Author: Sports Radio Service

Sacramento A’s game wrap: A’s Let Tight One Slip Away in Baltimore 2-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson (5) slides into second base after getting forced out by Baltimore Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson (2) in the top of the second inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore Orioles on Sun May 10, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics were determined to finish their Baltimore road trip with a series sweep while adding more distance between themselves and the Mariners in the AL West standings. Instead, they were handed the kind of 2-1 loss that felt like unwrapping the gift they wanted, only to realize it was the Temu version. The Green and Gold had chances, had pitching, had traffic, and even had a late runway to tie the game. What they did not have was the one extra swing that turns a quiet afternoon into a happy flight home.

The game started with Keegan Akin retiring the A’s in order in the first, striking out Nick Kurtz and Brent Rooker around a Shea Langeliers groundout. Baltimore also went quietly in its half, though Taylor Ward briefly reached on a walk before Langeliers erased him trying to steal second. That throw, with Jacob Wilson applying the tag, was a sharp early reminder that this was going to be a game where every inch mattered.

The Athletics struck first in the second after Chris Bassitt replaced Akin. Tyler Soderstrom opened the inning by driving his 12th double to right, then moved to third when Wilson reached on Bassitt’s fielding error. Carlos Cortes, who came in as one of the hottest bats on the club and had been hitting .418 over his previous 16 games, did the useful thing and lifted a sacrifice fly to left. Soderstrom scored, and the A’s had a 1-0 lead without needing a big inning.

Luis Severino made that lead stand for a while. He retired the Orioles in order in the second, getting Pete Alonso and Samuel Basallo on grounders before handling Leody Taveras himself. Baltimore finally broke through in the third when Dylan Beavers doubled, Weston Wilson walked, and Blaze Alexander moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Gunnar Henderson then chopped a grounder to first that brought Beavers home, tying the game 1-1. Severino kept it there by getting Ward on strikes after a successful Athletics challenge overturned the original call, then retiring Adley Rutschman on a lineout to Wilson.

The middle innings turned into a test of patience. Jacob Wilson singled to start the fourth, but Cortes grounded into a double play. Zack Gelof and Jeff McNeil went down quietly in the fifth, and the Athletics missed a Baltimore threat in the bottom half when the Orioles loaded the bases with two outs. Severino escaped by getting Rutschman to fly to left, preserving the tie and giving the A’s another chance to scratch something together.

Baltimore finally grabbed the lead in the sixth. Basallo doubled sharply to right, Taveras singled him to third, then stole second. Beavers followed with a line-drive single to left, scoring Basallo for a 2-1 Orioles lead. Manager Mark Kotsay turned to Justin Sterner with runners still aboard, and Sterner did exactly what the A’s needed. After walking Weston Wilson to load the bases, he struck out Alexander and Henderson to stop the inning from becoming much worse.

The Athletics had their best late chance in the seventh. Cortes singled to center, then stole second as Lawrence Butler struck out. Gelof followed with a ground-ball single to center, and Cortes tried to score from second. Taveras charged, threw home, and Basallo made the tag for the final out. It was the game in one snapshot: the A’s aggressive enough to force the issue, Baltimore clean enough to make them pay.

Luis Medina then delivered one of the brightest Athletics moments of the afternoon. Entering in the seventh, he carved through Ward, Rutschman, and Alonso with three straight strikeouts. He followed with a clean eighth, getting Basallo on strikes before Taveras and Beavers flew out to Soderstrom. Medina’s two scoreless innings gave the A’s exactly the kind of bullpen lift they needed after entering the day with recent relief struggles.

The offense simply could not cash in. In the eighth, Kurtz walked and moved to second on a wild pitch, then Langeliers walked to put the tying run in scoring position. Rooker struck out, and Soderstrom flew out to right. In the ninth, Butler worked a two-out walk against Rico Garcia, but Gelof popped out to Henderson to end it.

For the Athletics, the loss snapped some road-trip momentum but not the bigger picture. They entered the day having won three straight, sitting in sole possession of first place for the 14th consecutive day. Kurtz’s walk pushed his on-base streak to 34 games, while Langeliers again showed value behind the plate even on a day when his bat stayed quiet. Severino battled through 5.1 innings, allowing two runs while keeping the A’s close, and Medina turned in a relief outing that deserved a louder ending.

