Earthquakes power past Sporting KC 4-1 for second win

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photo credit mercurynews.com: The San Jose Earthquakes Danny Hoesen found the back end of the net scoring twice against the visiting Sporting KC at Avaya Stadium on Saturday

By Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Danny Hoesen provided some early fireworks for The San Jose Earthquakes and they never took their foot off the gas pedal in a dominating 4-1 victory over the Sporting KC on Saturday evening at Avaya Stadium.

The Quakes have won two out of their last three after starting 0-4 on the season. San Jose improved to 1-2 at home on the season while snapping Sporting KC’s five-game unbeaten streak as the visiting team continued to be winless on the road.

San Jose (2-5) drew first blood early in the first half. Anibal Godoy sent in a long ball from just inside the midfield line over to Danny Hoesen right at the D. The pass split two defenders as Hoesen took ball of the chest shot and won the battle between two KC defenders and finished off the play with a shot into the lower left side of the goal for his second goal of the season in the sixth minute.

Hoesen scored his second of the night six minutes later after taking a chip pass from Jackson Yueill down the left sideline. Hoesen dribbled in, deked out a defender and then out waited Sporting KC’s goalie Tim Melia and shot the ball off the body of Yohan Croizet into the back of the net for his third goal of the season in the 12th minute.

“It’s easy to say after you score two goals, but I always felt free,” said Hoesen. “The coach has always had confidence in me. It depends on how you feel on the day, how much you can run, how much can you do for the team. Sometimes it’s good and sometimes it’s bad.”

The goal was initially ruled offside by the right corner linesman, but after VAR review, the goal counted as the Quakes doubled their lead to 2-0.

Sporting KC (2-2-3) had a golden chance to cut the lead in half in the 26th minute when Krisztian Nemeth was awarded a penalty kick. However, his shot resembled more a field goal attempt as he shot ball very high over the net.

The Quakes dictated the tempo of play in the first 45 minutes as they controlled possession for much of the half generating four scoring chances.

“The goals were important for the confidence of the players,” said Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda. “I think it was an intelligent game knowing we couldn’t give them any advantage, so our players understood what we wanted. We had patience to control the ball and determine the moment and the place when we should pressure to recover the ball and from there start our counter-attacks. But I think the players did a good job understanding the game plan.”

The second half was a carbon copy of the first. In the 46th minute, Magnus Eriksson led the attack right from the opening kickoff. He found Shea Salinas along the left sideline. Salinas dribbled inside the box, and from 15 yards out, chipped in a shot over Malia into the upper right corner of the goal for his second goal of the season.

Eriksson completed the scoring for San Jose in the 61st minute. Nick Lima led a rush into the box and then tried a give and go with Eriksson, but Eriksson’s return pass was deflected right back to him. With Malia committed to the left side of the goal, the Swedish midfielder chipped the ball back into the lower right corner of the net for his second goal of the season.

“Build on tonight,” said Lima. “Tonight gives us confidence, but we build on it, we go back to the training pitch with not much time but whatever it may be, we continue to work things out communication-wise.  That’s a huge part of it and we get a little better for the next game.”

Sporting KC finally got on the board when Florian Jungwith was called for a foul inside the Quakes box which resulted in a penalty kick. This time Felipe Gutierrez cashed in on his opportunity for his second goal of the season.

Daniel Vega made six saves on seven shots to earn the victory.

GAME NOTES: Quakes defenseman Goram Kashia did not play due to a lower leg injury.

Wondo Watch: Chris Wondolowski came in the match as a substitute in the 80th minute but was not able to score. He currently sits one goal behind Landon Donovan for the all-time goals record in MLS history.

Danny Hoesen scored his 19th and 20th of his MLS career. Hoesen’s goals came in the sixth and 12th minutes of the match, the second earliest brace in Quakes history (Dwyane De Rosario — 9/27/03; 11 minutes).

Hoesen’s brace marked his third multi-goal match with the Earthquakes and first since June 13, 2018 (2 goals vs. NE). The last Quakes player to score two or more goals in a single match was Vako vs. FC Dallas on Aug. 29, 2018.

Salinas scored his second goal of the season and 15th of his MLS career. The last time Salinas scored multiple goals in a single season was 2015 (3).

