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Cain’s career ends with a heartbreaking loss to Pads 3-2

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain raises his arms walking to the dugout after pitching in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres Saturday, Sept. 30, 2017, in San Francisco. Cain made his final start after announcing his retirement. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-On the day where Matt Cain pitched the final game of his 13-year career, he was not able to get the win.

Austin Hedges hit a two-run double with two outs in the top of the ninth inning, as the San Diego Padres came back to defeat the San Francisco Giants 3-2 before a crowd of 40,394, at AT&T Park.

Down to his last strike, Hedges hit a ball over the head of Hunter Pence in right field to score Christian Villanueva and Cory Spangenberg.

Cain was sharp in the final start of his career, and was in line for the win; however, the bullpen was unable to hold the lead that Pence gave them in the bottom of the third inning.

Pence narrowly beat out a Carlos Asuaje throw to first base that Pablo Sandoval to score from third base, as the Giants took a 1-0 lead.

Pence drove in Ryder Jones with a single in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.

Cain went five innings, allowing just two hits, while striking out five and left to a standing ovation from the fans.

Not only did Cain receive a standing ovation from the fans, but every member of the Giants staff and players hugged 32-year old right-hander. The Padres also showed their respect, as they applauded for their longtime rival as he left the field for the final time.

Reyes Moronta blew the save in the top of the sixth inning, as he gave up the game-tying home run to Wil Myers.

It was the 30th home run of the season for Myers, becoming the first Padres player to top the 30-home run plateau since Chase Headley did so when he hit 31 in 2012. This was the sixth home run of the season for Myers.

Jhoulys Chacin pitched six strong innings in his last game of the season for the Padres, as he gave up one run on five hits, walking two and striking out six. Chacin finished the season with a record of 13-10.

During his career, Cain was a part of 109 no-decisions since 2005, which ranks as the third-most in the major leagues during that period. In 44 of those 109 games, Cain left the game with the lead

Not only did Cain receive a standing ovation from the fans, but every member of the Giants staff and players hugged 32-year old right-hander. The Padres also showed their respect, as they applauded for their longtime rival as he left the field for the final time.

Cain is just the fourth player to play at least 10 years and just wear the Giants uniform, joining Jim Davenport, Scott Garrelts and Robby Thompson.

Even though he did not fare in the decision, Cain ended his career with a 10-game losing streak, the longest of his career and the longest by a Giants pitcher since Rod Beck lost 11 in a row from August 21, 1995 thru April 29, 1997.

The right-hander ended his career at AT&T Park with a record of 60-60 in 179 regular season games.

NOTES: Johnny Cueto will close out the season for the Giants, as he takes the mound one last time, as he looks for his ninth win of the season. Like the Giants, the Padres season will come to a close on Sunday as well and they will send Luis Perdomo to the mound in the season finale.

The ninth inning loss was just the fourth loss of the season by the Giants after they entered the eighth inning with a lead. Coming into the game, the Giants were 49-3.

Kershaw keeps record clean against Giants

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~ (AP Photo/Michael Owen Baker)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (18-4) backed by double play defense equaled a 3-1 win over San Francisco in the teams’ last 2017 meeting Sunday.

Kershaw, now 25-0 versus the rival Giants, pitched seven scoreless innings until giving up a homer in the eighth. He struck out six and has had that many for the fifth outing in a row. San Francisco peppered Kershaw with eight hits like last time, but the Dodgers defense turned four double plays.

Brandon Morrow earned the save.

Yasmani Grandal had the game-winner with a two-run shot off starter Chris Stratton in the fourth. Grandal also brought in the other run and walked. Joc Pederson had two walk, one single and a stolen base.

For the Giants, Mac Williamson was a perfect 3-for-3 with the home run and two singles. Hunter Pence was also a perfect 3-for-3 versus Kershaw with two singles and an infield hit.

San Francisco pitchers threw three 1-2-3 innings.

