Author: Sports Radio Service

Tigers slaughter A’s 9-1 thanks to six-run eighth in final matchup at Coliseum

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) heads back to the dugout after striking out against the Detroit Tigers in the bottom of the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Sept. 8, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Detroit Tigers 9 (73-71)

Oakland Athletics 1 (62-82)

Win: Ty Madden (1-0)

Loss: J.T. Ginn (0-1)

Time: 3:01

Attendance: 11,250

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The game was close for the most part, but the Tigers smoked the A’s 9-1 thanks to a six-run top of the eighth inning in what was most likely Detroit’s final game at the Oakland Coliseum to take this three-game series 9-1 on Sunday.

These two storied franchises have a fair amount of history against each other at the Coliseum. The A’s and Tigers squared off in the 1972 American League Championship Series, and one of the more unusual brawls in Baseball History occurred in Game 2.

Tigers’ reliever Larren LaGrow hit Burt Campeneris on the left ankle, and in response Campeneris threw his bat at LaGrow, and the inevitable brawl ensued. Tigers Manager Billy Martin—a true scrappy fighter capable of real physical harm, and who would manage the A’s a decade later—had to be restrained from going after Campeneris. The A’s won the series three games to two.

The Tigers swept the A’s in the 2006 ALCS, and then the two teams would have more postseason memorable moments in 2012 and 2013.

The A’s fell behind two games to none to the Tigers in the 2012 American League Division Series. The A’s then won Game 3 at the Coliseum, but they trailed 3-1 heading to the bottom of the ninth in Game 4.

Tigers Hall-of-Fame Manager Jim Leyland brought in his dominant closer, Jose Valverde for the bottom of the ninth, but the A’s rallied to tie the game on a double by Seth Smith. With two outs, Coco Crisp hit a walk-off single to right field to win the game and send the series to a decisive Game 5.

However, the A’s ran into Justin Verlander in Game 5, and Verlander pitched a four-hit, 11-strikeout complete-game shutout to lead the Tigers to the ALCS.

A year later in 2013, the A’s led the ALDS two games to one. However, an incident between A’s fiery closer Grant Balfour and Tigers’ slugger Victor Martinez in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 3 at Comerica Park in Detroit helped motivate the Tigers to come back and win the series.

Justin Verlander again shut out the A’s in Game 5, though this time, he pitched eight innings and struck out 10. Joaquin Benoit got the save.

Fast forward to 2024, as these two young and upcoming teams most likely match up for the final time at the Coliseum. After Seth Brown capped off a thrilling 13-inning with a walk-off base-hit on Friday, the Tigers evened the series with a 2-1 win yesterday.

Game recap: Sunday, the A’s had a chance to take the series on another beautiful day for Baseball at the Coliseum.

First, the A’s honored some more of their former players, including Eric Byrnes and Adam Rosales. J.T. Ginn then made his third big league start, as he took the ball for Oakland and threw a scoreless top of the first inning to get things started. Beau Brieske took the ball for Detroit as their opener, and although he walked a pair of guys, he pitched a scoreless inning as well.

Ginn threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the second, but he ran into trouble an inning later in the top of the third. Trey Sweeney led off the inning with a home run to right field. Ginn retired the next two he faced, but Jace Jung hit a ground-rule double to right, and Riley Greene was hit by a pitch. Kerry Carpenter then shot a base-hit out into right-center field, and Jung scored to make it 2-0.

The Tigers scored again in the top of the fourth when Sweeney knocked in Spencer Torkelson with a base-hit to left field with nobody out. Ginn ended up going five innings.

Tigers Manager A.J. Hinch had brought in Ty Madden in the bottom of the second. Madden pitched four-straight scoreless innings, but the A’s broke through against him in the bottom of the sixth. Shea Langeliers singled, and Brown doubled to put runners at second and third with one out.

Zack Gelof then lined an opposite-field base-hit to right, and Langeliers scored to put Oakland on the board. Runners were at the corners with one out, as the A’s had a chance to tie it, but Madden struck Tritian Gray and Max Schuemann both out swinging.

Still, Madden gave Hinch and the Tigers exactly what they needed. Over five innings, Madden gave up just a run on five hits, while walking just one and striking out seven.

Hogan Harris pitched through a pair of walks to pitch a scoreless top of the seventh for Oakland. Left-hander Scott Alexander then threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth.

