Headlines podcast with Charlie O: Royals pick up Pham and Grossman off waivers; Dodgers Kershaw headed to IL with bone spurs; plus more news

Former St Louis Cardinal Tommy Pham seen here hitting a sacrifice fly against the Milwaukee Brewers Wed Aug 21, 2024 at Busch Stadium in St Louis was picked up on waivers by the Kansas City Royals. (AP News photo file)

On Headline podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The Kansas City Royals picked up Tommy Pham and Robbie Grossman. Both players were in the World Series last season with Pham playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Grossman with the Texas Rangers. What triggered the signing was Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino broke his thumb earlier this week and is expected to be out six to eight weeks.

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw could be back on the IL having suffered bone spurs. Kershaw has had on going problems with the big left toe according to Manager Dave Roberts who said that it has effected his pitching. On Friday night against the Diamondbacks, Kershaw struggled in the first inning giving up two runs. Then in the second inning he gave up a home run to Corbin Carroll and that’s when Roberts and the head training came out and took Kershaw out of the game. Kershaw had already missed four months of the season before returning.

#3 Once again the Dodgers Shohei Ohtani is making history hitting his 43rd home run and stealing his 43rd base on Friday. Ohtani is on the way to winning his third straight MVP after the Dodgers defeated the Diamonbacks 10-9 at Chase Field. Ohtani is the first member of the 43-43 club.

#4 Que up the Rocky theme for pitcher Samuel Aldegheri from Italy who made his MLB debut on Friday against the Seattle Mariners. Aldegheri after a nice introduction at the Big A in Anaheim was rocked the M’s for five earned runs and seven in total. The Angels lost to the Mariners 9-5. Despite the loss Aldegheri said he was happy and admitted being nervous the first time out.

#5 One of the people that will be missed after this Oakland A’s season is over and the team leaves Oakland to start playing at Sutter Health in Sacramento will be A’s play by play announcer Vince Cotroneo. Controneo has been with the A’s since 2006 and did say after making the announcement that he was leaving last July and said at the time that he is capable of announcing beyond the 2024 season. Controneo was not renewed for a new contract and it was speculated in the industry that the move not to renew Controneo was a cost cutting measure.

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

Hlongwane’s brace the difference in Minnesota United 2-1 win over Earthquakes

Minnesota United’s Bongokuhle Hlongwane, Robin Lod and Kelvin Yeboah celebrate “Bongi’s” first of two goals against the San Jose Earthquakes during their 2-1 win at Pay Pal Park on Saturday AUG 31, 2024. (Minnesota United)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Bongokuhle Hlongwane put on a show in the South Bay as his two goals were all Minnesota United needed to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 2-1 on Saturday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four league matches. Minnestoa United has won two of its past three league matches with both wins coming against the Earthquakes.

Hlongwane recorded his brace and eventual game winning goal in the 63rd minute. “Bogi” received the ball inside the box after a long throw in. His first two attempts were kept out of the net thanks to San Jose defenders blocking each attempt. However, third time was a charm for Hlongwane as his right footed shot made it into the back of the net for his team leading 9th goal of the season.

“We scored, and they come back and capitalize on a long throw, a set piece, basically. So it’s frustrating. But again, I felt like the players didn’t quit. We tried to get that second goal. We almost did with [Daniel] Munie, actually who was really injured at the time. As long as we’re fighting and trying to equalize late, that’s all we can do,” ‘Quakes interim head coach Ian Russell said.

It didn’t take Hlongwane long to score his first goal of the match as he tallied in the ninth minute for Minnesota. Robin Lod controlled a loose ball and found Hlongwane on a diagonal run for the one-timed finish that beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel to the left side.

On the flip side for San Jose Ousseni Bouda, who played in his second match since being called up from USL’s Monterey Bay FC, was the Earthquakes best player in the first half as Minnesota United had difficulty trying to contain the young forward.

