Earthquakes sink in 2-0 loss to Timbers in Fourth Round of U.S. Open Cup

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

By: Ana Kieu

The San Jose Earthquakes paid a visit to the Portland Timbers for the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup at Providence Park on Wednesday night.

The Timbers players walked into their home stadium with what they described as Open Cup swag. Meanwhile, the Quakes called up draft picks Mohamed Thiaw and Kevin Partida just hours before the 7:30 pm kickoff. Thiaw was handed the No. 17.

The Quakes got fired up just moments before the match. San Jose applied some quality pressure early in the first half. This led to a corner for the road team.

Andrew Tarbell appeared to be wide awake, but he missed a shot that went into the net. Jeremy Ebobisse kicked in a goal above Tarbell’s head for his first Timbers goal of 2018. The Timbers were up 1-0 in the 28th minute.

After a sliding challenge, the officials handed a yellow card to Fatai Alashe at the 41st minute. Still, the Quakes didn’t get any offense going in the half.

The Quakes trailed the Timbers 1-0 at halftime. San Jose knew that they had plenty of work to do in the second half. Portland, on the other hand, made a change as Eryk Williamson replaced Jack Barmby.

Barmby found Dairon Asprilla, who was at the right place at the right time. Asprilla kicked the ball into the net for a 2-0 Timbers lead in the 66th minute. Shortly after, Portland, Ore., native Foster Langsdorf entered the match to make his Timbers debut. Langsdorf played college soccer at Stanford University from 2014 to 2017.

Danny Hoesen had a couple of good looks late in the half. However, Hoesen’s attempts went just wide of the net or were caught by Kendall McIntosh.

The Timbers maintained a 2-0 shutout over the Quakes through two halves and three minutes of stoppage time. With the win, Portland advanced to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup.

Notes
Quakes’ starting lineup 
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Timbers’ starting lineup
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Up Next
The Quakes will host LAFC this Saturday at 7:30 pm PDT.

Rangers crush A’s 8-2 to win series

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Photo credit: @athletics_fanly

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Rangers hit four home runs to beat the A’s for the second night in a row at Glove lIfe Stadium on Wednesday night.

Rangers’ starter Bartolo “Big Sexy” Colon won his third game of the year. With the win, the 243rd of his 20-year career, he tied Juan Marichal for most wins by a pitcher born in the Dominican Republic. He went five innings and allowed six hits and two runs. The Rangers’ bullpen held the A’s scoreless the rest of the way and won 8-2.

The Rangers plated three runs in the bottom of the first to take an early 3-0 lead. With two out, Nomar Mazara doubled. Jurickson Profar slammed his fifth big fly of the season to give the Rangers a 2-0 lead. A’s starter Daniel Mengden then served up a gopher ball to Joey Gallo. Gallo sent his 17th of the year into the seats in the second deck in right field to make it 3-0.

Mengden continued to struggle as Profar hit his second dinger of the night to give Texas the advantage 4-0 in the bottom of the third. The Rangers’ onslaught continued as they tallied two more runs in the fourth. Rangers’ catcher Robinson Chirinos walked and scored when Ronald Guzman took Mengden deep for his seventh of the year. The A’s trail 6-0.

The A’s put two on the board in the top of the fifth. A’s leading hitter, Jed Lowrie, reached on a double. Designated Hitter Khris Davis hit his 15th dinger to drive in Lowrie, and the A’s trailed 6-2.

Texas scored two more in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Jurickson Profar continued his big night when he singled to drive in two more runs. The Rangers were done scoring, and they won 8-2.

Game Notes: Jurickson Profar was the hitting star for the Rangers. He had his first multi-homer game and had a career-high five runs batted in.

Bartolo Colon won his 243rd game and needs just one more strikeout to reach 2500 for his career. Colon, who is 45 years old, evened his season’s record at 3-3.

A’s starter Daniel Mengden, who was so good in May, took the loss. Mengden is now 6-5 and his line for the night was four innings pitched, five hits, and six runs. Four of the five hits Mengden allowed were home runs.

The A’s announced that Matt Joyce was placed on the 10-day DL retroactive to June 3rd. They recalled outfielder Nick Martini from Nashville. Martini, if he gets into a game, will be making his Major League debut.

The A’s also announced that pitcher Paul Blackburn will be activated from the 60-day DL and will be making his season’s debut against the Kansas City Royals Friday night at the Coliseum.

The Royals will send Jason Hammel to the hill to handle the pitching chores. Hammel gave up seven hits and three runs in six innings of work against the A’s last Saturday in Kansas City. Hammel did not get a decision.

