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Sporting KC dominate Earthquakes in 3-0 clean sheet

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Sporting Kansas City’s Johny Russell is mobbed by his teammates after his first half goal against the San Jose Earthquakes at Children’s Mercy Park on Saturday AUG 26, 2023. (Sporting KC)

by Marko Ukalovic

Johnny Russell had himself a night.

Sporting Kansas City’s star forward recorded a goal and an assist in his team’s 3-0 commanding shutout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at Children’s Mercy Park.

Sporting KC dominated from start to finish as it snapped its three-match pointless streak. San Jose had its four-match unbeaten streak end in its first MLS match back from an early exit in the League’s Cup.

It was another disappointing result for San Jose in their house of horrors. Their record in Kansas City is 1-16-3 dating back to 2004, including losing 10 straight from 2004-2014.

Sporting KC (7-11-8-29 points) drew first blood three minutes into the match. Russell sailed in a cross over to a wide open Dániel Sallói who buried a point-blank chance past ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel for his sixth goal of the season.

Russell doubled the lead for the home team in the 42nd minute. Nemanja Radoja set up Russell inside the box and the Scottish striker deked out two ‘Quakes defenders before beating Daniel with a left footed shot for his fourth goal of the season.

San Jose (9-8-8-35 points) looked flat out of the gate and weren’t able to gain any momentum in the opening 45 minutes. Sporting KC controlled possession by a 57%-43% margin and had four shots on target to zero for the Earthquakes.

Forward Matthew Hoppe made his ‘Quakes debut to start the second half when head coach Luchi Gonzalez substituted in for Cade Cowell in the 46th minute. Hoppe, who the ‘Quakes acquired on load from English Championship club Middlesbrough, sent in a nice cross to Jack Skahan in the 86th minute but Skahan’s attempt missed wide left.

Sporting KC iced the game in the 69th minute with Erik Thommy’s fourth goal of the season. Radoja recorded his second assist on Thommy’s goal.

“We have to have more pride in having a more complete game, attacking and defending the boxes. We are very disappointed in the score. It wasn’t our night. It’s done. Let’s move on and respond to the next moment, it is what this team has been doing all season. I believe they will be ready to fight again,” Gonzalez said.

San Jose’s best attempt to avoid the shutout came in the first minute of stoppage when Skahan drew a penalty kick inside the box off a foul from Logan Ndenbe. However, Carlos Gruezo right footed shot was saved by Sporting KC goalkeeper Tim Melia with a diving attempt.

Melia finished with two saves for the clean sheet. Daniel made three saves on six shots on goal.

GAME NOTES: Each team finished with five corner kicks in the match.

San Jose currently holds an 26-30-10 record against Kansas City, including an 8-23-2 record on the road.

Defender Paul Marie made his 100th career appearance for the Quakes, entering as a sub in the 67’ minute.  

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 98th edition of the California Classico on Wednesday 8/30 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Giants find their offensive strength in late innings for 7-0 shutout of Rays

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San Francisco Giants’ Wade Meckler hits a single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Aug 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

Tampa Bay (72-50). 000 000 000 – 0. 3. 2

San Francisco (64-56). 000 003 22x.- 7 9 1

Time: 2:15

Attendance: 26,322

Tuesday, August 15, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants this evening once more used an opener to get them through the early going of the second of this three game transcontinental battle of the bays. The task fell to John Junis, who was 3-3, 4.36 when the day started although he’d allowed only three earned runs in his previous 13-1/3 innings.

Junis pitched four shutout innings in San Francisco’s overwhelming 7-0 triumph over the Tampa Bay Rays tonight. In that stint, Judis faced 16 batters and allowed two hits and one base on balls while striking out seven. This performance brought his ERA more than a quarter of a run to 4.10.

Zack Littell, who started for the visitors, has been both a Giant and an opener. He went 5-2, 4.68 for San Francisco in 2021-22. Although this was his seventh start and 20th appearance of the season, it was only his fifth traditional start of the year.

