Dodgers clinch final playoff berth with 10-6 victory over the Giants

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Dodgers

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — With the last playoff spot on the line, all the Los Angeles Dodgers needed to do was to defeat their longtime rivals, the San Francisco Giants, on their home field.

Manny Machado, who was acquired by the Dodgers near the trade deadline gave them the hit that they were looking for, as he hit a triple with two outs in the top of the eighth inning and the Dodgers defeated the Giants 10-6 before a sellout crowd of 41,768 at AT&T Park on Saturday.

With the victory, the Dodgers clinched their sixth consecutive playoff appearance. According to STATS, LLC., it is the third longest such in Major League history.

Only the Atlanta Braves, who made it to 14 consecutive postseasons from 1991-2005, and the New York Yankees, who went to 13 straight from 1995-2007, have longer streaks.

Machado tripled off of Mark Melancon to give the Dodgers a 6-5 lead and then Max Muncy hit a two-run double in the top of the ninth inning, as the Dodgers blew the game wide open to take a 10-5 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.

Bay Area native Joc Pederson got the Dodgers on the board in the top of the first inning, as he hit a leadoff home run off of Giants Starter Derrick Rodriguez.

It was the eighth leadoff home run of the season for Pederson, breaking the record of seven that was set by Davey Lopes back in 1979.

Pederson now has 11 leadoff home runs in his career, tied for the third most in Dodgers history with Johnny Frederick, trailing Rafael Furcal, who hit 14 and Lopes, who hit 28 in his career.

Yaisel Puig extended the Dodgers lead up to 2-0 in the top of the second inning, as he launched a Rodriguez pitch into the left field seats.

Gorkys Hernandez cut the Dodgers lead in half in the bottom of the second inning, as he singled in Brandon Crawford.

Joe Panik gave the Giants the lead in the bottom of the third inning, as he singled to score Gregor Blanco and Hunter Pence.

Enrique Hernandez doubled to center field to score Puig in the top of the fourth inning to tie up the game.

Clayton Kershaw helped out his own cause in that fourth inning, as he singled to right field to score Yasmani Grandal and Hernandez to give the Dodgers a 5-3 lead.

Hunter Pence got the Giants within one in the bottom of the fifth inning, as he doubled off of Kershaw to score Abital Avelino, who singled.

Panik tied up the game in that fifth inning, as he hit a sacrifice fly to score Pence from third base.

Rodriguez lasted just three innings, allowing five runs on six hits, walking and striking out one in his final start of the season.

It was also a rough day for Kershaw, who went just five innings, allowing five runs on eight hits, not walking a batter and striking out four.

Alex Wood pitched 1.1 innings in relief, as he won for the ninth time this season and Melancon took the loss, as his record fell to 1-4 on the season.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Dodgers will wrap up their regular seasons with a Sunday matinee finale at 12:05 pm PT.

Andrew Suarez will close out the season for the Giants, as he goes for his eighth win of the season, while Walker Buehler goes for the Dodgers.

SJSU inducts former Green Bay Packers WR James Jones into San Jose Spartan Athletics Hall of Fame

Published on by Sports Radio Service2 Comments

Photo credit: packersnews.com

By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The San Jose State Spartans inducted former Green Bay Packers wide receiver James Jones to the San Jose Spartan Athletics Hall of Fame during halftime of their 2018 Homecoming Game versus the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors inside CEFCU Stadium.

Photo credit: @AnaKieu

Of course, Jones was honored to be inducted into the San Jose Sports Hall of Fame, but there’s more to the 34-year-old than you’d think and I’m not only saying because I’m a longtime Packers fan. Jones was born and raised in San Jose, Calif. to a poverty-stricken family. Jones lived in many homeless shelters with his mother before he lived with his paternal grandmother during his high school years at Gunderson High School, where he played three sports: basketball, track and field, and football. Jones later earned the quarterback MVP honors in his senior year at GHS.

Unlike some other football prospects, Jones chose to stay close to home and fine-tuned his existing skills at San Jose State University with the much-needed help of wide-out coach Keith “K-Dub” Williams. Jones played college football at SJSU for three years before entering the 2007 NFL Draft, where he was drafted 78th overall by the Packers in the third round. Jones had two stints with the Green and Gold–one from 2007-2013 and the other in 2015. Jones seized a Super Bowl XLV championship ring following the Packers’ 31-25 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on February 6, 2011.

