San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks go for second win against Coyotes; Korenar gets the call for tonight

San Jose Sharks goaltender Josef Korenar (32) will start tonight against the Arizona Coyotes takes a Gatorade break on Mon Apr 26, 2021 the two teams face off at SAP Center (Bay Area News Group photo)

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The San Jose Sharks (19-24-5) win over the Arizona Coyotes (21-23-5) had to take some weight off after losing eight straight games.

#2 One of the things that went right for San Jose was they were able to get the offense working scoring two goals in each period.

#3 The Sharks got a two goal win over the Coyotes 6-4 which included goals from Sharks defencemen Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson.

#4 The Sharks Josef Korenar stopped 25 shots and allowed four goals, Korenar who recently came up from the Sharks minor league AHL affiliate the San Jose Barracuda how has he been working out since the Sharks traded former backup goaltender Devon Dubnyk to Colorado.

#5 Game two between the Coyotes and Sharks tonight at SAP Center. The Coyotes are none too pleased about getting beat 6-4 and the Sharks scoring twice in each period how do you see this match up tonight?

Join Len for the Sharks podcasts Wednesday mornings at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Rockies go back-to-back in extra innings to get win 7-5

Colorado Rockies Ryan McMahon belted a two run homer in the top of the tenth against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Apr 27, 2021 (@Rockies photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

Ryan McMahon gave the Colorado Rockies a much-needed win with one swing of the bat after surrendering the lead just one-half inning earlier.

McMahon hammered a two-run home run into the Rockies bullpen in the top of the 10th inning off of Gregory Santos and then C.J. Cron made it to back-to-back home runs, when hit one to the opposite field landed onto the Arcade, as the Rockies defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-5 at Oracle Park.

Santos fell to 0-2 on the season, as he allowed three runs on three hits, walked one and struck out one and saw his earned run average balloon to 22.50.

This was the first win in five meetings that the Rockies defeated the Giants, and it was a huge bounce back after they were shellacked in the opener of the three-game series by the final of 12-0.

Buster Posey picked up his third hit of the night in the bottom of the 10th inning, as he hit a long single off the 24 high wall in right field that easily scored Brandon Belt, who was on second base to start the inning. Unfortunately, Darren Ruf struck out for the first out versus Carlos Estevez and then Austin Slater grounded into a game-ending double play to end the game.

Brandon Crawford tied up the game in the bottom of the ninth inning, as he launched a Josh Bard pitch into McCovey Cove.

Garrett Hampson gave the Rockies the lead in the top of the ninth inning, as he hit his third home run of the season off of Giants closer Jake McGee; however, the lead was short lived, as Crawford tied it up in the bottom of the inning.

Aaron Sanchez went just 4.2 innings for the Giants, allowing two runs on just one hit; however, he walked five and struck out six.

Chi Chi Gonzalez went five innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, did not walk a batter and struck out four.

Jose Alvarez came on to replace Sanchez, and gave up a run in the top of the sixth inning that tied up the game, when Dom Nunez grounded into a force out that scored Cron to tie up the game for the Rockies.

That would be the score until Hampson hit his third home run of the season to give the Rockies a short lead in the top of the ninth inning.

The Giants were able to get the winning run to second base in Evan Longoria after Wilmer Flores reached on a fielding error by Bard, but Belt grounded out to end the inning.

Charlie Blackmon gave the Rockies an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as he hit an opposite field double to left field that scored McMahon and Cron.

Alex Dickerson cut the Rockies in half in the bottom of the first inning, as he grounded out to first base that scored Belt from third base.

Jason Vosler picked up his first major league RBI in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he doubled to right field that scored Crawford; however, Mauricio Dubon was easily thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

Belt gave the Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning, when he hit his fourth home run of the season off of Gonzalez.

NOTES: Prior to the game, the Giants and the New York Yankees completed a trade with outfielder Michael Tauchman joining the Giants organization in exchange for LHP Wandy Peralta and a Player to be Named Later.

