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Ryan Borucki

Giants bullpen blows another late-inning lead in 6-4 loss to the Phillies

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Photo: Giants relief pitcher Ryan Borucki exits the mound in the 7th inning after giving up two runs (Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO–For the second day in a row, the San Francisco Giants blew a late-inning lead as the Philadelphia Phillies rally from 4-0 down to win 6-4 at Oracle Park.

After starting pitcher Adrian Houser gave up back-to-back singles to start the seventh inning, Giants manager Tony Vitello brought in lefty Ryan Borucki to try and get through Phillies sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. That did not go well, as Schwarber walked and Harper hit the game-tying single. The next batter Alec Bohm hit a ground-ball single that gave the Phillies a 5-4 lead, one they would not give back. The Phillies tacked on another run later in the inning on a sacrifice fly by Brandon Marsh.

Some may question Vitello’s decision to bring in Borucki in a leverage spot against two of the best hitters in the game. Borucki is a journeyman pitcher who had a 4.63 ERA in 35 innings with both the Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays. Fellow lefty Matt Gage, who has yet to give up an earned run this season, was not used in the high leverage spot and the Giants paid for it. Gage would go on to pitch a scoreless eighth inning, with the Giants down 6-4.

This latest bullpen blow up comes after Keaton Winn and Erik Miller gave up four runs combined in the eighth inning on Sunday against the New York Mets, giving the Mets a 5-2 come-from-behind victory. The Giants were up 2-1 at the start of the eighth inning on Sunday afternoon.

On Monday night, the Giants finally showed some offense in the third inning, where they scored three runs against Phillies starter Andrew Painter. Painter came into the year 1-0, with a 1.69 ERA. After Willy Adames starting the inning with a double, Luis Arraez followed with an RBI double of his own to give the Giants an early 1-0 lead. Giants third baseman Matt Chapman then tripled in another run. Two batters later, Giants left fielder Heliot Ramos singled in Chapman to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.

The Giants tacked on another run in the fourth inning on a Luis Arraez sacrifice fly. The Giants were up 4-0 and feeling good, but the Phillies got on the board in the fifth inning with two runs of their own. Two singles from the eighth and ninth spots in the batting order ended up scoring in that inning off of Houser.

The Giants did not score another run after the fourth inning. In fact, they only had 2 hits after the fourth inning–a single by Jung Hoo Lee in the eighth and a double by Adames in the ninth.

Houser ended up pitching well, better than his line score indicated. He ended up going six innings, giving up four runs on nine hits and two walks. He struck out three batters.

The Giants are now 3-8 on the year, not the start that Vitello wanted to begin his Giants career. In 2000, the Giants did start the year 3-9 and ended up winning the National League West with 97 wins, but that team had Barry Bonds and Jeff Kent in the middle of their order and Felix Rodriguez and Robb Nen on the back end of the bullpen. The Giants will hope to turn things around quickly, or they can find themselves buried quite early in the season.

Up next, the Giants will try again on Tuesday to get right as they take on the Phillies again in Game 2 of the series. Robbie Ray (1-1, 3.38 ERA) will take the mound for the Giants against lefty Cristopher Sanchez (1-0, 0.79 ERA). Game time is at 6:45 p.m.

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Pirates continue to farm out great talent; Mets Soto out with calf injury; plus more news

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Pittsburgh Pirates Konnor Griffin sprints for home plate in the second inning against the San Diego Padres Fri Apr 3, 2026 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 How significant is Konnor Griffin’s debut for the Pirates, and what does it suggest about their future competitiveness? (Griffin had an RBI double in his first at-bat and helped secure a win.) Once again the Pirates know how to bring up some solid talent.

#2 What impact could Juan Soto’s early exit with a calf injury have on the Mets’ lineup and short-term outlook?

#3 Are the Dodgers emerging as early offensive favorites after Shohei Ohtani’s explosive performance (HR and 4 RBIs)?

#4 How might weather-related postponements and doubleheaders (like Brewers–Royals and Cubs–Guardians) affect team momentum and pitching rotations this week?

#5 Some of the moves talked about on some of the San Francisco radio station about Tony Vitello the San Francisco Giants manager that he’s over his head jumping from college right to The Show. The Giants were clobbered twice by the New York Mets in their four game series and lost that last game three to the San Diego Padres to close their series 7-1. Is more a concern about a pitching staff than Vitello’s managing?

