San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Duca: Giants taking small steps to back on winning track; Blach gets the call tonight

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants pitcher Ty Blach who starts Wednesday night in Detroit throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

1 The Giants who swept two series with Colorado and Pittsburgh for six straight wins Michael talks about what the keys were for turning things around

2 In the Pirates series they looked like they solved their ills with getting around on the ball which led to that sweep

3 Brandon Belt is getting around on the ball with a two run home run on Sunday against the Pirates

4 How’s Matt Cain looking? Is he coming around or are the struggles continuing on Tuesday he went five innings for seven hits, and five runs and dropped his record to 3-8 on Tuesday in Pittsburgh

5 The loss on Tuesday to the Tigers snapped the Giants six game losing streak. The Giants will start Ty Blach, Michael says that pitching at Comerica can be an advantage for Blach where there’s lots of space to keep the ball in the park.

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

 

San Jose Sharks Podcast with Len Shapiro: With Marleau to Toronto Thornton staying another year Sharks will need to go shopping

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

AP File Photo: San Jose Sharks Center Patrick Marleau (12) waiting for the puck on April 14, 2017 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. The Oilers won 2 to 0. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

On the Sharks Podcast with Len Shapiro:

1 This past week the Sharks longtime veteran Patrick Marleau who signed on with the Toronto Maple Leafs for three years and $18.75 million departs from the Sharks after being with the club since 1997

2 Len talks about how tough a decision it was for Marleau to leave San Jose, Marleau said he talked it over with his family and kids and after much consideration the family whose known San Jose for most of their lives move to Toronto. The Leafs organization and the city of Toronto won’t be that difficult to get used to for Marleau it’s one of the best cities in Canada but the media can be tough on a team or player as well

3 Joe Thornton stays on for another season Len talks about how Thornton is expected to help out and what role he will play

4 Marleau had a Hall of Fame Career with the Sharks since 1997 he had 508 goals, 574 assists, and a total 1082 goals

Len does the NHL and San Jose Sharks podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Coach Chris Leitch suffers first loss; Quakes take two goal loss 4-2 to Atlanta

Published on by smallforceLeave a comment

~ Photo credit: Atlanta United FC Twitter

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ The Atlanta United FC scored four goals in the second to overcome an early deficit Tuesday, winning 4-2 over the San Jose Earthquakes.

For a first time matchup, there were plenty of sparks on the Fourth of July. Two red cards and six yellows were issued. Quakes’ Kofi Sarkodie got his second yellow in the 32nd minute, putting San Jose a man down in the first half. Teammate Victor Bernardez got his red card in the 93rd minute.

Tommy Thompson kicked off the scoring with his first career MLS goal in the 2nd minute. He entered the league in 2014. Thompson led the Quakes in the game with four shots and two shots on goal.

The rest of the half consisted of Sarkodie’s first yellow in the 10th minute, a yellow card to Atlanta Anton Walkes in the 15th minute, a yellow card to San Jose goalie David Bingham in the 18th minute, Sarkodie’s red card and yellows to Atlanta’s Carlos Carmona and Leandro Gonzalez Pirez in the 42nd and 45th minutes.

Atlanta dominated possession in the game by a percentage of 67 to 33.

In the 55th and 65th minutes, Carmona and Josef Martinez made it 2-1.

Chris Wondolowski re-tied the game a minute later, with his second goal in as many games.

Anton Walkes and Martinez tacked on two more goals though, in the 81st and 89th minutes. Martinez now has four goals in his last five games. Miguel Almiron assisted on both of his goals.

Game notes: The loss ended a five game unbeaten streak for the Quakes and became a three game win streak for Atlanta. The last time Atlanta gave up two goals was April 8. San Jose will next play in the U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals against the Los Angeles Galaxy July 10 at 7pm. The Quakes eturn to MLS play July 19 at 4:30pm versus the New York Red Bulls.  

 

 

Kings get their veteran PG in George Hill and add grit up front in Zach Randolph

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

by Charlie O. Mallonee

SAC Icon

The Sacramento Kings appeared to be in neutral on the free agent market while waiting to see if the Washington Wizards would match their offer sheet for Otto Porter Jr. In reality, they were working on deals in a stealth mode that caught most observers by total surprise.

