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A’s beat the Giants to win Game 2 of the Bay Bridge Series 5-4

Published on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

SAN FRANCISCO — The A’s and Giants met in Game Two of the three-game Bay Bridge Series. Both teams will be making decisions as they have to get down to 25 players by Thursday. The A’s will have to make decisions on 12 players, and the Giants have to cut nine. The teams will have one more game left after Monday’s game to evaluate their talent.

It was a cold, rainy miserable night at Oracle Park. The game was delayed for one hour and 25 minutes. The game started at 8:10 pm. The A’s scored the first run of the game in the first inning. The Giants’ pitching did not allow a hit until the seventh inning. All the Giant could show for the first six innings was two hits. In the top of the seventh, with more seagulls in the outfield seats than fans, the A’s erupted to score four times on five hits. Ty Blach gave up three doubles and two singles, and the Giants didn’t help their cause as the committed two errors in the inning. The A’s led 5-0 midway through the seventh. The Giants have not scored in 15 innings so far against the A’s in the series.

The A’s lefty reliever, Ryan Buchter, had a bad outing in the seventh inning. He faced five Giants’ hitters and failed to record an out. The Giants had two hits and three walks when A’s manager Bob Melvin removed Buchter from the game. The Giants scored twice and had the bases loaded for new A’s pitcher J.B. Wendelken. The Giants’ new acquired catcher Erik Kratz greeted Wendelken with a single to drive in two more runs. The Giants trail 5-4 with no out in the seventh. Wendelken retired the side with no further damage. Wendelken allowed a hit in the eighth and Ryan Dull sent the Giants down 1-2-3 in the ninth. The A’s won 5-4.

Notes- The game was played in 3 hours and 10 minutes and the attendance was announced as 25,102.

Up Next: Game Three of the Series will be played at Oracle Park Tuesday night at 6:45 pm. It will be the last Spring Training game of the year.

Losses and transfers: What’s next for San Jose State men’s basketball?

Published on March 25, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: hoopdirt.com

By: Ana Kieu

When San Jose State Athletics welcomed Jean Prioleau with open arms, things appeared to be calm and relaxed. After all, Prioleau had seven successful seasons as an assistant and associate head coach at the University of Colorado. The Buffaloes won 149 games, had five 20-win seasons, and appeared in the postseason each year. They played in the NCAA Tournament in 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2016, the NIT in 2011 and 2017, and the CBI in 2015. Sounds good, right? Wrong!

Sure, Prioleau signed a five-year contract, and said: “I’m looking forward to building a program the university and community will be proud of and to ensuring that we prepare our young men to succeed in the classroom and on the court,” but the latter turned out to be false. The Spartans went 4-26 in his first season from 2017-18 and 4-27 in his second season from 2018-19. That meant that Prioleau picked up just eight wins in two years, which has to be painful to put it lightly.

But the losses weren’t the only issues Prioleau faced in his coaching gig. Prioleau also lost eight of his players during his time at SJSU so far.

In 2019, Noah Baumann, Michael Steadman, and Brian Rodriguez-Flores announced their intents to transfer.

“I didn’t get enough opportunities,” Rodriguez-Flores told The Spear. “My teammates believed that too.”

“I love the fans,” Rodriguez-Flores added. “After all the losing we went through, the fans still showed support … These fans are really loyal.”

In 2018, Ryan Welage left for Xavier, while Jaycee Hillsman and Keith Fisher transferred to Illinois State.

In 2017, Brandon Clarke headed to Gonzaga; and let’s not forget Brandon Mitchell departed to join the SJSU football team as a wide receiver.

We can’t blame any of the now-former players for wanting to leave, but their decisions hurt the chances of the Spartans’ rebuilding process. They were set back when they were already behind. So, unless if they attract new star players to their program and/or Prioleau gets a pink slip, they need to do more than hoping and praying to get out of the basement in the Mountain West Conference.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Panda’s days as a Giant could be numbered; Around the horn with the infield; plus more

Published on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @honkbalopzolder

On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

#1 The San Francisco Giants have the most potent infield in baseball. Let’s start with Brandon Belt, who last year hit .253 last season and is one of the most established gloves at first base.