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

Tsakiris’ brace powers Earthquakes over San Diego FC 3-0

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San Jose Earthquakes midfielder Niko Tsakiris celebrates his second goal of the match with his fellow teammates against San Diego FC at PayPal Park on Saturday APR 4, 2026. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Niko Tsakiris made franchise history by joining some select company.

The San Jose Earthquakes midfielder recorded his first career brace as the Quakes dominated from start to finish in a 3-0 rout of San Diego FC on Saturday evening at PayPal Park.

San Jose has won two games in a row and five of their first six matches for its best start in franchise history. San Diego suffered its first loss of its MLS campaign after starting the season undefeated with points in its first five matches.

San Jose (5-1-0) struck first early in the first half. Preston Judd intercepted a back pass and quickly found Tsakiris along the left wing. The 20-year-old fifth year player dribbled into the box before roofing a left footed shot into the back of the net as a San Diego defender closed in on him for his first goal of the season in the 13th minute.

San Diego’s (3-1-2) high scoring attack had limited possession throughout the match as the pitch was tilted inside their defensive zone thanks to San Jose’s high press attack that kept the ball from the feet of Anders Dyers and leading goal scorer Marcus Ingvartsen.

The match quickly went south for SDFC when fullback Manu Duah pushed down Judd from behind after he made a move to get around Duah inside the box in the 28th minute. Referee Fotis Bazakos awarded a penalty kick to San Jose. After a VAR review, it was determined that Duah never made a play for the ball resulting in a red card and automatic ejection. San Diego played a man down for the final 62 minutes of the match.

Tsakiris completed his brace when slammed home the penalty kick into the upper right corner of the net beating his fellow Under-23 U.S. Men’s National Team teammate SDFC goalkeeper Duran Ferree in the 34th minute.

Tsakiris became the second youngest player in franchise history to record a brace. The youngest just happens to be the greatest American born soccer player ever in Landon Donovan.

The Earthquakes made it 3-0 just before halftime when Beau Leroux centered the ball from down the left sideline into the middle of the box where Judd one-timed it into the right corner of the net for his team leading third goal of the season in the third minute of stoppage time.

In the second half, San Jose took advantage of being up a man as they continued to create chances and kept the ball out of danger as head coach Bruce Arena subbed out five of his starters for a more defensive oriented lineup.

Quakes goalkeeper Daniel needed to make just one save to record his fifth clean sheet of the season. To date, Daniel has only conceded one goal on the season. Ferree kept the match from being a bigger blowout as he made seven saves on 10 shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with seven corner kicks. SDFC had five.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels out to the Midwest as they take on Sporting Kansas City on Saturday April 11 at 5:30pm at Sporting Park.

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey: Raynaud leads with 28 points against Pelicans

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Sacramento Kings center Dylan Cardwell (32) raises an arm after scoring a basket against the New Orleans Pelicans in the first half at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Fri Apr 3, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Kings podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 How did Maxime Raynaud impacted the game offensively scoring 28 points in the Kings’ win?

#2 What key defensive plays did Dylan Cardwell make in the final seconds, and how did they influence the outcome of the game?

#3 Nique Clifford contributed to the Kings’ scoring effort with 23 points and finishing second in scoring.

#4 In what ways did Devin Carter contribute beyond scoring during the closing moments of the game?

#5 How did Daeqwon Plowden help seal the victory late in the game, and what specific action secured the win?

Tony Harvey does the Sacramento Kings 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. 

Macklin Comeback Celebrini Does it Again: Sharks 4-3 Win in Dramatic Fashion over Ducks

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Macklin Celebrini celebrates his Power Play goal vs. Anaheim at SAP Center on April 1, 2026 (Sharks Media)

By Fernando Abarca

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose Sharks overcame defensive lapses and delivered a dramatic late comeback to defeat the Anaheim Ducks 4-3 in a thrilling finish at SAP Center.

While defensive breakdowns once again surfaced throughout the night, San Jose responded when it mattered most, showing resilience and composure down the stretch.

Anaheim opened the scoring after a coverage mistake allowed Ryan Poehling to slip behind the defense uncontested and beat goaltender Yaroslav Askarov. The early goal highlighted a recurring issue for the Sharks, but they answered back later in the period to level the game, heading into the first intermission tied.