Pence got the first hit of the game with a leadoff single but was stranded in the second.

Los Angeles followed with their first hit from Curtis Granderson. Logan Forsythe got the game’s first extra-base hit, which allowed Granderson to go to third. One out later, Grandal hit a fly ball that allowed Granderson to score.

The game winner was set up when Chase Utley reached on an infield hit and Grandal followed with a home run. It could have been worse after Pederson walked, moved to second on a sacrifice from Kershaw and moved to third on a wild pitch. However, after review, a call was overturned when a fan interfered with a catchable ball by Pence that gave the Giants the final out of the inning.

San Francisco got a leadoff runner in scoring position when Hernández hit a double in the sixth, but a poor baserunning choice ended that threat.

Like the previous game, a rally began in the eighth with Williamson’s  home run. However, the Giants were unable to do more. An interesting occurrence was when Hernández was at the plate and his bat went flying towards Kershaw. Kershaw had to jump and then retrieved the bat.

Game notes: The Dodgers’ Chris Taylor finished 0-for-11 in the series. San Francisco finishes their road trip against the Diamondbacks, starting Monday at 6:40pm.

Toronto FC tramples Quakes

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~ Photo credit: San Jose Earthquakes

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Jose was outshot 21-6 as Toronto FC won in a 4-0 rout Saturday.

Toronto increased their unbeaten streak to 10 games while remaining undefeated at home.

The Quakes had no shots in the second half before going a man down in the 72nd minute. They ended up getting three shots starting in the 88th minute.

Jozy Altidore got his 50th and 51st MLS goals, Victor Vasquez got a goal and assist and former Quake Steven Beitashour had two assists to name some.

San Jose was able to hold off Toronto at first.

Toronto had a number of chances, including Altidore to start. In the 7th minute, he had an offsides goal, a missed header in the 12th minute, and another shot that was saved in the 14th minute.

Marco Urena had the Quakes’ first shot in the 17th minute.

Altidore, Justin Morrow and Sebastian Giovinco had shots for Toronto in the 21st minute, 23rd minute and 24th minute respectively.

They finally scored in the 26th minute. Goalie Andrew Tarbell got his hands on the ball before Beitashour’s ball went to Vasquez, who took advantage of Tarbell being out of position.

Urena had another shot in the 34th minute.

San Jose only had possession advantage in the final five minutes of the first half. The Quakes’ Jackson Yueill had a shot in the 43rd minute and Giovinco had another shot in the 44th minute.

Altidore finally got his goal when Toronto tacked on another goal in the 48th minute. He then scored another goal in the 64th minute.

Half-time substitute Jonathan Osorio made it 4-0 two minutes later.

Darwin Ceren was the man issued a red card. The Quakes also went down a man the last meeting between the teams. 

Game notes: It was both goalie Alex Bono’s and San Jose’s second shutout in three games. The Quakes return home to play the Houston Dynamo Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

Crawford strikes early, the Cardinals strike back in 11-6 win over the Giants

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San Francisco Giants’ Brandon Crawford, right, is met at home plate by teammates Buster Posey, center, and Hunter Pence (8) after Crawford’s two-run home run gainst the St. Louis Cardinals during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–As witnessed by the 12 pitchers that threw pitches out of the bullpen on Friday, this was not the type of ballgame decided on first impressions.

Brandon Crawford struck early, Cardinals’ starter Jack Flaherty succumbed a little to the nerves associated with his first big-league appearance, but the Cardinals stayed the course, striking for late runs in their 11-6 win over the Giants.

“We get down, we get the wind kicked out of us a little bit and they fight,” Cardinals’ manager Mike Matheney said. “That’s a skill, to have that kind of tenacity, to have that belief in themselves and each other. It’s going to pay off.”

