doubled home Max Muncy, extending the lead to 3-1. That score would hold up the rest of the way. 

The A’s bullpen was excellent in relief, with Justin Sterner, Tyler Ferguson, and Mason Miller combining for three and two-thirds scoreless innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four Mets batters.

All nine A’s starters recorded at least one hit in what could be characterized as a solid team win. With the victory, the A’s improved to 6-9, while the Mets fell to 9-5 on the young season.

Up next, the A’s and Mets will face off in the rubber game of the series Sunday at 1:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park.

Yankees Even Series Beating Giants 8-4

By Barbara Mason

New York Yankees first base Ben Rice celebrates with outfielder Aaron Judge after hitting a solo home run against the San Francisco Giants during the sixth inning at Yankee Stadium.IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The New York Yankees leveled the series with the San Francisco Giants in game two winning the matchup 8-4. The Yankees took an early lead 2-0 and the game was tied going into the bottom of the fifth inning.

New York really went off scoring five runs taking a 7-2 lead. San Francisco fought back scoring a couple of runs in the sixth for a 7-4 tally but that would be it for the Giants. New York tacked on a Ben Rice solo home run for the final. The Yankees dismissed San Francisco in the top of the ninth inning striking Jung Hoo Lee and Matt Chapman out. Heliot Ramos grounded out for the final out and that was the ball game.

In the second game of the series it was the Yankees that struck first in the first inning taking a 2-0 lead. Cody Bellinger tripled with Aaron Judge on base and the Yankees were first up on the scoreboard 1-0. New York followed that up with a Paul Goldschmidt sacrifice bringing Bellinger home now leading 2-0.

Wilmer Flores put San Francisco on the board in the second inning hitting a home run to center with Heliot Ramos on base and this game was tied 2-2. New York threatened in the bottom of the second to bust this game open with the bases loaded and Aaron Judge at the plate. San Francisco pitcher Jordan Hicks was living dangerously but got out of the inning unscathed.

Both pitchers held their own through the third and fourth innings. Late in the fifth inning Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks was relieved by Randy Rodriguez. He finished allowing eight hits and seven earned runs in a rough outing. He allowed five hits in the fifth inning and a walk.

There was not a lot of action for the Giants in the top of the 5th inning but the Yankees really got something going in the bottom of the inning prompting some action in the San Francisco bullpen. Cody Bellinger got the party started hitting a single driving Ben Rice home extending the New York lead to 3-2.

Paul Goldschmidt would follow that up with a ground rule double and Judge scored for a 4-2 Yankee lead. New York was far from finished scoring three more runs before the inning was over. Cody Bellinger scored on a Antony Volpe sacrifice fly. Jasson Dominquez smacked a deep single and Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. both scored giving New York a 7-2 lead.

San Francisco had a lot of work to do going into the sixth inning. They were able to score some runs cutting the Yankee lead to 7-4. Wilmer Flores who has been terrific singled in two base runners, Willy Adames and Jung Hoo Lee.

This was Flores’s 19th RBIs; he had knocked in every San Francisco run in Saturday’s game. The Giants had finally gotten something going although it was getting late in the game. The Yankees had their first home run of the series in the bottom of the sixth inning off the bat of Ben Rice and New York had an 8-4 lead going into the seventh inning.

San Francisco left a couple of runners stranded in the seventh inning and two more runners in the eighth inning and the Giants were running out of time still trailing 4-8. Going into the ninth inning it was San Francisco’s last chance.

The Giants got a couple of runners, Mike Yastrzemski and Willy Adames on base with nobody out. Unfortunately Jung Hoo Lee struck out, Matt Chapman struck out and Heliot Ramos grounded out and that was the ball game. The Yankees had won the game 8-4 and leveled the series at one apiece.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon the Giants played the Yankees in game two under far more favorable weather conditions then they had Saturday in a six inning Giant win 9-1. The first six innings were played with a light rain falling from start to finish before the game was called with San Francisco loading the bases with two outs.

Completing enough innings to make Friday’s game official and the weather continuing to decline the decision was made to delay the game. Under overcast skies Saturday and no rain in the forecast, this game went off without a hitch. A lot of fans passed on this one due to the chilly weather, 41 degrees which felt more like 30 degrees. Saturday’s game Jordan Hicks started for San Francisco going four innings, giving up eight hits, seven runs, three walks and three strikeouts.

Sunday will be the rubber match with San Francisco’s Logan Webb taking the mound with a 1-0 record and an 1.89 ERA. The Yankees will start Carlos Rodon who has a 1-2 win/loss record ERA 5.19. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 10:35 AM.