Also, the Giants recalled Skye Bolt from the alternate site, who made his major- league debut in the bottom of the sixth and struck out in a pinch-hitting role, while batting for Camilo Doval.

In Mondays 12-0 win, Posey picked up four hits and was on the receiving end of Anthony DeSclafanis three-hit shutout and it marked the eighth time in his career he’s caught a shutout (CG or not) while having more hits himself than the entire opposing team… it’s the most such games by any catcher in the modern era, this according to (Stats, LLC).

UP NEXT: Alex Wood will take the ball in the series and home stand finale on Wednesday night for the Giants, while the Rockies will send German Marquez to the mound.

Rays hold on for 4-3 win over Athletics

The Tampa Bay Rays jump for joy after defeating the Oakland A’s in the second of the four game series on Tue Apr 27, 2021 (@RaysBaseball photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, April 27, 2021

Joey Wendle’s stroked an insurance RBI single, and Diego Castillo earned his fifth save, as Tampa Bay edged Oakland 4-3 Tuesday at Tropicana Field.

Wendle singled to shallow left field drove in Randy Arozarena in the bottom of the seventh. The Athletics battled back when Sean Murphy homered to left in the top of the ninth off Castillo, his third of the season, cutting the Rays’ lead to 4-3.

Tampa Bay went ahead to stay in the bottom of the sixth on Brett Phillips’ two-run home run that erased a 2-1 A’s lead and eventually gave A’s starter Frankie Montas (2-2) the loss. Earlier, Mitch Moreland’s sacrifice fly in the top of the sixth broke a 1-1 tie.

Jeffrey Springs (1-0) worked the sixth inning to earn the win. Rays starter Michael Wacha struck out two without a walk in five innings.

Montas gave up three earned runs on six hits while striking out five and walking two in six innings. He was followed on the mound by J.B. Wendelken and Reymin Guduan.

Matt Olson had two of Oakland’s eight hits, while Francisco Mejia was 3-for-4 for the Rays, leading their 10-hit attack.

The two teams meet again on Wednesday, with Cole Irvin (2-2, 3.86) on the mound for Oakland, facing the Rays’ Tyler Glasnow (2-1, 2.05).

Mavericks rout the Warriors 133-103

The Dallas Mavericks guard Trey Burke (3) tries to shut down Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry (30) from bringing the ball up court on Tue Apr 27, 2021 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (@dallasmavs photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The visiting Dallas Mavericks (34-27), hoping to rebound from a loss to the Sacramento Kings Monday night, routed the Golden State Warriors (31-31) 133-103. The final score did not indicate how poorly the Warriors played. The Mavericks game plan was to find a way to stop Stephen Curry from beating them. Their plan worked. The Warriors played one of their worst first 24 minutes of play in team history.

The game was close for the first 3:20. Curry connected on a three to put the Warriors ahead 12-11 with 8:40 left in the first quarter. That was the last time the Warriors would be in the lead. They did not score another point in the first period. Dallas went on a 25-0 run to finish the quarter with a 24-point lead 36-12. 

Dallas started the second quarter with a three. The Warriors finally made a basket. Dallas’ defense smothered the Warriors offense. Dallas outscored them 26-17 to finish the first half with a commanding lead 62-29. The game was over for all intents and purposes, even with 24 minutes left to play.

Dallas’ all-world forward Luka Doncic poured in 23 points in the third quarter to finish the night with 39 points. He made shots from all angles. He was Merlin the magician Tuesday night. Curry tallied 15 to finish with 27. Dallas led by 39 points 103-64.

It’s a shame that the NBA doesn’t have a mercy rule. There was no way to overcome a 39-point deficit with 12 minutes left. Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle and Warriors head coach Steve Kerr pulled their stars from the game. The reserves from both teams played the last 12 minutes. The Warriors bench outscored the Dallas bench by nine. The Mavericks won 133-103.

