49ers Edge Cowboys 24-21, but Injuries Damper SF’s Win

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Photo credit: @49ers

By: Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The Faithful were rolling into Levi’s Stadium on Thursday hoping to catch a glimpse of what the 2018 season will look like. Fans may have left happy, as the San Francisco 49ers took the lead with just 18 seconds left in the contest in a 24-14 victory over the Dallas Cowboys, but they also left concerned.

One quarter into action, the 49ers were facing injuries to three starters and two critical reserves.

Linebacker, Malcolm Smith was the first to go down with a hamstring injury. Ironically, the eight-year pro was clamoring about how much he was looking forward to getting the pre-season debut out of the way.

Moments later, Soloman Thomas went down on what appeared to be a left knee injury. However, the 49ers’ official injury report listed Thomas with a head injury with speculation that he took a cleat to the face. Thomas laid on the turf for a few minutes to a quiet crowd before going straight to the locker room.

Hopefully, the injury to Thomas won’t set him back too much as he enters a crucial season to show his worth of being selected third overall in the 2017 draft.

George Kittle was the final starter to go down with an injury. On a deep ball from Garoppolo, Kittle was forced to lay out attempting to make the spectacular grab, but he came up short, and upon coming to the ground, his right shoulder got caught underneath his body.

The loss of Kittle could be huge for the 49ers, as he proved to be a big-time target for Garoppolo last season.

Key reserves, Matt Brieda and Garry Gilliam also went down with injuries.

If Brieda’s appears to be serious, it could shake up how the final 53-man roster is completed, as he was expected to be a lock and the primary run between the tackles back.

Shanahan mentioned post-game that he expects there to be time with Brieda and Kittle and both are going to be questionable heading into next Saturday’s game against the Houston Texans at 5 pm PDT.

His injury led to extensive playing time for both Raheem Mostert and Joe Williams, who switched between drives the majority of the game. Williams saw most the carries finishing with 11 for 27 yards and punching in a score from a yard out. Mostert carried the ball eight times for 57 yards including breaking off a long 23-yard rush to the right.

“It’s what scares you about pre-season, sometimes you just want the game to end,” said Shanahan.

Other Key Observations
Jimmie Ward’s move back to cornerback was quickly picked on by Dak Prescott and the Cowboys. The starting quarterback’s only touchdown pass was also his last as he threw a 30-yard bomb to Michael Gallup that turned Ward around to put the Cowboys up five minutes into the game.

The starting defense wasn’t completely lost. The biggest play of the starter’s night came on a sack split by DeForest Buckner and Thomas. Buckner, who is starting to experiment moving to the outside on the defensive line, is appearing to become the playmaker the Niners were searching for when they selected him seventh overall in 2016.

Garoppolo was held to just one drive. Going 3-of-6 for 34 yards and a 67.4 rating, Garoppolo found a connection early with Marquise Goodwin for 18 yards. His other two completions were to Jerrick McKinnon and the seventh-round pick, Richie James Jr. More importantly, the completions to Goodwin and James both converted long third-down attempts.

James later scored the go-ahead score with just 18 seconds remaining to win the game for the Niners. Third-string QB, Nick Mullens led a beautiful 77-yard drive in only 1:42 to secure the victory. Mullens was the most efficient Niners’ passer, finishing 11-of-13 for 141 yards, a touchdown, and an interception for a 105.4 passer rating. If he continues to display this type of talent, he may get a shot at C.J. Beathard’s backup role.

Aces see playoff hopes slipping away in 89-73 loss to Lynx

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20180624 - Kayla McBride 02

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

Things looked promising at the All-Star break for the playoff chances of the Las Vegas Aces, but after five straight losses, playoffs are now very unlikely.

The Aces lost to the Minnesota Lynx 89-73 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

“We really can’t hang our head down about this loss,” said forward A’ja Wilson. “We really just have to keep pushing especially when trying to make a playoff push. You really don’t know what’s going to happen. So for us to just keep reaching for our playoff goals and see that light.”