Bouda scored the equalizer for San Jose in 33rd minute. Amahl Pellegrino headed an aerial ball in the box toward a charging Bouda, whose left-footed strike beat goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair for his first league goal of the season. Bouda also scored in the US Open Cup against the Oakland Roots back on May 7th that proved to be the game winner.

Bouda almost had a second goal of his own three minutes later in the 36th minute off a header but St. Clair made a spectacular diving save to keep the score level as both teams were even at intermission.

“For me, regardless of whether it’s one minute or 90 minutes, this is what I love to do. This is my dream. I love playing for the Quakes. I just want to just give it my all, all of the time, because that’s really all I can control. Whether I miss a chance, or whether I’m in for five minutes and maybe I don’t touch the ball, just always control whatever you control. And I hope that I continue to do that, and then just keep my head down whether I’m scoring hat tricks in games or not, that’s just the mentality I aspire to have,” Bouda said.

Fullback Daniel Munie injured his hamstring late in the second half but because ‘Quakes head coach had already used his five substitutions he put Munie up front with the forwards as he didn’t want to play a man down in the final stretch.

San Jose had one last ditch effort for the second equalizer when Paul Marie came around the right wing and crossed the ball into the middle of the box, but Munie’s right footed attempt sailed high over the net in the third minute of stoppage time.

St. Clair finished one save on two shots on goal to earn the victory. Daniel made four saves in six shots on goal in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with three corner kicks. Minnesota United had eight.

The Quakes move to 5-6-4 (21 GF, 26 GA) in the all-time series against Minnesota United FC and 3-3-2 at home (13 GF, 16 GA). Not counting the two clubs’ clash in the 2020 MLS Is Back Tournament where San Jose was technically the home team but the match was held at a neutral site in Florida, tonight’s loss snapped the Quakes’ home unbeaten streak over MNUFC in San Jose at three games (1-0-2).

Pellegrino stayed hot, notching his second assist of the MLS season on Bouda’s goal. The play also marked his 10th goal contribution across all competitions and fourth in as many total games.

Forward Cristian Espinoza extended his run of consecutive MLS regular-season games played to a current league-high of 102 with his start tonight (Oct. 2, 2021 – present). The streak is not only a Quakes record but the seventh-longest in MLS history. Luis Robles holds the league record with 183 straight appearances (Sept. 29, 2012 – May 12, 2018).

UP NEXT: San Joses heads into the international break before resuming MLS regular season play on Saturday, 9/14 when they travel north of the Canadian border to face Vancouver Whitecaps FC. Kickoff from BC Place is set for 7:30pm.

Nationwide Crime Rate Hits Close To Home – Wide Receiver Ricky Pearsall Shot In Attempted Robbery

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott (left), Mayor London Breed (center), and District Attorney Brooke Jenkins (right) address the news media regarding the shooting of San Francisco 49ers first round draft pick Ricky Pearsall at Union Square on Sat Aug 31, 2024 (San Francisco Chronicle photo)

By Barbara Mason

As all eyes are focused on the fast approaching 2024 NFL football season, and there are few of us who would have ever expected the tragedy that occurred today in downtown San Francisco. It all happened in Union Square and involved San Francisco 49er wide receiver Ricky Pearsall.

Pearsall had been sidelined for the entire pre-season with a shoulder injury as well as a hamstring issue. He had been out for the past 20 days with the injuries but had been able to at least practice.

He was looking forward to continued healing, getting back on the field and then today the unimaginable happened at 3:30 PM in the Union Square area. A 17-year-old male approached Pearsall and attempted to rob him.

Pearsall and the assailant got into an altercation and both men were shot with Pearsall sustaining an injury in the chest. Both men are being treated at San Francisco General.

The assailant observed Pearsall walking alone and saw opportunity. Ricky was reportedly shot on his way to an autograph signing in the Union Square neighborhood. It is not known what the suspect was attempting to steal from Pearsall.

Law enforcement has a good idea but at this time they are not ready to release that information. The 17-year-old from Tracy was arrested immediately by the police and charges are expected to be filed Tuesday or Wednesday in juvenile court.

