The Giants lost in heart-sinking fashion on Thursday, 5-4, to the Boston Red Sox, after a ninth-inning rally that fell just shy that will almost certainly make the plane ride to Atlanta a little less pleasant.
But before sulking in that any deeper, let’s all take a moment to look back on all the good, legendary stuff that went down in these past three games.
First of all, the Giants took two of the three games at historic Fenway Park, a place where the Giants had not won since 1915.
Do the math. That’s 104 years, people!
Mike Yastrzemski, the grandson of Hall of Famer and Red Sox legend Carl Yastrzemski, made his Fenway debut Tuesday night and was given a standing ovation by the Boston faithful, and the magnitude was ramped up when young Yaz blasted one out of the ballpark later in the game.
To cap it all off, Bruce Bochy got the 2,000th win of his managerial career Wednesday night, a career that will land him into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
As we let that sink in for a little bit, fast-forward to Thursday afternoon.
Trailing by a pair in the ninth, the Giants began a rally against Red Sox closer Brandon Workman, which started when Brandon Belt reached base on a throwing error by second baseman Marco Hernandez, who made a nice sliding stop but watched as his routine throw to first pulled Brock Holt off the bag.
The Giants loaded the bases with nobody out, but Brandon Crawford struck out looking, a situation where simply making contact would likely bring in a run. Yastrzemski was then blown away by a Workman fastball, and the rally was suddenly in jeopardy.
Kevin Pillar kept the rally alive by drawing a walk and bringing in a run, and Evan Longoria was able to work a full count. However, Workman then threw perhaps his best pitch of the afternoon, a breaking ball that dove out of the strike zone and enticed Longoria to swing at air, ending the rally and the hope for a sweep.
“(Workman) found a way to get through it,” manager Bruce Bochy said. It’s a tough pitch to lay off for (Longoria), especially after seeing a couple of pretty good fastballs before that.
“We were close to getting a nice sweep here, but we just came up a little short.”
Although the numbers won’t necessarily reflect it, but Madison Bumgarner threw well on Thursday and gave his team a chance to win.
He went five innings and gave up five runs on nine hits, walking two and striking out seven. However, many of the decisive hits were not hit especially hard at all, but rather were bloopers off good pitches that found open spots in the Giants’ defense.
“It’s just unfortunate that that many fell in,” Bumgarner said. “In this case, I just keep making my pitches and trust that that’s not going to continue to happen. I felt that I threw the ball pretty good.”
photo file from nytimes.com: Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez admitted to Pennsylvania Police that he had sexual relations with a 13 year girl. Vazquez’ admissions has sent shockwaves through the Pirates organization and MLB.
On Headline Sports with Tony Renteria:
Breaking: Antonio Brown will not be prosecuted for rape allegations from Florida ex-trainer Britney Taylor
#1 Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Felipe Vazquez admitted that he did have sexual relations with a 13 year old minor. The mother of the minor said she contacted police after finding photos that Vazquez sent to her daughter’s phone. Vazquez reportedly admitted to contacting the minor, who he met at a Pirates game when he was in the bullpen and got her contact information at the time.
#2 Houston Astros right-hander Gerrit Cole struck out 300 batters becoming the 18th pitcher in MLB history to do so. Cole is 18-5 with an ERA of 2.61. The Astros are having a great year and having pitching like this from Cole certainly has complimented the ball club.
#3 Just looking ahead to the postseason, the Oakland A’s are in first place in the AL wild card. They have dominated some of baseball’s best teams winning series from teams like the New York Yankees and Houston Astros. If the A’s can get past the wild card, the road to the World Series is past teams like the Astros and Yankees.
#4 After Sunday’s second quarter drubbing by the Kansas City Chiefs, the Oakland Raiders are regrouping and taking a look at their secondary, who took a bath when the Chiefs scored four touchdowns all the scoring they needed to upend Oakland 28-10.