Game Notes and Stats: With the loss, the Warriors are 31-31 for the year. The Warriors have ten games left on the schedule. They play the next four games on the road and finish the season with six at the Chase Center. Dallas improved to 34-27. Dallas took two of the three games played against the Warriors this season.

The Warrior stats from the first half show how poorly they played/ Curry was the only player in double figures with 12. Andrew Wiggins was second with seven. No other Warrior had more than three points. They shot 28% from the floor. They were three-for-nineteen from downtown. Luka Doncic led Dallas with 16. 

Curry led the Warriors with 27. He was 9-for-18 from the floor and knocked down five threes in nine tries. Mychal Mulder finished with a career-high 26 points. Mulder was 10-for-16 from the floor, and he connected on six threes in 11 attempts. Wiggins had 15, Kelly Oubre, Jr. 10, and Jordan Poole 10. Luka Doncic had 39 for Dallas. Dorian Finney-Smith 13, Tim Hardaway, Jr. 13, Nicolo Melli 13, Jalen Brunson 12, and Maxi Kleber 10. 

The Warriors begin a four-game road trip Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The second game is against the Oklahoma City Thunder, then two against the Pelicans in New Orleans. Thursday night’s game starts at 5 pm.

Barracuda beat Condors 4-2 with third period comeback

A happy group of San Jose Barracuda skate off the ice at Solar4America in San Jose after defeating the Bakersfield Condors on Tue Apr 27, 2021 (@sjbarracuda photo)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif–Joel Kellman scored the game winning with just over two minutes left in the game as the San Jose Barracuda came back from a one-goal deficit to beat the the Bakersfield Condors 4-2 on Tuesday evening at Solar4America Ice.

Sasha Chmelevski skated out from behind the net and threaded a back door pass to Kellman who buried a one-timer for his fourth goal of the season at the 17:48 mark of the third period.

Chmelevski ended the game with a three point night (1G, 2A).

San Jose have won two games in a row and climbed back into fourth place and the final playoff spot in the Pacific Division with .548 winning percentage as the Colorado Eagles were idle on the evening. Bakersfield have lost two in a row.

Bakersfield (19-12-0-1) drew first blood in early in the first period on the power play. Tyler Benson made a rink wide pass over to Adam Cracknell from the left wing. The 35-year old veteran one-timed the puck past ‘Cuda goalie Alexei Melnichuk for his 10th goal of the season at the 5:49 mark.

Evan Weinger was given a five-minute major penalty for elbowing at the 3:08 mark when he hit Kevin Gravel up high that led to a big scrum where Sasha Cmelevski and Phillip Kemp threw fisticuffs. The Condors were only able to score the one goal during Weinger’s penalty. Brad Malone was given a 10-minute game misconduct penalty.

San Jose (14-11-4-2) scored the equalizer on the power play late in the first period. Chmelevski sent a shot from the right slot that pinballed out to the left wing and Jayden Halbgewachs snapped a wrist shot past Condors goalie Olivier Rodrigue for his sixth goal of the season at the 16:49 mark.

Since coming back from an injury where he missed nine games, Halbgewachs has scored a goal in back-to-back to games and is on a three-game point streak.

The Condors regained the lead with their second power play goal of the period. . A battle along the left wing had the puck bounced over to Seth Griffith and he fired a wrist shot top-shelf past Melnichuk for his seventh goal of the season at the 18:16 mark.

Both teams combined for 39 penalties in the opening 20 minutes that saw Bakersfield out shoot San Jose 13-11.

The bad blood spilled over into the second period. Nicholas Meloche and Benson both received 10 minute misconduct penalties at the 3:38 mark after both had been assessed minor penalties for cross-checking and roughing after played had stopped.

San Jose had a full two-minute five-on-three power play opportunity but the Condors penalty kill held the fort, led by Rodrigue, and kept the ‘Cuda from tying the game.

San Jose out shot Bakersfield 11-6 in the middle frame.

The Barracuda evened the score in the third period that was the start of three unanswered goals in the final frame. Maxim Letunov fed a pass over to Ivan Chekhovich in between the faceoff circles. Chekhovich made a backdoor pass just to the right of the crease where Jake McGrew tapped the puck into an open net for his fourth goal of the season at the 11:57 mark.

