Bryce Love drafted by the Washington Redskins

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Photo credit: gostanford.com

By: Ana Kieu

Bryce Love was selected in the fourth round with the 112th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft on Saturday by the Washington Redskins. A running back from Wake Forest, N.C., Love is the first Cardinal selected by Washington since Trent Murphy in the second round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

“Bryce Love is special,” Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw said. “He’s not just a speedy outside-the-box guy, but he’s a running back. He averaged 8.1 yards per carry and had 13 50-yard runs in 2017, things that just don’t make any sense. Bryce is fast and explosive, but he also breaks tackles. He led the nation in yards after contact a year ago. He’s a game changer, a field position changer. He scores touchdowns and he’s also a phenomenal human being. He’s going to be a strong asset for the Washington Redskins.”

The 2017 Heisman Trophy runner-up and 2018 team captain, Love was a three-time All-Pac-12 honoree. He won the 2017 Doak Walker Award, Lombardi Award, was a unanimous All-American and the Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year. He finished his career with 3,866 rushing yards, 30 rushing touchdowns and 16 career 100-yard games. His 6.79 yards per carry average set a new school record.

“The reason Bryce is going to be successful is because he’s a professional, he works hard, he’s competitive and he’s very talented,” Cardinal running backs coach Ron Gould said. “He’s going to make plays where there aren’t a lot of plays to be made. He’s a lot stronger than people think — he had over 1,000 yards after contact his junior year – and he’s the fastest guy in the draft. You can’t count Bryce out because he has an impeccable work ethic, he’s passionate and he wants to be the best to ever play the game. When the lights and cameras aren’t on, Bryce is still going to be working.”

During his record-breaking season in 2017, Love rushed for 2,118 yards, averaged 162.9 yards per game and a school-record 8.05 yards per carry. He had 12 100-yard games, 30 rushes of more than 20 yards, 24 of more than 30 yards, 15 40-yard rushes, an FBS record 13 50-yard rushes and seven 60-yard rushes. He set a new FBS record with 13 consecutive games with a 30-yard rush and 11 straight games with a 50-yard rush.

Love was named honorable mention All-Pac-12 last season when he totaled 166 carries for 739 yards and six touchdowns–playing in and starting 10 games. In 2016, he was also honorable mention All-Pac-12 as he totaled 783 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He finished his career with 32 touchdowns and two two-point conversions for 196 career points.

Sanchez hits grand slam in Yankees’ 6-4 win over Giants

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — It seems that a trip to the West Coast did not cool off the New York Yankees, despite the fact that they have a major league-high 13 players on the injured list.

Gary Sanchez hit a grand slam into the left-center bleachers, as part of a five run fifth inning and the Yankees would go on to defeat the San Francisco Giants 6-4 in front of 33,971 at Oracle Park.

It was the first career grand slam for Sanchez, his seventh home run of the season and his first since being activated from the injured list on April 24.

J.A. Happ pitched seven strong innings, allowing zero runs on five hits, walking no one and striking out two, as he won for the first time in 2019.

D.J. LeMahieu got the ball rolling for the Yankees in the top of the third inning, as he singled to left field off the glove of Evan Longoria that allowed Cameron Maybin to score from second base.

The Yankees blew the game wide open in the fifth inning, as Derek Holland got roughed up for a five-run inning, as Luke Voit was hit by a pitch that scored LeMahieu and then Sanchez launched his seventh home run of the season.

Cameron Maybin beat out an infield single to Yangervis Solarte, then after a Thairo Estrada single, Happ bunted into a fiedlers choice that retired Maybin at third base, then LeMahieu walked to load the bases, after a Voit hit by a pitch that saw LeMahieu score from third base, Sanchez hit a grand slam that lit up Oracle Park with the throngs of Yankees fans like the Christmas Tree in Rockefeller Plaza.

The Giants as a team could not figure out Happ all day, as they got two hits off the left-hander and lost for the second time in a row against the Bronx Bombers.

Solarte finally got the Giants on the board, as he hit his first home run of the season off of Luis Sessa in the bottom of the ninth inning, as he hit a three-run home run.

It was Solartes first home run as a member of the Giants, and his first home run since July 22, 2018, while playing for the Toronto Blue Jays against the Baltimore Orioles.

Eric Kratz cut the Yankees down to 6-4, as he hit his first home run of the season, and it was the fifth career pinch hit home run for Kratz.

The last time Kratz hit a pinch-hit home run came on August 18, 2014 for the Kansas City Royals against the Minnesota Twins (Anthony Swarzak) at Target Field.

