Author: Sports Radio Service

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Couture injury will keep him out, but will remain team captain; Thornton #19 sweater to be raised in rafters this season

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San Jose Sharks Logan Couture (39) future is not known as he battles an injury that he has had since last season. Couture could very well end up sitting out most or all of the season again this year. (@Logancouture X photo)

On the SJ Sharks with Mary Lisa:

#1 The San Jose Sharks who play their first pre season game are concerned about all the injuries they’ve had in camp. But we’ll start with Logan Couture who missed a majority of last season. Tried to recover from an off season injury he had before last season and just couldn’t get tracked.

#2 Couture in the off months went home in July to spend some time with his family wanted to rehab and start skating but has put that idea off for now as he tries to work his Osteitis which is giving him pain in the groin area.

#3 Couture 35 has two years left on his contract is not sure if he’ll play again and it’s a question if Couture can return and play at an NHL level again?

#4 Couture said that he would like to return to play hockey which he had done all his life but cannot in the last 15 months he could face the prospect of retiring. Sharks general manager Mike Grier says that Couture will remain team captain no matter what happens.

#5 It’s going to be a great send off for former Sharks Jumbo Joe Thornton. Thornton will have his #19 sweater raised and hung in the rafters at SAP Center in San Jose this season. It’s got to be a thrill and a moment for Thornton who played for the Sharks from 2006-2020.

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

Yanks Cole was dealing, Soto was swinging in 4-2 10 inning win over A’s at Coliseum

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New York Yankees starter Gerrit Cole pitched nine innings and struck out seven batters in their win over the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum Fri Sep 20, 2024 (AP News photo)

New York (AL, 80-64). 000 010 000 3. 4. 8. 0

Athletics (67-87). 000 100 000 1. 2. 3. 0. 10 innings

Time: 2:36

Attendance: 23,426

Friday, September 20, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–There were some chants of “Let’s go, Yankees” this crisp Friday evening at the Coliseum, but there also were boos for Aaron Judge and plenty of unexpectedly loud and assertive urgings of “Let’s go, Oakland.”

We hadn’t heard a mixture like that on the shores of the Nimitz River in years. The balance of decibels shifted dramatically when the visitors broke open what had been a 1-1 tie between the playoff bound Yanks and the Sacramento bound A’s, putting three runs across the plate to take a 4-1 lead and eventually take the game, 4-2. Judge, by the way, went hitless.

JT Ginn, who made his big league debut this past August 21, pitched five strong innings for the Athletics, not outstanding but nothing like what you’d expect from a 25 year old rookie with 0-1, 4.95 record. Ginn allowed one run (it was earned) on four hits and a walk, throwing 78 pitches, 46 for strikes to 18 pinstripers. Ginn wasn’t involved in the decision but lowered his ERA by more than half a run, bringing it down to 4.40.

The A’s bullpen was effective through the regulation nine frames, with Michel Otáñez, Scott Alexander, Tyler Ferguson, and Mason Miller throwing an inning apiece of shutout ball. Alexander yielded the only Yankee hit over that span, and Otáñez and Miller were the only ones in the quartet to issue a walk.

It was TJ McFarland, pitching two thirds of an inning in the 10th, who couldn’t handle the Yankees’ offense, and you really couldn’t blame him. He gave up a lead off single to Anthony Rizzo that sent zombie runner Jasson Domínguez to third.

Juan Soto, pinch hitting for Tristan Grisham, was at bat when Domínguez scored and Cabrera, pinch running for Rizzo, advanced to second on a passed ball. Soto then smacked a two bagger to left, driving in Cabrera.

Jon Berti ran for Soto, and he scored on Anthony Volpe’s single to right. After Alex Verdugo sacrificed Volpe to second, the A’s called on Grant Holman, who stopped the hemorrhage by striking out Gleyber Torres and retiring Austin Wells on a fly to center.

