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By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, September 8, 2015

PHOENIX, Arizona – Even after playing another game to remember from a memorable career on Tuesday, Tim Hudson insists his plan to retire after this season hasn’t changed.

Hudson threw six strong innings in his first start since late July and hit a solo home run, as San Francisco made a badly-needed return to the win column with a 6-2 verdict over the Arizona Diamondbacks.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hudson said after career win No. 221. “I felt like I was just playing the game and having fun with it. Pitched as far into the game as I could, and it was good to get back out there and compete. It felt good to make some pitches and give the team a chance to win.”

As for reconsidering retirement, Hudson insists 2015 is it.

“This is definitely my last year,” Hudson said. “My start tonight is very gratifying, but it’s the right thing for me to do and the right thing for my family.

“But if there’s a 10-man rotation out there somewhere, I might be pretty good!”

San Francisco (72-67) did most of its damage with a five-run third-inning rally. Gregor Blanco and Hudson kicked off the rally with back-to-back home runs off D-Backs starter Chase Anderson (6-6).

After Angel Pagan singled and scored on Joe Panik’s double. Matt Duffy followed with an RBI single, scoring Panik. Two batter later, Duffy scored the fifth run of the inning on a Brandon Belt double. Anderson then departed after two-plus innings, throwing 42 pitches.

Hudson, meanwhile, gave San Francisco the quality start they were looking for. The 40-year-old right-hander gave up one earned run and struck out four without a walk in six innings. That, and going 2-for-3 at the plate. It was Hudson’s first start since July 26 against Oakland.

“He’s had such a long wait, he wasn’t stretched out, and to go out there with that kind of stuff was amazing,” Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said, noting that Hudson would remain in the rotation for the rest of the season. “It tells you a lot about the man and how determined he was tonight. He was prepared, and what great stuff. I couldn’t be happier for him.

“It was vintage Huddy. He was hitting his spots with good off-speed pitches, had good movement on his pitches,” Bochy continued. “He’s been a great teammate through all of this, and I know the guys are happy for him too.”

Hudson’s home run was the fourth of his career. His last round-tripper came against Washington on April 30, 2013, off Zach Duke.

“I don’t think I’ve taken BP in about two months,’ Hudson said. “Maybe BP is a little overrated! I don’t want to mess my swing up! I’m not a big home run hitter, (Anderson) supplied the power and found the barrel. As pitchers, we don’t usually get to help ourselves out too much, un less you’re (Madison) Bumgarner.

“To get some hits and generate some runs felt really good.”

Bochy marveled at Hudson’s performance, saying, “Wasn’t that something for a 40-year-old guy? I know that will stay in his memory bank for the rest of his life. He’s had a lot of wins and a lot of great games, but at this stage, to go out and perform like that, is really impressive.

“He hasn’t had more than one or two BP’s. It’s not like he’s watching video and hitting a lot in the cage. It’s probably something hitters can take from – just go up there and take a good swing.”

The Diamondbacks scored their first run in the fourth when consecutive singles by Paul Goldschmidt, David Peralta and Jarrod Saltalamacchia loaded the bases with one out. David Lamb then fouled out to third baseman Panik, whose throw home wasn’t in time, allowing Goldschmidt to score. But catcher Buster Posey’s throw to shortstop Ehire Andrianza caught Peralta overrunning the bag at third base for the third out.

“That play stopped the rally, saved pitches for Huddy, that was a key point in the game,” Bochy said.

Saltalamacchia’s solo home run in the seventh cut the San Francisco lead to 5-2. In the ninth, Panik parked a solo home run to right-center, extending the Giants’ lead to 6-2.

Josh Osich, Hunter Strickland, Sergio Roma and Santiago Casilla finished the last three innings for San Francisco, combining for four strikeouts and no walks.

While Hudson’s performance brightened things up in the Giants’ club house, the win, at least, stopped some of the bleeding. San Francisco is 3-6 on its current road trip and still trails the Los Angeles Dodgers by eight games in the NL West, and nine games behind the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card race, a half-game ahead of Washington.

“The only thing we can control is to go out and win games,” Bochy said. “Nothing is going to matter if we don’t win some games.”

GIANT JOTTINGS: SS Brandon Crawford left Tuesday’s game in the fourth inning due to tightness in his left side and left calf. Bochy said Crawford may need “a couple of days, hopefully not more” before returning to the lineup. … LHP Jeremy Affeldt was reinstated from the 15-day disabled list. Affeldt subluxated his left knee while playing with his three sons at their home near Spokane, Wash., on a Giants day off on Aug. 24. … Probables for Wednesday’s game involve a pair of right-handers – Chris Heston (11-9, 3.54) for San Francisco and Zack Godley (4-1, 1.62) for the Diamondbacks. … The Giants have Thursday off before returning to AT&T Park to host a weekend series against San Diego. … Tuesday’s paid attendance at Chase Field was 18,683.

