San Francisco Giants podcast with Morris Phillips: Stratton and Syndergaard engage in pitching duel, but Mets’ early hits hand the Giants a loss

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On the SF Giants podcast with Morris:

San Francisco Giants starter Chris Stratton on Sunday pitched what would be called a quality start, but Stratton and the Giants lost the game to the New York Mets 4-1. Stratton pitched six innings, two runs, three hits, a walk and two strikeouts.

Stratton gave up a two run-homer to Michael Conforto and a double to Todd Frazier. The Mets’ starter Noah Syndergaard pitched his first complete game and gave up one run and two hits, walked one, and struck out a season-high 11. The Giants start a six-game road trip in Colorado and open up a three-game series in Milwaukee on Friday. Two teams the Giants face that are both in the run for postseason play in a crucial road trip for the Giants, who are trying to get some day light for postseason themselves.

Morris does the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Piscotty’s inspiration on team is part of the reason for record run at postseason

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On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

Oakland A’s outfielder Stephen Piscotty’s home run total at 21 is a career-high and is truyly having a remarkable season at the plate. Piscotty was pronounced with 60 extra base hits in 2016 with the St. Louis Cardinals, but his hitting hit a slump in 2017 as Piscotty’s mom was suffering from ALS.

In the offseason, Piscotty worked out a deal moving from the St. Louis Cardinals to the Oakland A’s so he could be closer to his mother in Pleasanton, Calif. Piscotty cared for his mother after each home game, putting her to bed and feeding her.

Piscotty’s care for his mother Gretchen lasted until May at her passing and later Piscotty began to swing the bats with great production. The team was inspired and now the A’s are in the hunt for an AL West title.

Amaury does the A’s Spanish radio play-by-play, serves as vice president of the MLB Hispanic Heritage Museum Hall of Fame, and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAA Football podcast with Michelle Richardson: App State makes a valiant effort, but Penn State overcomes; Grier lights up the gridiron–429 yards and 5 touchdowns for Vols; plus more

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On the NCAA Football podcast with Michelle:

#1 No. 10 Penn State Nittany Lions held on to a 45-38 overtime win against Appalachian State as App State almost pulled off an upset.

#2 West Virginia got an 40-14 win past Tennessee. The game was delayed for a half hour due to lightning. Will Grier, the quarterback from the Vols, threw for five touchdowns and 429 yards.

#3 Auburn running back Jatarvious Whitlow ran for 10 yards in the fourth quarter to help Auburn with a touchdown with 6:15 left against the Washington Huskies in a 26-16 win. This big moment occurred just three weeks after Whitlow’s paternal grandmother, Sylvia Holloway, passed away on August 11 at the age of 64 after a five-year battle with cancer. It was a loss that shook Willow, who called Holloway “Grandma Sippy” and his “baby.” This was bigger than football, as Willow loved her more than anything else.

Michelle Richardson does NCAA Football podcast each week right here on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

“Some splits are better than others:” A’s maintain distance on Mariners with 5-2 win

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND — It’s worth noting–now 21 Stephen Piscotty home runs into his Athletics career–that the talented outfielder on the verge of a career-best season fell into the A’s lap in the off-season.

The 25-year old Piscotty established himself as a big league standout in 2016 by smashing 60 extra-base hits for the Cardinals. But he slumped horribly in 2017, as the St. Louis brass noticed that Gretchen Piscotty’s rapidly failing health was affecting her son, Stephen, on and off the field.

In the off-season, as a favor to Piscotty, the Cardinals agreed to trade the outfielder to Oakland, as a way for the son to care for his mom, based in Pleasanton. And for the first month plus of the season, Piscotty drove his mom home after games and took on the arduous task of putting her to bed on a nightly basis.

That routine so poignantly captured by ESPN’s E:60 ended when Gretchen lost her battle with ALS in May.

Soon thereafter, Piscotty–with the weight of having to see his mother suffer on daily basis lifted–took off. And so did the A’s.

Fast forward to Sunday, and the A’s leaned heavily on Piscotty on the occasion of the final home game of 2018 against the rival Mariners. Needing a split to maintain a five-game lead over wild card hopeful Seattle, Piscotty came up with two home runs to power the A’s to a 8-2 win.

Edwin Jackson more than did his part–pitching six innings–allowing three hits and a run to Seattle, playing arguably their most important regular season game in more than a decade in attempting to end their postseason drought that dates to 2001.

