Barracuda outduel Eagles 3-1

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Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

by Marko Ukalovic

The San Jose Barracuda are flying high as they looked to finish off the regular season on a strong note and that they did. They score three unanswered goals en route to a 3-1 victory over the Colorado Eagles on Friday night at Budweiser Events Center.

With the win, their fourth in a row, the Cuda moved into a first place tie with the Bakersfield Condors at 85 points. The Condors have a game in hand on San Jose heading into the weekend with games against the Ontario Reign and Stockton Heat.

Nick DeSimone scored what proved to be the game-winning goal right at the end of the second period, Evan Weinger gained the line down the right-wing and made a drop pass over to DeSimone, who fired the puck past the short side of Francouz for his 14th goal of the season at the 19:48 mark.

The first period had no scoring as both goaltenders did their part to keep the game scoreless, despite power play opportunities for each team. San Jose outshot Colorado 11-9.

The Cuda had two golden chances to break the seal halfway through the second period. Ryan Merkeley, who made his debut for the Cuda tonight, found himself one-on-one against Eagles goalie Pavel Francouz (26-17-3) — only to have Francouz rob the San Jose Sharks 2018 first round draft pick. Then Anti Suomela had a shot hit off the post that beat Francouz.

Colorado (35-27-4-1) drew first blood with just over six minutes left in the middle frame. Sergei Boikov led a two-on-one odd man rush and feathered a pass over to Michael Joly, who buried the puck Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (16-13-5) for his 15th goal of the season at the 13:57 mark.

The lead would last a mere nine seconds as San Jose (39-21-3-4) came back on the next shift and scored the equalizer. Suomela centered a pass from below the goal line over to Jeffery Viel who batted the puck out of mid-air into the back of the net for his 11th goal of the season at the 14:06 mark.

The Cuda would get an insurance goal early in the third period. TJ Hensick found Dylan Gambrell above the right face-off circle and he snapped a low wrist shot past Francouz for his 20th goal of the season at the 2:10 mark.

Bibeau finished the night, making 27 saves on 28 shots for his second consecutive victory. Francouz suffered his second straight defeat, allowing three goals on 34 shots.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/5 on the power play. Colorado was 0/5.

The announced attendance was 5,289.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda finish the regular season against the Eagles on Saturday, April 13 at 6:00 pm at Budweiser Events Center.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Gray and Samardzija matchup for great pitching duel

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Photo credit: @NBCSGiants

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The Giants had a great pitching duel going with the Colorado Rockies Thursday night. Rockies starter Jon Gray threw shutout ball and the Giants starter Jeff Samardzija likewise throw shutout ball in what some say was masterpiece pitching.

#2 You won’t see pitchers throwing nine innings, but both Gray and Samardjiza threw like the could have pitched nine.

#3 The Giants have had a number of games where hitting had been suspect other than Pablo Sandoval and Brandon Crawford in Thursday’s starting lineup. No one is hitting above .250

#4 You can see at the beginning of the game that Samardzija and Gray were throwing those off balance-breaking balls and were not missing by very much. It was the bottom of the seventh when the Giants centerfielder Kevin Pillar took Gray deep to left center field for his third home run of 2019 to break the deadlock.

#5 Miguel takes a look at Friday night’s starters for Colorado Chad Bettis (0-2, 11.88 ERA) and for the Giants, Drew Pomeranz (0-1, 4.00 ERA).

Michael does the Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Joe Lami: Leafs’ Marner scores twice in game 1; Caps’ Backstrom leads offense in win over Canes; plus more

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photo from: torontosun.com

On the NHL Stanley Cup podcast with Joe:

#1 The Toronto Maple Leafs took a 1-0 lead in the first round of the playoffs against the Boston Bruins 4-1. The Leafs’ Mitchell Marner scored in the first period, Marner in the second period scored a short handed goal, William Nylander added a goal at 18:25, and in the third period, neither team scored.

#2 The Washington Capitals’ Nicklas Backstrom scored twice against the Carolina Hurricanes in game one on Thursday night. Backstrom’s two goals were both scored in the first period, Alex Ovechkin scored a goal in the first period as the Caps would defeat the Canes 4-2 to take a 1-0 series lead.

#3  Tonight, the Columbus Blue Jackets take a 1-0 into game two against the Tampa Bay Lightning. How important is it for the CBJ’s to get a 1-0 jump on a team like the Lightning?

#4 The New York Islanders have a 1-0 series lead on Syd Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins. How much of advantage is it for the Islanders to have home ice for game two and with Anders Lee, who led the Islanders in scoring this season.