Sad News: Baseball lost one of its greatest players Wednesday. The St. Louis Cardinals announced that Albert “Red” Schoendienst passed away at the age of 95. Schoendienst had a great career as a second baseman and won championships with the Cardinals and Braves. Schoendienst was a member of Baseball’s Hall of Fame.

Up Next: The A’s will welcome the Royals for a four-game series starting Thursday night at 7:05 pm PDT.

San Jose Earthquakes podcast with Ana Kieu: SJ looks to beat Portland in fourth round of U.S. Open Cup tonight

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Photo credit: @SJEarthquakes

On the SJ Earthquakes podcast with Ana:

1. The Quakes lost 2-1 to the Fire at Toyota Park in Chicago last Saturday. Give us a quick recap of that game.

2. The Quakes’ team store will re-open on June 9 just moments before the Quakes host LAFC on Pride Night at Avaya Stadium.

3. Does Danny Hoesen deserve a spot in the 2018 MLS All-Star Game?

4. What are some things about the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup that every soccer fan should know about?

5. Quakes Academy product defender CJ Grey got a chance to train with the first team Tuesday.

Join Ana on the weekly SJ Earthquakes podcasts at SportsRadioService.com!

 

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Vegas Knights podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: It could be Good Knight for Vegas if they don’t get a Game 5 win

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On the Vegas Golden Knights podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh:

For the Vegas Golden Knights, who won Game 1 and then lost three straight games, they are now facing elimination on Thursday night at the T-Mobile Center in Vegas for Game 5 as they’re down 3-1 in the series to the Washington Capitals.

We’ll take a look at some of the things the Caps have done to shutdown the Knights in this series. Also, we’ll discuss what Washington head coach Barry Trotz has done to keep the Caps charging. In addition, we’ll talk about some of the Knights’ key players who have been shut down by the Caps like Alex Tuch, Jonathan Marchessault, and goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. Game 5 is on the horizon Thursday night in Vegas. Can the Knights do it? The Knights will need this one to stay alive and force a Game 6.

Historical note: No NHL team has ever come back down 3-1 since 1942. The Toronto Maple Leafs did it against the Detroit Red Wings to win 4-3.

Mary Lisa Walsh does the Vegas Golden Knights podcasts in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals Washington Capitals podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Caps can wrap it up in Game 5 in Vegas on Thursday night at the T-Mobile Center

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On the Washington Capitals podcast with Marko Ukalovic:

The Washington Capitals can come away with their first NHL Finals championship in 20 years Thursday night if they can take out the Vegas Golden Knights on their home ice. The Caps have the talent to get the job done with Evgeny Kuznetsov, who got four assists on Monday night against the Knights in Game 4.

“I’ve never been there,” said Kuznetsov in the postgame presser. “And I don’t really care about that yet, so it’s kind of easy for me.” Kuznetsov got help from his teammates T.J. Oshie, Tom Wilson, and Devante Smith-Pelly, who all scored in the first period. It was a matter of attack early because if the Knights can get an opening, they will take it to you with their great speed. Caps goaltender Braden Holtby stopped 28 shots on Monday.

Vegas hit the post with several shots, but it was for not they got two goals on Monday and lost by four goals 6-2. Fleury called losing Game 4 “frustrating and demoralizing.” The Knights will have to try and repeat what they did in game one and take it to the Caps early and quickly and they will have to do it in three games straight if they want this Cinderella season to continue.

Historical note: No NHL team has ever come back down 3-1 since the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs did it against the Detroit Red Wings to win 4-3.

Marko Ukalovic does the Washington Capitals podcasts in the NHL Stanley Cup Finals at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bumgarner solid in season debut, but Giants lose to Dbacks 3-2

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By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO — It took nearly two months, but Madison Bumgarner finally made his 2018 season debut for the San Francisco Giants.

Bumgarner went six innings, allowing two runs on eight hits, while walking no one and striking out three; however, the Arizona Diamondbacks spoiled the night with a 3-2 victory over the Giants before a crowd of 36,925 at AT&T Park on Tuesday night.

The loss stopped the Giants’ five-game winning streak, as they fell to 4-1 on the six-game home stand versus the Philadelphia Phillies.

Through the first, Chris Owings got the Diamondbacks on the board in the top of the third inning, as he followed Ketel Marte’s double with one of his own. Kristopher Negron then made it 2-0, as he drove in Owings with a single to left field.

Paul Goldschmidt was locked in as he usually is against the Giants, as he picked up three hits in his only three at-bats off of Bumgarner.

This season against the Giants, Goldschmidt is hitting .429, as he is 12-for-28 with two home runs and five runs batted in. Against all other opponents this season, Goldschmidt is a combined 35-for-186, a .188 clip with six home runs and 15 RBIs.