There must be some sort of a jinx on winning the 2023 Cy Young Award. The National League’s winner was Blake Snell,whose travials with the Giants are well known to fans in the Bay Area. The AL winner, Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole, started Friday night. He spent the first 75 games of this season on the injured list, courtesy of an inflamed right shoulder.

Did I mention that he’s a righty? Cole brought a 6-5, 3.97 record to the game—hardly Cy Young numbers—and pitched a beautiful nine innings, needing only 99 pitches (68 strikes) and allowing a measly two hits and a walk.

The A’s managed to score and run, and it was earned. In fact, Gerrit didn’t allow an Athletic to reach base safely until Lawrence Butler opened the bottom of the fourth with a 1-0 single to center. The A’s right fielder paid tribute to Friday night’s bobblehead honoree by stealing second and scoring a Rickie run on Sean Langeliers’ RBI single two outs later.

That brief advantage didn’t last long. Ginn weakened in the top of the fifth and issued a two out walk. Back to back singles by Trent Grisham and Anthony Volpe restored the balance. You already know what happened to upset that balance.

The A’s had a shot at making up for their tenth inning meltdown, but all they could muster was a single tally when JJ Bleday led off by singling the placed runner, Brent Rooker, home with a futile run. Luke Weaver earned his third save by fanning Shea Langliers, Seth Brown, and Zack Gelof to end the game.

The three game series will resume Saturday evening at 6:07pm PT, with a battle of southpaws between the Athletics’ JP Sears (11-11, 4.24) and the Yankees’ Carlos Rodón (15-9, 4.12)

Orlando’s Banda scores matches’ only goal in 1-0 shutout over Bay FC

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Racheal Kundananji, right, and Bay FC nearly earned a surprising point against undefeated Orlando Pride on Friday at PayPal Park in San Jose but came up short in a 1-0 loss (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC had a massive hill to climb on Friday night when they hosted the unbeaten Orlando Pride in a crucial game. The night marked the first meeting between two key members of the Zambia national team in the NWSL, as Barbra Banda was facing off against Bay FC’s Rachael Kundananji.

Banda currently finds herself second in the NWSL goal-scoring race with 12, behind only Temwa Chawinga of the Kansas City Current who has an outstanding 15 goals. It also marked the return of Marta to the Bay Area, who previously played for FC Gold Pride that participated in the Women’s Professional Soccer league in the early 2010s.

Bay couldn’t afford to drop points despite their opponent’s dominant play this season, as they had just a three point buffer over Racing Louisville for the final playoff spot entering the night. Bay couldn’t get the ball in the back of the net and Banda would score the match’s only goal for a 1-0 win.

Bay FC Starting XI: Rowland, Dydasco, Menges, Dahlkemper, Malonson, Bailey, Pickett, Boade, Hill, Kundananji, Oshoala

Orlando Starting XI: Moorhouse, Abello, Sams, Dyke, Pickett, Gautrat, Angelina, Marta, Adriana, Banda, Doyle

Asisat Oshoala had the first real attacking opportunity for Bay FC in the third minute, but as she attempted to pass it across the box it went directly to a defender. Bay continued sustaining pressure on Orlando for the next minute straight, getting a couple of more chances they were unable to capitalize on before the Pride attempted to launch a counterattack that was also unsuccessful.

Rachel Hill got her first shot of the night in the eighth minute following a fantastic effort to maintain possession after she nearly lost it inside of the box. Hill found Oshoala behind the defense in the 11th minute, but the shot went directly at Orlando’s goalkeeper Anna Moorhouse.

Bay FC was desperately trying to get out to an early lead, but the Pride were doing a great job of fending them off. Angelina went down in some difficulty for Orlando around the 16th minute, with an apparent leg cramp but remained in the game after some attention from the trainers.