Jones announced his retirement on September 6, 2017. After that, Jones became a NFL Network analyst.

Jones posted pretty good statistics in both stints with the Green and Gold. In the regular season, Jones had 45 touchdowns, 5195 yards and 360 receiving yards in 120 games and 62 games started. In the postseason, Jones had four touchdowns, 491 yards and 35 receiving yards in 13 games and six games started.

San Jose Sharks podcast with Len Shapiro: Sharks checking out power play lines; preparing for Wednesday home opener with Anaheim

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SanJoseSharks

On the Sharks podcast with Len:

#1 The San Jose Sharks lost their second straight preseason game in a home at home series with the Calgary Flames 4-3. They had lost in Calgary 7-5. Down 4-1, the Sharks made a comeback try, but fell short.

#2 Were these losses a matter of something to worry about or just some fine tuning for head coach Peter DeBoer to take notes from?

#3 What did you think of the following power play lines of Erik Karlsson, Joe Thornton, Logan Couture, Joe Pavelski, and Brent Burns?

#4 On the other power play line, what are your thoughts on Evander Kane, Marc Edouard-Vlasic, Kevin Labanc, Tomas Hertl, and Brent Burns?

#5 The Sharks close out the preseason Sunday night in Las Vegas. Len takes a look at what will be some of the things DeBoer will be looking for.

Len does the Sharks podcasts each Saturday and Mary Lisa Walsh on Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast with Matt Harrington: Will A’s use bullpenning for AL Wild Card Game?; Will the Giants shop MadBum?; Players prefer GMs in their 30s

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @Athletics

On the MLB The Show podcast with Matt:

#1 The Oakland A’s who play in New York this Wednesday for the AL Wild Card game lost on Friday night to the Los Angeles Angels. How much of a concern will it be for Oakland since they’ve been bullpenning to use a starter from their rotation after bullpenning for the last few weeks?

#2 Will the San Francisco Giants shop pitcher Madison Bumgarner, and if so, will the Giants be looking for prospects?

#3 The new wave of general managers are in their 30s. 57 MLB scouts have been fired that were over the age of 52 as it’s been noted that the ball players don’t won’t to take orders from general managers who are in their 50s, but want to work with GMs who are in their 30s.

#4 The Baltimore Orioles have benched their first baseman Chris Davis for the rest of the season. Davis hitting .168–the lowest qualifier in MLB history.

#5 The Cubs got a win over the St. Louis Cardinals 8-4 and dimmed the Cards’ chances of having any chance at the NL Wild Card. The Cards are 7.5 games out in the NL Central and have lost four straight games.

Matt does the MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NFL Week 4: Fantasy Football Doctors podcast has right prescription for you to win on Sunday

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

ff cartoon

hosts Dr. Vasu Vaddiparty & Dr. Charlie O

  • Is this the week Tom Brady and the Pats get it together on the field?

  • How will Aaron Rodgers fare versus the very tough and energized Buffalo Bills defense?

  • Who is going to start for Tampa Bay – Jameis Winston or Ryan Fitzpatrick?

  • Why has there been so much fantasy buzz this week about Eli Manning?

  • Will Matt Breida have a larger role in the 49ers offense with Beathard at QB?

  • Is the game where Marshawn Lynch has a real impact for the Raiders?

  • Should you take a chance and start Giovani Bernard?

  • Will this be the game that the Pats begin using Josh Gordon?

  • Doug Baldwin says he is ready to play – should you add him to your lineup?

Vasu and Charlie O have the answers to these questions and many more in this week’s podcast.

Barracuda edge Eagles 5-3 in first of two preseason games in Colorado

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @sjbarracuda

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Barracuda edged the Colorado Eagles 5-3 at the Budweiser Events Center on Friday night. This was the first of two exhibition games in Colorado.

After Michael Joly broke a scoreless deadlock in the first period with a backhand wrap-around at 6:37, Jeremy Roy evened the score at 5:28 as he snapped a shot far-side past Spencer Martin as he streaked down the right wing.

In the second period, Tim Clifton crossed an Eagles failed clearing attempt to Jon Martin, who cashed in with a forehand to backhand move at 2:44. Francis Perron made it 3-1 in the second when he poked a loose puck over the goal line after Martin failed to secure the initial shot at 19:22.