#5 After the tough loss last Sunday at home, the Raiders have four away games in their next five games, which schedule wise can be considered their toughest challenge of the season.
Obviously, it’s no surprise that true freshmen are getting to contribute for the Stanford football team. Last year, the NCAA adopted a new redshirt rule that allows them to play in four games without losing a year of eligibility.
Typically, freshmen are spoon-fed and sprinkled into the lineup. Due to injuries, the process has been ramped up. At UCF last Saturday, 13 played in the game.
“It’s very exciting,” said frosh running back Austin Jones, who scored his first collegiate touchdown on a 35-yard run. “The fact that we can go in there and make plays and have fun, that’s what I want everyone on this team to do.”
Walter Rouse, a top offensive line recruit, figured he would receive playing time this season, but not this quickly. When starting left tackle Walker Little was lost for the season late in the game against Northwestern, Rouse got the call and has started the last two games.
“I was the next man up and you have to take it head on,” Rouse said.
Rouse’s first start came at USC under the lights in a nationally televised game.
“I’ve just been taking it day by day,” said Rouse. “My teammates and coach (Kevin) Carberry have been helping me along and each day I’m trying to learn and get better. I’m getting more comfortable being out there and I’m starting to play more instead of just thinking.”
Jonathan McGill, a safety, made a big play last week, scooping up a fumble and returning it 28 yards for his first collegiate touchdown.
“It was just a freaky accident,” McGill said. “I was really supposed to be closer to the line of scrimmage. Right before the quarterback snapped the ball, I came into the box and the ball started bouncing. I just sprinted to it and the ball tipped my way, so I picked it up and ran to the end zone. That was a pretty fun moment and I wish it would have come sooner.”
McGill attended the same high school (Coppell) as former Cardinal standout Solomon Thomas, now a San Francisco 49er. As a group, McGill said the freshmen are embracing their early playing time.
“Coming in this summer, we had a group chat and were talking about potentially playing with the redshirt rule, so we knew we were probably seeing the field once or twice,” said McGill. “Injuries happen and it’s the next up mentality.”
“The upperclassmen did a really great job of introducing us to the system and we had player-led meetings that helped us grasp the system. They really helped us out and gave us the confidence to get on the field.”
The first time McGill stepped on campus and met his future teammates, he felt something special.
“The vets took us under their wing and set the standard,” McGill said. “We really came in just wanting to learn. I think what really separates Stanford from a lot of schools is that the upperclassmen don’t distance themselves from the younger guys. They’ve done a great job helping us out.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
The freshman class is tight and took pride in seeing Jones score last Saturday.
“Everybody on the sideline was going crazy,” McGill said. “But it meant a little more to us seeing one of our guys make a huge play.”
Although Stanford (1-2, 0-1 Pac-12) hoped for a better start against a challenging schedule, veteran players are appreciative of what the freshmen have done and expect more good things on Saturday against No. 16 Oregon (2-1, 0-0 Pac-12).
“I’ve been really impressed how they have stepped up, some in pretty big roles,” said junior tight end Colby Parkinson. “I think it’s a testament to how hard they worked during the summer. I know the older guys wanted to bring them up to speed as fast as we could. It’s cool to see.”
Added junior center Drew Dalman: “The whole mentality this offseason was getting everybody ready, not just the freshmen. We know these seasons take everybody, especially on the offensive line, which is a position where sometimes people get dinged up so guys have to be ready to play. They’ve been awesome.”
Jones has leaned on fifth-year senior Cameron Scarlett and senior Dorian Maddox for advice.
“Austin and Nate (Peat) have been like sponges trying to soak up as much as they can,” Scarlett said. “We’ve just tried to instill some of the things Coach G (running backs coach, Ron Gould) teaches us like being physical, running with a purpose, breaking tackles, being great with our eyes and being calm in the chaos.
“I told them you’re going to get your opportunity. When you do, capitalize and make the most of it.”
