Sporting KC rolls past Earthquakes 3-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Visiting Sporting KC came in and took care of business against the San Jose Earthquakes at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat May 22, 2021 (@BlueTestamentKC photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–Sporting KC scored three unanswered goals as they came back from an early deficit to defeat the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 on Saturday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose has lost three matches in a row after winning three of its first four games. Sporting KC have won two in a row and have outscored their opponent 6-1 in its last two matches.

The Earthquakes (3-4-0) grabbed the momentum early as they drew first blood in the fourth minute. Sporting KC conceded a corner kick. Off the set piece, Cristian Espinoza served the ball outside the box from the left end. Chofis gathered the ball, made one touch before chipping a shot into the upper left corner for his second goal of the season past Sporting KC goalie Tim Melia.

Sporting KC (4-2-1) answered back in the 15th minute thanks to a nice individual play by Alan Pulido, who was a thorn in the side of San Jose all game long. Pulido won a ball off Paul Marie and threaded a pass between three Quakes defenders over to Jaylin Lindsey. The Sporting KC defender got behind Cade Cowell and tapped the ball past Quakes goalie JT Marcinkowski, who challenged the shot, into the lower left corner for his first goal of the season.

Sporting KC were able to keep the momentum on their side for most of the first half thanks to some sloppy turnovers by San Jose.

Each goaltender made a big save in the opening 45 minutes. Melia stopped a chance from Cowell in the 24th minute making a sliding two-hand save on Cowell’s shot from 10 yards out. Marcinkowski made a kick out save on Pulido after a Quakes turnover led to a mini breakaway for Pulido down the center of the box.

San Jose held a slight edge in possession in the first half with a 51%-49% margin. Sporting KC out shot San Jose eight to four also in the first half.

The second half was tale of the Quakes missing out on its opportunities and Sporting KC taking advantage of theirs.

In the 59th minute, Chofis made nice serve into the middle where a wide open Andy Rios mistimed his header wide left instead of into an empty net.

Just a minute later, Sporting KC’s counter attack led to the game winning goal.  Dániel Sallói dribbled down the right wing before making a cross pitch pass over to Pulido. The native of Cuidad Victoria, Mexico made one move left before going right and firing the ball off the leg of Tommy Thompson that went under the crossbar in the upper right corner for his fourth goal of the season.

Another missed opportunity for San Jose came in the 72nd minute when Paul Marie made a nice move down the right wing and centered a ball into the box where a wide open Chris Wondolowski fired the ball wide left instead of into an empty net.

Sporting KC put the game away with its third unanswered goal three minutes later off another counter attack. This time it was Pulido setting up Sallói. Pulido dribbled in from the mid-line down the right side. He fed Sallói who made a one touch before bending the ball into the right corner past Marcinkowski for his third goal of the season.

Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda could only look on in helpless frustration as Sporting KC had his team on their heels for the majority of the match.

Melia finished the match with four saves, including the Quakes final good scoring chance when he stopped a point blank shot from Jackon Yueill in the 84th minute, on five shots to earn his fourth victory. Marcinkwoski (3-4) made four saves on seven shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had eight corner kicks. Sporting KC had two.

Chofis’ goal in the fourth minute snapped an 187 minute goal less draught by San Jose.

San Jose has scored eight goals at home, the most in the MLS.

The Quakes have conceded three goals after the 75th minute, also the most in MLS.

Wondo, who substituted in the 65th minute for Rios, made his 350th appearance for the Quakes.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels to Los Angeles to begin a three-game road trip as the take on the Galaxy on Saturday 5/29 at 4:00pm at Dignity Health Sports Park.

Kazmir makes a comeback in Giants loss; Giants drop second game to LA 6-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants pitcher Scott Kazmir throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers line up in the first inning on Sat May 22, 2021 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-When Scott Kazmir last took the mound as a pitcher in the major leaguer, it was for the Los Angeles Dodgers and it came during the Presidency of Barack Obama.

Kazmir pitched for the Dodgers during the 2016 season, but was out of the game until 2020, when he took the mound for an independent popup league called the Constellation Energy League that was run by Roger Clemens and Greg Swindell. The 37-year old Kazmir pitched for the Reyes del Club, that was managed by former Major League pitcher Dave Eiland.

After Kazmir got the first two outs of the first inning, Max Muncy launched his ninth home run of the season, that landed in McCovey Cove and it helped the Dodgers defeat the San Francisco Giants 6-3 before a crowd of 13,660 at Oracle Park.