Anibal Godoy tallied his second assist of the season and seventh of his MLS career.

Jackson Yueill tallied his first assist of the season and fifth of his MLS career.

Only the LA Galaxy (9) and Seattle Sounders FC (7) have earned more points than San Jose’s six over their last three matches.

The Earthquakes now hold a 25-26-8 all-time record against Sporting Kansas City.

San Jose is now 17-6-7 all-time against Sporting Kansas City at home.

The Quakes are now 3-2-1 against SKC all-time at Avaya Stadium.

Gianluca Busio was injured in the 25th minute which ended his three game goal streak.

Christian Espinoza was issued a yellow card the second minute into stoppage time into the first half. Godoy received a yellow card at the end of the first half for un-sportsman like conduct and will miss San Jose’s next match.

UP NEXT: The Quakes travel to Seattle to take on the Sounders on Wednesday, April 24 at 7:30 pm at Century Link Field.

Giants lose rain-shortened game in Pittsburgh 3-1

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

Even though the date on the calendar says April 20, weather and timely hitting by the Pittsburgh Pirates helped them out in the long run.

Cole Tucker hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, helping the Pirates defeat the San Francisco Giants 3-1 in a game called after just five innings due to rain.

It was a three-hour 20-minute rain delay that saw Tucker pickup his first major league hit when he launched a 431-foot home run to centerfield that sent the Giants to their fourth straight defeat.

Steven Duggar tied up the game in the top of the fifth inning, as he picked an opposite field single that scored Kevin Pillar from second base.

In what could have been a big inning came to a heartbreaking halt, as Gerardo Parra lined into a double play that doubled Derek Holland off of first base. Holland reached on a bunt single down the third base line.

Pillar ended up going 2-for-2 in the rain shortened game that saw the game lasted just around 90 minutes after the 4:05 (eastern time) start.

Jung Ho Kong put the Pirates on the board, as he hit his third home run of the season, a solo home run off of Holland that gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead.

Jameson Tallion pitched five innings, allowing just one run, scattering four hits, walking one and striking out three, as he won for the first time this season after losing two.

Holland saw his record fall to 1-3, as he also five innings, allowing three runs, also scattering four hits, walking just one and striking out seven.

NOTES: Once again, the Giants did not score in the first inning, making it 22 consecutive games that they have not scored, tying the 1952 Chicago White Sox and the 2007 Washington Nationals for second place. The 1948 Chicago White Sox hold the major- league record for not scoring a run in their first 28 games.

Tallion retired the Giants on nine pitches in that first inning, as they are now 6-for-69 in the opening frame on the 2019 season.

In his major-league career, Buster Posey does not have a home run against the Pirates in 184 career at-bats against the Pirates.

UP NEXT: Dereck Rodriguez looks to stop the losing streak, as he takes the mound on Sunday afternoon. This will be the second career start for Rodriguez against the Pirates, as he is 1-0 against the Pirates all-time.

On August 12, 2018, Rodriguez went seven innings, allowing one run on two hits, walked one and struck out four, as the Giants defeated the Pirates 2-1.

Chris Archer will go to the mound for the Pirates, as they go for the series sweep. Archer will make his first start after returning from the suspended list. Archer is 1-0 on the season.

Archer was suspended for five games after throwing a pitch behind Derek Dietrich on April 7.

Blue Jays spoil Chapman Bobblehead Day with a 10-1 crushing of the A’s

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Toronto final
Graphic/photo: @Athletics

By Charlie O. Mallonee

OAKLAND — Saturday was supposed to be all about Matt Chapman. The Gold Glove-winning third baseman was honored by having his image immortalized as a bobblehead and given away to eager fans who love to collect limited edition pieces. 33 members of Chapman’s family traveled from Southern California to attend the game. However, instead of a day of celebration, the game became just a very ugly 10-1 lost to the surging Toronto Blue Jays.

The player who really had the opportunity to celebrate on Saturday grew up about 90 miles away from the Oakland Coliseum and had a large contingent of family and friends in the stands. Rowdy Tellez plays first base for the Blue Jays. Tellez came into the game struggling with just a .191 batting average. When the game ended, the big man from Elk Grove had picked up his fourth home run of the season to go with a double, two runs scored and three RBI.