This was a tragic event but thankfully Ricky Pearsall is going to be ok although he was listed in serious but stable condition after sustaining a bullet wound to the chest. We did hear from Deebo Samuel on X who stated that “He’s good, thank God.” 49ers GM John Lynch has been at San Francisco General visiting with Ricky.

While Major London Breed did address the public after the incident, she did cite that San Francisco has the lowest violent crime rate of major cities in the country. That is of course encouraging but it does nothing to downplay the severity of this terrible crime and the damage it has done to Ricky and how this will effect his life, his family, his team and his career.

Conine gets first big league jack for Fish in 4-3 win over Giants at Oracle

The Florida Marlins Jonah Bride (41) congratulates Griffin Conine (56) after Conine hit his first MLB home run in the top of the second inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Aug 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

Miami (50-86) 020 001 100. 4. 7 2

San Francisco (68-69) 000 011 010. 3 7. 0

Time: 2:22

Attendance: 36,087

Saturday, August 31, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–On this cool Saturday evening, the Giants struggled for the second time in a row against the toothless Miami Marlins. This time there were no late inning heroics, and the home team went down, 4-3, falling once more below the .500 mark. That outside shot at a playoff berth is looking more and more unlikely.

Mason Black, Saturday night’s starting pitcher for the orange and gold was their third round choice in the 2021 draft. This year, he had divided his time between San Francisco, where he went 0-1, 8.79, and Sacramento, where his record was 5-6, 4.59 (2-1, 2.91 in August).

He was recalled to the parent club for tonight’s occasion. His performance wasn’t particularly impressive, but he still shows signs of promise. He was the losing pitcher, having allowed two runs, both earned, on four hits, one of them a homer.

That left him with no wins and two losses. But he didn’t walk anyone and struck out half a dozen opposing batters and managed to lower his ERA to 7.45. He threw 74 pitches to 18 batters. His five inning appearance was the longest of his so far short major league career.

Taylor Rogers, who replaced Black at the beginning of the visitors’ sixth, was ineffective in his 500th big league appearance, surrendering a leadoff homer to Connor Norby and leaving runners at the corners with one out when Spencer Bivens came on in relief and shut down the Miami rally by getting Jonah Bride to ground into a U6-3 double play.

Bevin stuck around to pitch another frame. The Marlins got a run off him, but they got some help from some unexpected sources. Otto López led off with a walk and tried to steal second. He was called safe, and the Giants tried to appeal the decision. Home plate umpire and crew chief Alan Porter disallowed the appeal, presumably because it hadn’t been requested within the required time limit.

López went on to score on ground outs by Griffin Conine and David Hensley. Erik Miller and Camilo Doval each pitched a hitless and scoreless inning..

Black’s opposite number, Edward Cabrera, brought an unimpressive 2-6, 5.60 record with him. His only previous appearance against the Giants came last year, when he was credited with the win in a game in which he held them to two runs, both earned, on six hits and two walks while garnering eight strikeouts. He lasted 5-1/3 innings tonight, permitting two runs, one earned, on six hits and a pair of walks. He threw 98 pitches, 61 for strikes. His record now stands at 3-6, 5.33.

Cabrera was followed by John McMillon (a perfect inning) and Jesús Tinoco, who surrendered a solo homer to Michael Conforto (his 15th), a 418 foot blast to right center in the eighth that travelled at 111.8 MPH and brought the Giants into a run of tying the contest. Calvin Fauche earned his fifth save with a perfect ninth that ended with strikeouts of Jerar Encarnación and a pinch hitting LaMonte Wade, Jr.

The rubber game of this three game set will take place Sunday, at 1:05 in the afternoon. Logan Webb (11-8, 3.24) will toe the rubber for the Giants. The Marlins haven’t announced who they’ll send to the mound

A’s Drop Game Two In Rangers Series 3-2 In a Walk Off; Butler homers but A’s fall short

Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) rounds the bases after slugging his 19th home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sat Aug 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (59-77) fought their way back into this game after trailing 2-0. Another Lawrence Butler home run cut the Texas Rangers (64-72) lead in half in the fourth inning. The A’s tied up the game in the 6th inning when Brent Rooker doubled Lawrence Butler home.