Kazmir ended up going four innings, allowing one run on two hits, and striking out two. Muncy also singled off of Kazmir in the top of the fourth inning with one out.

Walker Buehler was cruising for the Dodgers until he got into a jam in the bottom of the seventh inning, when Brandon Crawford led off the inning with a double, then after Brandon Belt stuck out for the first out of the inning, Evan Longoria then hit a bloop single that sent Crawford to third base.

Alex Dickerson then got the Giants on the board, as he singled in Crawford, which brought Mauricio Dubon to the plate as the tying run, but Buehler was able to strikeout Dubon and then ended the inning, when struck out pinch-hitter Darin Ruf to end the threat.

Buehler went seven innings, allowing one run on six hits, walking one and striking out five and raised his record to 3-0 on the season.

The Dodgers got their second run of the game, when Austin Barnes hit his first home run of the season in the top of the fifth inning that stretched the lead up to 2-0.

They added two more runs in the top of the seventh inning, as Max Beaty doubled into the right field corner and when Mike Yastrzemski was unable to handle the ball for an error, Gavin Lux, after he led off the inning with a single. Beaty scored the second run of the inning, as DJ Peters singled.

The Dodgers put the game away in the top of the eighth inning, as they tacked on two more runs, when Albert Pujols singled to center field that scored Justin Turner and sent Muncy to second base. Muncy singled for his third hit of the afternoon in four at-bats.

Buster Posey tried to make a game of it in the bottom of the eighth inning, as he hit his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot that cut the Dodgers lead down to 6-3. Yastrzemski walked just prior to the Posey home run.

NOTES: Prior to the game, the contract for Kazmir was selected from Sacramento, while Sam Selman was optioned to Sacramento and Braden Bishop was designated for assignment.

UP NEXT: Anthony DeSclafani will take the mound in the series finale for the Giants, while Julio Urias will toe the rubber for the Dodgers.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt Harrington: Lightning force elimination game on Panthers; Pens and Isles series all tied up

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers play game 5 of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in Sunrise Florida on Mon May 24, 2021 (photo from nhl.com)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff games for Saturday podcast with Matt:

#1 Florida Panthers @ Tampa Bay Lightning; Lightning lead series 3-1. The Lightning didn’t waste anytime in the first and second periods scoring three goals in the first period and two in the second period to get a 6-2 win and take a 3-1 series lead.

#2 Pittsburgh Penguins @ New York Islanders; Penguins and Isles series tied 2-2. the Islanders scored two goals in both the second and third periods and shut down Sid Crosby and the Penguins offense from getting any chance to to get back into this game winning 4-1.

#3 Montreal Canadiens @ Toronto Maple Leafs; Habs lead series 1-0

#4 Vegas Golden Knights @ Minnesota Wild; Knights lead series 2-1

Join Matt for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Knights present potent offense and defensive goalie Thompson in net

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Barracuda will be battling with everything on the line in game 2 down 1-0 to the Henderson Golden Knights in the AHL Pacific Division semifinals at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas (photo from @sjbarracuda)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The Henderson Silver Knights proving to be the successful AHL minor league affiliate of the Vegas Golden Knights proved why they and their parent club is so successful with a three goal 4-1 convincing win over the San Jose Barracuda on Friday night at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas.

#2 Marko talk about Barracuda goaltender Josef Korenar and who face 30 shots and allowed two goals to the Knights in game one of this playoff round a tough night for Korenar.

#3 The Knights Logan Thompson stopped 22 of 23 shots allowing the Barracuda’s Jayden Halbgewachs the only San Jose goal for the night.

#4 Look out for the Knights Jack Dugan who scored a hat trick scoring two empty netters talk about taking advantage of a short handed situation.

#5 Barracuda and Knights square off again Sunday night at Orleans Arena the Knights are holding the home ice advantage and are coming off a three goal win against from game 1 and after Dugan’s hat trick this team has a strong offense. Can Cuda head coach Roy Sommer and the Barracuda even up this series?

Join Marko for the Barracuda podcast Saturday nights at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Break Two Game Losing Streak Beating Angels 8-4

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Oakland A’s Chad Pinder (4) holds onto the ball after rolling over to hold onto the baseball after Los Angeles Angels Jose Igelesias (4) hit a fly ball on Fri May 21, 2021 at Angel Stadium in Anaheim (AP News photo)

A’s Break Two Game Losing Streak Beating the Angels

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s have gotten off track in their past few games. They dropped two in a row to the Houston Astros falling into second place in their division. They are now a half a game behind Houston after holding down first place for weeks.