Chmelevski iced the game for the ‘Cuda with his empty net goal, his sixth of the season with 61 second left.

Melnichuk (6-6-3) finished the game stopping 22 of the 24 shots he faced to earn the victory. Rodrigue (3-5-0) made 32 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

Both teams finished the game with a combined 89 penalty minutes in the ninth contest between the division rivals.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 1-for-7 on the power play. Bakersfield went 2-for-5.

San Jose has won three straight games against Bakersfield on home ice.

The Three Stars of the Game were: 1) Kellman 2) Chmelevski 3) Halbgewachs

UP NEXT: The Barracuda host the Henderson Silver Knights on Friday 4/30 at 6:00pm at SAP Center.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: A’s just ran into O’s Means that ended 13 game win streak

Oakland A’s starter Jesus Luzardo pitched into the seventh inning on Sun Apr 25, 2021 against the Baltimore Orioles. Luzardo is seen here in an undated file photo. (file photo The Mercury News)

#1 Amaury the ride ended on Sunday, the A’s winning streak ended at 13 straight wins with a convincing loss to the Baltimore Orioles 8-1 but the ride was pretty incredible for Oakland.

#2 The A’s faced a tough competitor in Baltimore pitcher John Means and they just couldn’t figure him out. Means threw for 6 plus, giving up only two hits and a run against the Oakland line up.

#3 The A’s started the season with a slow start losing their first six games and A’s third baseman Matt Chapman is having a tough time getting around on the ball hitting only .159 and said it’s not how he wants to starts the season.

#4 A’s pitcher Sergio Romo replaced starter Jesus Luzardo in the seventh inning and pitched to one hitter the Orioles Tony Mancini who popped out and was lifted after facing Mancini. Romo who has a 12.79 ERA has struggled of late and A’s manager Bob Melvin said getting Romo out there gave him some confidence.

#5 Tuesday night tonight the A’s will start Frankie Montas (2-1 ERA 6.75) and for the Tampa Bay Rays Michael Wacha (1-1 ERA 4.35) the Rays always have been a tough competitor for Oakland set game two of this four game series for us up Amaury?

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

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast Tue Apr 27, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud


Headline Sports with Daniel Dullum: Super League is dead on arrival; Will Mad Bum ever get that first no hitter?

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner is surrounded by his teammates after throwing a seven inning no hitter against the Atlanta Braves on Sun Apr 25, 2021 (AP News photo)

On Headlines with Daniel:

1. Super League members backpedaling after public outrage from soccer fans, teams

2. MadBum throws 7-inning no-hitter, won’t get official credit for it

3. NFL rule changes, including expanded number choices by position

4. 49ers swing blockbuster deal with Miami for No. 3 overall pick while keeping their first-round pick for this year

5. Seattle dive bar sues NHL’s Kraken over naming rights

Daniel does Headline Sports each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum Tue Apr 27, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: Sharks get some offense; Snap eight game losing streak

San Jose Sharks scored two goals in each period to defeat the Arizona Coyotes 6-4 at the SAP Center in San Jose on Mon Apr 26, 2021 (@SanJoseSharks photo)

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 Mary Lisa one thing you could say about the Sharks (19-24-5) they didn’t hesitate to put the puck on the net on Monday night against the Arizona Coyotes (21-23-5).

#2 The Coyotes defense or goaltenders Adin Hill faced 22 shots and allowed on goal and back up goalie Darcy Kuemper allowed four goals and saw 11 shots.

#3 Even though the Sharks got 11 shot on goals in the game they made five of them count and that’s something that head coach Bob Boughner was looking for in the offense.

#4 Sharks got goals from Evander Kane, Alexander Barbanov, Logan Couture, Noah Gregor and even the defencemen got in the action Brent Burns and Erik Karlsson scored.