Buster Posey stayed hot, as he went 2-for-4 at the plate, and is hitting .345 (10-for-29) over his last nine games with four doubles and a home run and seven runs batted in.

NOTES: Brandon Belt moved to right field in the eighth inning, as it was the first time that he played in right field since April 23, 2017 and the fourth time in his career.

When Tyler Austin threw out Gleyber Torres at third base, it was the 10th outfield assist of the season for the Giants, breaking the tie for the most in the major leagues. Prior to the Austin assist, the Giants were tied with the defending World Champion Boston Red Sox and the Miami Marlins for the most in the majors with nine.

The Sanchez grand slam was the third that was allowed by Holland, and the first since July 2,2011, while pitching for the Texas Rangers. Hanley Ramirez, then playing for the Florida Marlins launched the grand slam against Holland.

Voits streak of reaching base was extended in that fifth inning when he drove in a run, as he reached on a hit by a pitch by Holland. It was the 37th consecutive game that Voit reached base, and is the second longest streak by a Yankees player since the start of 2005, when Mark Teixeira reached in 42 straight games from June 6-July 26, 2010.

Steven Duggar injured his right wrist when he went for that D.J. LeMahieu foul ball when he ran over the bullpen mound in the top of the first inning of Fridays game.

Tried to balance myself, said Duggar.

UP NEXT: Dereck Rodriguez looks to stop from sweeping the series, as he looks to improve to 4-2 on the season, while Domingo German looks to move to 5-1 on the season for the Yankees.

This will be the first career starts for each starter against their opponents.

Earthquakes, FC Dallas play to 0-0 draw

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

It was matchday in Dallas and the San Jose Earthquakes were fired up to battle FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium on Saturday. The Quakes started things off the good old Texas way by greeting the masses with “Howdy, y’all.” The Quakes rocked their road white uniforms on the field.

The Quakes’ starting lineup featured Daniel Vega, Nick Lima, Florian Jungwirth, Harold Cummings, Tommy Thompson, Anibal Godoy, Jackson Yueill, Cristian Espinoza, Magnus Eriksson, Shea Salinas and Danny Hoesen. The Quakes’ substitutions were Andrew Tarbell, Marcos Lopez, Paul Marie, Judson, Eric Calvillo, Vako and Chris Wondolowski.

The Quakes introduced themselves as the San Jose Earthquakes and added that they were ready to crash a party in the Big D. Moreover, there were some Quakes fans from the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area who sported the Black and Blue at the match.

Danny Hoesen almost scored the opening goal in the 16th minute, but FC Dallas goalkeeper Jesse Gonzalez made a diving-style save to fend off the potential Quakes goal.

Check out this clip in the 25th minute.

The Quakes knocked on the door in the 40th minute, but unfortunately, they didn’t. Cristian Espinoza won the ball in the midfield and almost converted for a goal. The first half ended in a 0-0 draw.

The Quakes kept trying for the opening goal in the second half. However, San Jose was unable to get on the board first, despite quite a few close calls.

Nick Lima had a go for a goal in the 52nd minute, but it went just wide of the net. Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda continued to clap his hands and show his team the right ways to do things, but that didn’t really help.

The Quakes’ first substitution took place in the 69th minute. Judson entered for Shea Salinas.

The Quakes’ second substitution took place in the 83rd minute. Chris Wondolowski entered for Eric Calvillo.

The Quakes’ third substitution took place in the 87th minute. Vako entered for Harold Cummings. Vako was just inches away from the opening goal at the 91st minute. San Jose and FC Dallas played to a 0-0 draw. SJ left Frisco, Texas with a point, which was better than nothing.

The Quakes return home to host FC Cincinnati on Saturday, May 4 at 7:00 pm PT.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs/San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Changed Sharks on track to do some damage in Colorado series

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

On the San Jose Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 Five different players scored a goal each in Friday night’s game one. Joe Thornton, Gus Nyquist, Kevin Labanc, Brent Burns and Marcus Sorensen scored for the Sharks.

#2 The Sharks gave up the first goal and then in the second period and scored three unanswered goals. Does that pretty much describe the character of this team?

#3 The Colorado Avalanche outshot the Sharks in the first period 13-9 and won 47% of their faceoffs.

#4 The San Jose Sharks outshot the Avalanche in the second period 13-11 and won 43% of faceoffs, so a little adjustment there.

#5 How different how much of a big change has Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer has this team since they were down 3-1 to the Vegas Golden Knights in the first round?

