San Jose Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa Walsh: Can Boedker fill the void left by Marleau?

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San Jose Sharks’ Mikkel Boedker (89) tries to control the puck in front of Arizona Coyotes’ Marek Langhamer (30) during the third period of a preseason NHL hockey game Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Glendale, Ariz. The Sharks defeated the Coyotes 5-4 in a shootout. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

On the Sharks Podcast with Mary Lisa:

The Sharks seemed to be having a good pre season they’ve won their last three games scoring five times in each of those games although the pre season can be a little misleading. The line ups are kind of a mishmash with prospects and NHLers, NHLers we can expect to see in the lineup when the season starts. It does seem like everybody is following their system pretty well like when I talk with some of the prospects in the defensive zone which seems to be the biggest challenge for the forwards and defensemen.

A lot of the forwards are having trouble getting their defensive game together they were looking pretty organized pretty serious but again it’s hard to tell who’s exactly for sure who’s going to be in the line up. We’ll see how the season starts and how they’ll work together. With Patrick Marleau gone will Mikkel Boedker be able to step in and fill a void?

Boedker who has a similar skill set like Marleau had and is a scoring player, there’s always a challenge when you’ve lost a longtime veteran. The Sharks in particular have seen a number of players they were counting on be gone for a long time things like injuries Logan Couture had injuries in the last few seasons. Tomas Hertl has his share of injuries. The team is used to having someone step in and fill the void now the Sharks are looking to Boedker to help fill the void where Marleau left off.

Mary Lisa Walsh does Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco Giants Tue game wrap: Martinez, D-Backs bomb Giants 11-4

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Arizona Diamondbacks’ J.D. Martinez watch his grand slam take flight against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Tuesday, September 26, 2017

The San Francisco Giants got a full taste of what J.D. Martinez is bringing to the NL playoff table for Arizona on Tuesday, as the hot-hitting slugger hit a grand slam, driving in six runs as the Diamondbacks won 11-4.

Martinez has 15 home runs, 35 RBIs, seven doubles and a .414 average in September. He’s hit 28 home runs since the D-Backs acquired him from Detroit before the non-waiver trade deadline.

Overall, Martinez has 103 RBIs on the season, a career high.

In the six-run second inning for Arizona, David Peralta and A.J. Pollock also drove in runs. Giants starter Matt More (6-15) was charged with seven earned runs while failing to last through the second inning.

Diamondbacks starter Robbie Ray (15-5) gave up Tim Federowicz’s two-run homer in the fifth, but had more than enough run support. Ray is scheduled to start Sunday, but D-Backs manager Torey Lovullo is expected to possibly change his status with the playoffs coming up.

Ketel Marte hit a double and a two-RBI triple for the D-Backs. Pablo Sandoval and Joe Panik each drove in a run in the San Francisco seventh.

Pinch-hitter Christian Walker hit a home run in the bottom of the seventh for Arizona,

After the game, Bochy told the media the final three starting pitchers in the regular season will be Chris Stratton, Matt Cain and Johnny Cueto. Saturday’s start may be the last for Cain in a Giants uniform, as chances are likely San Francisco will not pick him up for 2018.

Due to a concussion, Giants first baseman Brandon Belt’s season is over. Bochy said Belt is still undergoing testing.

Right-hander Jeff Samardzija will start the Giants’ afternoon game against Arizona on Wednesday, facing the D-Backs’ Brandon Shipley.

Yonder Alonso and Danny Valencia homer to beat their former teammates 6-3

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Seattle Mariners pitcher Edwin Diaz works against the Oakland Athletics during the ninth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. Seattle won 6-3. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Seattle Mariners rallied in the bottom of the seventh to beat the A’s and Daniel Mengden 6-3 Tuesday night at the Coliseum. The game was the last night game of the season, and the A’s were hoping to get a win for their starter Daniel Mengden. Mengden entered the game with a streak of sixteen consecutive scoreless innings. He increased it to nineteen, but the Mariners broke through in the fourth on a two-run dinger by former A’s favorite Yonder Alonso. The Mariners sent their best pitcher, James Paxton, out to pitch. Paxton gave up a solo homer to Marcus Semien and a two-run blast to Khris Davis. Paxton would have been the losing pitcher had the M’s not rallied. Each team hit two home runs in the contest. However, the Mariners homers produced five runs while the A’s blasts netted them just three. The game summary follows below.

