Cronenworth and Tatis each go deep as Padres rout SF 11-1

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San Diego Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. left, Tommy Pham, middle, score on a eighth inning triple by Trent Grisham are congratulated by Manny Machado (13) right at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 9, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-It must have seemed that the San Diego Padres were tired of getting pushed around by the San Francisco Giants, so they pushed back in the finale.

Jake Cronenworth hit a two-run home run in the top of the second inning that landed in McCovey Cove, and then four batters later, Fernando Tatis, Jr., made it 4-0, as he hit one deep into the left-center field bleachers and the Padres would go onto defeat the Giants 11-1 before a paid crowd of 10,008 at Oracle Park.

Cronenworths home run was measured at 445 feet and then the Tatis, Jr., home run was measured at 454 feet.

Johnny Cueto in his return to the rotation was roughed up, as he allowed five runs on eight hits, walking one and striking out two in just three innings of work.

Cueto also got into a jam in his final inning of work, as he allowed a double to Manny Machado, Eric Hosmer singled, then Wil Myers drove in the fifth run of the afternoon, as he singled, Cronenworth then walked to load the bases. Luckily for the Giants, Cueto was able to get out of the inning unscathed, as he got Jurickson Profar to pop out to Evan Longoria at third base, Victor Caratini then popped out to Brandon Belt for the second out, and then Cueto and the Giants got out of the inning, when Steven Duggar made a diving catch off the bat of Chris Paddack to end the inning.

Paddack also left after three innings, as he made his first appearance in a game since April 27, 2021 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, as he was out with a medical condition. In those three innings, Paddack did not allow a run, scattered four hits, walked one and struck out four; however, he did not fare in the decision, as he did not go the required five innings.

Ryan Weathers went three innings, allowing one hit, walking one and striking out three in picking up his second win of the season

When Buster Posey singled in the bottom of the sixth inning, he extended his hitting streak up to eight games.

The Giants got the crowd into the game in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Mauricio Dubon hit a double with one out and then Austin Slater singled Dubon to third; however, Emilio Pagan was able to get Mike Tauchman to pop out for the second out and then Mike Yastrzemski struck out to end the inning.

Tatis, Jr., added a second RBI in the top of the eighth inning, as he reached on a Fielders Choice and Victor Caratini scored from second base on a throwing error by Jose Alvarez.

Trent Grisham drove in two more runs, as he tripled to left center that was just out of the reach of Tauchman, who made a diving stab at making a fantastic back handed catch. Eric Hosmer got in on the act, as he singled in Grisham from third.

Brandon Crawford got the Giants on the board in the bottom of the eighth inning, as he hit a sacrifice fly that scored Brandon Belt from third base. Belt walked with one out, and then advanced to third on a double.

The highlight of the day for the Giants fans came in the top of the ninth inning, as Darin Ruf came on to pitch and was treated rudely by Cronenworth, who doubled off the wall near the 365 mark just out of the reach of Yastrzemski. Jurickson Profar then singled, before Ruf got Caratini to fly out to Tauchman for the first out.

Jorge Mateo doubled in Cronenworth, and then Ha-Seong Kim added the second run of the inning, as he hit a sacrifice fly that easily Profar from third base.

Ruf went one inning, allowing two runs on three hits.

NOTES: To make room for Cueto on the roster, the Giants optioned Jason Vosler to triple-A Sacramento.

Cronenworths Splash Home Run was the fourth hit by a Padres since the ballpark opened on April 11, 2000. He joins Ryan Klesko, Brian Giles and Yasmani Grandal in that exclusive club.

It was the fourth Splash Home Run allowed by Cueto as a member of the Giants, tying Madison Bumgarner for the second most allowed and trailing Tim Lincecum, who gave up five as a member of the Giants.

Prior to Ruf pitching, the Giants position player to pitch was Tyler Heineman on August 16, 2020 against the Oakland As, a game that the As won 15-3. Heineman went one inning, allowed one hit.

UP NEXT: Alex Wood looks to get the Giants back on the winning track on Monday night, as they open a brief two-game series with the Texas Rangers. Alex Wood goes for his fourth win of the season for the Giants, while the Rangers will send Kyle Gibson to the mound, as he also looks for his fourth win of the season.