However, after Tyler Holton pitched a one, two, three bottom of the seventh for Detroit, the Tigers exploded for six runs against Ross Stripling in the top of the eighth to open up a 9-1 lead. All six runs scored on five-straight two-out hits.

Grant Holman finished the top of the eighth for Oakland, and Brandon Bielak, who was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas prior to the game, escaped a jam for a scoreless top of the ninth. The veteran right-hander, Kenda Maeda, pitched the final two innings for Detroit while giving up three hits but no runs, and the Tigers won it 9-1.

Ty Madden got his first major league win, and J.T. Ginn got his first major league loss. There’s something you don’t see everyday.

The A’s fall to 62-82, and they will now head on the road for a two-city, three-team nine-game road trip. First, they will play three against the Astros at Minute Maid Park in Houston Tuesday through Thursday. Then, they will spend six days in Chicago, as they’ll first go to the South Side to play the White Sox for three next weekend before going north to Wrigley Field to take on the Cubs for three next Monday through Wednesday.

The A’s will have a day off in Houston Monday, and then they will begin their three-game series in which they’ll have a chance to be spoilers against the Astros on Tuesday. Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.41 ERA) will make the start for Oakland, and he will be opposed by right-hander Spencer Arrighetti (7-12, 4.82 ERA) of the Astros.

First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. in Houston, 5:10 p.m. back home in Oakland.

A’s News and Notes:

To make room for Bielak, who was called up prior to the game, left-handed pitcher Brady Basso was sent back to Las Vegas after making a strong start in his major league debut Saturday.

Aces Come Up Just Short In Absence of A’Ja Wilson Losing to Liberty 75-71

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New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) takes the ball against the Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) at Barclay Center in Brooklyn on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (Las Vegas Aces photos)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (22-13) came oh so close to beating the New York Liberty (29-6) despite the absence of the injured A’Ja Wilson. The Aces had trailed by as much as 20 points in the third quarter but turned this game around.

The Liberty won this game and this year’s series 75-71. The Aces Kelsey Plum had a great game scoring 25 points. Despite the loss, the was a sort of win for Las Vegas coming this close without their full starting roster. Some huge stars attended the game with Stephen Curry, Klay Thomas and Devin Booker on hand.

Game recap: It was a well-played first quarter of basketball from both teams. The Liberty after trailing by as much as eight points had a two point lead 26-24 after the first ten minutes of play. For the first time in a long time, the team was without A’Ja Wilson on the floor.

The last time she missed a game was back on August 3, 2019. A right lower leg injury suffered in their game against the Sun last Friday night sidelined her for Sunday’s game. Her 32 point per game average will be missed and this will be a tough one for Las Vegas.

After a very close first quarter, the Liberty began to flex their muscle extending their first quarter lead to 37-28 with an 8-0 run and 6:02 left in the second quarter. The Aces were missing a number of layups and against a team the caliber of the Liberty you cannot miss. The five turnovers in the second quarter did nothing to further their cause. At the half, the Liberty had established a 45-33 lead with a big-time second quarter.

At the half Kelsey Plum had ten points and Jackie Young had eight points for the Aces. The Liberty had taken over the points in the paint outscoring the Aces 20-8. This is where A’Ja Wilson excels. In the first quarter Las Vegas had eight assists setting up some great success from downtown but in the second quarter only one assist and the three’s began to fail.

The third quarter got underway with another Ace turnover. Las Vegas also trailed significantly when it came to rebounds. The Liberty had out-rebounded the Aces in the first half 22-12. Throughout the quarter the Liberty continued to push their lead and after three, they led 64-51.

New York’s Breanna Stewart had 21 points after three quarters and Jonquel Jones had 13. The Aces had very few offensive rebounds so far in this game with one quarter left. The starting roster of the Liberty is a collection of superstars making them pretty much unstoppable.

They are a well-oiled machine offensively and defensively. Las Vegas had a great start but unfortunately that began to wane throughout the second and third quarters. The confidence that they started the game with just disappeared, it went AWOL.

With under seven minutes left in the game, the Aces had pulled to within three points. The defending champions had rallied in the absence of A’Ja Wilson pulling it all together giving the Liberty a whole lot to worry about.

With under four minutes left in the game, Las Vegas made it a one point game trailing 65-66. This game had turned into a real nail-biter and with under two minutes the Liberty were clinging onto the lead 70-68.

With 1:54 left in the game, Las Vegas took the lead 71-70. This was the Aces first lead since the first quarter. This game began to mirror their last game with the Sun where they trailed for most of the game and won it all in the final minute of play.

