Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman: A’s drop their second straight–have only lost back-to-back twice this season

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sfgate.com photo: Oakland Athletics’ Matt Chapman sits on second base after doubling off Minnesota Twins pitcher Kohl Stewart in the fifth inning of a baseball game Thursday, Aug. 23, 2018, in Minneapolis.

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Joey Friedman:

#1 The Oakland A’s have only lost back-to-back twice this season. The first time was last month when they lost to the Colorado Rockies and the second was when they lost to the Texas Rangers on Wednesday and to the Minnesota Twins 6-4 on Thursday night.

#2 The loss didn’t stop A’s slugger Khris Davis, who continues to go deep, hitting his 39th home run and his fourth dinger in five games.

#3 The Twins, who had lost some players, are still coming to play and brought it on Thursday as they knocked around A’s starter Trevor Cahill for five runs and Cahill continues to struggle on the road.

#4 A’s catcher Jonathan Lucroy said following the game that they’ll be back out to try and turn things around and get the Twins in game two of the four-game series on Friday night.

#5 The A’s will need a little of everything some solid starting pitching and some key hitting to get back in the win column in a crucial road trip to try to stay neck-and-neck with the first-place Houston Astros.

Joey Friedman does the Oakland A’s podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Mack still holding out, looking for more; Will the Raiders and Mack sit down soon?

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photo from sfgate.com: Khalil Mack remains a hold out with the Oakland Raiders and head coach Jon Gruden hopes Mack can be back in uniform with the team by the Raiders first game

On the Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon:

#1 The Raiders’ defensive end Khalil Mack is still a no show in the Raiders camp. He hasn’t reported since camp opened July 26th.

#2 Head coach Jon Gruden said he hopes to see Mack before the start of the regular season in the lineup.

#3 Mack is the 2014 overall fifth pick and the Raiders’ defensive player of the year.

#4 Mack is the best player on the Raiders. Mack is looking for Von Miller type of money $114 million for six years. Mack is making $13.85 million this season.

#5 The Raiders host the Green Bay Packers tonight at the Coliseum in week three of the preseason. What are some of the things to look for? Joe answers those questions and more in the podcast.

J Hawkes does the Raiders each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Was Holland’s racial jokes about Japanese on MLB’s “Intentional Talk” at Giants’ massage therapist intentional?

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photo from sfgate.com: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Derek Holland (45) sits in the dugout during a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park, Sunday, June 10, 2018, in Washington. Holland apologized Thursday over racially insensitive jokes he made in an interview alongside the team’s massage therapist, who is Japanese. 

On the Giants podcast with Miguel:

#1 San Francisco Giants pitcher Derek Holland and Giants massage therapist Haro Ogawa both appeared on MLB Network’s Intentional Talk. On the show, Holland was doing Japanese bows and yelling in pigeon Japanese-mocked accents. Holland later apologized to Ogawa, who is a native from Japan, as well as Giants’ bullpen catcher Taira Uematsu.

#2 The team issued a rather terse and deservedly so statement, “The Giants were disappointed to learn of the Derek Holland’s behavior on Intentional Talk. We do not condone that type of behavior nor does it reflect our organizational values. Derek has taken full responsibility for his actions and has made a public apology.”

#3 We asked Michael what this will do for Holland’s future on the team as the Giants returned home after concluding a four-game series against the Mets in New York on Thursday.

#4 Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is still perfect in New York at 6-0. He picked up a Thursday matinee victory over the New York Mets 3-1. Bumgarner passed former Giants pitcher Tim Lincecum on the Giants wins list with 109.

#5 The Giants open a series tonight against the Texas Rangers at AT&T Park. The Rangers are also coming off a win over the red-hot A’s 4-2 on Wednesday.

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

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: NFL is cracking down on lowering helmets as a weapon; 49ers’ Sherman says the new rule is idiotic

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Photo credit: @SportsCenter

On the 49ers podcast with Joe:

#1 The NFL imposed a new rule about lowering helmets before making contact. Are the players upset by this new rule?

#2 Regardless of player position, the penalty of lowering helmets will be 15 yards and a game ejection, which the league ruled that the helmet is used for contact with another player that could cause serious injury, including a concussion.

#3 The change was made after the league observed 33 preseason games and after 50 helmet penalties, which have been assessed.

#4 The 49ers’ cornerback Richard Sherman said the new rule is idiotic, saying “there’s no way you can tackle the way they are asking people to tackle and play football.”

#5 The 49ers play week three in Indianapolis Saturday, which means the 49ers will see a lot more starters in the first half. Joe talks about what will be expected of the starters on Saturday.