Sharks Fall 5-4 in OT to Coyotes

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San Jose Sharks goaltender Alexei Melnichuk (1) puts the stop on the Arizona Coyotes center Lane Peterson’s (93) putting the puck on net in the second period at SAP Center in San Jose Sat May 8, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks lost 5-4 in overtime to the Arizona Coyotes Saturday. For the Coyotes, it was the last game of the season. Arizona’s five goals came from Christian Dvorak (2), Jan Jenik, Conor Garland and Phil Kessel. Aiden Hill made 44 saves for the win. Rudolfs Balcers, Kevin Labanc, Timo Meier and Alexander Barabanov scored for the Sharks. Alexei Melnichuk made 27 saves in his first NHL start.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner was asked about Rudolfs Balcers. He said:

“He’s another young guy that has probably played, with the schedule, more hockey than he’s ever been used to. And you can tell that some of these guys are hitting a little bit of a wall, physically and mentally. You know, I think once Rudy goes back in the offseason and trains and puts on a little more muscle and comes back after three months or three and a half months, and gets a regular training camp, I think you’re going to see even a better Rudy. He’s made major strides.”

Christian Dvorak scored during some four-on-four time at 3:32 of the first period. After skating away from the Sharks defense, he made his way to the slot and put a shot over Melnichuk’s shoulder. Assists went to Phil Kessel and Oliver Ekman-Larssen.

Rudolfs Balcers tied the game at 6:44. Alexander Chmelesvki carried the puck in along the boards and found Balcers in the slot with a pass. Balcers took the shot and the puck snuck under Hill and trickled over the line. Assists went to Chmelevski and Dylan Gambrell.

Dvorak scored his second of the period on a power play at 11:36. Christian Fischer set Dvorak up with a pass from below the goal line. Dvorak’s shot went by Melnichuk’s glove and in. Assists went to Fischer and Phil Kessel.

Kevin Labanc tied it back up at 15:28. Labanc skated into the zone with the puck while Erik Karlsson drew some attention from the defense. Labanc took the shot above the face-off circle and the puck flew around a defenseman and past Hill, just inside the post.

The Sharks out-shot the Coyotes 19-8 in the first period. The Coyotes had one shot in two power plays, and the Sharks had one shot in one power play in the first period.

Timo Meier gave the Sharks a lead at 5:26 of the second period. Meier caught a pass for Kevin Labanc as he skated into the zone. Fending off Alex Goligoski with one arm while driving to the net, Meier skated in front of the blue paint and pushed the puck around the goalie. Labanc got the assist.

Jan Janik tied it up again with a shot from a bad angle. The puck went behind Melnichuck’s head and hit just inside the far post. Assists went to Christian Fischer and Victor Soderstrom.

The Coyotes out-shot the Sharks 17-14 in the second period. The Sharks’ power play had two shots on goal in the period.

Conor Garland gave the Coyotes another lead at 16:07 of the third period. Garland skated around the defense for a pass in front of the goal. He was able to tuck the puck over the line into the far side. Assists went to Goligoski and Jakob Chychrun.

Alexander Barabanov tied the game again with 49 seconds to go in regulation. With the net empty and an extra skater for the Sharks, Evander Kane sent the puck to Tomas Hertl at the net, and Hertl passed it over to Barabanov just above the goal line. Barabanov took a quick shot into an open net. Assists went to Hertl and Kane.

The Sharks out-shot the Coyotes 14-4 in the third period, and had two shots on one power play.

Phil Kessel scored the game winner 2:30 into overtime. Kessel intercepted Dylan Gambrell’s pass to Erik Karlsson in the neutral zone. He skated into the Sharks zone and put a shot under Melnichuk before the goalie knew where it was.

The Sharks will play their last game of the season on Wednesday in San Jose, against the visiting Vegas Golden Knights at 6:00 PM PT.

Warriors crush OKC Thunder 136-97; Curry unstoppable with 49 points

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Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (30) hits a three pointer while being defended by the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Isaiah Roby (22) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat May 8, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oklahoma City Thunder had the misfortune of playing the Warriors two days after the Warriors beat them by 21 points Thursday night. The Warriors’ all-world performer, Stephen Curry, had another magnificent game.