In the third period, Grayson Downing inched his club back within one at 6:04, but Clifton snuck a sharp-angle wrist shot inside the right post to push the Barracuda’s lead back up to two at 17:59. Downing scored again on the power play at 19:41, but Evan Weinger had already put the game away with an empty-netter at 18:56.

Josef Korenar (1-0) earned the win by making 24 saves on 27 shots, while Spencer Martin (0-1) took the loss after giving up four goals on 40 shots.

The Barracuda conclude exhibition play on Saturday, September 29 at 6:05 pm PT against the Eagles before kicking off the 2018-19 regular season at SAP Center on Oct. 5 at 7:00 pm PT against the rival Ontario Reign. Opening night will feature $2 beers, $1 hot dogs, $10 parking, and free parking for cars with four or more passengers. Plus the first 2000 fans will receive an 11×17 schedule poster featuring Barracuda players Jeremy Roy, Alex True, John McCarthy, and Jake Middleton. In addition, there will be player signings on the concourse during the second intermission presented by Williams Party Rentals.

Turner’s home run wins it for the Dodgers 3-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @DodgerBlue1958

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Justin Turner may have missed the first 40 games for the Los Angeles Dodgers due to a broken left wrist, and then 10 more games in July with a right groin injury; however, he came through when he was needed the most.

Turner hit a two-run home run in the top of the fifth inning, helping the Dodgers to a 3-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants before a sellout crowd of 41,167 at AT&T Park.

On the season, Turner is hitting .357 (10-for-28) against the Giants and has hits in all seven games he has played against the Giants this season.

With the victory, the Dodgers stayed one game behind the Colorado Rockies in the fight for the National League Western Division Championship.

Hyun-Jin Ryu pitched six strong innings, as he gave up just one run on four hits, walking two and striking out three and finished the 2018 season with a 7-3 record.

Ryu’s first and only mistake came in the bottom of the second inning, as he gave up a solo home run to Nick Hundley that gave the Giants an early 1-0 lead.

It was the 10th home run of the season for Hundley, and his sixth at home this season. It was his first home run since July 28 versus the Milwaukee Brewers.

Unfortunately, Madison Bumgarner was unable to hold onto the lead, as Manny Machado singled to left field to score Enrique Hernandez from second base to tie up the game in the top of the third inning.

The Hernandez single in the third inning, was the second of three straight hits for him, he then went to second on a David Freese walk and then Machado tied up the game with his single off of Bumgarner.

Hernandez ended up going three-for-four on the evening, but he did go three-for-three against Bumgarner and is now 19-for-39 (.487) in his career against him. That is the second highest batting average among active players in the majors against Bumgarner (minimum 15 at-bats).

Once again, the Achilles heel was the double play ball, as they grounded into five in the second, fourth, sixth, eighth and ninth innings that put a stop to five huge rallies.

Austin Slater grounded into a double play with runners on first and second, and nobody out and then Gorkys Hernandez flew out to Chris Taylor to end the inning.

With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the fourth inning, it was Slater again put the end to a Giants rally, as he grounded into his second double play in three innings.

Evan Longoria grounded into the third one of the night in the bottom of the sixth inning after Joe Panik led off the inning with a single, but was then erased on the double play ball hit by Longoria.

Once again, in the bottom of the eighth inning, Longoria grounded into a double play to end the inning. Panik singled with one out, but was then retired for the second out of the inning.

Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen got Hundley to fly out for the first out of the inning, but Jansen hit Crawford; however, he was able to get Aramis Garcia to ground into the fifth double play of the night for the Giants to end the game.

Bumgarner, who started the season on the disabled list with a broken left finger suffered in his last start of spring training on March 23, went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits, walking one and striking out six and he finished the 2018 season with a record of 6-7.

Slater was forced to leave the game with elbow soreness in his throwing arm, and will undergo an MRI on Saturday.

NOTES: This was the 250th career start of Bumgarner’s career, and only five pitchers who have reached that plateau since divisional play began in 1969, this according to STATS,LLC.

Giants closer Will Smith was named the 2018 Willie Mac Award winner. The award is given to the player who best exemplifies the inspiration, character and leadership that Willie McCovey demonstrated during his playing days for the Giants from 1959-1974, and then 1977-1980.