It was a new ball game but it all came crashing down when A’s pitcher Tyler Ferguson loaded the bases with one out. A single from Leody Taveras was all it took for the 3-2 Ranger’s win.

Game recap: The Rangers took the early lead in the second inning 2-0. Jonas Heim hit a 373 feet home run with Nathaniel Lowe on base and that would be the only scoring for the Rangers going into the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Oakland A’s had some catching up to do trailing by a couple of runs. In the fourth inning Lawrence Butler cut the Rangers lead in half with a 367 feet home run. This was his sixth home run in five games. The A’s tied up this game in the 6th inning with a Brent Rooker double and a Lawrence Butler score. Neither team was able to reach home plate going into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Tyler Ferguson remained on the mound for the ninth inning after pitching the eighth and ran into some trouble. He hit Nathaniel Lowe followed by a Carson Kelly single. Jonas Heim popped out but then Ferguson walked Travis Jankowski and the bases were loaded with one out. Texas had a serious chance to walk off this game and that is exactly how this game ended. Leody Taveras singled and Ezequiel Duran ( who ran for Lowe) scored for the 3-2 win.

Oakland fought their way back into this game but they were unable to score another run in the game after the sixth inning. They went three and out in the seventh and eighth innings. They left two runners on base in the ninth inning but could not bring them home. Oakland finished this game with five hits, the Rangers with nine hits.

Oakland’s Joey Estes had a nice outing going six innings and allowing six hits, two runs, no walks with seven strikeouts. The Rangers starter Cody Bradford went seven innings allowing four hits, two runs, no walks with eight strikeouts in a solid game.

Game recap: After winning game one of their series with the Rangers Friday night 9-2, the A’s took the field in game two looking for another win. . Friday night the game was attended by over 28,000 fans and on Saturday night another well attended game for game two at Globe Life with 28,454.

It was a well pitched game Rangers starter Cody Bradford went seven innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs and eight strike outs. For the A’s Joey Estes six innings, six hits, two earned runs and seven strikeouts.

Sunday Oakland will be looking to win this series in game three. Mitch Spence will take the mound for the A’s with a 7-9 win/loss record and a 4.54 ERA. At the time of this post, the Rangers have not decided on a starting pitcher. First pitch for this game is scheduled for Sunday at 11:35 AM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: Rooker goes yard twice, Bleday goes deep for 2 run HR

Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) is congratulated by Lawrence Butler (4) after hitting a top of the seventh home run against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg:

#1 Oakland A’s Brent Rooker hit home runs in the first and seventh innings at Globe Life Field in Arlington against the Texas Rangers on Friday night. With the two home runs Rooker has 31 home runs and no doubt he’s seeing the baseball just fine.

#2 Shea Langeliers connected for his 23rd home run of the season. Langeliers has had his share of good at bats and he provided one of the many runs for the A’s.

#3 JJ Bleday hit a three run homes in the top of the third inning against the Rangers.

#4 A’s pitching gave two runs to the Rangers and kept their run total under control with great pitching from starter JP Sears pitching seven innings, allowing five hits and one run.

#5 The good pitching by the A’s could very well help them close in on third place and this is their best opportunity facing the third place Rangers.

#6 The A’s will start RHP Joey Estes (6-6, ERA 4.37) and for the Rangers LHP Cody Bradford (4-2, 3.31) first pitch at Globe Life on Saturday night slated for 4:05pm PT.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is a reporter for 1080 KWAI Honolulu

San Francisco Giants podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: Giants rally in 8th to beat Marlins; Snell just needs some run support

San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell pitched seven innings allowing four hits and one run against the Miami Marlins on Fri Aug 30, 2024 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the SF Giants podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 San Francisco Giants were getting shutout by the Miami Marlins through seven innings until Matt Chapman came to the plate and with one swing of the bat hit a three run RBI double as the Giants took a 3-1 lead and eventually won by that score.