Wilson scored a team-high 18 points and pulled down six rebounds while the team’s second leading scorer this season, Kayla McBride, was held to just seven points.

The 73 points scored by the Aces was the lowest point total since an 87-71 loss to the Sparks in Los Angeles on July 1st.

“You have to win games on the road and games at home, so we can’t use that as an excuse for our lapse of tonight,” said guard Tamera Young on their struggles after the All-Star break. “We just have to be more mature and communicate and bring the intensity every single game. It’s our profession and job, it’s what we have to do.”

With the loss, the Aces fell to 12-18 on the season and are 2.5 games out of the eighth and final playoff spot, currently held by Dallas, with just four games remaining in the regular season.

The remaining schedule is as follows:

8/11 – vs Indiana
8/15 – vs New York
8/17 – at Dallas
8/19 – vs Atlanta

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • A’ja Wilson scored in double figures (18) for the 30th straight game.
  • The Aces were held to just 37.5% shooting from the field.
  • The Aces were out-rebounded 40-30.
  • 4,497 Aces fans attended the game at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 1 Tamera Young
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 10 Kelsey Plum

Bonds gets highest team honor with No. 25 being retired

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Photo credit: @YawkeyWayReport

By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — Barry Bonds will someday become a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame, but in the meantime, he will receive an honor reserved for Hall of Famers with the New York/San Francisco Giants.

This Saturday Night, prior to the Giants game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team that Bonds was drafted by with the 7thpick in the 1985 Amateur Draft, the Giants will retire Bonds’ number 25.

Bonds will be the first member to have his number retired that is not a member of the Hall of Fame.

The power-hitting left fielder, who hit a Major League record 762 home runs in his career from 1986-2007 will join 10 others with their numbers retired, and another four honored by the team, as they did not have uniform numbers.

Bonds’ godfather Willie Mays was the first player to have his number retired by the team, as his number 24 was retired in 1972 after he was traded to the New York Mets.

After he retired as a member of the rival Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975, Juan Marichal received the highest honor from the Giants, as is number 27 was retired that same year, 1975.

Playing in his last season in the majors, Willie McCovey was honored with his number 44 being retired on September 20, 1980.

Just one day later, the Giants honored two of their heroes from their days in New York, as they retired 4 in honor of Mel Ott and number 11 for Carl Hubbell on September 21.

New York Giants first baseman/manager Bill Terry was honored with his number 3 being retired on April 5, 1983.

Two of the greatest New York Giants were honored on August 17, 1986, as both Manager John McGraw and Christy Mathewson were honored by the team with the letters NY, as neither wore a number while a member of the Giants.

Despite the fact that he never played for the Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers player Jackie Robinson number 42 was retired by all major-league teams on April 15, 1997. Robinson retired in 1956 after just 10 years in the major leagues, as he was traded to the Giants from the Dodgers for Dick Littlefield, but he went to work for Chock Full O’nuts as a Vice President instead of joining the Giants.

Orlando Cepeda received the greatest honor from the organization, as his number 30 was placed on the wall at Candlestick Park in its final season on July 11, 1999.

Gaylord Perry became the first player to get his number retired at AT&T Park, as his number 36 revealed on the Club Level on July 23, 2005.

That same season, the broadcasting duo of Russ Hodges and Lon Simmons were honored with microphones on the Club Level.

Monte Irvin was the last player to get his number 20 honored, as his number was unveiled on June 26, 2010.

The next retired number after Bonds’ is up in the air, but it could be Will Clark’s number 22 and current players Madison Bumgarner and his number 40 and Buster Posey with his number 28.

Raiders to take on Lions in preseason opener Friday night

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon

OAKLAND — The Oakland Raiders open up the 2018 preseason schedule Friday night at the Oakland Alameda-County Coliseum where they will host the visiting Detroit Lions. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. PDT.