We’ve been taxing that bullpen a lot,” Piscotty said of Jackson. “To have him go out and have a strong outing, and let our offense kind of wake up and take the pressure of him, that’s a great game, exactly what we needed.”

A close game hinged on Felix Hernandez, the unquestioned A’s killer, getting through the sixth inning, and preserving a 1-1 tie, after allowing a leadoff single to Chad Pinder.

But the King doesn’t go unchallenged these days, having lost 12 games, and was briefly demoted from the starting rotation. But if anyone has earned the right to pitch in a big spot for the Mariners, it’s Felix, and manager Scott Servais elected to stick with his starter.

That strategy backfired immediately as Hernandez uncorked a wild pitch, then walked pinch hitter Matt Joyce, threw a second wild pitch, and allowed the go-ahead base hit to Marcus Semien.

That sequence opened the flood gates as the A’s would score three more times in the inning, then get a three-run shot from Piscotty in the eighth.

Piscotty’s homer was his 21st–he also homered in the fifth–just one off his career high established in 2016. Afterwards, Melvin referenced the slugger’s ascendance, which of course, dates back to May.

“I’ve said many times that he has an angel on his shoulders,” Melvin said.

GAME NOTES: The A’s have three games (days) remaining in their grueling stretch of 20 games without a day off. Melvin said he’s well aware of how the schedule eases after Wednesday saying that the time off his far more critical for his everyday starters as opposed to his underrated rotation guys or stacked bullpen.

Blake Treinen earned his 35th save, getting the last four outs of the ballgame, including ending the eighth on one pitch. Treinen dropped his ERA ever so slightly to 0.92, the continuation of his season rivaled only by Dennis Eckersley’s 1990 campaign in which he earned the American League MVP.

Hernandez failed to win in a seventh, consecutive appearance, a career-worst drought that dates back to June 30.

UP NEXT: The A’s host the Yankees for a three-game series starting Monday afternoon at 1:05 pm PDT on ESPN, NSCA and YES.

Syndergaard throws a gem in Mets’ 4-1 win over Giants

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Photo credit: @genymets

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — With the exception of two bad pitches in the second inning, it was a spectacular pitching performance for Chris Stratton.

Michael Conforto hit a two-run home run on the first pitch he saw from Stratton in the top of the second inning, helping the New York Mets to a 4-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants before a crowd of 39,692 at AT&T Park on Sunday afternoon.

Just one pitch prior to Conforto’s 20th home run of the season, Todd Frazier lined a double to left field.

Noah Syndergaard was outstanding for the Mets, as he threw his first career complete game, allowing just one run on just two hits, walking just one and striking out a season-high tying 11 and won for the 10th time on the season.

This was just the second complete game against the Giants this season, joining Patrick Corbin of the Arizona Diamondbacks, who tossed one on April 17.

Syndergaard’s lone mistake of the afternoon, was when Alen Hanson hit a triple just out of the reach of a diving Brandon Nimmo in right field and then Stratton got the Giants on the board with a sacrifice fly to Nimmo that easily scored Hanson from third base,

Stratton went six innings, allowing two runs on three hits, not allowing a walk and striking out two.

Following the Hanson triple and subsequent sacrifice fly by Stratton, Syndergaard only allowed two more baserunners to reach base, as Evan Longoria singled in the bottom of the fourth inning and then Brandon Belt reached on a throwing error by Jay Bruce.

Despite the loss, the Giants made some great plays on defense, especially three by Hanson and one by Gregor Blanco, who robbed former teammate Austin Jackson of extra bases, as he made a diving catch of a Jackson hit in the top of the fifth inning. Austin Slater made a great defensive to end the top of the ninth inning, as he robbed Tomas Nido of extra bases with Nimmo on first base after a walk with one out in the frame.

Jeff McNeill continues his hot hitting against the Giants, as he picked up two more hits on the afternoon, including a two-run single in the top of the eighth inning that stretched the Mets lead up to 4-1.

In seven games versus the Giants since being recalled from the Las Vegas 51s, McNeil is batting .500 against the Giants, as he is 9-for-18 in seven games.

NOTES: Kelby Tomlinson was recalled from Sacramento prior to the game. The Giants now have 27 players on their roster.

Brandon Crawford sat out the weekend series against the Mets due to soreness in his left knee, and will be re-evaluated by the doctors over the next few days.

