Giants Look To Get Back On Track Against Arizona

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The Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Taylor Widener is seen here being lifted by Torey Lovullo in the second inning on Sun May 23, 2021 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver. The Diamondbacks host the San Francisco Giants Tue May 25, 2021 at Chase Field. (AP News photo)

Giants Look To Get Back On Track Against Arizona

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants are coming out of a losing series to the Los Angeles Dodgers. They were in fact swept in this series. It was a real disappoint especially since prior to that the Giants had swept the Reds in a four game series. The series with the Dodgers dropped the Giants out of first place in their division and into third place two games behind the San Diego Padres..

On Tuesday evening the Giants will be taking on the Arizona Diamondbacks in a two-game series hoping to right the ship. This will be an important series for the club because the next series for San Francisco will be a four game series with the Dodgers. If nothing else the Giants want to go into the series with the Dodgers full of confidence. Beating the Diamondbacks in both games would go miles in bolstering that confidence.

The Diamondbacks are having struggles of their own losing eight games in a row and getting swept by the Rockies and the Dodgers. They sit in last place in the National League West and are currently 12.5 games behind the first place San Diego Padres and 10 games behind the Giants.

The probable pitchers for the Giants in Game One on Tuesday may be Kevin Gausman with a 4-0 and 1.66 ERA. In Game Two Wednesday Johnny Cueto may take the mound with a 3-1 and 3.34 ERA. Both of these two pitchers may be just what the Giants need to get back on the winning track.

For the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday it could be Corbin Martin who comes in with an 0-1 and 5.40 ERA. In Game Two Wednesday Merrill Kelly with a 2-5 and a 5.05 ERA could be on the mound.

The first pitch tomorrow evening will be at 6:40. This first game will be an important indication of the path that the Giants will be taking in their next 6 games.

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open three game series against Seattle tonight

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The Los Angeles Angels share congratulations after their come back win against the Oakland A’s at Angels Stadium in Anaheim on Sun May 24, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Oakland A’s (28-20) opened up their final game with the Los Angeles Angels (20-27) the A’s Matt Olson and Seth Brown both hit home runs scoring three runs in the top of the second and a run in the third to grab an early 4-0 lead.

#2 Down 4-2 the Angels came back scoring three runs in the bottom of the seventh Shohei Otani hit a sac fly to right to score Upton to tie the game. Iglesias got a base hit to score Rojas to take the lead 5-4 for the Angels.

#3 The A’s were able to tie the game for a last chance at the brass ring in the top of the eighth making as Sean Murphy got on on an infield single that scored Olson on a throwing error 5-5

#4 The Angels got a go ahead run in the bottom of the eighth when Upton hit a sac fly to left as Ward tagged up and scored which turned out to be the game winner for a 6-5 win.

#5 It’s back to the Oakland Coliseum as the Seattle Mariners will pay a visit and start pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (1-3 ERA 4.32) and the A’s will go with Frankie Montas (5-3 ERA 4.79) a 6:40 pm PDT first pitch.

Join Barbara for the A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: After getting swept Giants try to rebound in Arizona Tuesday night

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Los Angeles Dodgers starter Jose Urias pitched six innings for the win against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park on Sun May 24, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The San Francisco Giants (28-19) previous to the Los Angeles Dodgers (28-18) coming to town were on a roll splitting four games in Pittsburgh and sweeping the Cincinnati Reds in four games but beating the Dodgers the Giants just couldn’t win a game in the three game series.

#2 On Sunday the Dodgers got a six run win 11-5 the Dodgers Gavin Lux got a grand slam and Jose Urias helped his own cause with three RBIs.

#3 Urias held the Giants to three hits, two earned runs in six innings of work. Urias kept the Giants up until he was lifted in the bottom of the sixth inning.

#4 The Dodgers who are just a game back behind the San Diego Padres have won eight straight games and their the real deal with the way they’ve been getting hitting and pitching.