The two teams held two days of practice sessions in Napa this week and per Raiders beat reporter Jerry McDonald of the Bay Area News Group, outside of a minor dust up early in practice that was broken up quickly, both teams appeared ready for their first preseason game.

Raiders head coach Jon Gruden, yes, that Jon Gruden, leaves the comfy broadcast booth of Monday Night Football and returns to the NFL sidelines for the first time in nine years. Gruden replaces Jack Del Rio, who was fired after last season’s 6-10 record following a 12-4 season in 2016; resulting in the team’s first playoff appearance since 2002.

Coincidentally, it was Gruden, following a trade to Tampa Bay after three seasons as Oakland’s head coach, that defeated the Raiders in the Super Bowl that season giving the Buccaneers their only championship in the team’s history.

Its almost certain that Raiders starting quarterback Derek Carr won’t play, meaning that backup quarterbacks Connor Cook and EJ Manuel will each play extensively. Cook is entering his third year in the league (all with Oakland) and is currently ahead Manuel, who is in his sixth season (his second season in Oakland) on the Raiders’ depth chart.

Veteran running back Doug Martin adds depth to a running back group that includes returning starter Marshawn Lynch, and holdovers Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington.

Martin, who spent the past seven seasons in Tampa Bay where he was the bellcow when healthy, has two seasons in which he’s rushed for over 1,400 yards. Like Lynch, Martin is from Oakland and looks to rejuvenate his career playing for the Silver and Black.

Lynch is unlikely to play against the Lions, giving opportunities for Martin, Richard and Washington to solidify themselves as Lynch’s primary backup.

Undrafted rookie running back Chris Warren III has had an impressive training camp, per numerous reports out of Napa and could factor into Oakland’s offensive equation.

During a scrimmage with Detroit, the former Texas Longhorn took a running hand-off from Cook and drove his shoulder right through second-year starting linebacker Jarrad Davis that went viral on the internet.

Warren III’s father, Chris Warren II, played 11 seasons in the NFL earning three Pro Bowl nods with the Seattle Seahawks. Warren II finished his NFL career rushing for 7,696 yards.

With defensive end/outside linebacker Khalil Mack a training camp holdout due to a contract negotiation (or lack there of depending on what day of the week it is), Oakland’s defense will be an interesting watch against Detroit.

Rookies in defensive end Arden Key and nose tackle P.J. Hall are expected to play heavily Friday night and per reports out of Raiders’ training camp, both players should help improve a defense that finished 23 in total defense in 2017. Key, who left LSU after his junior year, had some off the field issues while in school, but Gruden raved about the 6’5″, 238-pound Key’s ability to rush the passer and Oakland drafted him in the third round of this year’s draft.

Key recorded 20 sacks, 11 coming during his sophomore season for the Bayou Bengals.

The 6’1″, 308-pound Hall was a selected by Oakland in the second round this year and was a clog in the middle at Sam Houston State, but maybe more valuable on special teams for Oakland early in his career.

While at Sam Houston State, Hall blocked 14 kicks.

Detroit will also have a new face on the sidelines Friday night in first-time head coach Matt Patricia, who replaces the fired Jim Caldwell.

Caldwell had winning seasons in three of his four seasons, but back-to-back 9-7 finishes culminating with the hiring of Executive Vice President of Football Operations and General Manager Bob Quinn, who didn’t hire Caldwell initially,  ushered Caldwell’s exit.

Patricia brings a defensive wizardry to Detroit, coming from the Bill Belichick coaching tree after spending 14 seasons in New England, six as their defensive coordinator. Patricia hasn’t worked for any other organization in the NFL outside of the Patriots before agreeing to takeover the Lions.

Detroit finished 27th in total defense in 2017, a ranking that will likely improve under Patricia. Since 2012 when Patricia was first named defensive coordinator of the Patriots, Patricia has never ranked outside of the top 10 in scoring defense while winning two Super Bowls during that span.

Cornerback Darius Slay is Detroit’s brightest star on defense. Slay was voted to his first Pro Bowl last season after finishing tied with Tennessee safety Kevin Byard with eight interceptions.