Steven Duggar will have season-ending shoulder injury sometime this week, might be Tuesday.

UP NEXT: Madison Bumgarner opens the Giants two-city six-game road trip with a start against the Colorado Rockies on Monday afternoon, as he faces Tyler Anderson for the Rockies at Coors Field. Game time is set for 12:10 pm PDT.

Following the three-game series in Denver, and an off day, the Giants make their only trip to Milwaukee, where they will face the Milwaukee Brewers over the weekend at Miller Park.

MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum: Discussions on this week’s trades; A’s make final push for postseason; Umpire catches pitcher cheating; plus more

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On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel:

1 Highlights of the postseason-eligible trade deadline: Andrew McCutchen to Yankees, Josh Donaldson to Cleveland, Gio Gonzalez to Brewers, and more.

2 A’s make final roster moves for playoff push on August 31.

3 Umpire confiscates cheat sheet from Phillies pitcher.

4 Padres forced to cancel beach hat giveaway due to beetle infestation.

Daniel Dullum does the MLB The Show podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com also Daniel is a Stanford Cardinal football beat writer

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Khris “Krush” Davis joins Jimmie Foxx in three straight years of hitting 40 home runs or more

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photo from athleticsnation.com file: Oakland A’s slugger Khris Davis (2) joins former A’s slugger Jimmie Foxx for hitting at least 40 or more home runs per season for three consecutive years

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND — On Saturday September 1, 2018, Oakland Athletics’ designated hitter Khris Davis hit his 40th home run at the Oakland Coliseum against Seattle reliever Alex Colomé. Davis joined Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx (1932-34) of the Philadelphia Athletics as the only two players in three consecutive years to have 40 home run seasons in the A’s franchise. Khris Davis came to the A’s in 2016–that season he ended with 42 home runs and 102 runs batted in, 2017–43 home runs and 110 runs batted in, and as of the conclusion of Sept. 1–40 home runs and 105 runs batted in. Originally a left fielder, he is the A’s everyday DH. A quiet player that goes on with his business. Davis is a 30-year-old, Lakewood, Calif. native. His mother was born in Guadalajara, México. He has played on a “year to year” contract since he arrived with the A’s, making $10.5 million this season.

Here is the all-time list of players who have accomplished this feat: Babe Ruth, NYY 1926-32, Alex Rodriguez, 1998-2003, Sammy Sosa (1998-2003), Ken Griffey Jr. (1996-2000), Ralph Kiner (1947-1951), Ryan Howard (2006-09), Albert Pujols (2003-06), Jim Thome (2001-04), Mark McGwire (1996-99), Ernie Banks (1957-1960), Duke Snider (1953-56), David Ortiz (2004-06), Barry Bonds (2000-02), Vinny Castilla (1996-98), Andres Galarraga (1996-98), Juan Gonzalez (1996-98), Jay Buhner (1995-97), Frank Howard (1968-1970), Ted Kluszewski (1953-55), Eddie Mathews (1953-55), and of course, Jimmie Foxx (1932-34).

Listen to the A’s games on KIQI 1010AM/990AM in San Francisco, Oakland, San José, Sacramento, Stockton and the Valley. Also, on the SAP line on A’s television.

Cal starts fast, but sees North Carolina rally late in narrow 24-17 win

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By Morris Phillips

BERKELEY, Calif. — Undoubtedly the California Golden Bears got a break in their sun-drenched opener against the North Carolina Tar Heels, but did they take advantage of it?

The Tar Heels were rocked by suspensions of 13 players including starting quarterback Chazz Surratt and defensive lineman Malik Carney due to improper benefits derived from the sale of team-issued Air Jordan tennis shoes. That created one obvious mismatch with junior quarterback Nathan Elliott facing the fastidiously prepared Golden Bears’ defense.

But while Elliott struggled until the end of the third quarter, the Bears did little outside two, early touchdowns that put the game out of reach. Down 24-3, North Carolina came up with a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns to turn the final minutes anxious.

After the game, UNC’s early, offensive struggles and Cal’s uneven defense late stood out, but the Tar Heels four turnovers trumped both happenings in explaining how this one was won.

“Unfortunately, we turned the ball over four times today, and if you turn the ball over like we did, you’re going to have a hard time winning football games,” UNC coach Larry Fedora admitted. “You can still be in the game, but you’re going to have a hard time winning the football game. They didn’t turn it over and we turned it over four times.”