#2 Giants second baseman Joe Panik has been brilliant with his fielding at second and hit .254 last season.

#3 Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford is no stranger to All-Star selections and had an incredible offensive season last year hitting .254.

#4 At third base is Evan Longoria, Longoria was a key hitter in the Tampa Bay Rays lineup once upon a time and last year hit .244 for the Giants last season.

#5 San Francisco Giant third baseman Pablo Sandoval is on the bubble and could very well be cut from the team by the end of the current Bay Bridge Series. If so, he would play his last game as a Giant on Tuesday night against the Oakland A’s. The other scenario is the Giants could hold onto him instead of infielder Alen Hansen, who is out of minor league options. Could Panda be gone at the end of spring training?

Roadrunners score late goal to edge Barracuda 2-1

Published on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

by Marko Ukalovic

Just a few weeks ago, the San Jose Barracuda looked like a lock to make the playoffs, but now are looking a bit shaky after The Tuscon Roadrunners received a late goal to defeat them 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Tuscon Convention Center Arena.

Micheal Chaput led a 2-on-1 rush and threaded a pass over to Micheal Bunting, who tipped a shot up and over Cuda goalie Antoine Bibeau (12-12-5) for his 17th goal of the season and the game-winning goal with only nine seconds left in the game to seal the Cuda’s fate.

With the victory, Tuscon closed the gap to within four points behind both San Jose and Colorado for the final two playoff spots in the Pacific Division.

There was no scoring in the first period as Tuscon (30-25-5-2) outshot San Jose 14-11 as each team exchanged scoring chances, but neither team was able to get the puck into the back of the net, despite two power plays for the Roadrunners and one for the Cuda.

Like the opening frame, the second period also remained scoreless. San Jose (32-20-3-4) was outshot 11-9 by Tuscon as the middle frame was played penalty-less.

In the third period, Tucson controlled the period, firing 21 shots on Bibeau. They finally drew blood when Nick Merkley found Chaput, who snapped a wrist shot off the cross-bar past Bibeau for his 14th goal of the season at the 6:44 mark.

The Cuda pulled Bibeau for an extra attacker and were rewarded for their action when after a mad scramble in front of the crease. Alex True found the puck and poked it home past Roadrunner goalie Adin Hill (13-12-3) for the equalizer and his team-leading 22nd goal of the season with 56 seconds left.

Hill finished the game, stopping 32 of the 33 shots he faced to earn his 13th win of the season. Bibeau had an excellent game, making 44 saves on 46 shots in suffering the tough luck loss.

GAME NOTES: San Jose was 0/1 on the power play. Tucson was 0/3.

The announced attendance was 3,519.

UP NEXT: The Barracuda continue their road trip in San Diego as they take on the Gulls on Wednesday at 7:00 pm at The Pechanga Arena.

Cal basketball parts ways with coach Wyking Jones after two seasons

Published on March 25, 2019March 25, 2019 by moepeaLeave a comment

latimes.com file photo: Former Cal Bears head coach Wyking Jones who coached the team for two season was dismissed on Sunday Mar 24th by Cal

By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY — Cal has fired coach Wyking Jones following two, historically subpar seasons that landed the Bears in the Pac-12 basement twice.

Jones was 8-24 last season, and 8-23 this season, the two worst, consecutive seasons in the program’s history. Reports surfaced over the weekend that the athletic department had decided to retain Jones for a third season, but athletic director Jim Knowlton opted for the dismissal supposedly after meeting with the team’s players over the weekend.

“This was a difficult decision to make and comes after a deliberate and holistic review of our men’s basketball program. As always, we were guided by the best interests of our student-athletes, as well as the values and objectives of Cal Athletics and our University. As we quickly turn toward our search for a new head coach for our men’s basketball program, I am certain that we will attract a strong, talented and highly qualified pool of candidates. I am confident that we will find someone who will help lead us on a path to being exceptional.”

A pool of potential successors has emerged, including 2019 NCAA tournament coaches Russell Turner of UC Irvine and Eric Musselman of Nevada. Cal legend Jason Kidd is also a candidate despite his well-known interest in resuming his NBA coaching career.

Jones was fired after completing just two of the five years on his contract, and will receive $3 million to satisfy that deal.