Tellez had a partner in crime that helped defeat the A’s in Brandon Drury. Drury also started the day hitting below the “Mendoza Line” at .147. Drury went 3-for-4 in the game with two RBI and two runs scored.

The A’s used six pitchers in the contest. The final player to take the mound for Oakland was first baseman Kendrys Morales. Yes, the A’s were waving the white flag at the point in the top of the ninth inning.

Oakland did manage to manufacture one run in the bottom of the ninth to prevent the game from being a shutout.

Bob Melvin’s Postgame Comments

A’s

  • The A’s have fallen under .500 with this loss. Their record now stands at 11-12.
  • Oakland has lost four of their last five games. They are 1-3 on this eight-game homestand.
  • This will be the first home series loss for the A’s since being swept by the Astros in June of 2018.
  • Mike Fiers was charged with the loss and falls to 2-2 for the season. He worked just 3.1 innings allowing six runs (all earned) off nine hits (2 HR). Fiers struck out four batters and walked none.
  • The A;s used a total of six pitchers who gave up 10 runs (all earned) on 15 hits to the Jays. A’s pitchers struck out 12 batters and walked just three. They did allow three home runs.
  • The A’s scattered six hits in the contest. Matt Chapman and Steven Piscotty both collected two hits off Toronto pitching.
  • The only extra base hit for the A’s came in the ninth inning. Robbie Grossman hit a double and eventually came home to score the only run for the green and gold.
  • The A’s left six men on base and were 2-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
  • Fernando Rodney pitched a 1-2-3 top of the eighth inning for Oakland. It was his 906th career pitching appearance tying him with Cy Young for 24th on the all-time list. That is pretty “heady” company.
Toronto Rodney
Fernando Rodney makes 906th appearance Photo: Charlie O. Mallonee

Blue Jays

  • The Blue Jays have now won five of their six games on this seven-game road trip.
  • They will win both series on the road.
  • The Jays’ record has improved to 10-12 for 2019.
  • Sam Gaviglio (2-0) gets credit for the win.
  • Matt Shoemaker made the start for Toronto and was pitching a fine game when he had to exit due to injury. The pitcher became involved in a rundown play of Matt Chapman between first and second in the bottom of the third inning. Shoemaker put the tag on Chapman and then fell to the ground. He left the field under his own power, but the club reported later that he was being evaluated for a left knee injury.
  • The Jays left nine men on base and went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
  • Toronto hit three doubles and three home runs off A’s pitching.
  • It was a day for the Blue Jays where they could do no wrong.

There was something in the air

There were two separate incidents of fans jumping out of the stands and on to the field of play on Saturday. One occurred in the sixth inning and was ended fairly quickly.

The second incident happened in the ninth inning and the man spent a considerable amount of time running around on the infield. The trespasser thought he was about to elude security again when second base umpire and crew chief Bill Nelson grabbed him by the waist. Nelson threw the unruly fan to the ground and security took care of the rest. The big crowd of 31,140 gave Nelson a roar of approval.

The easy answer is to say it was 4/20 day, but that is too easy. The most import thing is that no player, umpire or employee was injured.

Up Next

The three-game series with Toronto wraps up on Easter Sunday. The Blue Jays will send RHP Aaron Sanchez (2-1, 2.86 ERA) to the mound while the A’s will counter with the undefeated LHP Brett Anderson (3-0, 2.63 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:07 PM.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt Harrington: Kate Smith’s racist songs of the past takes top story in the NHL; Avalanche go right through Flames like butter; Kapanen gets crucial game-winner for Leafs

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photo from azcentral.com: A worker covers a statue of singer Kate Smith near the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Matt:

#1 Matt, the banning of Kate Smith’s version of God Bless America at Philadelphia Flyers games, has taken forefront in NHL news today with the uncovering of her singing racist songs in the 1930s the NHL stated they wanted no part of Smith and those songs and the Flyers will no longer play God Bless America by Kate Smith at their games. Matt shares his thoughts on this story that has dominated news in hockey this weekend.

#2 The Colorado Avalanche went through the Calgary Flames like butter to advance to round two. What made it a breeze for the Avalanche to win the first round?

#3 The Avalanche in Game 5 to advance got a convincing four-goal win over the Flames 5-1. The Avalanche’s Colin Wilson and Mikko Rantanen each had huge night scoring twice and each with an assist.