The second period was marked by strong goaltending from the Ducks, as San Jose applied steady offensive pressure but struggled to convert. Despite controlling possession for stretches, the Sharks were unable to capitalize on their chances. Anaheim took advantage of a cross-ice pass that caught Askarov out of position, reclaiming the lead and shifting momentum.

San Jose came out with urgency in the third period and quickly found an equalizer. Colin Graf recovered a rebound and connected with Will Smith, who set up Macklin Celebrini to tie the game and energize the home crowd.

However, defensive inconsistencies resurfaced once again. A turnover in transition, following an interception by Dmitry Orlov, opened space for Anaheim to strike and regain a 3-2 advantage.

With time winding down, the Sharks refused to fold.

In the final two minutes of regulation, with the net empty and on a 6-on-5 advantage, Macklin Celebrini orchestrated a crucial play that led to the tying goal, bringing San Jose back into contention and igniting the crowd at SAP Center.

Moments later, the comeback was complete.

With only seconds remaining, Alexander Wennberg delivered the game-winning goal, sealing a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Sharks and capping off an electric finish on home ice.

The win marks San Jose’s third consecutive victory, keeping them firmly in the hunt for a Western Conference Wild Card spot in the Stanley Cup Playoff race. The Sharks will look to build on their momentum as they continue their homestand against the Toronto Maple Leafs, aiming to extend their streak and strengthen their postseason push.

Stars upend Barracuda in 2-1 win

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San Jose Barracuda forward Egor Afanasyev (#11) skates with the puck along with his teammate defenseman Braden Hache (#86) while Texas Stars defenseman Tristian Bertucci (#3) defends in his own zone at Tech CU Arena on Tuesday MAR 31, 2026. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The Texas Stars scored two quick goals to open the third period as they defeated the San Jose Barracuda 2-1 on Tuesday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose has lost four games in a row. Texas is .500 in its past four games.

San Jose (38-22-2-2-80 points) dominated play in the first period. Despite recording 12 shots in first 10 minutes of the period, none of them resulted in goals as Stars goalie Remi Poirier was perfect between the pipes to start the game.

Cuda goalie Laurent Brossoit had an uneventful opening 20 minutes as Texas (33-27-3-1-70 points) registered just five shots on goal.

The Barracuda drew first blood early in the second period. Filip Bystedt scored his 19th goal of the season when he beat Poirier with a quick wrist shot at the 5:37 mark. Lucas Carlsson set up Bystedt from the left wing with a centering pass for his 14th assist of the season. Bystedt leads the team with 51 points on the season as his extended his points streak to three games.

Texas evened the game early in the third period with an even strength goal. Cross Hanas gathered the rebound off a Matthew Seminoff shot and buried it beyond the reach of Brossoit for his 14th goal of the season at the 1:24 mark.

Then 16 seconds later on the next shift, Dylan Hryckowian rifled home a slap shot past Brossoit from the right wing for his first goal of the season. Ayrton Martino and Micheal Karow received helpers on the play.

Poirier (23-17-4) had one of his best games of the season stopping 43 of the 44 shots he faced to earn his 23rd win of the season. Brossoit (14-7-1) suffered just his seventh loss of the season as he made 32 saves on 34 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 0-for-4 on the power play. Texas went 0-for-2.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Poirier 2) Brossoit 3) Hryckowian.

UP NEXT: San Jose continues its four-game homestand with a two-game weekend series with the Colorado Eagles on Friday April 3rd at 7:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Yankees Brought their Brooms to the Bay as Vitello still looking for a W

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San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello (right) looks out onto the Oracle Park diamond against the New York Yankees on opening night Wed Mar 25, 2026 (Getty photo)

Yankees brought their Brooms to the Bay as Vitello is still looking for a W

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants were swept in a three-game series against the New York Yankees to open the 2026 season. The Giants could not hit water if they fell from a Kayak in McCovey Cove. I was like the Giants faced Whitey Ford, Red Ruffin, Roger Clements and Mariano Rivera, four of the best pitchers in Yankee history.

Giant scored 1 run in the three games. Yankee record: This was the third consecutive year the New York Yankees opened the season with a sweep of three teams. In 2024, the Yanks swept the Houston Astros, in 2025, they swept the Milwaukee Brewers, and this Saturday in San Francisco. The Yanks swept the kids by the Bay, who managed to score 1 run in 27 innings of ball.

