A’s unable to stop Gordon, Mariners in 2-0 loss in 12 innings

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By: Ana Kieu

OAKLAND, Calif. — It was August 15th and the Oakland A’s were loud and proud about the fact that they’re just one game back of the Houston Astros just moments before the home game versus the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum on Wednesday afternoon. The A’s haven’t been this confident in a long time.

Both teams engaged in a pitching duel and a very defensive battle through seven innings. Wednesday’s seventh inning stretch was extremely exciting, thanks to the talented in-stadium host Kara Tsuboi (@karashotcorner).

The A’s Twitter managed to make the scoreless innings sound thrilling as they tweeted, “The late innings have arrived. You know what that means.”

A’s manager pulled starter Brett Anderson out of the game, and rookie reliever Lou Trivino entered in relief. Trivino pitched just 1/3 of the eighth inning.

Veteran reliever Fernando Rodney stepped onto the mound for the A’s. Rodney pitched 2/3 of the eighth inning.

Newly acquired reliever Jeurys Familia warmed up in the A’s bullpen just moments before he had to get on the field.

Neither team was able to score in the standard nine innings, so the game went into extra innings. Fans in attendance got the chance to watch additional baseball for free, which was a wonderful thing–especially for the kids.

The Mariners finally broke open the scoring in the top of the 12th inning. The M’s Dee Gordon hit a two-run home run for his 24th RBI of the season. Gordon hit the two-run homer off of A’s reliever Yusmeiro Petit, who has played for the Giants from 2012 to 2015.

The M’s shutout the A’s 2-0 in a three-hour, 13-minute game in front of 17,078 fans. The M’s James Pazos was the winning pitcher. Pazos’ record upped to 3-1. Petit, who was the last A’s reliever, got the loss. Petit’s record dropped to 1-2.

The M’s moved up on the A’s in the AL Wild Card standings. The M’s are now 2 1/2 games back of the A’s and also gained one full game on the A’s.

Notes
Three A’s players made appearances on television and radio Wednesday morning. Stephen Piscotty was on air on Sports 1140 KHTK at 8:35 am PDT. Marcus Semien joined Jim Rome on CBS Sports Network at 9:30 am PDT. Trevor Cahill spoke on MLB Network Radio at 9:35 am PDT.

A’s 50th anniversary moments
In 1976, Joe Rudi collected his 1000th hit as an Oakland Athletic in the A’s 8-7 win against Boston…In 1980, Rick Langford pitched a six-hitter as the A’s defeated Seattle 11-3…It’s his club record ninth consecutive complete game victory…The win came in the midst of a club record 22 consecutive complete games…In 2009, Adam Kennedy was a perfect 5-for-5 in the A’s 8-1 loss to Chicago…It’s Kennedy’s second of two five-hit games in 2009.

Up Next 
The A’s have a much-needed day off on Thursday. They’ll welcome the Astros for a three-game series starting this Friday night at 7:05 pm PDT.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: Quakes wrap up August with three matches; plus San Jose State football updates

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On the San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes lost a heartbreaker to the Colorado Rapids 2-1 last Saturday at DSG Park. What went wrong?

2. Three Quakes Academy players are now CONCACAF Girls’ Under-15 Champions after shutting out Mexico 3-0 for a first-place finish.

3. Just a reminder, Chivas will take on Pumas at Levi’s Stadium on October 10th.

4. Do you think the Quakes can beat Toronto FC at Avaya Stadium this Saturday?

5. Quakes forward Dominic Oduro turned 33 on Monday.

6. Talk about what’s going on with the San Jose State Spartans at CEFCU Stadium.

Catch Ana on the San Jose Earthquakes podcast each Wednesday at SportsRadioService.com!

AT&T SportsNet to televise two San Jose State football games

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By: Ana Kieu

On consecutive Saturdays when San Jose State hosts UNLV on October 27 and travels to Wyoming for a game on November 3, AT&T SportsNet will be there to capture the play-by-play action for the broadcast audience.

Game time for the home game with UNLV in CEFCU Stadium in San Jose, Calif. will be at 3:30 pm PDT and 12:00 p.m. MDT/11:00 a.m. PDT for the Wyoming game a week later at War Memorial Stadium in Laramie, Wyo.

AT&T SportsNet was previously known as ROOT Sports, a regional television network with branches in the Northwest, Pittsburgh, Penn., New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana. AT&T SportsNet is available on DirecTV channels 683 and 684 and on DISH Network channels 414 and 414 HD.

The Spartans now have 10 of their 12 regular-season games on a broadcast platform. The season opener vs. UC Davis on August 30, the October 27 encounter with UNLV, and the November 17 game with Nevada presently are not assigned to a broadcast network.

Tickets for San Jose State games in CEFCU Stadium are available at www.sjsuspartans.com/tickets or by calling (408) 924-7589.