#4 The Toronto Maple Leafs have a 3-2 lead on the Boston Bruins after getting a narrow 2-1 win on Friday night in Boston. The Bruins needed that game they had home ice and now head back to Toronto for an elimination game.

#5 The Leafs’ Auston Matthews broke the 0-0 deadlock with a goal in the third period and the Leafs’ Kasperi Kapanen scored another goal that pushed the Leafs past the Bruins for the win.

Matt Harrington does the NHL podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs/San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Elimination game for Sharks in must-win Game 6 Sunday

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photo from mercurynews.com: San Jose Sharks Tomas Hertl celebrates one his two goals from Thursday night at SAP Center in San Jose in the Sharks 5-2 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights in game five of the playoff series

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs/San Jose Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The Sharks had their backs to the wall on Thursday night, down three games to one, but they got a spark, they got some life, what point of the game did your realize this one will be a keep for the Sharks?

#2 Sharks head coach Peter DeBoer showed a lot of confidence in goaltender Marty Jones after pulling Jones twice during the series.

#3 Jones stopped 32 shots while allowing two goals. There was certainly a big change in the way Jones was defending between the pipes.

#4 The Sharks came out firing and the Vegas Golden Knights were frankly just overwhelmed.

#5 Sharks goals came from Tomas Hertl (2), Logan Couture, Barclay Goodrow, and Joe Pavelski.

#6 What’s to be expected in Game 6 Sunday night in Vegas?

Len has the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stroman Stymies A’s, Jays top Oakland 5-1

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

sfgate.com photo: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Marcus Stroman works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum 

By Matt Harrington

OAKLAND — The proof hadn’t quite been in the pudding for Marcus Stroman this season, but that changed after Friday night. The Blue Jays beat the hosting Oakland A’s 5-1, with Stroman picking up his first win of the season, despite entering play with a sub-2 ERA. Matt Chapman knocked in the only run for Oakland (11-11) while Brandon Drury homered for the Jays (9-12).

Stroman (1-3, 1.74 ERA) looked to go the distance, but was lifted in the ninth inning after allowing the leadoff batter of the inning Kendrys Morales to reach base. His line wound up being six hits, one earned run and six strikeouts. He lowered his ERA to 1.76, but was 0-3 entering Friday’s game. Closer Ken Giles finished out the ninth.

The A’s pounced on Stroman early, with Marcus Semien singling with one out in the first then scoring from first on Matt Chapman’s RBI double for 1-0 lead. The wheels fell of for the Green and Gold in the top of the next inning though, with the Jays knocking four runs off starter Aaron Brooks (2-2, 5.32 ERA).

The first three batters reached base before Brooks got Drury to pop out. Then Socrates Brito singled in a run, Danny Jansen knocked in two and former Athletic Eric Sogard knocked in one in three consecutive plate appearances. Brooks got the final two outs, but was tagged again in the top of the fourth for the solo shot by Drury. He finished with five innings in the books and five runs on six punchouts. Yusmeiro Petit, Fernando Rodney and Joakim Soria all game on for scoreless relief appearances.

Saturday’s contest will feature Matt Shoemaker squaring off against opening day starter Mike Fiers. Fiers has a 2-1 record, despite his 7.06 ERA.

Pirates’ four-run first does in Giants’ 4-1 loss

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By Jeremy Kahn

If it was not for the first inning, it was a second fantastic outing in a row for Madison Bumgarner.

Unfortunately, Bumgarner gave up four runs on four hits and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-1 at PNC Park.

After getting the first two out in the inning, Jung Ho Kang walked, then Josh Bell and then Francisco Cervelli doubled to left to score both Kang and Bell. Pablo Reyes then singled in Cervelli, which saw Reyes move up to second on the throw home and then the scoring ended, when JB Shuck singled in Reyes.

Bumgarner then settled down, as he ended up going six innings, allowing those four runs, on six hits, walking just one and striking out seven.

In the final five innings of his start, Bumgarner allowed no runs on just two hits, not walking a batter and striking out six; however, he saw his record to 1-3 on the season.

Jordan Lyles pitched a great game for the Pirates, as he went six innings, not allowing a run, scattering four hits, walking just one and striking out six, as he improved to 2-0 on the season.

