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Espinoza’s late equalizer saves Earthquakes in 2-2 draw with Galaxy in California Classico

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San Jose Earthquake and Los Angeles Galaxy players battle during a corner kick during their 2-2 draw at Stanford Stadium on Saturday July 1, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic and Titus Wilkinson

PALO ALTO, Calif. — If there is one to describe the California Classico, it’s drama.

So was the case in the 97th installment of the Classico as the San Jose Earthquakes battled to a 2-2 draw with the Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday evening before an announced crowd of 42,823 at Stanford Stadium.

San Jose is winless in its past four matches. Los Angeles is unbeaten in its past five matches including four straight ties.

San Jose (7-7-7-28 points) had a few quality scoring chances in the first 10 minutes of the match but weren’t able to finish any of them past Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond.

The ‘Quakes controlled possession for most of the first half but it was the Galaxy that struck for the match’s first goal.

Los Angeles (3-9-7-16 points) drew first blood in the 31st minute off a set piece. Douglas Costa’s corner kick was headed into the back corner of the net by an unmarked Raheem Edwards for his first goal of the season.

“We created more danger (than LA did),” said ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzales. “The sloppiness was in the first five to 10 minutes of the second half and they took advantage of that. And we were chasing the game twice.”

The Earthquakes answered in the 42nd minute. Carlos Akapo intercepted a Galaxy clearing attempt inside the box. Akapo centered the ball back into the middle where Jack Skahan one-timed the ball past Bond for his first goal of the season.

The Galaxy regained the lead at the start of the second half. Costa set up Preston Judd in the middle of the box thanks to some lax defense by San Jose. Judd got in behind the defense and beat Quakes’ goalkeeper Daniel with a right footed shot to the left corner of the net for his third goal of the season in the 47th minute.

“That’s a heck of a midfield. It’s probably one of the best midfields in the league. I’m proud of our guys to respond. To not give up, push the game till the end. We would’ve liked to have gotten that third goal. So, I’m proud of my guys in terms of fighting and responding. And showing our fans we don’t give up,” Gonzales said.

It was a sloppy start to the second half for San Jose as they weren’t sharp with their passes that led to counter attacks for Los Angeles.

San Jose scored the equalizer in the 81st minute. Jackson Yueill sent a pass up to Christian Espinoza who shot the ball from just outside the box and it deflected off of the shoulder of Chris Mavinga and past an outstretched Bond for Espinoza’s team leading ninth goal of the season.

“I think it shows that we’re a resilient team,” said ‘Quakes captain Yueill. “We’re a team that doesn’t want to put our heads down. I’m proud of the guys for the effort, the attitude, the response. Overall, we’ll take this (point) and learn from it and get ready for next week.”

The drama happened near the end of the match as a controversial penalty was called in the 89th minute by referee Ramy Touchan when Daniel Aguirre was knocked down inside the box. However, after a VAR review Touchan overturned the call and San Jose escaped a potential disastrous ending.

“I saw it live, I saw it up on the large screen in the stadium and then on the replay after,” said Galaxy head coach Greg Vanney. “Once you make the call, there’s an extraordinary threshold that it takes to change that call back once you made that call. The reality is a player with his first leg fouls the player and his knee catches a little bit of the ball after he fouls the player. I just don’t understand it.”

Gonzalez substituted “energy guys” late in the second half with Benji Kikanovic and Ousseni Bouda. They subs brought fresh legs in a final attempt to get the game winning goal in stoppage to no avail.

Bond finished with two saves on four shots on target. Daniel made four saves on six shots in earning the draw along with Bond.

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

Los Angeles leads the all-time series against San Jose 42-33-18. San Jose is 5-2-3 against Los Angeles at Stanford Stadium.

Tonight’s attendance marked the 8th most attended match this season in MLS. San Jose has played in two of the top 10 most attended matches in the league. The other was when they visited Atlanta and played in front of a crowd of 67,538.