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs/San Jose Sharks podcast each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt Harrington: Sharks stay on track with game plan, take 1-0 lead into Sunday’s Game 2; Canes’ Staal gets OT goal to edge Isles

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yahoosports.com photo: Martin Jones of the San Jose Sharks protects the nets on Friday night in game one against the Colorado Avalanche, Jones stopped 26 shots.

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast with Matt:

#1 The San Jose Sharks came out again on Friday in game one of the second round against the Colorado Avalanche. There was no let down or any trouble much like the struggles they had in round one with the Vegas Golden Knights with a convincing 5-2 victory.

#2 The Sharks rallied twice in the contest after being one goal down and won their fourth straight playoff game.

#3 It was the second period when the Sharks started to take over the contest, and with the help of Sharks goalie Martin Jones, the Sharks were able to hold off the Avalanche as Jones stopped 26 shots.

#4 The Carolina Hurricanes’ Jordan Staal got an overtime goal at 4:04 to lead the Canes past the New York Islanders in the opening game of the second round series to take a 1-0 lead. The Hurricanes defeated the Isles in a razor close game 1-0.

#5 It was an amazing goal of sorts as the Canes’ Nino Niederreiter took a shot that caromed of the boards where Staal took the puck on the right side and put it past Isles goalie Robin Lehner’s skate.

Catch the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcasts with Matt each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Marvin Bagley III pops up in wiretaps about payments to recruit him to key schools

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Multiple reports have the name of Marvin Bagley III appearing in transcripts of wiretaps that indicate payments were needed to steer him to USC to play his college basketball. The money would have come from an athletic shoe company and would have been funneled through an assistant coach or a “wannabe” agent trying to establish himself in the representation business.

It is very important to note that Bagley III is not a person of interest in the case. He is in no way a subject of the investigation. There is no implication that Bagley III ever knew that any proposed payments were being offered for his services as a college player to align him with a specific shoe company as he transitioned into the NBA.

Marvin Bagley Jr. may be a focus of the investigation. It was reported that the Bagley’s filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 2008 and appeared to have lost their home in Phoenix to foreclosure. In 2012, the family moved into a very upscale gated community in Southern California while Bagley III enrolled in a very expensive private school.

The implication is that Nike was very kind to Bagley Jr. and his club team Phoenix Phamily in Arizona. High-level AAU club team being supported by apparel companies for travel and shoes etc. is no secret. It has been done in the open for years. The fact that it has bled over to college recruiting is a logical progression.

This investigation is being driven by some junior assistant Federal Prosecutors who have seen the chance to make some big tabloid headlines because some big name basketball stars and their families are involved. This whole situation should be turned over to the NCAA to deal with and adjudicate. The Federal Prosecutors should be concentrating on things like Russian meddling in our elections.

In the meantime, the NBA could help stop this chaos by allowing 18-year old players to enter the draft without having to play a “sham” year at the college level. If the players do not get drafted, let them play in the G-League and develop their skills in the minor leagues like baseball has for years. It’s time for the NBA to step up and pay to develop their talent.

For Kings fans, do not fear. Marvin Bagley III is not going to go to jail. He is an innocent bystander in this situation. Marvin Bagley Jr. may have some legal issues. Only time will tell if he will have to deal with Federal Prosecutors for his actions.

Vlad Jr. Debuts, Jays Walk Off Over A’s 4-2

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Photo credit: @Cut4

By Matthew Harrington

All eyes were on the A’s Friday night as they took on the Toronto Blue Jays. No, it wasn’t because of the man leading the galaxy in homers, Khris Davis, but instead on a Jays player with a Hall-of-Fame pedigree. Vlad Guerrero Jr., baseball’s top prospect, made his debut Friday night, “accounting” for the winning run in a 4-2 walk-off win. Former Athletic Eric Sogard homered and Brandon Drury hit a two-run walk-off jack. Robbie Grossman knocked in both A’s runs with a two-run homer.

Mike Fiers started for the A’s and had arguably his best start of the season going seven innings with six hits and the two earned runs. He was touched up by Sogard in the first. Randal Grichuk added another on an RBI single in the bottom of the third, but Fiers wriggled out with the no-decision after Grossman took reliever Joe Biagini deep to tie the game in the top of the eighth. Marcus Stroman started the game for the Jays and was once again lethal against Oakland, firing seven innings of one-hit ball after limiting the A’s to one run on eight innings in an earlier outing this season.