#5 The Giants in their next contest will start Kevin Gausman (4-0 ERA 1.66) Gausman pitched six innings of shutout ball against the Cincinnati Reds in his last start in Cincinnati. Gausman and the Giants will face the Arizona Diamondbacks who have not announced a starting pitcher yet for a brief two game series at Chase Field in Phoenix starting at 6:40pm Tuesday night.

Join Morris for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s find out how desperate the Angels are in frustrating 6-5 loss

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Los Angeles Angels closer Raisel Iglesias (32) gives thanks to the good Lord after sealing a victory against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun May 24, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Morris Phillips

Once the A’s home run show concluded, the Angels’ desperation act commenced. It proved to be a powerful force at the Big A on Sunday afternoon.

Down 4-1 in the sixth, the Angels rallied with a run in the sixth, three in the seventh and the tie-breaking, game winner in the eighth courtesy of Justin Upton’s run scoring sacrifice fly.

With the rally, the Angels avoided an embarrassing sweep by their rivals at home, as well as a sixth loss in seven games since their team leader Mike Trout went on the injured list with a calf strain.

“We feel that we have put ourselves in position for a win and it just hasn’t worked out for us,” Upton said. “Hopefully this will spark the club.”

The A’s hit eight home runs in the series including a two-run shot from Seth Brown and another from Matt Olson on Sunday. They also got a quality start from Sean Manaea over five innings, but couldn’t get it to stand up.

“Give credit to them. They didn’t just roll over and let us have one,” Sean Murphy said. “Tough game sometimes.”

Dylan Bundy got the start for the Angels but didn’t survive the third inning as he was lifted by manager Joe Maddon after just 50 pitches. Five relievers followed but all were on point keeping the A’s off the scoreboard the remainder of the afternoon.

The A’s maintain their 1 1/2 game lead in the AL West despite the loss, and they’re just a game behind the Red Sox and Rays for the American League’s best record.

The A’s are back at home on Monday for the start of a three-game set with the Mariners. Frankie Montas gets the start in the opener in a matchup with Seattle’s Yusei Kikuchi.

NBA Playoffs podcast: Joe Hawkes takes a look at today’s playoff action

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On the NBA Playoffs with J Hawkes:

#1 Washington Wizards 118 @ Philadelphia 76ers 125 (game 1)

#2 Los Angeles Lakers 90 @ Phoenix 99 game 1

#3 Atlanta Hawks 107 @ New York Knicks 105 game 1

#5 Memphis Grizzlies @ Utah Jazz game 1

Join Joe for the NBA Playoffs throughout the post season for the NBA Playoff podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Larry Crino: Braves Acuna tried hitting left handed during a laugher; A’s Kaval team has started looking for a new place to play

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Fri May 21, 2021 was a pretty big day for the Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna Jr here he is rounding bases after hitting a grand slam in the second inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates later he tried to come up to the plate to hit left handed but was stopped by Braves manager Brian Snitker. (AP News photo)

On Headlines Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 Larry, The Atlanta Braves on Friday night were pounding the Pittsburgh Pirates so badly at the time 19-1 that the Braves Ronald Acuna Jr went to the plate to hit left handed as the Pirates were using a position player shortstop Wilmer Difo to pitch. Acuna wanted to hit left handed for extra measure but was called back to the dugout and by manager Brian Snitker said Acuna was not going to hit left handed. Acuna wound up striking out against Difo hitting right handed.

#2 Oakland A’s team president David Kaval said in a San Francisco Chronicle interview that the A’s play at Howard Terminal the proposed A’s downtown ballpark location or they will leave Oakland. Kavel said he and the team are exploring new locations in the event the A’s can’t move downtown one of the first places is Las Vegas.

#3 New York Yankees pitcher Aroldis Chapman pitching and two running at first and second for the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium, the Sox Andrew Vaughn hit a hot grounder to Yankee third baseman Gio Urshela who stepped on third and threw to second baseman Roughned Odor for the force at second and the throw to first just got Vaughn for a triple play.