Curry had all his shots working for him as he led the Warriors to a blowout win 136-97 over the young OKC team. Curry started the game with two threes to give the Warriors an early 6-0 win. He showed the fans and every in the NBA that he continues to be the best shooter in the league’s history. Curry finished the night with 11 threes in 21 tries. The OKC players had to be thankful they don’t play the Warriors again this season.

The Thunder’s only lead came early in the first period. They led 10-8. Curry, along with Draymond Green and Juan Toscano-Anderson, kept the barrage of threes coming. Curry finished with five from downtown in the first quarter. Green had a three-pointer and five points total in the period. JTA was a force on both ends of the court. The Warriors won the quarter 37-25.

The Warriors’ second unit with Jordan Poole, Mychael Mulder, Kent Bazemore kept the pedal on the gas tank. The Warriors led OKC 55-35 when Green, Andrew Wiggins, and Curry checked in. Green made two threes. Curry connected on his sixth three of the first half, and the Warriors led by 25 points 74-48.

The Thunder, if they had any chance to win the game, had to win the third quarter. It was not going to be easy as Curry and the first unit were on the floor to start the period. The Warriors stopped the OKC offense as Golden State won the third quarter 33-19 to increase to lead 106-67. The game was over. A team can’t overcome a 39-point deficit with 12 minutes left to play.

Curry and Green did not have to play in the fourth quarter. Most players in the NBA are probably drooling over Curry’s performance. Curry’s brother, Seth, tweeted him to “cut it out.” Curry played 29 minutes and finished with 49 points and 11 threes. The Warriors second unit increased led by 48 132-84. The Thunder’s reserves outscored the Curry by seven the rest of the way. The Warriors win 136-97.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the Warriors improve to 35-33 with four games left in the regular season. The Warriors are in eighth place in the Western Conference. OKC falls to 21-47. They are in 13th place in the Western Conference

As mentioned above, Curry led the team with 49. Andrew Wiggins finished with 18. Green had another double-double with 15 points, five rebounds, and 13 assists. Kevon Looney tallied three points, but he pulled down twelve rebounds. Juan Toscano-Anderson scored 12 points to go along with nine boards and five assists. Juan was two-for-six from downtown. Jordan Poole had 16 points. He connected on four threes. Mychal Mulder made three threes for nine points. 

The Warriors shot 58% from the floor. They shot 50% from the three-point range. They were 27-for-54 from downtown. The Warriors outrebounded the Thunder 54-47. The Warriors recorded 31 assists on 47 made field goals. The offense was humming Saturday night.

Svi Mykhailuk led the OKC offense with 17 points. Luguentz Dort had 16, Darius Bazley 11, Kenrich Williams 13, Jaylen Hoard 13, and Theo Maledon 10.

The Warriors face the Utah Jazz Monday night. It will be a tougher task for the Warriors as the Jazz own the best record in the Conference 50-18. The Warriors beat the Jazz the last time the two teams met. The Jazz’ Rudy Gobert and Donovan Mitchell have a score to settle with the Warriors. 

The game will be at the Chase Center Monday Night. The game will start at 7 pm.

A’s shell Rays Glasnow get down to business in early innings for 6-3 win

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The Oakland A’s Austin Allen rounds first base after hitting a home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Tyler Glasnow (20) at the Oakland Coliseum Sat May 8, 2021 (AP News photo)

Tampa Bay 3 – 10 – 1

Oakland 6 – 6 – 2

By Lewis Rubman

May 8, 2021

OAKLAND–The A’s announced this morning that Mike Fiers is back on the Injured List. He pitched gamely but vainly the day before yesterday in his last outing, during which he was battered for nine hits and five earned runs in 3-1/3 innings.

Burch Smith, who had been on the IL, also pitched on Thursday, giving up a run and two hits in an inning and a third of rehab relief for Las Vegas, took Fiers place on the roster. The diagnosis for Fiers was a sprained elbow in his right, pitching, arm. This his second visit to the IL this year and the third over his career. Smith had been sidelined with a strained right groin.