For Guerrero, the debut started off failing to live up to the hype. He was 0-for-3 heading into his ninth-inning at-bat. Guerrero worked a double off Yusmeiro Petit for a double. He was lifted for pinch-runner Alan Hanson who moved to third on a sacrifice bunt but was stranded after Teoscar Hernandez’s line-drive out. Drury hit the game-winning homer off Petit (0-1, 2.93 ERA)  though to send the Toronto faithful home with a win. Closer Ken Giles (1-1, 2.19 ERA) wound up the winner with a clean top of the 9th, striking out two A’s while working around a hit.

Oakland will face Vlad Jr. and the Jays Saturday with Brett Anderson starting for Oakland and Aaron Sanchez taking the bump for Toronto.

LeMahieu, Voit lead Yankees to 7-3 victory over Giants

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — In their first appearance at Oracle Park in nearly 12 years, the New York Yankees showed why they are on a roll lately.

Gleyber Torres got it going in the first inning, as he doubled in DJ LeMahieu, who led off the game with a double of his own and the Yankees defeated the San Francisco Giants 7-3 before a crowd of 34,950 at Oracle Park.

With the victory, the Yankees have won seven out of their last eight and improve to 4-1 on their three-city, nine-game road trip thru Anaheim, San Francisco and Arizona.

The top three Yankees hitters in the lineup of Torres, LeMahieu and Luke Voit went a combined 8-for-13 with six runs scored and four runs batted in.

Cameron Maybin drove in the second run of the inning, as he singled in Torres, while Gio Urshela went to second. Urshela singled just before Maybin. Madison Bumgarner was able to regroup, as he got Austin Romine to groundout to Bumgarner and then Mike Tauchman struck out swinging to end the inning.

It may have taken 26 games, but the Giants finally scored in the first inning, as Tyler Austin singled, then Brandon Belt doubled Austin to third and then Buster Posey hit a sacrifice fly to Maybin that allowed Austin to score.

Urshela drove in the Yankees third run of the evening, as he singled to left field to score Voit, who singled to lead off the third inning, went to second on a Torres sacrifice bunt and then scored on the Urshela single. Urshela advanced an additional 90 feet, when Belt misplayed the ball in left field.

Voit got in on the act in the top of the fifth inning, as he doubled to left to score LeMahieu, as Voit stretched streak of reaching base up to 37 games in a row.

The power-hitting first baseman ended the night by going 3-for-4 with a two-run home run and three RBIs.

Steven Duggar came up with the defensive play of the night in that fifth inning, as he threw out Voit attempting to go to third base. It was the ninth outfield assist of the season for the Giants, tying them for the most in the major leagues with the Boston Red Sox and the Miami Marlins.

The Yankees lengthened their lead in the top of the sixth inning, as Thairo Estrada picked up his first major league RBI, as he singled to center field to score Austin Romine.

Buster Posey cut the Yankees lead down to 5-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, as he doubled to score Austin and then Yangervis Solarte drove in Posey, as he singled.

It was a nice return to the Bay Area for LeMahieu, who played for the Colorado Rockies from 2012-2018, and began his career with the Chicago Cubs in 2011.

James Paxton pitched a great game for the Yankees, as he went 5.2 innings, giving up three runs on five hits, walking two and striking out eight and improved to 3-2 on the season.

Bumgarner also went 5.2 innings, allowing five runs, on five hits, while not walking a batter and striking out five and saw his record fall to 1-4 on the season.

The 11 hits allowed by Bumgarner tied a career-high, as it was the fourth time that he gave up 11 hits in a game. The last time that Bumgarner gave up 11 hits in the same game was on September 11, 2012 against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

NOTES: With their run in the first inning, the Giants now have been outscored 16-1 in the opening frame and are now 9-for-84 at the plate, a .107 clip.

While the Yankees have a MLB-high 13 players on the injured list, the Giants have just one player on the IL, as Johnny Cueto is on the 60-day disabled list, while he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Jordan Montgomery, Dellin Betances, Jacoby Ellsbury, Didi Gregorius, Ben Heller, Aaron Hicks, Luis Severino, Giancarlo Stanton, Miguel Andujar, Troy Tulowitzki, Greg Bird, Aaron Judge and Clint Frazier are the 13 Yankees currently on the injured list.

This day in Giants history, Cueto threw his first shutout in a Giants uniform, as he shutout the San Diego Padres 1-0. It was also the 100th win of Cuetos career.

On this date in 1961, Roger Maris hit his first of his 61 home runs of the season, as the Yankees defeated the Detroit Tigers 13-11 in 10 innings at Tiger Stadium. Mickey Mantle, who hit 54 home runs that season hit home runs from both sides of the plate, as he hit a two-run home run in the top of the eighth inning and then another two-run home run in the top of the 10th inning.