Jones did against UCF. He gained a team-high 65 yards on seven carries. The touchdown is still a blur.
“Surreal moment,” said Jones. “When I came off the field, I celebrated with my teammates, but I didn’t really realize I had scored. It didn’t really sink in until I walked out to kick off and I was like, ‘Man, I just scored my first college touchdown.’ It was like a dream come true for me.”
The moment wasn’t too big, thanks to mentoring from Scarlett and Maddox.
“Cam and Dorian have been a big help,” Jones said. “They’ve been telling me everything I need to read on the plays and to just be yourself and play your game. Once you get on the field, be you.”
In Dalman’s mind, they are no longer freshmen.
“The people on the field are the guys we trust, regardless of age or experience,” said Dalman. “If you’re in a Stanford jersey, we’ve got to trust you and we will.”
INJURY UPDATE: Help could be forthcoming for the Cardinal. Following Wednesday’s practice, David Shaw, the Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football, said junior starting right tackle Foster Sarell is “probable,” senior offensive guard Dylan Powell is “doubtful,” and senior starting inside linebacker Andrew Pryts is “really close” for Saturday against the Ducks. He previously announced that freshman Branson Bragg is out indefinitely.
TIGHTEN UP: In three games, Stanford has surrendered 18 plays of 20 yards or more.
“That’s not us,” Shaw said. “We’re built to be better than that.”
The defense will be tested by Oregon, sparked by senior quarterback Justin Herbert and a list of playmakers.
“He’s got pure talent,” said Shaw. “He’s a great college quarterback and will be a great quarterback at the next level.”
Stanford must make Herbert uncomfortable and limit big plays. He has thrown for 11 touchdowns and hasn’t been intercepted in his last 150 attempts, dating back to last season.
“Our job is to keep them out of the end zone,” Shaw said.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
NEAR MISSES: The Cardinal offense has had chances to make big plays in every game and looks to cash in Saturday.
“It is definitely frustrating,” said junior wide receiver Connor Wedington. “It is also a part of the game. Practice makes perfect. At the end of the day, getting more reps before practice and after practice is what is going to make things click.”
Added senior quarterback K.J. Costello, “Nobody knows what we can do on offense because we haven’t done it yet.”
OVERTIME SHOCKER: Parkinson caught the game-winning touchdown from Costello in overtime last year in Eugene to lift Stanford to an improbable 38-31 comeback victory against Oregon. The Cardinal trailed 24-7 at halftime and was down by 10 points with 90 seconds left in regulation.
“Not necessarily the game itself but more the atmosphere and how we felt as a team in the second half,” Parkinson said, when asked what he recalled most. “The belief and no-doubt feeling that we were going to come back. It’s something that we draw on a lot. The feeling of unity in the second half was second to none.”
Photo credit: gostanford.com
Dream realized that Costello is still smiling after meeting Tiger Woods last Saturday at the UCF game.
“It was so cool,” said Costello, who competed in junior golf and is a scratch player. “I’ve been a fan my entire life. He was probably the first athlete that I adored. Just the way he walked around. I remember going to junior tournaments wearing the same (Sunday) red.”
SET THE EXPECTATION: Saturday’s theme is Sexual and Relationship Violence Awareness. Additional themes include New Student Orientation, Hall of Fame recognition and presentation of the Capital One Cup.
Photo credit: gostanford.com
EXTRA POINTS: Shaw described the Tuesday and Wednesday practices as “spirited” … Under Shaw, the Cardinal is 20-7 coming off a loss and 5-0 after consecutive losses … Stanford has won the last three meetings against Oregon … The Cardinal hasn’t allowed a first quarter touchdown in five of the last six games … Parkinson leads Stanford with 17 receptions, followed by Wedington with 15 … The Cardinal has been outscored, 31-14, in the first quarter … Former Stanford head coach John Ralston, who guided the program to Rose Bowl wins in 1971 and 1972, will be recognized. He passed away last week.
