Aces drop home opener to Storm 105-98

Published on by psushawnLeave a comment

20180527 - A'Ja Wilson 04

Photo credit: Shawn McCullough, Sports Radio Service

By Shawn McCullough

The Seattle Storm put a damper on the Aces star-studded inaugural home opener in Las Vegas with a 105-98 win at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

A’ja Wilson scored a career-high 27 points, going 9-17 from the field, along with eight rebounds.

“I really just took what the defense gave me and it just started to work.” said Wilson.  “My teammates really kept feeding me the ball and making me make plays.”

Nia Coffey also scored a career-high 23 points.

“Bill (Laimbeer) is clear and direct with what he saw in me and what he needed me to do,” said Coffey.  “During our offense, I make sure that I’m doing what I need to do.  I take advantage of the moment and take advantage of the match up to really show what I can do for this team.”

The Aces were able to claw back into the game after being down by 19 points early in the third quarter, but they were unable to overcome 18 turnovers.

“Turnovers have been a bugaboo so far this season,” said head coach Bill Laimbeer.  “There were 18 tonight, that’s too many especially in a tight game. We are going to have our growing pains with some young players, but we have to get those (turnovers) down.”

The first regular season game in Las Vegas for the Aces featured a list of celebrity appearances, including Boyz II Men singing the national anthem, Jabbawockeez performing a halftime show, the cast of Michael Jackson ONE greeting fans entering the arena and Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis attending the game.

With the loss, the Aces (formerly the San Antonio Stars) dropped to 0-3 on the season.  The Stars started the 2017 season 0-13 before winning their first game of the season 89-82 over Chicago at home on June 30th.

The Aces will next play the Storm in Seattle on Thursday, May 31st before heading back home to face the Washington Mystics on Friday, June 1st at the Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Las Vegas Aces – http://aces.wnba.com

Game Notes:

  • 7,662 fans attended the Aces first regular season game in Las Vegas
  • The Aces introduced their new mascot named Bucket$, a fuzzy bunny rabbit

Game Starters:

F – 22 A’ja Wilson
F – 12 Nia Coffey
C – 8 Carolyn Swords
G – 21 Kayla McBride
G – 15 Lindsay Allen

Cubs take finale in comeback fashion, down Giants 8-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Kahn

Things were looking good for the San Francisco Giants at the end of the first inning, but then the Chicago Cubs came to the plate.

Between the two teams, they scored six runs on five infield hits, that included a great play by a first time second baseman and a ball off of the second base umpire.

All things got worse for the Giants in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Jorge Baez hit an opposite field three-run home run and the Cubs defeated the Giants 8-3 at Wrigley Field Sunday night.

Neither starter made it out of the fourth inning, as Ty Blach went just three innings, allowing five runs on seven hits, walking four and striking out three, as he fell to 3-5 on the season.

Cubs starter Tyler Chatwood went only 2.2 innings, as he allowed three runs on six hits, walking five and struck out three. It was the second consecutive horrific start for Chatwood, who also went 2.2 innings in his last start against the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday night in a 10-1 Cubs loss.

Pablo Sandoval, who made his first ever start at second base for the Giants got them on the board in the top of the first inning, as he beat out a throw from Addison Russell that scored Brandon Belt.

Mac Williamson then extended the Giants lead up to 3-0, as he an opposite field single that scored Evan Longoria and Brandon Crawford respectively.

Longoria was one of two walks in the inning off of Chatwood, and then Crawford loaded the bases with an infield single just prior to the Sandoval base hit that scored Belt.

The Cubs got right back into the game in the bottom of the inning, as Alex Almora, Jr., reached on an infield single. After an out by Baez, Kris Bryant got the Cubs on the board, when he doubled off the right-center field wall and then came the bizarre play of the game.

Anthony Rizzo hit a comebacker that Blach knocked down, and then ricocheted off of second base umpire Cory Blaser and bounced to Sandoval, who threw too late to Belt and Bryant all the way around from second base to score.

After Wilson Contreras struck out for the second out, Kyle Schwarber singled to send Rizzo to third and then Russell tied up the game.

Things were looking good for the Giants in the top of the second inning, as they loaded the bases with nobody out; however, Chatwood was able to get out of the jam without allowing a run.

Blach got into his own bases loaded nobody out jam in the bottom of the third inning, as he gave up three consecutive walks to Bryant, Rizzo and Contreras, but then he was able to regroup to get Schwarber and Russell to strikeout swinging and then Jason Heyward flew out to left field to end the threat.

