Giants get knocked around yet again, shutout by Pads Wood 5-0

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 San Diego Padres starting pitcher Travis Wood throws a pitch to a San Francisco Giants batter during the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

 By Jeremy Harness

 At the beginning of this season, it was unfathomable that a team that made the playoffs the year before would lose 100 games the very next year. Sadly for Giants fans, that’s what appears to be happening to their team in 2017.

 That possibility got heightened a bit Wednesday night, as the Giants were shut out by the San Diego Padres, 5-0, at San Diego’s Petco Park, as they saw their record drop to 53-82 with a full month to go in the regular season.

 Padres starting pitcher Travis Wood got things started for the Padres in the third inning, as he touched up his counterpart, Ty Blach, with a solo homer over the wall in left-center. Jose Pirela added yet another solo shot three innings later, as his shot landed in the stands in left field.

 Later that inning, the hinges came off for the Giants. Two more runs came across in the sixth, one of them coming on a wild pitch and the other coming from a single by Austin Hedges that brought in Jabari Blash to give San Diego a commanding 4-0 lead.

 Blash completed the scoring two innings later with a single that scored Wil Myers.

 When it was all said and done, Blach was charged three of those runs on five hits, walking two and striking out one in seeing his ERA go up to 4.68 and seeing his record drop to 8-11. Meanwhile, Wood pitched 4 1/3 innings of shutout ball and gave up six hits. He walked four and struck out one, but he didn’t stick around long enough to get the win.

 That honor belonged to Craig Stammen, who finished up the fifth inning and pitched a perfect sixth to pick up the victory.

 As a result, the Giants dropped the three-game series with San Diego, and they will now head home and face the St. Louis Cardinals for a four-game series that starts Thursday night at AT&T Park.

 

San Francisco 49ers Podcast with David Zizmor: Shanahan to make his decisions tonight as 49ers close pre season with Chargers

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San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan speaks during a news conference after an NFL preseason football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 32-31. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

By David Zizmor

The San Francisco 49ers host the San Diego Chargers Thursday night at Levis Stadium for a 7PM kick off in the NFL Pre Season closing game. In this contest 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan will make some tough decisions on who to keep and who not to keep. The 49ers already released tight end Lance McDonald finishing up his time with San Francisco with 64 catches, 866 yards, and seven touchdowns.

The 49ers will have quarterback Brian Hoyer as their starting play caller. Hoyer showed improvement from his game against Denver two weeks ago where he struggled to get the offense moving. Last Saturday in Minnesota Hoyer had his passing moving and he threw with time in the pocket and had targeted his receivers with much better skill.

David has much more on the 49ers podcast click to listen for more at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Duca: Bidding wars with Dodgers most likely will keep Stanton off a Giants roster

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Miami Marlins’ Giancarlo Stanton watches a solo home run off Washington Nationals starting pitcher Edwin Jackson during the first inning of a baseball game at Nationals Park, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

On the Giants Podcast with Michael:

1 There’s been a lot of serious talk about the Miami Marlins Giancarlo Stanton joining the Giants but it won’t be realistic because once he’s on the market the price will be set so high that the Giants will be pushed aside by a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers who print money and can get almost any talent they want.

2 Stanton who has hit 31 homers would be a big help for the Giants and the team could rebuild around him but it’s very unlikely they won’t be able to add him to the payroll

3 Stanton believes that the true season home run hitter is the late and former New York Yankee Roger Maris who set the record in 1961 with 61 and not the current record holder former San Francisco Giant Barry Bonds who has the record at 73. But remember you can’t go the grocery store believing you could shop without money either.

4 The Giants beat the Padres 6-3 to open the three game series on Monday night in San Diego. The Giants starter Matt Moore was touched up for five runs and eight hits

5 The Giants starter Ty Blach (8-10) gets the call for Tuesday night he’s going against the Padres Travis Wood (3-4). Blach has had some decent outing of late and would like to help San Francisco get back in the win column.

Michael Duca does the Giants podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS PREVIEW: Help in secondary possibly on the way?

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 Minnesota Vikings quarterback Sam Bradford, left, talks with San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brian Hoyer after an NFL preseason football game Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017, in Minneapolis. The Vikings won 32-31. (AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn)

 By Jeremy Harness

SANTA CLARA– Coming off a game against a solid Minnesota Vikings team that saw the starters give a stellar performance, it is time for the 49ers to build on that, as well as a time to make some decisions.

 There are only 11 days left in the preseason, and the team has to trim its roster to the league-mandated 53 players. Five days ago, the team released veteran Ahmad Brooks, who was a major contributor on a 49ers team led by former coach Jim Harbaugh and went to the Super Bowl five years ago.

 The outside linebacker has since landed with the Green Bay Packers as of Wednesday morning.