Katelyn Rowland made a massive save in the 20th minute and a follow-up shot was blocked by Caprice Dydasco using her face to prevent a goal. Dorian Bailey was tripped up outside of the box in the 26th minute, which gave Bay FC a dangerous free-kick. After a few passes, Emily Menges slipped while running after the ball, turning over possession to Orlando.

Bay was doing a phenomenal job pressuring and frustrating the Pride in the first half. They were regaining possession by force, which was clearly frustrating Orlando’s top players like Marta. It was generating quite a few chances, even though they weren’t able to finish them off.

It was just a matter of time though. This matchup didn’t feel like an unbeaten team against a team barely in the playoff spot, the intensity and competition level felt like two teams at the top of the table against one another.

Banda was getting a few shots off as the game progressed, but they were often rushed due to strong defending by the home side. Moorhouse made another diving save in the 41st minute to keep it scoreless. Despite Bay generating the most chances, it would all be meaningless if the teams went into halftime scoreless.

Oshoala had another great chance in the 44th minute, but Orlando was able to break up the play and prevent her from getting a quality shot off. Neither team would be able to break the deadlock in stoppage time, and they’d head into the break tied at 0. Officially, the statistics from the first half showed that Orlando had been the better team but the eye test showed differently.

The second half started with Orlando taking over control. While Bay FC were getting a few chances, they weren’t getting near as many or as high-quality of ones as they did in the first half. Banda got her most dangerous chance of the night so far in the 58th minute, but a perfect tackle by Abby Dahlkemper was able to knock the ball out of play for a corner kick.

Albertin Montoya made his first change at the hour mark, bringing in Maddie Moreau for Alyssa Malonson. A collision between Kundananji and Cori Dyke ended with Kundananji accidentally stepping on the back of Dyke’s calf, and she went down in some difficulty before being helped off the field by the training staff. Due to the injury, Orlando was forced to make a substitution bringing on Carrie Lawrence in her place, along with a couple of other substitutions.

Around the 70th minute, Moreau was brought down inside the box for what seemed to be a penalty however the referee ruled it a goal kick and play resumed to the dismay of Bay FC. Moreau was shown a yellow card for a challenge on Marta in the 77th minute.

At that point, Oshoala came out for Penelope Hocking. Dahlkemper saved a goal in the 78th minute when Rowland parried the ball, but it landed right in the middle of the box and the defender was able to clear it out.

Bailey was denied on a point-blank shot that Moorhouse saved with her leg while spinning before she landed on top of it. A phenomenal run by Kundananji in the 83rd minute nearly helped Bay take a late lead, unfortunately, once she passed it to Hill, Hill missed the shot just wide.

Banda got Orlando on the board in the 84th minute, Rowland wasn’t able to stretch out far enough to block the shot and the Pride led 1-0 with minimal time remaining. With stoppage time nearly at its end, Bay FC got one final free kick in the 96th minute. Bailey crossed it in, and Orlando cleared it out.

Orlando would ultimately hold on and maintain their lead until they walked away with a 1-0 victory on the road. It was a game that Bay FC could’ve won, but a few mistakes led to defeat. Importantly though, they proved that they have what it takes to hang with the best team in the NWSL which will certainly build confidence for their playoff push.

Ramos hits for three legs of cycle, Black gets first major league win and Doval struggles to get save in oddly-familiar 2014 World Series rematch in Kansas City; SF edges KC at Kaufman 2-1

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos hits for an RBI single in the top of the first inning one of three hits against the Kansas City Royals on Fri Sep 20, 2024 at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City (AP News photo)

Friday, Sept. 20, 2024

Kauffman Stadium

Kansas City, Missouri

San Francisco Giants 2 (75-79)

Kansas City Royals 1 (85-68)

Win: Mason Black (1-4)

Loss: Michael Wacha (13-8)

Save: Camilo Doval (23)

Time: 2:42

Attendance: 22,117

By Stephen Ruderman

Heliot Ramos hit for three legs of the cycle; Mason Black threw a solid outing en route to his first major league win, as the Giants survived some ninth-inning drama from Camilo Doval to beat the Royals 2-1 in an oddly-familiar 2014 World Series rematch at Kauffman Stadium Friday night.