The team is now struggling with leaving runners stranded on base. This has haunted them here and there throughout the season. They seemed to have turned it around and then it surfaced again in the Astro series. The A’s hope to leave the memory of the Houston Astros all behind them as they opened a three game series against the Los Angeles Angels with a 8-4 win.

Friday night the A’s began a three game series with the Angels who have trouble of their own with the loss of Mike Trout to injury. Kaprieliian was on the mound for Oakland and for the Angels, Quintana got the nod.

Mark Canha would give the A’s a brief lead in the third inning with his ninth home run of the year but the Angels would answer in the same inning. Jose Iglesias homered to tie up the game 1-1. Again the A’s had left runners on base through the first four innings.

In the top of the sixth inning the A’s got something going. Laureano doubled and Pinder singled. A double by Sean Murphy would drive in Laureano and Pinder. Oakland now led 3-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning. The Angels Jared Walsh would make things very interesting when he homered cutting the A’s lead to 3-2. With two outs Yusmeiro Petit would take over on the mound.

It was a tough inning for Petit allowing hits by Ward, Rojas and a triple by Lagares. Ward and Rojas would both score giving the Angels their first lead of the game 4-3.

In the seventh inning the A’s had a chance to tie up the game but Mark Canha was thrown out at home, the second time for the A’s in this game. Matt Olson was also thrown out at home in the third inning. With two outs in the seventh Chad Pinder would knock the ball out of the park to give the A’s the lead back 6-4. It was time for another pitching change for Anaheim.

Anthony Rendon very nearly tied up the game but Ramon Laureano stole a probable home run hit deep in center field. Laureano leaped up to snag the ball and save the lead for the A’s. We have seen this same play time and time again from the center fielder.

Laureano who was 3 for 3 in this game came to the plate in the top of the ninth inning. He went 4 for 4 hitting a home run extending the A’s lead to 7-4. Oakland was not finished. Jed Lowry hit a homerun and the A’s led 8-4. It was Lowry’s fourth homer of the year.

Lou Trivino was the closer in the bottom of the ninth. The game would end on a very nice defensive play. A double play would hand the A’s the win.

It was a great win and coupled with the Astros and Mariners losing it was good news all-around for Oakland. The A’s and Angels will tangle tomorrow in Game Two. First pitch is at 7:07.

Aces roll over Sparks, 97-69

Published on by psushawnLeave a comment
Photo credit: Shawn McCullough/Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

The Aces played their first game of the season in Las Vegas, beating the Los Angeles Sparks 97-69 at Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay.

Las Vegas got balance scoring from its starting lineup with five players in double digits, led by former Sparks guard Chelsea Gray with 18 points.

“Once we got on a court, it’s team against team,” said Gray.  “As a competitor, you want to win against the team that you left.”

Center Liz Cambage record a double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while A’ja Wilson, Jackie Young and Dearica Hamby each added 17 points.

“That’s who we are,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer on the team’s balance scoring. “We have so many weapons offensively.   You can’t set your defense for any one player.”

In her third season in the WNBA, Jackie Young continues to improve her game.

“I am just trying to do whatever I can to help my team win,” said Young.

In the first three games of the season, A’ja Wilson is averaging 19.7 points per game.

“Three games in, I am please of where we are so far, but we still have a long ways to go,” said Wilson.

With the win, the Aces improved to 2-1 on the season heading into their next game on Sunday against the Connecticut Sun at Mandalay Bay.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com


Game Notes:

  • The Aces shot 53.2% from the field, while holding Los Angeles to just 36.5%.
  • Las Vegas out-rebounded the Sparks 44-28.
  • Guard Kelsey Plum missed her first of likely six games while away playing for USA Basketball’s 3 on 3 team.


Game Starters:

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

Bauer allows just two hits in Dodgers victory 2-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Dodger Trevor Bauer leaves after being relieved in the top of the seventh inning cupping his ear as if to say ” I can’t hear you” to the Oracle Park crowd in San Francisco on Fri May 21, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Alex Wood threw one bad pitch and Chris Taylor took advantage of it and gave the Los Angeles Dodgers a huge victory.