#2 The ball that Chapman hit was a slider on a two strike count. Chapman has been key all season long not only with his glove but also with the bat and Friday night was no different when he went yard in a the eighth inning Friday.

#3 Giants manager Bob Melvin was relieved on Friday night after Chapman’s big hit. The Giants had been struggling in particular the Giants had split a four game series with the Milwaukee Brewers but it was that fourth game loss 6-0 last Thursday which had Melvin worried.

#4 With the win on Friday the Giants are back at the .500 at 68-68 and are 6.5 games back for the last Wild Card sport. September will be a critical month for the Giants in order to try and catch up for a shot at the post season.

#5 It’s a Saturday night 6:07pm PT first pitch the Marlins will start Edward Cabrera (2-6, 5.60) and for the Giants RHP Mason Black (0-1, 8.79) at Oracle Park.

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Oakland A’s podcaster on Friday’s at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cardinal Lose to Horned Frogs, 34-27 in Season-Home Opener on the Farm

The Stanford Cardinal line up against TCU Horned Frogs at Stanford Stadium on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (0-1, 0-0 ACC) allowed the Texas Christian University Horned Frogs (1-0. 0-0 Big 12) to HOP around the campus, and fell to the Lone Star State visitors 34-27, on Opening Night in the Bay on Friday night.

The Duo Quarterback mode that Stanford head coach Troy Taylor implemented, was a hit early, as both Ashton Daniels and Justin Lamson reached paydirt, via the pass. However, the ploy did not result in the Cardinal getting the victory.

“Yeah, we had the lead late in the fourth quarter, so our guys battled. They’re a good team, resilient. We were able to take the lead with six minutes left and we got to get a stop and then we got to go back and score again.” Stated Stanford HC Troy Taylor.

“So just didn’t finish it. I thought we did a good job being resilient. Obviously struggled offensively in the second after early on and were able to stay in this. Defense made some good stops. Just wasn’t enough plays.”

Stanford was able to score on their initial drive, with the help of TCU’s costly penalties. As the Cardinal was about to turn the ball over on downs, guests from Texas committed a pass interference penalty. With the second chance, Daniels scrambles for a first down, which is aided by another TCU penalty, unnecessary roughness. Later in the drive, they commited yet another foul play, face masking.

Midway through the quarter, Daniels tossed a three yard touchdown to redshirt freshman Jackson Harris. The home team actually graciously accepted the plentiful gifts from their Southern guests. Stanford was up 7-0, garnering the first tally on the scoreboard. That immediate advantage was short-lived.

TCU marched down the field very efficiently, as sophomore QB Josh Hoover was a perfect 7-7 with his arm. He completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver Savion Williams to even the game at seven, near the end of the first quarter. After 15 minutes of play, the game was tied, 7-7.

In the second stanza, Stanford’s drive stalled. However, the Horned Frogs were were still in the gift giving mood. They gave the bal right back to Stanford on a fumble after a pass reception. They once again received their present with glee and used it wisely.

The drive was culminated with Justin Lamson throwing a two yard touchdown to redshirt freshman Ishmael Cisse, putting the Cardinal back up by seven, 14-7. That was the first touchdown for both players involved in the combination score.

Not to be outdone by their opponent’s philanthropy, Daniels threw an interception that was deflected to senior nose tackle Tymon Mitchell. TCU turned that into a 22-yard field goal by freshman kicker Kyle Lemmermann. Horned Frogs cut the deficit to four, 14-10, Stanford.

The Cardinal also decided to utilize their kicke; Senior Emmet Kenney booted a 35-yard conversion, putting them up 17-10 before the half. Stanford took the touchdown lead into the locker room.