TAGS: Tim Hudson,San Francisco Giants,Sports Radio Service,Daniel Dullum

By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Monday, September 7, 2015

PHOENIX, Arizona – After a two-month stint on the disabled list with a fractured left thumb, Arizona catcher Phil Gosselin was waiting for a moment like the one he enjoyed Monday afternoon against the fading San Francisco Giants.

Gosselin belted a three-run home run that sparked the Diamondbacks’ 6-1 win over the Giants, something, he felt, went a long way to prove himself to his new ball club.

“It’s fun,” said Gosselin, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves on July 23 and left the DL on Aug. 30. “When you miss that much time at the Major League level, you never know what will happen when you come back. I feel healthy, I feel good. But you want to do well with a new team and show these guys that you can play. At the same time, you don’t want to put too much pressure on yourself.

“I just go out and play, have some fun, and let the results happen,” he added. “Before the offseason, we all want to make a good impression and for me, really, it’s my first impression.”

The loss didn’t help San Francisco’s dim chances of staying in the playoff hunt. The Giants trail the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by eight games, and they’re nine games behind the Chicago Cubs for a Wild Card slot.

The Giants – 2-8 in their last 10 games – had 10 hits, but stranded nine baserunners.

“We just couldn’t do anything offensively,” Giants Manager Bruce Bochy said. “We had our chances, but we have to get some guys to come through and deliver.”

Winning pitcher Patrick Corbin (5-3) threw six innings of shutout ball, with five strikeouts no walks and six hits. Corbin also had an RBI single in the fourth inning.

“I was just locating my fastball. Early on, they made me throw a lot of pitches and when they had a couple of guys on, I had to bear down a little bit,” Corbin said. “It was good to get out of those jams, and getting those three runs early helped.”

Corbin, who missed a year-and-a-half recovering from Tommy John surgery in March 2014, said he’s making consistent progress in his comeback.

“Right now, I’m just trying to maintain and make sure my arm feels good,” he said.

Asked what Corbin did to handcuff the Giants, Bochy said, “(Corbin) has been throwing well in his last couple of starts. He had a good breaking ball, good fastball, good command.”

Former Arizona State star Mike Leake (9-8) took the loss, giving up six earned runs on 11 hits in 5 2/3 innings. Leake struck our five and walked three.

“Mike was really good at times, but made some mistakes,” Bochy said. “The ball carries well in this park. That one breaking ball for the three-run homer, he left up a little bit. I didn’t think it was going out, but he got enough of it. He just missed his spots more than he normally does.”

In the Diamondbacks second inning, David Peralta reached on an infield single, and after Wellington Castillo struck out, David Lamb singed. That set up Gosselin’s second home run of the season, a drive to left-center, just left of the 413-foot sign.

“I was looking for a fastball there, and I was looking for another one, but (Leake) left a slider up there and I just tried to put a good swing on it,” Gosselin said.

The Diamondbacks loaded the bases with one out in the fourth and extended their lead to 4-0. A walk to Lamb, and singles by Gosselin and Nick Ahmed, set the table for Corbin, who delivered a base hit to left, scoring Lamb. A.J. Pollock drove in Gosselin with a sacrifice fly to right.

“I was just trying to keep the inning going,” Corbin said. “With bases loaded and one out, I was just trying to hit the ball in the air and barely got it over the shortstop’s head. It’s a plus anytime I can get on base.”

A.J. Pollock tacked on Arizona’s fifth run with a two-out, solo home run to left, prompting Leake’s exit. George Kontos and Ryan Vogelsong blanked the D-Backs over the final 2 1/3 innings.

The Giants broke through in the top of the eighth when pinch-hitter Joe Panik led off with a double and scored on Buster Posey’s single to right. But Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford both flied out to center to end the threat.

“That was a good at-bat for Joe. He found a way to get a big hit and I’m sure he’s excited about being back up here,” Bochy said of Panik, who just returned from the 15-day disabled list (back inflammation) after a rehab stint at Triple-A Sacramento.

Bochy said veteran righthander Tim Hudson (6-8, 4.69) would start Tuesday’s game. Hudson, 40, was activated from the 15-day DL (right shoulder strain) last week. Vogelsong had been the probable starter.

“Tim’s ready to go, and we thought we’d put him in that slot,” Bochy explained.

Arizona will counter with Chase Anderson (6-5, 4.26). Game time is 6:40 p.m.

GIANT JOTTINGS: Prior to Monday’s game, the Giants purchased the contract of RHP Brett Bochy from Triple-A Sacramento, and RHP Tim Lincecum was moved to the 60-day disabled list. Lincecum is recovering from left hip surgery. … Paid attendance for the Labor Day matinee game at Chase Field was 28,078. … Stats, LLC reports that Giants C Buster Posey has a .457 batting average (37-for-81) with runners in scoring position against Arizona – the highest RISP average against a single opponent in over 40 years. … Shades of Bill Veeck: Celebrity feline and Internet sensation Grumpy Cat participated in the ceremonial first pitch and hosted a meet-and-greet with the fans. Grumpy Cat is a Valley native.