This one will not go into the scrapbook, but it still said plenty. The A’s can pitch, defend, and fight through tight games. Today however, they just could not find the final hit hiding somewhere in Camden Yards.

The A’s head home to Sacramento tonight with a well-earned Monday breather on deck. By Tuesday, the feathers will be flying again, as the Cardinals come to town for a three-game set. Jefferey Springs (3-2 / 3.89 ERA / 39 K) will begin the series for the green and gold, while Andre Pallante (3-3 / 4.34 ERA / 29 K) is set to throw for St. Louis. Game time is  6:40pm from West Sacramento.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Bay FC Match Wrap Up: Bay FC-Utah FC battle to a 0-0 draw

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC gave a strong effort forcing a 0-0 draw against one of the tougher clubs in the NWSL the Utah Royals FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sun May 10, 2026 (Bay FC X photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC returned home to PayPal Park to host a regular season game for the first time in a month looking to follow up a big road win against the San Diego Wave last week. This week, the surging Utah Royals were in town, looking to continue their strong start to the season. Bay stopped a good Utah club as both clubs ended up with a 0-0 draw on Sunday.

Utah nearly got a ball past Jordan Silkowitz in the 17th minute, but the header sailed wide of the goal. Silkowitz then denied Utah on the rush, making a tremendous toe save to deflect the ball out of play. After the fact, the Utah attack was ruled offside regardless.

Silkowitz was again called to action in the 36th minute when she had to punch away a Royals corner kick that was heading toward the back of the goal.

Rachael Kundananji had a great run for Bay FC in the 40th minute, dancing around the Utah defense, but when she eventually tried to take a shot, it was blocked in front of the goal by a defender. Hannah Bebar then fired a shot from the midfield that tested the Royals’ goalkeeper, but went just above the crossbar in the 44th minute.

At halftime, the score remained a 0-0 tie.

Early in the second half, momentum seemed to favor Utah. Claire Hutton was shown the game’s first yellow card in the 56th minute following a challenge in the midfield .Kiana Palacios almost shot a laser past Silkowitz in the 57th minute, but the shot went just wide of the net. Immediately afterward, Bay FC made their first substitution of the night. Caroline Conti entered the match for Taylor Huff.

In the 66th minute, Aldana Cometti was shown Bay FC’s second yellow card for the night. Silkowitz denied Paige Cronin on a one-on-one in the 68th minute, keeping the game deadlocked. In the 70th minute, Utah got their first booking of the night after Tatumn Milazzo blatantly pulled Karlie Lema’s jersey.

Dorian Bailey exited the match in the 73rd minute with Onyeka Gamero taking her place. Silkowitz made another massive save in the 79th minute, preventing Utah from taking a late lead. Moments later, Joelle Anderson was shown a yellow card.

Maddie Moreau entered the game for Karlie Lema in the 90th minute. Gamero fired a shot from distance in stoppage time, but the shot went out of play. Hutton took a shot in the dying moments of the game which was saved easily by Mandy McGlynn. Ultimately, the match ended in a 0-0 draw.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Bailey traded for a guy named “Tugboat”; Giants carrying 3 catchers on club

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson a left hander was traded to the San Francisco Giants from the Cleveland double A system in exchange for catcher Patrick Bailey (photo by Minor League Baseball)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Former San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey was traded to the Cleveland Guardians for the 29th overall draft pick in the MLB draft Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson. Tugboat is a 250 pound left hander. Is it going take a little time for the Giants to promotes Tugboat or do you see them calling up Tugboat sooner than later.

#2 Was the primary reason for trading Bailey that he was hitting .146 and was his offense hurting the club?

#3 Critics of the trade say he is a great defensive catcher and his tools of ignorance skills helped espeically working with the pitchers.

#4 The Giants are now currently carrying three catchers Logan Porter, Jesus Rodriguez, and Eric Haase. How soon will they be ready to getting used to working with with the Giants starting pitchers and bullpen?

#5 Taking a look at Sunday’s starting pitchers for the Pirates RHP Buba Chandler (1-4 ERA 4.76) for the Giants RHP Tyler Mahle (1-4 ERA 5.00) with a 1:05pm PDT first pitch.