Taylor hit a two-run home run off of Wood in the top of the third inning, as the defending World Champion Dodgers defeated the San Francisco Giants 2-1 at Oracle Park. With the loss, the Giants saw their five-game winning streak comes to an end.

Mookie Betts doubled to center field and then Taylor hit his sixth home run of the season over the center field wall, and that would be all that Trevor Bauer would need.

Bauer, who signed a huge contract with the Dodgers during the off-season and went 6.1 innings, allowing one unearned run on just two hits, walking four and striking out 11, as he improved to 5-2 on the season.

Nate Jones and former Oakland As reliever Blake Treinen went the final 2.2 innings of perfect relief and the Giants fell into a tie for first place, as the San Diego Padres tied the Giants for first place after a win over the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park.

Treinen pitched a perfect ninth inning to notch his second save of the season for the Dodgers, who are 27-18 on the season.

Wood lost for the first time as a member of the Giants, as he went 6.0 innings, allowing those two runs on eight hits, walking two and striking out seven.

The Giants got to Bauer in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Evan Longoria reached on a Bauer throwing error that allowed Mike Yastrzemski score what turned out to be the lone Giants run of the evening.

Yastrzemski walked to lead off the inning, and then Brandon Crawford walked after Buster Posey was called out on strikes for the first out, then Brandon Belt struck out for the second out and then Longoria hit a ball that Bauer that threw away to score Yastrzemski and send Crawford to third and Longoria to second base. Unfortunately, the rally came to a screeching halt, as Alex Dickerson flew out to Betts to end the inning.

That would be the last chance for the Giants, who could muster anything against Nate Jones and Treinen

NOTES: Despite the loss, the Giants have now been in first place for 26 consecutive days, their longest streak since spending 93 consecutive days in first place from mid-May to mid-August of 2016. Over the past four seasons from 2017-2020, the Giants spent only three days in first place in the National League West.

Nick Tropeano was selected from Sacramento, while Camilo Doval was sent to Sacramento and Trevor Hildenberger was designated for assignment.

During the Giants 19-4 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday afternoon at Great American Ballpark, it was just the fourth time since the Giants moved to California in 1958 that scored at least 19 runs and hit four or more home runs in the same game.

The Giants last accomplished the feat on September 1, 2020 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field, when they scored 23 runs and hit four home runs, the Giants scored 19 runs and hit four home runs also at Coors Field on July 1, 2019 against the Rockies. The first time they turned the trick was on July 9, 1988 against the St. Louis Cardinals at Candlestick Park, when they scored 21 runs and hit five home runs.

UP NEXT: The Giants have yet to announce a starter for Saturday afternoon, while Walker Buehler will take the mound for the Dodgers in a 4:15 start that will be shown nationally on FOX (KTVU Channel 2) with Joe Davis and John Smoltz on the call.

Warriors’ season ends lose heartbreaker in overtime to Grizzlies 117-112

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Stephen Curry of the Golden State Warriors looks down at the floor as the Warriors were eliminated by the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Western Conference Play In game at Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday May 21, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (0-2) lost a heartbreaker Friday night to the Memphis Grizzlies (2-0) 117-112. The Warriors lost by three to the Lakers Wednesday night. Had they won the game, they would have been the eighth seed and play the Utah Jazz this Sunday. Could the Warriors rebound?

Did they have enough gas left in the tank to take down the young and hungry Memphis team? The Warriors beat the Grizzlies last Sunday 113-101, and the team was confident they could beat Memphis again. Unfortunately for Golden State, Memphis figured out a way to beat them.

The Grizzlies’ young stars Ja Morant and Dillon Brooks led Memphis to the playoffs. They gave the Warriors all they could handle. Golden State didn’t quit as a late surge in the fourth quarter forced the game into overtime.

The Grizzlies got off to a great start. They were leading 24-14 when Steph Curry went on a personal 10-2 run to bring the Warriors within two, 26-24. Jordan Poole hit a three to give the Warriors a short-lived lead 27-26. Memphis regained the lead to finish the first quarter leading 30-29. 

Things did not go well for the Warriors in the second quarter. Memphis started the quarter on a 15-9 run. They increased the lead to 15, 57-42. The Warriors Stephen Curry made a three, and Jordan Poole made a two-point basket to close within ten, 59-49.