The Giants were officially eliminated Thursday after Anthony Santander hit a walk-off home run. With nine games left to finish the season on a good note, the Giants came into the hot 80 plus degrees confines of Kansas City for a 2014 World Series rematch. This was only the second time the Giants came into Kansas City since that fall classic.

While the Giants are not going to the playoffs, they were thrown right into the middle of the American League wild card race. The Royals came into Friday night in possession of the second wild card spot.

Just as the Giants took advantage of a struggling Orioles’ team in Baltimore, they would have that same advantage this weekend. The Royals came into Friday night with a four-game losing streak, which included a three-game sweep at the hands of the surging Detroit Tigers and wound up extending it to five games after the loss to the Giants.

While the Giants were facing their counterparts from the 2014 World Series, they would be up against the former St. Louis Cardinal, Michael Wacha, who Travis Ishikawa hit his legendary home run off of to win the pennant for the Giants.

The Giants pounced on Wacha in the top of the first inning. Mike Yastrzemski lined a base-hit to center field to begin the ballgame, and Mark Canha drew a walk to put runners at first and second with nobody out. Michael Conforto then flew out to center to move Yaz over to third.

Up came Heliot Ramos, who despite some of his recent struggles, was about to have a night reminiscent of the Ramos we saw in May and June. Though sometimes when you’re struggling, you need a break. Ramos got that break when he hit a chopper out in front of the plate that took a high hop back to Wacha, who had no time to make a play. Everyone was safe, and Yastrzemski scored to give the Giants a 1-0 lead.

With the focus now turned to 2025, Bob Melvin is going to give a lot of the young guys a looksie in these final nine games. Friday night, it would be Mason Black, who took the ball for the Giants. Hjelle pitched a scoreless bottom of the first, and then he had to wiggle out of a jam in the bottom of the second.

From there, Black settled down to throw a pair of one, two, three innings in the third and fourth. Wacha also settled down, though the Giants were unable to do anything with a leadoff triple by Ramos in the top of the fourth.

Wacha threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the fifth and retired the first two hitters he faced in the top of the sixth. Ramos then doubled with two outs, and Patrick Bailey singled to right to knock in Ramos and make it 2-0.

Black had pitched a scoreless bottom of the fifth. He then allowed a leadoff base-hit to Bobby Witt Jr. in the bottom of the sixth, but he retired the next two. Still, Bob Melvin came out and pulled him for Sean Hjelle, who got the third out.

Black ended up going five and two thirds innings after throwing 84 pitches. He gave up four hits, and he walked just one and struck out four.

Erik Miller and Tyler Rogers got the Giants through the seventh and the eighth, and then Melvin would give his old closer, Camilo Doval, a chance to get the save in the bottom of the ninth. After two dominant seasons that earned him a cool ninth-inning intro at Oracle Park, Doval has had a nightmare season that not only cost him the closer’s role, but also cost him his spot on the roster.

After Ryan Walker pitched in the final two games in Baltimore, Doval would get his shot Friday night. Unfortunately, the nightmare continues for Doval, who walked the first two guys, both on four pitches.

Yuli Gurriel was at second, and Dairon Blanco came in to pinch-run for Robbie Grossman at first. Doval then settled down to strike out the veteran, Adam Frazier, for that much-needed first out.

However, Doval was not out of the woods yet, and he was about to catch a tough break. Maikel Garcia hit a ground ball right to Tyler Fitzgerald that seemed like it was going to be a game-ending double play, but Fitzgerald hesitated, and everyone was safe.