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San Francisco Giants podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Puig and Hundley shoving empties benches, the Giants win second straight in LA

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On the Giants podcast with Marko:

What started the Los Angeles Dodgers Yasiel Puig to shove the San Francisco Giants catcher Nick Hundley a couple of times after Puig tossed his bat up in the air and caught it after missing a pitch? Hundley told him in so many words to stop showboating and get back in the batter’s box.

Both Puig and Hundley were tossed out of the game that was tied 1-1 tensions were fueled in a tight contest but it was more the bat toss that got under Hundley’s skin. Puig was tossing his bat during Monday night’s game with the Giants Madison Bumgarner pitching.

It took the strength of four pitchers to keep the Dodgers off balance and off the base paths, but let’s start with the Giants’ starting pitcher Andrew Suarez–six-plus innings, two hits, three walks and four strikeouts. He looked good enough to complete the game.

The Dodgers have been faltering in the last couple of weeks and now find themselves in three-way battle for first place with the D-Backs and the Colorado Rockies.

The Giants and Dodgers close out this series tonight at Dodgers Stadium. The Giants’ Derek Holland (6-8) looks to get a sweep. In watching Holland in his last few games, can he help SF get that sweep?

Marko Ukalovic does the Giants podcast each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with London Marq: What else will happen if Bonds gets elected to Hall of Fame?; How big was Terrell Owens’ mistake?; Braves’ Acuna accomplishes a great feat; plus more

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On Headline Sports with London:

#1 Barry Bonds, who had his number retired by the San Francisco Giants last week, unofficially launches the campaign to have the former outfielder bid for the Hall of Fame. After all, that has been reported regarding steroid use by Bonds and his admitting to using the cream and the clear undetectable steroids unknowingly in grand jury testimony. If Bonds were elected to the Hall, will this also open the door to players like Jose Canseco, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Roger Clemens, Rafael Palmeriro and others to be voted into the Hall too?

#2 The A’s won their 21st one-run game of the season against the Seattle Mariners. They are now just one game back of the Houston Astros for first place in the AL West. The game was close and the M’s are trying to chase the A’s in the AL West for second, but the A’s now have taken two of the three game series from the Mariners.

#3 In football, people are still talking about how Terrell Owens broke with protocol and held his own Hall of Fame ceremony at his alma mater and not in Canton, Ohio at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. How big of a mistake was that move?

#4 The Atlanta Braves’ Ronald Acuna “Matata” Jr. is just having himself a time at the plate, homering in five consecutive games, three of those homers as a lead off hitter, accomplishing the feat that no other player has accomplished.

#5 The Oakland Raiders play game two of the preseason in LA against the Rams. The Raiders, who defeated the Detroit Lions 16-10 last Friday, face the Rams this Saturday. Talk about some of the things that head coach Jon Gruden will be looking for in this game and what does he expect out of his quarterback Derek Carr?

London Marq does the Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Hanson wins it in the ninth; Giants beat Dodgers 2-1

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By Jeremy Kahn

Alen Hanson is in his first season with the San Francisco Giants, but you can add his name to player that is now part of the longtime rivalry with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Hanson drove in two runs, including a tie-breaking single in the top of the ninth inning that scored Brandon Belt and the Giants defeated the Dodgers 2-1 at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday evening.

It was the third straight win overall for the Giants, and second straight in the three-game series and they are now guaranteed to win the series against their rivals from Los Angeles.

Evan Longoria got the top of the ninth inning going, as the Downey, Calif. native singled to right field to lead off the inning. Brandon Belt, who was activated prior to the game after a stint on the 10-day disabled list with a hyperextended right knee then singled; however, Austin Slater was not able to move both runners over, as his bunt was fielded by Kenta Maeda, who threw to Justin Turner to get Longoria for the final out of the inning.

After the failed sacrifice bunt, Steven Duggar struck out for the second out of the inning, but then Hanson came up the big single to center field and Belt beat Kike’ Hernandez’s throw to the plate, as the ball got by Yasmani Grandal to give the Giants the lead. Slater tried to score, but Maeda was backing up the plate and threw to get Slater at the plate.

Will Smith came in for the third straight day, and got Matt Kemp to fly out for the first out, but then reigning National League Rookie of the Year Cody Bellinger reached on an infield single, when Chase d’Arnaud’s throw was late. Smith was able to regroup, as he struck out both Grandal and Max Muncy to end the game and pick up his third consecutive save in three days.

Sam Dyson was unable to hold the 1-0 lead in the bottom of the eighth inning, as after Dyson got the first two batters out, Turner doubled off of Slater’s glove in left field and then Manny Machado then singled to tie up the game; however, Dyson was able to strikeout Hernandez to end the inning.