By Jeremy Kahn

Buster Posey joined a very exclusive club with his first home run in a month for the San Francisco Giants.

Posey hit his 17th home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning, giving him 100 for his career. Matt Duffy continues to have a great rookie year, as he hit a two-run triple in a five-run fifth inning and the Giants salvaged a split in the four-game series with a 7-4 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Madison Bumgarner picked up his 17th win of the season, as he went six innings, allowing four runs on nine runs, walking one and striking out three.

With the victory, the Giants also picked back-to-back victories on the road for the first time in a month.

After the Duffy triple in the fifth, Posey was intentionally walked. Marlon Byrd, who went 4-for-5 on the afternoon greeted reliever Brett Brown with a single that scored Duffy.

Brandon Belt was walked by reliever Rex Brothers and then Brandon Crawford broke the game wide open with a double of his own.

The Rockies cut the down to 7-4 in the bottom of the fifth, as Cristhan Adames hit a two-run single; however Bumgarner regrouped to get Nolan Arenado to ground into a double play and then Carlos Gonzalez lined out to first end the threat.

Santiago Casilla picked up his 32nd save in 37 opportunities, as he pitched a perfect ninth inning.

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, September 5, 2015

Since Stanford was ranked No. 21 going into Saturday’s game at Northwestern, the Cardinal’s 16-6 loss could be considered an upset. Unless the victorious Wildcats are asked.

Northwestern (1-0) turned in a dominant performance, controlling the line of scrimmage while playing a physical, Big 10 brand of football in the non-conference win at Ryan Field in Evanston, Ill.

After Stanford (0-1) took an early 3-0 lead on the first of two field goals by Conrad Ukropina. But Wildcats quarterback Clayton Thorson scampered through the Cardinal defense for a 42-yard touchdown run, giving Northwestern a 10-3 lead at halftime.

Kicker Jack Mitchell provided the rest of Northwestern’s offense with three field goals, including a 49-yarder after the Cardinal pulled to within one score in the fourth quarter.

Cardinal quarterback Kevin Hogan completed 20 of 34 passes for 155 yards and an interception. Northwestern defensive back Kyle Queiro made the pick in the fourth quarter when Stanford was threatening to score late in the game.

The Cardinal return home next weekend to host Central Florida (0-1), which is coming off an upset loss to Florida International on Thursday. It will be the first meeting ever between the two schools. Kickoff at Stanford Stadium is at 7:30 p.m.

By: Joe Lami

SAN JOSE, Calif.— The San Jose Earthquakes win streak ends at four, as they surrendered two goals in the last 15 minutes of the match on Saturday night losing to the Philadelphia Union 2-1.

It was a very physical match that saw over 20 combined fouls called and even more not called by referee Ismail Elfath.  There were multiple fouls that occurred in the box that weren’t called that should’ve led to penalties for each team.

The first half was fairly quiet until the 37th minute when Quakes’ defender Victor Bernardez sprained his right hamstring on an awkward play. The veteran back liner went up to head it and came straight down on his hamstring. He laid on the field for about two minutes before being subbed for JJ Koval. When asked about the injury, Quakes’ coach, Dominic Kinnear didn’t go into the extent of the injury and how long Victor could be out.

The injury to Victor ended up being crucial late in the game, as San Jose definitely missed his presence when Koval was involved in both of Philadelphia’s goals.

San Jose didn’t give up, though, as they ended the half in the 42nd minute with an outstanding chance.  Matias Perez Garcia, who was San Jose’s best player on Saturday, sent a cross from the right side almost finding Quincy Amarikwa at the back left post. Amarikwa was unable to make the acrobatic move to finish off the goal.

The physical play bled into the second half and led to San Jose’s only goal. A foul and handball in the box led to a penalty kick for the Earthquakes. Captain, Chris Wondolowski found the bottom left part of the net for his 13th goal of the season. The leading scorer on the Quakes is now tied for fifth in goals in MLS.

The lead didn’t last too long for San Jose, as Union sub, Connor Casey made an immediate impact. Casey was brought on in the 71st minute and had his first of two goals in the 74th minute. Raymon Gaddis crossed it from the right side and was flicked in between two Quakes defenders in the middle of the box to find the right corner of the net. “He’s a great player, a big force in the box, great finisher and he creates that little bit of space when he gets it,” commented Wondolowski.

Just 12 minutes later, in the 86th minute, Casey found the bottom right corner again.  On a set piece from well outside the box Tranquillo Barnetta found the top of Casey’s head as he was able to redirect it just past the diving fingertips of San Jose goalkeeper David Bingham for the eventual game winner.