The head coach with a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering, will have franchise quarterback Matthew Stafford to lead a Lions offense that finished 13th in the NFL in total offense last season. Stafford engineered the NFL’s sixth-ranked passing offense, averaging 261.4 yards per game which featured the NFL’s only starting wideouts to gain over 1,000 yards receiving in a season in Marvin Jones (1,101) and Golden Tate (1,003).

Tate led the Lions in receptions last season with 92 (seventh in the NFL), while Jones led Detroit with nine touchdown catches.

Running back LeGarrette Blount, fresh off of winning his third Super Bowl after spending last season in Philadelphia, reunites with Patricia in Detroit and should help out the Lions’ poor rushing attack. Patricia and Blount won a pair of Super Bowls in New England together.

The Lions finished 32nd in the NFL in rushing averaging just 76.3 yards per game with running back Ameer Abdullah leading the team with just 552 yards in 14 games (making 11 starts) as the team’s primary ball-carrier.

Blount was Philadelphia’s leading rusher, racking up 766 yards as the Eagles went with a committee in the backfield with Jay Ajayi and Corey Clement splitting time also.

Following Friday night’s game, Detroit will head home to host the visiting New York Giants on Aug. 17, while Oakland will face the Rams in Los Angeles on Aug. 18.

Notes: The Raiders signed free agent safety Quincy Mauger Thursday. Mauger originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Atlanta Falcons in 2017, spent his rookie season on the reserve/injured list with a knee injury. A four-year player out of Georgia (2013-16), he appeared in 50 games, recording 186 tackles (128 solo), 0.5 sacks, seven interceptions, 12 passes defensed, and one forced fumble.

A native of Marietta, Ga., the 6-foot, 206-pound Mauger played in 12 contests as a senior in 2016 with the Bulldogs and tallied 20 stops (12), two interceptions, and two passes defensed.

Preview of the A’s and Angels’ 3-game series starting Friday night

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By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s start a short three-game road trip starting Friday night at Angel Stadium against the Los Angeles Angels. The A’s record of 34-11 is the best in baseball since June 16th. They went 7-1 in the last homestand against the Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, and Los Angeles Dodgers. The A’s split the two-game series with the Dodgers, and the entire experience felt as if it were the MLB playoffs.

The A’s are playing with supreme confidence right now. They acquired twp pitchers, Jeurys Familia and Shawn Kelley, to buttress the bullpen, and added a starter, Mike Fiers. Fiers’ debut against the Dodgers was impressive. Fiers didn’t receive credit for the win, but he gave the A’s 5 1/3 innings of work before A’s manager Bob Melvin turned the game over to his outstanding bullpen.

After the quick stop in Anaheim, the A’s will return home to face the Seattle Mariners for three and the Houston Astros for another three. The A’s lead the M’s by three games in the race for the second Wild Card spot in the American League. They trail the division-leading Astros by five.

There were high hopes for the Angels this year. The people in Orange County thought their team would be contending for the division crown. Angels’ manager Mike Scioscia was optimistic that this year would belong to his team. After all, they signed the highly-touted Japanese star, Shohei Ohtani, to play for them. Ohtani would pitch and on the days he didn’t, he would be their DH.

Unfortunately, Ohtani has been sidelined with elbow problems for most of the year. He has received plated rich plasma infusions to treat a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. He hasn’t pitched since June 6th. His record was 4-1 with a 3.10 ERA. Ohtani is expected to resume throwing off the mound on August 11th. As a DH, Ohtani is hitting .268 with 11 home runs and 29 RBIs in 69 games.

In addition to Ohtani’s problems, the Angels’ pitching staff has also been racked with injuries. Pitchers John Lamb, Garrett Richards, and Kenyan Middleton all have undergone Tommy John surgery. Jake Jewell had surgery to his right ankle and is out for the year. Alex Meyer had surgery on his right shoulder last September and has not been able to return to action. Matt Shoemaker has surgery on his right forearm and may be back in August. Lefty Tyler Skaggs may return this weekend after being sidelined with a left abductor strain.