Join Joe Lami for the 49ers podcasts on Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MadBum gets Giants out of New York with a split following 3-1 win over Mets

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Photo credit: @MLB_News247

By Jeremy Harness

The San Francisco Giants desperately needed to get a win to get out of town and capture some momentum, and Madison Bumgarner made sure they got that against the New York Mets.

The Giants’ big lefty took the ball Thursday afternoon and threw eight solid innings at the Mets, and as a result, the Giants came away from New York with a 3-1 win at Citi Field, and the two teams ended up splitting the four-game series.

Bumgarner surrendered a single run on five hits, striking out eight and not walking a single batter. Not only did Bumgarner get it done on the mound, but he also helped his own cause at the plate, as his double in the fourth inning gave the Giants a 2-0 lead and gave the team the momentum that they sorely needed and would not relinquish.

However, the double almost did not happen, and maybe it should not have happened, either. That’s because the batter before Bumgarner, catcher Nick Hundley, took a ball that looked like it should have been a third strike that would have ended the inning.

Hundley ended up coaxing a walk out of Mets starter Jacob DeGrom, who saw his record drop to 8-8 after giving up a pair of runs on four hits, walking four and striking out 10.

The Mets put some major heat on Bumgarner in the seventh inning, after Todd Frazier led off the inning with a solo homer, and then used a hit batsman and a single to put runners on first and second with nobody out.

However, Bumgarner got out of the jam flawlessly, as he forced Kevin Plawecki into a double play before striking out Michael Conforto to keep the Giants up one run.

The Giants got that run right back in the eighth, when Evan Longoria tattooed an inside fastball and sent into the left-field seats to increase the lead to 3-1.

The Giants return home to AT&T Park to host the Rangers for a three-game series starting Friday night at 7:15 pm PDT.

Twins get past the A’s 6-4

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Minnesota Twins beat the Oakland A’s 6-4 in the opener of a four-game series at Target Field on Thursday night. It was the A’s second consecutive loss and just the second time in the last two months. A’s Trevor Cahill has trouble pitching on the road as he went five innings and allowed eight hits and five runs. His record dropped to 5-3.

In the second inning, the A’s scored twice for an early 2-0 lead. Khris Davis led off the inning with a 396-foot blast to right center field. For Davis, it was his 39th big fly of the year. With one more homer, he will tie Jimmy Foxx as the only two A’s sluggers to have hit 40 homers in three consecutive seasons. Mark McGwire hit 40 three times (1987, 1992-96). After Davis’ homer, Matt Olson doubled. He advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch.

The Twins scored two in the third and three in the fourth to take a commanding 5-2 lead. The A’s plated a run in the fifth when Matt Chapman doubled. He, too, went to third on a groundout and also scored on another wild pitch to make it a 5-3 game.

The Twins added an insurance run in the eighth when Max Kepler homered off Blake Treinen. The Twins’ bullpen held the A’s scoreless until the top of the ninth. With two out and closer Trevor Hildenberger pitching, A’s second baseman Jed Lowrie homered. That was it for the A’s as they fell to the Twins 6-4.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s dropped to 76-52. The A’s are now 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Houston Astros, who were off on Thursday. The A’s lead over the Seattle Mariners for the second Wild Card slot is now four games.

Up Next: Sean Manaea (11-9, 3.70 ERA) goes for the A’s Friday night at 5:10 pm PDT, and the Twins’ Jake Odorizzi (5-7, 4.55 ERA) will try to hand the A’s another loss.

Countdown to kickoff: San Jose State fans should pay attention to these 10 players

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Photo credit: @SJSUSpartanFB

By: Ana Kieu

As you should already know, San Jose State football wrapped up its second (and final) scrimmage at CEFCU Stadium on Saturday, August 18th. Both season ticket holders and media members were impressed by the Spartan defense, who shined in the scrimmage and entertained the crowd last Saturday night at CEFCU Stadium. Also, the majority of the guests enjoyed a complimentary barbecue dinner, which was delicious to say the least.

Perhaps you might’ve already figured this out, but the Spartans’ coaching staff has a lot on their minds. Yet, there’s a likely chance they could put their previous misfortunes in the rear-view mirror and focus on their current goals—one of which is to win more than two games in the 2018 season. From quarterbacks to placekickers, I’ll take a closer look at a wide variety of players who have made larger-than-life statements this off-season, and hopefully, these guys will keep up the good work when the real games kick off.

Here are 10 players San Jose State fans should pay attention to. As always, feel free to share your opinion in the comments section.

10. Montel Aaron
In my opinion, the No. 1 quarterback spot will be handed to redshirt sophomore Montel Aaron. At the moment, the Spartan offense appears to have the upper hand as Aaron has been apparently handling offensive sequences with Terrell Carter.