The Giants led 5-2 through six innings, but the Cardinals scored nine runs in the final three innings to storm back. Matheney said he had no idea the game was one of the hottest in the history of the ballpark, but did remember remarking on how the beautiful the backdrop was at first pitch. But in the end, Matheney marveled at the resilience of his ballclub, which didn’t lose focus when down three runs late.

“Great offense, getting back into it,” Matheney said.

In the ninth inning alone, the Cardinals hit for the cycle, scored six times, and put the Giants away with Sam Dyson and Albert Suarez faltering for the home team. Manager Bruce Bochy didn’t apologize for the six pitching changes that snatched the game of any rhythm, but acknowledged his club was outclassed.

“I think you look at extra–base hits–I think they had what six there in the last three innings.  Our setup guys, the closer… you’re probably not going to win a ballgame like this.”

Johnny Cueto returned to the active roster and started for the first time since July 14 and his rust showed in the steady traffic on the basepaths in the early innings. But Cueto departed with a lead, allowing four hits and two runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Crawford supported Cueto with a two-run homer in the second, and a two-run double in the third. The home run came after MLB’s formal apology regarding Crawford’s apparent home run in Thursday’s game.

The Giants have dropped 10 of their last 13 ballgames, including the first two to St. Louis on this abbreviated four-game homestand.

 

 

San Jose Earthquakes Saturday game wrap: New York downs Quakes 2-1

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~Photo: New York City Football Club Twitter

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ New York City’s Thomas McNamara made his mark as San Jose’s road woes and New York’s home dominance combined in a 2-1 result Saturday.

In the 67th minute, four minutes after he came off the bench, McNamara made the final kick after a number of players passed en route to the goal, including a pass from David Villa with his back to the net.

On their home turf, New York has posted a 9-0-2 record in 11 games. The Quakes meanwhile are now 1-13-7 on the road.

San Jose’s Victor Bernardez gave them their only card in the 80th minute, but its color was damaging as they went down a man, already down 2-1.

The Quakes had more possession in the second half, but were missing the score.

New York dominated almost all of the first half with 70.5% possession, while San Jose had more shots on target, less fouls and more clearances.

The Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski made the game’s first attempt in the 3rd minute and was nearby when Marco Urena scored his first goal for his club. With no lag from international competition and travel, he got a deflection and scored from a diagonal in the 6th minute.

New York was not far behind. Jack Harrison tied the match in the 10th minute as goalie David Bingham’s initial save deflected into the net.

Harrison got close again, but could not corral the ball from Andrea Pirlo in the 22nd minute.

New York had four corners in a row from the 36th through 38th minutes and San Jose blocked three of their shot attempts in the 40th minute, the first two from Harrison.

In the 74th minute, the Quakes’ Shea Salinas missed and goalie Johnson made his fourth save against Nick Lima. It was the third straight game in which Johnson had to make four saves.

Salinas took the corner kick in the final seconds, but San Jose was unable to capitalize.

Game notes: The Quakes’ Anibal Godoy rested. San Jose next hosts the Seattle Sounders Saturday at 7:30pm.

 

Thornton gets 1000th career assist on critical empty net goal

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~ Photo: (Trevor Hagan/The Canadian Press via AP)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ San Jose’s Joe Thornton became the 13th NHL player to reach 1000 assists, as they prevailed over the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 Monday.

In Thornton’s 900th game, he had the secondary assist as Joe Pavelski put his second goal of the game in from the blue line. Mikkel Boedker commented postgame on Thornton, “He’s a giver.”

Nikolaj Ehlers slammed his stick against the post in frustration after the goal came at 19:34. Its’ significance grew larger when the Jets’ 5-4 advantage became 6-4 after Dylan DeMelo committed a delay of game penalty and Mark Scheifele made it 3-2 with seven seconds left.

Instead of Winnipeg’s third straight win, it was Aaron Dell’s. The Jets were 0-for-3 on the power play and playing with an extra man with 2:06 left in the game. Playing his second game in five days, Dell was always there at the right time.