Littell had walked just one batter in his last 33 innings of work. He relies on a mix of fast balls and about, throwing one or another of them about 72% of the time. Tuesday night, in his first appearance against his old team, Littell pitched an excellent game until he didn’t.

Littell lasted 5-2/3 innings and gave up two runs, both earned although the second was posthumous, on three hits, one of them a homer. He struck out five and didn’t walk anyone. He threw 59 pitches, 52 for strikes and was tagged with the loss, ending the night with a record of 2-4, 3.99.

With the game still a scoreless tie after four innings of play, Sean Manaea entered the fray. He pitched brilliantly, yielding only one hit and two walks over 3-1/3 innings to earn his fourth win against three defeats and lower his earned run average to 4.89. He was relieved by Tyler, the right handed Rogers twin, with one out in the eighth.

Thairo Estrada broke that tie with his one out line drive home run into the left field bleachers, over the SF Nothing Like It sign in the bottom of the sixth.. The blast was the Giants’ second sacker’s tenth round tripper of the year and travelled 374 feet.

The crowd had more to cheer about two batters later when Wade Meckler got his first major league hit, a single to center. that drove Littell from the mound. The rookie got his second safety lone inning later, beating the throw on a grounder to second.

But that wasn’t all. Wilmer Flores took Kevin Kelly, Littell’s replacement, deep on the first pitch he threw. It was almost a replica of Estrada’s four bagger, landing in the left field bleachers 373 feet from home. Just like that, the orange and black were ahead, 3-0.

They continued their attack in the seventh, loading the bases with none out on a single by Conforto, a walk to Bailey, and an error by the Rays’ first baseman, Yandy Díaz, on Blake Sabol’s grounder. Then the attack stalled But that didn’t stop the Giants from scoring twice more.

Crawford went down swinging. Estrada forced Conforto out at home on a grounder to third for the second out. Then Tampa Bay’s catcher, René Pinto, tried to pick Bailey off at third and threw the ball into left field, allowing Bailey and Héctor Ramos, pinch running for Sabol, to cross the plate. The seventh ended with San Francisco enjoying a 5-0 lead.

Erasmo Ramírez pitched the bottom of the eighth for Tampa Bay. He gave up Mecker’s second hit. Flores was retired on a soft liner to short. Meckler was forced out at second by Pederson. Then Conforto doubled to left, bringing Peterson home on a call that was reviewed and upheld. Ramos followed by a single to center that brought Conforto home for the Giants’ seventh tally.

Luke Jackson mopped things up in the top of the ninth. He struck out all three batters he faced.

Gabe Kapler was ejected by home plate umpire Chad Whitson in the top of the fourth for arguing balls and strikes. It was the second time this season that the skipper had received the heave-ho.

The rubber game of this three game series will starts Wednesday, afternoon at 12:45. The Rays expect to send righty Aaron Civale (5-3, 2.61) to the mound. The Giants haven’t yet announced their intentions.

Giants Lose to A’s 2-1 in Game One of Battle of the Bay II, in front of Large Protesting Crowd

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Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants shared one thing in common on Sat Aug 5, 2023 there distaste for the A’s moving to Las Vegas which brought them together for another Reverse Boycott game at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Aug 5, 2023 (photo from San Francisco Chronicle)

By Michael Roberson

OAKLAND, Calif. — The San Francisco Giants (61-50) did not win their third straight game of the Bay Bridge Series versus the Oakland Athletics (31-80), as the Green & Gold somewhat pleased the raucous 37k+ fed up East Bay fans.

After 4 1/2 scoreless innings, the Athletics finally gave the jeering fans something to cheer for in their half of the fifth stanza.

The mostly Alameda County faithful repeatedly chanted, “Sell the Team!” A gesture-also T-Shirts-aimed at Oakland’s ownership, and apparent move to Las Vegas, which would reunite them with their former stadium mate Raiders.

This was Oakland’s largest crowd of the season ironically surpassing their last reverse boycott game that had a season high of 27,000 plus on June 13th. Sat Aug 5th’s crowd was 37,553 for the A’s fans second reverse boycott.