The third quarter was all Horned Frogs, as they scored ten consecutive points and took the lead from the Cardinal, 20-17. This was done on a 42-yard FG by Lemmermann and a touchdown sneak by Hoover.

The Final quarter had an interesting start. TCU’s kicker missed a 39-yard FG attempt a little over three minutes into the timeblock. This would have put them up by six. Instead, Stanford took the lead back, on a one yard keeper by Lamson. The Cardinal led 24-20, with seven minutes left in regulation.

Less than four minutes later TCU’s Hoover threw another touchdown (4 yards) pass to have the Horned Frogs leap back in front by three, 27-24. They added to the advantage with another touchdown, after Stanford relinquished the ball on a 4th & 16 attempt. Sophomore running back Cam Cook scampered in for a seven yard touchdown. near the two minute warning. TCU was up ten at that point, 34-24.

With less than a minute left in the contest, Emmet Kenney converted a 45-yarder to bring them within seven, 34-27. When the clock hit zeros, that was the final score.

Ashton Daniels threw for 163 yards and a touchdown, while rushing for 89 more, and had a comment on what type of game he prefers:

“Yeah, yeah doesn’t necessarily matter to me. I wouldn’t rather have one game one game and one game the other. Whatever is helping our offense out best, whatever is scoring us points, is what I like.”

Justin Lamson scored a passing and rushing touchdown, ,and Elic Ayomanor had 102 receiving yards. TCU was led by their QB’s 353 passing yards, two touchdown via air, and one rushing. They also had two receivers with 100+ receiving yards.

Stanford is next in action Saturday September 9, back here on the Farm versus Cal Poly at 4 PM PDT, while TCU heads back to Texas to host Long Island, on the same dat at 5 PM CST.

Chapman’s three run double is a gamer as Giants rally in 8th to defeat Marlins 3-1

San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman slugs a three run double to clear the bases in the bottom of the eighth against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

Miami (49-86) 000 000 100.  1. 4. 0

San Francisco (68-68) 000 000 03x.  3. 6. 1

Time: 2:21

Attendance: 33,606

Friday, August 30, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–In an unexpected pregame move, the  Giants outrighted valued veteran Thairo Estrada to Sacramento and recalled Brett Wisely to the big league club.  The outcome of the game was not unexpected, but the steps that led to it certainly were.

The floundering Marlins, 49-85 at game time, and  relying on the right arm of an undistinguished wannabe for six excellent innings, led the Giants, 1-0 after 7-1/2 frames before falling to their hosts, 3-1.

The come from behind triumph brought the home team back to its almost impenetrable glass ceiling of .500 at 68-68 and gave some hope that the orange and back might just sneak into the playoffs.

The Giants did not throw an undistinguished wannabe at the Marlins. They put Blake Snell on the mound to start the game. In spite of the defending Cy Young winner’s command problems in his last start, problems that him to leave that game after three innings, he had come out of the late-signing, injury induced first half ineffectiveness to earn a  2-0, 1.72 record in August when he threw his first pitch at 7:16 this pleasant Friday evening.

When he was through, Snell had thrown 96 pitches, 69 of which qualified as strikes, over seven innings, allowing only a single tally, on four hits and a walk. The only extra base hit off him was a first inning double to Jake Burger. Although the lefty had to settle for a no decision that kept his won-lost record  at 2-3, he reduced his ERA to 3.56.

Tyler Rogers relieved Snell to face the fish in the top of the eighth. He retired them in order, earning his third win against four losses and bringing his ERA down to 3.06. Ryan Walker earned his fifth safe by also setting the Marlins down one, two, three in the ninth.

The Marlins’ starter, Adam Oller, didn’t come to work with as impressive a resumé as Snell.He was 2-8, 6.30 in 2022 and 1-1, 10.07 for the departing Athletics last year. The Mariners claimed him on waivers in July and sent him to Tacoma,where he finished that season.

This year, he went to spring training as a non-roster invitee of the Cleveland Guardians. The Marlins signed him as a minor league free agent in July and sent him to their AAA farm team in Jacksonville before calling him up on the 18th of this month.