The A’s put one on the board in the bottom of the first when shortstop Marcus Semien led off with his ninth homer of the season to give the A’s a 1-0 advantage.

The Mariners scored two in the fourth to snap Mengden’s nineteen innings of scoreless ball. With one out, Mariners’ DH Nelson Cruz singled. The next hitter, former A’s first baseman Yonder Alonso, blasted his career-high twenty-seventh homer to give the M’s a 2-1 lead. Alonso also homered Monday night against his former team.

The A’s regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth. With one out, Jed Lowrie singled to start the rally. The next hitter, Khris “Khrush” Davis hit a towering fly to deep right-center field that went over the 388-foot marker and landed in the seats about twenty rows back. Mariners’ manager Scott Servais removed Paxton from the game and brought in Emilio Pagan to pitch.

The Mariners plated four runs on four hits to regain the lead. Mengden gave up a single to Yonder Alonso and then walked Mike Zunino to put two men on with no out. A’s manager Bob Melvin removed Mengden from the game. Mengden received a tremendous ovation from the fans as he exited. Ryan Dull was brought in to face another former Athletic, Danny Valencia. Valencia thanked the M’s for trading for him when he slugged his 15th dinger of the year to put his new team in the lead 5-3. The Mariners added another run before the A’s get the final out of the inning.

The Mariners’ bullpen did its job as they allowed just three hits and no runs in the last 3 and  2/3rds innings of the game. The M’s win 6-3.

Game Notes- With the two home runs, the A’s have now hit 228 for the year. The A’s are 14-5 in their last nineteen games. The A’s did not commit an error Tuesday night for the eighth straight game, a season high.

The A’s finish the home season Wednesday afternoon at 12:35 pm.  Kendall Graveman will pitch for the Green and Gold, and he will be opposed by Seattle’s Erasmo Ramirez.

Time of game was two hours and forty-five minutes and 13, 513 fans were on hand to watch the A’s drop their record to 72-85.

Bruce Maxwell explains why he is “Taking a Knee”

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canha and maxwell
Mark Canha offers support to his teammate Bruce Maxwell

by Charlie O. Mallonee

According to the latest count, there are 64 black players in the Major Leagues. One would think that after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier 70 years ago the number of black players in majors would be much higher, but it is not.

The smaller number of players does not mean that those who play professional baseball have not been affected by the words of the President and the controversy they stirred about athletes being active in social issues “on the job”.

A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell was moved by the events that followed the President’s remarks and decided he needed to take action. Last Saturday evening before the game versus the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum, Bruce Maxwell took a knee during the presentation of “The national anthem”.  His actions were reported nationally.

After the game on Sunday, Maxwell spent some time answering questioning from the press about his stance and the reactions to his choice to take a knee.

Maxwell disclosed that he has received support not only from current players but from former players as well. Maxwell appeared to really appreciate that support.

The Athletics catcher also expressed his hope that he would be cleared through the Concussion Protocol in order to return to the playing field. Maxwell took a hard foul tip direct to the mask in Detroit last Wednesday in the bottom of the ninth inning and had to come out of that game.

Maxwell did return to the lineup on Monday going 0-for-3 versus the Seattle Mariners.

No matter how you feel about Bruce Maxwell taking a knee — do not doubt his sincerity. This is no stunt or show. This is a young man who is acting on his conscious to speak out on issues he sees as critical to racial justice. And, he is willing to face the consequences if there are any that come his way.

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, & Commentary: A’s rookies and call ups make next season an interesting place for the A’s

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AP File Photo: Oakland Athletics’ Matt Olson celebrates his solo home run with Ryon Healy (25) against the Detroit Tigers in the second inning of a baseball game in Detroit, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

On That’s Amaury’s Podcast:

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

OAKLAND–The way I see it A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell whose taking a knee during the national anthem each night for the A’s didn’t get a hit in Monday night’s game against the Seattle and if he doesn’t hit after taking an knee he might have to take the bench. The A’s are now without Olson at first base with a hamstring injury. Here’s a kid who hit 24 home runs in his first 15 games and has been a real sensation. Imagine if Olson had started the season how many hone runs he would have ended up with.