Third baseman Jordan Diaz knocked a solo blast over the left field wall, giving the home team the first tally of the contest.

The Giants responded in the top of the seventh when left fielder Joc Peterson hit a deep center sacrifice fly, scoring second baseman Thairo Estrada and tying the game 1-1.

Oakland had something to say about the outcome in the bottom of the eighth inning, when Seth Brown singled to right field, scoring the eventual run on the feet of Aledmys Diaz.

However, there was controversy on that same play as Tony Kemp also tried to score on the hit, but was tagged out at home. The issue became a question of did the catcher block the plate illegally?

Kemp was called out on the play, which became irrelevant because the previous run was enough to win the ballgame and give the disgruntled masses something to be happy about on a beautiful day in the Town. 2-1 A’s!

The same two Bay Area sluggers face each other Sunday Afternoon (1:07 PDT) August 6, at the Coliseum. Expected starting pitchers: Oakland’s RHP Luis Medina (3-8, 5.35) and Giants’ RHP Alex Cobb (6-3, 3.05)

Dodgers cruise to easy 10-1 rout of A’s; Oakland needs win Thursday to prevent sweep

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Los Angeles Dodgers Freddie Freeman (5) congratulates Mookie Betts (51) after Betts hits his 29th home run in the bottom of the second inning against the Oakland A’s at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Wed Aug 2, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Los Angeles Dodgers mauled the Oakland A’s Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium in the Southland. The Dodgers scored early and often in the first two innings to cruise to an easy win over the hapless A’s.

The A’s sent lefty Hogan Harris to the hill to face the potent Dodger offense. The A’s hoped Harris could find a way to dazzle the Dodger hitters. Guess what, fans? Harris ended up throwing batting practice. The Dodgers scored three in the first and four in the second to virtually end the contest.

The Dodger pitchers were confident they could stop the pathetic A’s offense, and the Dodger pitchers did that. They held the A’s to one run and six hits as they blasted Oakland 10-1.

The Dodgers put three runs on the board in the bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Mookie Betts, a former AL MVP with Boston, doubled to get things going for LA. Freddie Freeman, a former NL MVP with the Atlanta Braves, singled to give LA an early 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers’ All-Star catcher Will Smith walked to put men on at first and second with no out. Harris retired Amed Rosario for the first out. Harris walked Max Muncy to load the bases. Chris Taylor reached on an infield single, and Freeman scored the second run. Redwood City’s gift to the Dodgers, James Outman, hit into a fielder’s choice. Will Smith crossed the plate with the game’s third run for LA.

The Dodgers hitters continued to punish Harris. Betts led off the second inning with his 29th home run of the year. Back-to-back-doubles by Freeman and Smith gave the Dodgers a 5-0 lead. The Dodgers’ Rosario hit his first home run as a team member to give Los Angeles a comfortable lead 7-0 after two innings.

The A’s scored their only run of the game in the top of the third. Catcher Shea Langeliers blasted his 11th round-tripper of the season to make it 7-1. The Dodgers’ pitchers held the A’s scoreless the rest of the way.

LA scored one in the third when Miguel Rojas homered. It was Rojas’ first home run this year. LA added one more in the sixth when Jason Heyward homered. Heyward replaced Betts in the fourth inning. Dodger manager Dave Roberts saw Betts double and homer in three trips to the plate in the game’s first three innings. Roberts would replace Freeman shortly after that.

The Dodgers finished the scoring in the seventh. With one out, Outman doubled. Kike Hernandez singled to drive in Outman with LA’s 10th run of the game.

Game Notes: Will the loss, the A’s are now 30-79. The Dodgers improved to 61-45

The line score for Oakland was one run, six hits, and no errors. LA’s line was ten runs, 13 hits, and no errors. Tony Gonsolin was the winning pitcher. Harris took the loss. 

Freeman had three hits in the game. He hit his 37th and 38th double of the year. He leads all of baseball in that department. Freeman has hit safely in his last seven at-bats against the A’s. 

A’s pitcher James Kaprileian underwent arthroscopic surgery Wednesday in Los Angeles. Kaprielian will be out for the rest of the season.