Kings get experience at point guardGreorge Hill

Sacramento is very happy with the talent they drafted at point guard in De’Aaron Fox and Frank Mason III. The only problem is that neither player has one minute of playing time in the NBA. That is not an acceptable situation.

The Kings point guards from last season were both free agents. Darren Collison just signed a two-year deal with the Indiana Pacers. There were reports that Sacramento was in discussions with Ty Lawson about returning to the team, but he certainly would be looking for a guaranteed contract with multiple years or options. Lawson played last season on a one-year non-guaranteed contract.

Enter George Hill. Hill had been rumored to be heading to Los Angeles to play with the Lakers and to be a mentor to Lonzo Ball. Reports are circling the Lakers were only willing to offer a one-year deal. Not the kind of security a 31-year old, nine-year NBA veteran in a salary market gone mad is looking for this year.

It has been reported the Jazz tried to sign Hill to an extension during the season valued at $88-million but he and his representatives thought he would do better on the open market in the offseason. The free agent market did not fall Hill’s direction.

According to the Vertical who broke the story, the deal is for three years and worth $57-million. David Aldridge of NBA.com is reporting the third year is only partially guaranteed.

Hill will almost certainly be the starter in Sacramento. Head coach Dave Joerger makes no bones about not being thrilled about throwing rookies into starting roles. Last season, first-year players sat at the end of the bench and then were summoned into the game for limited minutes. Depending on their performance, more or less playing time was awarded to the young players.

Hill will be expected to mentor the young point guards. He can also play along side them as an off-guard. Joerger also liked using an offense that incorporated two point guards on the floor in a “small ball” lineup.

Hill averaged 16.9 points per game in 49 games last season. His overall shooting percentage was 47.7. He shot 40.3-percent from 3-point range. Hill averaged 4.2 assists, 3.4 rebounds, 1 steal and 1.7 turnovers per game.

The injury that caused Hill to miss so many games last season was a sprained big toe. He said it was a freak injury and it proved to be a nagging injury that did not heal well under the pressure of playing. The toe did not require any surgery in the offseason.

He’s big — he’s bad — he’s Z-Bo and now he is a King

zach Randolph

The other player the Kings reportedly signed on Tuesday brings a dimension of toughness to the team that they lost when DeMarcus Cousins was traded away. The difference is that Zach Randolph knows how to keep things under control while banging under the basket.

“Z-Bo” as he is known has reportedly signed a two-year, $24-million contract with Sacramento. The signing was first reported by the “the Woj” of ESPN. Randolph’s signing also reunites him with his old coach Dave Joerger who was the head man in Memphis for three seasons.

Last season in Memphis, Randolph worked as a sixth man for the Grizzlies. He averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in 29.5 minutes playing time per game. Will Randolph be a sixth man in Sac? Dave Joerger likes to vary starting lineups based on matchups and on who is hot at the moment. The one thing you can count on is the Randolph was not signed to come sit on the Kings bench.

Randolph — who will turn 36 later this month — has been in “the association” since 2001. He has made stops in Portland, New York, Los Angeles (Clippers) and Memphis. Randolph played his college basketball at Michigan State for Tom Izzo and helped lead the Spartans to the NCAA Final Four in 2001.

A’s win 7-6 in thriller with walk-off home run by rookie Franklin Barreto

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Oakland Athletics’ Franklin Barreto has his face covered in shaving cream after hitting a solo walk-off home run to win the game 7-6 during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND- The Oakland A’s and Chicago White Sox played a very thrilling seesaw battle on the fourth of July at the Oakland Coliseum. Although fireworks are slated later in the evening, both teams provided the 16,314 fans with plenty of thrills during the game. Neither side would give an inch as both teams clawed back from deficits. Each team had leads, and each team came back to take the lead. The A’s took the lead  6-5 in the bottom of the fifth, and the bullpen held the Sox scoreless until the top of the ninth. The White Sox, with two out in the final frame, found a way to tie the game. The A’s were determined not to lose, and they didn’t as their prize rookie, Franklin Barreto, hit a long, high fly ball to left that just made it over the outstretched glove hand of Melky Cabrera to land over the wall with the game-winning hit.