#5 The San Jose Sharks host the Vegas Golden Knights for game two and hold a 1-0 series lead. The Sharks didn’t waste any time in game one, scoring a goal off the mouth of Joe Pavelski, and in the second period, the Sharks got goals from Brent Burns, Marc Edouard-Vlasic and Evander Kane for a 5-2 win in San Jose. How’s things looking going into game two tonight?

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

 

Help Wanted: Head Coach for Sacramento Kings – experience preferred

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
SAC vlade
Vlade Divac Photo: @NBCS

by Charlie O. Mallonee

On Thursday morning, the Sacramento Kings announced that the contract of General Manager Vlade Divac had been extended through the 2022-23 season. That certainly appeared to be good news as it means there will stability in the upper management of the Kings organization for the next four seasons.

Divac made some big moves quickly

First, he fired assistant general manager Brandon Williams. Williams had been the focus of controversy since last December when coach Dave Joerger threw him out of the Kings practice facility. Joerger believed that Williams was trying to have him fired for not using Marvin Bagley III and Harry Giles III properly in games.

The unresolved tension between Joerger and Williams hung in the background of the basketball operation all season long. No one really talked about the problem, but everyone knew it existed and was unresolved. That changed Thursday morning.

One down – one to go

SAC joerger
Ex-Sacramento head coach Dave Joerger Photo: @NBCS

After Divac sent Williams packing, there was some thought that Dave Joerger may have won the battle over Williams. Then the word came down, Joerger had been summoned to Divac’s office and the rumor leaked that Joerger was going to get a pink slip.

It did not take long for the news to be confirmed. Joerger had indeed been fired, and the Kings were in the market for a new head coach following their most successful season in a decade.

Divac tried to explain things in a press conference

Here are the highlights of his comments:

  • Divac thanked Joerger for being a “good teammate” and for a job well done over his three years as head coach.
  • Divac also expressed that he had been evaluating the team since the All-Star Break and how they could rise to the next level.
  • The Kings GM also expressed that he thought the team could have (reporters emphasis: should have) made the playoffs this season.
  • He was very clear that taking things to the next level meant going into the playoffs.
  • Divac made it very clear that the decision to fire Joerger was his and his alone. He did indicate that he had informed ownership of his decision.
  • The GM feels the Kings timing is good because they have plenty of time before the draft and free agency begins to get a new coach in place.
  • Divac – to no one’s surprise did not name any potential candidates for head coach. Most reporters and analyst believe that Luke Walton is the number one target on Kings’ list even though he is still employed by the Lakers as of today.
  • Divac also stated that Williams will not be replaced. His duties will be absorbed by Peja Stojakovic and Ken Catanella.
SAC Walton
Next head coach of the Kings? Photo: @NBCS

Joerger did not do much to save his job

In this reporter’s opinion, Dave Joerger did not make a full court press to keep his job as head coach of the Sacramento Kings. His team went a pitiful 3-7 in their final 10 games in their effort to finish 41-41. When he should have been angry and ready to tear someone’s head off, Joerger remained stoic and apologetic for his team.

I think Joerger knew he was “a dead man walking” and had moved into a role of caretaker until the end of the season. It really is a sad ending to what was three years of hard work by Joerger and his coaching staff.

What’s next

The search and interviews begin. The Kings hope that they will be able to wrap up their coaching search quickly and with positive results.

Samardzija shuts down Rox 1-0

Published on by jeremy2878Leave a comment

Photo credit: @sfgiants_fanly

By Jeremy Harness

SAN FRANCISCO – Looks like “Shark” has his bite back.

Giants starter Jeff Samardzija has been off to a fantastic start this season and he only accelerated that Thursday night. A guy who is known for going deep into games and eating up innings did not do that nearly enough in 2018, but he has seemed to reverse that trend this season, although it has only been two starts.

He threw seven shutout innings and gave up three hits in getting his first win of the year, struck out seven batters and walked only one. He allowed only one guy to get as far as second base all night, using up only 90 pitches in the process.

It has been a far cry from a 2018 campaign that saw him struggle with his command as well as dealing with assorted injuries that further damaged his effectiveness. He has shown no remnants of that for the first two weeks of this season, and Colorado found that out the hard way.

“He was on top of his game, which you have to do against that lineup,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He just did a beautiful job of pitching. It was fun to watch. He’s been throwing the ball well.”

“It was a long road that he had to come back from. He was a warrior through all that, trying to pitch, and we shouldn’t have had him out there a few times that we let him pitch. He was battling a lot of pain, probably more than what he was telling us. But he put in a lot of hard work this winter, and you can see.”

As locked in as Samardzija was, however, Colorado Jon Gray was just as good. The two hurlers traded zeroes for the first six innings, and it appeared that the Giants could not catch a break at the plate despite garnering some early momentum.

