Author: Sports Radio Service

Kings Lose Fourth In a Row 116-106

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Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is fouled by Sacramento Kings center Richaun Holmes at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Mon Apr 5, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Sacramento Kings have not won a game since March 31st. Since that win they have lost four games in a row. They fell to the Spurs, the Lakers, the Bucks by a single point and lost to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night the final score was 116-106. Prior to that they had won five games in a row. The bottom line is that they have been playing very competitive basketball.

They are 3.5 games out of eighth place and so a playoff run is not out of the question but with only about 22 games left in the regular season it’s time to really put it all out there.

Monday afternoon the Kings took on the Minnesota. Minnesota is currently in last place in the Western Conference with only 12 wins. This was a game that Sacramento needed to win.

The Kings got off to a good start and finished the first quarter leading 29-26. Although leading for most of the first half, they needed to put a lot more distance between themselves and Minnesota.

The Timberwolves just kept hanging around. There was not much help off the bench. But De’Aaron Fox had the high score for the first half with 20 points after a slow start. As the second half came to an end the Kings and the Timberwolves were tied at 55.

The second half needed a lot more offense from Hield, Holmes and Haliburton. All three of these guys need to make a difference in every game from here on out if the playoffs are in their future. As the second quarter came to an end both Fox and Hield had some nice offense setting up a promising second half.

As the third quarter came to an end the Kings and Minnesota were all knotted up at 82 and the Kings were fighting for their lives in this one.

The Kings all but fell apart in the fourth quarter. With less than five minutes left in the game they were trailing by 11points. This game was winnable and the Kings have the talent to beat the Timberwolves but again it was the defense that reared it’s ugly head. A defense that would match the offense would be a very nice thing for the Sacramento Kings. 

This is a game that Sacramento should have won. Fox finished with 31 points, Harrison Barnes with 21, and Buddy Hield with 18 points. The bench was ok and there is no explanation other then their defensive woes. Each loss from here on out takes them further and further away from any playoff hopes

The Kings will next take on the Pistons Thursday night in another winnable game against a last place team. Tipoff is at 7:00PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants open up in San Diego for 3 game series tonight

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The San Francisco Giants Evan Longoria goes deep in the top of the seventh inning against the Seattle Mariners on Fri Apr 2, 2021 at T Mobile Park in Seattle (AP News photo)

#1 The Giants (1-1) opened up their season in Seattle on Thursday night for the start of a three game series their most recent game Saturday night they were shutout 4-0 by the Mariners (1-1) pitching staff of starter Chris Flexan, relivers Kendall Graveman, Anthony Miseiewicz, and Rafael Montero.

#2 The Giants simply couldn’t get any hitting going on Saturday against the four Mariner pitchers was this a game that the M’s pitching staff had the Giants off balance or they were just that good.

#3 The Giants did pick up their first win of the season in game 2 of the series against the Mariners with a 6-3 win on Friday night. The Giants picked up the bulk of their run production in the sixth and seventh inning scoring two and three runs off M’s starter Yusei Kikuchi and reliever Drew Steckenrider.

#4 It’s not too often the Giants get a Sunday off and instead of making this a four game series it was a three game series giving the Giants Sunday off a travel day of sorts.

#5 The Giants open up a three game series against the San Diego Padres starting tonight at Petco Park, the Giants will start Anthony DeScalfani and for the Padres Adrian Morejon. This will be Desclfani’s first game pitching in a regular game for the Giants.

Join Morris for the Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips Mon Apr 5, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks hoping to extend winning streak in Anaheim

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The San Jose Sharks goaltender Martin Jones (31) makes a glove save on the Los Angeles Kings Dustin Brown’s (32) shot on Sat Apr 3, 2021 in the second game of the two game series at Staples Center in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

#1 The San Jose Sharks head coach Bob Boughner is no surprisingly relieved or happy as the Sharks take a four game win streak into Tuesday night’s game against the Anaheim Ducks.

#2 The Sharks on Friday night got a shutout from goaltender Martin Jones in a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center and won the 2 game series on Saturday night with a win over the Kings 3-2 in close contest.