UP NEXT: San Jose visits LAFC on Saturday 7/8 at 7:30pm at BMO Stadium.

Úlfarsson’s brace in the second half power Dynamo to 4-1 win over Earthquakes

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Thunder and lightning delayed the match between the Houston Dynamo and the San Jose Earthquakes at Shell Energy Field on Wednesday JUN 21, 2023. (Houston Dynamo)

by Marko Ukalovic

Thor and mother nature provided the thunder and lightning in Houston.

The Houston Dynamo’s Thorleifur Úlfarsson scored two goals coming off the bench in the second half in a weather delayed match that helped propel his team to a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on a stormy Wednesday evening at Shell Energy Field.

San Jose had its five-match unbeaten streak snapped. Houston vaulted over San Jose into fourth place in the Western Conference standings with its third straight victory.

The match started out as a nightmare for San Jose with Houston scoring two goals in the first five minutes of the match. Tanner Beason’s telegraphed pass was intercepted in the middle of the box by Amine Bassi, who kicked the ball past ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel for his team leading eighth goal of the season in the third minute.

Two minutes later, Houston (8-7-3-27 points) Nelson Quiñónes centered a ball into the middle where unmarked Corey Baird buried the ball into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

“We didn’t show up tonight,” said ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez. “We didn’t compete tonight. It just was not a good night for us, and we know we are better than this. It’s about moving forward quickly and showing a response for our fans and families on Saturday against St. Louis CITY SC. They are a very difficult to play, and they beat us last time, and now we want to show our response in multiple ways on Saturday. We have the capacity to do that.”

San Jose (7-6-6) responded just before the halftime in the 41st minute on a set piece. Christian Espinoza’s free kick from the right wing was headed in by an unmarked Carlos Akapo into the far corner of the net. It was the fullback’s second goal of the season.

During the 61st minute of the match was delayed by lightning as the teams and fans headed for cover. The delay lasted two hours and 10 minutes before it was safe for the players to return to the field and resume the final 30 minutes of the second half.

Úlfarsson, who substituted in the 74th minute, made an immediate impact as Héctor Herrera made a touch pass to the man known as ‘Thor’ and he bent in a left footed shot perfectly into the left corner of the net for his first goal of the match in the 77th minute.

“We certainly felt like we had an opportunity at a second chance going into the last 30 minutes after the delay. The energy of the boys was good in the locker room. They were patient, and we were almost treating it like a second leg. We had the mentality of “Let’s go win the second leg.” But it didn’t happen. I will give full credit to Houston, they were clinical and aggressive. We have to accept that, and we have to move forward quickly,” Gonzalez said.

The Dynamo concluded the scoring when Úlfarsson completed his brace in the 89th minute. Once again Herrera set up Úlfarsson with a cross into the box and the Icelandic striker beat Daniel with a one-timer off the left post into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

Dynamo goalie Steve Clark recorded the win despite not making a single save during the match as the only shot on target he faced was Akapo’s goal. Daniel made one save on five shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with six corner kicks. Houston had just one.

Espinoza tallied his sixth assist of his season and 50th of his MLS career, tying Shea Salinas for most assists in Quakes history.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts St. Louis City SC on Saturday 6/24 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Stadium.

Giants extend win streak to 9 with a walk off walk to defeat Pads 4-3

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San Francisco Giants’ Joc Pederson, right, is congratulated by third base coach Mark Hallberg (91) after hitting a home run against the San Diego Padres during the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Jun 20, 2023 (AP News photo)

San Diego (35-38). 002 010 000 – 3. 10. 0

San Francisco (41-32). 000 100 111 – 4. 8. 1

Time: 2:40

Attendance: 32,060

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–When the Giants finally salvaged one win out of their three game series against the Chicago Cubs that closed out that last home stand, the 12-2 win still left the home team one game under .500. Many of us were willing to write off their chances of being a contender.

