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

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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.

Earthquakes get shut out by Galaxy 1-0 in California Clasico

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Photo credit: @LAGalaxy

By Pearl Allison Lo

CARSON, Calif. — It took a while, but Romain Alessandrini became the hero as Los Angeles won in the 82nd minute and defeated the San Jose Earthquakes in the first 2018 California Clasico at the StubHub Center Friday night.

Right after the Quakes made their first substitution in the 82nd minute, Alessandrini, who was tearful after, made the game’s first shot on target and converted.  It would be his third shot, a team-high. The last time Alessandrini scored was March 4th, the first game of the season.

It was close to being a different story though. In the 89th minute, the Quakes’ Danny Hoesen most likely would have had his fourth goal in a row, if goalie David Bingham did not deflect the ball, which hit the crossbar after. That was the only other shot on goal.

It was the Galaxy’s second 1-0 win in a row. The last time San Jose was blanked was May 5th. Both teams were struggling coming into the game in their last five.

Quakes’ coach Mikael Stahre evaluated the game, “…it was quite a good game. I think it was a game with lots of intensity and passion and I think we stood up in a good way and…we deserve at least a tie this evening.

Both teams were sporting the same uniform before the game, in support of the Major League Soccer’s Soccer For All initiative.

The first half saw a total of five shots. Attempts on both sides were matched by opposing players. The Quakes’ Vako had the most shots with three, but all were blocked.

Los Angeles’ Chris Pontius had a just wide header in the seventh minute.  

One of Vako’s shot hit Emrah Klimenta in the arm in the 21st minute, but there was no call.  

Shots picked up in the second half with a total of nine for the Galaxy and five for San Jose, but the defenses remained stalwart.

Alessandrini fell on his way to the net in the 51st minute.

Los Angeles’ Giovani dos Santos, who was questionable with an undisclosed injury, entered the game in the 75th minute.

When Vako was subbed out, he was the only player for San Jose with a shot, a total of five. At the end, Hoesen had two and Magnus Eriksson had one more.

Game Notes: Changes from last game for the Quakes were Shea Salinas, Vako and Chris Wondolowski put in the starting lineup.

The Galaxy were without a suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Up Next: San Jose will look to right their ship when they face the Chicago Fire Saturday June 2 at 5:30 pm PST.

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Joe Lami: Vegas and Washington could go seven games; Finals start Monday night in Vegas

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photo from the detroitfreepress.com: The Vegas Golden Knights defenceman Colin Miller (6) catches a stick on the nose as Washington Capitals right winger Devante Smith-Pelly (25) both battle on the glass during the second period of Sun Feb 4th’s game in Washington

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Joe Lami:

#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.

Joe Lami does the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Hendricks, Cubs send Giants to third straight loss

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Photo credit: @playtheapp1

By Jeremy Kahn

After opening their three-city, nine-game road trip against the defending World Champion Houston Astros, the San Francisco Giants moved onto the winners of the 2016 World Series champion Chicago Cubs for their next series.

Kyle Hendricks gave up just one run on two hits in seven innings of work, as the Cubs defeated the Giants 6-2 at Wrigley Field.

Hendricks, who improved to 4-3 on the season, struck out seven and walked two, as the Cubs bounced back from a two-game sweep against the Cleveland Indians on a high note.

This was the Giants third straight loss to open the road trip, and have been outscored 21-5 through their first three games with five games remaining.

Gorkys Hernandez picked up two of the four Giants hits on the afternoon, including a leadoff home run in the top of the fourth inning that broke up Hendricks’ perfect game.

Evan Longoria picked up a RBI single in the top of the ninth inning that scored Brandon Belt, who singled, then advanced to second on indifference and then scored the Giants first run since the fourth inning when Longoria singled off of Pedro Strop.

The Cubs broke the game wide open in the bottom of the seventh inning, when they ended Holland’s day. Will Smith gave up a two-run double to Ben Zobrist, and then Cory Gearrin gave up a two-run single to Kris Bryant. Former Oakland A’s prospect Addison Russell hit a RBI single in the bottom of the eighth inning for their final run of the afternoon.

Strop retired the first batters of the inning, but then Belt and Longoria picked up back-to-back hits for another run. That was the end of the day for Strop, as Joe Maddon turned the ball over to Brian Duensing, who eventually walked Brandon Crawford.

That was all for Duenisng, as Maddon brought on his closer, Brandon Morrow, who struck out the returning Mac Williamson to end the game and picked up 11thsave in 12 opportunities this season.

Holland allowed three runs (two of them earned) in six innings of work, and allowed five hits before being replaced by Smith. Before being replaced, Holland hit Javier Baez and then walked Ian Happ.

NOTES: Chris Stratton looks to stop the Giants three-game losing streak, as he takes the mound against the Cubs Jose Quintana.