The Grizzlies answered with a three to finish the first half leading 62-49. The Grizzlies outscored the Warriors 32-20 in the period. The Warriors continued to have problems handling the ball. They turned the ball over nine times in the first half to give the Grizzlies 13 points. Curry led the Warriors with 17. No other Warrior were in double figures. The Grizzlies’ bench outscored the Warriors bench 25-11. 

The Warriors’ defense came to life in the third quarter. The Warriors held the Grizzlies to 16 points while scoring 24. The Grizzlies’ Dillon Brooks hounded Curry all night long. Curry and Andrew Wiggins helped the Warriors fightback to finish the third quarter trailing by five, 78-73.

The fourth quarter would be a nailbiter. Memphis upped the lead to nine 97-88 with less than three minutes left in the game. The Warriors went on a 9-0 run tie the game 97-97. Draymond Green, Jordan Poole, and Curry all made key plays on the 9-0 run. Memphis went ahead by two 99-97 with 55 seconds left.

Andrew Wiggins made a bucket to the game 99-99. Memphis had the ball with 33.2 seconds left. The Warriors defense came up with the stop. The Warriors had 9.2 seconds left to make a basket and win the game. They could not score, and the game went into overtime.

Memphis scored the first bucket in OT. Wiggins tied it with a two-pointer to tie the game at 101-101. Curry scored a basket to put the Warriors in the lead 102-101. The Grizzlies’ Grayson Allen connected on two three-point shots to make it 107-103.

Green and Poole made baskets from downtown to give the s the Warriors advantage, 109-107. The Grizzlies’ Xavier Tillman made a three. Ja Morant made two more buckets to put the Grizzlies in the driver’s seat 114-109 with four seconds left. Poole hit a three to cut the lead to two, 114-112. With two seconds left in the game and Memphis had the ball. Desmond Bane scored the final three points of the game. Memphis wins 117-112.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors’ season ended Friday night. The Warriors lost key players to injuries. Klay Thompson will return to action next season. He suffered an Achilles tendon injury in November and worked hard to get back into playing shape.

Rookie center James Wiseman suffered a knee injury, Kelly Oubre, Jr wrist, Eric Paschall hip flexor. The Warriors were down to eight players. Curry had an amazing season and is now a candidate for the NBA’s MVP award. Jordan Poole showed that he could be an offensive threat coming off the bench. Poole was sent down to the G-League. He found his game.

Andrew Wiggins played well on both ends of the court this year. Green, a finalist for Defensive Player of the year, excelled as a point guard. He was third in the league with assists, averaging about nine per game. 

Curry led the Warriors with 39 points. He was 13-for-28 from the floor and connected on six threes. Andrew Wiggins had a double-double with 22 points and ten boards. Green did everything he could to help the Warriors effort. He finished the night with a triple-double.

The Warriors usually never lose when Green has a triple-double. It was the second time in his career that the team lost when he achieved his goal. His line was 11 points, 16 rebounds, and ten assists. Poole had 19, Kent Bazemore ten.

As a team, the W’s shot 44.7% from the floor. They made 12 threes.

Ja Morant led Memphis with 35 points. Dillon Brooks had 13, Jarret Jackson 10. The Memphis bench outscored the Warriors bench 40-27. 

The Warriors committed 21 turnovers. Memphis scored 22 points off those turnovers. 

So, the season ends for Golden State. The team played well down the stretch. Curry was amazing. The team may not be going to the playoffs this year, but there is great anticipation for next season when Thompson, Wiseman, Paschall, and Oubre return. They were fun to watch.

Silver Knights take down Barracuda 4-1 in semifinal opener

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Henderson Silver Knights center Jake Leschyshyn (39) and the San Jose Barracuda defenceman Brinson Pasichnuk (50) scramble for the puck on open ice during game 1 of the Pacific Division Semifinals on Fri May 21, 2021 at Orleans Arena in Las Vegas (@sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

LAS VEGAS, Nev.–The Henderson Silver Knights opened their first ever playoff game with a 4-1 victory over the San Jose Barracuda in game one of the Pacific Division Semifinals on Friday evening at Orleans Arena.

Henderson went up 1-0 in the best of three Pacific Division semifinals series. The Barracuda kept the game close throughout the majority of the game until the Silver Knights put the game away with a couple of empty net goals.

The Silver Knights drew first blood on an even strength goal in the first period. A clearing attempt by ‘Cuda goalie Josef Korenar went out of the reach of Jacob Middleton. Brayden Pachal collected the puck along the right boards and wristed a shot towards the net where Jack Dugan redirected past Korenar for his first goal of the playoffs at the 8:20 mark.