The A’s will conclude the series with the Dodgers Thursday night in LA at 7:10pm PT. It will be a battle of lefties. For Oakland Sears is 2-7 and has a 4.09 ERA. Julio Urias (7-6, 4.98) goes for the Dodgers.

Tigres UANL eliminate Earthquakes from League’s Cup with 1-0 clean sheet

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Tigres UANL’s Rafael Carioca gets ready to mark San Jose Earthquakes Jackson Yueill before a corner kick during a League’s Cup match at Pay Pal Park on Sunday July 30, 2023. (Nico Burgueno/El Show International)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was a learning lesson.

Liga MX’s Tigres UANL needed just one goal to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 1-0 in both team’s final League’s Cup group stage match on Sunday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose, which did not register a goal in both of its matches, were eliminated from the League’s Cup tournament going 0-2 in the group stage competition. Tigres advanced to the knockout round, along with the Portland Timbers, winning both of its matches.

Tigres, one of the best teams in the Mexican league Liga MX, showcased their talent and skill with an attack that consisted of players Andre-Pierre Gignac, Luis Quiñones and Mexican national team member Diego Lainez.

The team from south of the border also enjoyed a home field advantage despite the match being on the road as the majority of the sold-out crowd were cheering for them throughout the match.

San Jose controlled play in the opening 10 minutes of the match. Miguel Trauco set up Cristian Espinoza in the 11th minute as Espinoza dribbled into the middle of the box, but his shot attempt sailed wide right of the net.

Tigres began to take control of the match in the 15th minute as they gained possession. The eight-time Liga MX champion drew first blood in the 19th minute. Quiñones centered a ball from the right wing over to Fernando Gorriarán who one touched the ball past ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel with a low right footed shot.

“I’m really liking this tournament a lot”, said Tigres head coach Róbert Siboldi as his team continues on to the knockout round. “So far, we’ve had some thought and closed games. We’ve seen high intensity matches thus far. I like how MLS teams play, because they give it all on the pitch. They’re always looking to score, attack and make transitions. These Leagues Cup games have been dynamic and entertaining matches for fans. I’m surprised that all these MLS teams have put forward their best players. It’s been a really great competition.”

Tigres kept the Earthquakes on their heels the rest of the first half as they dominated possession 58%-42%.

San Jose, who needed to win by a two-goal margin in order to have advanced to the knockout stage, had chances in the second half but weren’t able to cash in their opportunities and Tigres were patient with counter attacks in the second half.

“I am sad for the guys because I thought our players left everything on the field. I’m really proud of them. I thought we showed some high-level concepts, ideas, play, combinations, and pressing against one of the best teams in Central, North, and South America. It’s disappointing not to get the result here at home in front of our fans, they had amazing energy. It just made it a great environment, a great event. If we keep showing that attitude, personality, that confidence to play, things will bounce our way in our league,” ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said.

Ayo Akinola made his ‘Quakes debut in the 71st minute. Akinola was acquired on loan from Toronto FC this past Tuesday in attempt to inject new life into the ‘Quakes offense that needed a booster shot. He showcased his power when he blasted a shot way up into the stands in the 85th minute.

“Ayo (Akinola) is still needing integration; he’s only trained maybe three times with the group. He’s adapting to San Jose now, that is going to take time so these next few weeks will be really good for him. I think he already showed he’s got some physical qualities in terms of hold up, turning defenders. He’s got power and speed. He’s versatile and he’s young and has a lot of room to still improve. I think he is going be a good addition to our depth in what we need to compete the rest of the season,” Gonzalez said.

The best chance for San Jose to score the equalizer came late in the match at the 88th minute. Espinoza centered a corner kick into the middle of the box and Carlos Akapo’s header was robbed by Tigres goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman with an outstretched one-handed save to the chagrin of the Quakes faithful.

Guzman stopped all four shots on target to earn his first clean sheet of the tournament. Daniel made two saves on four shots on target in the losing effort.