Baseball is, as Joe Garagiola says, a funny game; all we know about la pelota is that, as the Cubans put it, it’s round and comes in a square box. San Francisco woke up this morning at 40-32, in second place in the NL West, three and a half games behind the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The San Diego Padres, who many expected to be the Dodgers’ chief competition in the division were the victims Monday night of the Giants’ eighth consecutive win, a 7-4 10 inning thriller, that left the Pads in fourth place at 35-37, eight and a half games behind Arizona.

The orange and black sent Anthony DeSclafani to the mound. His game time ERA of 4.31 is unimpresssive, but. his four wins was second to only Logan Webb’s six on the Giants staff. His six losses tied him with Webb in that department. The Giants picked up their ninth consecutive win over the Padres 4-3 at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tuesday night.

Tonight, DeSclafani was, at best, mediocre. He lasted five innings, in which he surrendered three runs, all earned, on eight hits, one of them for the distance, and a walk. He struck out a half a dozen San Diegans. He threw 88 pitches, 61 for strikes. He ended up with a no decision, but his ERA crept up to 4.38.

The Pads went with 3-3, 4,10 Seth Lugo, making his first start since coming off the injured list, where he’d dwelled since straining his right calf on May 16. The Padres’ game notes inform us that his two, four bases on balls per nine innings put him on the top of the Friars’ list in that category.

Like DeScalfani, he went five frames, but they were more effective than his rival. Lugo held the Giants to three hits, which produced one run, which was earned. He struck out five and walked one, leaving the game with a 3-1 lead. He, too, ended the day with a no decision, but he reduced his earned run average to 3.86.

For the first two innings the only base runner for either team was Fernando Tatís, who lead off the action with an infield single. The Padres changed the nature of the game in the top of the third. Trent Grisham singled to center, and ex-Giant Austin Nola bunted him over to second.

Juan Soto sent a liner to left that plated Grisham and sent Tatís to third. Manny Machado shot a grounder to David Villar at first. His throw home was late. The Manny You Love to Hate had his 29th RBI of the season, and Melvin’s Monks had a 2-0 lead.

They threatened in the fourth as well. With one out, Ha-Seong Kim singled to right and went around to third on Grisham’s long single to the base of the right field foul pole. Rookie catcher Patrick Bailey cane to the rescue. With Nola at bat he threw to fellow rookie David Villar at the hot corner, who threw back to Bailey, who returned the throw to Villar, who tagged Kim out. The rest of the frame was anti-climactic.

San Francisco got their first tally in the bottom of the fourth without the benefit of an RBI. Thairo Estrada led off with a double to right center and moved up a base on JD Davis’s soft single to the mound. Michael Conforto bounced into a 4-6-3 double play that enabled Estrada to score, making it a 2-1 game.

Tatís restored San Diego’s two run margin almost immediately. He hit DeSclafani’s second pitch of the fifth inning, a 91.3 mph sinker, 408 feet deep, where it landed in the center field bleachers. DeScalfani managed to get through the rest of the inning without allow another run, but he didn’t come out to pitch the sixth. That task fell to Tristan Beck.

Steven Wilson took over mound duties for the Padres in the sixth. Tim Hill replaced him for the seventh. That’s when the Giants’ bats came alive. Austin Slater led off with a pinch hit walk and went to second on Mike Yastrzemski’s single to center.

Luis Matos singled to left to load the bases. Then the offense stalled. Bailey grounded to Machado at third, starting a 5-2 double play. All, however, was not lost. Crawford singled to center. That drove in Yastrzemski and brought the home team closer to the visitors, 3-2. It also resulted in Nick Martínez coming in to pitch for San Diego.

Martínez retired Villar to end the inning but surrendered a leadoff splash hit into McCovey Cove to tie it all up in the top of the eighth. It was Pederson’s eighth home run and 26th run driven in on the year.

Tyler Rogers, the submarining starboard sibling of Taylor, retired the first two Padres he faced and then yielded a single to Soto. The Manny You Love to Hate beat out a grounder to Crawford, whose throw drew Villar off the bag, putting runners on first and second. Rogers and Xander Bogaerts battled to a full count before the Padres’ short stop bounced out to the mound.