Pierce Johnson came on to replace Blach in the bottom of the fourth inning after Blach walked eventual winning pitcher Randy Rosario, and then Almora ended Blach’s day after he doubled to centerfield.

Baez then greeted Johnson by hitting a three-run home run into the right field bleachers to give the Cubs the lead for good.

Tommy La Stella hit for Rosario in the bottom of the fifth inning, and he hit a single that scored Heyward. Almora continued then his hot hitting, as he doubled to right-center field that scored La Stella from first base.

Rosario went 2.1 innings, allowing no runs on one hit, walking two and striking out three, as he won for the first time this season.

NOTES: Andrew Suarez looks for his second win of the season on Monday, as the Giants open a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Chad Bettis looks to improve to 5-1 on the season, as he takes the mound for the Rockies.

Buster Posey, who missed Saturday’s game with a sore right hip also missed Sunday’s game, but could available for the Giants opener in Colorado.

UP NEXT: Giants open a three-game series against the Rockies in Colorado starting Monday at 4:10 pm PST.

MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum: Angels’ Trout goes yard on Yanks; Giants’ Bumgarner near to return; Choo leads MLB’s Asian-born hitters with HRs

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from yahoosports.com: Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout went 5-5 on Saturday against the New York Yankees

On the MLB The Show podcast with Daniel Dullum:

1  LA Angels’ Mike Trout (27) has another career day in rout of New York Yankees.

2 Mad about Bum: SF Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner fans eight in first rehab start.

3 Shin-Soo Choo is MLB’s new Asian-born home run king.

4 A’s “Star Wars” themed fireworks show starts fire in Oakland.

5 Cleveland reliever Andrew Miller back on DL.

Daniel does MLB The Show podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball Heroes and Memorial Day

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

photo from twitter.com: Philadelphia A’s catcher Harry O’Neill who caught for Philadelphia for only one ballgame July 23, 1939 died in World War II. O’Neill died by sniper fire in Iwo Jima on March 6, 1945

Baseball Heroes and Memorial Day

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

OAKLAND–This Memorial Day, Major League Baseball remembers the heroes who fought in wars defending our nation and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Philadelphia Athletics catcher Harry O’Neill (1917-1945) He enlisted in the US Mariners in 1942 after graduating from OCS School (Officer Candidate School) he died fighting the Japanese in Iwo Jima.

These players (among many others throughout the years) are veterans who served our country and some who actually where in combat situations. many are Hall of Famers: Ted Williams, Joe Dimaggio, Jackie Robinson, Hoyt Wilhelm, Ed Figueroa, Al Bumbry, Garry Maddox, Bobby Doerr, Pee Wee Reese, George Sisler, Ty Cobb, Tommy LaSorda, Gil Hodges,Hank Greenberg, Tris Speaker, Johnny Pesky, Yogi Berra, Christy Matheson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, Warren Spahn, Bob Feller, Don Larsen, Phil Rizzuto, Bill Dickey, Whitey Ford, Eddie Collins, Don Newcome, Stan Musial, Larry Doby, Curt Simmons, Hank Bauer, Ernie Banks and Jerry Coleman.

Teams will wear special uniforms during this Memorial Day weekend as well as Independence Day, including special caps and socks. They will be for sale at Major League ballparks.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Spanish radio talent for the Oakland A’s and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors destroy Rockets 115-86 to force Game 7

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors, with their backs to the wall, fell behind by 17 points in the first quarter. The Rockets, behind James Harden and Eric Gordon, came out blazing and outscored the Warriors 39-22 in the first quarter. The Warriors turned the ball over, and shots were not falling for Golden State. The fans were starting to squirm as it looked as if the Rockets had found the key to their fourth victory in the best-of-seven series.

However, the Warriors started to play better in the second period. Klay Thompson started making shots, and the Warriors improved on defense. They won the quarter 29-21 and trailed Houston 61-51 at the end of the first half.

The Rockets were led by Harden’ 22 points. Eric Gordon made four 3-point shots and finished with 16. Trevor Ariza had 14, and he knocked down two from downtown.

Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant each had 14. Steph Curry had 13, and the Warriors bench did not make a significant contribution.

The Warriors knew that the season was on the line as they started the second half. They had to find a way to stop the Rockets attack and a way to get going on offense.

The Warriors executed that plan to perfection. They started the third quarter on an 11-0 run to take the lead for the first time since early in the game when they lead 4-3. The Rockets’ main man, James Harden, responded by making two 3-pointers to put Houston ahead 69-66.

Thompson hit a three to tie the game at 69. The Rockets rebounded to go up by four points 74-70. It was at this point that the Warriors took control of the game and went on a 14-3 run to end the third period leading 84-77.