The Angels’ best player Mike Trout is day-to-day due to an injury to his wrist. He is expected back this weekend. Trout, the two-time MVP in the American League, is hitting .309 with 30 home runs and 60 RBIs. Kole Calhoun, who struggled earlier in the season, had raised his average to .214 and has 15 homers and 44 RBIs. Justin Upton is another dangerous hitter in the Angels’ lineup. Upton is at .255 and has 23 dingers to go along with 65 RBIs. The other offensive threat is the 38-year-old Albert Pujols. Pujols is hitting .253 and has banged out 18 homers along with 56 RBIs.

The A’s and Angels have met 10 times so far this season. Both teams have five wins apiece. After this weekend’s series, they will play six more games. Three will be in Oakland, and the A’s will wrap up the season in Anaheim.

The probable starters for Friday night’s game will be Felix Pena (1-3) for LA and lefty Brett Anderson for Oakland. Edwin Jackson will pitch on Saturday, and Trevor Cahill will go on Sunday. Sunday’s starter for the Angels have not been announced yet.

The Angels would love nothing better than to be spoilers. The A’s cannot take this team for granted. Yes, the Angels are disappointed by their lack of success so far this season. They have the best player in baseball, Mike Trout, but they will still miss the playoffs.

There have also been a lot of rumors regarding the status of their long-time manager Mike Scioscia. Scioscia has managed the team for 19 years, and he won a World Championship in 2002. Reports have him leaving at the end of the season. Scioscia has adamantly denied the reports. However, in baseball, one never knows.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Sources–A’s not happy with flagship station The Game; Fiers and his pitching debut for A’s; plus more

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Photo credit: @Athletics

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry:

The Oakland A’s front office according to sources say they’re not too happy with their flagship station, The Game 95.7, because the station is dedicating too much time to the San Francisco Giants and less airtime for the A’s. The A’s are the hottest team in baseball. According to the source, are asking what do they have to do to get more airtime on their own flagship station? Do they have to play like the 1927 New York Yankees?

The A’s starter Mike Fiers, making his A’s pitching debut on Wednesday night pitched himself a game with some good off speed pitches, painted the corners, worked a pitch that dropped to the bottom of the strike zone, and kept the Los Angeles Dodgers off balance all night, which is no easy task for five-plus innings.

The A’s, who had a six game win streak going into Tuesday night’s game, but lost 4-2; but still monumental with the winningest record in baseball. The Dodgers are no pushovers as they’re hanging in there with Arizona a half-game back and the footsteps of the Colorado Rockies just two games behind. There’s some competition to be had in the NL West.

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

Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony Renteria: Will Khalil Mack sign already or will the Raiders shop him?

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On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Tony:

The question still rings–would the Oakland Raiders trade defensive end Khalil Mack? There has been talk and there are NFL teams shopping Mack. The Raiders say Mack is not available, but when a player is holding out, teams come calling. The New York Jets have expressed interest.

The reason for the talk? Mack is looking for more dough the Denver Broncos are paying linebacker Von Miller $114.1 million for six years. Von gets $70 million in guaranteed money. Miller gets $19 million a year and Mack is getting $13.8 million. Mack is looking to match the $19 million total and is holding out.

The Raiders if they do let Mack go, they’re going to ask for the kitchen sink for a player of that value. Will they get what they ask for? Only time will tell.

The Raiders host the Detroit Lions on Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum for the first preseason game. It maybe just preseason, but the Raiders are glad training camp is over and are excited about getting this season going.

Join Tony R. each Thursday for the Raiders podcast, Joe Hawkes Beamon for the Raiders preview and podcast each Friday, Jeremy Kahn has complete game coverage after every Raiders home and away game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants and Pirates to face off in crucial weekend series starting Thursday night

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By Daniel Dullum

The San Francisco Giants had Wednesday off following their brief interleague series with the Houston Astros, which saw them drop both games and fall below the .500 mark as they struggle to stay in the NL West race.