There also was a lot of movement in the Athletics’ starting line up. After a week of facing a diet of nothing but left handed opposing starting pitchers, the home team preseented an enhanced array of lefty batters to combat the offerings of Tampa Bay’s right hander Tyler Glasnow, who brought a 4-1, 2.06 mark to the mound.

Seth Brown, who drove in both Oakland runs in last night’s stirring victory with a pinch hit single and his heroic walk off homer, replaced Stephen Piscotty in right and batted second. Austin Allen, hitting in the eighth position, handled the catching duties.

The versatile and weak hitting Vimael Machín, batting ninth, took over at short for the weak hitting Elvis Andrus. And Tony Kemp was played second base, taking over for the switch hitting Jed Lowrie, whose hits better on the right side than on the left.

The decision to start Brown turned out to be a wise one. With Mark Canha on firsst and no one down, he blasted Glasnow´s first pitch to him 412 feet for a two run homer to center.

Meanwhile, Frankie Montás, who’s had a seesaw 2021, which shows in his 3-2,5.87 game time numbers, had pitched a scorelesss first inning, marred only by a walk to Yandy Díaz. He walked Kevin Kiermeir in the second, but his unsuccessful attempt to steal second ended the inning and his day´s work.

He sprained his wrist sliding into Chapman, covering in the shift, and brought Manuel Margot into the game to take over in right field for the bottom of the frame, right fielder Brett Phillips moving over to center. The results of x-rays of Kiermeir’s wrist were negative.

Inserting Austin Allen into the line up also proved to be the right move for Bob Melvin to make. Allen padded Montás’s cushion by driving a 96 mph four seamer 373 to right with no one on in the second. Hot, dry afternoons can compensate for playing day games after night games at the Coliseum.

Although two Rays batters had walked, and another, ex-A JoeyWendle reached first on a fielding error by the usuallly sure handed Olson, Montás didn’t yield a hit until Yoshi Tsuzsugo got a clean single to left with one out in the fifth.

The first real threat from Tampa Bay came an inning later. Austin Meadows led off with a double to the base of the center field wall. Yandy Díaz flew out to deep right field to move him up to thid. Then Brandon Lowe unloaded on an 0-1 95 mph four seamer for 407 foot home run. Montás no longer was coasting, and Yusmeiro Petit was warming up quickliy in the bull pen. After Wendle singled in left center, Petit entered the fray.

Montás had gone 5-1/3 innings and allowed two runs, both earned, five hits, including one home run, and two walks. 59 of his 88 pitches were strikes.

Petit got Margot to pop out to Machín, but, with Zunino at the plate, Wendle stole second and kept on motoring to third when Allen’s errant throw went into the outfield. Zunino then went down swing on an 88 mph four seamer from Petit.

After Glasnow issued ball four to Chapman with two out and no one on base, southpaw Cody Reed entered the game. The next four men due up were left handed. He needed to. face only one to end the frame. Although Chapman took second on a wild pitch to Moreland, the A’s DH flew out to right, which retired the side.

In spite of his rocky start, Glasnow pitched well, throwing 101 pitches, 64 for strikes over 5-2/3 innings. All three of the runs he allowed were earned and came before the end of the second frame. The two home runs the A’s got off him accounted for 2/3 of their total hits at the time. He. walked four and struck out 11.

Petit continued his excellent relief work into the Tampa Bay seventh, strikingout Tsuzsugo and Margot before Randhy Arozarena got Texas League single to left. At that point, good old relilable Diekman came in to face his fellow left hander Austin Meadows. Diekman struck him out on four pitches, preserving the Athletics’ slender lead.

Kemp singled to left and advanced to second when Murphy, who was hitting for Allen now that a southpaw was on the mound, grounded out, 1-3. When Andrus was announced as hitting for Machín, Kevin Cash brought 83 in right handed ex-Giant Hunter Strickland to face him. Andrus grounded out to Tsuzsugo at first, allowing Kemp to take third. Canha, whose BA was.248 but knows how to finagle his way on base with the best of them, walked, belringing Brown to the plate.