With 37 ticks left on the clock the Liberty had a one point lead 72-71. Unfortunately this game did not play out like their last game but they made an amazing comeback after trailing by as much as 20 points in the third quarter. Coming this close in the absence of Wilson was a win in itself for Las Vegas despite losing this game 75-71. They won the fourth quarter 20-11.

Game notes: With five games left in the 2024 season the Aces dropped a key game to the New York Liberty. They have been faced with some very challenging matchups. They beat the Connecticut Sun Friday night 72-67 and Sunday they faced the number one team in the WNBA, the Liberty and battled to a 75-71 loss in Brooklyn.

Their schedule does not get any easier facing the Indiana Fever twice playing them next Wednesday and Friday night. It is a really tough upcoming schedule but if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. The loss is a tough one against the Liberty but this Aces team is looking to move on in their next game against the Fever.

The Aces will remain on the road for their next game Wednesday night taking on Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. They will meet again in a second matchup on Friday night in Las Vegas. Tipoff Wednesday night is scheduled for 4:00 PM. It is not known if A’Ja Wilson will play in Indiana. The takeaway is that the Aces need Wilson healthy and at full strength for the upcoming playoffs.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders fall apart in fourth quarter; Chargers score two TDs to seal victory 22-10 at So Fi

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Las Vegas Raiders Head Coach Antonio Pierce works the sidelines against the Los Angeles Chargers at So Fi Stadium in Inglewood CA on Sun Sep 8, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders and the Los Angles Chargers were involved in a defensive match up at So Fi Stadium in the Southland on Sunday afternoon. All the Chargers scoring were field goals through the first three quarters and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

#2 Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew just couldn’t much offense going outside of a first quarter 31 yard touchdown pass to Alexander Mattison with 45 seconds left in first quarter.

#3 The only other score that the Raiders got was a Daniel Carlson’s 56 yard field goal at 10:30 in the fourth quarter. This was a contrast compared the one point 7-6 lead they held until the Chargers kicker Cameron Dicker booted a 24 yard field goal with 9:08 remaining in the third quarter to take the lead.

#4 The Raiders couldn’t stop the Chargers offense in the fourth quarter scoring two touchdowns one on a JK Dobbins 12 yard carry and a quarterback Justin Herbert ten yard pass to Ladd McConkey for ten yards and the Chargers came away with a 22-10 final.

#5 It’s off to Baltimore as the Raiders face one of the toughest quarterbacks in football in LaMar Jackson. The Ravens lost a tough one today against the Kansas City Chiefs losing by a touchdown 27-20 but after what happened to the Raiders today the defense will need to really regroup as it could be a long day for the defense trying to stop Jackson and the Ravens.

Rich Perez podcasts Raiders football after every home and away game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Webb has been stand up all season long; Picked up 12th win Saturday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb seen here pitching at a previous game at Oracle Park held the San Diego Padres to ten hits and three runs in six innings for the win at Petco Park in San Diego on Sat Sep 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

SF Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

San Francisco Giants Grant McCray celebrates his three run home run in the top of the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Sat Sep 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Stephen:

#1 San Francisco Giants rookie Grant McCray hit two homers and had five RBIs in a 6-3 win in San Diego Saturday.

#2 McCray has been a big part of the offense since coming debuting with the Giants August 14.

#3 It was McCray’s rightfield home run that put the Giants ahead in the second inning 3-2 and he proved to be the key player in the line up on Saturday.

#4 Giants starter Logan Webb pitched six innings allowed ten hits, and three runs. Tell us about the kind of job that Webb has done all season as he’s been the key for this rotation.

#5 Spencer Bivens (3-1, 2.86) gets the start for the Giants and for the Padres starter Joe Musgrove (5-4, 4.09) both competitors tell us how you see this match Sunday?

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor and a Giants beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: McCray does it all in Giants 6-3 win Saturday; Giants-Padres wrap up series Sunday at Petco

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San Francisco Giants Grant McCray celebrates his three run home run in the top of the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Sat Sep 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 San Francisco Giants rookie Grant McCray hit two homers and had five RBIs in a 6-3 win in San Diego Saturday.

#2 McCray has been a big part of the offense since coming debuting with the Giants August 14.

#3 It was McCray’s rightfield home run that put the Giants ahead in the second inning 3-2 and he proved to be the key player in the line up on Saturday.

