Author: Sports Radio Service

MLB The Show podcast with Charlie O: Where will Ohtani land next season?; Misiewicz line drive scary moment for Yankees and Pirates; plus more news

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 Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani before a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Ohtani will miss the rest of the season because of an oblique injury, the team announced, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP News photo)

On MLB podcast The Show with Charlie O:

#1 Los Angeles Angels two way star Shohei Ohtani who cleared out his locker on Friday night and is done for the rest of the 2023 season. Ohtani has been out of the line up since Sep 4th is will need a procedure for his right elbow. Ohtani’s personal items were seen in a garbage can in the Angels clubhouse according to reporters and Ohtani didn’t speak to the media after taking batting practice in a cage before the game.

#2 Ohtani’s agent Nez Balelo said that Ohtani will be in someone’s line up next season as a DH. Balelo didn’t mention when Ohtani could be back pitching again. The question is will his market value be less when he come up for free agency after this season?

#3 Friday night New York Yankees pitcher Anthony Misiewicz was hit in the head on a come backer hit by the Pittsburgh Pirates Ji hawn-Bae. On a 1-2 pitch Misiewicz threw Bae a curve ball that shot back and hit Misiewicz on the side of the head. Misiewicz hit the ground but did not lose consciousness.

#4 Philadelphia Phillies manager Charlie Manuel 79, suffered a stroke on Saturday while going under a procedure in Florida. The medical team was able to take care of the stroke and remove a blood clot. Doctors in Florida said the next 24 hours will be crucial for Manuel.

#5 MLB announced that the owners will vote on the relocation of the Oakland A’s in mid November. The process will start with a three man committee submit the review to MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, Manfred will then submit his approval to an eight man committee and then they will send it onto the 30 owners for a vote in mid November.

Join Charlie O for the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Quick start propels Earthquakes over Salt Lake 2-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes Twitter. Goalkeeper Daniel celebrates a goal against Salt Lake on September 16th.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- Back on home turf after their tie against Washington San Jose came out swinging and beat Salt Lake by a final of 2-1.

Attendance: 15,390

For San Jose Daniel was in goal coming off a clean sheet against Washington when he made eight saves. On the other end Zac MacMath got the start for Salt Lake.

Typically the Earthquakes get off to poor starts however, this game ended up being quite the opposite. As less than two minutes in Cristian Espinoza feed the ball through to a streaking Jeremy Ebobisse who finished the play with a well placed shot. The goal was mainly due to a forced turnover by Cade Cowell which ended up being a running theme throughout the first half.

The second goal did not take much longer as off a corner at the 15th minute kick Salt Lake failed to clear the ball and it came right to Espinoza. Not wasting much time Espinoza took the turnover and chipped it to Rodrigues who tipped it in with his left foot getting his first goal of the season.

A little before the goal at the 13th minute the first yellow of the game was given to Salt Lake’s Brayan Vera for a bad foul.

Towards the end of the first half Salt Lake did start to push back leading to a header on goal by Rubio Rubín that was saved by Daniel. The rebound though popped up in the air and Cristian Arango tapped it just across the line scoring at the 44th minute and making it 2-1.

The second half began similarly to the first with San Jose dictating the pace and maintaining possession. At the 50th minute Espinoza almost picked up another assist as he feed it to Jamiro Monteiro but it was saved by MacMath.

Another yellow was given to Salt Lake this time at 69th minute on a bad foul by Arango.

Once again Salt Lake pushed towards the end of the half but Daniel stood tall making a save at the 89th minute off of Anderson Julio.

San Jose would hold on to get the victory bringing them up to 40 points and tied for fifth with Houston and Salt Lake in the Western Conference.

Daniel finished the night with six saves totaling 14 saves over his past two matches.

Of note was San Jose’s discipline as they only fouled five times and took no yellows.

“Yea we were aggressive but we were smart and we controlled emotions and we attacked without fouls,” manager Luchi Gonzalez said after the game.

San Jose won’t have much time to rest as they play Portland this Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. on the road.

Cardinal Stung and Stunned by Aggressive Hornets; Lose Home Opener with New Coach vs. Old Team, 30-23

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The Stanford Cardinal quarterback Ashton Daniels (14) throws against the Sacramento State Hornets at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (USA Today photo)

STANFORD, Calif. — The Stanford Cardinal (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) opened up their home schedule with a thud, as they could not swat away the swarming Sacramento State Hornets (3-0) 30-23 on the Farm, as first-year coach Troy Taylor was downed by his former team.