A’s drop Giants 5-0 in Bay Bridge opener

Published on March 24, 2019March 25, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jeremy Kahn

Even though the Oakland A’s already opened the regular season, they came home to face their Bay Area rivals, the San Francisco Giants.

Stephen Piscotty, Jurickson Profar and Roman Laureano each hit home runs, as the A’s shutout the Giants 5-0 at the Coliseum.

Brett Anderson went six innings, and Frankie Montas pitched the final six innings, helping the A’s finish off the shutout.

Anderson struck out three and walked just one, while Montas also struck out three, as the two pitchers combined for a three-hitter.

Dereck Rodriguez went four innings, allowing three runs on four hits and will be the Giants starter on Saturday against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park.

Piscotty got the A’s on the board in the board in the bottom of the first inning, as he hit a two-run home run that scored Matt Chapman, who walked earlier in the inning.

Profar lengthened the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, as he hit a solo home run and Laureano ended the scoring in the bottom of the seventh inning, when he hit a solo home run.

NOTES: Catcher Erik Kratz was acquired by the Giants from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for minor league infielder C.J. Hinososa. Stephen Vogt was reassigned to the Giants minor league camp, and right-handed pitcher Jose Lopez was designated for assignment.

UP NEXT: Drew Pomeranz will take the mound on Monday night for the Giants, as the Bay Bridge Series moves to the newly named Oracle Park. Liam Hendriks will take the mound for the A’s. Game time at 6:45 pm.

A’s look capable and confident in their return to the Bay, down Giants 5-0

Published on March 24, 2019March 24, 2019 by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–Apparently the A’s starting rotation isn’t the season-opening mess it appeared to be in Japan.

Projected No. 3 starter Brett Anderson breezed through six innings of work, allowing just three hits, as the A’s opened the Bay Bridge exhibition series with a 5-0 win. Frankie Montas, also slated for the starting rotation, looked good as well, pitching the final three innings and chalking up three strikeouts.

After staff ace Mike Fiers and No. 2 Marco Estrada had subpar outings against the Mariners in Tokyo, manager Bob Melvin was pleased to see the 31-year old Anderson carry over his sharpness that he developed in Arizona.

“He’s really pitched well. You really don’t go on spring training results for guys like him but it’s nice to see him in the fashion that he is,” Melvin said.

The A’s may have carried greater urgency than a normal exhibition given they’re already saddled with an unsightly 0-2 regular season record, but it wasn’t readily apparent. Melvin noticed a lack of energy in batting practice he attributed to jet lag.

“It seemed like we were kind of sleepwalking through. But you put a couple of good swings on them and the next thing you know you’ve got five runs on the board,” Melvin noted.

The lack of energy dissipated once the game started as the A’s got home runs from Stephen Piscotty, Jurickson Profar and Ramon Laureano to account for all the game’s scoring. That was plenty given the sharp efforts of Anderson and Montas. Piscotty connected in the first with Matt Chapman aboard, Profar added a solo shot in the fourth (in his A’s debut at the Coliseum), and Laureano capped the scoring with a two-run shot in the seventh.

Dereck Rodriguez took the loss for the Giants, allowing two of the three homers in his four innings of work.

The A’s open the regular season on Thursday at the Coliseum against the Angels, the first of a four-game set. Game time at 1:07 pm.

Warriors bounce back to defeat the Pistons 121-114

Published on March 24, 2019March 24, 2019 by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

One night after being embarrassed by the Dallas Mavericks, who handed the Golden State Warriors their worst loss in the Steve Kerr era, the Warriors able to down the Detroit Pistons 121-114 at Oracle Arena Sunday. Steph Curry, Andrew Bogut, and Shaun Livingston returned to action after having last night off. Warriors head coach Steve Kerr sat out DeMarcus Cousins and Andre Iguodala down for tonight’s game.

The teams played a very competitive first quarter. The Warriors won the quarter 29-28. The Warriors looked like the rather old Warriors as they outscored Detroit 34-21 to finish the first half 63-49. The fans knew things were going their way when Draymond Green hit a three-point shot at the buzzer.

The Warriors kept the momentum going in the third quarter, They owned the third quarter so many times this season, and it was no surprise that the scored another 34 points and increased the lead to 97-77 at the end of the period.