Kevin Pillar changed that with one swing of the bat in the seventh inning.

It’s said that the first pitch is the best one a batter will see during the entire at-bat, and Pillar took advantage of that. He led off the seventh by nailing the first pitch he saw from Gray, sending it over the Bank of America sign in center field to give the Giants a 1-0 lead and make Samardzija eligible for the win.

“It’s great to do your job and throw a quality start, but there’s nothing like getting a win,” Bochy said. “I was really happy that he got the win tonight, with the effort he gave us.

“We needed some help (in the outfield),” he said of Pillar. “We got not just an outfielder, but an elite center fielder, a guy with some pop. This park is more of a pitcher’s park, but he’s shown that if you square up on it, it will go out. On a cold night, that’s pretty impressive.”

The Giants had a couple of chances earlier against Gray but could not cash in. Second baseman Joe Panik lined a two-out double over left fielder Raimel Tapia’s head, but the rally was short-lived as Buster Posey – who otherwise had a very nice night at the plate with a single and a pair of walks – whiffed to end the inning.

They really had something going in the fourth, when Brandon Belt led off the inning with a double and Brandon Crawford advanced him over to third with a well-placed grounder to the right side of the infield.

However, Pablo Sandoval’s groundout back to the pitcher put a serious dent in the rally, which was officially put to death when Pillar grounded out to third.

The Giants had an opportunity to expand the lead in the eighth, after getting the first two batters on via the base on balls. With Belt up, a pitch got past Colorado catcher Tony Wolters and momentarily allowed both runners to advance with nobody out.

However, what TV replays clearly showed as a passed ball that bounced off Wolters’ mitt was actually ruled as a foul tip by home plate umpire C.B Bucknor, as he determined that the ball had struck Belt’s bat as he checked his swing. The play was non-reviewable, and both runners were forced to go back to first and second, respectively.

Belt ended up striking out, and the two ensuing batters, Sandoval and Crawford, each grounded out softly to first, one of which would have brought a runner home had the passed ball been correctly called.

Fortunately for the Giants, that did not become a turning point, as Will Smith came in and pitched a perfect ninth, thanks to a sparkling play by Panik to rob Charlie Blackmon of a hit.

The Giants next play the Rockies on Friday night at 7:15 pm.

KZ Okpala submits his name to the NBA’s Advisory Committee for evaluation

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Photo credit: gostanford.com

By: Ana Kieu

Stanford sophomore standout forward KZ Okpala has declared his eligibility for the NBA Draft, submitting his name to the NBA’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee.

“After several discussions with my family and my coaches, I have decided to declare for the NBA Draft,” Okpala said. “The NBA is a dream and certainly a goal of mine. I am truly blessed to continue to learn from so many people here at Stanford as I grow as a person and a player. It’s exciting to apply what I have learned so far as I begin this journey and see where it takes me.”

Okpala has submitted his name to the NBA’s Undergraduate Advisory Committee for evaluation. Under NCAA policy established within the past year, undergraduates can submit paperwork to the NBA to be evaluated, attend the NBA Draft Combine, conduct workouts with NBA teams and sign with NBPA-certified agents, while remaining NCAA eligible. He has until May 29 to decide to either remain in the NBA Draft or withdraw his name to retain his NCAA eligibility.

“KZ has certainly put himself him in position to be evaluated by the NBA,” said Jerod Haase, Stanford’s Anne and Tony Joseph Director of Men’s Basketball. “He possesses tremendous talent and a skillset that fits the NBA. KZ is also an exceptional person and the consummate teammate. We wish him all the best and continue to support him throughout this process.”

Okpala earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors this past season, averaging a team-best 16.8 points to go along with 5.7 rebounds and a steal per contest. He was also a First Team All-District selection by the United States Basketball Writers Association and a Second Team All-District pick by the National Association of Basketball Coaches.

Okpala finished fifth in the Pac-12 in scoring with the second-most 20-point games (15) in the conference. The sophomore also ranked 16th in the conference in rebounding and 12th in defensive rebounding (4.5 DRPG). During the Pac-12 regular season, he finished fifth in the conference in scoring (17.5 PPG). He has averaged 13.8 PPG over his first two seasons on The Farm.

Okpala scored a career-high 30 points in the win at Cal in February. He recorded four consecutive 20-point games for the first time in his career in the middle of the conference season, achieving the mark against Arizona (29), Arizona State (21), Washington (22) and Utah (22). He earned Pac-12 Player of the Week honors in November, after averaging 29.0 PPG in victories over Seattle and UNC Wilmington. He finished his sophomore season on The Farm with a pair of double-doubles, posting 22 points and 10 rebounds in the Pac-12 opener against UCLA and 20 points and 10 rebounds in the season opener against Seattle.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes finally get a win on SJSU night

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. Last Saturday, the San Jose Earthquakes shutout the Portland Timbers 3-0 for their first win of the season.