#5 The Sharks host the Coyotes on Wednesday night at SAP Center in the second of the two meetings. In their last two meetings the Coyotes defeated the Sharks in a two game series Mar 26, 5-2 and Mar 27, 4-0.

Join Mary Lisa for the Sharks podcasts each Tuesday morning at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh Tue Apr 27, 2021 by Sports Radio Service | Free Listening on SoundCloud

Hard-hitting Giants strike early and take care of the Rockies, 12-0

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants love to get their most violent, damaging swings in when they see a pitch they can drive. In MLB circles, that’s common knowledge about the club in 2021.

So Rockies starter Austin Gomber knew it, but couldn’t stop it in the Giants’ 12-0 win on Monday.

Before he was lifted in the second inning, Gomber gave up seven, solidly struck hits, walked four, and was charged with nine runs despite recording just five outs. The shortest starting assignment of his career included his most hits (7) and runs allowed (9) as well.

What’s worse for Gomber? He probably didn’t even sense that trouble was brewing. The key piece moving from St. Louis to Denver in the Nolan Arenado trade has been pitching well and cruised into the seventh inning on April 9, allowing three hits and a run, in his only other start at Oracle Park.

“A lot of the hits were just middle of the plate,” Gomber said afterwards. “I think it was more about execution and putting myself in bad counts. They had a good game plan.”

Manager Bud Black intimated that there may have been more to Gomber’s uncharacteristic performance in that the pitcher may have tipped his pitches. But both pitcher and manager agreed they couldn’t say more in that regard without consulting the videotape.

“I think that there were some pitches in the middle of the plate that they squared up,” Black said. “But we’re going to look at some video to see if there was something more to it.”

With the socially-distanced crowd of 4,129 thinned even more by uncomfortable wind and cold, the voices, pitches and bats were audible throughout the park. The Giants’ loud contact off Gomber made an impression. Their breakout performance included three doubles and a two-run homer from Buster Posey off Jhoulys Chacin in the sixth.

Posey knocked in a run in the four-run first inning, and Evan Longoria, in his return to the lineup following a weekend of inactivity due to a hamstring injury, knocked in runs in the first and second innings.

Gomber was lifted trailing 6-0, but two pitches later Mauricio Dubon’s bases-loaded double off Chacin made it 9-0.

“There’s not much to complain about tonight. What’s there to pick apart?” manager Gabe Kapler said. “The guys did a great job.”

Anthony DeSclafani pitched a complete game shutout for the Giants, allowing three hits, one walk while striking out nine. DeSclafani has allowed five earned runs over five starts and 30 innings pitched. His 1.50 ERA is dramatically lower than the 3.28 he posted in 2016 for the Reds, in his previous best season at the major league level.

“I kinda peaked at my pitch count and saw that it was low and I knew I had a chance to finish the game as long as I beared down and didn’t get too lax and tried to continue making pitches,” DeSclafani said.

The Giants have won 13 of 18 after a 2-3 start to match the record of the first-place Dodgers at 15-8. The two clubs don’t meet for the first time until May 21, with the Giants having 21 scheduled games against lesser competition prior to that date.

Sharks Hang On, Beat Coyotes 6-4 for Korenar’s First NHL Win

The San Jose Sharks Noah Gregor (73) scores a goal and gets congratulated from John Leonard (43) in the first period against the Arizona Coyotes at SAP Center on Mon Apr 26, 2021 (photo from Bay Area News Group)

By Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks snapped their eight game losing streak, winning a pivotal contest 6-4 against the Arizona Coyotes in front of an audience of fans for the first time all season. Evander Kane picked up four points, Josef Korenar made 21 saves to secure his first NHL win and Alexander Barabanov netted his first career goal. By winning in regulation, the Sharks (19-24-5) kept the gap between fourth-place St. Louis, who won earlier in the night, at five points and kept Arizona (21-23-5) from jumping out eight points ahead of the Sharks. The Sharks had a 4-0 lead in the second but Arizona clawed their way back in.