Taylor congratulated the coaches, staff and players of his former place of employment.  He also surmised what happened in the game:  “They made more plays than we did, and they won the game.”  Taylor also addressed the scenario of facing his former squad and all the colleagues and friends still there.  “Once the game starts, you’re just competing.”  Uttered Taylor.

It took a large portion of the initial quarter before any scoring took place by either team.  Both defenses will get credit for the lack of offense; however, Sacramento State was not intending to be a sacrificial lamb for the power five school.

With about six and a half minutes left in the quarter, the home team got on the scoreboard first.  Senior running back Casey Filkins burst through the defense for a one-yard touchdown.  Stanford led 7-0 near the end of one.

The Hornets actually had an answer before the 15 minutes expired.  With :44 left before part one of the game concluded, junior kicker Zack Schreiner booted a 24-yard kick to put the Hornets within four, 7-3.

In the second stanza, there was a lot more action for the sparse crowd.  Cardinal sophomore quarterback Ashton Danaiels launched a 51-yard bomb to fellow sophomore wide receiver Elic Ayomanor for a touchdown, putting them up by 11, 14-3.

Stanford was looking to squash the state capital bugs, by attempting an immediate onside kick.  The result was a success, and the Cardinal regained possession of the ball.  This marked the first time in over 20 years (2001 – Oregon) the team was able to accomplish this feat.

As the Cardinal tried to capitalize on this fortuitous play, they gave the ball right back a few minutes later on a turnover.  Daniels had his pass attempt deflected and picked off in the endzone.  

The touchback put Sac State on their own 20, and they seemed to have garnered momentum.  In less than five minutes, the Hornets reached paydirt on a one-yard TD by sophomore running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver, bringing them within four again, 14-10, Cardinal.

As Sacramento State did in the first quarter-score with less than a minute left-they duplicated in the second.  Bennett scored on a two-yard QB keeper, putting the visitors ahead for the first time, 17-14, with :35 before recess.

The Cardinal were down by three at intermission, but had the luxury of receiving the ball in the beginning of the second half.

In the third quarter, the “Hot” foot of senior kicker Joshua Karty came into play.  He was working on a streak of 22 consecutive kicks without a miss.  At the 10:35 mark, he tied up the game at 17, on a 41-yard FG, extending his streak to 23.

Just under seven minutes to go in quarter number three, Hornets QB Bennett throws an interception on Stanford’s 1-yard line.  Unfortunately for the Cardinal, they gave it right back two minutes later.  Sophomore QB Justin Lamson, who came in for Daniels, threw an inopportune interception.  

Sac State drove the ball down, then settled for a 22–yard Schreiner FG, putting them back up by three, 20-17.  This time they scored with more than two minutes left in the quarter.  However, Stanford was not able to do anything with the clock moments.  After three, the Hornets were up 3, 20-17.

The fourth had a lot of excitement for the announced 23k+(?) souls in the stadium.

Karty was at it again, converting his 24th consecutive FG from 40, this time.  The Cardinal evened the score at 20, and appeared to be taking the momentum back from the Hornets.  Especially when Bennett tossed another INT, which was returned for an assumed pick-6.  The officials deemed the interception legit, but the return was not allowed.

Karty made sure they at least got something out of that big turnover, so he belted his 25th consecutive kick through the uprights midway through the final portion of the contest.  The Cardinal were on top again, and the Farm faithful hoped for the remainder of time.

The pesky guests from Sac-Town were not on the same page as the majority gathered in Metro Palo Alto.  Schreiner did his own footwork, and scored a 44-yarder, tying the game at 23.

The common theme of the Northern California battle, the Hornets scored the last points of every quarter.  This time in the most important one, Bennett, on the verge of being sacked, lofted a pass to senior running back Marcus Fulcher, which resulted in a 49-yard eventual GW TD.  After four quarters of action, the Sacramento State Hornets are the victors, 30-23 on the Farm.

Stanford will remain on the Farm and host Arizona, next Saturday September 23 at 4 pm PDT.  Sacramento State will travel to Idaho and face the Vandals next Saturday at 1 pm local time.

Note: Cardinal senior Kicker Joshua Karty is currently at 25 consecutive field goals without a miss,  He was 3-3 in this game.