Aaron Judge broke the American League record held by a rookie when he hit his 50th home run breaking the A’s Mark McGwire record from 1987 and I remember that year I called some those home runs. McGwire hit 49 that year. On Maxwell the knew thing is fashionable now he gets paid to hit and he gets paid to catch. I like Maxwell a lot he’s got a lot of fire, he’s got a great arm.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does the Podcast, News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Oakland A’s Podcast with Charlie O: Last podcast for A’s 2017 but loads of interesting moves and big future ahead

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AP File Photo: Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin, left, and general manager Billy Beane during a media conference Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015, in Oakland, Calif. Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin has received a two-year contract extension that takes him through the 2018 season. General manager Billy Beane made the announcement Wednesday with the A’s sitting as the worst team in the American League this year following three straight playoff seasons. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

On the A’s Podcast with Charlie O:

OAKLAND–It really has been an interesting season for the Oakland A’s and it’s been a season of transition. They haven’t had overwhelming expectations that began the season. We expected something to transpire. We didn’t think former A’s pitcher Sonny Gray would be here at this point in time and of course he’s not. We expected to see some players moved out and to see some new players brought in and that indeed has happened.

There’s some transitions here not only on the field but off the field that have been so significant to the team overall we look at the whole organization what transpired off season with A’s owner Lew Wolf suddenly no longer being part of the organization with John Fisher being the majority owner and the one in control. With Dave Kaval coming in and taking over as president of the organization.

The dynamic change of momentum that move alone brought and the drive to get a stadium going but not just a drive to get a stadium going but the whole concept of Made in Oakland and a commitment by the city of Oakland and then a commitment that they made to the fans and to the players and to saying to team vice president Billy Beane “Billy we really appreciate what your trying to do with a minimal budget but how what we want you to do is build a ball club long term.”

Charlie has much more to close the Oakland A’s 2017 season on the podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Giants defeat D-Backs reserves 9-2; Hundley goes deep for three run shot for SF

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San Francisco Giants closer Albert Suarez gets a fist bump from his catcher Tim Federowicz after closing out the Arizona Diamondbacks in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Sept. 25, 2017 in Phoenix. The Giants won 9-2. (AP Photo/Darryl Webb)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Monday, September 25, 2017

San Francisco used a five-run fourth inning to overtake Arizona Monday and defeat the Diamondbacks 9-2 at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Since the D-Backs clinched the top Wild Card berth on Sunday, many reserves saw action for Arizona. It was the Giants’ fifth win in their last seven games.

Nick Hundley’s three-run homer was the big hit for the Giants, driving in Brandon Crawford and Jarrett Parker. Earlier in the inning, Parker drove in Buster Posey with an RBI double.

Pablo Sandoval capped the rally when he reached on a error, allowing Denard Span to score.

San Francisco added a run in the fifth on Hunter Pence’s solo home run to right.

The Giants completed their scoring in the last two innings on a Hundley RBI single, Parker scored when Pence reached on an error, and Joe Panik added a sacrifice fly.

Parker led the Giants’ 11-hit attack by going 3-for-4. Pence, Posey and Hundley each had two hits.

Johnny Cueto (8-8) gave up two earned runs on five hits over six innings, striking out eight and walking two. Josh Osich, Derek Law, Cory Gearrin and Albert Suarez finished up for the Giants.

San Francisco did most of its damage off Diamondbacks starter Zack Godley (8-9), who gave up six runs – five earned – in 4 1/3 innings.

Matt Moore (6-14) faces Arizona’s Robbie Ray (14-5) in Tuesday’s game.

Mariners snap the A’s seven-game winning streak; M’s take A’s to task quite handedly 7-1

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By Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The visiting Seattle Mariners beat the A’s Monday night 7-1 behind A’s killer Felix Hernandez six innings of two-hit ball. Hernandez allowed just one run, and that came on Marcus Semien’s eighth blast of the season. Daniel Gossett started for the A’s, and he exited the game in the fifth inning with just one out. The Mariners tagged him for four home runs, and all seven of their runs were a result of the homers. Gossett, coming into the game, had allowed sixteen in just 84 innings of work. He has now allowed twenty in less than ninety innings. His record is now 4-10 for the year. His position in the rotation for next season may be in jeopardy.