Elliott managed just one UNC first down before halftime, and three interceptions put the Tar Heels at a huge disadvantage on the scoreboard, trailing 17-0 at the break. With the Carolina receivers unable to create separation, and the Cal secondary jumping routes, Elliott found third downs to be disastrous.

Jaylinn Hawkins snatched Elliott’s overthrow late in the first quarter and that set up Cal’s first touchdown, Patrick Laird’s three-yard run three plays later.

Defensive end Cameron Goode joined the party in the second quarter going 23 yards with Elliott’s errant throw to give Cal a 14-0 lead.

Two other interceptions bogged down UNC’s offense that converted just one of their first 13 third down opportunities. Elliott finished 15 of 35 for 137 yards. Thirteen UNC penalties spoke to the team’s disjointed play given the numerous suspensions. But Cal never pulled away, as the Tar Heels crowded the line of scrimmage and dared Cal quarterback Ross Bowers to throw.

“We forced them to go to their quick game really the whole second half,” Fedora said. “I thought our guys played extremely well. The only other thing I would have liked to see from them would be a couple takeaways, but they played their hearts out. We were aggressive, we tackled. I thought we played really well on defense.”

The Bears head to LaVell Edwards Stadium to take on the BYU Cougars on Saturday, September 8 at 7:15 pm PDT.

15 runs, 18 hits, 14 pitchers–September baseball is here! M’s down A’s 8-7 on Saturday night

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

OAKLAND — If you are planning to come to the ballpark between now and the end of the season, bring seat cushion with you. Every team in the Major Leagues could expand their roster on Saturday. The A’s added eight players to their active roster, bringing their total of available players to 33.

A’s manager Bob Melvin talked about how much the club was looking forward to having the extra help down the stretch in September. After 136 games, a team is tired, bruised and battered from the rigors of playing every day. Melvin was also looking forward to having extra help in the bullpen.

Oakland lost the services of two starters last week. Sean Manaea was diagnosed with rotator cuff tendonitis and may not be available for the remainder of the season. Brett Anderson went down with a strained left forearm and is eligible to come off the disabled list on September 7. The A’s chose not to go out on the waiver trade market for a starter and instead bolstered their bullpen.

Saturday night was the beginning of a new experiment

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The Tampa Bay Rays shocked the baseball world earlier this season when they began using an “opener” instead of a starting pitcher in their games. Former Giants reliever Sergio Romo made headlines when he “opened” the game pitching one inning then turning it over to what would have been the starting pitching who was now a long relief pitcher. Confused?

There is a method behind the madness. First, the Rays really believe in the strength of their bullpen. Secondly, the Rays are adhering to the concept of limiting the number times hitters are allowed to see a “starting pitcher.” The prevailing thought is that batter should only see a pitcher twice because the hitters become too effective in the third time at bat.

The A’s decided to go with the same philosophy on Saturday night. Reliever Liam Hendricks was put into the role of “opener.”  He lasted 1.2 innings, giving up two runs off two hits. He gave up both runs in the second inning. Danny Coulombe came on to relieve Hendricks and gave up an RBI double to the only batter he faced. Emilio Pagan then took over from Coulombe and ended the second inning by getting Haniger to fly out in foul territory. That second inning set the tone for the rest of the game.

“Starter” Daniel Mengden entered the game in the top of the third inning and lasted 2.0 innings. He gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits. Mengden walked one and struck out one Mariner. You will want to listen to Melvin’s comments about Mengden’s performance.

The A’s newest pitcher–reliever Cory Gearrin–made his Oakland debut in the game in the fifth inning, and it was less than a stellar beginning. Melvin said that Gearrin is not used to pitching from behind (the A’s were down 8-1 at that point). Gearrin allowed two runs (both earned) on three hits. Melvin said Gearrin just needs to get his feet on the ground and he will be fine.

The A’s also used Hatcher, Buchter, Wendelken, and Familia as relievers in the game. For those of you scoring at home, that is a total of nine pitchers used by the A’s in nine innings.

Those nine pitchers gave up 8 runs (7 earned) off 12 hits. They struck out five M’s batters and walked two.

The M’s used six pitchers in the game even though their starting pitcher (who was a traditional starting pitcher) James Paxton lasted 5.0 innings. Seattle pitching gave up 7 runs (6 earned) on six hits. They walked six and struck out 18 Oakland batters. Paxton struck out 10.