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s returning from successful road trip; Open homestand against St Louis Tuesday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

I’m not that surprised that the Sacraamento A’s are in first place and their getting both the hitting and pitching, I wrote here on Sports Radio Service during spring training we know the A’s are going to hit with the line up that they have with Tyler Soderstrom, Nick Kurtz, Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers and Lawrence Butler they all can hit.

Right now the A’s are in first place and had a successful road trip in Philadelphia and Baltimore. The A’s have improved with a starting roation JT Ginn, Aaron Civale, Luis Severino, Jacob Lopez and Jefferey Springs. The question is do the A’s have the pitching to make it in the line run.

The story of the pitching staff and Mark Kotsay is happy the direction his pitching staff is going and the management believes the same thing. The question is is this a .500 team or a team that has a shot at making the post season.

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

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Earthquakes late conceded goal earns point in 1-1 draw with Whitecaps

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Earthquakes starting XI pose for a picture before the start of the match against the Vancouver Whitecaps at PayPal Park that resulted in a 1-1 draw on Saturday MAY 9, 2026. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — In a battle for the top spot in the Western Conference, the San Jose Earthquakes and the Vancouver Whitecaps battled to a 1-1 draw on Saturday evening at PayPal Park.

San Jose extended its point streak to eight matches. Vancouver extended its point streak to six matches.

San Jose (9-1-2-29 points) drew first blood int he fourth minute. Paul Marie, who made his first start for head coach Bruce Arena, threaded a pass out to Preston Judd in stride inside the box. The veteran forward one-timed the ball into the right corner of the net past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka for his team leading eighth goal of the season.

Vancouver (8-1-2-26 points) had a chance to even the match in the 29th minute when midfielder Jeevan Baldwal had a point-blank shot all alone inside the six-yard box, but Quakes goalkeeper Daniel knocked the ball away from danger.

Benji Kikanovic was issued a yellow card in the 36th minute after a ticky-tack foul was called on him just outside the box. Daniel was then also issued a yellow card for arguing the call with referee Malik Badawi.

Despite controlling the possession battle by a two-thirds to one margin and outshooting San Jose 6-2, Vancouver wasn’t able to generate many quality scoring chances in the opening 45 minutes.

Vancouver came out with vengeance in the second half as the dominated play from the opening minute all the way till stoppage time. They controlled the possession and kept the Quakes from counterattacking as they won the majority of the 50/50 balls. San Jose had a tough time dealing the Whitecaps physicality as the match ensued.

Daniel came up with three big saves in a span of three minutes. First in the 55th minute he knocked away a shot from 15 yards by Andres Cubas after being setup by Emmanuel Sabbi. Then in 57th minute he stoned away back-to-back chances inside the box by Bruno Caicedo and Badwal.

Vancouver finally broke through with the equalizer in the 76th minute. Sabbi found Sebastian Berhalter all alone along the right side of the box and Berhalter finished off a right-footed shot past Daniel for his fourth goal of the season, tied for second on the team with Tomas Muller who sat out the match with an illness.

Daniel finished the match stopping four of the five shots on target to earn the draw with his fellow keeper Takaoka who made two saves on three shots on target.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with two corner kicks. Vancouver had four.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels up to the Pacific Northwest to take on the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday May 13 at 6:30pm at Lumen Field.

Pirates stomp Giants, 13-3; Bailey dealt to Cleveland trade might have impacted team

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss is hit by a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, May 9, 2026 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

By Ryan Hannagan

San Francisco — The Giants and Pirates faced off for game two of a three game series Saturday night. The Giants were hoping to maintain their momentum and win the series in game two after their 5-2 victory on Friday night but it was all for not as the Pirates won in a 13-3 laugher at Oracle Park on Saturday night.

In other news, the Giants traded two-time Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Matt “Steamboat” Wilkinson and their CBA Round A pick (29th overall) in the morning before the game. 

Landen Roupp was given the nod for the Giants. Roupp had a 3.18 ERA and a 5-2 W/L record going into Saturday’s game. The Pirates went with Braxton Ashcraft, also a right-handed pitcher. Ashcraft, a second-year pitcher, had a 3.02 ERA and a 1-2 W/L record going into Saturday’s game. 