#3 The Sharks host the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night at SAP Center in San Jose and this should be a game that the Sharks should win on their home ice.

#3 In other hockey news Len up to 20 Vancouver Canucks players on protocol list, the list includes Thatcher Demko and Bo Horvat. The Canucks have had four games postponed, Mar 31, Apr 3, 4, 6. The Canucks are concerned about the new variant and just bad timing during the season.

#5 The Canucks have the worst recorded cases of Covid 19 in professional sports so far with over 20 players and coaches it was also reported that family members of the Canucks have also caught the virus. The Canucks as a team could end up having more than four games canceled.

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro Mon Apr 5, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s hope to get back on track against Dodgers after rough Astros series

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Oakland A’s second baseman Tony Kemp makes a throw to first in the third inning to retire the Houston Astros Carlos Correa in game 3 of the four game series on Sat Apr 3, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

Barbara on the A’s podcast:

#1 Barbara for the Oakland A’s the series with the Houston Astros pure torture the A’s took four loses in the row on Thursday through Sunday.

#2 The Astros had their bats going all series long with Yordan Alvarez, Jose Altuve, and Alex Bergman A’s pitching looked like they just couldn’t figure a way to get them out.

#3 A’s pitchers who were hit during the Houston series, A’s opening day starter Chris Bassitt five plus innings three runs, Jesus Luzardo five innings five runs, and Cole Irvin four innings four runs, Sean Manaea on Sunday over four innings plus six hits and five earned runs .

#4 A’s manager Bob Melvin was asked if he would be interested in managing another team other than the A’s after this season and he said “I have no desire to go anywhere else”

#5 The A’s will try to win a series as they host the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers who opened up the season against the Colorado Rockies and both teams played pretty even ball. Do you see the A’s recovering and maybe having a more balanced series against the Dodgers after the mismatch series they just had against the Astros?

Join Barbara for the A’s podcasts each Monday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason Mon Apr 5, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Stanford Champions of NCAA National Title 54-53

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Reining Champions of Women’s NCAA basketball the Stanford Cardinal hold up the Championship Trophy going all the way defeating the Arizona Wildcats at the Alamodome in San Antonio on Sun Apr 4, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the Stanford women took on the Arizona Wildcats in search for a championship: the first ever all Pac-12 NCAA basketball title game. Stanford coming off a wild game that went right down to the buzzer winning over South Carolina who had a real shot at winning the game. That score was 66-65. One thing you could say about the Cardinal they kept it close again edging out the Wildcats for a 54-53 Championship victory in the Alamodome in San Antonio.

Stanford was able to pull off the win but the Cardinal will need everyone on board for the title game. Arizona has made a lot of noise beating No. 2 Texas A&M, No. 4 Indiana and No.1 Connecticut.They have the title in their sites. Aari McDonald & Co. will be ready for this one and will be gunning for the No. 1 overall seed Stanford.

The Cardinal will need Kiana Williams totally onboard for the game. She has struggled the past few games and her team will really need her to step up in this one. Haley Jones had an amazing game against South Carolina and hopes to pick up right where she left off on Friday in the Final Four. Ana Wilson will bring her defensive prowess along with Lexie Hull and Ashsten Prechtel who was great off the bench.

Stanford won both of their regular season matchups and got the third win against the Wildcats in the Championship Tournament. If trends prove true, it is especially difficult to beat a team three times in one basketball season. Both of those games were one-sided. Arizona has made great strides to come into this game with outstanding defense and was considered extremely dangerous.

Stanford was looking for their third national title under Head Coach Tara VanDerveer who won titles in 1990 and1992.

At the half Stanford led by the score of 31-24. They had been able to keep Aari McDonald under wraps allowing only five points. The high score for Arizona came off the bench from Shaina Pellington with seven points.

Lexie Hull had eight points for the half followed by Ashten Prechtel who again had a great first half off the bench. Every starter for Stanford turned in points in the half for a well-balanced first half. They were two quarters away from a national title.