He had struck out in both at bats following his first inning homer. He took a 3-2 83 mph slider to the opposite field, beating the shift and upping Oakland’s advantage to 4-2. The run was charged to Reed. Strickland got out of trouble after walking Laureano by inducing Olson to ground out to his opposite number at first.

But Diekman found himself pitching in trouble in the visitors’ eighth. A clean single to right center by Meadows and a bunt that died just fair at third put runners on first and second with no outs. Diekman struck out Wendle on a full count and reitred Margot on a liner to Brown in right but surrendered a hard single to left, and it was a one rungame when Lou Trivino made his first appearance since his debacle three days ago. Mike Brousseau, pinch hitting for Tsuzsugo, took a 76 mph curve for called strike three.

The run charged against Diekman run came on three hits. He threw 25 pitches in an inning’s work in which he struck out two. Petit had thrown 16 in 1-1/3 innings, allowing a hit but no runs while recording three strike outs

Kemp’s two out double to left center in the bottom of the eighth drove Strickland from the mound. Ryan Thompson, also a right handed hurler, got Murphy smack a bouncer to Brousseaiu now playing first. Brousseau’s wild throw past the covering Thompson brought in Kemp but did’t earn Murphy and RBI. Andrus’s double, also to left center, which brought in Murphy, did earn one for the short stop. Canha’s ground out to third put an end to the inning. Neither of the two insurance runs was earned.

Trivino, now guarding a 6-3 lead, continued pitching into the ninth. He immediatel found himself in hot water dagain. Phillips singled to center. Next, Arozarena got plunked by a 95 mph Trivino fast ball, bringing the potential tying run to the plate with nobody out.

It took Trivino only four pitches to load the bases with a walk to Meadows. There now was double barrelled action in the Oakland bullpen with the three, four, and five batters due up. Díaz flew out to right. Lowe struck out swinging. Wendle swung on the first pitch and grounded out to Andrus.

The win went to Montás, leaving him 4-2, 5.50. Trivino earned his sixth save, an exciting one at that. His ERA is down to 3.86, but he remains a question mark as Oakland goes deeper into the season, even though Bob Melvin voiced confidence in his his closer during his post game remarks to the media. Glasnow got the tough loss. His record now is 4-2, 2.37.

The A’s will go for a series sweep tomorrow at 1:07. The anticipated match up is between two lefties, ShaneMcClanahan(0-0,2.25) and Cole Irvin (3-3,3.09).

Silver Knights take down Barracuda 5-3

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by Marko Ukalovic

LAS VEGAS, Nev—Pavel Dorofeyev scored two goals for the Henderson Silver Knights as they defeated the San Jose Barracuda 5-3 on Saturday afternoon at T-Mobile Arena.

San Jose have lost three games in a row and continue to sit in fourth place in the Pacific Division. Henderson have won two in a row and sit atop of the Pacific with 46 points.

San Jose (15-14-4-2) drew first blood early in the first period with an even strength goal. Nicolas Meloche started a three-on-two odd man rush and fed a pass over to Ozzy Wiesblatt at the Silver Knights blueline. Wiesblatt found Scott Reedy all alone on the right wing and he snapped home a wrist shot past Silver Knights goalie Oscar Dansk to the short side off the post for his fifth goal of the season at the 4:22 mark.

Henderson (23-12-0-0) answered back over two minutes later on the power play. Danny O’Regan picked up the puck behind the net after a battle along the boards. The former San Jose Sharks prospect skated out to the left slot and fired home a wrist shot to the short side of ‘Cuda goalie Zachary Sawchenko for his team leading 13th goal of the season at the 6:30 mark.

O’Regan has tormented his former team all season long with his fifth goal against the Barracuda. He has 12 points in his last eight games.

The Silver Knights gained the lead when Dorofeyev scored his first goal of the game. Zach Hayes sent a shot in from the left point that snuck underneath and behind Zawchenko. Dorofeyev crashed the net and jammed home the rebound for his seventh goal of the season at the 12:37 mark.

Henderson scored its third unanswered goal of the game early in the second period. Ryan Murphy fed a pass over to Dylan Sikura whose shot popped up in the air and went behind Sawchenko. Cody Glass whacked the puck out of the air into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season at the 4:05 mark.