Pavelski opened the scoring at 9:45 of the first with a straightaway slot shot. This came after Melker Karlsson had a short side shot right before.

Josh Morrissey then singlehandedly equalized the playing ice less than two minutes later.

Period two saw no goals but a 16-9 shot advantage for the Sharks.

Boedker broke the deadlock at 7:26 of the third period on a breakaway. It was his first ever shorthanded goal and the third shorthanded San Jose goal out of three games against Winnipeg this season.

Game notes: Rest after the Sharks’ second of back-to-back games, will precede the first of a four game homestand, starting with the best team in the NHL, the Washington Capitals, Thursday at 7:30pm.

Sharks’ power played out

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~ Photo: Jeff Roberson, AP

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ In a 2016 Western Conference Final rematch, Saint Louis Blues’ David Perron had the “special” goal that made the difference over San Jose Thursday, 3-2.

It was the closest game between the two teams since Game 1.

Perron scored midway during Mikkel Boedker’s interference penalty at 15:56 of the second. He was aided by Stastny and Fabbri.  The power play goal ended San Jose’s franchise-matching 11 games without giving up one. Perron now has five points during a three-game points streak, Paul Stastny’s assist was his second in as many games and Robby Fabbri’s point continued a three game streak with four points.

That second period was key. It was the only period in which the Sharks had more penalties and were outscored. San Jose’s Chris Tierney and Tomas Hertl also had to leave the game during the period. Tierney returned in the third but Hertl’s status is still unknown.

However, San Jose had their chances throughout the game, as they went 0-for-6 on the power play.  They also had some 5-on-3 time in the second and 6-on-4 time with less than a minute to go in the game.  

Goalie Jake Allen preserved his streak, now protecting his home turf for 13 straight games by two goals or less.

The Sharks had another opposing player score two goals, this one being the already hot Jaden Schwartz. He came in with two goals in his last three games, including one the game before.

San Jose’s goals were not without their importance. Logan Couture’s goal was his first 5-on-5 goal of the season. Kevin Labanc’s goal was his first in the NHL.  

Game notes: The Sharks were able to limit Vladimir Tarasenko to two shots. Couture had a game-high five shots. San Jose will now conclude their longest road trip Saturday at 5pm, facing the Arizona Coyotes again.

The Warriors defeat the Raptors, it was not easy

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Toronto- The Golden State Warriors downed the Toronto Raptors 127-121 Wednesday night in Toronto. The Raptors were playing the second game of a back-to-back series. They faced the Cleveland Cavaliers Tuesday night and lost 121-117. The Raptors, however, did not show any signs of fatigue as they scored thirty-eight points in the first quarter to take a four-point lead 38-34 over the Dubs. The Warriors, as has been their custom so far this season, started slowly. The trailed by ten 29-19 late in the quarter. The Raptors were controlling the boards on defense and driving the lane attacking the rim on offense. Raptor center, Jonas Valanciunas, scored eight points and clogged the middle for Toronto. The Dubs closed the gap to four late in the quarter. Kevin Durant hit a three-point shot as time expired. The Warriors came to life in the second quarter. The Warriors took the lead 41-40 when Durant hit another three. Toronto regained the lead and led by four 49-45 when Steph, KD, and Draymond Green went to work. The Dubs went on a 21-2 run at the end of the quarter to take a thirteen point lead 66-53. They outscored the Raptors 32-15 in the second quarter.

In the second half, Klay Thompson got hot, and the Dubs increased the lead to twenty(74-54). The Dubs appeared to have put the game away, but the Raptors are not exactly chopped liver. They fought back behind the play of Demar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry. The Dubs had no rhythm and were committing dumb fouls. DeRozan kept going to the charity stripe and the Raptors went on a 17-4 run to trail by nine 95-86 at the end of three.