Yastrzemski sent Grisham to the warning track in center to trak down the fly ball with which he led off the bottom of the ninth. Matos and Bailey followed with a walk and a single to left that spelled the end of Martínez’s mound tenure and the arrival of Josh Hader. Right handed Casey Schmitt pinch hit for Crawford against San Diego’s southpaw.

The count went to 3-2, including a pitch clock violation ball, before Schmitt received ball four, which loaded the bases. Hader fanned Villar on three pitches for the second out, bringing up Pederson. The count went full. Pederson fouled off a pitch and then took ball four. A. walk off walk.

The third of this four game series will start Wednesday evening at 6:45pm PT with Yu Darvish (5-5, 4.74) going for San Diego against an as yet not named Giant hurler.

Earthquakes get big win on home turf over Philadelphia 2-1

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Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE- The Earthquakes took on one of the best teams in the east and came out with a hard fought victory 2-1.

San Jose came out tonight with a 4-3-3 formation and with Daniel de Sousa Brito starting in goal. While for Philadelphia they came out in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Andre Blake in between the pipes.

The black-and-blue’s offense got off to a quick start in this match as Cade Cowell received a crisp pass from Jeremy Ebobisse in the midfield. Cowell took the pass and ran with it but with a defender on him he cut back and made a beautiful pass to Ebobisse who was just outside of the box. Ebobisse took the pass and deposited into the left part of the net giving San Jose an early 1-0 lead at just the eight minute mark.

It did not take long for Philadelphia to respond as they got a couple free kicks go their way. Then on a corner kick at the 16 minute mark for Philadelphia Damion Lowe was left wide open out front. He headed the corner home and tied the game back up at one.

At the 29 minute mark of the first half the away team continued the pressure as Mikael Uhre got an attempt on goal that Brito saved. The rest of the first half saw San Jose not get another attempt on net while Philadelphia finished with five.

The second half got started with Brito having to make another save as this time Julián Carranza got a shot on goal.

After the save the Earthquakes got a burst of chances as they got three attempts with all of the missing.

Not long after the rush of offense from San Jose Miguel Trauco received a pass from Carlos Gruezo just outside of the box. Despite the distance Trauco shot an absolute bomb and picking the right corner of the net and giving the Earthquakes a 2-1 lead at the 57 minute mark.

The goal despite firing up the crowd seemed to fire up Philadelphia as well as Uhre once again got another shot on goal.

The rest of the second half saw San Jose just barely holding on as Philadelphia dominated possession and chances.

With only three minutes of added time the Earthquakes were able to hold on to their one goal lead winning 2-1.

The stats in this one favored the away team mostly as possession at the end of the match was 52% to 47% in favor of Philadelphia. The shots on goal showed that as well at 7-2.

The Earthquakes next match will be on Saturday against Portland at home at 7:30 p.m.

Stroman has dominant outing against Giants leads Cubs to win 3-2

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Photo courtesy of San Francisco Giants. Patrick Bailey points to the mound on 6/9/23.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN FRANCISCO- The Giants opened a weekend series against the Cubs with a loss after a rough seventh inning by a final of 3-2.

Getting the start for San Francisco was Anthony DeSclafani while for Chicago Marcus Stroman got the nod.

The first inning saw some early trouble for DeSclafani who walked the first batter but thanks to great defense from Thairo Estrada and Patrick Bailey the Giants escaped unscathed.

In the bottom of the first Stroman also walked the first batter he faced but Chicago’s defense also held up turning a double play and ending the inning quickly.

The second inning went by quietly as only one hit was recorded with Mike Yastrzemski getting the lone single.

Then in the bottom of the third the Giants offense woke up Lamonte Wade Jr. walked with two outs already on the board. Joc Pederson then came up and singled putting runners on the corners for the Giants. Estrada did not pass up on the opportunity as he doubled on a line drive to left field bringing home Wade and making it 1-0.