Madison Bumgarner looks to begin his rehab assignment on Saturday for the Sacramento Rivercats, where he will throw approximately 45 pitches. Joe Panik is making progress and could begin a rehab during the Giants road trip that will end on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.

UP NEXT: The Giants and Cubs meet again for Game 2 Saturday at 4:15 pm PST on FOX.

Giants hope to bounce back in Chicago against Cubs

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

By Jeremy Harness

So the Warriors and the Giants have something in common after Thursday: they will both hope to get bounce-back efforts after being humbled in the city of Houston.

The Warriors are facing elimination from the NBA playoffs after a loss to the Rockets in the Toyota Center on Thursday and will head home in search of answers. The Giants, on the other hand, had the day off on Thursday and have had a full day to process what happened to them.

Thankfully for the Giants, they don’t have to win their very next game to keep their season alive, but they do need to find a way to get things back on track after dropping two straight games to the Astros at Minute Maid Park.

That starts with a three-game series with the Chicago Cubs inside of Wrigley Field, which starts Friday afternoon.

The Giants will start the series with left-hander Derek Holland (2-5, 4.94 ERA) on the mound against Chicago righty Kyle Hendricks (3-3, 3.40 ERA). Holland has lost two of the last three decisions, the latest being a 6-1 loss at the hands of the Rockies last Friday, during which he surrendered four runs on six hits, walking one and striking out three.

Hendricks, meanwhile, also gave up four runs on six hits in his last outing, a 5-4 loss at Cincinnati last Friday, but he got away with a no-decision. However, he enters Friday’s matchup having dropped two of his past three decisions as well.

Chris Stratton (5-3, 4.92 ERA) will take the ball on Saturday opposite Cubs lefty Jose Quintana (5-3, 4.47 ERA). Stratton has won three of his last four, as he beat Colorado last Saturday, 8-4, after giving up four runs on eight hits.

Quintana has won two of his past three decisions, his last outing being a dominant performance at Cincinnati last Saturday that saw him give up only a single hit over seven innings in a 10-0 win.

To close out the series, lefty Ty Blach (3-4) will take the hill against Chicago righty Yu Darvish (1-3).

Rockets take Game 5 with 98-94 win, go up 3-2 on Warriors in West Finals

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By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

HOUSTON — The Rockets took advantage of 18 turnovers by the Warriors, the final pivotal one coming off Draymond Green’s leg with under 10 seconds remaining and Eric Gordon knocked down two free throws to perserve a 98-94 victory in Game 5 of the West Finals at the Toyota Center Thursday night to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-7 series.

“We were suppose to score and I lost the ball, ” Green said to reporters postgame.

More importantly, it puts the defending NBA Champions on the brink of elimination as the series shifts to Oakland for a “win-or-go-home” Game 6 Saturday night at Oracle Arena. Tip off is at 5:00 p.m. PT.

After defeating the Rockets by 41 points in Game 3, the Warriors have lost back-to-back games for the first time this postseason. The postseason is not the best time of year to start going on a losing streak. The Rockets snapped Golden State’s NBA postseason-record 16-game home winning streak in Game 4.

Eric Gordon led the Rockets with 24 points off the bench on 6-of-15 shooting. In fact, the Rockets bench outscored the Warriors’ reserves 33-4 in Game 5. Gordon connected on 9-of-10 from the free throw line.

Chris Paul finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and six assists, but was just 6-of-19 shooting from the floor, including starting 0-of-7 in the first-half. Paul left the game in the final minutes after injuring his right hamstring after coming down on the foot of Warriors’ reserve guard Quinn Cook.

After the game, it was reported that Paul will be re-evaluated Friday and his status for Game 6 is unclear.

James Harden also struggled, shooting just 5-of-21 from the field (0-for-11 on 3s) and finishing with 19 points. Like Gordon, Harden did most of his damage from the free throw line, converting 9-of-9 free throws.

“We had to rely on our defense once again,” Harden said. “Game 4, we weren’t making shots but defensively we were really good. Same thing tonight.”

Center Clint Capela finished with 12 points and 14 rebounds for his seventh double-double of the postseason. Capela had three of Houston’s eight offensive rebounds.

As a team, Golden State had just three offensive rebounds.

Four Warriors finished in double-figures, led by Kevin Durant’s team-high 29 points. Klay Thompson added 23, Stephen Curry scored 22 and Green finished with 12 points and 15 rebounds.

Golden State played solid defense, limiting Houston to 37.2-percent shooting from the floor, but the aforementioned 18 turnovers led to 18 points by the Rockets. That can’t happen if you’re a championship team that prides itself on solid execution like Golden State has done during this four-year run under head coach Steve Kerr.