The first four innings of the game were scoreless. There was an eye opening difference between the two pitchers despite the scoreless tie. While Roupp struggled to complete his innings at a productive pace, Ashcraft was dominating the Giants lineup.

Roupp’s pitch count surged to 91 after four innings pitched. Despite only giving up one earned run, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brandon Lowe shortly after he was pulled (Bart was the run that scored, Bart singled to begin the fifth when Roupp was still in) Roupp was only able to go 4 ⅓ innings due to his high pitch count. Replacing Roupp was relief pitcher Ryan Borucki.

The fifth inning was really where the flood gates slowly began to open for the Pirates. Borucki didn’t make it far in Saturday night’s affair, only facing four Pirates, retiring two and leaving the mound with an earned run of his own, an RBI single off the bat of Bryan Reynolds. Following Borucki’s departure, Ryan Walker came in with an attempt to stop the bleeding with the score sitting at 2-0.

Walker allowed an infield single to Nick Gonzales, but shortly after during the next AB, Gonzales was thrown out trying to steal 2nd effectively ending the inning. 

A positive came out of the Giants half of inning five. Rookie DH Bryce Eldrige hit his first career home run to open the bottom half of the inning, moving the score back within one, a 2-1 Pirates lead. A high soaring moonshot just short of a splash hit. That would be the only run the Giants scored in the bottom of the 5th.

Walker returned to the mound in the sixth, where the Pirates offense added two more insurance runs giving themselves a 4-1 lead, forcing manager Tony Vitello to pull Walker after only recording two outs, a recurring theme amongst the Giants pitching staff. Matt Gage was the fourth pitcher of the night to take the mound for the Giants, he went ⅔ IP just as Borucki and Walker did, though without an earned run allowed.

On offense, the Giants had another scoreless inning, quickly allowing the hot Pirate bats back out on offense. The seventh inning is where the score began to get out of hand. Vitello had JT Brubaker out to start the seventh. There was a lot of Pirate offense during Brubaker’s appearance.

By the time Brubaker got the hook, the Pirates had increased their lead to 7-1. Gregory Santos came in relief of Brubaker, and the Pirates didn’t let up. Another three runs allowed, this time by Santos, moved the score to 10-1 Pirates by the end of the inning.

No further offense came until the ninth inning when the Giants sent infielder Christian Koss to pitch. Koss allowed three more runs making the score 13-1.

The Giant’s offense did respond in the bottom of the ninth, but the hole was too deep to dig out of. Two Giants runs and three outs later the game was over with a 13-3 final.

With Saturday’s loss, the Giants have lost nine of their last 11 games.

Sunday is the series finale, 1:05 first pitch. Starting pitchers for Pittsburgh RHP Buba Chandler (1-4 ERA 4.76) for San Francisco RHP Tyler Mahle (1-4 ERA 5.00) first pitch at 1:05pm PDT.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Rooker Rocks Camden As Civale Tames Birds 6-2; Sacramento’s third win in a row- A’s lead AL West by 2 games

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s Brent Rooker swings for a home run in the top of the third inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sat May 9, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics did not waste any time turning Saturday afternoon at Camden Yards into their kind of ballgame winning their third straight ball game and second in a row over the Baltimore Orioles 6-2 Saturday.

Before Baltimore could even settle into the rhythm of Game 2, Nick Kurtz ripped a sharp double to left, Shea Langeliers followed with a line-drive single, and the Green and Gold had a 1-0 lead. It was the kind of first-inning punch that tells a pitcher, a ballpark, and a home crowd that the visitors did not arrive just to politely take their cuts and go home.

Aaron Civale made that early run feel much larger. Baltimore put traffic on him, including a Gunnar Henderson single and an Adley Rutschman double in the first, but Civale kept answering with the calm of a man changing a tire while the car is still rolling.

Zack Gelof helped him escape the first by starting a crisp 5-4-3 double play, and Civale struck out Pete Alonso to end the threat. In the second, after Samuel Basallo singled, Civale struck out Leody Taveras, Dylan Beavers, and Coby Mayo in order, turning a possible Orioles rally into a three-swing warning label.