#4 One of things that Tony LaRussa Chicago White Sox manager won’t stand for is a hitter swinging at a 3-0 pitch and what’s worse during a laugher. Such was the case with the White Sox in the lead 15-4 against the Minnesota when Yermin Mercedes stood in and slugged a 3-0 pitch for a home run off a Twins position player who pitching breaking the baseball “code” at swinging at 3-0 pitches. LaRussa said Mercedes was “clueless” and “there will be a consequence.” Mercedes said “I’m going to play like that. I’m Yermin.”

#5 Larry, check it out six no hitters so far this season but who were the last two pitchers to throw two no hitters in one season answer the Washington Nationals Max Scherzer the first no no on June 20th vs. the Pirates and the second one on Oct 3 2015 vs. the New York Mets. The second pitcher was the late Philadelphia Phillies Roy Halladay May 29 vs. at Miami and his second no hitter October 6th in 2010 vs. the Cincinnati Reds.

#7 Larry talk Los Angeles Dodgers starter Trevor Bauer’s outing against the San Francisco Giants on Friday night going  6.1 innings, allowing one unearned run on just two hits, walking four and striking out 11. Love the cupping of the ear to the Giants crowd after being lifted at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

Larry Crino filled in for Jessica who does Headline Sports every other Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces rally late, come up short to Sun, 72-65

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Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

After a strong performance on Friday against Los Angeles, the Aces came out flat and lost to the Connecticut Sun, 72-65, at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay.

“We had players that didn’t get on track,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “Our energy level just wasn’t there.”

“We lacked energy and some lacked effort too,” said A’ja Wilson.

The Aces shot just 21.4% from the field in the first quarter, scoring just eight points. 

Las Vegas also wasn’t able to take care of the ball, committing 14 turnovers.

“Some of our turnovers, they were just throwing the ball away,” said Laimbeer.

A’ja Wilson led the Aces with 14 points, while Chelsea Gray added 13.

“I’m human, I am going to miss shots,” said Wilson after shooting 4 for 13 from the field. “I just need to produce in other ways.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 2-2 on the season and will next play the Mercury in Phoenix on Wednesday, before returning back home on Friday to face the Indiana Fever.


Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com


Game Notes:

  • The Aces shot just 40.7% from the field.
  • Las Vegas was out-rebounded by the Sun, 44-26.
  • Forward Jackie Young was just 2 for 9 from the field for four points.


Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 3 Riquna Williams
C – 8 Liz Cambage
G – 0 Jackie Young
G – 12 Chelsea Gray

Dodgers flex muscles in finale to sweep the Giants 11-5

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshi Tsutsugo hits an RBI-single in the top of the second inning at Oracle Park against the San Francisco Giants on Sun May 23, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-It took until the series finale to see why the Los Angeles Dodgers are the defending World Champions, and have won the last eight National League Western Division Championships.

Gavin Lux hit a grand slam as part of a seven-run third inning, as the Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 11-5 before a crowd of 13,346 at Oracle Park.

With the victory, the Dodgers swept the Giants and leapfrogged them into second place, a game behind the San Diego Padres and the Giants, who entered the weekend in first place, are now in third place and two games behind the Padres.

Julio Urias was cruising along, as he was perfect until Mike Tauchman beat out an infield dribbler with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. After Urias struck out Caleb Baragar for the second out of the inning, Austin Slater broke up the shutout, when he hit a two-run home run, he then gave up a single to Donovan Solano before getting Mike Yastrzemski out on strikes.

Urias went six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, he did not walk a batter and struck out 10 to improve to 7-1 on the season. This was the third career double figure strikeout game for Urias, and the previous two also came this season.

On the other hand, it was a rough day for Anthony DeSclafani, as he last 2.2 innings, allowing 10 runs on nine hits, walking three and striking out three and saw his record fall to 4-2 on the season.

It was in that third inning, that the Dodgers blew the game open, as they batted around scored seven runs on five hits and the big blow was the Lux grand slam and it was the second grand slam of the week and his career. Lux also hit a grand slam on Tuesday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.