“I feel great about where we are right now,” Kerr said postgame. “I know that sounds crazy but I feel it. I know exactly what I’m seeing out there…we defended them well tonight. Just too many turnovers, too many reaches.

“If we settle down a little bit, we’ll be in really good shape.”

Durant shot 8-of-22 from the floor, including 3-of-6 from behind the three-point arc, and was 10-of-10 from the free throw line. For the series, Durant is perfect at the charity stripe, shooting 37-of-37 from the free throw line.

For the second straight game, the Warriors were without Andre Iguodala who has been dealing with a left knee contusion. Iguodala suffered the injury after bumping knees with Harden in Game 3. Many believe that since Iguodala has been out, it has thrown off the Warriors’ game since Iguodala is who Kerr affectionately calls, the “adult in the room” for his ability to keep the team calm during critical stages of the game.

“He’s dying to play, but he’s not healthy enough,” Kerr said. “We’ll just continue to take it day to day.”

The game itself was a tight one, with no lead greater than six points. At halftime. the game was tied, 45-45 and the two teams stayed within three points of each other throughout the third quarter.

Golden State suffered just their second Game 5 lost in a playoff series since 2015.

If the Warriors were to lose Game 6 on Saturday night, they would miss out the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014.

The Warriors’ backs are firmly pressed against the wall but the defending NBA wouldn’t have it any other way.

A’s nip Mariners 4-3 to win series finale

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s won the final game of the three-game series as they defeated the Seattle Mariners 4-3. However, the Mariners won the series two games to one and are 6-3 over Oakland so far this season.

The A’s were facing their nemesis, Felix Hernandez, once more. Hernandez has owned the A’s over the years and his 26-10 lifetime record is a testament to his dominance. Thursday’s game in Oakland did not go King Felix’s way. The A’s tallied four runs in the bottom of the first, and that was enough to win the game. Hernandez and three Mariner relievers allowed the A’s just one hit after the first inning. Josh Lucas went two innings for the A’s and gave up two runs. The A’s bullpen was fantastic as they kept Seattle off the board until the eighth and Blake Treinen closed out the game to preserve the win.

The Mariners jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first inning. The A’s starter Josh Lucas gave up singles to M’s shortstop Jean Segura and center fielder Guillermo Heredia. Lucas walked the ever-dangerous Mitch Haniger to load the bases with no out. Lucas now had to face the M’s slugger Nelson Cruz. Cruz, who has killed the A’s in the past, hit into a 5-4-3 double play. Segura scored. Lucas struck out Kyle Seager to end the inning. The A’s roared back in their half of the frame as they scored four times to take a 4-1 lead.

The M’s ace Felix Hernandez gave up singles to Matt Joyce and Marcus Semien to put men on at first and third with one out. Jed Lowrie flew out to left field. Joyce tagged up and scored on the play. Matt Chapman walked to put two men on with two out. Stephen Piscotty doubled to drive in Semien and Chapman. Piscotty scored the fourth run of the inning when Dustin Fowler singled.

The Mariners scored a run in the second inning to make it a 4-2 game.  With two out, Andrew Romine walked. He then stole second and scored on a single by M’s catcher David Freitas.

There was no more scoring in the game until the top of the eighth inning. A’s manager brought in rookie Lou Trivino to pitch. Trivino gave up a single to Jean Segura and walked Heredia to put men on at first and second with no out. Mitch Haniger hit a sharp grounder that was fielded by the third baseman Matt Chapman. Chapman stepped on third base for the first out, threw to second for the second out, but Haniger was safe at first as the throw arrived just a split second late. Nelson Cruz singled to send Haniger to third, and Cruz went to second base on the throw. Bob Melvin decided to use his closer, Blake Treinen to get the final out of the eighth. Kyle Seager singled sharply to drive in Haniger with the M’s third run. Cruz stopped at third base. Treinen retired Daniel Vogelbach on a fly ball to center field for the final out of the inning. The A’s are still in the lead 4-3.

Treinen retired the M’s in order in the top of the ninth. Ben Gamel flew out to left field for the first out. Treinen then struck out pinch-hitter Ryon Healy on a 99-mile-an-hour four-seam fastball for the second out, Treinen then struck out Mike Zunino for the final out. The A’s win 4-3.

Game Notes and Stats: With the win, the A’s improve to 26-24 while Seattle drops to 29-20. The A’s used five pitchers in the game, and the winning pitcher was Yusmeiro Petit. Petit is now 2-1. Blake Treinen earned his 11th save. Felix Hernandez is now 5-4 for 2018.

Time of game was two hours and 44 minutes, and there were 12,633 happy fans in attendance.

Up Next: The A’s will now face the Arizona Diamondbacks for three games starting Friday night in Oakland.