Arizona outscored Stanford in the third and fourth quarters but came up just shy with Stanford winning another blockbuster game 54-53. These girls just hung in there and willed themselves to win giving Tara VanDerveer her third national title.

Aari McDonald came up with a big 22 points in the loss. Shaina Pellington had 15 points off the bench in a terrific outing for Arizona. The Wildcats had a great game coming up just short as time expired.

Stanford had some great numbers from their starters. Haley Jones had 17 points, Lexi Hull with 10 and Cameron Brink also with 10 points. The ever consistent Ashten Prechtel had seven off the bench.

It has been an amazing season for Tara VanDerveer and her team as they celebrate their third title. They played an awesome tournament withstanding a lot of pressure and rising to the occasion in every game. A big congrats to Stanford Women’s basketball and we all look forward to next season.

San Francisco Giants report: History of the Willie Mac Award

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Willie McCovey holding one of his many awards played with the San Francisco Giants from 1958 to 1973 and returned to the Giants in 1977-1980 (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

When the late Willie McCovey retired after pinch hitting against the rival Los Angeles Dodgers on July 6, 1980, the San Francisco Giants honored him by creating an award in honor of him.

The Willie Mac Award is awarded to the most inspirational player on the team, and McCovey himself would be there in attendance every year until untimely passing on October 31, 2018 at the age of 80.

McCovey, who played 22 years in the major leagues for the Giants, the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics; however, he will mostly be remembered for wearing the Orange and Black from 1959-1973, then split between the Padres and Athletics from 1974-1976 and then came back to the Giants before the 1977 season.

The 64 McCovey would be a regular at PacIfic Bell Park, then SBC Park and AT&T Park, as he was usually in his box on the club level and would be seen by throngs of fans as he left the park in a cart.

Jack Clark won the inaugural award in 1980, then Larry Herndon won the award in 1981 and was subsequently traded to the Detroit Tigers for left-handed reliever Dan Schatzeder.

Oakland native and a member of the famed Big Red Machine, the late Joe Morgan won the award in 1982 and ended the season with one of the Giants most famous home runs in the history of the team, when he hit a three-run home run off of Terry Forster that knocked the Dodgers out of the playoffs and gave the National League Western Division. That home run came on October 3, 1982, exactly 31 years after Bobby Thomsons famous Shot Heard Round the World, off of Dodgers reliever Ralph Branca that sent the Giants to their first World Series since 1937.

Multiple players have won the award more than once, including current Giants TV analyst Mike Krukow, J.T. Snow, and Bengie Molina.

On three different occasions, there have co-winners, as in 1995, Mark Leiter and Mark Carreon won the award. Sixteen years later in 2001, Mark Gardner and Benito Santiago shared the award and in 2016, Brandon Crawford and Javier Lopez split the award.

Mike Yastrzemski won the award in 2020, his first full year with the ballclub.

Here is the list of winners.

1980: Clark
1981: Herndon
1982: Morgan
1983: Darrell Evans
1984: Bob Brenly
1985: Krukow
1986: Krukow
1987: Chris Speier
1988: Jose Uribe
1989: Dave Dravecky
1990: Steve Bedrosian
1991: Robby Thompson
1992: Mike Felder
1993: Kirt Manwaring
1994: No winner
1995: Carreon and Leiter
1996: Shawon Dunston
1997: Snow
1998: Jeff Kent
1999: Marvin Benard
2000: Ellis Burks
2001: Gardner and Santiago
2002: David Bell
2003: Marquis Grissom
2004: Snow
2005: Mike Matheny
2006: Omar Vizquel
2007: Bengie Molina
2008: Molina
2009: Matt Cain
2010: Andres Torres
2011: Ryan Vogelsong
2012: Buster Posey
2013: Hunter Pence
2014: Madison Bumgarner
2015: Matt Duffy
2016: Crawford and Lopez
2017: Nick Hundley
2018: Will Smith
2019: Kevin Pillar
2020: Yastrzemski