San Jose answered back late in the opening 20 minutes. Jake McGrew fired in a shot from the right wing and Jayden Halbgewachs, who was camped out in front of the crease, tipped home the puck past Silver Knights goalie Logan Thompson for his first goal of the playoffs at the 15:02 mark.

The Barracuda out shot the Silver Knights 11-9 in the first period.

Henderson regained the lead halfway through the second period. Maxim Marushev led a two-on-one odd man rush with Pavel Dorofeyev. Marushev threaded a pass over to Dorofeyev who skated in and slipped a bandhander through the five-hole of Korenar for his first goal of the playoffs at the 10:19 mark.

Dorofeyev scored four of his nine goals during the regular season against San Jose.

Henderson out shot San Jose 14-7 in the middle frame.

San Jose had a chance to score the equalizer with a power play halfway through the third period but weren’t able to capitalize on its only chance with the man advantage.

Dugan iced the game with his two empty net goals at the end of the game. His first empty netter (and second of the game) came at the 18:32 mark. Then he completed the hat trick with his second empty netter with 19 seconds left.

Thompson finished the game with 22 shots on 23 shots to earn the victory. Korenar made 30 saves on 32 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose went 0-for-1 on the power play. Henderson was 0-for-3.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dorofeyev 2) Dugan 3) Thompson

UP NEXT: Game 2 is slated for Sunday 5/23 at 1:00pm at Orleans Arena.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A Revolution in Baseball–  -Beam Me Up Scotty- 

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner throws against the Miami Marlins on Tue May 11, 2021, Bumgarner was effected the new rules and no credited with a no hitter after throwing one for seven innings and had to throw for nine innings for an official no hitter (AP News photo)

A Revolution in Baseball–  -Beam Me Up Scotty- 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Six no-hitters in less than two months into the season!! One by Madison Bumgarner in seven innings, but that doesn’t count according to the new rules. Baseball is on a pace for more strikeouts than ever before in history, and a category-5 hurricane of home runs to go along.

Hitting .300 has become a novelty; various experiments in minor leagues are currently taking place. One going-on is moving the pitching mound one foot further from the plate to 61′ 6″. Doubleheaders of seven inning games, a “free” runner at second-base when you go into extra innings, the clock is taking over, baseball wants a faster pace (so they say) and not necessarily shorter games. Everyplace you look, you can see this is not the baseball of your father or grandfather.

For decades, the US government ignored reports of UFO’s, which the Pentagon refers now as unidentified aerial phenomena, are real. Maybe aliens have something to do with all this crazy stuff going in the game of baseball today. Technology collecting and analyzing massive amounts of baseball data. “Beam me up, Scotty”.

Launch Angle, nothing but a vertical angle on a swing that leaves the bat with one and only one purpose, to hit the ball over the fence. Round-trippers getting…boring? Today’s batting averages are 25 points under all-time averages in the history of the game.

The shift is old already. I have seen how many players starting to adjust (a favorite coach word) to the shift, the defense realignment that moves as many players to one side/or the other of the infield. Slowly but surely some hitters are beginning to find how to hit and beat the shift hitting to the weakest part of the infield. That is good news; it makes it more interesting and less robotic. At least that has a human factor, players can still think for themselves and that is good news.

During the first two months of this 2021 season we have already seen enough, to easily predict this year would be the most revolutionary year in the history of baseball, with records that will make your eyeballs pop out the sockets out of your head. Enough to make Abner Doubleday come out of his grave to die again instantly of a massive heart attack.

Disclaimer: I am not against change, when it makes sense and when you try to keep the game as much possible the way it was intended, but too much “tweaking” destroys the integrity of the game. Baseball is a great game, to me there is no other game like it on earth, it makes you think, there is (or used to be) a lot of strategy, one of the most difficult things was for a player to hit a home-run, a strike-out was something that a player would hate, most pitchers wanted to go all the way and not throw the towel when they reach 100 thrown pitches, the bunt was a way to manufacture a run which in many cases is enough for the win, since this is not fútbol/soccer, there are no tied games.

The clock was the only thing you did not have to look at a baseball game, just like in the gambling floors in Las Vegas casino’s there is no clock so you just gamble away, in baseball you enjoy a day at the park with family and friends and time becomes irrelevant.

Stay well and stay tuned.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish play by play lead announcer on flagship station 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com