The Warriors behind Steph, Andre Iguodala, Patrick McCaw were able to fend off the Raptors as they refused to go down. DeRozan kept making free throws, but Shaun Livingston and David West made key buckets for the Dubs. McCaw sank a three-point shot from the corner and played well on defense making a couple of steals. The Warriors held on to win 127-121.

Game Notes- With the win, the Dubs improve to 9-2. The Raptors drop to 7-4. Steph led the scoring with thirty-five points. KD had thirty, and he had six assists and nine rebounds. Draymond added eleven, and he had five assists and seven rebounds. Draymond also had a couple of steals and several blocks in the contest. Klay Thompson scored fifteen, but he made three key three-point shots in the third quarter.

DeMar DeRozan led Toronto with thirty-four points. He made all seventeen free throws, too. Kyle Lowry had twenty-four. Valanciunas had twelve, and Corey Joseph(14) and Terrence Ross(11) helped the Raptors, albeit in a losing cause.

The Warriors became the first team since 1990 to shoot better tan 50% from the floor and had thirty plus assists in five straight games.

The Warriors travel to Boston to play the Celtics Friday night.

The Warriors have their hands full with the Suns,prevail in the fourth quarter.

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Golden State Warriors needed a strong performance by Klay Thompson to down the young and hungry Phoenix Suns 133-120 Sunday night at the Oracle Arena.The Warriors, who had a hard time beating the Suns in Phoenix on October 30th, had another tough time subduing the Suns coached by Earl Watson.

The Suns fell behind early in the first quarter 12-7. They then went on an 11-0 run and led by seven 30-23 with 1:30 left in the period. The Dubs defense played better, and they closed the gap to two, but the Warriors committed a shooting foul with just 1/2 second left on the clock. The Suns made the two free throws and led by four 32-28.

It was more of the same in the second quarter. The Dubs led by three 62-59 at the end of the first half. Phoenix continued to play well, and the Warriors could not put them away. The Warriors did increase the lead to seven at the end of the third period, but the Suns took it to them and led the Dubs 111-106 with 6:15 left to play. The Warriors woke up on offense and defense. Klay Thompson scored eighteen of his thirty points in the quarter and the Warriors defense, led by Draymond Green, was able to keep the Suns under control. The Dubs win 130-122.

The Warriors were led by Klay Thompson, Steph Curry with 30 points, six assists, and six rebounds. Kevin Durant added twenty-nine, and he had five assists and nine boards. Mr. defense, Draymond Green, had a double-double. He scored fourteen points, eleven assists, and seven rebounds. The Suns had six players in double figures. Eric Bledsoe and T.J.Warren each scored twenty. Devin Booker added nineteen; Jared Dudley had fourteen, Brandon Knight pitched in with 10. Former Warrior, and a very popular player when he was here, Leandro Barbosa knocked down eleven. The Warriors honored their former player with a video tribute during a timeout in the first quarter. The fans gave Barbosa a standing ovation, and he waved back to the crowd.

After the game, coach Steve Kerr said:”We’re trying to win a championship, you don’t do that simply by outscoring people.” “We set a bad tone on defense from the beginning.” “They (the Suns) played a really good game.” “We did not do a good job defensively.Gotta play better.”

The Warriors improve to 8-2, and the Suns fall to 3-8. The Warriors start a four-game eastern trip starting Wednesday in Toronto against the Raptors. Friday night they meet the Boston Celtics then play a back-to-back game Saturday night against the Milwaukee Bucks. If you remembered last year, the Dubs had a very tough victory against the Celtics to keep their winning streak alive. They then went to Milwaukee, and the Bucks beat them snapping their 24-game winning streak. Let’s hope history doesn’t repeat itself.

 

 

 

 

Kings triumph in Toronto 96-91

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
NBA: Sacramento Kings at Toronto Raptors
Photo credit:Tom Szczerbowski USA Today

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Kings victorious in final game of road trip 

The Sacramento Kings bounced back from playing one of their worst games of the season on Saturday in Milwaukee to playing one of their best games of the year on Sunday in Toronto to defeat the Raptors 96-91. Toronto (4-2) had won three consecutive games. The Kings (3-5) had lost four games in a row.