The Hornets’ junior QB  had quite a game.  21-33, 279 yards passing, TD & 2 INT; 100 rushing yards and one TD.

Oakland Roots lose 1-0 to FC Tulsa to start home stand

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Oakland Roots pose for a pre game team photo before their match against FC Tulsa on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Saturday, September 16th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

Hayward, CA – The Oakland Roots face off against FC Tulsa to start a three game homestand with six games left in the season, four out of those six will be home games for Oakland. The Roots find themselves in 7th place of the West, three points clear of the playoff line. 

Tulsa got on the board first 10 minutes into the game when Phillip Goodrum knocked a header in the net after receiving a short cross pass into the box and this header made it past Blanchette to put Tulsa up 1-0. The game plan for Oakland seemed more scattered than usual and Tulsa’s whole system was to take advantage of this scattered style of play.

The course of the first half was predominantly focused on setting up possible opportunities, but Oakland made the biggest mistake of the half right before stoppage time when Lindo Mfeka delivered a hard tackle that wasn’t just a clear foul, but resulted in a red card and the Roots had to play with ten men for the remainder of the game.

With only two minutes of stoppage time, the halftime whistle blew before anything could develop and Tulsa held the lead at 1-0, but with that red card on Oakland, Tulsa had the advantage. 

The second half was a complete battle of possession, but the odds were evened out when Tulsa got a red card and now both teams were playing with ten guys. From there the rest of the second half played out and Tulsa never conceded.

As the final whistle blew, the game was just like how it started, 1-0 Tulsa and three points secured for Tulsa, which isn’t good for Oakland as they go into these final five games with a huge mountain to climb. The next game will be a home match for Oakland and it will be against Monterey Bay FC and the Roots need a win to secure them in the playoff picture.

Mason Miller struggles in second start back from 60-Day IL, as A’s fall to Padres for third-straight loss

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Sep 16, 2023; Oakland, California, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Brett Sullivan (29) appeals to the third base umpire on a check swing by Oakland Athletics first baseman Ryan Noda (49) during the fifth inning at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Noda was ruled out on the play. Credit: D. Ross Cameron-USA TODAY Sports

Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

San Diego Padres 5 (71-78)

Oakland Athletics 2 (46-102)

Win: Matt Waldron (1-3)

Loss: Mason Miller (0-3)

Save: Josh Hader (29)

Time: 3:15

Attendance: 14,376

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The San Diego Padres beat the Oakland A’s, 5-2, in the second game of this three-game series on a partly cloudy Saturday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum to hand the A’s their third-straight loss.

The A’s sent the young right-hander, Mason Miller, to the mound. Miller, who was making his second start since coming off the 60-Day Injured List, struggled with his control.

Miller walked Ha-Seong Kim, following a 1-2 count, to start the game; and then Fernando Tatis Jr. doubled to put runners at second and third with nobody out for Juan Soto, who knocked Kim with a sacrifice fly to right. Xander Bogaerts then hit a donk single off the end of the bat into center for a base-hit to knock in Tatis and make it 2-0 Padres. Miller then issued a pair of two-out walks to load the bases, but he escaped further damage.

“Everytime [I’m] out there is a blessing and an opportunity,” said Miller. “I look to capitalize on things I’m struggling with, [and] make those adjustments week to week, outing to outing.” I don’t want to make any excuses for [my command].”

The knuckleballer, Matt Waldron, got the start for the Padres, and pitched scoreless innings in the bottom of the first and second. The A’s got to Waldron for a run to put the A’s on the board in the bottom of the third, as Nick Allen doubled to left with one out, and scored two batters later on a sacrifice fly to center off the bat of Ryan Noda.

“I think that was my first time getting [a] hit off a knuckleball,” said Allen. “It was nice getting a double, [and] getting in scoring position for the guys.”

Luis Medina succeeded Mason Miller on the mound for the A’s, and threw a 1-2-3 top of the second, as well as a scoreless third. Medina remained in a groove in the top of the fourth, as he struck Trent Grisham out swinging to start the inning, and he got Matthew Batten looking for the second out. However, Medina walked Brett Sullivan, and gave up a single to Kim, which put runners at first and third. Medina walked Tatis to load the bases, and then he walked Soto to give the Padres a run for free.