QUOTE: “We’ve got to do what we do and play our style of football.” — Senior outside linebacker Jordan Fox
Young San Jose State University alumni and Spartan fans now have an exclusive new way to connect and engage with San Jose State Athletics through the launch of the New Spartan Club.
Alumni and fans ages 32 and under who give $50.00 or more to the Spartan Athletics Fund will be enrolled in the New Spartan Club.
Join the New Spartan Club and check your email for invitations to exclusive events and game day experiences. When signing up online, please include “New Spartan Club” in the Special Instructions field.
The New Spartan Club will open doors to some of San Jose State’s best game day experiences while supporting Spartan student-athletes.
Join now and register for the New Spartan Club’s launch event — a watch-party for the September 27 San Jose State at Air Force football game — at Fourth Street Pizza in downtown San Jose located at the corner of Fourth & San Carlos Streets. Kickoff and the watch party starts at 5:00 p.m. PT.
In addition to the upcoming watch-party, hospitality benefits of the New Spartan Club include: An exclusive 2019 Homecoming football experience on October 19, New Spartan Club night at the Hardwood Lounge during basketball season, and networking events in downtown San Jose.
The New Spartan Club benefits the Spartan Athletics Fund, which provides resources for student-athletes and coaches in San Jose State’s 22 NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics programs. For questions regarding the New Spartan Club or the Spartan Athletics Fund, dial (408) 924-1450 or email spartanathleticsfund@sjsu.edu.
The Giants’ playoff hopes may be over, but they are still playing hard and playing good baseball in spurts, and that still makes them interested to watch, even with only a couple of weeks left in the 2019 season.
For the past two nights, they have given it to the Boston Red Sox, a team that is in the thick of the American League playoff race, the latest installment being an 11-3 rout of the Red Sox at Fenway Park Wednesday night.
The Giants jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first three innings, a surge that was spearheaded by Stephen Vogt’s two-run homer in the first inning that sailed over the short wall in right field.
In the sixth and seventh, the Red sox mounted a comeback and cut the lead in half. However, the Giants used the next two innings to blow the game wide open.
They got a pair of runs in the eighth and then erupted for a five-run ninth, during which Mike Yastrzemski, who got a standing ovation from the Boston faithful in his first game at Fenway Park Tuesday night, singled in a run to start the burst.
Vogt had four RBI on Wednesday for the Giants, while Mauricio Dubon knocked in a pair of runs himself, courtesy of a two-run single in the ninth.
Meanwhile, Jeff Samardzija had a solid outing, giving up only a run on two hits, walking only one and striking out a pair of batters, lowering his ERA to 3.64. His Red Sox counterpart, Jhoulys Chacin, however, was not so fortunate. He was chased from the game after only 2 2/3 innings after surrendering four runs on five hits.
The San Jose Sharks played their second preseason game in as many days as they took on the Calgary Flames after traveling Wednesday.
The Flames played their third match in three days thanks to a traveling doubleheader.
None of that mattered though as both teams combined for 10 goals and their most goals apiece of the preseason, even though their previous contests were multi-goal games as well.
20 different players had their first preseason points. The Sharks’ Manuel Wiederer had two goals, Calgary’s Dillon Dube had his second goal in as many games and an assist, San Jose’s Ivan Chekhovich had a goal and an assist, the Sharks’ Jayden Halbgewachs and Tony Sund had two assists and the Flames’ Tobias Rieder had his second assist in as many games.
All the first period action happened in the opening half.
San Jose went first with Lean Bergmann scoring solo at 4:01.
Sean Monahan tied the contest up at 7:06 and teammate Alan Quine followed with a close-up goal that went between Antoine Bibeau’s knees at 8:32.
The Sharks had a 3-on-1 in the waning seconds of the first but the net went off its moorings.
Both teams went on a scoring exhibition in the second.