He pitched 10-1/3 in two starts since then and showed up at Third and King with a 1-1, 5.23 record. His work tonight was every bit as good as Snell’s. The rookie held the Giants to two hits and an equal number of walks over six frames.

One of those hits was an infield single by Mike Yastrzemski. The other was LaMonte Wade, Jr’s double in the third. He struck out eight of the 21 Giants he faced and, like Snell, chalked up a no decision. His ERA now is 3.31.

Mike Baumann, who followed Oller, was tagged with the loss and now stands at 3-1, 5.40. George Soriano, who allowed the three runners who were on base when he relieved Bauman in the eighth  to score, was charged with a blown save.

By the top of the seventh what had been a scoreless tie had evolved into a tense pitchers’ duel. The tension rose with Derek Hill’s leadoff single to right.

With Otto López at the plate, Hill stole his sixth base of the season, but he stayed when López flew out to Grant McCray deep into the right center field warning track. McCray made a good throw to third, which vindicated third base coach Griffin Benedict’s caution, especially after David Hensley smacked a line drive single to right to bring Hill home with the game’s first and Miami’s only run.

The Giants turned the game around in the home eighth.  Jerar Encarnación pinch hit for Casey Schmidt hit a lead off single to right center, McCray fanned, but Yaz drew a walk, sending Encarnación to second, where the newly returned Wisely pinch ran for him. Bauman fanned Michael Conforto for the second out.

It was at this point that Soriano replaced Baumann. He tagged Soriano’s sixth offering, an 85mph slider for a double to left center that cleared the bases and put the Giants ahead, 3-1

Mason Black (0-1, 8.79) will be recalled  from Sacramento to start Saturday, Saturday’s, game scheduled to begin at 6:05.  Edward Cabrera (2-6, 5.60) will be his opposite number for the Fish.

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Morris Phillips: As promised coach Taylor using Daniels and Lamson at QB vs. TCU

Stanford Cardinal cornerback Collin Wright (6) heads to the field before their match up against the visiting TCU Horned Frogs at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Fri Aug 30, 2024 (Stanford Cardinal X photo)

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Morris:

The Stanford Cardinal had the lead in the first half 17-10 and got scoring help from quarterback Aston Daniels for the opening score when Daniels threw a three yard pass to Jackson Harris 7:57 in the first quarter. The Horned Frogs answered back with a quarterback Josh Hoover five yard pass to Savion Williams to tie it up 7-7 at 1:16.

Stanford head coach Troy Taylor who said he would use multiple quarterbacks and did so sending out Justin Lamson who tossed a two yard pass to Ismeal Cisse at 9:19 in the second quarter to take the lead once more at 14-7. The Horned Frogs Kyle Lemmerman booted a 22 yard field goal to make it 14-10 at 4:09. To end the first half scoring the Cardinal kicker Emmet Kenny with 1:36 left in the half hit a 35 yarder to make it 17-10.

In the third quarter Horned Frog kicker Lemmerman hit a 42 yard field goal at 9:11 and the Horned Frogs were closing in making it 17-13. The Horned Frogs surpassed Stanford when Hoover on a keeper scored on a one yard carry to make it 20-17 at 2:22 in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter Stanford came back when Lamson took a keeper for one yard for a touchdown that gave the Cardinal a brief lead 24-20 at 6:57. TCU quarterback Hoover at 3:13 hit wide receiver Jack Bech with a four yard pass and TCU was back on top once again 27-24.

The Horned Frogs Cam Cook carried a seven yard hand off from Hoover for a touchdown to give TCU a ten point lead 34-24 at 1:51. Stanford had the last word on scoring but it wasn’t enough. Kenney booted a 45 yard field goal at 0:36 as TCU wins it on opening night 34-27.

Morris Phillips was podcasting the Stanford Cardinal for the opener of the 2024 season and is the Cal Bears beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com