Up next is the Giants’ four-game series at AT&T Park, hosting the Pirates. Back in May, San Francisco (57-58) dropped two of three to Pittsburgh. The Giants haven’t fared much better at home against the Bucs, dropping 12 of their last 17 games to Pittsburgh.

The Pirates (59-56) come in needed these games as much as the Giants and do so after a 4-3 win Wednesday at Colorado. A hot streak around the All-Star break put Pittsburgh on the fringe of the NL playoff chase, along with Atlanta, Arizona, Colorado, St. Louis, and Washington.

Thursday’s pitching matchup has the Giants’ left-hander Andrew Suarez (4-7) facing Pittsburgh right-hander Ivan Nova (6-6). On Friday, lefty Derek Holland (5-8) goes for San Francisco against the Pirates’ righty Trevor Williams (9-8).

While righty Joe Musgrove is slated to start for Pittsburgh on Saturday, the Giants haven’t announced a probable starter. Dereck Rodriguez is expected to start for the Black and Orange on Sunday.

Saturday’s starter won’t be Jeff Samardzija, who could begin a rehab assignment next week. He’s been on the DL since July 15 with right shoulder inflammation. Johnny Cueto, of course, is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on August 2. This is worth noting, as both were counted on at the start of the season to avoid this dilemma.

One glaring area the Giants must improve upon, and manager Bruce Bochy has addressed it more than once–clutch hitting. The Giants are hitting .204 with runners in scoring position and two outs this season, lowest in the NL and third-lowest in the Majors, trailing Texas (.189) and Baltimore (.191).

Another area is simply playing better at home. The Giants have won seven of their last eight games at AT&T Park.

Good news is that Evan Longoria continues to swing a hot bat, hitting .359 over a nine-game stretch with six extra-base hits. Andrew McCutchen’s bat has heated up as well of late, hitting .387 with a double, two homers and three RBIs in the eight games going into Tuesday.

Despite taking a precautionary day off (suspected concussion symptoms–passed all testing), Buster Posey is hitting .452 over an eight-game stretch, and .343 over 17 games.

While both teams have a slim shot at the postseason, whoever loses this series is likely out of the 2018 playoff picture for good.

Ellie May Classic preview: Large crowds expected to come out for Curry

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By Jeremy Harness

There is a possibility that the PGA Tour could be heading to the Bay Area–closer than Napa or Monterey–soon. In the meantime, however, the Web.com Tour–the minor-league affiliate of the PGA Tour–is here, and it is getting ready to kick off again.

The Ellie Mae Classic will commence play Thursday morning at Hayward’s TPC Stonebrae, and there will be a familiar face on the course, at least for the first two days.

Warriors’ guard Stephen Curry, who is a scratch golfer, will make his second appearance at this event. He is not expected to make the cut, but that will not stop fans from coming out on Thursday and Friday to get an up-close glimpse of the NBA star.

Curry will tee it up alongside Northern California natives Martin Trainer and Cameron Champ, who won the Utah Championship just three weeks ago. The group will begin Thursday’s first round at 9:06 am PST and will start on the 10th hole.

The group will play later on in the day on Friday, as the threesome will go off at 2:26 pm PST, as the tour gives players one morning tee time and one in the afternoon for the first two days, after which the cut line will be established.

Curry did not make the cut last year, but he did give a good account of himself after shooting a pair of 74’s.

He is playing on a sponsor’s exemption, which means that he did not have to go through local qualifying for the event. NFL Hall of Fame receiver Jerry Rice, on the other hand, went through local qualifying, but it did not go very well at all, as he withdrew after only 10 holes in the Monday qualifier.

Last year’s event was won by Martin Piller, who is now on the PGA Tour.