After the burst of offense both Stroman and DeSclafani went on cruise control resulting in a pitchers duel until the seventh inning.

The fourth inning through the sixth saw some dazzling defense on both sides with Stroman making his defense work quite a bit. As in total Chicago’s defense recorded 14 groundouts with Stroman on the mound though surprisingly no fly outs.

The seventh inning opened with DeSclafani still on the mound but after a hit and a walk Gabe Kapler went to the bullpen and brought out Ryan Walker in relief. DeSclafani finished the night with a solid stat line of six innings pitched, two earned runs, two K’s, and four walks.

Walker did not help the situation much in the seventh inning as the first batter he faced flew out and then he hit the next batter with a pitch. With the bases loaded and only one out Nico Hoerner came in to pinch-hit for Patrick Wisdom. The substitution paid off as Hoerner singled on a ground ball to center field that knocked home two runs making it 2-1.

Already having given up two runs Walker was struggling with his control and then threw a wild pitch that advanced both runners on first and second. Tucker Barnhart proceeded to single on a line drive to center field making it 3-1.

After getting his first out Walker was taken out and replaced by Tristan Beck who got the final out of the top of the seventh.

Hoerner would remain in the game staying at second base for the Cubs.

Despite the rough beginning to the seventh the Giants did get a response going in the bottom of the inning with Brandon Crawford getting a double. Wade advanced Crawford to third on a ground out and Pederson brought him home on a single. Originally the single was called a ground out but after Kapler challenged the play the call was reversed meaning it was now a one run game.

After the seventh though the Giant’s offense went cold as both Mark Leiter Jr. and Adbert Alzolay helped to close it out ending in a final score of 3-2.

Of note Pederson went 4-4 and for Chicago Seiya Suzuki went 3-3 with a run and walk.

The Giants play the second of this three game home series against the Cubs at 4:35 p.m.

Earthquakes settle for scoreless draw despite man advantage

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Colorado Rapid’s Cole Bassett battles against by San Jose Earthquake’s Jackson Yueill at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park on Saturday JUN 3, 2023. (Colorado Rapids)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes weren’t able to take advantage of being a man up throughout the majority of the second half in a scoreless 0-0 draw with the Colorado Rapids on Saturday evening at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

San Jose has earned points in consecutive games. Colorado snapped its five-match losing streak but are winless in their last six and are still winless at home this season.

It was a disappointing result for Quake’s head coach Luchi Gonzalez as his team had a man advantage for the final 39 minutes of the second half when Colorado’s Moïse Bombito received his second yellow card in the 51st minute off of a bad foul which resulted in automatic red card and ejection from the match.

San Jose (6-5-5) came close to breaking the ice in the 63rd minute when Jeremy Ebobisse’s header attempt clanked off the post away from Rapid’s goalkeeper Marko Ilic.

Colorado (2-8-7) had a golden opportunity to take the lead despite only playing with 10 men. San Jose’s defender Rodriguez conceded a penalty, after a VAR review, in the 66th minute when he fouled Michael Barrios inside the box.

The Rapids weren’t able to capitalize as Quake’s goalkeeper Daniel stoned away Connor Ronan’s penalty kick in the 70th minute to keep the match evened at zero.

The Earthquakes offense looked stale and out of sync throughout the match as they weren’t able to connect with each other despite controlling the majority of the possession in the second half against a Rapids defense that had conceded 12 goals in its last five matches. They weren’t able to generate a shot on target during the match.

Ilic earned a clean sheet despite not having to make a save. Daniel stopped all five shots, including the penalty, in earning his first clean sheet of the season.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished seven corner kicks. Colorado had eight.