NCAA Championship Tournament podcast with Michelle Richardson:Both number ones Gonzaga and Baylor Monday night; Stanford-Arizona women was a battle for the ages

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Gonzaga forward Drew Timme, left, ball handles against UCLA guard David Singleton (34) and forward Cody Riley, right, on Sat Apr 3, 2021 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Championship podcast with Michelle:

#1 Gonzaga Bulldogs (31-0) played for their lives and pulled it off against the UCLA Bruins (22-10) on Saturday to advance to the NCAA Championship Tournament on Monday night

#2 Michelle, Baylor (27-2) and Gonzaga both number ones have been playing almost perfect basketball all season long. Gonzaga comes into the Championship Tournament perfect and the favorites over Baylor but how do you see this one turning out?

#3 Stanford Cardinal (31-2) women faced off against fellow Pac 12 school the Arizona Wildcats (21-6) in the Championship Tournament in one of the tightest games on Sunday as Stanford for the second straight won by just one point this time 66-65. These two teams see each other during the regular season Stanford women’s are NCAA women’s Champions.

Michelle’s Final Thoughts

Michelle Richardson podcasted NCAA Sports from the beginning of the college football season to the NCAA Basketball Championship Tournament for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Was Astros Dusty outsmarting the A’s in Houston series?

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Houston Astros Jose Altuve is congratulated from manager Dusty Baker upon returning to the dugout in the fourth inning after scoring against the Oakland A’s on Thu Apr 1, 2021 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

#1 The A’s had a pretty rough start in their first series of 2021 Dusty Baker and the Astros are a very methodical team

#2 There’s very little doubt that the Astros can produce runs as seen in these three games of the series.

#3 The A’s host the Dodgers on Monday after they had a three game series with the Colorado Rockies. The Dodgers have lots of punch in that line up with Mookie Betts, Corey Seager, Justin Turner, and Cody Bellinger.

#4 The A’s pitching staff over the three games against the Astros were in question pitcher Chris Bassitt was rocked for three earned runs in his start Thursday, Jesus Luzardo gave up five earned runs in his start on Friday, then on Saturday the A’s got rocked again by Astros hitting 9-1, the A’s got bombed again 9-2 on Sunday.

#5 The Dodgers Dustin May 0-0 a right hander will be throwing against the Oakland A’s Frankie Montas 0-0. May had a great spring beating out David Price and Tony Gonsolin for the 5th spot in the rotation. Montas lost his splitter last season and has gained it again for this season and is hoping to have a season like he did in 2019.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish lead play by play announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary Tuesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury Sports and Commentary: Baseball All Star Decision — Tolerating Politics in Sports

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2021 All Star Game in Atlanta logo the game is being moved from Atlanta because MLB is opposed to the voter suppression law voted in by the State of Georgia (image from mlb.com)

Baseball All Star Decision — Tolerating Politics in Sports

That’s Amaury Sports and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Major League Baseball has taken action to remove the All Star Game this year in Atlanta, because a decision in that State Legislation about voting ID. Yet, if I leave a couple of complimentary tickets to a friend of mine at a baseball game, they must show and ID in order to get the free tickets. Coca Cola, with headquarters in Atlanta, supports the boycott by baseball and the move to play the ASG someplace else besides Atlanta.

Yet, Coca Cola (a giant in the beverage industry) sell their products in China, a country which today is still one of the world’s biggest human rights violators. Coca Cola is one of the most well-know international brands in China with 150 million servings in that country every single day.

As of 2019, it is well documented that China and the CCP is a top worst offender in civil rights in China. They have murdered, jailed, and detained millions of people who won’t agree with the government of China. A simple web search will confirm this. This fact doesn’t seem to bother Coca Cola or any other big American corporation doing business in/with that country.

How much politics can we tolerate in sports? Baseball just started a season with limited fans in the stands, still some players are getting covid-19, ‘right off the bat’ Thursday night’s Opening Day game between the New York Mets and the Washington Nationals has been postponed because some players were infected with covid-19.