#4 Giants starter Logan Webb pitched six innings allowed ten hits, and three runs. Tell us about the kind of job that Webb has done all season as he’s been the key for this rotation.

#5 Spencer Bivens (3-1, 2.86) gets the start for the Giants and for the Padres starter Joe Musgrove (5-4, 4.09) both competitors tell us how you see this match Sunday?

Morris Phillips is podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s counting the days to leaving Oakland for good

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The Oakland A’s will be handing out souvenir replicas to fans at their last game in Oakland ever on Thu Sep 26, 2024 (photo from the Oakland A’s)

On the Oakland A’s relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The City of Sacramento is getting things in order for the A’s move to Sutter Health Ballpark. A restaurant that will serve brunch and a golf simulators business are coming in across the street from the ballpark. Now that the A’s are packing up and leaving Oakland at the end of this month.

#2 Sacramento Mayor Darrell Steinberg is also working with three restaurants that plan to build nearby Sutter Health ballpark. There could be any number of businesses that are willing to move near the park.

#3 The A’s are a few weeks away from their final home game on Thu Sep 26th. Fans, employees, and media have noticed that it’s at count down right now.

#4 The very last game in Oakland history on Sep 26th is sold out and there is a push by fans who want to get in the already sold out Coliseum to have the A’s open up Mount Davis so they can get in and see that last game from the mountain top.

#5 On the last day of the home season there will be a lot of sad faces and nostalgia amongst the A’s fans old and current. In talking with employees, fans and the broadcasters it’s hard to believe it’s nearly the end of the road for the Oakland A’s.

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

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Raiders kick off season with Chargers Sunday; Jets-49ers open season on Monday Night; plus more news

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Gardner Minshew takes warm ups before a pre season game on Sat Aug 17, 2024 against the Dallas Cowboys at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. Minshew is the starting quarterback for the opener on Sun Sep 8, 2024 against the Los Angeles Chargers at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles. (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie the Las Vegas Raiders kick off in Los Angeles today against the Chargers at So Fi Stadium. The Raiders will be starting Gardner Minshew who was the starting quarterback for the Minnesota Vikings last season. Minshew just edged out Aidan O’Connell for the starting job.

#2 The San Francisco 49ers open up their season against the New York Jets at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara for Monday Night Football. The 49ers are sighing with relief after the recent signings of wide receiver Brandon Ayiuk and offensive tackle Trent Williams.

#3 One of the most impressive things about the recovery of shooting victim and first round draft pick Ricky Pearsall is while in the hospital less than 24 hours after being shot he wanted to get on field practice, workout and get ready for Monday Night Football. Coach Kyle Shanahan said for Pearsall to reign it in and Pearsall is on the four week non football injury illness list.

#4 Turning to Major League Baseball, talk about a tough turnaround the Oakland A’s played a 13 inning game on Friday night which ended around 1030pm and had to be back at the Coliseum Saturday morning for a day game. The A’s battled the Detroit Tigers Friday in a game that was knotted up 6-6 until the A’s Seth Brown hit a bottom of the 13th inning RBI single scoring the ghost runner for the 7-6 win.

#5 The A’s are nearing the very end of the tenure in Oakland. Today is their last home game on this current homestand wrapping it up with the Detroit Tigers. Their next homestand will be the A’s last homestand in Oakland ever. Their very last home game will be Thu Sep 26 afternoon. You’ve been here for many years covering that’s going to be a tough send off as the A’s leave Oakland. How much from a business and an economical standpoint do you see this relocation being a mistake?

Catch Headlines Sports podcasts each Sunday with Charlie O at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Asisat Oshoala scores match’s lone goal in Bay FC 1-0 shutout over Racing Louisville at Pay Pal Park

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Bay FC forward Asisat Oshola (8) who scored the match’s only goal is congratulated by defender Caprice Dydasco (3) after Bay FC defeated Racing Louisville at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Sep 7, 2024 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC’s inaugural season is starting to wind down, and on Saturday night they played a game that will undoubtedly be crucial for the intense race for the playoffs.

They entered the night sitting in eighth, tied with Angel City for the final playoff spot and took on Racing Louisville FC, the team currently in tenth who would move into sole possession of the final spot if they walked away victorious.

Recently acquired forward Penelope Hocking was starting on the bench for Bay FC, considering the impact Abby Dahlkemper made in her competitive club debut, it would be interesting to see if Hocking could contribute immediately right away if given the chance. Bay FC’s Asisat Oashola scored the match’s only goal in defeating Racing Louisville FC 1-0 Saturday night.