The White Sox put two runs on the board in the top of the third inning. With two outs, Sox centerfielder Adam Engel singled to center. The next hitter, Melky Cabrera, took Gossett deep for his tenth homer of the year to give the Sox the lead. The Lead didn’t last long as the A’s tied the game in the bottom of the third. With one out, Sox starter “Big Game” James Shields walked Rajai Davis. The next hitter, Matt Joyce, hit his eleventh round tripper of the season over the center-field wall to bring Davis home just ahead of him.

The A’ plated two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Yonder Alonso led off the inning with a blast to right that kept on carrying and landed just over the wall near the right field BBQ Terrace. For Alonso, it was his eighteenth big fly of the year and his first since Jube 15th when he hit one against the Yankees. The A’s fourth run of the game after Shields walked Jaycob Brugman with two out. Rookie shortstop, Franklin Barreto, who had been struggling with the bat, hit a ball to deep right-center-field that hit at the base of the wall. Brugman scored, and Barreto ended up on third with a triple. Raji Davis flew out to center to end the inning. The A’s in the lead 4-2.

The White Sox retook the lead in the top of the fifth. Sox catcher Omar Narvaez led off with a single. Adam Engel touched Gossett for another single to put me on at first and second with no out. Gossett retired Melky Cabrera on a fielder’s choice. The next hitter, big Jose Abreu, Lined his 15th homer of the season down the left field line. The ball cleared the wall, this time near the left field BBQ Terrace, for what we call the “Earl Weaver special’: a three-run homer. The Chisox now own the advantage 5-4 in the middle of the fifth. The A’s fought back in their half on the inning once more. Shields retired the first two hitters he faced to record two quick outs. Khris Davis reached on an infield hit, and he scored ahead of Yonder Alonso’s second homer of the game. 6-5 in favor of Oakland heading into the sixth.

The A’s relievers held the White Sox scoreless until the ninth. With the A’s closer Santiago Casilla in the game, the White Sox staged a rally to tie the game. With one out, Casilla gave up a seeing-eye single to Tim Anderson, Kevan Smith singled to put men on at first and third. Casilla now had to face his former teammate Melky Cabrera. Casilla and Cabrera were teammates on the 2012 San Francisco Giant club. Casilla had two strikes on Cabrera but Melky won the battle as he singled to drive in Anderson. Casilla retired Jose Abreu to end the inning. The A’s won the game in the bottom of the ninth. With one out and a 3-2 count on him, young Franklin Barreto, who tripled earlier, hit his second Major League home run off Chisox reliever Tommy Kahnle, to win the game in a walk off. The A’s snapped a six-game losing streak with a final score of 7-6.

Game notes- The A’s also snapped their eight-game home losing streak. It matched the longest A’s home losing streak in the last 35 years. Yonder Alonso had his third multi-homer game this season.

The line score for the game was seven runs, eight hits, and no errors for Oakland. Santiago Casilla was the winning pitcher. The White Sox scored six runs n thirteen hits, and they did not commit an error, either. Tommy Kahnle took the loss for Chicago. The A’s are 4-1 against the Chisox this season. The rubber match of the three-game series will be played Wednesday afternoon at the Coliseum. Game time will be at 12:35 pm.

Sonny Gray will pitch for Oakland, and Mike Pelfrey will toil for Chicago.

Time of game was three hours and nine minutes. 16,314 fans watched an exciting game end in a walk-off.

Former San Francisco 49er punter Runager found dead in parking lot

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

AP File Photo: Punter Max Runager (4) and kicker Ray Wersching (14) on Tuesday, July 29, 1986 in Rocklin, California. San Francisco training camp. (AP Photo/Al Golub)

By Jeremy Harness and Joe Lami

SANTA CLARA–Former San Francisco 49ers punter Max Runager was found in his vehicle in a South Carolina parking lot with the motor running according to Runager’s father Geb on June 30th. A police officer spokesman told the media that there was no suspicion of foul play. Runager was found dead in a Orangeburg parking lot he was 61.