Smith, who missed all of the 2017 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery, was one of the Giants top relievers this season. He posted a record of 2-3 with 1.90 ERA, while saving 14 games in 18 opportunities.

Joining Smith on the field at the ceremony were past winners, Mike Krukow, who was the Master of Ceremonies, Jack Clark , Darrell Evans, Chris Speier, Dave Dravecky, Mike Felder, Shawon Dunston, Ellis Burks, Mark Gardner, Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Bumgarner, Crawford and Hundley.

Once again, the Giants topped the three million mark in attendance, as this was the 17th time in the 19 years since AT&T Park opened that they have eclipsed that mark and it is the ninth consecutive year that they accomplished the feat.

The five double plays hit by the Giants are a season high, and it was the first time since July 30, 2017, also against the Dodgers that the Giants hit into at least five double plays in a game.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Dodgers face each other again on Saturday afternoon at 1:05 pm PT.

Dereck Rodriguez makes his final start of the 2018 season on Saturday, as he looks to the finish the season on a high note and the Dodgers will send Clayton Kershaw to the mound.

A’s Rally Just Short in 8-5 Loss to Angels

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

Photo credit: @athletics_fanly

By Matthew Harrington

The opener concept officially backfired for the Oakland A’s Friday night in Anaheim despite the offense’s best attempt at a trademark eighth inning rally. Following an 8-5 loss to the Halos, A’s manager Bob Melvin has some tweaking to do with his pitching staff with just two days left in the regular season.

The notion seemed to be that either Mike Fiers or Edwin Jackson would start the one-game Wild Card playoff Tuesday against the New York Yankees, but Fiers’ final appearance of the season might not inspire much confidence in a do-or-die situation.

Fiers entered the game after opener Lou Trivino fired a scoreless first inning. The waiver trade acquisition gave up a trio of runs in the second inning after surrendering a run-scoring fielder’s choice and coughing up a two-run homer to Taylor Ward. Mike Trout pulled a pair of homers shy of his career-best in homers, taking Fiers deep in the bottom of the third for his 39th homer of the year and a 3-0 Halos lead.

Fiers departed the game after 3 1/3 innings of work, surrendering another run in the fifth inning. He’d wind up the losing pitcher after coughing up six hits, but he didn’t issue any walks. September call-up Dean Kiekhefer also gave up two runs in the bottom of the seventh, crucial runs for the Angels following the top of the eighth.

The eighth inning has been the A’s best inning offensively and the Green and Gold lead the world in runs scored in that inning. They tacked on a quintet Friday three hits and two walks as well as a timely error. Matt Chapman, Jed Lowrie, and Ramon Laureano knocked in a run each while Marcus Semien doubled in a pair. The A’s would go quietly in the ninth to all, but guarantee the Wild Card contest will be a road game Wednesday at 5:05 pm PT.

Trevor Cahill is slated to start tomorrow’s contest, but Sunday may be a mixture of call-ups and relievers as the A’s try to prepare for the must-win post-season contest.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Raiders and Carr battle to get first season win–this time, at home against the Browns

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @NBCSRaiders

On the Raiders podcast with Joe:

The Oakland Raiders are winless 0-3. They’re coming on to face the Cleveland Browns at the Coliseum. Can the Raiders win one at home this Sunday? For Browns head coach, Hue Jackson, it’s a return of glory of sorts to face his former team, the Raiders, and to coach against them in Oakland. The Raiders’ Jordy Nelson went for 173 yards and six catches great game last Sunday against a rugged Miami club.

For the Raiders, there’s a different receiving star each week Jared Cook with 180 yards vs. the Rams in Week 1, wide receiver Amari Cooper with 116 yards vs. Denver in Week 2. For the Raiders quarterback. Derek Carr with 345 yards, 27-39 with one touchdown. Can Carr lead this team to their first victory this Sunday?

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Beathard has the world on his shoulders, but he’s been here before

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @jaynovel

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

The out inbounds was the ACL tear heard round the world for 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo last Sunday in Kansas City. C.J. Beathard was last year’s starter until Garoppolo came along. Can the 49ers really count Beathard against the Chargers this Sunday?

Beathard completed 53% of his throws last season with six interception and four touchdowns. What will be Beathard’s biggest responsibility taking over at starter? The 49ers are looking for win number two. What’s their best plan against the Chargers–the passing or the ground game?

Joe Lami does the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com