The biggest swing came in the third. Kurtz walked, Langeliers singled again, and Brent Rooker punished Shane Baz with a three-run homer to right field, his fifth of the season. In one clean crack, a 1-0 game became 4-0, and the Athletics had control. Rooker has enjoyed seeing Baltimore over his career, and this was another reminder that some matchups just seem to fit a hitter’s hands.

Kurtz kept applying pressure in the fifth, opening the inning with his second double of the game, then stealing third. Langeliers brought him home with a sacrifice fly, giving the A’s a 5-0 lead. Kurtz entered the day riding the longest on-base streak in the majors this season, and his afternoon only added to the story of a young hitter who keeps finding ways to matter. The A’s also entered the game alone in first place in the American League West, and performances like this are why that standing no longer feels like a cute early-season typo.

Civale’s line was not spotless, but it was tough. He allowed six hits and three walks over five scoreless innings, striking out six. His biggest escape came in the fifth, when Jeremiah Jackson singled, Henderson doubled, and Taylor Ward walked to load the bases with nobody out. Civale did not blink. He struck out Rutschman, got Alonso to fly to left, then retired Basallo on another fly ball to Tyler Soderstrom. That was the game’s spine.

Baltimore finally scratched back in the eighth against Mark Leiter Jr. Taveras singled, Beavers doubled, and pinch-hitter Colton Cowser lined a two-run single to center to cut the lead to 5-2. For a moment, Camden Yards had a pulse again. But Tyler O’Neill grounded into a forceout, and the inning ended before the Orioles could turn nervous energy into real danger.

The A’s answered in the ninth like a team that understood the value of breathing room. Langeliers walked, Rooker singled, and Colby Thomas, who had entered as a pinch-hitter and stayed in right field, lined a single to center to score Langeliers for a 6-2 lead. Thomas had also singled in the eighth, giving the bench a useful spark at the right time.

Joel Kuhnel handled the ninth with no drama, getting Henderson, Ward, and Rutschman on three straight groundouts. The Athletics finished a clean, sturdy 6-2 win with early offense, clutch defense, a sharp start from Civale, and enough late insurance to keep Baltimore from making the afternoon weird. In a season where the A’s are trying to prove their first-place grip is real, this was not a flashy masterpiece. It was better than that. It was professional, balanced, and convincing.

Game 3 Sunday will have the A’s looking to celebrate Mother’s Day by leaving Baltimore with a series sweep. For the A’s, Luis Severino (2-3 / 4.15 ERA / 43 K) will take the mound against Chris Bassitt (2-2 / 5.91 ERA / 20 K), with first pitch scheduled for 10:35am Pacific.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:Their getting the pitching and clutch hitting; A’s win opening game of O’s series

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s pitcher Jacob Lopez deals against the Baltimore Orioles in the bottom of the first inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Fri May 9, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 Tony, talk about the A’s they are getting the pitching and clutch hitting.

#2 The A’s Nick Kurtz is one of those clutch hitters with a two run triple in the top of the fifth and the A’s just got by the Baltimore Orioles with a 4-3 win.

#3 Orioles pitcher Kyle Bradish had some success against the A’s line up striking out ten hitters in seven innings. It was the Baltimore defense that let him down in the A’s three run fifth inning.

#4 A’s pitcher Jacob Lopez gave up two run and allowed three hit in 5.1 innings of work. The Orioles are struggling against left handed pitching as they are 0-9 against Southpaws this season thus far.

#5 A’s and O’s meet again Saturday starting pitchers for Sacramento Aaron Civale (3-1 ERA 2.95) for Baltimore RHP Shane Baz (1-3 ERA 4.99) first pitch 1:05pm PDT.

Join Tony Harvey for the Sacramento A’s podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Mary Lisa podcast: Sabres-Canadiens tied 1-1 battle it out for game 3 at the Belle Centre Sunday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jakub Dobes (75) watches the puck during the first period in game 2 of the second round of the NHL Playoffs at the Key Bank Center in Buffalo on Fri May 8, 2026 (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Mary Lisa podcast:

#1 Montreal Canadiens Alex Newhook scored two goals as the Buffalo Sabres were defeated by four goals 5-1 in the second round of the NHL playoffs in game two tying the series 1-1.