Yoshi Tsutsugo got the Dodgers scoring going in the top of the second inning, as he singled to right field to score Will Smith. After DeSclafani was able to get DJ Peters to strikeout, Urias hit a two-run double over the head of Yastrzemski to lengthen the Dodgers lead.

Max Beaty got in on the act in the top of the third inning, as he singled to score Max Muncy, Chris Taylor then singled in Smith and after Tsutsugo grounded out for the first out of the inning, Peters was intentionally walked to bring up Urias with the bases loaded and beat out an infield hit to Beaty and then Lux unloaded them with one swing of the bat.

The Giants cut into the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, as they scored three runs in the frame. Donovan Solano hit a sacrifice fly that scored Tauchman from third base, Tauchman walked to lead off the inning, went to third on a pinch-hit double by Steven Duggar.

Slater then walked and then Solano hit a sacrifice fly to score Tauchman, and then Yastrzemski hit a two-run double to score Duggar and Slater.

Over the final 6.1 innings, the Giants allowed just one run in just two hits, walking one and striking out two.

NOTES: This rivalry between the Giants and the Dodgers that goes back to the 1890s has been one sided over the past few years.

Since September 8, 2019, the Giants are now 4-13 over the past 17 games against the Dodgers and have been outscored 100-40 during that stretch.

Sam Selman, who was optioned to Sacramento just yesterday was recalled from the Rivercats to replace Matt Wisler, who was placed on the bereavement list.

Thank you to Dodgers beat writer Bill Plunkett of the Orange County Register for this tidibit.

Dennis Santana, the reliever for the Dodgers, who pitched the ninth inning in the finale is named for two basketball players, one who is a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame, and his middle name associated with a notable NBA Player and current NCAA Basketball Coach.

He is named after Dennis Rodman, who won five NBA Championships with the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls and also played for the San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.

Santanas father, who is obviously a big basketball fan and his middle name is Anfernee after Anfernee Penny Hardaway, who is the current basketball coach at the University of Memphis.

UP NEXT: After an off-day on Monday, the Giants head out on the road and the trip begins with a two-game stop in Arizona against the Diamondbacks and then onto Los Angeles to face the Dodgers in a four-game series beginning on Thursday.

Special teams key Silver Knights 4-2 victory over Barracuda, sweep series

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The San Jose Barracuda battling it out with the Henderson Silver Knights in game 2 of the Pacific Division Finals at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas on Sun May 23, 2021 (@sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

LAS VEGAS, Nev.–The Henderson Silver Knights scored three goals off of special teams en route to defeat the San Jose Barracuda 4-2 on Sunday afternoon at Orleans Arena.

Henderson swept the best of three series and now will wait to host the winner of the San Diego Gulls-Bakersfield Condors semifinal series in the Pacific Division Finals. The winner of that series receives the John D. Chick trophy. San Jose ends their season having lost their last five games against the Silver Knights.

San Jose drew first blood on the first shot of the game just 40 seconds into the first period. Jacob Middleton threw a puck up to the neutral zone that sprung a two-on-one rush with Jake McGrew and Jayden Halbgewachs. McGrew skated down the left slot and snapped home a wrist shot past Silver Knights goalie Logan Thompson for his second goal of the playoffs.

Ivan Chekhovic was injured during a collision with a Brayden Pachal inside the Silver Knights zone with 10:45 left in the first period. Pachal was given a five-minute major for interference. It appeared Pachal delivered a knee-on-knee hit to Chekhovich. Kyle Topping received a penalty for roughing Pachal after the whistle was blown.

Chekhovic didn not return to the game.

Henderson answered back with a short-handed goal while killing the major penalty to Pachal. Gage Quinney carried the puck out its own zone and skated down the right wing where he used Robby Russo as a screen as he fired a wrist shot that beat ‘Cuda goalie Josef Korenar to the far side for his first goal of the playoffs at the 12:26 mark. Kaedan Korczak received the only assist on the play.