Also on this date in 2005, Alex Rodriguez hit three home runs and drove in 10 runs, as the Yankees defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 12-4. Rodriguez became just the second Yankees player to drive in 10 or more runs in a game, trailing Tony Lazzeri, who drove in 11 runs on May 24, 1936, as the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Athletics 25-2.

UP NEXT: Derek Holland takes the mound for the Giants, as he makes his sixth start of the season and the 220th start of his career. This will be the 11th career start for Holland against the Yankees, as he is 1-7 with a 6.38 ERA.

J.A. Happ will head to the hill for the Yankees in the middle game of this three-game series, as he looks for his first win of the season against two losses. In his career versus the Giants, Happ is 1-4 with a 4.80 ERA in five career starts.

JJ Arcega-Whiteside drafted by Philadelphia Eagles

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Photo credit: gostanford.com

By: Ana Kieu

JJ Arcega-Whiteside was selected in the second round with the 57th overall pick of the 2019 NFL Draft on Friday night by the Philadelphia Eagles. A wide receiver from Inman, S.C., Arcega-Whiteside is the first Cardinal selected by the Eagles since Ed Reynolds in the fifth round of the 2014 NFL Draft.

“JJ makes big catches that change field position and scores touchdowns,” Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw said. “He is a difference maker that can make highlight catches and that is one of those traits that translates really well from college to the NFL.”

A 2018 team captain and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist, Arcega-Whiteside earned All-Pac 12 second team honors last season while tying a 41-year-old school record with 14 touchdown catches. He finished second in school history with 28 career touchdown receptions and third in school history with nine 100-yard receiving games. His 2,219 career receiving yards are the 12th-most all-time at Stanford and his 135 receptions rank 18th.

“His work ethic is unbelievable,” said wide receivers coach Bobby Kennedy. “He wants to be a really good player. I think he’s only scratched the tip of his potential. Play after play after play after play, if you look at him throughout his career at Stanford, he just continued to make plays. He’s not only a great player, but a great person. The Eagles are getting a player who will not only improve the organization as a player, but even more so as a person.”

Arcega-Whiteside totaled 63 catches for 1,059 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior in 2018. His 14 touchdown catches led the Pac-12 and ranked No. 3 in the country. His 1,059 receiving yards were the fifth-most in Stanford history for a single season and his five 100-yard receiving games were the fourth-most in a given year.

In 2017, Arcega-Whiteside earned All-Pac-12 honorable mention after totaling a team-high 48 receptions for 781 yards and nine touchdowns. He totaled 24 catches for 379 yards and five touchdowns as a sophomore in 2016, earning Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention.

Bobby Okereke drafted by Indianapolis Colts

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By: Ana Kieu

Bobby Okereke was selected in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft with the 89th overall pick on Friday night by the Indianapolis Colts. An inside linebacker from Santa Ana, Calif. Okereke is the first Cardinal selected by the Colts since Henry Anderson in the third round of the 2015 NFL Draft.

“Bobby has intrigued the scouts during the pre-draft process,” Bradford M. Freeman Director of Football David Shaw said. “His length, speed and athleticism have truly put him on the radar for a lot of teams. From day one, he will probably be a starter on multiple special teams and will be battling to get on the field as a linebacker early in his career for the Colts.”

A 2018 team captain, Okereke was twice named All-Pac-12 honorable mention during his career. He played in 51 career games, totaling 240 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He also had nine passes defended, one interception, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He added a touchdown and safety for the Cardinal.

“Bobby Okereke is an all-down linebacker,” inside linebackers coach Peter Hansen said. “He is long, he is fast, he has good hip flexibility and he can flip his hips and cover in space. He can tackle in space, too. He has extremely long arms so he can keep himself clean off blockers. He will fit in really well with the Colts.”

As a senior last season, Okereke was named a quarterfinalist for the Lott IMPACT Trophy and was on the watch lists for the Butkus and Bednarik Awards. He started all 13 games, leading the team for a second straight year with 96 tackles (52 solo). He also had 7.5 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, five pass breakups and a safety.

In 2017, Okereke played in 14 games and had 96 tackles with 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also had one forced fumble and returned an interception for a touchdown at Washington State. As a junior in 2016, he started all 13 games he played and made 41 tackles, four tackles for loss and three sacks. He played in 11 games with seven tackles as a sophomore in 2015.