2. Forget the Friday feeling, Quakes winger Magnus Eriksson woke up happy Monday morning.

3. Three Quakes members were selected to the MLS Team of the Week.

4. The MLS announced a time change for the Quakes at NYCFC game on Saturday, September 14.

5. The Quakes are set to launch a Teacher Appreciation Platform in partnership with CEFCU.

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

Khris Davis homers twice, again, as A’s take 3 of 4 from Orioles

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, April 11, 2019

Khris Davis continued to swing his hot bat for Oakland Thursday, belting a pair of home runs to lead the Athletics past Baltimore 8-5 in an early getaway game at Camden Yards.

Meanwhile, Orioles DH Chris Davis extended his record hitless streak to 53 at-bats, going 0-for-3 with a walk. Chris Davis is in the fourth season of a $161 million, seven-year deal. He hasn’t gotten a hit since last Sept. 14.

It wasn’t just Khris Davis swinging the big lumber for Oakland – Josh Phegley, Kendrys Morales and Marcus Semien also hit round-trippers for the A’s in their third straight win after dropping the series opener. Oakland hit 16 home runs in the four-game series at Baltimore.

In his first career start against the Orioles, Aaron Brooks (2-1) gave up three runs on three hits and three walks over six innings. Blake Treinen struck out two in a perfect ninth inning to earn his fourth save.

Dylan Bundy (0-1) surrendered six runs on seven hits in five-plus innings while striking out eight. Bundy surrendered four of Oakland’s five home runs; the Orioles have given up at least one homer in all 13 games this season.

From the injured list, A’s first baseman Matt Olson is reportedly taking ground balls while working on his conditioning. Olson underwent off-season surgery on his right hand. He’s also taking one-handed swings in the batting cage.

The A’s begin a weekend series in Arlington, Texas, on Friday against the Rangers.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Pavelski scores goal off mouth, returns after losing teeth

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photo from msn: The San Jose Sharks Joe Pavelski (8) took a puck off his mouth on this play causing him to lose some teeth the puck went into the net as Vegas Golden Knights goalie Marc Andre-Fluery (29) struggled to block the shot and teammate defenseman Nick Holden (22) is behind Pavelski on the play.

On the Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 In game one of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the San Jose Sharks’ Joe Pavelski scored a first period goal off his mouth losing his teeth and later returning. That’s a story of heroic stuff.

#2 The Sharks lit the lamp three times in the second period with goals from Brent Burns, Marc Edouard-Vlasic, and Evander Kane in one of the Sharks’ biggest rallies.

#3 The Knights’ Mark Stone scored two goals one in the second and one in the third. Other than that, the Knights offense couldn’t generate enough to make up the three-goal deficit.

#4 Sharks goaltender Martin Jones stopped 24 of 26 shots. Mary Lisa talks about his handy work between the pipes in game one.

#5 The Sharks take a 1-0 lead into game two on Friday night at SAP Center. Can the Sharks keep it going?

Mary Lisa is a Sharks beat writer. Join her for Game 2 coverage on Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Tony Renteria: Curry is expected back by game one of the playoffs; Kings fire Joerger, Walton most likely successor; plus more

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Photo credit: @theScore

On Headline Sports podcast with Tony:

#1 The Golden State Warriors say that Stephen Curry is day to day after he rolled his ankle in New Orleans on Tuesday night. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr says that Curry should be back by the first game of the NBA playoffs.

#2 Sacramento Kings fired head coach Dave Joerger Thursday after three losing seasons. The firing most likely will be an open door for Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton to take over the coaching job in Sacramento. Wednesday was the last day of the regular season for the Sacramento Kings. They grew, they had won 12 more games than last season, and they have a core of players that are much improved over last season. Tony tells us what the Kings will do to get a viable shot at the playoffs for next season.

#3 It was kind of historical in Boston on Tuesday night when members of the Boston Red Sox and the New England Patriots made an appearance on the field before the Sox ball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park. Both teams were showing their Championship trophies as both teams won Championships in the first year.

#4 Two players from Bay Area schools were drafted on Wednesday by the WNBA. From Cal, Kristine Anigwe, who was named Defensive Player of the Year, and from the Stanford Cardinal, Alanna Smith. It has to be a pretty big honor for these players to get to the next level and play in the WNBA.

#5 The A’s won another series this time over the Baltimore Orioles on this current road trip after getting swept in Houston by the Astros to start the trip. The A’s defeated the O’s in the four game series and head to Texas to open a three game series with the Rangers starting on Friday night.

Tony does the Headline Sports each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com