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

Louisville Starting XI: Lund, Milliet, Wright, Jean, Borges, Sears, Digrande, Beckie, Erceg, Flint, Balcer

Bay FC came right out of the gates with pressure, in the third minute they got a solid opportunity on the counter attack but Rachael Kundananji’s pass into the box was just out of Tess Boade’s reach.

In the 13th minute, Louisville’s goalkeeper, Katie Lund made a phenomenal save to deny Kundananji, then a follow-up opportunity by Dahlkemper was cleared out by a defender in front.

Louisville was starting to create some offense of their own as the half progressed, including one attack that was disrupted by a perfect slide tackle on the edge of the area by Dahlkemper. Bay FC’s new centerback pairing of Emily Menges and Dahlkemper seem to compliment one another perfectly and it’s helping the team significantly.

Lund was forced to make another great diving save in the 22nd minute when she tipped a shot from Rachel Hill over the goal. With neither Deyna Castellanos or Joelle Anderson in the starting eleven, Dorian Bailey took over on corner kicks and seemed to be fairly effective with it.

A hard but clean slide tackle by Kiki Pickett saw Taylor Flint go down in some discomfort in the 24th minute. After some delay, she was able to walk off the field under her own power and ultimately remained in the game.

Hill got her second shot on target of the night in the 28th minute, but it was a fairly easy save for Lund. Menges and Bethany Balcer had an awkward collision in the 29th minute, Menges was initially shaken up a bit but quickly got back to her feet and played on.

Kundananji had a strong run in the 33rd minute, but her chip pass toward Asisat Oshoala was broken up by the defender and got knocked just wide of the goal. A Kundananji pass finally got through to Oshoala moments later after the corner, but Oshoala’s shot hit the side-netting.

Balcers had an opportunity to give Louisville the lead in the 38th minute, but her header went just over the crossbar for a goal kick. Alyssa Malonson showed off her speed in stoppage time, with a phenomenal run from her own half but ultimately nothing came of it. The half came to an end with the game still in a 0-0 deadlock heading into the break.

Bay FC entered the second half with quite a bit of physicality, which was definitely frustrating Louisville. One incident in particular saw a collision between Bailey and Laurent Milliet along the touch line, ultimately resulting in Milliet flipping over the advertisement boards. Hill came off in the 60th minute for the debuting Hocking who got a strong ovation from the crowd at PayPal Park.

Malonson continued to make her mark when it came to get involve offensively, earning a dangerous free-kick in the 65th. Oshoala broke the deadlock in the 76th minute after a great run by Hocking found her in front of the goal, making it 1-0 for the home side. Tess Boade came out after the goal for Deyna Castellanos.

Oshoala was shown the first yellow card of the game following a desperation tackle on Ary Borges, that was quite frankly a reckless play. Oshoala was taken out moments later, with Maddie Moreau entering the match in her place.

Bay absorbed quite a bit of pressure from Lousville in stoppage time, but the defense was holding up well and the offensive players were wasting a lot of time when the ball found their feet.

They would maintain their composure through the seven minutes of stoppage time, and walk away victorious with a final score of 1-0. It moved Bay FC up to seventh in the league table for the time being, and extended their lead over the teams right on their tail.

Grant McCray hits two home runs and knocks in five, and Webb braves through six innings in 6-3 win for Giants at Petco

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San Francisco Giants Grant McCray (right) is congratulated by third base coach Matt Williams (left)after hitting a three run home run in the top of the second inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Sat Sep 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024

Petco Park 

San Diego, California

San Francisco Giants 6 (70-73)

San Diego Padres 3 (81-63)

Win: Logan Webb (12-9)

Loss: Dylan Cease (12-11)

Save: Ryan Walker (6)

Time: 2:25

Attendance: 43,318

By Stephen Ruderman

Grant McCray knocked in five runs with a pair of home runs to help pick Logan Webb up after an up-and-down start, and the Giants beat the Padres in San Diego 6-3 for their 70th win of the year.

Mason Black impressed in what was an up-and-down start Friday night, but a pair of bombs by Manny Machado helped lead the Padres to a 5-1 win in the series opener Friday night. The Giants were looking to even the series and get their 70th win Saturday night on a rare hot and humid evening in San Diego. 