Giants record: The Giants were held scoreless for 20 consecutive innings to start the season, matching a franchise record for the longest scoreless streak to open a season, dating back to 1909. Giants pitchers also did well overall; the problem was their anemic hitting, which opened this season with dead bats.

The Giants (who now head to San Diego) have more dead bats during the first three games of this season than Count Dracula at his Castle in Budapest, Hungary. San Francisco Giants Rookie Manager, Tony Vitello, is still looking for his first professional win of any sort in the sport, as a player, manager, or coach.

It would be silly to predict any type of outcome after the first three games of a 162-game season. However, I have wondered whether Vitello’s hiring by Buster Posey is just an experiment to see whether he can really win at this level of baseball.

When I was broadcasting Giants baseball, Ron Wotus, who was a coach for Dusty Baker, told me during an interview that he aspired to be a manager sometime during his career. Now he heads with this team to San Diego to see if they can figure out the Padres’ pitching staff, because the Giants’ bats look like an amateur team against the Padres this week.

Tony Vitello signed a three-year contract to become the San Francisco Giants’ manager, with an annual salary of $3.5 million. It includes a vesting option for a fourth season. Introduced to Giants fans in October 2025, after a successful career at the University of Tennessee.

It was good to see two of my good friends in the business: longtime Yankee broadcaster Susan Waldman, a real woman pioneer in baseball, and Dave Sims, who used to broadcast for the Mariners and is now working for the Yankees behind the microphone. Two very good people in the broadcast business.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Rafael Devers

Giants rout Sultanes de Monterrey 10-2 in penultimate preseason tuneup

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Photo credit: SF Bay News Lab

By Vince Cestone

The San Francisco Giants defeated the Sultanes de Monterrey of the Mexican League 10-2 on Monday night in their second-to-last spring training game at Oracle Park.

Even though the Giants were playing a non-major league team, it’s important for them to play good baseball–and that they did.

The Giants opened the scoring in the third inning with three runs against Sultanes starting pitcher Stephen Tarpley. Tarpley was most-recently in the Mets organization in 2021. Giants first baseman Casey Schmitt, who went 2-for-3 on Monday night, started the inning with a single. After catcher Patrick Bailey hit a ground ball base hit in between first and second, Schmitt advanced to third.

Then came up roster hopeful Jared Oliva, who came into the game hitting .375 for the spring. Oliva executed a an RBI bunt single to give the Giants their first run. The Giants scored after the very next batter Luis Arraez grounded into a fielder’s choice, but a throwing error by Sultanes shortstop Coco Montes allowed the second run to come in. The Giants got their third run later in the inning after right fielder Jung Hoo Lee hit a ground ball double just inside first.

The Giants tacked on another run in the fifth inning with the help of another throwing error by Montes off the bat of Matt Chapman.

The Sultanes scored their only two runs in the fifth inning on an RBI single by designated hitter Ramiro Pena and another RBI single by Josh Lester.

Then, the Giants played home run derby. Shortstop Willy Adames led off the sixth with a home run off of Sultanes pitcher Jake Higginbotham. But an encouraging sign came off the bat of Giants top prospect Bryce Eldridge, who launched a booming, opposite-field three-run homer to make the score 8-2 in the eighth inning. Eldridge had recently been sent down to the minor leagues and will start the season in Triple-A Sacramento. Tyler Fitzgerald followed with a two-run home run two batters later.

On the pitching side, nine Giants pitchers threw one inning each. All San Francisco pitchers threw scoreless innings, except for Carson Seymour, who gave up two runs and four hits in his inning of work. Spencer Bivens, who started the game, Tristan Beck, and Marques Johnson each had two strikeouts and no walks in their innings. Caleb Killian, who is opening eyes in spring training, pitched a perfect fifth inning. In 9 1/3 innings pitched in spring training, Killian came into the game with a 0.96 ERA and 11 strikeouts.

Up next, the Giants will conclude their Cactus League schedule on Tuesday night against the Sultanes once again. First pitch is at 6:45 p.m. The Giants will open the regular season on Wednesday night against the New York Yankees at Oracle Park. Game time will be 5:05 p.m.

Barracuda cool off Firebirds in 5-1 rout

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The San Jose Barracuda had no problem taking the down the Coachella Valley Firebirds in a 5-1 win at Tech CU Arena on Wednesday MAR 18, 2026. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — The San Jose Barracuda gave the school kids a lot to cheer about on a Wednesday morning.