Quinney had three short-handed goals during the regular season.

Henderson gained its first lead of the game early in the second period. Paul Cotter sent a pass up to center ice over to Tomas Jurco from inside his own zone. Jurco skated in made a move and beat Korenar with a wrist shot for his first goal of the playoffs at the 1:59 mark.

The Silver Knights went up 3-1 less than three minutes later with its second short-handed goal of the game. A turnover in the neutral zone led to a two-on-one opportunity led by Danny O’Regan. The ‘Cuda killer haunted his old team once again as his wrist show beat Korenar for his first goal of the playoffs at the 4:47 mark.

San Jose made up for the shortie the gave up with a power play goal late on the man advantage. A shot from the left slot from Middleton was saved by Thompson but the rebound bounced around the crease. Maxim Letunov crashed the net and cleaned up the rebound with a backhander past Thompson for his second goal of the playoffs at the 6:24 mark.

The Silver Knights regained its two-goal lead with a power play goal of its own halfway through the second period. Ryan Murphy found O’Regan along the right slot. O’Regan’s initial shot was blocked but he followed up his own shot and put home the rebound past Korenar for his second goal of the game at the 9:06 mark.

The third period went scoreless as Henderson out shot San Jose nine to eight.

Thompson finished the game stopping 30 of the 32 shots he faced to earn the victory. Korenar suffered his second straight loss as he made 24 saves on 28 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1-for-5 on the power play. Henderson was 1-for-4.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) O’Regan 2) Jurco 3) Quinney

A’s top Angels 6-2; Bassitt pitches seven plus for the win

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Oakland A’s starter Chris Bassitt throws against the Los Angeles Angels line up in the first inning on his way to a win at Angels Stadium on Sat May 22, 2021 (AP News photo)

A’s Top Angels In Game Two

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Oakland A’s (28-19) beat the Los Angeles Angels (19-27) 8-4 at Anaheim 8-4. After two back to back losses to the Houston Astros, the A’s showed some definite signs of getting back on track with their first win against the Angels. Game Two on Saturday would be the deciding factor.

Were they really back to the play that kept them in first place in their division for weeks? Yes they were as A’s starter Chris Bassitt threw seven plus innings and held the Angels to only two runs in the 6-2 victory at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.

The Angels despite their recent struggles are still a very good ball club. A second win for the A’s would be a very promising sign that this team is back to their winning ways.

Chris Bassitt was on the mound for Oakland and Patrick Sandoval opened for the Angels. The A’s would rebound.

The A’s first inning was a good one. Mark Canha hit a triple and he scored when Matt Chapman hit a sacrifice fly. Oakland had an early 1-0 lead. Canha had a double in the third inning and would score to extend Oakland’s lead to 2-0.

Then the green and gold homeruns came to life. Matt Olson had one in the sixth inning and Aramis Garcia had a second homerun in the seventh inning for a 4-0 A’s lead. Oakland’s Seth Brown would add a third homer with Tony Kemp on base and the A’s now led 6-0. So far in this series the A’s had seven home runs and seven doubles.

It sure looked like Oakland was cruising to their second win in this series. After seven innings Chris Bassitt was still on the mound. He already had six strikeouts and continued to throw hard in the eighth inning with an 85 pitch count. He was having a great outing.

The Angels got on the board in the eighth inning when Lagares and Iglesias scored trailing Oakland 6-2. After Ohtani hit a triple Chris Bassitt left the game. There were two outs when Petit came into the game and it would be up to him to get that third out. That third out was realized in quick order and this game would go into the ninth inning,

Diekman would come in to save this game. It would be a three up, three down and into the clubhouse for Oakland to celebrate their second win in the series. Tomorrow the A’s will go for the sweep. With the Astros and the Mariners both losing the A’s were taking advantage of the inter division schedule.

Sunday the A’s will start Sean Manea (3-2 ERA 4.41) and starting for the Angels Dylan Bundy (0-5 ERA 6.02) will be on the mound for Game Three. First pitch is at 1:07 PM.