At first, it started off the same way as the first with both teams combining for three goals before the 10-minute mark in the same order.
The puck touched the tape of several players, but San Jose used a faceoff win and a tip to tie up the game a second time. Chekhovich scored at 6:44.
Adam Ruzicka gave Calgary back the 3-2 lead at 8:51, as he took the pass from Martin Pospisil at the boards and at 9:21, Derek Ryan’s pass turned into a scoring shot as the puck hopped off the Sharks’ Tomas Hertl’s stick in between.
Then the teams started trading off goals in the closing part of the period.
Sund took the hard shot and Wiederer shoved it in at 11:39.
Dube used handy stickwork to re-establish a two-goal lead at 13:35.
Wiederer moved around his defender at 17:54 to make sure his team did not end the period worse than it started.
Rieder started off the third with a clang in the form of a crossbar shot.
He also drew another penalty from Mario Ferraro around the same time as the second period, at 1:11.
The Flames had their only power play at 8:48.
Up Next: San Jose will host the Vegas Golden Knights Saturday at 5 pm.
After two AFC West divisional games to start the season at home, the Raiders get set for their first road test of the year as they prepare to face the NFC North’s Minnesota Vikings in Week 3. The Silver and Black are 9-5 all time against the Purple People Eaters, with each team winning two games apiece over their last four matchups.
In their last meeting, the Vikings took down the Raiders 30-14 on Nov. 15, 2015 at the RingCentral Coliseum in Oakland.
Kickoff is set for 10:00 a.m. PDT this Sunday at U.S. Bank Field, as the Raiders begin a 49-day stretch away from Oakland and the first of four games against the NFC North this season.
The Raiders (1-1) lost 28-10 to the visiting Kansas City Chiefs in Week 2, after jumping out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes shredded Oakland’s defense in the second quarter, throwing 278 of his 443 yards and four touchdowns in the period that put the game out of reach.
With the win, Mahomes improved to 3-0 against Oakland and has now thrown for 10 touchdowns to just one interception in those three games.
History was made in the game for Oakland as quarterback Derek Carr surpassed Hall of Fame quarterback Ken Stabler for most passing yards in franchise history, as Carr threw for 198 yards in the game and now stands at 19,196 threw his first 80 games.
Wide receiver Tyrell Williams caught his second touchdown of the year, while tight end Darren Waller led the Raiders in receptions again for the second-straight week as he caught six balls for 63 yards.
Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Waller joined Todd Christensen (1986) and Brandon Myers (2012) as the only tight ends in team history to record at least 50 yards receiving in the first two games of the season.
Defensively, the Raiders didn’t muster much of a pass rush against the Chiefs but Benson Mayowa had a day to remember, as he recorded 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
Mayowa became the first Raiders player to record at least one sack and one forced fumble in each of the first two games of the season since sacks became an official statistic in 1982, while also becoming just the seventh defensive player league wide to do so since 2010 according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
After defeating the Atlanta Falcons 28-12 in Week 1 at home, the Vikings (1-1) lost on the road in Green Bay, 21-16 in Week 2 at Lambeau Field.
Vikings running back Dalvin Cook rushed for a career-high 154 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries against the Packers. It was the second-straight game that the third-year pro from Florida State rushed for over 100 yards.
Through the first two games of the season, Cook is the NFL’s leading rusher with 265 yards.
Vikings signal-caller Kirk Cousins can play like he’s a top-10 NFL quarterback at times, making tough throws look routine to stud wideouts Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Then there are times where Cousins will throw those head-scratching passes late in a game that’ll get intercepted, sealing a loss that makes you wonder, if he’s even worth the $84 million fully guaranteed the Vikings are paying him?
Minnesota has Super Bowl aspirations and the pressure is on Cousins to guide them to Miami (the site of Super Bowl LIV), this season.