Aaron, however, is the current favorite among most media outlets. Of course, this decision will be made by first-year offensive coordinator Kevin McGiven, who previously worked at Oregon State. But, if Aaron becomes the starting quarterback and stays healthy, he’ll likely fall into place with the running and receiving games, respectively.

9. Josh Love
Let’s talk about some more quarterbacks, shall we?

Junior Josh Love is expected to be a part of the Spartans’ rotation when it comes to veteran quarterbacks. 

Last year, Love started the first two games of the season until he suffered an injury, which was a major blow as he had the most experience in the 2017 Spartans’ quarterback department. After that, Aaron picked up the slack until he, himself, suffered an injury against the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City. But, to be fair, no quarterback was separating himself from the others, so…

8. Terrell Carter
In case you didn’t know, redshirt freshman Terrell Carter made a huge impact on the field in the Spartans’ second and final scrimmage this offseason. Carter completed 6-of-7 attempts for 64 yards. That statistic, my friends, also accounted for the scrimmage’s only touchdown that was scored by senior running back DeJon Packer, who caught the 24-yard reception from Carter.

That being said, if Aaron or Love struggle during the season, then the Spartans may experiment with Carter to see what a younger quarterback could do.

7. Chance LaChappelle
Of course, it’s too early to tell if the brand-new players will achieve the exact same success in the regular season. But I can tell you that freshman quarterback Chance LaChapelle out of Sheldon High School in Sacramento, Calif. has been showing promise.

Therefore, LaChappelle remains a part of the Spartans’ quarterback competition. And, hopefully, LaChapelle will get to start a game sooner than later.

6. Jermaine Braddock
Again, freshman Jermaine Braddock is another player whose future remains up in the air. But I have to say, Braddock has been looking great thus far.

In the Spartans’ final scrimmage, Braddock led all wide receivers with 63 yards on three catches, including a 52-yarder from Aaron–and yes, Braddock reversed to dodge a tackle and extend his play.

Expect to see more of Braddock this season.

5. DeJon Packer
Yes, senior DeJon Packer was that guy who scored the final scrimmage’s only touchdown, but in other news…Packer is reportedly competing for playing time as a running back.

Packer may not be one of the biggest names in the Mountain West Conference, but he was fourth on the Spartans in rushing yards (290) and led his new team with two rushing touchdowns. And, like many other running backs, the best is yet to come for Packer.

4. Bryce Crawford
In case you missed it, senior kicker Bryce Crawford closed out the scoring in the final scrimmage with a 35-yard field goal…and that was his only field goal attempt that afternoon.

Crawford is the Spartans’ record-setting kicker. Not only that, Crawford is a Dean’s Scholar student who also contributes to the good of the local community in the South Bay. That’s why Crawford was named to the Wuerffel Trophy watch list in July.

Let’s see if Crawford will win the Wuerffel Trophy on December 4 at the National Football Foundation’s news conference in New York City. But, in the meantime, let’s see if Crawford will keep up the great work.

3. Steven Houston
Steven Houston is a freshman who first joined the Spartans at San Jose State in 2017 for fall drills. Now, Houston is in his second season with the Spartans.

Houston should be able to work his way into the wide receiver rotation. After all, Houston is an avid long distance runner who likes to run marathons. Not the same sports, but the similar amounts of effort involved.

2. Tyler Nevens
The Spartans have been showing promise in the running game with arguably their greatest running back in modern times Tyler Nevens.

Last year, Nevens was one of the few bright spots for the Spartans, who went 2-11 (1-7 MW). That was definitely not a record for then first-year head coach Brent Brennan to brag about, but hey, you can’t always get what you want.

Anyways, Nevens has his flaws–like when his pass got intercepted by Wyoming’s Marcus Epps during the game that turned out to be the Spartans’ second win of the season versus the Cowboys. But Nevens is still an incredible running back nevertheless.

1. Tre White
There’s a lot of overlooked local kids in the Spartans’ ever-changing roster of experiments, so let’s take a look at cornerback hopeful Tre White, who is in his second season at San Jose State.

Last year, White completed a redshirt season. Coming out of De La Salle High School, White was just a three-star recruit, but now, he could find himself on the field this coming season. Plus White can also play as a running back if needed.

Raiders to host the Packers in final home preseason game Friday at the Coliseum

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Photo credit: raiderswire.usatoday.com

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

OAKLAND — The Raiders and Packers link up for the third time in the preseason since 2014 when Green Bay visits the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum Friday night at 7:30 p.m. PT. The last time the two teams met each other in the preseason was in 2016 at Lambeau Field.

Last week, the Raiders traveled to Los Angeles to take on the Rams. It was the first time that that the Silver and Black played at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum since 1994, the final season for the Raiders in Southern California before the team moved back to Oakland at the conclusion of that season.

