Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: Lots of home runs for A’s edge Twins in ninth 7-6

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Oakland A’s get a one run win over the Minnesota Twins on Sun May 16, 2021 at Target Field in Minneapolis to close the three game series (@Athletics image)

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara:

#1 One thing you could say about the A’s they know how to save the best for the last part of the show avoiding going extra innings and getting a key run in the top of the ninth for a one run 7-6 win.

#2 Barbara, the game went back and forth the Twins were ahead at one time 4-1 and the A’s had a four run fifth to take the lead 5-4 and picked up a run in the top of the seventh and for a 6-4 lead. The Twins tied up the game in the bottom of the eighth scoring two runs.

#3 The A’s coming back to win in the top of the ninth no doubt tells you they have a good club and ball club that never gives up.

#4 The A’s also hit four homers in the game to give A’s starter Frankie Montas and the bullpen some cushion for the win.

#5 Starting pitchers for Tuesday night in Oakland vs. the visiting Houston Astros Cristan Javier (0-3 ERA 3.08) and for the A’s Sean Manaea will have another go after getting drubbed in his last outing against the Boston Red Sox at the Oakland Coliseum (3-2 ERA 4.40)

Join Jessica next Sunday for Headline Sports at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Giants pitcher Wood keeping opposition off balance

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The San Francisco Giants Mauricio Dubon puts on a defensive show by falling over the field signboard to make a catch on the Pittsburgh Pirates Kevin Newman in the fifth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Morrris:

#1 Morris you got to give it to San Francisco Giants (24-16) starter Alex Wood he’s certainly become the ace of not only the Giants but the National League getting a 4-1 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates (17-23) on Sunday.

#2 In six innings of work Wood gave up eight hits and one earned run and had one of those starts where he looked like he could have pitched the whole game.

#3 Wood’s ERA is now 1.75 and his runs allowed totaled shows what kind of control he’s had and no doubt he’s had a tremendous two months in the starting rotation for the Giants.

#4 The Giants got some handy work on offense with Mike Yastrzemski who hit a two run homer in the ninth inning, catcher Buster Posey had three hits.

#5 Starting pitchers for Monday for the Giants Logan Webb (2-3 ERA 4.74) and for the Cincinnati Reds Sonny Gray (0-2 ERA 3.55)

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

Utah Jazz Crush the Kings In Season Finale 121-99

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The Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) throws down on the Sacramento Kings at Golden One Center in Sacramento on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

Utah Jazz Crush the Kings In Season Finale 121-99

By Barbara Mason

Sunday evening the Sacramento Kings took on the first place Utah Jazz. It has been a very long season for the team and now they find themselves playing in their last game of the 2020-21. They will be playing for pride and the chance to knock the Jazz out of top seed position.

Sacramento will take the court in this final game of the season without De’Aaron Fox, Harrison Barnes and Tyrese Haliburton. Taking on the Jazz without these guys was a huge challenge.

The Kings played a good first quarter and led at the end of it 28-25. The Jazz were just getting warmed up and at the half led 64-49. Utah was just getting warmed up.

By the end of the third quarter the Jazz had complete control of this game leading 97-73 Utah was cruising and it was easy to see why this team is the number one seed in the Western Conference.

The Jazz finished off the Kings in the fourth quarter sailing to a 121-99 win. The Jazz will head off into the playoffs and the Kings will focus on where the team is headed next season.

Damian Jones had the high score for the Kings finishing with 19 points. Buddy Hield had 13. Terence Davis had 20 points off the bench playing 32 minutes.

The season may be over for the Sacramento Kings but the future of so many of their players remains bright. I really see an improved Kings in the 2021-2022 season. I predict more than 31 wins, a whole lot more, as well as a breakthrough into next year’s playoffs.

Barbara Mason, Jeremiah Salmonson, Charlie O, Ana Kieu, Marko Ukalovic, and Tony Renteria covered, podcasted, or analyzed the Sacramento Kings for the 2021 season for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s survive two Twins comebacks, and win 7-6 at Target Field

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By Morris Phillips

The A’s 7-6 win over the Twins Sunday wasn’t wild solely based on the game’s dramatic ebbs and flows, but also because numerous pitches were wild, and timely enough to decide the game’s outcome.

Oh yeah, and the umpiring was wild enough to have the A’s declare this a win against all odds.

“If you want to look at one game and say ‘what are the Oakland A’s made of?’ this was the game,” starting pitcher Chris Bassitt said. “I mean, every single thing went against us… and we still won.”