The Warriors blew the game open in the fourth quarter when they went on a 27-6 run and held the Rockets to just nine points for the entire period. The Warriors won the game 115-86. They meet the Rockets in Houston Mondy night for the Western Conference title.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors were magnificent in the second half. They outscored the Rockets 64-25. They went from being down by 17 and winning by 29. That was quite a turnaround.

The Rockets were without the services of guard Chris Paul, who suffered a hamstring injury in Game 5.

The Warriors’ Andre Iguodala, so needed for his defensive skills, was unavailable for the third game in a row due to a bone bruise. He is day-to-day and may be available Monday.

Warriors coach Steve Kerr felt terribly for Paul — and others who have gone down.

“More than anything, I feel bad for Chris. The guy is a phenomenal player and competitor, and pretty much willed his team the last two games. He’s just been haunted by these types of injuries in his career, and it’s a shame,” Kerr said.

“I hate when anybody gets hurt. I hated when Andre got hurt. I hate to see Kevin Love last night, Kyrie (Irving). These guys train so hard, and they’re here, and they’re competing, and you want everybody to be healthy, but just the reality is it usually doesn’t work out that way. So you’ve just got to keep playing with whoever’s there and keep going.”

After the game, Klay Thompson had this to say about the win: “I don’t want to go home. It shows you what you are made of. We are the best defensive team in the league.

The stats show that the Warriors, as a team, outrebounded the Rockets 47-38. Also, on defense, they had 11 steals and 10 blocked shots. They forced the Rockets to commit 21 turnovers.

On offense, Klay Thompson was on fire. He ended the night with 35 points, and he made nine threes.

Steph Curry finished with 29. Curry made just one three the first half, but he found his shot in the final 24 minutes as he hit four 3-pointers.

Kevin Durant finished with 23. Draymond Green, on offense, scored just nine points but he had nine assists. He was a terror defense. He had 10 rebounds to go along with four steals and five blocked shots.

The Warriors needed the Big Four to produce, and that is exactly what the did as they shut down the Rockets after the first period.

James Harden led the Rockets with 32. Eric Gordon had 19, and Trevor Ariza finished with 14. The Warriors held Harden to 10 points in the second half. Gordon added just three and Ariza was held scoreless. Gerald Green was the only other Rocket in double figures with 11.

Up Next: The deciding game of the West Final series will be Monday night in Houston. Game time will be at 6:00 pm PST.

Stratton put a stop to losing streak as Giants edge Cubs for 5-4 victory

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: sfexaminer.com

By Jeremy Kahn

Chris Stratton put a stop to the San Francisco Giants modest three-game losing streak, and it was the bullpen that held down the fort down the stretch.

Stratton went five innings, allowing three runs on four hits, while walking three and striking out four and the Giants defeated the Chicago Cubs 5-4 at Wrigley Field Saturday night.

As for Stratton, it was his third straight win. He’s now 6-3 on the season.

It was a huge comeback victory for the Giants, who fell behind 2-0 at the end of the second inning, but then Brandon Crawford continued his hot hitting, as he hit a huge two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning that tied up the game.

After the Cubs retook the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, the Giants took the lead back for good in the top of the fifth inning, as Andrew McCutchen doubled to centerfield that scored Gorkys Hernandez. Brandon Belt gave the Giants the lead for good, as he singled to center to score McCutchen.

It was the third loss in their last four games for the Cubs, who were swept in a two-game series against the Cleveland Indians earlier this week at Wrigley Field.

Belt added a sacrifice fly in the top of the seventh inning to score Hernandez from third base, and Evan Longoria moved up an additional 90 feet to second base.

Hernandez is turning out to be a god send for the Giants, as he recently became the Giants everyday centerfielder, replacing Austin Jackson, who came to the Giants during the offseason from the Cleveland Indians. On the game, Hernandez went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and raised his average to .311 on the season.

The Cubs got within one run in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Anthony Rizzo hit an opposite field single off of Tony Watson to score Kyle Schwarber; however, that would be the closest that the Cubs would get.

Closer Hunter Strickland came on in the bottom of the ninth inning and retired the Cubs in order for his 10thsave of the season.

Stratton gave up three walks in the bottom of the second inning, as the Cubs took a 1-0 lead and look to extend the score; however, a Javier Baez comebacker that Stratton snared and threw to Nick Hundley for the first out of the inning. Jose Quintana then was unable to help out his own cause, as he grounded into double play to end the inning.

Schwarber then extended the Cubs lead in the bottom of the third inning, as he hit his ninth home run of the season.