 Meanwhile, the secondary is considered to be a major weakness in the 49ers’ revamped defense, particularly in a division that thrives in the vertical passing game. A well-known cornerback suddenly became available as of Wednesday morning, and this could benefit the 49ers.

 After trying to trade him earlier in the week, the Cleveland Browns – yes, the team that went 1-15 last season and could use all the help they can get – cut veteran Joe Haden, and according to reports, there are teams that have shown interest.

 Among those teams are none other than the Pittsburgh Steelers, but there are other teams, such as the 49ers, who appear to have a solid pair of starting safeties in Eric Reid and Jimmie Ward but need serious help at the corner position.

 Rookie Rashard Robinson is considered to be the team’s top corner at this point, but his performance has been up and down, and that is not a good sign heading into a season that will see the 49ers face teams like the Cardinals (twice) as well as the Dallas Cowboys, two teams the love to throw the ball around.

 The 49ers will now get ready to face the Los Angeles Chargers at Levi’s Stadium on Thursday, another team that is 1-2 in the preseason.

 

Margot homers in Padres win 6-3; Rookie racks up three run dinger his 13th for season

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San Diego Padres’ Manuel Margot, center, is congratulated in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

By Jeremy Kahn

Things started out good for the San Francisco Giants, especially after they took an early 2-0 lead over the San Diego Padres.

Unfortunately, it was not meant to be, as rookie Manuel Margot hit a three-run home run off of Matt Moore in the bottom of the fourth inning and the Padres came back to defeat the Giants 6-3 at Petco Park.

It was the 13th home run of the season for Margot, as he helped Luis Perdomo picked up the victory.

Perdomo went six innings, allowing two runs (one of them earned), he also allowed eight hits, walked two and struck out three, as Perdomo worked at least six innings for the eighth consecutive start.

Brad Hand was the final of three relievers for the Padres, as he pitched the ninth inning for his 13th save of the season.

As for the Giants, this was their 81st loss of the season, meaning that they would have to win 28 straight just to get to the .500 mark. The major-league record for consecutive wins is 26, held by the Giants.

This was the fourth loss in the Giants last five games, as the Padres continue their dominance over the Giants, as they have won eight out of their last 11 versus them.

The nightmarish season for Moore continues, as his record on the season falls to 4-13. Moore gave up five runs and eight hits, walking one and striking out two.

Asides from the Margot three-run home run, Moore gave up a solo home run to Jabari Blash that tied up the game.

The Giants got on the board in the top of the second inning, as they were helped out by errors, courtesy of the Padres.

Cory Spagenberg committed a throwing and fielding error that helped the Giants scored two early runs versus Perdomo.

Joe Panik got the inning started, as he singled off of Perdomo and then Nick Hundley reached on a fielding error by Spangenberg. Moore helped out his own cause, as his sacrifice bunt ended up in a single and Spangenberg’s throwing error allowed Panik to score.

Denard Span, who picked up three hits on the evening, drove in the second run of the inning with a single.

Panik closed out the scoring for the Giants, as he hit a solo home run in the top of the eighth inning; however, they were not able to get any closer.

NOTES: Ty Blach closes out the road trip, as he takes the mound for the Giants on Wednesday, while the Padres will send Travis Wood to the mound.

Buster Posey missed his second straight game, as he is nursing a sprained left thumb and it is doubtful that he will play on Wednesday.

Angels hit three homer as they subdue A’s 8-2 for second night in a row

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Chris Smith throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

By Jerry Feitelberg

Anaheim- The Los Angels Angels, in a dogfight with the Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, and Tampa Bay Rays for the second Wild Card spot in the American League, beat the A’s Tuesday night by a score of 8-2 and remained just one game behind Minnesota. The A’s sent Chris Smith out to pitch, and the Angels countered with Troy Scribner.

The A’s starter, the 36-year old Chris Smith, gave up five runs to the Angels in the bottom of the first inning. Angels’ leadoff hitter, Cameron Maybin doubled to get things going for LA. The next batter, Ben Revere, singled to drive in Maybin. Smith walked Albert Pujols to put two men on with no out. Right-fielder Kole Calhoun hit a hard ground ball to Jed Lowrie at second. Lowrie misplayed the ball but was able to get a 4-6 force out on Pujols for the first out of the inning. Revere advanced to third on the play. Shortstop Andrelton Simmons hit a sacrifice fly to center that allowed Revere to come in with the Angels’ second run of the inning. A’s center fielder, Boog Powell, tried to nail Revere at home but Revere had to much speed to be thrown out. Calhoun was able to go to second on the throw. Smith then walked Luis Valbuena and Angels’ first baseman, C.J. Cron went yard to make it 5-0. It was Cron’s eleventh of the year, and for Smith, it was the thirteenth home run allowed in just 44 and 1/3rd innings of work.