Gonzalez said San Jose will get back to training this week but plans to give the players some extra time off during the month off before their next match. He also hopes to do some team-oriented activities outside the pitch for some team bonding.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with 10 corner kicks. Tigres UANL had seven.

The Earthquakes faced their first Liga MX team since defeating Cruz Azul 2-0 in an international exhibition held at PayPal Park on Oct. 7, 2021.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns back to MLS action when they visit the Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday 8/20 at 7:30pm at BC Place.

Timbers take down Earthquakes 2-0 in League’s Cup match opener

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Portland Timbers Felipe Mora celebrates his goal with his teammates during his team’s 2-0 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at Providence Park on Saturday July 22, 2023. (Portland Timbers)

by Marko Ukalovic

The Portland Timbers took advantage of their scoring opportunities in a 2-0 shutout victory over the San Jose Earthquakes in both team’s opening match of the League’s Cup competition on Saturday evening at Providence Park.

‘Quakes Head coach Luchi Gonzalez welcomed back forward Cade Cowell and his captain Jackson Yueill back into the lineup after being away during their Gold Cup duty with the United State Men’s National Team.

Portland (1-0–3 points) drew first blood in the 33rd minute. Jaroslaw Niezgoda set up Evander in the middle of the pitch. The Brazilian midfielder then curled in a blast from 20 yards out into the upper left corner of the net, far out of the reach of ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel for his first goal of the competition.

Despite controlling the possession for the majority of the first half, San Jose (0-1–0 points) went into the intermission down by a goal.

“On the road you have to have that extra (killer instinct),” said Gonzalez regarding his team’s lack of scoring. “We were lacking that; we didn’t get on the score sheet. Even though we created in terms of volume, XG-shots and crosses. But we gotta put the shot on target, we gotta get the shot off. We need to put it away.”

The Timbers came flying out of the gate to start the second half with three quick scoring shots on target in the first three minutes, including a shot off the crossbar by Cristhian Paredes in the 48th minute.

“Those adjustments, I think that the guys understood very well, how to do them. And I felt we played really well in the second half. I really felt that the guys who also came in (the second half) with a good mentality and refresh the game as well,” Timbers head coach Giovanni Savarese said.

Portland had a chance to double its lead in the 57th minute when Yimmi Chara made a move around a Quakes defender deep inside the box and centered a ball to unmarked Niezgoda whose shot attempt was blocked by ‘Quakes fullback Tanner Beason.

The Earthquakes best scoring chance came three minutes later when Cowell made an impressive run with the ball dribbling through multiple Timber defenders with lots of contact throughout the run. His pass for Cristian Espinoza was too far to handle to create a scoring chance.

The Timbers iced the game in the 86th minute. Marvin Loría led a pass up the middle to Felipe Mora who beat Beason to the ball inside the box. The Chilean striker chipped the ball past Daniel for his first goal of the competition.

Timbers goalkeeper David Bingham finished with a clean sheet stopping all three shots on target. Daniel made two saves on five shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had five corner kicks. Portland had zero.

Portland leads the all-time series 19-6-10.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts Tigres UANL in its second League’s Cup match on Sunday 7/30 at 8:00pm at Pay Pal Park.

A’s pitching coughs up two runs in 6th Astros win it 3-1; Noda out on 10 day IL with broken jaw

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Oakland A’s base runner Seth Brown (right) sets up at second base after hitting a double, the Houston Astros second baseman Mauricio Dubon is to the left in the bottom of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Jul 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Houston (54-43) 000 002 001. – 3. 5. 0

Oakland (27-72). 100 000 000. – 1. 6. 0

Time: 2:12

Attendance: 4,757

Friday, July 20, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–Ryan Noda played a prominent part in the first two games of the A’s 2-1 series victory of the Red Sox earlier this week. He got the only hit in Monday’s game. His ejection for arguing a called third strike in that game resulted in the ejection of Mark Kotsay.

That, of course, wasn’t crucial in Oakland’s crushing 7-0 defeat, but it was emblematic. His second inning solo homer was enough to defeat the Bosox in the A’s eventual 3-0 victory on Tuesday. He was listed to start on Wednesday but a bad hop in fielding practice hit him on the jaw and he was removed from the line up.