The Giants went down scoreless against Padres’ starter Dylan Cease in the top of the first inning, though Heliot Ramos fought through a ten pitch at-bat to line a base-hit to left field. He really is a solid major league hitter.

Logan Webb once again took the ball after a Giants’ loss, and just like Black Friday night, he had a rough go of things in the bottom of the first. The scrappy Luis Arraez led off the bottom of the first with a base-hit to left, and Jurickson Profar singled the other way to right to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Bob Melvin challenged, but the call was upheld, and the Giants lost their challenge.

Webb walked Jake Cronenworth to load the bases with nobody out for Machado. Machado lined a base-hit off the end of the bat up the middle and into right-center for a base-hit, and Arraez scored to give the Padres a 1-0 lead. Xander Bogaers then grounded to short for a 6-4-3 double play, and even Profar came in to score, that really helped Webb limit the damage to two runs.

You could say the double play gave the Giants a little bit of momentum going to the top of the second, because they certainly seemed to seize on it. Patrick Bailey and Brett Wisely each singled to put runners at first and second with two outs for Grant McCray, who has been impressive with both the bat and the glove in his three and a half weeks in the big leagues.

McCray took a hanging slider and hit a bomb into the back of the first deck out in right, and the Giants took a 3-2 lead. It was the fourth home run for McCray.

Webb settled down with a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the second, and he pitched a scoreless inning in the bottom of the third. 

The Giants manufactured a run in the top of the fourth when McCray grounded into a double play with the bases loaded, and that made it 4-2. 

Webb pitched another scoreless inning in the bottom of the fourth, but after Cease threw a one, two, three top of the fifth, Webb would run into trouble in the bottom of the fifth. Tyler Wade led off the inning with a ground-rule double to right-center, and then he scored two batters later when Arraez lined a base-hit to right-center.

It was now 4-3, but the Padres would load the bases with two outs. Webb got Bogaerts to ground to third to end the inning, and the Giants kept their lead going to the sixth.

Cease finished his night with a one, two, three top of the sixth, and Webb found himself in more trouble in the bottom of the sixth. The Padres put runners at first and second with one out, but Webb got Mason McCoy to ground into an inning-ending double play.

Webb only had one one, two, three inning and gave up three runs and ten hits on what was an overall up-and-down night. Webb indicated that he was caught a bit off guard by the unusual humidity in San Diego, but he didn’t make any excuses, fought his way through every pitch, just as he always has. Plus, three runs over six innings is still a quality outing.

Wandy Peralta and Bryan Hoeing combined for a scoreless top of the seventh, and submariner Rogers threw a one, two, three inning in the bottom of the seventh. Boeing stayed out to throw a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth, and Camilo Doval came in to do the same for the Giants in the bottom of the eighth.

The Giants kept their 4-3 lead going to the ninth, but as they tried to get a win against a powerful Padres’ team, they knew they needed to add on. Padres Manager Mike Shildt brought in left-hander Yuki Matsui, and Patrick Bailey walked to lead off the top of the ninth. 

Tyler Fitzgerand and Brett Wisely both struck out swinging, but Grant McCray had a chance to come through with two outs, and indeed he would. First, Bailey moved up to second on a wild pitch, but after that, McCray hit his second home run of the night to right-center, and the Giants expanded their lead to 6-3.

Grant McCray had five RBIs, and he technically knocked in every single one of the Giants’ six runs Saturday night. Remember, a run scored when he grounded into a double play in the top of the fourth. If only they would get rid of the dumb rule that you can’t get an RBI on a double play ball, McCray would’ve had six of them Saturday night.

Fernando Tatis Jr. led off the bottom of the ninth with a double to right off Ryan Walker, but Walker retired the side in order immediately afterwards. The Giants held on to win 6-3.

Logan Webb was rewarded for his valiant quality outing with the win; Dylan Cease took the loss; and Ryan Walker picked up his sixth save.

With Rogers—formerly the eighth inning guy—pitching the seventh, and Doval—formerly the closer—pitching the eighth, I can’t help but wonder if Melvin is experimenting with a seventh-eighth-ninth inning trip of Rogers, Doval and Walker. That could be a very lethal back end of the bullpen.

Speaking of experiments and what could be lethal going forward, McCray definitely believes he and a healthy Jung-hoo Lee can be a dangerous combo in the Giants’ outfield. The one positive about the Giants playing for next year is that we are getting a good look at the kids, and they have a golden opportunity to prove themselves and perhaps set themselves up to be part of the Giants’ next winning core. Heliot Ramos has certainly proven himself; now we’ll see if McCray to prove himself too. 