After throwing just 10 times in the season opener against the Falcons, Cousins finished 14-of-32 with one touchdown and two interceptions against the Packers.
With a chance to throw a potential game-winning score for Minnesota late in the fourth quarter, Cousins was intercepted by Green Bay cornerback Kevin King in the end zone.
Didn’t I mention a few spaces before about those head-scratching throws from Cousins that’ll cost you a game?
But the ultimate strength of the Vikings is its defense, which has been among the NFL’s best during head coach Mike Zimmer’s six seasons in Minnesota. The Vikings can generate a strong pass rush from its edge rushers in Danielle Hunter and Everson Griffen, which will give its strong secondary led by strong safety Harrison Smith and cornerback Xavier Rhodes opportunities to create turnovers.
Carr and the offense have to be on high alert for a tough Vikings team and one of the toughest venues in the NFL, U.S. Bank Stadium this Sunday.
Following Sunday’s game, the Raiders will travel to Indianapolis to battle the Colts in Week 4 before flying to London to take on the Chicago Bears in a “home game” in Week 5.
The Vikings will begin a two-game road trip when they take on the Bears in Week 4 followed by a trip to New York for a date with the Giants in Week 5.
OAKLAND — Last night’s thrilling come-from-behind win over Kansas City, starting with Olson’s astounding home run blast in the seventh and culminating in Hendrik’s electrifying revindication of Mondaly’s debacle in the ninth, nudged the A’s an inch or two further towards a play off berth. They entered this afternoon contest against the pesky Kansas City Royals two full games ahead of Tampa Bay, who lost last night to the Dodgers, for the home field advantage and two and a half games in front of Cleveland, whose elimination number from wild card competition stands at 11 with just that many games left to play. At game time Oakland had 10 to go. Any combination of Oakland wins and Cleveland losses of 11 or more in those 21 contests would put the A’s in the postseason, if only for a single encounter. After the game was over, they’d picked up a half a game on Cleveland, who now have an elimination number of 10 with 11 games remaining on their schedule.
Danny Duffy, the Royals’ starting pitcher is a reminder that Kansas City’s most recent glory days are not that far back in the team’s past; he pitched a half a dozen innings in the 2014 and 2015 World Series for them. So far this year, his record had been a mediocre 6-6, 4.55 ERA, and he had yet to throw a pitch against the A’s. The Oakland hitter with the best record against him was Robbie Grossman at six for 17 (.353). The A’s switch-hitter outfielder was not in the A’s opening lineup, probably owing to his .180 batting average against lefties this year.
Oakland’s starting pitcher, Homer Bailey, has ties to a less glorious time in Kansas City baseball history. He had gone 7-6, 4.80 ERA for the Royals this season when they dealt him to the A’s on July 14. Between then and the time the A’s took the verdant, recently rained upon field after a 28-minute delay caused by same light rain that had refreshed the playing surface, the veteran right hander had gone 6-2 with an ERA of 4.70, sometimes pitching very well, other times, not.
Looking at the starters’ records, you wouldn’t have anticipated how well they would perform. The once and future Royal hurlers traded shutout innings until they both had left the game. Their successors did the same until there were two men down in the bottom of the 11th inning.
Oakland threatened in their half of the fourth when Semien opened the frame with a two bagger to right center, but the A’s fell victim to the curse of the lead off double when Duffy struck out Chapman and Canha, with Olson’s fly out to deep right sandwiched between the two Ks.
It was Kansas City’s chance to threaten in the top of the seventh. With one out, Jorge Soler smacked a double to left for the Royals’ third hit. A strikeout and an intentional walk later, Ryan O’Hearn hit a sinking fly to left. Chad Pinder made a spectacular diving grab of the ball to preserve the tie.
Bailey finally left the game after the A’s went down in the seventh. He had pitched seven complete innings and yielded only three hits and an intentional walk. His strike out total was a personal season-high 11. 66 of his 95 pitches were strikes. His replacement was Yusmeiro Petit, making his league leading 76th appearance.