Today he finds himself on the 10 day injured list, although 10 days sounds like an optimistic forecast for his recovery. Jonah Bride was recalled from Las Vegas to replace him, and Seth Brown started at first base in this evening’s game against the high flying, but second place Houston Astros.

Brown went two for four and showed some nifty footwork at the initial sack, but that didn’t keep the Athletics from dropping a 3-1 thriller.

The Athletics’ starting pitcher, Hogan Harris toed the rubber with the unprepossessing record of 2-3, 6.51 but had pitched well in his one appearance against the Astros. He held them scoreless on one hit in his first major league start, which occurred in Minute Maid Park on May 27.

He was outstanding for the first 5-2/3 innings of this evening’s assignment, tonight, allowing Houston only one hit, a second inning single by Chas McCormick. But then Mauricio Dubón and Jeremy Peña sent back to back singles to right, and Kyle Tucker brought them home with a double to left center.

That was Harris’s last frame on the mound. He threw six full innings and yielded two runs, both earned, on four hits, while striking out six. 58 of his 74 offerings went for strikes. He took the tough loss and now is 2-4, although he lowered his ERA to 6.11.

The ‘stros countered with another rookie, the right hander JP France (4-3, 3.71 at game time). This was his first appearance against the Athletics, and a fine one it was. The youngster went 7+ innings and gave up only one run , earned, on six hits and a walk. He also threw a wild pitch and struck out five. His pitch count was 93, with 64 of them counting as strikes. France earned the win His slate for the year now reads (5-3, 3.13)

Brown gave the home team an early lead when he doubled off the left field wall with two out and Tony Kemp, who had walked to open the A’s half of the first and advanced to second on JJ Bleday’s one hop grounder to first, came home.

For a moment in the home fourth it looked like the A’s would double their lead, but Jake Meyers robbed Jordán Díaz of a homer with a leaping grab of his drive that almost cleared the right center field fence, 375 feet from home.

The A’s held on to that lead until Harris’s meltdown in the sixth. He didn’t come out for the seventh,; Freddiy Tarnok relieved him and pitched a scoreless inning, stranding McCormick , who had walked, stolen second, and advanced a base on Corey Julks line out to deep center, at third.

The spirits of the scattering of A’s fans in the stands were raised by rookie Zach Gelof’s two out double in the seventh. But Jace Peterson grounded out to dash those hopes.

Oakland gained a victory of sorts in the top of the eighth when home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt ruled that Tarnok had hit Dubón with a pitch and the video review supported the Athletics’ challenge and turning the HBP into a foul ball.

Bryan Abreu relieved France after Cody Thomas led off the bottom of the eighth with a single to right. He got to second on Aledmys Díaz’s sacrifice, but there he stayed.

Alex Bregman put the game on ice for Houston in the top of the ninth with his 14th home run of the season, a towering 100.6 mph blast, 397 feet to left center with the bases empty. It came on a full count 94.7 mph four seamer.

Astros pitcher Ryan Pressly preserved the 3-1 lead to earn his 22nd save of 2023.

The Tigers beat Kansas City this afternoon, so the Royals now are 28-70 in the race to the bottom. Oakland’s defeat left them at 27-72, .273.

The 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who finished their season at 20-134, .130 were shut out, 4-0, by the Senators in Washington on July 20th. That put their record at 14-67, .173.

The New York Mets of 1962,who ended their inaugural season at 40-120, .250, fell 3-1 to Cincinnati at Crosley Field. Future Giants manager Roger Craig took the loss, which left the Mets at 24-67, .265.

Thursday’s contest at the Coliseum was the first of a four game series. Friday, evening the teams will return to do battle at 6:40pm PT. The ‘stos plan to send southpaw Framber Valdéz (7-6, 2.76) against the A’s, who will counter with another lefty, JP Sears (1-6, 3.99).