Usually, a 20-point lead heading into the final period means that the team with the advantage will win. The Pistons didn’t see things that way, and they rallied to come within a single-digit deficit. Curry displayed his Most Valuable Player on the Warriors’ status when he knocked down a three and blunted the Pistons’ momentum. The Pistons won the fourth quarter 37-24. The Warriors won 121-114.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, and coupled with the Denver Nuggets loss to the Indiana Pacers, the Warriors are back in first place in the Western Conference. With the win, the Warriors improve to 50-23. It was the sixth year in a row that the team has won 50 games, and that set a new franchise record.

The Pistons’ record fell to 37-36, and they are now in seventh place in the Eastern Conference.

Before the game, the Warriors welcomed back Zaza Pachulia to Oracle Arena. Pachulia won two championships with the Warriors, and the fans gave him very warm reception as he was a fan favorite at Oracle. Klay Thompson presented him his championship ring. The team selected Thompson to do the honors as he is a close friend.

Steph Curry led the Warriors with 26 points. Thompson, who had a tough night against Dallas, bounced back with 24 points. Kevin Durant had a double-double with 14 points and 11 assists. Draymond Green had 14 points and 8 assists. Kevon Looney, coming off the bench, had 11. Shaun Livingston added 8. Quinn Cook finished with 7.

Blake Griffin led the Pistons with 24. Andre Drummond was the only other Piston starter in double figures with 12. Drummond also had 11 rebounds. Four Piston bench players were in double figures. Luke Kennard had 20, Ish Smith, 14, Thon Maker 12, and Langston Galloway 12. Pachulia, in his return to Oracle, had 4.

The Warriors made 46 buckets on 74 tries for a 62.2% shooting percentage. The Pistons were 39-for-84. The Warriors outrebounded the Pistons 37-39 and recorded 31 assists.

Up Next: The Warriors travel to Memphis to face the Grizzlies Wednesday night. Game time will be at 5 pm.

Kings fall to Lakers 111-106 in LA

Published on March 24, 2019March 25, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Lakers

By: Jeremiah Salmonson

LOS ANGELES–The Sacramento Kings came into LA coming off a 3-1 homestand. They beat the Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, and Chicago Bulls while only dropping one game. A heartbreaker in which they were up 25 going into the fourth quarter and lost by two points. All in all, the Kings were happy with what they were able to accomplish during the homestand. They were looking forward to attempting revenge on the Lakers as they have had the Kings’ number this year. The tip-off was set for 6:30 PM PST.

In the first quarter, the Kings were off to another slow start. Remembering back to a day earlier on Saturday where the Kings were only able to score 20 in the first quarter. Sunday was not much different. The Kings continued to struggle through the early minutes of the game. They were only able to put 20 points on the board on Sunday while allowing 22. The Lakers weren’t playing great either as both teams were struggling to put the ball in the bottom of the hoop. The leading scorer in the game was Marvin Bagley, who had seven points through the first.

In the second quarter, it looked like more of the same for the Kings. They were struggling to find their shot and looked to be falling further behind. However, the Kings were able to battle and put up 29 points to outscore the Lakers. The Lakers managed to score 26 in the second. The leading scorer in the second quarter was Lance Stephenson, who put up eight points in the second. If the Kings wanted to keep pace, they had to start knocking down some shots in the third.

In the third quarter, it didn’t look pretty as the Lakers started off the quarter with a 14-0 run to start the second half. Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers’ charge with 21 points in the third. Lebron James also made an impact in the third, scoring eight points to help rack up a 39-point third for the Lakers. On the other hand, the Kings scored 28, but it wasn’t enough to keep pace. Nemanja Bjelica and Marvin Bagley led the Kings with six and five points, respectively. The third ended with the Lakers leading 87-77. The Kings needed a big late-game push to have a chance.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings kept with tradition and made things interesting. To give the credit where credit is due, the Kings battled in the final minutes; however, the deficit they created in the previous minutes proved too large to overcome. The Kings fell to the Lakers in LA 111-106.

Up Next: The Kings travel to Dallas to take on the Mavericks at 5:30 PM PST on Tuesday.