#2 More Habs who scored Mike Matheson, Alexandre Carrier and Nick Suzuki, Suzuki’s goal was an empty netter. The contribution was huge for the Canadiens knowing the Sabres have a dangerous offense.

#3 While the Canadiens pick up a huge win against the Sabres their offensive stars are struggling. Cole Caufield finally picked up a point after a five game slump and Juraj Slafkovsky picked up an assist his first in eight games.

#4 Montreal rookie goaltender Jakub Dobes stopped 27 shots in a critcal game like this the Canadiens depended on their goalie who allowed just one goal.

 #5 Series tied at 1-1 continues Sunday at the Belle Centre in Montreal both teams evenly matched how do you see this one turning out and do you see the Canadiens with a home ice advantage?

Join Mary Lisa for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants back in win column with 5-2 victory over Pirates

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers went 2-4 with a home run Friday May 8, 2026 against the Pittsburgh Pirates (photo by Jay Choi SF Bay News)

By Ryan Hannagan

San Francisco — The San Francisco Giants took on the Pittsburgh Pirates in game one of a three game series Friday night at Oracle Park. The 14-23 Giants came into Friday’s contest on a bad cold spell, dropping eight of their last nine, as well as their last three series.

Looking to turn things around, manager Tony Vitello went with the former Cy Young winning, left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray (2-4, 2.95). On the other end, the 21-17 Pirates came in hot, winning four of their prior five. Pirates manager Don Kelly went with the fourth year right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2, 4.50) in an attempt to keep the success rolling. 

After a quick first inning for both teams, the Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the second thanks to a solo shot from veteran Marcel Ozuna. The 1-0 lead was short lived for the Pirates, as in the bottom of the second, Giants first Baseman Rafael Devers hit a response solo shot of his own, tying the score. 

The third inning went by with no damage done by either team. In the bottom of the fourth the tie score moved to 2-1 Giants after Heliot Ramos knocked in Casey Schmitt with a two out single to center. This RBI single came right after Willy Adames was robbed of a three run homer by Pirates left fielder and former Giants prospect Bryan Reynolds. 

The score stayed at 2-1 until the bottom of the seventh, when the Giants offense broke things open with a three-RBI inning. After Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski exited following six innings, San Francisco quickly got to reliever Justin Lawrence, collecting four baserunners on three hits. Willy Adames led off the inning with a single before Heliot Ramos followed with a double, putting both runners in scoring position. Drew Gilbert then delivered an RBI single that brought Adames home for the Giants’ third run of the night. Lawrence was pulled without recording an out.

With Evan Sisk taking over on the mound, the Giants continued to add on. Following a Jung Hoo Lee lineout, Luis Arraez ripped a two-run single that scored Ramos and Gilbert, extending the lead to 5-1. No more runs crossed in the inning, but the four-run advantage put San Francisco in firm control late in the game.

The eighth inning went by with no offense for either side, leaving the Pirates a final chance to tie it up in the top of the ninth. 

Tasked with closing out the game cleanly, Caleb Kilian entered in the ninth and quickly recorded the first out on a Marcell Ozuna flyout. The Pirates then threatened after back-to-back walks to Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin put two runners on base. With runners at first and second, Spencer Horwitz lined a single into right field that scored Cruz and cut the deficit to 5-2.

After the RBI hit, Brandon Lowe popped out to Willy Adames in shallow center, leaving the Giants one out away from victory. Looking for a late rally, Pirates manager Don Kelly sent Ryan O’Hearn to pinch hit for Billy Cook, but O’Hearn grounded out to end the game as the Giants secured the 5-2 win.

Robby Ray took home the victory after 6.0 IP, 4 Hits, 1 Earned Run, 4 BB, and 7 strikeouts. The win moves Ray to 4-3 on the year with a 2.76 ERA. The Giants record now sits at 15-23. 

The next game of the series is Sat May 9th at 6:05 PM PST. Starting pitchers for Pittsburgh RHP Braxton Ashcraft (1-2 ERA 3.02) for San Francisco RHP Landen Roupp (5-2 ERA 3.18)