After Crawford tied up the game with his sixth home run of the season in the top of the fourth inning, Baez gave the Cubs the lead in the bottom of the half of the inning, as he hit his 12th home run of the inning.

The bullpen quartet of Reyes Moronta, Sam Dyson, Watson and Strickland pitched four innings, allowing one run on three hits, not walking a batter and striking out one.

Quintana pitched just 4.1 innings, as he gave up four runs and five hits and saw his record fall to 5-4 on the season.

NOTES: Ty Blach looks for his fourth win of the season on Sunday night, as he takes the mound against Tyler Chatwood, who also looks for his fourth win of the season. Chatwood leads the major leagues with 40 walks on the season.

Buster Posey is currently day-to-day with soreness in his right hip.

Joe Panik, who is out with a sprained left thumb will begin a rehab assignment on Monday with the Sacramento Rivercats.

Alen Hanson, who replaced Panik at second base and was then injured himself with a strained left hamstring will play an extended spring training game on Monday in Arizona, and then will begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday with San Jose.

Madison Bumgarner began his rehab assignment in Sacramento, and pitched 3.2 innings, not allowing a run or a hit, walking one and striking out eight. Bumgarner also went 1-for-1 in his only plate appearance.

Mark Melancon pitched an inning, and struck out a batter in his only inning of work.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Cubs conclude their series in a nationally televised game on ESPN Sunday night at 5:08 pm PST.

Mengden tosses a complete game shutout to lead the A’s to a 3-0 win over the D-backs Saturday

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
Joyce HR
Matt Joyce started the scoring with a first-inning leadoff home run Photo: @Athletics

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Daniel Mengden pitched a brilliant game for the Oakland Athletics on Saturday afternoon to lead them to a 3-0 victory and even the series at 1-1 as the teams head into the finale on Sunday. Mengden worked 9.0 – shutout innings giving up just two hits, walking none while striking out five Diamondbacks.

Athletics manager Bob Melvin had nothing but compliments for Mengden and his starting performance Saturday. The skipper did reveal that Chad Pinder’s eighth-inning leadoff home run probably gave Mengden the chance to go for the complete game rather than using a closer in the top of the ninth.

This game was all about the pitching

Oakland

Daniel Mengden

  • That is the only name that will appear in the box score for the A’s. This was his second career shutout. His first came versus Philadelphia on September 17, 2017.
  • Mengden has now won his last three consecutive starts. That is the first time he has done that in his career.
  • Over his last eight starts, Mengden has posted a 1.79 ERA while striking out 31 in 50.1 innings pitched.
  • Mengden threw 102 pitches of which 76 were strikes.
  • The key pitching stat for the game is zero Base on Balls.
  • Mengden is now 5-4 on the season with a 2.85 ERA.

Arizona

Clay Buchholz

Buchholz
Clay Buchholz took the loss but pitched very well for D-backs Photo: @Dbacks
  • This was his second start for the Diamondbacks. He started versus the Mets on May 20 but did not figure into the decision.
  • It looked like it would be a short outing for Buchholz when Matt Joyce his the first pitch of the game over the right-field wall into the seats for a “no doubt about it” home run to give the Athletics a quick 1-0 lead.
  • Buchholz then settled down and proceeded to retire the next 15 Oakland hitters he faced. The next A’s batter to reach base was Chad Pinder who hit a double deep into center-field but Buchholz was able to get out of the inning stranding Pinder at third base.
  • The D-backs lifted Buchholz after 6.0-innings of work. He allowed the one run (earned) on just two hits. He walked none and struck out three batters.
  • Buchholz was charged with the loss and his record falls to 0-1 for the year.

Jorge De La Rosa

  • De La Rosa replaced Buchholz in the bottom of the seventh inning.
  • After inducing Jed Lowrie to fly out to center, Matt Olson hit a 2-2 pitch over the center-field fence that bounced around in the television camera box for his eighth home run of the season. That gave the A’s a 2-0 lead.
  • De La Rosa was able to finish the inning without giving up any additional runs.

Fernando Salas

  • Salas was the third and final pitcher used by Arizona in the game. He came in for the bottom of the eighth to face the leadoff man Chad Pinder. Pinder hit the first pitch from Salas over the center-field fence for his fifth home run of the year to give Oakland a 3-0 lead.
  • Salas did give up one additional hit – a double to Marcus Semien – but he was able to close out the inning without allowing any additional scoring.