The A’s, to their credit, tallied two in the top of the second. With one out, Matt Joyce hit a solo home run into the seats in right field. For Joyce, it was his twentieth of the season, and it is a career-high. Matt Olson followed with his tenth big fly, also a solo homer, to make it a 5-2 game.

The Angels are treating this series as if it were the playoffs. At this point in the season, every game counts and Angels’ manager, Mike Scioscia, is not afraid to yank a pitcher if he suspects the pitcher will not be able to get the job done. Scioscia pulled Scribner in the third inning. Scribner had recorded two outs, but Scioscia removed him as a left-handed hitter was coming to the plate. He brought in lefty Jose Alvarez to get the final out of the third and Alvarez did his job. In the fourth, with two out, Alvarez gave up singles to Matt Chapman and Bruce Maxwell. Scioscia removed Alvarez and brought in the former Athletic, Jesse Chavez. Chavez came through as he struck out Chad Pinder to end the fourth. The Angels tacked on two more runs in their half of the inning. Martin Maldonado blasted his twelfth of the season into the left field seats. There was absolutely no doubt about it when it left the bat. The second run of the inning came when Maybin reached second on a two-base throwing error by Matt Chapman. Ben Revere singled again, and the Angels led 7-2.

The Angels added another run in the eighth when Cron hit his second homer of the night. Michael Brady was pitching for the A’s, and it was the fifth time in eleven games that Brady has allowed the first batter he faced to homer.

Blake Wood retired the A’s in order in the ninth to secure the win for the Angels.

Game Notes- The first five innings of the tilt were played at a glacial pace. It took one hour and fifty-five minutes, and it seemed the game would go on for two more hours. Jesse Chavez, to his credit, allowed just one hit and kept the A’ scoreless. Chavez was credited with the win. The Angels used five pitchers to beat the A’s. Chris Smith’s record is now 0-4. After the game, Bob Melvin remarked the Smith “made some mistakes, but he hung in there for a while.” Smith went 3 and 2/3rds innings and allowed seven runs, one of which was unearned.

The third game of the three-game series will be played Wednesday night in Anaheim at 7:05 pm. Kendall Graveman will pitch for Oakland, and the Halos’ Parker Bridwell will be on the hill for LA.

The Angels All-Star and reigning AL MVP, Mike Trout, did not play as he is bothered by soreness in his neck.

Time of game was two hours and fifty-three minutes and 36,229 fans watched the Angels slug their way to victory.

That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, & Commentary: Astros and Rangers not playing in Texas was right decision considering Harvey

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Highways around downtown Houston are empty as floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey overflow from the bayous around the city Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2017, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

ANAHEIM–Hurricane Harvey which is still dumping tons of rain on Houston and moving onto New Orleans it’s a hurricane that we’ve never seen the likes of before. The Oakland A’s are here for a three game series with the LA Angels and Jed Lowrie the veteran second baseman was telling us he’s worried about his house in Houston where he makes his off season home.

Many other players like Charlie Morton pitcher of the Houston Astros who were in Anaheim this past weekend his house was damaged he pitched a couple of days ago at Angels Stadium. It’s insensitive to play a baseball game in a state that’s under federal emergency. Baseball is an enjoyable event, a family game, there’s hundreds of thousands of people effected now and this is really an epic storm and there was no choice but to move the Rangers-Astros series to Tampa Bay.

Amaury has more concerning the Astros-Rangers series and some of the players he’s talked from Houston  and their worries regarding Hurricane Harvey on the podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Categories MLB

Samardzija’s resurgence continues, Giants shut down the Padres at Petco

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija delivers a pitch to a San Diego Padres batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

By Morris Phillips

The Giants found themselves at the intersection of their three biggest shortcomings in their season-plus swoon on Monday night: at Petco Park, playing the Padres, and wondering if and from what source they could generate some offense.

In going 82-122 over their last 204 games–after their MLB-best 57-33 start to 2016–the Giants haven’t played well on the road, haven’t had any success against NL West opponents, and more often than not, have seen their offense sputter.

With a big assist from starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija, the Giants defied that pattern by shutting out the Padres, 3-0.

How rare was this? Of Samardzija’s 59 starting assignments as a Giant, this was undoubtedly his best, a three-hit, complete game shutout, his first in nearly two years, dating back to his days as a member of the Chicago White Sox in September 2015.

“He had great focus out there with every pitch against a team that’s been tough on him,” manager Bruce Bochy said of his pitcher, who closed the deal on a tidy 102 pitches.

“I feel like I can manipulate the ball to where I want it,” Samardzija said, adding that he had command of all his pitches Monday, as illustrated by his avoiding a three-ball count to any of the 29 batters he faced.

Two of the three Padres’ hits never left the infield, and the third one did reach the outfield, but didn’t take place until the eighth inning. Prior to July 22, Samardzija allowed 21 home runs, since then he’s 5-1 with just three homers allowed in his most recent 7 starts.