San Jose scored five unanswered from five different goal scorers as they dominated the Coachella Valley Firebirds in a 5-1 victory during the annual Cuda Classroom Day at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose snapped its two-game losing streak after not earning a point in Tucson this past weekend. Coachella Valley had its four-game winning streak stopped.

The Barracuda jumped out to a quick start with a power play goal early in the first period. Egor Afansyev scored his 12th goal of the season at the 3:36 mark. Oliver Wahlstrom and Quentin Musty recorded assists.

Colin White scored San Jose’s second power play goal of the game to start the second period. Wahlstrom picked up his second help on White’s 13th goal of the season at the 2:52 mark. Luca Cagnoni received the secondary assist.

Kasper Halttunen helped give the Cuda a nice cushion right before intermission when he scored his 12th goal of the season at the 17:31 mark. Patrick Giles and Donovon Houle picked up helpers on the play.

San Jose put the game away with two goals in the first six minutes of the third period. Some fourth line magic opened up the period with an even strength goal. Brendan Hoffmann scored his third goal of the season at the 2:59 mark. Anthony Vincent and Lucas Vanroboys helped set up Hoffmann’s goal.

Then Vanroboys scored the fifth unanswered goal for the Cuda at the 6:00 minute mark with his second goal of the year. Giles picked up his second assist of the game while Jet Woo recorded his first point in a Barracuda uniform receiving the secondary assist.

J.R Avon spoiled Cuda goalie Gabriel Carriere’s shutout bid late in the period when he scored his seventh goal of the season a the 12:54 mark.

Carriere finished the game stopping 29 of the 30 shots he faced to earn the win. Firebirds goalie Nikke Kokko made 32 saves on 37 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 2-for-4 on the power play. Coachella Vally went 0-for-5.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) White 2) Vanroboys 3) Giles.

UP NEXT: San Jose opens a two-game weekend series with the Abbotsford Canucks on Saturday at 6:00pm at Tech CU Arena.

Earthquakes suffer first goal against in first loss of the season to Seattle 1-0

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Seattle Sounders midfielder Paul Rothrock (#14) celebrates his first half goal against the San Jose Earthquakes with his teammate Nouhou (#5) at PayPal Park on Sunday MAR 15, 2026. (Seattle Sounders)

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — All good things must come to an end.

The Seattle Sounders were dominated on the stat sheet by the San Jose Earthquakes but won on the stat that matter the most, the goal stat, in a 1-0 victory on Sunday afternoon at PayPal Park.

San Jose had its three-game winning streak snapped. Seattle has won three out of its first four matches.

Seattle (3-1) finally ended Quakes goalkeeper Daniel’s shutout streak to start the season when they drew first blood in the 20th minute. Jesús Ferreira sent a long ball down the right wing from midfield. Paul Rothrock stayed onside as he raced down the pitch and dribbled into the box before beating Daniel with a right footed shot for his team leading second goal of the season.

San Jose (3-1) had chances early on and towards the end of the opening 45 minutes. Niko Tsakiris had back-to-back chances inside the Seattle box, but the Sounders defenders collapsed down low and blocked both attempts. Beau Leroux also had a shot attempt that was also blocked and away from the net.

The Quakes best scoring chance in the first half came at the 44th minute when Preston Judd was fouled just outside the D by Antonio Lopez. Tsakiris’ free kick just missed the far corner of the net as Sounder goalkeeper Andrew Thomas made a diving attempt at it.

San Jose controlled the pace of play and possession in the second half as they created quality scoring chances only to have Thomas and his backline thwart off any balls crossed into the middle of the box.

The Earthquakes came within inches of scoring the equalizer in the 74th minute. Judd chased down a long ball and was able to chip the ball over Thomas as the ball was heading for the far corner of the net. However, Lopez chased it down before it could cross the goal line and kicked it out of danger for Seattle.

The Sounders thought they iced the game in the 86th minute when Cody Baker scored his first goal of the season. Osaze De Rosario centered the ball to Baker who beat Daniel with a low right footed shot to the far corner. However, after a VAR review it was determined the play was ruled offsides.

Thomas made seven saves to earn his third victory of the year. Daniel made three saves on four shots to suffer his first loss of the year.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 17 corner kicks. Seattle had zero.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels north of the border to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday March 21 at 7:30pm at BC Place.