The Giants can win this series Sunday, and Spencer Bivens (3-1, 2.86 ERA) will take the ball in what will most likely be a bullpen game for San Francisco Sunday. The veteran, Joe Musgrove (5-4, 4.09 ERA) will make the start for San Diego. First pitch will be at 1:10 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

  • Speaking of the future, Bryce Eldridge, the Giants’ first-round draft pick last year, was called up to the Double-A Richmond Flying Squirrels. 

Eldridge is hitting .300 with a home run in his first five games in Richmond. Eldridge, who is only 19 years old, was originally not expected to make it up to the major leagues until 2026. However, there is now speculation that he could find his way up to the Giants at some point next season.

Cardinal End 10 Game Home Losing Streak, by Taming Mustangs, 41-7, on the Farm

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Stanford quarterback Ashton Daniels #14 runs for an 11-yard gain in the 1st quarter against Cal Poly’s Brian Dukes Jr. #9 , Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, in Stanford, Calif. (Karl Mondon/Bay Area News Group)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — RELIEF is the word that would express the feeling of the Stanford Cardinal (1-1, 0-0 ACC), after hammering the Cal Poly Mustangs (0-2, 0-0-0 Big Sky) 41-7, on a late Saturday Afternoon in the Bay Area.

The Cardinal finally got the proverbial monkey off their back (out of their tree), as they corralled the Mustangs inside the confines of Stanford Stadium.  The win eclipsed a double-digit losing streak on the storied campus.  The last time they were victorious at the stadium, was October 22, 2022, when former star kicker, Josh Karty scored all the points (5 FG’s) in a 15-14 victory over Arizona State,

Although Stanford had the ball first to begin the game, they did not score until all 15 minutes had elapsed in the first quarter.  Ashton Daniels tossed a five yard TD to junior receiver Mudia Reuben, to put the home team up 7-0, after one quarter.

Less than three minute into the second quarter, Cal Poly had an answer for Stanford.  The Mustangs galloped down the field for the equalizing score.  The equines from Southern California performed a gadget play (Flea Flicker), where junior (X) receiver Michael Briscoe threw a 22-yard TD pass to redshirt-junior tight end Jake Woods, to even the score at seven.

The Cardinal struck again, this time with less than 30 seconds in the seconds in the first half.  Backup/Associate QB Justin Lamson scored on two yard keeper to pay dirt, doubling the score at the midway part of the game.  Cal poly took a knee, and the halftime score was 14-7, Stanford.

In the second half, Stanford continued to lay the wood.   Three minutes into half number two, put seven more points on the board, tripling the score 21-7, on a 90-yard punt return TD.  Sophomore WR Tiger Bachmeier not only used his EYE, but his legs to take the second longest punt return to the “House” in stadium history. 

The last Cardinal player to accomplish the same feat, was Stanford Legend and present 49er, Christian McCaffrey, in the 2016 Rose Bowl versus Iowa.

Stanford would go on to score 20 more unanswered points throughout the rest of the game.  Senior kicker Emmet Kenney put them up 24-7 on a 32-yard FG, followed by a five yard TD toss by Daniels to junior TE Sam Roush, giving them a 24-point advantage after 3/4 of the California battle, 31-7.

The final stanza had third string QB Elijah Brown enter the game to complete the blowout win.  He not only came in the party to complete the task, but he was a perfect 7-7 for 97 yards passing and launched a 12-yard TD  to redshirt freshman Ismael Cisse to raise the lead to 31, 38-7.

Stanford had one last scoring drive in them, as Kenney kicked another FG (43) to make the score 41-7 with just under two minutes left in regulation.  As the time elapsed and the clock hit zeroes, that was also the final score, 41-7, Stanford Cardinal. 

Stanford will next be in action Friday, september 20 @ 4:30 PM EST in the Empire State, as they take on ACC foe Syracuse on ESPN.  Cal Poly Cal Poly heads back home to host Western Oregon Saturday, September 14 at 5:00 PM PDT on ESPN+.

NOTE:  All three Stanford QB’s combined for 26-30, 318 passing yards, three TDs and a rushing touchdown (Lamson).

Tiger Bachmeier’s ROARING PR touchdown is tied for second with UCLA’s Luke Powell (2003), and they both trail Oregon’s Thomas Henley’s 92-yard return in 1986.