Things got hairy in the bottom of the seventh inning, as Yaisel Puig fouled off a ball pitched by former teammate Tony Watson and Puig snapped his bat and then Puig and Nick Hundley then began to exchange words and then the benches cleared. Dodgers first base coach George Lombard got a hold of Hundley, and Puig was able to get a shot to Hundley’s face.

Eventually, both Hundley and Puig were ejected from the game after the bench clearing fracas between the two.

Andrew Suarez took the hard luck no decision, as the rookie went six innings, allowing zero runs, giving up just two hits, walking three and striking out four.

Things did not start good for Suarez, as he gave up a double to Turner in the bottom of the first inning, then walked Manny Machado and then after a Hernandez fielder’s choice, Kemp walked to load the bases; however, Suarez was able to get Bellinger to ground out to him to end the inning and the threat.

Longoria was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the second inning, then Hundley singled him up to second base. After back-to-back strikeouts by Alex Wood, Hanson singled to center to score Longoria to break the scoreless tie.

Wood went five innings, allowing just one run on three hits, walking just one and striking out six, as he did not fare in the decision.

NOTES: Brandon Crawford was held out of the game, despite passing the concussion protocol after colliding with Gorkys Hernandez on Monday night.

With the activation of Belt from the 10-day disabled list, Pierce Johnson was optioned back to Sacramento.

This is the Giants’ last trip to Los Angeles this season, and this is the first time since the 2006 season that the Giants will not face the Dodgers in Los Angeles in the month of September. On the other hand, the Giants and Dodgers will face each other in San Francisco the last weekend of the season from September 28-30.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Dodgers conclude their rivalry series Wednesday night at 7:10 pm PDT.

Derek Holland looks to end the series with a win, as he takes the mound on Wednesday, while Hyun-Jin Ryu makes his first start since coming off the disabled list with a strained groin on May 2. Ryu is 3-0 on the season.

A’s win a thriller over Mariners 3-2; close in on first place in the AL West

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By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s won their fourth game in a row as they defeated the Seattle Mariners 3-2 at the Oakland Coliseum in a very close and competitive contest. With the win, coupled with the Houston Astros’ 5-1 loss to the Colorado Rockies, the A’s found themselves just one game behind the Astros in the race for the AL West division crown.

The A’s are now 72-48, and most of the pundits who predicted this team would finish last in the AL West now have an egg on their collective faces. This team is for real. They have relatively good starting pitching, one of the best bullpens in all of baseball, power up and down the lineup and sensational defense.

636575966572545642-032518-mlb-record-projectionsM’s right fielder Mitch Haniger doubled into the left-field corner to start the game. Mike Fiers retired Robinson Cano for the first out, but Haniger was able to advance to third on the play. With the infield drawn in, Fiers got Jean Segura to ground out. Jed Lowrie made sure Haniger stayed at third base. Nelson Cruz hit a blooper to right field that Stephen Piscotty could not catch. Piscotty was playing deep as Cruz loves to torment the A’s pitching. He had a long run for the ball. It looked as if he caught the ball, but he trapped it. Haniger scored on the play.

In the bottom of the first, Marcus Semien tied the game with a blast off James Paxton that landed in the seats in left field. Jed Lowrie was the next hitter. Lowrie lined a shot off Paxton’s shoulder for a base hit. Paxton’s shoulder dropped, and he was unable to continue and exited the field. Felix Hernandez was brought in to pitch for the M’s. Hernandez walked Khris Davis to put two men on with one out. A’s manager Bob Melvin had Matt Olson pinch-hit for Mark Canha. Olson hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the first inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, Jed Lowrie homered with a man aboard to give the A’s a 3-1 lead. King Felix had retired six in a row since coming in to relieve Paxton. With two out, he walked Matt Chapman. Jed Lowrie then hit his career-high 19th home run of the year and upped his RBI total to 76, which was a new career-high for him.

The M’s plated a run in the top of the fifth when lead-off hitter Cameron Maybin hit his fourth home run of the season over the left field wall. Fiers regained his composure and retired the next three hitters in order The A’s led 3-2 in the middle of the fifth inning.

Fiers retired the M’s in order in the sixth inning. Melvin then turned the game over to his bullpen. Ryan Buchter, Yusmeiro Petit, Fernando Rodney, and Blake Treinen allowed three hits and no runs. The A’s won 3-2.

Game Notes and Stats: The M’s announced the negatives on James Paxton’ left forearm. He suffered a bone contusion and is listed as day-to-day. The M’s, A’s and their respective fans wished him a speedy recovery.

The A’s Matt Chapman continued to play fantastic defense. Chapman lit up the crowd when he made a fantastic catch off Robinson Cano’s popup in foul territory. Chapman made a running catch as he head to lean over the tarp in foul territory. The crowd went crazy.  Chapman extended his career-long on-base streak to 28 games. With his double in the eighth, he has now hit in 12 straight games.