The A’s needed responses to a pair of Minnesota comebacks, the second of which concluded with Ramon Laureano scoring the winning run in the ninth on Taylor Rogers’ wild pitch. Matt Chapman actually struck out swinging on the pitch that crossed up catcher Mitch Garver, with the ball bounding all the way to the backstop, then up the first base line.

The setup for the dramatic, go-ahead run could have been an A’s hard-earned hit-and-run single, but it wasn’t. Instead, the Twins’ Josh Donaldson dropped Rogers throw off a come-backer that was tailor-made for an inning-ending double play. That set the A’s up with the go-ahead run at third with one out.

“Probably could have been better on my part,” Rogers said, not particularly enthusiastic about reliving a nightmare ninth inning. “Probably could have been caught on his part. I don’t know. It is what it is. No sense in looking at it, because it ain’t changing.”

The decisive ninth encompassed all of the weekend’s storylines: the Twins desperate to climb out of a dismal start to the season, and build on a dramatic, Saturday night win, couldn’t, while the far more fortunate, first-place A’s found a way to keep things rolling.

To wit, the Oakland offensive attack was quite unconventional for 2021: no homers, no run-scoring doubles, instead base hits, sac flies, advancing runners –and thanks to the home team–take full advantage of opponent’s mistakes. Incredibly, again given how teams attack these days, the A’s scored all seven runs one at a time with at least one base runner aboard each time.

Unconventional? Elvis Andrus found himself in a run down in between third and home, one out and the A’s trailing by a run in the fifth. Dead to rights, right? But the veteran Andrus took advantage of rookie Twins catcher Ben Rortvedt, by inducing a quick throw to third, then reversing ground to home, and slyly brushing Rortvedt, who wasn’t savvy enough to concede the baseline.

The call? Catcher’s interference, an Andrus scores to tie the game. Resourceful? You bet, leaving manager Bob Melvin to marvel at his team’s resolve.

“People keep asking me about how you respond from something like (Saturday’s loss). Guys keep doing it. A lot of heart on this team,” Melvin said.

Bassitt pitched five innings that were anything but smooth. In the second, he hit two batters, which conveniently set the table for Max Kepler’s three-run homer. The veteran pitcher then saw his pitch count explode through three innings, with 52 of his 61 pitches expended in the second and third.

But he continued to battle, somehow getting through five innings without exposing the Oakland bullpen early.

The A’s finish their brief trip to Boston and Minneapolis at 4-2 and now return to the Coliseum for Tuesday’s showdown with the second-place Astros.

Curry pours in 46 points leads W’s to sixth win in a row 113-101

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The Golden State Warriors forward Kent Bazemore offers guard Stephen Curry a drink to cool off from his 46 point night against the Memphis Grizzlies at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (39-33) played the final game of the regular season Sunday afternoon at the Chase Center in San Francisco against the Memphis Grizzlies (38-34). The teams were tied with identical season records 38-33. The winner of the game would be the eighth team in the Western Conference.

The loser would be the ninth. In the new NBA play-in format, the eighth team plays the number seven. The winner of that game becomes the number seven seed and will face the second-best team in the conference in the first round of the playoffs.

The loser will face the winner of the game between number nine and number ten. The loser of that game is done for the season. The winner meets the loser of number eight or number seven. The winner then becomes the eighth seed and faces the team with the best record. The whole play-in formula sounds confusing, but after Sunday’s game, things are a bit clearer. The Warriors helped explain what will happen as they beat the Grizzlies 113-101.

The Warriors, led by Stephen Curry, had to find a way to slow down the Grizzlies in the fourth quarter. The Warriors ended the third quarter leading by 17, 86-69. The Grizzlies had bottled up Curry in the first half. They held him to 13 points, and they trailed at the end of the first half, 55-49. Curry came to life in the third quarter when he put 17 points on the board. The Warriors seemed to be on their way to an easy victory.

However, the Warriors have to be wary of a fourth-quarter letdown. The Grizzlies’ young star, Dillon Brooks, went on a personal 8-0 run to make it 86-77 game. Curry made a three and a deuce to put the W up 91-79. The Grizzlies put their offense into overdrive as they continued to put points on the board while stopping the Warriors on defense.

They tied the game at 91-91, finishing a 22-5 run. The question at this point was this: can the Warriors regroup and find a way to win? The question was answered when Dillon Brooks fouled Draymond Green. Brooks, who covered Curry like a blanket, was gone.