Four-Game Split For Giants; SF loses to Reds 5-1 at Great American Park

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San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (left) sets up to put the tag on Cincinnati Reds base runner Luke Maile (22) in the bottom of the fourth inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Thu Jul 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

Four-Game Split For Giants Losing to Reds 5-1

By Barbara Mason

Thursday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (53-43) were not only looking to get back on track but to also win the series having won the first two games. The Cincinnati Reds (52-46) was aiming to tie up the four game series. The Giants were defeated in the getaway day matinee 5-1 at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati.

Cincinnati struck first putting two runs up on the scoreboard in the third inning for the 2-0 lead. The Reds Luke Maile homered with Will Benson on base.

The Reds would add to their lead in the fourth inning. Christian Encarnacion-Strand singled Jonathan India home and next up Will Benson doubled. Encarnacion-Strand scored for a 4-0 Cincinnati lead.

The Reds would top it off in the fifth inning with an India single. Jake Fraley scored giving the Reds a 5-0 lead.

Cincinnati would not score for the remainder of the game. This would have been a shut-out for the Reds had it not been for a Wilmer Flores home run in the ninth inning.

It was all Reds in this game as they split the series with the Giants. Cincinnati had 12 hits and the Giants had two. Reds pitchers Andrew Abbott and Derek Law combined for the two-hitter. Abbott went eight innings allowing one hit. Law allowed the one hit and the Flores home run.

It was tough going for San Francisco starting pitcher Alex Cobb. He allowed nine hits and five runs without a single strike-out.

Giant notes: On Wednesday the Cincinnati Reds snapped the San Francisco Giants seven-game winning streak. The Reds held onto a 3-2 lead through the eighth and ninth innings for the win.

The Giants will be taking on the Nationals Friday night in Washington for a three-game series. Alex Wood (4-3 ERA 4.53) will be the starting pitcher for the Giants and Jake Irvin (2-5 ERA 4.96)will take the mound for the Nationals. First pitch is scheduled for 4:05pm PT.

Earthquakes down a man battle to 1-1 draw with LAFC

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The San Jose Earthquakes and LAFC played to a 1-1 draw in a Western Conference match at BMO Stadium on Saturday July 8, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

Sometimes a draw is a win.

The San Jose Earthquakes played with only 10 men for most of the second half but were able to grind out a 1-1 draw with their SoCal rival LAFC on Saturday evening at BMO Stadium.

LAFC are winless in nine of its last 12 matches. San Jose are winless in their last five matches (0-2-3).

‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez went a different formation for the first time this season as he went with a 3-5-2 in a move to provide a more attacking style versus LAFC.

“We had some challenges with Jackson (Yueill) being called up (to the US Men’s National team) because of an injury in the Gold Cup (squad),” said Gonzalez regarding the reason for the change of formation. “Based on the circumstances and the challenge, missing some of these six to eight profiles in the midfield, we had to get creative. We had to think about playing obviously a really good LAFC team. in LA and be organized defensively while trying to get attack the ball.”

San Jose (7-7-8-29 points) drew first blood in the 30th minute. Jack Skahan intercepted a pass from LAFC and sent a long ball up to Cristian Espinoza. The Quakes All-Star dribbled down the right wing before cutting inside to the middle and firing a shot past LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy for his team leading 10th goal of the season.

LAFC (9-6-8-33 points) evened the score when Bouanga drew a penalty on Rodgriguez who stepped on his foot while Dénis Bouanga dribbled down the end line in the 35th minute. Bouanga converted the penalty kick two minutes later with a blast past ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel for his team-leading 12th goal of the season.

San Jose lost its starting goalkeeper in the 56th minute when Daniel was given a red card, and an automatic ejection, when he came out to challenge a LAFC breakaway attempt when the ball hit his hand while he was outside the box.

LAFC weren’t able to take advantage of being up a man on the pitch. San Jose held down the fort in the final 34 minutes of the match with the help of back up goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski as they did not a concede a late goal and escaped out of LA with one point.

“We close the game out with a lot of effort, focus and togetherness. It’s an important point,” Gonzalez said.

Both San Jose keepers combined for five saves on six shots. McCarthy made two saves on three shots on target.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with seven corner kicks. LAFC also had seven during the match.