Waldron pitched a scoreless bottom of the fourth for the Padres, and Medina came back out for the A’s in the top of the fifth. Medina hit Luis Campusano with a pitch to start the inning. He got Ji Man Choi to strike out swinging for the first out; he walked Grisham with one out; and got Batten looking again for the second out.

A’s Manager Mark Kotsay then opted to pull Medina for the lefty, Easton Lucas to face the left-handed-hitting Brett Sullivan. Sullivan hit a chopper to first that was picked up by A’s first-baseman, Ryan Noda, who threw a bouncer that went all the way to the A’s dugout.

Campusano and Grisham both scored to open the Padres’ lead to 5-1. Sullivan was originally awarded second base, but the third base umpire and crew chief, Dan Iassogna, convened the crew, and awarded Sullivan third since he had reached first before Noda got his throw off.

Mark Kotsay wanted an explanation as to why Sullivan was awarded third, and Iassogna checked in with the replay center in New York for a rule’s check, but he was backed up by Approved Ruling of Rule 5.06(b)(4)(G), which states:

“If all runners, including the batter-runner, have advanced at least one base when an infielder makes a wild throw on the first play after the pitch, the award shall be governed by the position of the runners when the wild throw was made.”

Zack Gelof hit a home run to left off Waldron to start the bottom of the sixth to cut the Padres’ lead to 5-2. Seth Brown struck out swinging, but after Aledmys Diaz singled to center, Waldron’s day was done. Padres Manager Bob Melvin brought in Scott Barlow, who gave up an opposite-field single to Lawrence Butler, which brought the tying run to the plate. However, Carlos Perez grounded back to the mound for a 1-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Easton Lucas ended up pitching two innings in total, and with two outs in the top of the seventh, he was replaced by Lucas Erceg, who would’ve ended up pitching a perfect inning and a third had Tatis not reached on an error with two outs in the top of the eighth.

Barlow ended up pitching an inning and a third of scoreless ball for San Diego, as did Robert Surarez. Dany Jimenez pitched a scoreless top of the ninth for the A’s, and the Padres summoned their closer, Josh Hader, for the bottom of the ninth.

Carlos Perez singled to left to start the bottom of the ninth, but Brent Rooker flew out to left; Nick Allen grounded into a fielder’s choice; and Shea Langeliers pinch-hit for Tony Kemp and struck out swinging to end the game.

The A’s will try and salvage a game in this series tomorrow, as they will send the young 6’7” right-hander Joe Boyle to be the opener in his major league debut.

[Joe Boyle] will open tomorrow,” said A’s Manager Mark Kotsay. “We’re looking forward to this day tomorrow to see a young man that [has] earned this opportunity.” said A’s Manager Mark Kotsay.

Stephen Ruderman is a http://www.sportsradioservice.com contributor and podcaster

Giants swept by Rockies 5-2 in night cap; SF drops 3 straight to Colorado; Series Finale Sunday at Coors; Giants 2.5 games back of NL Wild Card

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Second game of the doubleheader San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers (left) and Giants first baseman LaMonte Wade Jr (right) wait for a Colorado Rockie Ezequiel Tovar ball to go foul in the bottom of the seventh inning at Coors Field in Denver on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants apparently did not get the errors out of their system and had a couple more in the second game of the day at Coors Field. A very sloppy game from San Francisco and some very good play from Colorado gave the Rockies their third win of the series 5-2 sweeping Saturday’s day-night doubleheader.

The Colorado Rockies (55-92) took care of the San Francisco Giants (75-73) in the first game of the doubleheader of their four game series Saturday morning 9-5. This was the one series left in the regular season that many thought San Francisco could succeed in and get closer to a Wild Card.

It is by no means turned out to be that way. The Giants looked awful in Game Two; the pitching was horrendous and offense not much better. The question going into Game Three of this series was could San Francisco get a split out of this series?

Night cap recap: As this game got started, it was not the start that the Giants had envisioned. Colorado got things rolling with a couple of runs in the first inning. Kris Bryant got a double and Elehuris Montero singled and the Rockies had an early 2-0 lead.

San Francisco kept pace scoring in the second inning trailing by a single run 2-1. Mike Yastrzemski singled Patrick Bailey home and the Giants still had Colorado in their sites.

The Rockies would answer and add a couple of runs in the third inning to extend their lead to 4-1. Ezequiel Tovar singled and Charlie Blackburn scored for the 3-1 lead.