The Barracuda came back and answered back 95 seconds later. Ryan Merkley sent a shot from the point that was blocked out in front. The rebound leaked out to Maxim Letunov who buried a wrist shot under the arm of Dansk for his 12th goal of the season at the 5:40 mark.

Letunov has scored in back-to-back games and has three goals in his past four games.

Dorofeyev gave the Silver Knights a huge insurance goal early in the third period with his second goal of the game seconds after their power play opportunity had expired. Gage Quinney set up Dorofeyev right in front of the crease and he tapped home the puck past Sawchenko for his eighth goal of the season at the 2:05 mark.

San Jose cut the lead to a one-goal game with a five-on-three power play goal right after Henderson’s fourth goal. Jayden Halbgewachs’ shot rebounded over to Wiesblatt who skated out to the right face off circle, outwaited Dansk and snapped home a wrist shot top-shelf for his second goal of the season at the 4:04 mark.

It was a pair of firsts for the Sharks 2020 first round draft pick. He scored his first power play goal as well as his first multi-point game of his careeer.

The ‘Cuda pulled Sawchenko for an extra attacker with 1:53 left in the third period but Jack Dugan ended their comeback attempt with an empty net goal with 29 seconds remaining for his ninth goal of the season.

Dansk finished the game stopping 27 of the 30 shots he faced, including three consecutive point blank saves while the ‘Cuda were on the five-on-three penalty kill, to earn the victory. Sawchenko made 35 saves on 39 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: Both San Jose and Henderson went 1-for-5 on the power play.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Dorofeyev 2) Glass 3) Sikura

The announced attendance was 3831.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda conclude the regular season against the Silver Knights on Tuesday 5/11 at 7:00pm at Orleans Arena.

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda play last game of season on Tuesday night in Vegas

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The San Jose Barracuda Jacob McGrew forward (64) defends against the boards Mon May 3, 2021 against the Bakersfield Condors at Solar4America in San Jose (@sjbarracuda photo)

On the Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 The San Jose Barracuda (15-13-4-2) concluded their final home game of the season against the Bakersfield Condors (21-12-0-1) last Monday after winning three straight over the Condors the Barracuda couldn’t hold on for the win losing by two goals 5-3.

#2 Barracuda goaltender Alexi Melnichuk had a rough outing last Monday allowing five goals on 19 Condor shots.

#3 The Condors goalie Stuart Skinner has had some luck he was the AHL CCM goalie of the month of March. He stopped 35 Barracuda shots against and won his 18th game he’s got a bright future whenever he get recalled to the Oilers.

#4 Joel Kellman has been going well for the Barracuda he was the CCM AHL Player of the Week he picked up three points for the Barracuda last Monday and has scored ten points in his last four games.

#5 The Barracuda faced off against the Henderson Silver Knights at 1:00pm today at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas just get a run down from you on how that game went.

Join Marko for the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Matt Harrington: Sharks and Coyotes face off again tonight; Will Boughner go with younger players again?

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The Arizona Coyotes kept San Jose Sharks goaltender Josef Korenar (32) very busy on Fri May 7, 2021 at SAP Center in San Jose scoring five goals and 29 shots on goal (AP News photo)

On San Jose Sharks podcast with Matt:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (21-27-6) had a 2-0 lead on Friday night at SAP Center only to lose it 5-2 to the Arizona Coyotes (23-26-6) the Coyotes tied it up the second period and had a burst in the third period with three goals.

#2 The Coyotes Phil Kessel scored his 900th career NHL point in the third period on a break away goal it’s got to be a honorary plateau for Coyotes veteran.

#3 Sharks goaltender Josef Korenar allowed five goals and saw 29 shots he’s had some rough games as back up is it a matter of getting more experience for Korenar or is he just simply getting overwhelmed in this call to the Sharks?

#4 Head coach Bob Boughner took at a look at some of his younger players of the future and said after the game, “They’re a little bit in and out, and then they’re still learning the ropes and how to come every night and prepare and be consistent at the NHL level.”

#5 Matt, same clubs tonight in game two of this two game series at SAP Center will Boughner play more of his rookies, young players and fourth line or will he insert some of the veterans to get after the Coyotes tonight.