Oh, you would like to know who won the game

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I am sorry. I am so tired from the length of the game (3 hours and 33 minutes) that I forgot to mention the Mariners won the game 8-7. Paxton was the winner and is now 11-5 on the year. “Opener” Liam Hendricks took the loss and is now 0-1 for the season.

The M’s (76-60) now lead the four-game series 2-1. The Astros (83-53) beat the Angels Saturday night, so the A’s (81-56) are now 2.5 games back of Houston for first-place in the AL West. The win moves Seattle within 4.5 games of the A’s for second-place and for the second Wild Card slot.

Just when you thought it was over–it wasn’t

The A’s were trailing 8-2 as they came to bat in the bottom of the eighth inning. If it had not been a fireworks night, a good portion of the 28,760 fans in the crowd would have already been on the freeway headed home. Instead, the fans were still in their seats after three-plus hours and were ready to see their team make some fireworks of their own.

Alex Colome came out of the bullpen to take over the pitching duties for Seattle. The first batter he faced was Khris Davis who promptly dispatched a 2-1 pitch into the right field seats for his 40th home run of the season. The crowd came to life and this reporter got his focus back because the A’s are team of late-inning miracles.

Stephen Piscotty followed up the home run with a single. Matt Olson struck out pinch hitting for Pinder. Ramon Laureano singled up the middle and Piscotty moved up to second base. Mark Canha walked to load the bases with one out. Dustin Fowler entered the game as a pinch hitter and struck out.

That brought a pitching change by Seattle, who sent Edwin Diaz to the mound and Colome to the showers. Marcus Semien hit a double to left-center field that cleared the bases with the help of a fielding error charged to Denard Span and made the score 8-7. Matt Chapman struck out to end the inning.

Another wild ninth inning
In the top of the ninth, Jeurys Familia took the hill to stop the Mariners from scoring additional runs. Familia set the side down in order giving the A’s a chance to win it in the bottom of the ninth.

The M’s brought in their closer Edwin Diaz to stop any thoughts the A’s had of winning the game. Jed Lowrie led off the ninth with a base-on-balls. Khris Davis went down swinging. Stephen Piscotty also struck out, so it all came down to Matt Olson with Lowrie at first. Olson also became a strikeout victim and Diaz notched his 51st save of the season.

Back to the need for a seat cushion
This game featured 15 runs, 18 hits, and 13 pitching changes. That required 3 hours and 33 minutes to complete. Trust me, you will want a seat cushion for any game that goes that long. Plus, get seats close to a restroom.

Up next
The A’s and M’s wrap up this four-game series on Sunday at 1:05 PM PDT.

Seattle will send RHP “King” Felix Hernandez (8-12, 5.49) to the mound to make his 401st MLB start. The A’s will return to using a traditional starting pitcher by sending RHP Edwin Jackson (4-3, 3.03) to the hill.

Road woes: Earthquakes lose to WhiteCaps 2-1 at BC Place

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: London Marq

The San Jose Earthquakes took a trip to the Great White North and were welcomed by the eighth-seeded Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Saturday night. It would prove to be physically challenging match for San Jose as they drew 22 fouls from Vancouver.

The opening score came from WhiteCaps midfielder Alphonso Davies at the 22nd minute. The Quakes remained off-balance, despite controlling the possession for the majority of the game, as well as passing with 82% accuracy for the match.

San Jose found themselves in themselves in the scoring third often enough, with 11 shots taken. However, as it has been all season, opportunities continue to slip through the Quakes’ fingers. Only 2 of 11 shots required goalie intervention.

The WhiteCaps found more success, and founds that they could work the opposing keeper more often, with 5 of 16 shots on target. In the 78th minute, Vancouver’s Nicolas Mezquida effectively shut the door on the Quakes’ hopes of winning the match, when he scored to make it a 2-0 game.

These two teams played a full 90 minutes of soccer plus three minutes of stoppage time. Vako helped the Quakes avoid getting shutout by the WhiteCaps by scoring his ninth goal of the season at the 90th minute.

The WhiteCaps defeated the Quakes 2-1.

Since it’s late in the season and with a negative cellar-dweller image in place, San Jose needs to reevaluate for the team’s future. If they can’t find a way to build a more consistent team with better chemistry, they will be bottom feeders again next year.

The Quakes return home to Avaya Stadium, where they’ll host Sporting KC on Saturday, September 19 at 7:30 pm PDT.