Sean Manaea will oppose Patrick Corbin in a battle of left-handed pitchers Friday night.

Daniel Mengden will hurl for Oakland Saturday, and he will be opposed by the veteran Clay Buchholz.

Sunday’s game will feature Trevor Cahill going against one of the best pitchers in baseball, former Cy Young award winner Zach Greinke.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: NFL Owners Say Players Must Stand for National Anthem

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Photo credit: @theMMQB

By: Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said during a news conference that team owners unanimously agreed that the NFL can fine a team whose players protest on the sidelines during the National Anthem, but that each team will set its own rules regarding players who want to kneel. Players will not be fined individually by the league and will have the option to remain in the locker room while the anthem is played.

Hopefully, this is the end of a story that has nothing to do with touchdowns, tackles or field goals. However, it did started a conversation nationwide that still is going on and it even spilled to high school kids–many who can’t find Washington D.C. on a map–but who also took a knee in school.

The First Amendment should always be protected because it is indispensable in a free Republic like the United States of America. However, the NFL is a private business and owners handsomely pay their players to play what is today the most popular sport in America and they also have a right to demand the conduct of their players.

The NFL has been besieged with players in trouble with the law. It seems that in the MLB, it is the suspension for the use of illegal substances, one of their biggest problems, while in the NFL, it is tons of their players getting in trouble with the law on and off the football field. As I remember, the main reason for the protest was police brutality towards African-Americans. Although, this also changed later to other topics.

The NFL Players Association, which was not included in the talks with owners, said the union will review the new policy and challenge any aspect of it that is inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Owners discussed the topic for two hours on Tuesday and one hour on Wednesday, according to Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam.

We can only hope that this controversy is settled once and for all. I remember when Hall of Fame manager Tony LaRussa opined on this matter, when it was happening and was a story all over the country.

LaRussa said: “I know that there’s a constitutional right to express yourself, but I think you have a right as an organization to have a certain philosophy about respecting, whether it’s our Constitution, whether it’s our country, whether its our soldiers…our flag.”

LaRussa added: “I would not, to the best of my ability, I would not sanction somebody taking a knee.”

LaRussa earned a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from Florida State University College of Law in 1978. Although he never practiced law, he is one of only two managers in history, Sparky Anderson being the latter, to win World Series titles in each league.

This date in A’s history: Campaneris sets an Oakland record

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Photo credit: @Athletics

By: Ana Kieu

OAKLAND, Calif. — On this day in 1976, Bert Campaneris set a record when he stole five bases in the Oakland A’s 12-7 win over the Minnesota Twins. Rickey Henderson later tied Campaneris’ record.

In case you need a refresher, Campaneris is a former shortstop who played for the Kansas City/Oakland A’s from 1964 to 1976. Campaneris went on to play for the Texas Rangers from 1977 to 1979, California Angels from 1979 to 1981 and New York Yankees in 1983.

Unlike other players, Campaneris joined the list of nine-position players in an MLB game. Campaneris became the first player to every position in an MLB game on September 8, 1965, on the same day a special promotion occurred in his honor. That being said, actor Will Ferrell played all nine positions in five MLB games to honor Campaneris on March 12, 2015.

 

As the oldest everyday player in the MLB at age 47, Campaneris hit .291 and stole 16 bases in 60 games.

Campaneris landed a couple of minor league coaching opportunities in his post-retirement life. The 76-year-old currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona, but he continues to be a member of the MLB Players Alumni Association as well as play in Old-Timers’ games across the United States.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Posey visits Children’s Hospital for cancer patients; Giants open weekend series at Wrigley Field

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Photo credit: @SFGiants

On the SF Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 San Francsico Giants catcher Buster Posey paid a visit to a Houston Hospital, also known as the Texas Children’s Cancer Center. They do cancer research in the fight of childhood cancer. Posey said visiting the center was good to see first hand for Buster and his wife Kristen.

#2 The Giants got swept in a two-game series in Houston 11-2 on Tuesday and 4-1 on Wednesday. The Giants just couldn’t get any offense going during their visit to Minute Field.

#3 Bruce Bochy was asked to what was more dangerous the old incline in dead centerfield at Minute Maid Field or the on field bullpens at AT&T Park. Bochy said the mounds at AT&T Park due to the fact that he lost outfielder Mac Williamson chasing down a fly and tripped and got a concussion.

#4 After a month on the DL Williamson who tripped over the bullpen mound looks to be on track to return this weekend at Wrigley Field and the Giants who can use some offense are looking forward to see him swing the bats.

#5 Giants open a three-game series with the Cubs on Friday night it’ll be the Giants’ Derek Holland (2-5) getting the start can Holland get a quality start against the Cubs lineup.Michael sets up Friday night’s game to open the series.

Catch Michael and Morris Phillips each week on the SF Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com