It was home run or nothing game

Athletics

  • Those “Swingin’ A’s” scored all three of their runs off home runs.
  • Matt Joyce hit his sixth HR of the season. His first leadoff shot of the year and the ninth of his career
  • Matt Olson hit his eighth round-tripper of the year and it was his first HR to be hit off a lefthand pitcher this season.
  • Chad Pinder who hit his fifth home run of the season in the bottom of the eighth inning had the only multi-hit game for Oakland. He hit a double to leadoff the sixth inning for the A’s.
  • Marcus Semien recorded his 12th double in the contest.

Diamondbacks

  • The D-backs had two hits in the game. Both were singles.

 

Up Next on the Schedule

Up next game

The Diamondbacks and the Athletics will close out their three-game series with the “rubber game” of the match on Sunday at 1:05 PM. The real surprise here is Oakland will be starting RHP Frankie Montas who has been called up from Triple-A Nashville. Montas has spent the entire season with the Sounds appearing in nine games recording a record of 1-5 with an ERA of 4.39 in 41.0-innings on the mound. He has struck out 33, walked 13 and allowed five home runs. His WHIP is 1.34. The transaction will not become official until tomorrow morning.

Montas will face the crafty RHP veteran Zack Greinke. Greinke is 3-3 on the year with a 3.71 ERA.

Charlie O
My namesake was at the game! Photo: @Athletics

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Matt Harrington: Playoffs were unbelievable and the NHL Finals should be one for the ages

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin is tied up with Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Nate Schmidt as players come together after a third period play during the regular season at T-Mobile Arena (File Photo: Stephen R. Sylvanie, USA TODAY Sports)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Matt Harrington:

#1 Here it is the Stanley Cup Finals and the Vegas Golden Knights goes up against the Washington Capitals for Game 1 Monday night at the T-Mobile Center in Vegas.

#2 Who to look for on Vegas in the Finals: The Knights’ center Jonathan Marchessualt who has had a great postseason and one of the key reasons why the Knights are where they are with eight goals and 10 assists and one of Vegas’ best offensive weapons.

#3 The Knights’ left winger William Karlsson and right winger Alex Tuch both have six goals amongst them. How do you see them matching up against Caps.

#4 The Caps have a potent offense in their own right with post season numbers from Evegeny Kuznetsov 11 goals, Alex Ovechkin 12 goals, and TJ Oshie seven goals.

#5 So the moment of truth, the countdown to Monday at the T-Mobile Center–the Vegas Knights and the Washington Caps. Joe talks about how this matchup will play out.

Matt Harrington does the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Down-and-Out D’Backs: Arizona finally wins one, beats the A’s 7-1 at the Coliseum

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–After losing 13 out of 14, and falling out of first place in the NL West, the Arizona Diamondbacks arrived at the Oakland Coliseum on Friday either desperate, panicked or totally focused.

Or completely relaxed.

If the D’Backs’ collective mindset was the latter, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt–hitting just .200 and enveloped in the worst slide of his eight-year big league career–personified it the best. Goldschmidt simply suited up and went back to work, re-energized after a rare Thursday off.

And the A’s Sean Manaea was made to pay, roughed up by Arizona as the Diamondbacks built a 6-1, fourth inning lead on their way to a 7-1 win. Goldschmidt got help from the A’s Chad Pinder, who made an ill-advised dive at Goldy’s base hit, only to see it turn into a two-run triple in the fourth.

“It’s been a rough couple of weeks for us and it’s good to come out and get that early lead there and be able to tack on a few,” Goldschmidt said.

The Diamondbacks won easily for the first time since April 26. The A’s lost for the third time in four games at home–after a four-game road sweep in Toronto supposedly built momentum.

Patrick Corbin limited the A’s to a run on four hits in seven innings, with Mark Canha’s solo shot in the third Oakland’s only dent in the scoreboard. The A’s were limited to just two extra-base hits while collectively striking out 10 times. With Corbin dealing, it made for a quiet night at the Coliseum.

Meanwhile, Arizona put it together at the plate, after seeing their team batting average drop to .213, the major league’s worst.

“Guys came after the off day ready to go and we put some good swings on some good, hittable pitches,” shortstop Nick Ahmed said.

“You know at some point in time that’s going to end because they’re too good to go through long stretches like that,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said after looking at the recent numbers of the slumping D’Backs.

Manaea is 1-3 with an ERA over seven in May, after he posted a no-hitter and won the American League Pitcher of the month in April. On Friday, too many pitches over the plate were Manaea’s downfall.

“Just falling behind guys and just not really trusting my stuff right now,” Manaea said.

The A’s resume play with Arizona on Saturday with Clay Buchholz facing Oakland’s Daniel Mengden at 1:05 pm PST.