“It was a lot closer than it should have been, let’s put it that way,” said Sharks coach Bob Boughner. “That’s no disrepesct to the other team. There’s just a couple of goals we would like to have back but it didn’t rattle us tonight.”

The Sharks took control early, with Noah Gregor scoring just 17 seconds into play after Dylan Gambrell pressured Coyotes netminder Darcy Kuemper on a play behind the net. Kuemper hopped back in the net but the shot went in Kuemper’s feet for Gregor’s fifth goal of the year.

Brent Burns doubled the lead a few minutes later, beating Kuemper on a bomb through a Tomas Hertl screen from the point at the 3:07 mark. Hertl and Evander Kane assisted on Burns’ seventh goal of the season and second in his last five games.

Sharks captain Logan Couture stayed hot, scoring in a second consecutive game after going goalless for 16. Couture picked a rebound from a Greg Pateryn shot out of his skates and beat an out-of-position Kuemper for a 3-0 lead 1:54 into the second. Erik Karlsson then added another on a another long distance shot, chasing Kuemper 3:19 into the second.

“We’re getting some bodies in front of the net,” said Boughner. “Which is allowing us to get some second, third opportunities. Our D are doing a better job of getting pucks through. I thought we were good off the rush today. I thought we created some chances off the rush.”

With Adin Hill in net, the Coyotes started to dig out of a hole with Michael Bunting, Clayton Keller and Jakob Chychrun all scoring for the Arizona on Korenar.

“He battles hard in there,” said Boughner. “He’s a young guy. He’s still finding his game. There’s a couple I’m sure he’d want back.”

They would then go on the power play 6:41 into the third period after Timo Meier took down Chychrun with a trip, but the Sharks penalty kill stood up the Arizona’s man advantage.

“They got a power play, he came up with 2 or 3 big saves,” said Boughner on his netminder. “That just shows that he has the ability to brush that off, the ability to battle back and be aggressive still and not sit back and be conservative in net. That’s what I like, I like a guy that’s going to get in there and fight.”

With Ryan Donato and Kevin Labanc both out, recent trade acquisition Alexander Barbanov drew in on the second line with Tomas Hertl and Evander Kane. He made the most of his opportunity after appearing in just 13 games with the Toronto Maple Leafs coming into the game with just the lone assist, scoring in his Team Teal debut to give the Sharks breathing room. Barbanov parked himself in the crease for a Kane rebound 11:17 into the final period for his first career NHL goal and a 5-3 lead.

“I’ve seen him play in Toronto a little bit before,” said Erik Karlsson about the new forward inserted into the line up. “I’ve heard good things about him. he came in and stayed true to himself. He played a hard game, he has some skill too. He wasn’t afraid to play with the big guys on the second line. He came in and it was a good first game for him and obviously nice for him to get a goal right away to get things going for him. It’s always nice to see.”

The goal would be needed after Chychrun added to his defenseman-leading 16th goal with 4:44 left in regulation. Chychrun, the Coyotes top defenseman, played through some pain after taking a couple of painful shot blocks in the second period. Evander Kane release the pressure after scoring an empty netter with 8.1 seconds left for a 6-4 Sharks win.

The Sharks will face Arizona at home yet again looking to keep that final playoff spot in striking distance. They’ll once again have the added boost of a handful of fans back in attendance.

“It was nice to see a little bit of normalcy,” said Karlsson on what the fans in the building meant. “Even though there weren’t that many you could hear how excited they were to be back. They supported us the entire time.”

Notes: The Sharks had 500 fans in attendance, considered a sellout in the current ticketing model…Barabanov came to the Sharks at the deadline for Antti Suomela as a bit of an unknown, he was the odd man out in Toronto, needing to play a skill role on a team with a loaded top-six…Kevin Labanc’s small ironman streak of 263 games was snapped after being scratched with an injury….Evander Kane scored his 19th goal of the season. If he scores a 20th this season it will be his 6th straight season of 20 or more goals…Both teams combined to go 0-7 on the power play.A