San Jose leads the all time series versus Colorado 32-15-19, including 13-16-10 on the road.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host the Philadelphia Union on Saturday 6/10 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Earthquakes hold down the fort with 1-0 shutout victory over Sounders, snap road winless streak

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San Jose Earthquakes forward Jeremy Ebobisse celebrates his goal with his teammates during his team’s 1-0 win over the Seattle Sounders at Lumen Field on Wednesday MAY 31, 2023. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes flirted with danger for all of the second half in a hostile environment as they held on for dear life in 1-0 shutout victory over the Seattle Sounders on Wednesday evening at Lumen Field.

San Jose snapped its 14-road match winless streak, with its first road win of 2023, that carried over from last season. The Western Conference leaders have lost three of its past four matches.

The last road win for San Jose was a 3-2 against the Los Angeles Galaxy back on July 13th, 2022.

Seattle (8-6-2-26 points) controlled most of the possession in the opening 45 minutes as they played in the ‘Quakes zone for the majority of the half. The Sounders best scoring chances came in the 35th minute, when Héber’s chance from point blank range was stopped by ‘Quakes goalkeeper Daniel.

San Jose (6-5-4-22 points) had their best scoring chance in the scoreless first half just before halftime in the 45th minute. Jeremy Ebobisse’s free kick from inside the D sailed high and wide over the net. Both teams had two shots on target.

The Earthquakes drew first blood early in the second half on a set piece in the 48th minute. Cristian Espinoza’s corner kicked was headed toward the middle of the box by Rodriguez. Ebobisse got loose and directed the ball past Sounders goalkeeper Stefan Frei with his left foot for his sixth goal of the season.

Seattle responded immediately with constant pressure inside the ‘Quakes zone for the next 20 minutes with multiple scoring chances, but San Jose’s defense bent but did not break with help from Daniel.

Raúl Ruidíaz had a golden chance to even the score in the 79th minute after a ball centered into the middle by Reed Baker-Whiting, but he shanked his attempt wide left of the net.

San Jose survived the final 15 minutes, including a point-blank header attempt by Léo Chú in the third minute of stoppage time, without conceding a goal to escape the Pacific Northwest with three points.

Daniel was perfect in stopping all eight shots on target to earn his first clean sheet of the season as well as his first win. Frei made two saves on three shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with two corner kicks. Seattle had 10.

San Jose is now 13-15-9 overall against Seattle, including 7-10-3 on the road.

The ‘Quakes went 2-2-1 in the month of May.

The Vancouver Whitecaps currently have the longest winless streak on the road with 15.

UP NEXT: San Jose close out its two-game road trip against the Colorado Rapids on Saturday 6/3 at 6:30pm at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park.

Late penalty gives LAFC a 2-1 win over Earthquakes

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LAFC’s Stipe Biuk celebrates with his first half goal with teammate Diego Palalcios during LAFC’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes at BMO Stadium on Saturday MAY 20, 2023. (LAFC)

by Marko Ukalovic

It was not the ending either team had envisioned during a tough fought match.

A hand ball inside the box by Tanner Beason in the final minute of stoppage time set up the heroics of Carlos Vela as he converted the game winning penalty kick to give LAFC a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday evening at BMO Stadium.

San Jose has lost two matches in a row after earning points in seven straight matches. LAFC has won two matches in a row after suffering its first loss of the season to the ‘Quakes two weeks ago at Levi’s Stadium.

During the fifth minute of stoppage time, a ball deflected off the hand of Beason while he was just inside the box. Referee Ismail Elfath had originally ruled for play to keep going. However, a VAR review called the play correctly and a penalty kick was awarded to LAFC.

Vela, the former MLS MVP who now is a substitute off the bench, made ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski guess left while he calmly buried the kick into the lower right of the net for his fourth goal of the season much to the delight of the 22,030 in attendance.

It was a difficult pill to swallow to San Jose who were just seconds away from earning a point against its SoCal rival.

LAFC (7-1-4) drew first blood early three minutes into the match. José Cifuentes set up Stipe Biuk on the left side of the box. Biuk cut in and fired a shot past Marcinkowski for his second goal of the season.