Runager also was a former punter for the Philadelphia Eagles and was a key part of the Eagles success in their 1980 season drive towards a Super Bowl birth and championship over the Oakland Raiders. Runager won another Super Bowl this time with the 1984 San Francisco 49ers against the Miami Dolphins in a game played at Stanford Stadium.

Geb said that Runager fell off the roof of his home while trying to cleaning the gutters from the fallen leaves in December. Runager refused medical help after it was diagnosed that he had fractured a vertebrae which only got worse and Runager had to use a walker after suffering a fall that resulted in a broken leg.

It can only be assumed at this point from the untreated vertebrae and the broken leg and being in a walker that it might have had some role in Runager’s death but doctors will make that determination at a later date. Runager’s family said they will donate Runager’s brain to science and that it will be examined for CTE like symptoms much like many NFL families who want to find out if their family members suffered from the concussion like syndrome from playing in the NFL.

Runager’s career numbers with San Francisco and Philadelphia was 661 career punts averaging 40.2 per punt. Runager’s father Geb said that when Runager refused medical help for the broke vertebrae that the younger Runager said he was “NFL tough” and didn’t need medical help.

Joe Lami is the 49ers beat writer and Jeremy Harness does 49ers previews and commentaries at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s Podcast with Charlie O: A’s bats silent Monday; Melvin says offense had nothing

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland Athletics pitcher Jharel Cotton works against the Chicago White Sox in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, July 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

By Charlie O

OAKLAND–On the today’s podcast with Charlie O, the A’s started off well in their ball game Monday against the Chicago White Sox one of the things that was a positive was that A’s pitcher Jharel Cotton pitched in that game and the A’s have been really concerned about him. Cotton had developed a blister on his pitching hand on his thumb. For a pitcher when you start developing a blister that becomes of a grave concern it didn’t seem to bother him he pitcher pretty well. You can tell he’s been laid off for a little bit because his accuracy was not as good as it might have been.

Manager Bob Melvin said on Saturday that the offense just didn’t have anything. The things with the A’s their just not putting up runs although they looked much better on Tuesday coming from behind on the Sox with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a one a run lead at the Coliseum. When the A’s are scoring they seemed to be scoring late in games and their not putting up number of runs to be competitive.

Charlie O does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Catch Jerry Feitelberg with complete White Sox-A’s game coverage from Tuesday’s action

 

Fulmer and Tigers put an end to the Giants six-game winning streak 5-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Michael Fulmer (32) and left fielder Justin Upton hug after the baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Tuesday, July 4, 2017, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)

By Jeremy Kahn

Michael Fulmer won the American League Rookie of the Year for the Detroit Tigers, and his performance in the opener against the San Francisco Giants showed why he won the award.

Fulmer gave up a huge game-tying two-run home run to Brandon Crawford in the top of the seventh inning, but that did not worry the right-hander, but he was able to go eight innings and the Tigers defeated the Giants 5-3 at Comerica Park.

After Crawford’s two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning, the game was tied for all of a half-inning, as Justin Upton hit a two-out two-run single in the bottom of the seventh inning, helping the Tigers put a stop to the Giants season-high six-game winning streak.

Justin Wilson came on for Fulmer and pitched a perfect ninth inning to earn his eighth save in nine opportunities since he became the closer in May. Also during that same time frame, Wilson is 2-2.

Hunter Pence gave the Giants an 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as he hit a solo home run off of Fulmer. That was the first home run allowed by Fulmer in 73.2 innings, the longest active streak in the majors.

The Crawford home run allowed by Fulmer marked the first time this season that he allowed two home runs in the same game.

Victor Martinez tied up the game in the bottom of the second inning, as he took a Matt Cain offering and planted it into the right field seats.

Martinez added a run-scoring single to score Justin Upton in the bottom of the fourth to score Justin Upton, who walked to lead off the inning. Nick Castellanos then hit a sacrifice fly to score Miguel Cabrera from third to give the Tigers a 3-1 lead.

Matt Cain went 6.1 innings, allowing five runs and seven hits, as his record fell to 3-9 on the season. Cain is 0-7 in nine starts since his last win on May 15 against the Los Angeles Dodgers at AT&T Park.