The Mariners scored three in the second, one in the third, one in the fourth, and two in the fifth. Mitch Haniger hit two, Mike Zunino had one, and our old friend, Yonder Alonso hit his twenty-sixth of the year and the first against his former teammates.

The A’s only tally came in the sixth when Semien hit a solo home run to get the A’s on the board. The Mariners’ Feliz Hernandez won his sixth game of the year and improved to 6-5. Felix went six innings and allowed just two hits and one run. Hernadez is bow 25-9 lifetime against the A’s. He is now 13-3 at the Coliseum and has passed Tommy John for most all-time by a visiting pitcher. John was 12-6 against the A’s here in Oakland.

Daniel Mengden (2-1) will go for Oakland Tuesday night. Mengden has been brilliant in his last two starts, and A’s manager Bob Melvin hopes the Mengden can continue to do well. Seattle will counter with lefty James Paxton. Paxton is 12-5 with an ERA of 3.03. Game time will be at 7:05 Tuesday night.

The A’s catcher Bruce Maxwell, who played Monday, knelt for the third game in a row as the Star-spangled Banner was played. Teammate Mark Canha showed his support as he placed his hand on Maxwell’s shoulder. The fans at the Coliseum also gave Maxwell a lot of love each time he came to bat. The Anthem was played by the Oakland Unified Marching Band and many members of the band played their instruments while kneeling. The band’s protest probably will make the news locally and nationally.

Injury Report- First baseman Matt Olson suffered a grade 2 hamstring injury that will probably sideline him for the rest of the season. Chad Pinder and Boog Powell are hoping to recover and come back and get on the field before the season ends but it may be doubtful as there are just six games left.

Time of game was a relatively quick two hours and twenty-two minutes. Attendance was a meager 9,329, one of the smallest crowds of the year.

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Len Shapiro: DeBoer to look for that one player or players to step up and fill the void that Marleau left behind

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Anaheim Ducks’ Josh Mahura (76) reaches for the puck next to San Jose Sharks’ Joonas Donskoi, right, during the second period of a preseason NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017, in San Jose , Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

On the Sharks Podcast with Len:

1 The Sharks who won their third pre season game last Saturday in Glendale with a 5-4 win over the Arizona Coyotes head to Anaheim on the 28th for a pre season contest with the Ducks. Things are going well so far in pre season and head coach Peter DeBoer will have a problem that every coach would like and that’s trying chose from a crop of very talented forwards and defenseman. Also we’ve been talking about it all summer whose going to step us and take former Shark Patrick Marleau’s place for this season.

That seems to be the burning question coming into the season right there and there are four players the Sharks are looking at that have had one 20 goal season in the last 17 years out of Tomas Hertl, Joonas Donskoi, Mikkel Boedker, and Melker Karlsson in 17 NHL seasons it’s kind of amazing a little bit. These guys are young their still struggling for a position and the way the Sharks work so this isn’t a major surprise.

Len Shapiro does the SJ Sharks podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Morris Phillips: There was nothing worse than watching your division rival clinch while on the road

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Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after they defeated the San Francisco Giants 4-2 and won the NL West title, after a baseball game Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

On the Giants podcast with Morris Phillips:

The Giants won’t end up losing 100 games for the season and they need to win two out of their last six to avoid that plateau and had a very uneventful off  season. They start a series with to get back on track with the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field Monday night. The Giants opened a series in Los Angeles last Friday with the Dodgers opening the series clinching the Western Division and that’s something you don’t want to have happen to open your road trip.

You remember 1982 when former San Francisco Giant Joe Morgan hit a home run against the Dodgers to knock them out of he pennant chase at Candlestick Park. There are moments like 1993 the Giants went to Dodgers Stadium and got knocked out of the post season in a four game series. Playing spoiler as the Giants or a Dodger against your big rival is a big deal historically those are moments in time you don’t forget.

Morris has much more on the Giants podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com