Join Matt for the Sharks podcasts each Saturday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Belt and Crawford each go deep in Giants win 7-1

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By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Brandon Belt and Brandon Crawford must think it is 2012 or 2014; because, the way they have been hitting, it seems like the playoffs are on the horizon.

Crawford launched a three-run home run onto the Arcade in the bottom of the second inning, and then Belt hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, helping the San Francisco Giants to a 7-1 victory over the San Diego Padres before a paid crowd of 9,764 at Oracle Park.

Belt led off the second inning with a single, then Evan Longoria doubled Belt to third and then Crawford hit his seventh home run of the season to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.

That would be all that Kevin Gausman would need, as he went six innings, allowing one run on three hits, walked just one and struck out seven, as he won for the third time without a loss this season.

Gausman lowered his earned run average to 1.97, as the Giants increased their lead over the Padres to 2.5 games and currently three games over the Los Angeles Dodgers, who play the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim Stadium.

Crawford and Buster Posey led the team in home runs with seven, for two innings when Belt hit his seventh home run of the season in the bottom of the fourth inning.

The fifth Giants run of the afternoon came when Austin Slater, the hero of Friday nights victory over the Padres drove in Steven Duggar with a single off of Padres reliever Tim Hill.

Duggar singled with one out in the inning, went to second, when Jake Cronenworth made a great play at second base to get Curt Casali at first base. Darin Ruf was then intentionally walked, and then Slater singled in Duggar with the fifth run of the game.

Slater hit his fourth home run of the season, a two-run blast deep over the center field wall that also scored Mauricio Dubon, who reached on a fielders choice. It was the second hit in as many at bats for Slater, who came on to pinch hit for Mike Tauchman in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Musgrove, who tossed the Padres first ever no hitter on April 9 against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field lasted five innings, allowed four runs on eight hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven and saw his record fall to 2-4 on the season.

Mike Yastrzemski made his return to the lineup and took a collar, as he went 0-for-4 on the afternoon.

The Giants put an end to the streak that saw them five hits or fewer against the Padres, as they picked up 11 hits against Padres pitching. The six-game streak was the longest by a Giants opponent since 1901.

NOTES: Gausman was activated from the 10-day injured list prior to the game and Pitcher Aaron Sanchez was placed on the 10-day injured list with right bicep tightness.

With the victory, the Giants have won 12 out of their first 15 games at home this season, a .800 winning percentage, the best home record in the majors.

The Giants are fourth team in the major leagues this season to reach the 20-win plateau, as they join the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals in the 20-win club in 2021. Also, the Giants have the best record in the National League by percentage points over the Cardinals and are tied with the Red Sox for the best record in the major leagues.

UP NEXT: Johnny Cueto makes his return to the Oracle Park mound on Sunday afternoon for the Giants, while the Padres have not announced their starter for the series finale.

Spurs end five game skid and Kings four game win streak with 113-104 win

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The San Antonio Spurs came up with a nine point victory over the Sacramento Kings on Fri May 7, 2021 at Golden One Center in Sacramento (@spurs photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Friday night. They last played on Wednesday against the Indiana Pacers. The Kings would look to keep their momentum going having four in a row. The kings and Spurs entered the game both vying for the 10th spot and to get into the play in tournament. The Spurs held the spot and were multiple games up on the Kings entering play. However, before we talk about Friday’s game let’s discuss the Kings against the Pacers.

Flashback Wednesday: The Kings played the Pacers on Wednesday and played one of the better games of the season. Sacramento’s defense held the Pacers to only 93 points as the Kings offense put up a cool 104. It was the Kings fourth win in a row as they looked to inch closer in the playoff race.

Friday night recap: The Kings were set to take on the conference standing rivals on Friday at 7PM PST in Sacramento.

In the first half, the Kings held their own. In the first quarter the Kings were outscored 25-21, but looked solid and San Antonio didn’t have a lot of momentum. In the second quarter, the Kings managed to outscore the Spurs 28-27 but it wasn’t enough to grab the lead going into halftime. The Kings entered halftime down 52-49. If the Kings would want to stay in the playoff hunt they would need to win in comeback fashion.