Lyles forced to leave the game after he took a Joe Panik line drive off his pitching hand that the Pirates turned into a double play that ended the inning.

Starling Marte and Erik Gonzalez were also forced to leave the game in the top of the eighth inning, as the two collided on the ball hit by Yangervis Solarte that fell in. Gonzalez was able to walk off on his own, but Marte, who was able to stand at first, was taken off on a cart per the teams request.

Felipe Vazquez struck out the side in the top of the ninth inning, as he notched his sixth save of the season.

Buster Posey drove in the only Giants run of the game in the top of the eighth, as he singled with two on and two out to score Solarte, who singled with one out in the inning. Steven Duggar then walked, and Panik struck out for the second out of the inning, Posey singled to right to score Solarte to bring Brandon Belt to the plate as the potential tying run; however, he popped out to third base to end the inning.

NOTES: Once again, the Giants were unable to get going in the first inning, as they went down in order and are now 6-for-66 in the first inning, a batting average of .091.

Mark Melancon continues to have a great start to the season, as he has thrown 10.0 scoreless innings to start the season and Is only reliever to throw 10 or more innings and not allow a run.

UP NEXT: Derek Holland takes the ball on Saturday for the Giants, while Jamison Tallion goes to the mound for the Pirates. Game time set for 1:05 pm PT.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Joe Lami: Sharks postpone elimination, defeat Knights 5-2; Leafs-Bruins turning into traditional old-school battle; plus more

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Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Joe Lami:

#1 Joe, coming out of a 5-0 shutout in Game 4, did you have any inkling that the San Jose Sharks would wake up battle back and get a three-goal win over the mighty Vegas Golden Knights 5-2 the way they did on Thursday night?

#2 The series between one of the most exciting two teams in the NHL Stanley Cup from the Original Six, the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins. The series at 3-2 with Toronto in front and game six moves to Toronto.

#3 The Colorado Avalanche advanced to the next round. The Calgary Flames who came in with their backs to the wall 3-1 in the series just couldn’t hold off the Avalanche and were eliminated on Friday night

#4 Series is tied between the Stars and Predators 2-2. The Stars have Tyler Seguin, who led the team with goals and the Preds leading scorer with Viktor Arvidsson, during the regular season. How do things shape up for Game 5 for Saturday night?

#5 The St. Louis Blues lead the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 going into Game 6 on Saturday night. The Jets’ Mark Scheifele has been leading on offense and paving the way for the Jets to stay alive in this one and for the Blues’ Vladimir Tarasenko, who has led the Blues in scoring, did some damage in the first round.

Joe Lami does the NHL podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose State and Western Michigan announce home-and-home football series

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Photo credit: sjsuspartans.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. —  San Jose State University will play Western Michigan University in a non-conference home-and-home football series during the 2021 and 2022 seasons, respectively. Marie Tuite, the Spartans’ Director of Athletics, made the announcement for the university.

SJSU will travel to Kalamazoo, Mich. for the first time in program history for a Sept. 25, 2021 road game. The return game in San Jose, Calif. will be in CEFCU Stadium on Sept. 24, 2022.

When the Spartans face the Broncos on the road in 2021, it will be the first time these teams are competing against each other in football.

Western Michigan has been a member of the Mid-American Conference (MAC) since 1947. SJSU, a Mountain West member, has faced current MAC institutions: Miami (Ohio), Bowling Green, Northern Illinois, Toledo, Eastern Michigan and Central Michigan in its football history since 1979.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes’ work never ends

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The SJ Earthquakes and LA Galaxy will renew their rivalry on June 29th.

2. Before the road game against the Houston Dynamo, Quakes head coach Matias Almeyda said, “We need to continue being focused.” But San Jose fell to Houston 2-1 in full-time.

3. Sporting KC hosted the NY Red Bulls Sunday night. Do you think KC’s lack of rest will affect their performance in this Saturday’s game in San Jose?

4. The Quakes Academy shutout the Portland Timbers 1-0 in their first game of the Generation Adidas Cup Sunday.

5. The Quakes will take on the Sporting KC on Saturday at Avaya Stadium and Seattle Sounders next Wednesday at CenturyLink Field.

Ana does the San Jose Earthquakes podcast each week for SportsRadioService.com