The bases were loaded with one out for Garrett Hampson, who lined a ball just foul past the bag at third. Nevertheless, the Royals wanted the play reviewed, quite possibly to rattle Doval. Hampson then hit a sacrifice fly to right, and Gurriel scored to put the Royals on the board and make it a one-run game. Blanco moved to third on the play

It was now 2-1. The tying run was at third with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, which was a familiar position for the Giants at Kauffman Stadium. The veteran, Tommy Pham—also a member of the 2014 Cardinals—was at the plate. With a 1-1 count, Doval threw a pair of sliders off the outside corner, and Pham chased both. Someway, somehow, Doval locked down the save. Well, barely.

Mason Black got his first major league win; Michael Wacha took the loss, just as he did when the Giants won the pennant in 2014; and Camilo Doval picked up his first save since Aug. 7, his 23rd of the year.

Of course, Ramos had the big night offensively for the Giants. Though I might add that his leadoff triple in the bottom of the fourth had a chance of being an inside-the-park home run, just like Alex Gordan’s two-out triple in the bottom of the ninth of Game 7.

Anyway, the Giants improve to 75-79, and the Royals have now lost five-straight. With severe weather expected Saturday night in Kansas City, the game has been moved up two hours to 4:10 p.m. in Kansas City, 2:10 p.m. back in San Francisco. Landen Roupp (0-1, 3.02 ERA) will take the ball for the Giants, and Brady Singer (9-11, 3.53 ERA) will go for Kansas City.

Stanford Kicks Field Goal In Final Seconds to Best Syracuse 26-24

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Stanford Cardinal Elic Ayomanor (13) reaches up for a one handed catch against the Syracuse Orange at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse on Fri Sep 20, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Stanford Cardinal (2-1) were not favored Saturday as they took on the Syracuse Orange (2-1). Not by a long shot. They shocked the close to 50,000 fans at the JMA Wireless Dome in fact the Cardinal led for most of the game.

The Orange led once in the fourth quarter with three minutes left in the game. Stanford put together a great final drive which was almost stalled due to a penalty but kicker Emmet Kinney sent a 39 yard field goal through the uprights for the 26-24 win.

Game recap: It was Stanford on the board first when quarterback Ashton Daniels found Elic Ayomanor for 17 yards making a one-handed grab in the end zone for the touchdown and the Cardinal had the early lead 7-0.

It was a great start for Stanford. The Cardinal made their second defensive stop in the first quarter taking back possession and the Stanford offense was back on the field. A roughing the passer Syracuse penalty gave Stanford great field position. A Stanford touchdown was nullified when holding was called and the first quarter came to an end with Stanford leading 7-0.

The Cardinal would start the second quarter on the Syracuse 32 yard line, 2nd and 19. The Cardinal were forced to settle for an Emmet Kenney field goal, which was good for 38 yards and a 10-0 Cardinal lead. The Stanford defense had done a great job so far in this game.

Syracuse intercepted the ball their first of the evening and threatened to turn the tide of this game. They had a first down deep in Stanford territory but the Cardinal defense held them to a 30 yard Brady Denaburg field goal.

Syracuse so far wasn’t able to take advantage of field position and making big plays when they needed them. The Cardinal defense continued to harass the Syracuse offense and with 2:00 minutes left in the half, Stanford was in field goal range.

Once again the Cardinal could not advance the ball but successfully kicked a 51-yard field goal taking a 13-3 lead. When it seemed as if Stanford would take the 13-3 lead into the locker room lightning struck.

Syracuse scored quickly with less than a minute left on the clock. Quarterback Kyle McCord connected with Umari Hatcher for 67 yards and a touchdown and Stanford was hanging onto a three point lead 13-10 at halftime.

Stanford would extend their lead in the third quarter thanks to their defense. A Kyle McCord pass was intercepted by Stanford’s Mitch Leigber returning it for 71 yards and a touchdown. The Kenney kick was good and the Cardinal had a 20-10 lead.

Syracuse again scored with under a minute left in the quarter when quarterback Kyle McCord rushed for 19 yards. The Orange had fought from behind for the entire game now trailing by a field goal 20-17.