LAFC controlled the first 30 minutes of the first half, but San Jose gained momentum with scoring chances from Paul Marie and Cristian Espinoza in the final 15 minutes of the opening 45 minutes.

“I thought our preparation was good. We were up for this one. It was definitely not the start we wanted. I thought that we got into the game at the 20th minute controlling their momentum and creating our own. I liked the way few finished the first half in terms of creating chances, getting pressure on the ball, creating turnovers, and leading to offensive transitions, and a little bit more bite and connection defensively,” ‘Quakes head coach Luchi Gonzalez said.

San Jose (5-5-3) carried that momentum into the second half when they finally broke through with the equalizer in the 52nd minute.

Espinoza’s attempted cross from the left wing was blocked by Biuk. Fullback Miguel Trauco one touched the ball out of the air and sent in a floater toward the middle where the ball seemed to fool LAFC goalkeeper John McCarthy, as it snuck past him into the back of the net for Trauco’s first goal of the season.

“Happy for scoring my first goal, although it was a weird one. It wasn’t that pretty, but what’s important is that it motivated us to go out and try to win the match. It helped us in the moment, unfortunately things didn’t turn out in our favor but I’m happy for my first goal and I hope that it leads to a win next time,” Trauco said.

LAFC shifted the momentum in the final 30 minutes with counter attacks that led to numerous corner kicks as they had San Jose back on their heels as the ‘Quakes spent the final third of the match defending inside of its own zone.

“Second half, I thought we were fantastic, we created chances, we pushed the lines up, and the guys showed great energy and protagonism to push to tie the game and we earned that. As the game went on and after they conceded at home, they started to commit their numbers. But I thought we absorbed it well. We were very solid defensively. I was very confident we would get one point out of the game and even potentially create a chance in transition that could lead to a win, but it didn’t happen,” Gonzalez said.

McCarthy finished with two saves on three shots on target to earn the win. Marcinkowski made five saves on six shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with seven corner kicks. LAFC had 15.

The Quakes are now 6-8-0 all-time against LAFC, including a 1-6-0 record on the road.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns home to host FC Dallas on Saturday 5/27 at 7:30pm at Pay Pal Park.

Mariners beat A’s 5-3 to sweep three game series at Coliseum

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Drew Rucinski works against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu May 4, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Seattle Mariners won Thursday’s game 5-3 to sweep the three-game series with The A’s. Oakland’s starter Drew Rucinski did well in the first two innings, throwing just 17 pitches. Things started to go south in the third and fourth innings.

In the third, he gave a two-run blast to Taylor Trammel. He worked 2/3rd of an inning in the fourth. Rucinski walked four batters and allowed two hits as the Mariners took advantage of Rucinski’s loss of command. They put three runs on the board to lead 5-3. The A’s bullpen stopped the M’s offense as they held Seattle scoreless for the last five innings of the game.

With one out in the bottom of the second, A’s right fielder JJ Bleday blasted his first home run as a member of the Oakland A’s. The A’s lead 1-0

The lead didn’t last long. in the top of the third, A’s starter Drew Rucinski walked the leadoff hitter, J.P. Crawford. The next hitter, Mariners left fielder, Taylor Trammel, belted his second home run of 2023 to give Seattle a 2-1 advantage. The A’s answered in the half of the inning with two runs to take a 3-2 lead after three complete. A’s shortstop Nick Allen, leading off the frame, walked. A’s centerfielder Esteury Ruiz tripled to deep right-centerfield to drive in Allen. Ruiz scored on Teny Kemp’s ground out.

In the fourth, A’s starter Drew Rucinski couldn’t find the strike zone. With two outs, Ruciski walked M’s catcher Cal Raleigh. Teoscar Hernandez doubled, sending Raleigh to third. Rucinski walked the next two hitters, J.P. Crawford and Taylor Trammel.