Green made the two free throws to make it 93-91. Memphis responded by going ahead 97-95. The Warriors’ Jordan Poole started a 14-0 run with a three. Andrew Wiggins scored to give the Warriors the lead 100-97. Curry showed the Grizzlies why he is the best shooter in the game. Curry made three consecutive threes to give Golden State a 12-point lead 109-97. The Grizzlies were toast. They could not catch Golden State. The Warriors win 113-101.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors will face either the Portland Trailblazers or the Los Angeles Lakers Wednesday night. A Laker loss and a Portland win will send the Warriors to Portland. If the Lakers win, the Warriors will face the Lakers at the Staples Center. If the Warriors win the play-in game, they will be the seventh seed. If they lose, they will host the winner of the game between Memphis and San Antonio for the eighth seed.

Curry joined Michael Jordan as the only two players 33 years or older to win the NBA scoring title. Curry finished the season with an average of 31.8 points per game. Curry finished the night with 46 points. It was the 11th game this season with 40 or more points. It was the 38th game with 30 or more points. 

Curry had help from Green, Andrew Wiggins, Jordan Poole, and Juan Toscano-Anderson. Green’s line was 14 points, nine boards, and nine assists. He almost had a triple-double. Wiggins had a double-double- with 21 points and ten rebounds. Wiggins continued to be consistent on both ends of the court.

Poole had 15. The Warriors shot almost 50% from the floor. They connected on 15 threes. Curry knocked down nine of the 15 threes. Quite a performance for the two-time NBA MVP. The Warriors outrebounded the taller Grizzlies 52-48. The Warriors recorded 26 assists on 41 made field goals. The only ugly stat was the 19 turnovers.

The Grizzlies’ Jonas Valenciunas paced his club with 29 points and 16 rebounds. Dillon Brooks had 18, Ja Morant 16, Kyle Anderson 10, and Jaren Jackson 14. The Grizzlies shot 43% from the floor, and they made six threes in 25 attempts.

The Warriors won their sixth game in a row to finish the season 39-33. The Grizzlies are 38-34. The Warriors’ next game is Wednesday night, either in Portland or Los Angeles.

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: What Puljos role with Dodgers will be; South African Rugby star killed by Honolulu police

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New Los Angeles Dodger first baseman Albert Pujols is ready to put his days with the Anaheim Angels behind him as he returns to the National League after signing a deal with the Dodgers on Sat May 16, 2021 (file photo from the Boston Globe)

On Headlines with Jessica:

#1 Former Anaheim Angel Albert Pujols has signed on with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the rest of the season. Pujols who signed a MLB agreement with the Dodgers on Saturday could be joining the club as soon as Sunday as the Dodgers host the Miami Marlins at Dodgers Stadium.

#2 The circumstances around Pujols departure from the Angels is still suspect as nobody is really talking about how Pujols left but all agreed it was not a positive parting of the ways. USA Today reported on the day of his release that Pujols was confrontational with Angels manager Joe Maddon, team president John Caprino, and general manager Perry Minasian whom all denied there was any confrontation regarding Pujols complaining of a lack of playing time.

#3 In Rugby News the New York Times reported that South African Rugby player Lindani Myeni was shot and killed by Honolulu Police because they thought he was a burglary suspect. Myeni a black South African was reportedly trying to enter a unnamed woman’s home. The woman called 911 and said someone was trying to enter her home and police showed up. Myeni asked them “who are you?” after being told to lie on the ground and was shot four times and then police shouted “police.” Myeni’s wife who was in South Africa at the time said that Myeni might have mistaken the house for a Hare Krishna temple that next door to the house.

#4 Former Los Angeles Laker Kobe Bryant was inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame on Saturday during the induction speech Kobe’s wife Vanessa mentioned that Kobe had a turbulent relationship with his parents and later extended an olive branch towards them. Bryant’s parents were in attendance during the induction.

#5 At the Preakness Stakes on Saturday Rombauer outran Midnight Bourbon and Medina Spirit. Medina Spirit who lead wire to wire in the Kentucky Derby finished third as Rombauer put the hoof to the metal and won the last final yards. There will be no Triple Crown winning horse this year.

Join Jessica for Headline Sports Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:Albert Pujols a Dodger Not a Vanity signing

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Albert Puljos on Thu Apr 22, 2021 swinging against the Houston Astros is now a Los Angeles Dodger after signing on Sat May 15, 2021. Keeping the future Hall of Famer in the Southland for the rest of this season. (AP News photo)

Albert Pujols a Dodger Not a Vanity signing

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Why the Los Angeles Dodgers did signed Albert Pujols? They had room for him. As simple as that. Plus they can use him, this was not a “vanity signing” because he is a Hall of Famer in waiting and the currently active player with the most home runs.