A little over five minutes into the fourth quarter Stanford had a great opportunity to score a touchdown but again had to settle for a field goal Kenney’s third attempt which was good from 35 yards giving the Cardinal a 23-17 lead.

The Stanford defense had fought to keep Syracuse from taking the lead but they needed more from their offense. The Cardinal defense had come up with stop after stop and a couple of interceptions.

With three minutes left in the game, Syracuse scored their second touchdown of the half taking a 24-23 lead. McCord connected with Jackson Meeks for 13 yards and their first lead of the game.

Stanford answered driving deep into Syracuse territory. The Cardinal were on the Syracuse 21 yard line and Emmet Kinney was looking at a 39 yard field goal for the win. The final possession was a great drive and Kinney finished it off with his fourth successful kick. What a win this was for Stanford, the final 26-24 in a gutsy gritty game.

Game recap: The Orange sought to extend their winning streak to three in a row when they took on newcomer to the ACC the Cardinal Saturday night. Stanford had made the long trip to New York for their first ACC game the first of many cross-country ACC trips.

Stanford joined the conference coming from the Pac-12 over the summer. This was the third game in a four-game season opening home-stand for the Orange and they wanted to stay on course. Syracuse has a lethal offense passing at nearly 60%.

Orange quarterback Kyle McCord amassed 350 yards against Ohio last Saturday in their first win 38-22 and 380 yards against Georgia Tech in their second season win 31-28. They are an elite passing offense.

The Cardinal were expected to finish last in their first year in the ACC and making this long trip for a Friday night game was certainly expected not help their cause as they played their third game of the season. Stanford does have a duel-threat quarterback in Ashton Daniels and Justin Lamson.

Stanford was thought to not have enough to keep up with the Syracuse offense. The Cardinal lost to TCU 34-27 in their opener and then crunched Cal Poly 41-7. Everyone loves an underdog so don’t count Stanford out. They shocked Orange Nation on Friday night.

Next up for Stanford will be the Clemson Tigers on Saturday September 28th at Memorial Stadium in South Carolina. Kickoff for this game is scheduled for 4:00 PM.

Oakland A’s Commentary: Sad Farewell for Oakland A’s Sports Fans

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The Oakland A’s put out an Oakland Coliseum logo commemorating their years in Oakland from 1968-2024 (Oakland A’s X image)

Sad Farewell for Oakland Sports Fans

By Tony Renteria

OAKLAND–September 20th 2024 the Oakland Athletics host the visiting New York Yankees starting the last homestand for the this storied franchise. After years of trying to get a new stadium and new location the ownership group decided to follow the lead of former fellow Oakland Coliseum tenant the NFL’s Raiders by getting permission to relocate the beloved A’s to the desert in Nevada in a city called Las Vegas.

The 56 year-old man I am understands sometimes in business the deal just not get done, but the five year old boy who was given an A’s hat in 1973 is heartbroken. The Swinging A’s were the powerhouse of the American League in the early 70’s.

They had legends of the game a young Reggie Jackson was starting his hall of famer career right here in the Yellow and Gold. Rollie Fingers had the best handle bar mustache on the planet as he dominated batters from the mound.

As I grew up so did the A’s, after quick tumble after the glory years of the Swinging A’s Charlie Finley hired Billy Martin to manage the team filled with very young and talented players like Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson whose name is graced behind home plate today.

Ricky Henderson Field honors perhaps the most overall talented player the A’s had during the Oakland era. Billy was able manage a playoff appearance for young A’s, but new owner Walter Haas gave Martin too much power in the voice of baseball Operations and the A’s were ever able to create the magic of “Billy Ball” again under Martin’s Leadership.

Haas did make some great changes to A’s in the way of marketing, he brought back the Elephant mascot, the people of Northern California who were reluctant to attend homes due to a dislike for Finley returned in mass as the A’s hit record numbers in attendance in 1980s.