“We let ourselves down tonight. We pride ourselves on set pieces on both sides of the ball. Momentary lapses cost us and that’s kind of the way the game goes sometimes,” added Bingham.

It is an upsetting way to end a dominating win streak, but it gives San Jose fire to come back next week and beat the Seattle Sounders in a huge game with playoff implications on the line.

By Jeremy Kahn

After seeing their playoff lives falling away with each day, the San Francisco Giants finally got a win in the month of September.

Jake Peavy doubled twice, including a driving in a run in the top of the sixth inning, as the Giants put an end to their seven-game losing streak with a 7-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

Despite the victory, it came at a big cost, as Hector Sanchez left the game with a left ankle sprain and then Andrew Susac was placed on 60-day disabled list with a right thumb injury that will essentially end his season.

Not only are the Giants without their two backup catchers, but Brandon Belt was not available to play due to a stomach illness. Outfielder Nori Aoki is suffering from concussion-like symptoms and will head to Pittsburgh to see a specialist.

Peavy also hit a double in the top of the fifth inning, and scored a run in the two-run fifth inning for the Giants. It was the 12 multi-hit game for Peavy, and it was the first time he picked up two doubles in the same game.

Angel Pagan hit his first home run of the season in the top of the third inning, and Gregor Blanco added a home run in the top of the seventh inning.

In 5.2 innings of work, Peavy gave up three runs, scattered four hits and struck out five, as he raised his record to 5-6 on the season.

By Jeremy Kahn

With just two swings of the bat, the Colorado Rockies sent the San Francisco Giants to another loss.

Carlos Gonzalez and Nolan Arenado hit back -to-back home runs in the bottom of the first inning off of Chris Heston, as the Rockies defeated the Giants 2-1 at Coors Field.

It is the seventh straight loss for the struggling Giants.

Gonzalez continues to stay hot, as he has five home runs in his last three games. Arenado has a home run in five straight games.

The Giants got within one run in the top of the sixth inning, when Angel Pagan singled. Matt Duffy then singled, then Buster Posey was hit by a pitch. Jorge De La Rosa got out of the jam, as he struck out Marlon Byrd.

De La Rosa did not walk a batter and struck out seven in seven innings of work.

Closer John Axford picked up his 19th save, as he got Brandon Crawford to ground into a double play to end the game.

Heston went 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits.

By Jeremy Kahn

With the regular season only a week away, Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio rested most of his starters.

Matt McGloin went 16-for-24 for 186 yards passing, while Christian Ponder went 7-for-11 for 99 yards, but it was not enough and the Seattle Seahawks defeated the Raiders 31-21 at Century Link Field.

McGloin threw touchdown passes to Seth Roberts and Rod Streater, while Michael Dyer led the team in rushing with just 17 yards rushing and scored a touchdown. Dyer carried the ball 12 times, as the Seahawks defense allowed just 27 yards rushing to the Raiders on 25 carries, for an abysmal 1.1 yards per carry.

Roberts led the team in catches with seven and gained 110 yards threw the air, for the Raiders who finished the preseason with a 1-3 record.

Russell Wilson threw just one pass on the evening, and it was a 63-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Lockett. That was one of two catches on the evening for Lockett, who also caught a 14-yard pass for a total of 77 yards. Kasen Williams also caught two passes for 25 yards, including a 15-yard touchdown pass from B.J. Daniels in the third quarter.

Rosters must be brought down to the 53-man roster by 1:00 pm (Pacific) on Saturday afternoon, and then the Raiders will have eight days to get ready for their home opener versus the Cincinnati Bengals on September 13.

By Jeremy Harness

After getting swept in three games by the Dodgers, the Giants are clearly running out of time.

They did not get a good start in getting things back on track in Colorado, as they fell hard to the Rockies at Coors Field, 11-3, Thursday night.

The Giants got off to a horrible start, as the Rockies jumped on starter Ryan Vogelsong for four runs in the first inning, and things did not get much better for him as the game went along. The right-hander lasted only three innings and gave up eight runs – seven earned – on 11 hits and struck out only one hitter.

On the bright side, Vogelsong did not walk anyone, and he hit his first major-league home run in the third inning off Rockies starter Chris Rusin, a two-run shot that at the time cut the Rockies’ lead in half.

Meanwhile, Rusin went the distance for Colorado, giving up three earned runs on six hits, walking one hitter and striking out five.

The only other Giants run was scored in the sixth inning, as Matt Duffy grounded into a double play, a play on which Angel Pagan scored.

The Giants have three more games in Colorado before going to Arizona for three games against the Diamondbacks, after which they will return home to AT&T Park for a nine-game homestand against the Padres, Reds as well as the Diamondbacks.