The Dodgers were hit by the injury bug; most recently they lost their great shortstop Corey Seager who fractured his right hand on a hit-by-pitch this Saturday by Marlins pitcher Ross Detwiler. That was a big blow to the reigning World Champs who are also without the services of starting pitcher Dustin May, out the remainder of the season with Tommy John surgery, pitcher David Price is expected to return this week, also out is young Edwin Ríos who can play first and third base among a bevy of other injuries to their players, including their star center fielder Cody Bellinger.

Yet, the Dodgers could still be the team to beat in that Western Division of the National League. Even without the services of Dustin May the Dodgers have a formidable pitching rotation with; Trevor Bauer, Walter Buheler, Julio Urias and Clayton Kershaw The fortunes in baseball can shift very quickly.

The season began with a healthy Los Angeles Dodgers team, who right-of-the-gate, won 13 of their first 16 games and like in one of Sinatra’s many great songs, “That’s Life” says on its lyrics, “riding high in April, shutdown in May”. The Albert Pujols signing was a great deal for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Angels are on the hook for Albert Pujols $30 million this season while the Dodgers will only pay Pujols a prorated league minimum. Pujols stays in Southern California where he still has his permanent residence and gets a chance to go to a World Series again since his days with the Cardinals and something he couldn’t do in his tenure with the Angels.

His ex-team, the Angels, are now in the cellar and although a very good offensive team, they still lack the pitching to contend with the Astros and the Athletics. At the end, it could be a blessing for Albert Pujols that the Angels let him go. He said he still can play, he will get the chance with the Dodgers.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for all the play by play of Oakland A’s baseball on the A’s Spanish flagship station 1010 KIQI LaGrande San Francisco and News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Yaz’ two run homer helps Giants split with Bucs 4-1; Wood’s win now 5-0 for SF

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Alex Wood delivers a first inning pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates line up at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sun May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

The San Francisco Giants were not about to let the Pittsburgh Pirates take the series on Sunday afternoon. After allowing the Pirates walk-off victories on Friday and Saturday, the Giants with Alex Wood pitching six innings and maintaining his perfect record beat Pittsburgh 4-1 to split the four-game series at PNC Park.

Wood (6-0) gave up one run, struck out six and walked one. Mike Yastrzemski hit a two-run homer to right-center field off David Bednar in the ninth inning to boost San Francisco’s lead to 4-1. Yastrzemski’s play sealing the Giants’ victory came after he missed Saturday’s game due to side soreness.

In the first inning, San Francisco scored a run on a grounder. Pirates outfielder Ka’ai Tom tied the game in the fourth with a sacrifice fly.

Buster Posey had three hits as well as a walk. Evan Longoria had a single off Mitch Keller in the sixth inning and broke the tie with a run on a wild pitch by reliever Clay Holmes.

Giants sidearmer Tyler Rogers allowed no runs in the ninth inning and nabbed his fourth save. But San Francisco left a runner on base in every inning except the last one and stranded 10.

The difference between Friday and Saturday, versus Sunday, was that Caleb Baragar, Rogers and Matt Wisler did what the relievers in the two losses could not.

With a 24-16 record, the Giants still lead the NL West.

San Francisco on Sunday also reinstated Alex Dickerson from the injured list and optioned LaMonte Wade Jr to the Sacramento River Cats. Brandon Belt, who has been experiencing side tightness, was scratched.

The Giants continue their road trip on Monday with the first of a four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds. First pitch is at 3:40 p.m.

—

Timbers take down Earthquakes in 2-0 shutout win

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San Jose Earthquakes forward Andres Rios heads the futbol away as the Portland Timbers defender Bill Tuiloma (25) is right behind to defend at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat May 15, 2021 (AP News photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–Missed opportunities were theme of the match as the Portland Timbers defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in a 2-0 shutout on Saturday evening at Pay Pal Park.

San Jose have lost two games in a row after starting the season winning three of its first four games. Portland snapped its three game losing streak.

Portland (2-3-1) drew first blood early in the first half. Eyrk Williamson dribbled in from 20 yards out and found Yimmi Charra who chipped the ball over Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski for his first goal of the season in the 5th minute.

Quakes head coach Matias Almedya made numerous changes to his starting lineup. Paul Marie was back in the starting lineup at left back for San Jose after suffering an injury. Oswaldo Alanis returned back to center back. Andy Rios started in place for Chofis at forward.

San Jose (3-3-0) played a sloppy first half where the team weren’t in sync when trying to attack throughout the half. Numerous careless, nonchalant passes led to turnovers and counter attacks by Portland that turned into scoring chances for the visiting team.

Despite having a two-thirds to one-third advantage in possession play, San Jose weren’t able to generate many quality scoring chances during the opening 45 minutes.

The Quakes best chance to score came in the 32nd minute. Cristian Espinoza’s free kick from the left wing was knocked away by Timbers goalkeeper Logan Ketterer. Best scoring chance of half so far.