Jed Lowrie hit has 100th career home run. It was the third home run this year off Felix Hernandez.

Jonathan Lucroy threw out Dee Gordon, trying to steal second in the top of the eighth. Lucroy has nailed 20 runners, and that ties him for the Major League lead with Jorge Alfaro of the Philadelphia Phillies.

Felix Hernandez made his first appearance of his career. Hernandez took the loss and is now 8-11. Mike Fiers improved to 8-6.

The A’s are now 38-12 since June 16th. They are 50-0 when leading after the seventh inning. They are the only team in baseball that is undefeated when leading after seven.

The final game of the three-game series will be played Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum. Game time is at 12:35 pm. Lefty Brett Anderson (2-4, 4.53 ERA) will pitch for Oakland, and the M’s will send Mike Leake (8-7, 4.11 ERA) to try to stop the A’s

Time of game was a crisp two hours and 28 minutes and 17,419 fans saw the A’s win a thriller over the M’s.

Up Next: The A’s wrap up their series versus the Mariners on Wednesday afternoon at 12:35 pm PDT. Brett Anderson (2-4, 4.53 ERA) will pitch for the A’s, and the M’s will send Mike Leake (8-7, 4.11 ERA) to try to stop the A’s.

They are off on Thursday before starting a crucial three-game series with the Astros on Friday at 7:05 pm PDT.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Lots of chatter about postseason for A’s; Race tightens in the AL West

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On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

1) A’s fans now are talking about winning the Western Division, not just making the Wild Card Game. Is that a realistic goal for this Oakland team?

2) Last week, you said that August 10th to the 22nd were the 12 most important days of the 2018 season for the A’s. Do you still feel that way? How are they doing so far?

3) The Seattle Mariners have been on the move and are nipping at the A’s heels just 2.5 games back in the standings. On Tuesday night, the M’s got Robinson Cano back after his long suspension. What kind of impact will Cano make on his team?

4) A’s players are making appeals to fans to come out and see them play. Why aren’t the fans filling the seats at the Coliseum?

5) There is a group called the Portland Diamond Project that is drawing up plans for potential downtown ballparks in Portland. Should Bay Area fans be worried about that group?

6) The A’s announced on Tuesday the establishment of the Athletics Hall of Fame. What are thoughts about the concept and the Class of 2018?

Charlie O does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Jimmy G expected to get a few more snaps next Saturday

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On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with David:

For the San Francisco 49ers’ first preseason game last Thursday, the 49ers got a win 24-21 over the Dallas Cowboys and quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo completed three passes in six attempts for 36 yards. What the 49ers were looking at was quarterbacks Nick Mullens and CJ Beathard. For Beathard threw for 10-for-20 for 181 yards one interception and for Mullens 11-for-13, 141 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dodgers Can’t Close, Giants Don’t Fold: Four-run ninth wins it for SF 5-2

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By Morris Phillips

Clayton Kershaw was masterful–and the clear winner of the Bumgarner-Kershaw matchup–but he wasn’t around for the finish on Monday night. That allowed the Giants an opening, and they made the most of it, scoring four times in the ninth to escape with a 5-2 win over the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

 

Prior to the ninth, the Giants were stymied by Kershaw, who was both different and the same, mowing down San Francisco hitters as usual but employing a confounding curveball, and changing speeds to keep the Giants at bay. Kershaw started 18 of the 27 hitters he faced with first-pitch strikes, struck out nine, walked none, allowed four singles and dominated the proceedings for eight innings.

“He was better than me tonight for sure, but we were better than they were,” Bumgarner said of Kershaw. “I think that is a good way to put it.”

But once again, after throwing 110 pitches, Kershaw wasn’t around for the finish. And the Dodgers’ bullpen, without closer Kenley Jansen, was on the spot after blowing leads in each of the previous, three ballgames at Colorado. And the Giants, on life support in the NL West, were desperate for any type of momentum-building moment.

And this time, fate swung the Giants way, and directly in the face of their 2-51 record in 2018 when trailing after eight innings.

Scott Alexander, needing just one more strike to end it, allowed a two-run single to pinch-hitter Nick Hundley. Gorkys Hernandez followed with an RBI single to increase the Giants’ lead to 4-2. Then after Hernandez stole second base, Max Muncy’s fielding error on Stephen Duggar’s grounder allowed Hundley to score from third.

“We had some really great at-bats there in the ninth,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Hundley, it doesn’t get any more clutch than that.”

The Giants (60-60) shed their losing record with the win, and moved to .500 for the 22nd time this season. They trail the Diamondbacks by five games in the NL West with the Rockies and Dodgers nipping at Arizona’s heels as well.