Another San Francisco mistake on the mound gave Colorado another run. Tovar scored on a Jakob Junis wild pitch and the Giants were getting deeper and deeper in trouble as this game went on trailing 4-1. It was still very early in the game but the Giants would need some offense asap.

The fourth and fifth innings were quiet for both teams but in the top of the sixth inning, San Francisco got one run showing some signs of life. Michael Conforto hit a sacrifice fly and Thairo Estrada scored. The score was still a bit lop-sided as this game went into the latter innings with San Francisco still trailing 4-2.

The Rockies would top off this game in the seventh inning with a Bryant single and Blackman scored for the final of 5-2. The Rockies had won three straight games off San Francisco after being swept in their last series with the Giants at Oracle Park.

In Game Two, there were more errors and more runners left stranded. In the ninth inning the Giants had the bases loaded but came up empty. Both teams had ten hits in the game which highlights all the runners that San Francisco left hanging.

They had a couple of errors as well in the game which Colorado took advantage of. The Rockies have really played well in this series giving San Francisco all sorts of problems.

Sunday the Giants will try to salvage this series in Game Four. They cannot afford to be swept. Sean Manaea will take the mound for the Giants with a (5-6, 4.80 ERA). The Rockies will start Chris Flexen with a (1-7, 7.22 ERA). First pitch for this game will be 12:10 PM PT.

San Jose State falls to Toledo 21-17

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Photo credit: toledoblade.com

By: Mary Anne

The San Jose State Spartans looked to win two in a row at the Toledo Rockets on Saturday, but they didn’t. San Jose State fell to Toledo 21-17 at Glass Bowl Stadium. SJSU’s record dropped to 1-3, while Toledo improved to 2-1.

After a scoreless first quarter, San Jose State took a second-quarter lead in only a minute. Kyler Halvorsen kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 3-0 Spartans at 7:47. Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Dominick Mazotti, who scored his first of the season, and Halvorsen kicked an extra point to give the Spartans a 10-0 lead at 6:47.

The Rockets cut the Spartans’ lead to 10-7 with ten seconds left in the second quarter. Rockets quarterback Dequan Finn threw a 15-yard touchdown pass to Jerjuan Newton, who scored a touchdown, and Luke Pawlak kicked an extra point to make it a three-point game.

The Spartans took a 10-7 lead to the locker room at halftime.

The Spartans took a ten-point lead at 9:58 of the third quarter. Kairee Robinson ran for a 15-yard touchdown and Kyler Halvorson kicked in an extra point to put the Spartans up 17-7.

The Rockets made it a three-point game at 6:15 of the third quarter. Dequan Finn ran for an 18-yard touchdown and Luke Pawlak kicked in an extra point to cut the Spartans’ lead to 17-14.

The Rockets took their first lead of the game with 2:01 left in the third quarter. Chris McDonald scored a touchdown on a 25-yard interception return and Luke Pawlak kicked in an extra point to put the Rockets up 21-14.

Notes
Spartans quarterback Chevan Cordeiro joined the 10,000-yard club Saturday.

Up Next
The Spartans will return home to host the Air Force Falcons at CEFCU Stadium on Saturday, September 22, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.

Cal Scores 31 Unanswered Points To Beat Idaho 31-17

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Congratulations all around as the Cal Bears defeated the Idaho Vandals for their second win at Cal Memorial in Berkeley on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (@CalFootball photo)

Saturday, September 16th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

Berkeley, CA – At Cal Memorial Stadium, the University of Cal Bears host the Idaho Vandals in their third game of the season, and the Bears come into this game 1-1 and coming off a loss last week to Auburn. The defense of Cal has only allowed 14 points in the last six quarters and that was all in the Auburn game. Cal dominated on offense coming away with their second win of the 2023 season defeating the Vandals 31-17.

The game started with Idaho receiving the ball and their first drive was a 12 play, 67 yard drive that resulted in a field goal, 3-0 Idaho, but the story here is Cal’s defense stopping the Vandals in the red zone and forcing them to have to settle for three points.

Quarterback Sam Jackson V leads the Cal offense and has been leading them as a scoring dynamo the last two games, but his first drive this game went three and out and was forced to punt. Idaho’s very next drive was complete domination on offense and was efficient with nine plays and 80 yards that ended with Vandals running back Anthony Woods running head first into the defense and into the end zone for a touchdown. 10-0 Idaho.