Pablo Bonilla appeared to have tripped Remedi inside the box which would have resulted in a penalty shot but referee Tim Ford said no harm no foul and the play resulted in a goal kick for Portland in the 43rd minute.

Portland earned two yellow cards in the first half thanks to some reckless abandon play from Bill Tuiloma and Dario Zuparic. Both made separate dangerous fouls in the 24th minute and 42nd minute.

The Timbers came out with an aggressive style of play to start the second half. They had generated five scoring chances in the first 10 minutes of the second half, including a point blank save by Marcinkowski on a shot by Felipe Mora right in center of the box.

San Jose was awarded a penalty kick in the 61st minute when a centering attempt by Carlos Fierro was knocked away by Timbers defender Claudio Bravo with a hand ball.

Chris Wondolowski, who came in as a subsitute in the 58th minute, shot the penalty kick to the far right corner of the net but Ketterer made a diving save for a corner kick.

Ketterer, who was playing for the USL’s El Paso Locomotive, received a call up due to an extreme hardship rule as both Portland goalkeepers were out due to injury.

Almeyda’s substitutions of Chofis, Shea Salinas, Jack Skahan and Benji Kikanovic injected life in the Quakes attack as they generated momentum for San Jose as they created scoring chances inside the Timbers defensive zone in a ten-minute span from the 60th minute to the 70th.

Portland doubled its lead on a counter attack in the 74th minute. Williamson sent a cross from the right slot and Marvin Loria headed the ball past Marcinkowski into the back of the net for his first goal of the season.

Williamson has three points in five games for the Timbers.

The Quakes had a chance to cut the lead in half in the 80th minute after corner kick pinballed around inside the box and Wondo’s header from six yards out was knocked away by Kedderer at the last second to end the threat.

Kedderer stopped all five shots, including the penalty kick on the MLS all-time leading goal scorer, on target to earn his first MLS career victory. Marcinkowski made three saves on five shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose had 12 corner kicks. Portland had four.

Portland leads the overall series against San Jose 16-5-8. The Quakes are 5-4-5 at home versus the Timbers.

The last win for the Quakes over the Timbers was April 6, 2019, when the Quakes shutout Portland
3-0 at PayPal Park.

UP NEXT: San Jose finish off its three-game homestand when they host Sporting KC on Saturday 5/22 at 7:00pm at Pay Pal Park.

Giants drop second straight game to Bucs 8-6

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The Pittsburgh Pirates Jacob Stallings belts a two run home run off San Francisco Giants reliever Jake McGee in the ninth inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sat May 16, 2021 (AP News photo)

By London Marq

While the national media have had their eyes glued to Southern California’s National League teams, the San Diego Padres and the Los Angeles Dodges, it has been the northerners the San Francisco Giants who have secured the top spot in the Division entering play today.

Leading the West, even at this early stage in the season is an achievement in itself given how stacked the division is. If they can play well now, it will only build momentum for them later in the year when it really counts. The Giants dropped their second straight game to the Pirates on Saturday night 8-6 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.

On the road in Pittsburgh, they confidently jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning. The Pirates allowed two home runs in the first inning alone. The first, Darin Ruf’s solo shot gave them a one-run lead. A few batters later, Brandon Crawford belted a ball into the right-center bleachers for a two run homer, rounding out the rough start for the Pirates starter, Tyler Anderson

Two innings later with two outs and two men on base, Mauricio Dubon sent a ground ball through the gap and into right field to score Ruf to give the Giants a four run lead 4-0.

The Pirates would have their day however. Playing station-to-station Gonzalez and Tom got hits to push across two RBI’s in the fifth inning to narrow the lead. The Giants would see Tauchman hit yet another two-run homer in the sixth. Despite all the homers and early success, the late success would come from the Pirates.

Behind some clutch hitting and a wild pitch from the Giants Camilo Doval the Pirate snatched four runs in the seventh and tied the game at six a piece. The score would hold and threaten extra innings into the bottom of the ninth. Jacob Stallings hit a two-run walk off home, sending the Giants back to the hotel room for long night of contemplation after blowing a four run lead.

Still leading the NL West by one game, the Giants will have to find a way to get back in the win column to bolster their lead. Tomorrow the Giants play the Pirates for the final game of the four game series. With a win they could tie the series up, and restore some confidence. Either way, they’ll be onto Cincinnati face the Reds on Monday.

Starting pitchers for Sunday for the Giants Alex Wood (4-0 ERA 1.80) for the Pittsburgh Pirates Mitch Keller (2-4 ERA 7.81) a 10:00 AM PDT