Jhoulys Chacin was the familiar face counted upon to slow the Giants, and he did so, but for only five innings. Chacin struggled with his command, walking four, and was on the hook and out of the game in the sixth, soiled by Brandon Crawford’s solo shot in the fourth.

The Giants picked up some insurance in the eighth when Joe Panik homered with a man aboard.

As rare as Samardzija’s gem was the Giants’ offensive attack, only their 12th win this season when scoring three or fewer runs (61 losses). Stringing together a pair of home runs for baseball’s most power-challenge team was an even rarer occurrence. That’s happened just 30 times in 113 games this season (17-13).

The Giants turning on the power to win a ballgame? Don’t count on it, the Giants have hit 20 fewer home runs than any team in baseball, and barely twice as many as home run leader Giancarlo Stanton by himself. That they managed to hit two homers in spacious Petco Park and win really bucked the odds. The Giants were 4-9 against the Padres coming in, and had beaten their division rivals just 6 times in the last 23 meetings.

On Tuesday, the Giants have Matt Moore on the mound in a matchup with Luis Perdomo.

Angels down A’s 3-1 as Andrew Heaney outduels Daniel Gossett

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Daniel Gossett (48) in action during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, on August 28, 2017, played at Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim, CA. (Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

by Jerry Feitelberg

Anaheim- the Los Angeles Angels beat the A’s 3-1 in the first game of the three-game series in Anaheim Monday night. The A’s Daniel Gossett, who had a bad outing in his last start against Baltimore, pitched very well. The A’s offense, however, did not give him much support as they had just four hits in the game and A’s hitters struck out fourteen times against the four pitchers used by the Angels. The A’s had their chances but failed to execute as they went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The Angels’ starter, Andrew Heaney, who had Tommy John surgery in 2016 was making his third start of the season, and it was a beauty. Heaney went six innings and allowed just two hits, one of which was Dustin Garneau’s solo homer in the third inning.

The Angels put one on the board in the first inning. Cameron Maybin doubled leading off for LA. Gossett retired the next two hitters, but Kole Calhoun singled to drive in Maybin. The A’s tied the game on Garneau’s home run. It was the first for Garneau as a member of the Athletics and fourth of his career as he had three with the Colorado Rockies.

The Angels grabbed the lead for good in the fourth. Angels’ catcher Martin Maldonado singled to get the rally going. Second baseman Kaleb Cowart doubled over Khris Davis’ head in left field to put the Angels up 2-1.

There was no more scoring until the bottom of the seventh. Maldonado led off the inning with his third hit of the night, a single to left field. Gossett retired the next two hitters but could not retire Ben Revere. Revere doubled to right field. The throw from Matt Joyce to Marcus Semien went awry, and that miscue allowed Maldonado to cross the plate with a huge insurance run for the Angels. A’s manager Bob Melvin removed Gossett from the game and brought in Ryan Dull to get the final out of the inning.

Blake Parker picked up the save for LA as he struck out Ryon Healy, allowed a walk to Boog Powell, then struck out Matt Chapman and Matt Joyce to end the game.

Game Notes- Daniel Gossett’s line for the night was six and 2/3rds innings of work. He allowed eight hits and three runs, one of which was unearned. He threw a career high of 103 pitches.

The Angels improve to 67-65, and with the win, they picked up a half-game on the Minnesota Twins in the race for the second Wild Card slot in the American League.  The Twins, who were idle Monday night, lead the Angel by just one game.

Game two of the three-game series will be played Tuesday night at 7:05 pm. Chris Smith with a record of 0-3 will pitch for Oakland and Troy Scribner (2-1) will throw for LA. Scribner is the brother of Evan Scribner who used to pitch for Oakland.

Time of game was two hours and 53 minutes, and there was a nice crowd of 33,719 watching the Angels win.

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Morris Phillips: How much longer will the Giants stick with Matt Cain?

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San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy takes in batting practice before the baseball game against the San Diego Padres Monday, Aug. 28, 2017, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez)

On the Giants Podcast with Morris:

1 Giants Pitcher Matt Cain who got rocked for nine runs in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game in Phoenix no one wants to say it out loud but how much longer will San Francisco stick with Cain?

2 Giants manager Bruce Bochy went through his bullpen on Sunday all of the four pitchers called in relief it was set up man Matt Cain who was shelled so badly. He just simply couldn’t get anybody out and left many questions about his future.

3 Making matters worse for SF Giant closer Mark Melancon is looking at having surgery while Giants brass team VP Brian Sabean and general manager Bobby Evans contemplates who they’ll get to revamp the bullpen for 2018.

4. The Giants open a three game series starting Friday night at Petco Park in San Diego. After getting tattooed in Arizona the Giants are looking to bare down and get some good pitching going against the Pads.

There’s much more on the Giants stay with Morris click to listen and each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com