Patrick Corbin was cruising into the fourth inning, as he did not allow a base runner until Andrew McCutchen got a base hit off of the left-hander to break up the no-hitter.

The Giants finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Mac Williamson hit a double to left field and then Brandon Crawford continues to hit the ball well, as he hit a double inside the third base line to score Williamson from second base.

Pablo Sandoval then hit a bloop single that fell in between Marte, Nick Ahmed and Owings that allowed Crawford to reach third base. Joe Panik then walked to load the bases, but Corbin regrouped to strikeout Bumgarner, Gorkys Hernandez and Buster Posey in succession to end the inning.

That fifth double by Crawford extended his home hitting streak up to 14 games, as 24-for-49 (.490) with 11 RBIs during the streak.

Corbin ended up going 6.1 innings, allowing x runs on just four hits, walking two and striking out seven in route to his raising his record to 6-2 on the season.

Mark Melancon made his second appearance of the season, as he replaced Bumgarner in the top of the seventh inning.

Melancon ended up going one inning, striking out two and throwing a wild pitch.

With a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning after loading the bases on walks against Corbin, Andrew Chafin and Yoshihisa Hirano, the Giants were unable to score, as Hirano got Posey to fly out to Jarrod Dyson to end the threat.

The Giants put two more on in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Evan Longoria singled with one out, then Crawford walked with two outs; however, Archie Bradley was able to regroup to get Sandoval to ground out to Ahmed to end the inning.

Hunter Strickland came on in the top of the ninth inning, and the Diamondbacks added another run, as Deven Marrero hit into Fielders’ Choice then Dyson walked and Jake Lamb hit a pinch-hit single that scored Marrero.

With one last chance to get back into the game, Alen Hanson hit a double that bounced on the right field line; however, the play was reviewed and after a brief 41 second review, the play stood. Boxberger then got Hernandez to strikeout swinging, and then Posey singled to right field to score Hanson from second base.

With McCutchen coming to the plate as the potential winning run, Austin Jackson came on to pinch run for Posey. McCutchen then singled to left field to bring up Longoria, who grounded out to Ahmed to end the game.

Brad Boxberger got the final three outs of the game, as he picked up his 14thsave in 15 opportunities.

NOTES: Chris Stratton will look to close the home stand on a high note, as he takes the mound for the Giants, and the Diamondbacks will send Clay Buchholz to the hill.

The game can be viewed on Facebook with Rich Waltz, Mike Krukow and Eric Byrnes on the call, and Ashley Adamson on the sidelines.

To make room for Bumgarner on the roster, Pierce Johnson was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento.

Thru the first five games, the Giants have outscored their opponents 24-7 with one game remaining on the home stand.

With their first pick (second pick overall) in the 2018 MLB Draft on Monday, the Giants selected Georgia Tech catcher Joey Bart, who was the 2018 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year. Bart led the ACC in batting with a .359 clip, second in slugging at .632, and hits with 79. He also finished in the top 10 in home runs with 16, runs scored with 55, and on-base percentage at .471. His defense was outstanding as well, as finished the season with a career-best .992 fielding percentage.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Dbacks face off in a rubber match on Wednesday afternoon at 12:45 pm PDT.

Bombs away: Rangers top A’s 7-4

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By Jerry Feitelberg

The Texas Rangers blasted five home runs to down the A’s 7-4 at Globe Life Park on Tuesday night.

A’s ace Sean Manaea, who was 1- 4 with a 7.18 ERA in his six starts in May, went 5 1/3 innings and allowed four hits and two runs. Rangers’ starter Matt Moore, who has struggled all season, pitched six innings and he allowed eight hits and three runs. Neither starter figured in the decision.

The A’s took an early lead in the top of the first. With two out, Jed Lowrie started the rally with a double to left field. A’s DH Khris Davis doubled to deep left field to drive in Lowrie. Matt Olson singled to drive in Davis with the A’s second run of the night.

Rangers’ catcher Robinson Chirinos homered in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to one. The A’s lead 2-1.

Khris Davis hit a solo blast in the top of the fifth to make it 3-1. Rangers’ Jurickson Profar sent a Manaea pitch out of the park in the sixth to make it a one-run game as they trail the A’s 3-2.

In the top of the seventh, Chad Pinder doubled to deep center field. Pinder tagged up and moved to third when Lowrie flew out. The Rangers issued a free pass to Davis, but Olson thwarted the strategy when he singled to drive in Pinder.