The Kings have played what has been rated the toughest schedule so far this season in the NBA. Five games in seven nights on the road in the Eastern Conference traveling from Miami to Toronto is brutal. It is also the reality of playing in the NBA. Every team has stretches in their schedules like this and to be successful a team has to deal with the difficulties.

The Kings found a way to deal with best team they had to face on this road trip by stepping up their defense and shortening the rotation off the bench. Head coach Dave Joerger used just nine players off his bench on Sunday night and his veteran players came through for him with the extended playing time – especially on defense.

The Kings held the hot shooting Raptors to just 35.7-percent (30-for-84) from the floor. The Toronto guard tandem of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry entered the contest averaging 53 points combined per game. The Sacramento defense held them to just 38 combined points on Sunday night.

DeRozan had scored at least 30 points in each of Toronto’s five games this year. The Kings held him to just 23 points.

The Sacramento Kings won on Sunday because of their defense. It has been awhile since you have read those words.

It’s deja vu all over again

The Kings swept the two -game series with the Raptors last season. The Kings won 107-101 in Sacramento behind DeMarcus Cousins 36 points and 10 rebounds. The Kings downed the Raptors in Toronto 104-94 when they had six players score in double figures.

The Kings will have a chance to complete the sweep this season on Sunday November 20 when the Raptors will visit the Golden 1 Center.

Kings dominate the paint

Toronto was without starting center Jonas Valanciunas who sat out because of a left knee contusion. That meant the Raptors 2016 first-round draft pick Jakob Poeltl and Lucas Nogueira who the Raptors have been developing overseas and in the D-League since 2011 had to play the five spot. Poeltl looked like a rookie and eventually fouled out of the game. Nogueria who was seeing his first action of the season after being out because of a sprained ankle looked very good. It is easy to see why Toronto has invested in his development.

The Kings dominated the paint outscoring the Raptors 52-30. Sacramento also out-rebounded Toronto 47-43.

Top performers

Rudy Gay led the Kings scoring attack with 23 points. Gay missed the game in Milwaukee with sore ribs. He played the game in Toronto with his ribs wrapped which did affect his shooting as he went 9-for-19 from the floor.

DeMarcus Cousins posted another double-double game with 22 points and 14 rebounds to go with four assists. Cousins was much more effective from out on the high post than down low under the basket. When he would drive the lane, Cousins was virtually unstoppable.

Ty Lawson was very good on the point dishing out 11 assists and adding five points. Shooting guard Arron Afflalo scored 12 points off just eight shots.

Matt Barnes was a force on defense and scored eight points plus grabbed 10 rebounds. Garrett Temple impacted the game with presence scoring eight points to go with a steal and a blocked shot.

DeRozan led the Raptors in scoring with 23 points but went 7-for-20 shooting. Lowry had 10 assists. Nogueia was the Raptors leading rebounder with five.

Dave Joerger was a happy man after the game

In the postgame press conference Joerger said:

  • He was really proud of his guys and how they responded in a back-to-back game
  • They (the Kings) get after people defensively
  • We had seven guys with two or more rebounds
  • We kept the turnovers down (the Kings had 11 turnovers and gave up just two points off those turnovers)
  • We had seven stops in a row with under 2:30 to play
  • A win like this gives you confidence
  • Rudy (Gay) gave us a big boost

What’s coming up

The Kings have a long flight home and then must get ready to face the New Orleans Pelicans (0-6) on Tuesday night at the Golden 1 Center. Sacramento then has the Lakers (3-3) at home on Thursday night before heading back out on the road.

The Raptors hit the road and will face the Thunder in Oklahoma City on Wednesday. They then travel to Charlotte to face the Hornets on Friday night.