In 1986 Haas hired Tony LaRussa to skipper the A’s with a roster of talented younger players like Jose Cansaco and Mark McGuire. Starting in 1988 Larussa brought three straight American league Pennants to Oakland with a World Series title in 1989 over the bay bridge neighbors the San Francisco Giants that was marred by the earthquake that happened on National Television before Game 3 of the series.

Reality set in again for the A’s as television deals and the reality of small market teams trying to compete the clubs of cities like New York and Boston. Canseco was sent Texas, McGuire and LaRussa were in St. Louis where McGuire broke Roger Maris home run record.

Henderson made a run with Blue Jays for a world title while the A’s fell further away from the top of the standings. I and rest of the A’s faithful found hope again with the likes of Barry Zito, Mark Mulder and Jason Giambi.

Just like the A;s would lose out of revenue from a lack a huge TV contract like the Yankees our hearts were broken again by the one of the most usual cutoff throws in playoff history a 15 foot cutoff throw to home plate by Derek Jeter.

Once again out hearts would break as the heroes of Oakland sailed off to bigger teams and bigger contracts. As much as Money Ball worked it could not produce the sustained glory of the 70’s and the 80’s. Billy Beane was able to make a run for the pennant every now and then but the glory days were long gone.

Even now as the A’s host Yankees in the last Friday night game here in this place of history from the last team in Major League History to win three consecutive World Series to the Raiders Sea of Hands play. The five-year boy who has worn green and yellow since 1973 is sadden by the fact this place which holds so many memories will be gone soon and with it the magic and joy of Ricky Stealing second base, or seeing a diving Walter Wiess rob some one of a base hit, and above all the one place where small market teams could compete with the bigger ones. I guess in the end it is the size of the dog after all.

Tony Renteria is also podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s last homestand in Oakland open three game series with Yankees tonight

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Oakland A’s Zack Gelof connects for a eighth inning one run double against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on Wed Sep 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 The A’s are coming off a two out three game series win over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field it’s another series where the A’s won showing they have lots of talent to compete with the talent they have for next season.

#2 On Wednesday the A’s Tyler Soberstrom homered and Zack Gelof double to break a tie in the eighth inning as the A’s beat the Cubs by two runs 5-3.

#3 Ironically for the Cubs the loss helped the Milwaukee Brewers clinch NL Central title for the third season in a row.

#4 A’s reliever Tyler Ferguson pitched a scoreless seventh inning and reliever Michel Ortanez struck out two in the eighth inning, and Brent Rooker went two for three and an RBI in the A’s win. Proving once again team work has been the success of the second half of this A’s season.

#5 Tonight (Friday) represents the first of the last six games in Oakland history that comes to an end next Thursday. The A’s open up a series with the New York Yankees and will never play at the Oakland Coliseum again leaving decades of history behind.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces Finish Off Wings In Season Finale 98-84

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The Las Vegas Aces forward Bell Kierstan (1) takes a shot on the Dallas Wings guard Lou Lopez Senechal (8) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces played their last regular season game at Michelob ULTRA Arena taking on the Dallas Wings beating them 98-84. The Las Vegas starters got the night off and got to root their bench on and this bench did a terrific job. Every time Dallas made a move, the Aces pushed right back. Megan Gustafson was the high for the Aces with 24 points.

Game recap: After the first ten minutes of play, this final season game was tied at 30. The Aces starters did not take the floor in this final game. Alysha Clark, Megan Gustafson, Sydney Colson, Tiffany Hayes and Kate Martin started this game. Kiersten Bell did a great job off the bench, in fact, everyone on the floor tonight was doing a terrific job.

After two quarters, the Aces really turned it on. They outscored the Wings 30-15 in the second quarter and led at the half 60-45. There was some amazing play from players you don’t normally see on the floor. Getting the opportunity to play an entire game was invaluable experience for them going forward.