For the first time in the 15 meetings between the two clubs, the match ended in a draw.

San Jose is now 2-17-9 in their last 28 matches on the road.

Midfielder Judson made his 100th MLS appearance when he substituted in for Miguel Trauco in the 67th minute.

LAFC’s Carlos Vela has scored six goals in nine matches versus San Jose.

Jeremy Ebobissee has scored the most goals by a visiting player against the two Southern California teams. 10 goals in 12 matches, including four in six versus LAFC.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday 7/12 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Stadium.

Big homers from Conforto and Slater propel Giants over Rockies 5-3

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Photo courtesy of San Francisco Giants. Michael Conforto and Joc Pederson celebrate Conforto’s home run on 7/8/23.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN FRANCISCO- The Giants and Rockies duked it out in the second of their three game series with San Francisco coming out on top by a final of 5-3.

Of note in today’s game was the wind as it was whipping around at 26 mph blowing towards the outfield certainly favoring the hitters.

Getting the start for the Giants was right-hander Ryan Walker while the Rockies had right-hander Connor Seabold start.

Walker’s first inning got off to a good start as he sat down the first two hitters but a Ryan McMahon single and Kris Bryant walk suddenly put the pressure on. The Rockies did not pass up on the opportunity as C.J. Cron singled to center field bringing home McMahon and making the score 1-0. After the run Randal Grichuk brought the inning to a close as he grounded out.

In the bottom of the first the Giants quickly got a response going as after Lamonte Wade Jr. flew out Joc Pederson doubled bringing up Wilmer Flores to the plate. He would fly out as well but Michael Conforto drove a pitch on the outside part of the plate to left field that just got over the wall getting a two run homer and giving the Giants the lead 2-1. Mike Yastrzemski walked as well but Patrick Bailey struck out bringing the inning to a close.

The Rockies got off to a slow start in the second as the first two batters went out quickly but the third batter of the inning was once again a problem for Walker. This time it was catcher and former Giant Austin Wynns who dug out a pitch from below the belt and drove it over the wall in left field tying the game back up at two with a solo homer.

In the bottom of the inning the Giants walked away with no runs as Brandon Crawford grounded into a double play.

The third saw a pitching change for the men in orange-and-black as Alex Wood came in to replace Walker. Ryan finished the game with two innings pitched, three hits, two earned runs, and four K’s.

The third and top of the fourth went by quietly until the bottom of the fourth when Bailey got things going with a lead-off double. Then the other rookie came up to the plate Blake Sabol and he singled to center field brining home Bailey and giving the Giants the lead 3-2. That would be all the runs in the inning though before it ended the Rockies made a pitching change bringing in Brad Hand to replace Seabold. Connor finished with 3.2 innings pitched, seven hits, two earned runs, and three K’s.

In the fifth inning Wilmer Flores doubled though he was originally called out but upon a review the call was overturned. Austin Slater then came in to pinch-hit for Yastrzemski and delivered with a shot to left center field that left the yard bringing San Francisco’s lead to 5-2.

The sixth inning saw more injury troubles for the Giants as Crawford grounded into a force out at second but while he was running to first he looked to be a little shaken up. After another Giant got out Gabe Kapler decided to take Crawford out and replace him with J.D. Davis. Once the game was over San Francisco informed the media that Crawford was dealing with left hamstring tightness.

In the eighth Tyler Rogers came in to replace Wood who exited the game with five innings pitched, three hits, one walk, and three K’s. Rogers had a little bit of an up-and-down inning as he quickly got the first two batters out but then Bryant got a double. Following that up Cron singled and Grichuk who’s been on fire for the Rockies singled as well bringing home Bryant making it 5-3. Thankfully for the Giants Rogers was able to close out the inning by getting Elias Diaz to pop out.

The ninth saw Camilo Doval come in to close out the game and he did just that striking out two and gettting the third batter to ground out getting the Giants the win 5-3.

Wood was given the win while Seabold took the loss.

The Giants will close out the series tomorrow against the Rockies at 1:05 p.m.