The Rams held off the Raiders for a 19-15 victory last Saturday, with neither team playing their starters on either side of the football, which wasn’t a huge surprise. It was odd seeing the two teams playing a preseason game against each other, given that the two teams will meet each other in Week 1 of the regular season in Game 2 of ESPN’s Monday Night Football doubleheader on Sept. 10 in Oakland.

Rookies were the story of the game on both sides of the football for Oakland, even in the loss.

Running back Chris Warren III saw plenty of action rushing for 110 yards on 18 carries and a touchdown. With veteran Marshawn Lynch slated as Oakland’s starting running back, the undrafted Warren III’s play has earned him strong consideration to make the team and contribute significantly.

Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst recorded two tackles and one sack against the Rams. The fifth-round pick in this year’s NFL Draft has had great practices during training camp and could see some action with the first-team defense against the Packers.

Typically, the third preseason game is where the starters play the first-half of the game so expect to see quarterback Derek Carr along with new Raiders wide receiver Jordy Nelson on the field Friday night.

Nelson signed a two-year $14.2 million ($13 million guaranteed) contract with Oakland in the offseason after spending his first 10 seasons in the NFL in Green Bay. Seeing Nelson in the Silver and Black of the Raiders instead of the Green and Yellow of the Packers will take some time to get used to.

Green Bay defeated the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, 51-34 last week at Lambeau Field.

Following Friday night’s game, both teams will have a short turnaround to end the preseason on the road. Oakland travels to Seattle to face the Seahawks on Thursday Aug. 30, and Green Bay will meet the Chiefs in Kansas City the same day. With the conclusion of the preseason, all NFL teams will make their final roster cuts on Sept. 1, reducing their roster to the mandated 53-man limit.

This will mark the 13th straight season that Oakland has finished the preseason schedule against the Seahawks, with nine of the 13 games coming in Seattle, but this will be the first time since 2015 that the Raiders will finish in Seattle.

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Gruden taking a closer look at Whalen for wide receiver; Raiders’ starters get more looks in week 3 of preseason

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photo from pinterest.com: Former Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Griff Whalen is working at getting the third wide receiver opening at the Raiders in game three at Oakland against the Green Bay Packers Friday night

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Oakland Raiders’ head coach Jon Gruden stated this week that while he’s very happy with his two wide receivers, Amari Cooper and Jordy Nelson, he’s searching for a third receiver will he get his answer this week and next week for that third receiver.

#2 Gruden said he all the confidence that receivers coach Edgar Bennett will find that third receiver and said he said Bennett would agree that they find somebody to step in at the third wideout position.

#3 Gruden was looking at wide receiver Martavis Bryant as that third wideout but Bryant during training camp in Napa missed three practices with a headache and one for illness. Gruden said that Bryant comes out to play “sometimes and sometimes he doesn’t.”

#4 Then, there was Seth Roberts, who was going to get some looks, but missed the first two preseason games due to an injury. The Gruden was looking at Ryan Switzer, who looked like he had a shot, but now he’s took some interest in Griff Whalen, who is practicing with the offensive first team and also is a former Stanford player.

#5 The Raiders host quarterback Aaron Rogers and the Green Bay Packers for week three, meaning Raiders’ quarterback Derek Carr will get more time and more looks. What are some of the things expected out of the starters and Carr in week three?

Tony Renteria does the Oakland Raiders podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Jackson couldn’t figure out Rangers’ lineup Wednesday; Melvin pleased with 6-3 homestand

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the A’s podcast with Jerry:

#1 The A’s had the Texas Rangers down on the mat for the final count, but just couldn’t pin the Rangers down for a win in game three of the three-game series and saw some good pitching from Rangers’ starter Mike Minor on Wednesday afternoon. Minor went six innings, one hit, four strikeouts, and one walk.

#2 The Rangers also struck early with runs in the top of the first and the third. Shin-Soo Choo set the tone early with a first pitch of the game, a home run off A’s starter Edwin Jackson. For Choo, it was his 21st home run of the season, a blast in the left field bleachers.

#3 A’s starter Edwin Jackson struggled going four-plus, seven hits, four runs, three walks and two strikeouts. Jackson, who had been going well before Wednesday, just couldn’t get tracked against the Rangers’ lineup.

#4 Despite the loss, A’s manager Bob Melvin said during the postgame presser he was happy with the homestand as the A’s won series meetings with the Mariners, Astros, and Rangers, going 6-3 at home.

#5 The A’s open a seven-game road trip starting tonight in Minnesota then head to Houston on Monday in crucial games as the A’s are just one game behind the Astros in the AL West.

Jerry Feitelberg does the A’s podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com