When Scott Barlow took over for Duffy to pitch the Oakland eighth, the Royals’ starter had gotten through seven innings, allowing just two hits and a walk on 103 pitches, 67 of which were strikes. He struck out six Oakland batters.
Barlow lasted until he yielded a two out walk to Chapman in the bottom of the ninth. Those two outs had come about on strikeouts of a pinch hitting Jurickson Profar, followed by another against Semien. It took left-handed sidearmer Tim Hill one pitch to retire Olson on a pop to short.
Jake Diekman, another ex-Royal, replaced Petit to pitch the 10th.
He stuck out the two men he faced. Then Cheslor Cuthbert was announced as a pinch hitter for Ryan O’Hearn, which brought in JB Wendelken to strike Cuthbert out on five pitches. Ah, the intricacies of lefty-righty match ups!
Monday night’s winning pitcher, Kevin McCarthy gave up two quick singles to Canha and Laureano but bounced back to fan Khris Davis and get Sean Murphy to get Laureano out at on a bounder up the middle that second base man Merrifield made a good catch of and flipped to short stop Mondesí for the force. It was cold comfort that Canha advanced to third because he died there when Grossman, facing the latest Royal reliever, grounded out short to first.
Wendelkin survived a hairy top of the 10th. Bubba Starling began it with a single to right. Meibris Viloria sacrificed him to second. Brian Phillips was out on a hard line drive to Canha in center. Mondesí walked to load the bases with two out. Then Wendelkin got Jorge Soler to swing and miss on a 1-2 slider.
Jesse Hahn was on the mound when the A’s came to bat in the bottom of the eleventh. Profar worked him for a walk. Semien went down swinging, but Profar swiped second on the strike out pitch, so the play was a functional sacrifice. Chapman took a called third strike. Now, with Olson at the plate, it was time for Kansas City to grant an intentional walk. Mark Canha, whose Hometown Hero t-shirt was the afternoon’s give away, sent a 1-2 offering from Hahn down the right field line for a walk off double.
The hard earned win went to Wendelken, bringing his season’s totals to 3-1, 3.66 ERA for his 1 1/3 innings of work. Hahn was saddled with the loss.
11 innings of excitement, played in three hours and seven minutes, under clear skies in warm weather. This is how a play off chase should be conducted.
The A’s have a day of rest tomorrow. I won’t; I’ll be writing a discussion of the state of the race for the postseason. The team returns to the Coliseum on Friday, where Mike Fiers (14-4, 4.09 ERA) will face Mike Minor (13-9, 3.33 ERA) and the Texas Rangers at 7:07 p.m.
#1 Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger injured his right elbow and will need surgery and said after last Sunday’s game that it was heartbreaking to be out on an injury. The injury knocked Roethlisberger out for the rest of the season and Roethlisberger said he looks forward to coming back next season.
#2 New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees torn thumb will need surgery. Brees sought a second opinion in Houston, and after being looked at in Los Angeles, Brees will miss six to eight weeks of the football season, which would put him at Week 10 at the latest that he can return.
#3 The Oakland A’s continue to believe in miracles. They got a huge win past the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday night. The A’s, who lost the first game of the series Monday night to the Royals 6-5, who came back on them, came back on the Royals on Tuesday night after being down 1-0 scored two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning for the 2-1 win. The A’s lead second place Tampa Bay by two games.
#4 What happen to the Raiders after having a 10-0 lead on Sunday? The visiting Kansas City Chiefs took over in the second quarter scoring four touchdowns and won it 28-10 and the Raiders couldn’t score in the second half.
#5 The San Jose Earthquakes, who have lost three of their last five games battled against one of the MLS’ best NYC FC, on Saturday losing 2-1. The Quakes’ Chris Wondolowski continues to find the back of the net with the Quakes’ only goal — his 14th of the season.