A’s edge the Dodgers 3-2 for a series split

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Dodgers played a very close and very entertaining game Wednesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. It was the type of game that one would expect between teams that are contending for a playoff berth. The A’s sent newly acquired starter Mike Fiers to the hill to face the powerful LA Dodger lineup. The Dodgers had their ace, Clayton Kershaw, handling the pitching chores. The A’s would have to work hard to win, and they did just that as they beat the Dodgers 3-2.

Fiers was terrific for the first four innings. He retired all twelve hitters he faced and struck out eight along the way. The Dodgers scored a run in the fifth on a  Yasmany Grandal home run, and Fiers allowed two more hits in the inning but did not allow another run. He retired the first hitter in the sixth, but Manny Machado sent Fiers to the showers when he hit a double. A’s manager Bob Melvin removed Fiers from the game at that point and turned the game over to the bullpen. Fiers received a standing ovation from the A’s fans as he left the field. The game summary follows below.

The A’s scored twice in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Khris Davis and Mark Canha singled to put men on at first and second. Kershaw retired Matt Olson on one pitch for the second out of the inning. With the count at 3 and 2 and the runners on the move, Stephen Piscotty singled to drive in Davis. Canha stopped at third. Rookie Ramon Laureano singled to drive in Canha with the A’s second run. The A’s lead 2-0 after four.

The A’s starter, Mike Fiers, who had been perfect for the first four innings of the game, gave up a home run to Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal. Grandal blasted his 20th of the year into the seats in right field. The Dodgers nicked Fiers for two more singles in the inning, but he was able to escape with no further damage.

The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the seventh inning. Cody Bellinger led off the frame with a single. Reliever Lou Trivino retired Yasiel Puig on a foul out to first baseman Matt Olson for the first out. Max Muncy, a former Athletic, hit a sharp ground ball to Olson. Olson didn’t field the ball cleanly. He was able to retire Muncy, but Bellinger was able to get to second safely. Dodger shortstop Chris Taylor singled to drive in Bellinger with the tying run.

The A’s regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth. The A’s rally was started by Marcus Semien who singled to start the inning. Matt Chapman flew out to center for the first out. Jed Lowrie, mired in a 3-for-28 slump, singled to right sending Semien to third base. The next hitter, Khris Davis, hit a slow roller to Dodgers’ third baseman Manny Machado. Machado threw home in an attempt to Nail Semien for the out. The umpire called Semien out but reversed the call when Grandal could not hold onto the ball. Davis was safe at first on a fielder’s choice. Nick Martini, pinch-hitting for Mark Canha struck out, and Matt Olson hit into a fielder’s choice for the third out. The A’s lead 3-2 as the teams head into the ninth.

A’s closer Blake Treinen did his job as he earned his 29th save of the year.  He struck out Cody Bellinger for the first out. Yasiel Puig then walked. Muncy hit a ground ball to A’s first baseman Matt Olson. Olson made an unassisted play at first for the second out, but Puig moved into scoring position. Treinen had to get Chris Taylor for the final out. He got Taylor to hit a soft fly ball that Jed Lowrie was able to catch for the final out of the game. The A’s win 3-2.

Game Notes- With the win the A’s improve to 68-47. The now lead the Seattle Mariners by three games as the Mariners lost to the Texas Rangers 11-7. The Dodgers are now 63-52 and fall 1/2 game behind the Arizona D-Backs who beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0.

The A’s end the homestand with a record of 7-1. They also split the four-game series with the Dodgers. The A’s are now 34-11 dating back to June 16th. It matches the best 45-game stretch in the majors this season. The A’s end interleague play with a record of 12-8.

Jeurys Familia was the winning pitcher, and he is now 3-0 with Oakland. Treinen recorded his 29th save. JT Chargois took the loss for Los Angeles.

The A’s are off on Thursday, and they start a three-game series on Friday with the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. Lefty Brett Anderson will go for Oakland, and Felix Pena will pitch for the Angels.

Time of game was three hours exactly and 33, 062 fans packed the Coliseum to see the A’s prevail.