The first quarter was all Idaho, dominating the possession time, the yards, and the score. Idaho had a 10:40 possession time and 147 yards which was polar opposite to Cal’s 4:20 time of possession and 39 yards in the opening quarter and Cal needed to shake things up for the second quarter or the Vandals would run away with this game early. 

The domination didn’t slow down for Idaho in the second quarter as they stopped Cal in their tracks to start the quarter and then followed that stop with a nine play, 53 yard touchdown drive where they scored off a two yard run in the end zone for Idaho QB Gevani McCoy.

17-0 Idaho and the Bears were not only trailing, they allowed more points in one half then they did in the last six quarters of two games. Cal finally got on the board with a 20 yard TD pass from Sam Jackson V to Jeremiah Hunter and the energy in the stadium perked up. 17-7.

The first time Cal stopped Idaho for a turnover on downs was deep in the second quarter when cornerback Jeremiah Earby knocked down two big passes, one of them being on fourth down and this set up the Bears for the momentum shifter of the half.

On the fourth play of the drive, Sam Jackson V threw a 36 yard TD pass to Trond Grizzell and the score being 17-14 now changed the environment and the energy in it. On what was supposed to be Idaho’s final drive before the half, they were about to enter the redzone, McCoy threw the ball and it was Nohl Williams for Cal who was there to pick it off and the Bears took over possession with 28 seconds left, but couldn’t capitalize on the opportunity. The first half ends with Idaho in the lead 17-14, but the momentum on the Bears side. 

The second half started with a major drive from Cal’s Sam Jackson V as he led the Bears 80 yards and scored  by running it in himself for a 27 yard TD, giving Cal their first lead of the game, 21-17 Cal. Idaho’s third quarter was vastly different than their entire first half.

Cal clearly made adjustments to the defense where this half Idaho couldn’t get anything going even though they were still dominating the time of possession. The offense though for Cal was in full gear during the quarter, collecting another TD, but this one on the ground when Isaiah Ifanse hammered in a one yard run after setting up the scoring play with an even better 17 yard run where dodged any defender who tried to wrap him up. 28-17 Cal. 

The fourth quarter started with a big run by McCoy for Idaho, but a penalty made them go back to their start point and then a fumble recovered by Raymond Woodie III gave the Bears the ball early in the fourth and with such a clear lead, this moment was theirs to seize and put a potential nail in the Vandals’ coffin.

A huge 41 yard run by Ashton Stredick put the Cal offense in the best position to hammer that nail in the coffin, but they had to settle for a field goal after a penalty and failed plays held them outside the red zone. With the score being 31-17 Cal, the Bears at this point had scored 31 unanswered points.

As we went in to the final three minutes of the game, Idaho needed to get back to the vibe they set in the first half, but after another turnover, a fumble recovered by Cal, it was clear that the Vandals might’ve hit their peak point too early and it was in the hands of the Bears as the clock winded down. 

The clock hit zero and the score was final with Cal winning 31-17 and now holding a 2-1 record. Cal’s next game will be against a Pac-12 foe, the #8 Washington Huskies in the University of Washington and the Bears want to take this momentum and type of game into their next game and even into the conference part of the season.

Troy Ewers is a Cal Bears beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Drop Front Game Of Doubleheader (Game 2 Of Series) To Rockies 9-5

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Keaton Winn works against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Coors Field in Denver on Sat Sep 16, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

A disastrous fifth inning set the stage for the San Francisco Giants (75-73) second loss in this series. All that they can hope for right now is a split losing the front game of Saturday’s doubleheader to the Colorado Rockies (55-92) and game two of the series 9-5.

Friday night the Giants lost a heartbreaker to the Rockies 3-2. The Giants led going into the bottom of the ninth. A single and an error later, the Rockies were celebrating a walk-off win 3-2.

Saturday San Francisco was back on the field playing a double-header scheduled due to a rain-out Thursday night. Losing game one of this series hurt San Francisco’s playoff hopes. Every game going forward is critically important if the Giants want any shot at a playoff berth.

They are not doing much to advance their cause that’s for sure. They are making this pretty hard on themselves. Friday’s loss was a bit of a surprise because the Rockies reside in the basement of the NL West so this is a team that the Giants need to beat, especially with a couple of series coming up with the Dodgers, one with the Diamondbacks and another with the Padres.