A’s manager Bob Melvin brought in Yusmeiro Petit to face the Rangers in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, Delino DeShields reached on a bunt single. Shin-Soo Choo homered to tie the game at four apiece.

The Rangers’ setup reliever retired the A’s in order in the top of the eighth. The Rangers took the lead for good in their half of the inning. Rookie reliever Lou Trivino was rocketed by the veteran Adrian Beltre’s second home run of the season. Beltre has missed 28 games so far this year due to an injury, but the future Hall of Fame player showed that he can still play. Jurickson Profar walked and then scored on big Joey Gallo’s blast that propelled the Rangers to a 7-4 advantage. Closer Keone Kela, struck out Lowrie, Davis, and Olson to earn his 14th save of the year. The Rangers win 7-4.

Game Notes: The Rangers evened the season’s series at four apiece.

The A’s fall to 31-30 and the Rangers improved to 26-37.

Chris Martin was the winning pitcher, and Lo Trivino took the loss.

The A’s announced that they placed Daniel Gossett on the 10-day DL with a strained right elbow. They also sent pitcher Josh Lucas back to Triple-A Nashville.

A’s relief pitcher Liam Hendriks was activated off the 10-day DL, and as a result, they recalled catcher Josh Phegley from Nashville.

Up Next: Game 2 of the two-game series will be played at 5:05 pm PDT. Daniel Mengden will go for Oakland, and the ageless Bartolo Colon will be on the hill for Texas.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: Murray most likely to pass up A’s offer to quarterback at Oklahoma

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@OU Baseball photo: Oklahoma Sooner centerfielder Kyler Murray who can do it all will turn down the Oakland A’s offer to be their number one draft pick to quarterback the Sooners in football next fall

Let’s talk the A’s MLB Draft with Charlie O!

1) Charlie, you told me you’re not to happy about the Athletics’ first-round pick Kyler Murray. What’s your objection?

2) You pointed out an interesting pattern in the first 10 draft picks.

3) Charlie, it took the A’s a while before the grabbed a pitcher in the draft. Does that surprise you?

4) What happens next with the draft?

5) How’s the big club doing and what’s coming up for Oakland?

Charlie O does the Oakland A’s podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Spartan Foundation Honors Three Student-Athletes of the Month

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By: Ana Kieu

SAN JOSE, Calif. — San Jose State honored three student-athletes for the month of May on Tuesday morning. Those student-athletes were women’s track and field’s Destiny Longmire and baseball’s Andrew Mitchel and Shane Timmons. The Spartan Foundation Student-Athletes of the Month were presented by O’Connor Hospital.

Longmire became the first San Jose State women’s track and field athlete to qualify for the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships with her sixth place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field Championships West Preliminary Round meet. She won the women’s long jump at 2018 Mountain West Championship and became the second athlete in conference history to win the women’s outdoor long jump championship as a freshman and a sophomore. She’s the sixth athlete in MW history to win the women’s outdoor long jump championship twice in her college career. She also ran the anchor leg on the Spartans’ school record-setting 4×400 relay team at the MW Championship that finished seventh and added to San Jose State’s best point total (55) in its five-year conference meet history.

Mitchel recorded a 1.71 ERA in 26.1 innings pitched. In his last four starts, he faced three of the top-10 hitting teams in the nation and allowed five earned runs the entire month with 29 strikeouts. At the MW Tournament against San Diego State, he struck out nine batters and held the Aztecs to two earned runs to earn a spot on the 2018 MW All-Tournament Team.

In Game 2 against Air Force on senior weekend, Timmons recorded the game-winning hit to punch the Spartans’ ticket to the MW Tournament, and clinch third place in the Mountain West for the program’s highest finish since San Jose State joined the conference in 2013. He was responsible for all six of San Jose State’s runs on May 18th. In the bottom of the third, he hit a grand slam to left field for the 26th career home run to take a 4-0 lead. He broke John Fagan’s career record of 25, which was set nearly 20 years ago, to become San Jose State’s all-time home runs leader with 26. He batted .365 in 14 starts and recorded a .538 slugging percentage in May.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Have the Cavs really lost all hope?; Will the Warriors sweep in Cleveland?

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On the Warriors podcast with David:

To illustrate the frustration of the Cleveland Cavaliers in this year’s finals, two of their players have already walked out on pressers. The Cavs’ Tristan Thompson walked out when he was asked if the team has lost all hope, remarking “That’s f—– up” said an unhappy Thompson. Then, there was LeBron James when he asked about JR Smith and did he know what the score was in Game 1 when time ran out for the Cavs’ first loss.

Game 3 is Wednesday night. Can the Warriors sweep the rest of the way?

David Zizmor does the Warrior podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com