The third quarter was a close one for a minute but it sure did not finish that way. The Aces outscored the Wings 28-23 and after three quarters had built a 20 point lead 88-68. This was their largest lead of he game. They finished the quarter on a 7-0 run. Megan Gustafson had 23 points through three quarters and Tiffany Hayes had 21 points. The Aces were having an impressive second half of basketball.

The Aces called a timeout in the early minutes of the fourth quarter. The Wings were showing some stirrings of a rally and Las Vegas wanted to put a stop to any comeback that Dallas was seeking.

Mid-way through the quarter, the Wings had almost cut the Aces lead in half trailing 90-79. Dallas went on a 11-0 run trailing by single digits 90-81. With two minutes left in the game the Aces pushed their lead back out to 98-84. That would be the final.

The high for the Aces was Megan Gustafson with 24 points. Tiffany Hayes chipped in 21 points. She has been amazing all season. Kierstan Bell had 12 points off the bench. For the Wings, Satou Sabally had the high with 25 points.

Game notes: Thursday evening the Aces played their last regular season game at home taking on the Wings. The Aces are headed for the playoffs and Dallas unfortunately will be headed home until next season, always a tough pill to swallow. The Aces finished the season in fourth place and will be starting their playoff run on Sunday taking on the Seattle Storm in game one of the series.

The 2024 WNBA playoffs get underway this Sunday at Michelob ULTRA Arena. A’Ja Wilson and the Las Vegas Aces will matchup with the fifth place Jewel Lloyd and the Seattle Storm. TIp-off for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The One Man Club 50-50

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Los Angeles Dodgers two way mega star Shohei Ohtani runs the bases after hitting his 50th home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Thu Sep 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

The One Man Club 50-50

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

There is only one player in the One Man Club.

He did not pitch this season because he had Tommy John surgery in 2023. Thursday, September 19, 2024, Shohei Ohtani, while playing in Miami with the Los Angeles Dodgers, became the first man ever in the history of Major League Baseball with 50 homeruns and 50 stolen bases in one single season.

The 30-year-old Japanese international mega-star had elbow surgery last year. Now, Ohtani is headed to the playoffs in 2024 and could pitch again in 2025.

Shohei Ohtani, a once-in-a-lifetime player, will be on the Dodgers’ payroll for the next 20 years under the unique terms of the 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers. We are fortunate to live during the Ohtani years since not many who witnessed the great Babe Ruth are left.

I know Ohtani was born in Japan, but as we have seen, this talented man plays the most challenging sport to master, baseball, where most of the time you fail; he makes it look easy. His talents make him look like he comes from another world.

Congratulations Ohtani! おめでとう

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants lose to O’s on Santander walk off; Mason Black looks for first win Friday against Royals in KC

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The Baltimore Orioles Andy Rutschman (35) slides in scoring in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) on Orioles Jackson Holiday’s hit in the bottom of the fourth inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Baltimore Orioles Anthony Santander hit a game winning walk off two run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning in the Orioles 5-3 win over the visiting San Francisco Giants.

#2 The Orioles had struggled in the series even losing the first of the three game set 10-0 to the Giants but this win Thursday helped them move closer to a shot at the wild card.

#3 The Giants in the top of the ninth inning tied the game 3-3 when Casey Schmitt hit a single off Orioles pitcher Seranthony Dominguez. So it was a game that the Giants nearly scratched out a sweep.

#4 Giants manager Bob Melvin said after the game, We come back in the ninth and have some good at-bats late in the game like we typically do,” said Melvin. “But just fell an at-bat short.”

#5 The Giants open a three game series in Kansas City on Friday night. The Giants will start RHP Mason Black whose looking for his first win (0-4, 7.07) starting for the Royals RHP Michael Wacha (13-7, 3.29) at Kaufman Stadium first pitch 5:10pm PT.

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