The Giants got off to a quick start taking a 2-0 lead in the second inning and adding another run in the third inning to extend their lead to 3-0. In the second inning Blake Sabol doubled and both LaMonte Wade Jr. and Luis Matos scored.

In the third inning Thairo Estrada scored on passed ball by Austin Wynns. It was all looking good for San Francisco until the bottom of the third inning. This is when it all went sideways for the Giants.

A Colorado triple from Ezequiel Tovar with the bases loaded tied up the game 3-3 and this game quickly escalated in favor of the Rockies.

The fifth inning was a disaster for San Francisco. Giant’s starting pitcher Keaton Winn fell apart and after 76 pitches he was done. He had allowed three hits and three runs. Ryan Walker who relieved him in the fourth did not fare much better allowing two hits and three runs walking three batters. San Francisco walked in two runs in the fifth inning and when the dust had settled Colorado had taken a 6-3 lead. The Rockies would add another run in the sixth inning to lead 7-3.

Going into the seventh inning, the Giants had three innings left to make up a lot of ground or drop even further back in the wild card race. This was a horrible let-down after last night’s loss.

Colorado continued their beat-down in the bottom of the seventh inning scoring two more runs. The Rockies 9-3 lead set up a more than likely Colorado win going into the eighth inning and assuring them a split series or better.

San Francisco crept a little closer in the eighth inning when LaMonte Wade Jr. homered, a solo, to right center but still trailing 9-4 going into the ninth inning. The Rockies were three outs away from taking a 2-0 lead in the series.

San Francisco made a little noise in the ninth inning. Estrade singled Brandon Crawford home. With two outs, Mitch Haniger struck out swinging and that was the ball game 9-5.

This game was lost on the mound and the quiet bats didn’t help at all. They had seven hits in the game and left a lot of runners stranded The Giants are in a self-destruction mode right now and have to turn it around in the second game of the double dip. The two teams will take a breather and then play the second game of this double-header with first pitch at 5:10 PM.

Starting pitchers in the night cap for the Giants Scott Alexander (7-2 ERA 4.53) for the Rockies Kyle Freeland (6-14 ERA 6-14) at Coors Field.

MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Ohtani done for season; San Diego manager Melvin talks about being back in Oakland

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Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani sits in the dugout before a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Ohtani left the Angels on Fri Sep 16, 2023. His agent said he’ll be a DH somewhere next season (AP News photo)

On the MLB podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Los Angeles Angels two way star Shohei Ohtani cleared out his locker on Friday night and is done for the rest of the 2023 season. Ohtani has been out of the line up since Sep 4th is will need a procedure for his right elbow. Ohtani’s personal items were seen in a garbage can in the Angels clubhouse according to reporters and Ohtani didn’t speak to the media after taking batting practice in a cage before the game.

#2 Stephen, with former Oakland A’s and now San Diego Padres manager Bob Melvin was back in his old confines at the Oakland Coliseum. It gave Melvin who showed up at the ballpark at 11 AM time to run the stairs in the lower bowl of the Coliseum.

#3 Asked about the A’s move to Las Vegas Melvin said he hopes fans would enjoy the ballpark and hope that the A’s are in Oakland a lot longer then people expect. Meaning getting the extension at the Coliseum through the 2027 before they move to Vegas if it gets the owners approval.

#4 The Los Angeles Angels Anthony Rendon has been out a good two months and has not made himself available to talk about what was thought to be his bruised deep bone which outside doctors with no working relationship with the Angels said it was a fractured tibia.

#5 New York Yankees pitcher Anthony Misiewicz was hit in the head by line drive hit by the Pittsburgh Pirates Ji Hwan Bae which happened in the bottom of the sixth inning at PNC Park. Misiewicz was hit on the side of the head as the ball rolled to right field. Misiewicz stood up after getting hit and was escorted off the field via cart under the watchful eye of medical personnel and the Yankee trainer.

#6 If the bags are ever juiced and the Minnesota Twins Royce Lewis is coming to the plate his odds of hitting a grand slam home run are pretty good. Royce hit grand slam number four for the season a Twins record for a season on Friday night. Lewis said he thinks of the wins that comes with hitting the grand slam and he hopes his teammates hits some as well.

Stephen Ruderman is a podcast contributor for http://www.sportsradioservice.com