The walk to Trammel forced in Raleigh with the M’s third run. The M’s ninth hitter in the lineup, Kolton Wong, singled to drive in Hernandez and Crawford. The M’s now lead 5-3 and have men at first and third with two out. Rucinski walked M’s DH Julio Rodriguez to load the base for the second time in the inning.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay brought in Austin Pruitt to pitch. Pruitt retired Ty France for the third out. The M’s lead 5-3 midway through the fourth. Both teams failed to score after the fourth inning. The M’s win 5-3.

Game Notes: The A’s announced they designated pitchers Jeurys Familia and Domingo Acevedo for assignment. The A’s have seven days to trade them or give them unconditional release. Austin Pruitt, Spencer Patton, and Rico Garcia were called up from the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators before Thursday’s game. All three pitched against Seattle. 

With the loss, the ‘s record is an abysmal 6-26. The A’s have gone 32 games without a starting pitcher getting a win. The Mariners improved to 15-16. The line score for Oakland was three runs, eight hits, and no errors. Seattle’s line was five runs, seven hits, and no errors.

Drew Rucinski was the losing pitcher. He has lost both of his starts for the A’s. His line was three and 2/3rds innings of work. He allowed five runs, four hits, five walks, three strikeouts, and one home run. Seattle’s George Kirby won his third game of the year and is now 3-2. Paul Seward earned his ninth save.

The A’s JJ Bleday hit his first home run as an Oakland Athletic. The A’s used five relievers. Austin Pruitt, Sam Long, Spencer Patton. Richard Lovelady and Rico Garcia all did well.

The A’s are going to Kansas City to play three games against the Royals this weekend. Lefty Kyle Muller I0-2 ERA 6.28) will go for Oakland. Kansas City will counter with righty Brad Keller(2-2 ERA 3.56). The game will start at 5:10 pm.

The time of the game was 2:24. 13, 025 were on hand to watch the A’s lose their 26th game of the year.

Earthquakes battle to 2-2 draw with Austin FC

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San Jose Earthquakes Cade Cowell positions for the ball against Austin FC’s Nick Lima in a 2-2 draw at Q2 Stadium on Saturday APR 29, 2023. (Major League Soccer)

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Earthquakes played to a hard fought 2-2 draw with Austin FC on Saturday evening at Q2 Stadium.

San Jose has points in five of its past six matches. Austin FC is winless in its past six matches (0-3-3).

The Earthquakes drew first blood in the 21st minute. Carlos Akapo slipped a pass inside the box to Jackson Yuell. The ‘Quakes captain turned around a fired a curling left footed shot from 15 yards out for his first goal of the season.

Austin FC scored the equalizer in the 40th minute. A long ball into the box was headed back into the middle by Rodney Redes and Emiliano Rigoni blasted a one-timer into the upper corner of the net for his first goal of the season.

San Jose regained late in the second half. Christian Espinoza centered the ball into the middle where an unmarked Jeremy Ebobisse headed the ball just underneath the cross bar and over the goal line for his fifth goal of the season in the 75th minute.

Espinoza recorded his 49th assist, one shy of tying Shea Salinas’ club record of 50.

“Christian (Espinoza) is going to become the all time (assist) leader (of San Jose) and he’s not going to need me for that. We can be appreciative of the moment tonight. We have to be hungry…we have to demand more of ourselves to be more lethal,” Ebobisse said.

Austin FC evened the score three minutes later. Fullback Nick Lima sent a ball into the box from 25 yards out where Sebastian Driussi headed the ball into the back of the net for his second goal of the season.

Things got chippy in the final minute of stoppage time when Yueill and Daniel Pereira were issued yellow cards for a bad foul and unsportsmanlike conduct.

‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski finished the match with two saves on four shots on target. Austin FC goalkeeper Brad Stuver made one save on three shots on target.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with 12 corner kicks. Austin FC has nine.

San Jose remains unbeaten in six all time meetings against Austin FC 2-0-4.

In the ‘Quakes past 22 matches they have suffered back-to-back losses only once.

UP NEXT: San Jose hosts LAFC on Saturday 5/6 at 4:30pm at Levi’s Stadium.