In the second half, the Kings started off well. They managed to outscore the Spurs in the third quarter 32-26 to grab the lead heading into the final quarter of play. However, the Spurs mounted a comeback in the fourth quarter out scoring the Kings 35-23. That would put the Spurs over the top and defeating the Kings 113-104 in Sacramento. The game most likely marked the end of any playoff hopes for the Kings as this was the team they desperately needed to make ground up on. Leading the way for the Kings in defeat was Terence Davis who scored 24 points. The Spurs were led in victory by DeMar DeRozan who had 25 points.

Up Next: The Kings will stay home to take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night at 7 PM PST.

Sharks Fall 5-2 to Coyotes, Kessel Scores 900th Point

Published on by M WalshLeave a comment

The Arizona Coyotes Phil Kessel (81) tries to quickly handle the puck against the San Jose Sharks Marc Edouard Vlasic (44) at the SAP Center in San Jose on Fri May 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks gave up a 2-0 lead to lose 5-2 to the Arizona Coyotes Friday. Phil Kessel scored his 900th NHL point in the game with a break-away goal in the third. Other Coyotes goals came from Victor Soderstrom, Conor Garland, Michael Bunting and Jan Jenik. Darcy Kuemper made 26 saves for the win. Erik Karlsson and Timo Meier scored for San Jose and Josef Korenar made 29 saves in the loss.

After the game, Sharks Head Coach Bob Boughner talked a little about what he had seen from the younger players during the last several games: “They’re a little bit in and out, and then they’re still learning the ropes and how to come every night and prepare and be consistent at the NHL level.” Boughner mentioned Noah Gregor, Rudolfs Balcers and Alexander Chmelevski as players in this category.

Erik Karlsson scored the only first period goal at 3:47. With some traffic in front of Kuemper, Karlsson took a shot from high in the slot. Tomas Hertl got an assist.

At the end of the first period, John Leonard fell, face-first, into the boards by the benches. After some attention from the trainer he was helped from the ice and into the dressing room. He did not return to the game. There were no specific updates about his condition after the game. Boughner did say that “he looked like he was in pretty rough shape,” during the first intermission.

The Sharks out-shot the Coyotes 9-6 in the first, with two of those coming on the power play.

The Sharks’ second goal came from Timo Meier off the rush with linemates Alexander True and Ivan Chekhovich. Meier took the shot from above the face-off dot for his 11th of the season at 3:30 of the second. Chekhovich earned his first NHL point, an assist in his second NHL game.

Victor Soderstrom cut into the Sharks’ lead, scoring for the Coyotes at 4:59. He took a shot into the far side of the net through traffic around the net. Assists went to olive Ekman-Larsson and Conor Garland. It was Soderstrom’s first NHL goal.

Conor Garland tied the game at 4:59, during a 5-on-3 power play. Garland and Jakob Chychrun played catch across the ice before Garland slapped the puck past Korenar. Chychrun got the assist.

The Coyotes out-shot the Sharks 13-9 in the second period, with three of those coming on the power play. The Sharks had one power play that generated two shots.

Phil Kessel broke the tie 4:53 into the third period. Kessel was already behind the Sharks defense when Dvorak’s pass found him. He broke away and beat Korenar on the glove side. Assists went to Christian Dvorak and Alex Goligoski.

The Sharks seemed to have tied the game at 7:46 with another goal from Erik Karlsson but it was called back as an off-side play.

Michael Bunting gave Arizona a two-goal lead at 9:57. Evander Kane broke his stick on a shot and immediately had to hustle back to defend one-on-three. He was unable to give his goaltender much help. Conor Garland got an assist.

Jan Jenik made it 5-2 into an empty net, in the final second of the game. That was his first NHL goal, in his first NHL game.

The Coyotes out-shot the Sharks 15-10 in the third. In the face-off circle, the Sharks won 54% of the draws. Evander Kane had 6 shots on goal, and Tomas Hertl and Erik Karlsson each had five. For Arizona, Jakob Chychrun and Michael Bunting each had five shots.

The Sharks next play on Saturday, again in San Jose, against the Coyotes at 7:30 PM PT.