Even as millions are vaccinating, there is still contamination and variants to deal with and we are postponing an All Star Game because of a legal political decision in one single State? Debating this is fine, but should not have sports in the mix, because baseball does better with Home Runs than Legislation.

MLB still has big contractual problems looming, after this season the CBA, (Collective Bargaining Agreement) will be “debated” by owners and union officials. That is where baseball should be debated, not in national politics. The 10th Amendment is left to individual States to make those decisions.

Baseball fans want to talk about baseball, watch baseball, attend games at their baseball parks in their cities; they do not want to talk about this stuff and be fed all this stuff. Atlanta should host the ASG; they worked for years to bring the Midsummer Classic to their great city.

And now the game is taken away from them? Hank Aaron passed on January 22, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. He was/is an African-American icon in American sports, a great American and in my opinion the “dignified” Home-run champion of Major League Baseball.

Aaron would have been honored in the city where he was buried, but that will not be possible. The relocation of the All Star Game will cost Georgia $100 million in tourism to that State and officials in Atlanta, Georgia said it would have been a big boost to their economy and would help with recovery after the pandemic.

The best alternative site for this July 13, 2021 ASG I heard was by the Mayor of Milwaukee, Tom Barrett. He told MLB his city wants to host the classic at Milwaukee’s Miller Park. The Mayor said Milwaukee is the city where Hank Aaron began and ended his career, which is absolutely correct, with the Milwaukee Braves and retired with the Milwaukee Brewers. I obviously do not live in Georgia, but as a baseball person this stuff worries me. Like baseball doesn’t have enough problems?

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s lead play by play Spanish radio talent on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Kings game wrap: Kings can’t hold off Holiday and Bucks 129-128

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Milwaukee Bucks guard Jrue Holiday (21) and forward Thanasis Antetokounmpo (43) put the pressure on Sacramento Kings guard Terrence Davis on Sat Apr 3, 2021 at the Golden One Center in Sacramento (AP News photo)

The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Saturday night welcoming in the Milwaukee Bucks to Golden One Center in Sacramento. For the Kings, it was the second night of the back-to-back after playing the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night. Unfortunately for Kings fans, the Kings weren’t able to beat the Bucks. The Kings fell to the Bucks 129-128 on Saturday night.

Flashback Friday: The Kings welcomed in the Lakers on Friday night. The Lakers were down significant personnel as Lebron James and Anthony Davis were out due to injuries. However, the Kings weren’t able to take advantage of the injured group. The Kings defensive effort lacked as the Lakers blew out the Kings 115-94 in Sacramento.

Saturday game reacp: The Kings were set to take on the Milwaukee Bucks on Saturday night at 7 PM PST in Sacramento.

In the first half, The Kings played hard and kept the game the game close. The Bucks outscored the Kings 31-28 in the first quarter as it was shaping up to be a track meet in Sacramento. In the second quarter, the Kings defense continued to struggle.

The Bucks again outscored the Kings in the second quarter as they managed 30 points compared to the Kings 29. Neither team had a defense that shined in the first half as both teams were pushing the pace on offense. The Kings would head into the second half down 61-57. If the Kings hoped to win the game they would need to limit the Bucks on offense.

In the second half, the Kings came to play. However, the third quarter didn’t go as planned for the Kings. Looking to jumpstart a comeback in the second half, the Kings failed to do so in the third quarter. The Kings allowed the Bucks to score 34 points in the third quarter compared to the Kings 30 points.

That would expand the Bucks lead to 98-91 heading into the final quarter of the game. In the fourth quarter, the Kings weren’t able to complete a comeback. The Kings did outscore the Bucks 37-30 but fell just short as the Bucks defeated the Kings 129-128.

It was a hard-fought battle for the Kings but they weren’t able to put together all four quarters. Leading the way for the Bucks was Jrue Holiday who scored 33 points in the victory. In defeat, De’Aaron Fox and Terence Davis scored 27 points apiece. The Kings will turn to their next game on Monday to get back on track as they have lost three in a row.

Up Next: The Kings will travel to Minnesota to take on the Timberwolves on Monday at 4 PM PST.