NOTES: Ty Blach will make his first ever start against the Tigers on Wednesday night, while the Tigers will send Daniel Norris to the mound. This will also be the first ever start by Norris against the Giants.

Cabrera was forced to leave the game in the top of the seventh inning with tightness in his left hip, and was replaced at first base by Andrew Romine.

Giants finally playing better baseball, but are they any good?

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment
AP28518157965
San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy (15) mingles with fans during batting practice before an MLB game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Francisco Giants on July 01, 2017 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA. (Photo by Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP)

By Morris Phillips

The Giants are playing better baseball. Can they keep it up?

Starting with Tuesday’s opponent, the Tigers and emerging starting pitcher, Michael Fullmer, the challenges keep coming. But for the Giants, hopefully the breaks as well. The Tigers aren’t struggling to the extent that the Giants are, but at 36-45, the AL Central club is off to their worst season start since 2003.

The Giants were on pace for their worst season showing since 1985. That club was the only San Francisco Giants team to lose 100 games. But the Giants have finally started hitting in a season-best six-game win streak.

“Getting timely hits, that’s huge for us,” Brandon Belt said.

In the win streak, the Giants have improved their scoring by more than two runs a game. They’ve also rallied for a couple of wins, and seen their bullpen become stingy for the first time all year. In total, the Giants are doing everything they hadn’t been doing.

That’s the rhythm of the game,” Jeff Samardzija said. “So much about this game is about momentum and confidence.”

Offensively, Denard Span has led the resurgence, the outfielder came up with 40 his in June. No Giant had collected that many hits in a month sine 2005. Belt is swinging a hot bat, as is Joe Panik. Buster Posey, the NL’s leading hitter with a .340 average, has continued to do his thing at the plate.

Sam Dyson was designated for assignment by the Rangers, but in 10 appearances with the Giants, he’s been steady. Manager Bruce Bochy has vowed to use the right hander in a late game, setup role going forward.

 

White Sox behind Carlos Rodon, beat the A’s 7-2; Loss is Oakland’s sixth straight

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Chicago White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon works against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of a baseball game Monday, July 3, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The visiting Chicago White Sox downed the A’s 7-2 behind a very dominant pitching performance by lefty Carlos Rodon. Rodon who missed a lot of the season due to injury won his first game of the year and evened his record at 1-1. Rodon gave up two runs in the second inning but settled down and retired eleven ‘s hitters in a row before giving up a single to Jed Lowrie in the sixth inning. A’s starter Jharel Cotton gave up one run in the second and three in the third. Cotton missed a turn due to blister on his right thumb and pitched reasonably well but the A’s offense continued in the doldrums as the Chicago pitchers allowed them just five hits. The A’s also whiffed thirteen times.

The White Sox drew first blood in the top of the first inning. Third baseman Todd Frazier led off the frame with a double to left. Frazier advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Sox shortstop Tim Anderson. The A’s came back to tally two runs in the bottom of the inning. With two out, Josh Phegley doubled to left. Sox starter Carlos Rodon walked Franklin Barreto and Matt Joyce to load the bases. Adam Rosales came through in the clutch with a single to drive in Phegley and Barreto to give the A’s the lead 2-1.

The White Sox reclaimed the lead in the top of the third. With one out, Cotton walked Adam Engel. Melky Cabrera singled to send Engel to third. Cotton retired Jose Abreu for the second out but could not get past Todd Frazier. Frazier doubled to left to drive in Engel and Cabrera. Frazier advanced to third when Rosales mishandled the throw in from the outfield. Frazier scored the third run of the inning when Sox designated hitter doubled to left. The Sox lead 4-2.

The White Sox added two more in the eighth and one in the ninth give them seven runs for the game as they send the A’s down 7-2.

Game Notes- The A’s lost their sixth in a row and are now thirteen games under .500 with a record of 35-48. The White Sox another team with a losing record, improved to 37-35.

Hitting stars for the White Sox were Todd Frazier and Willy Garcia as they each had two doubles in the game.  Adam Rosales had two hits and two RBIs for the A’s

The A’s scored two runs on five hits and made two errors. The A’s have now committed 76 errors and allowed 53 unearned runs to lead the majors in those departments. The A’s have lost their last eight home games, too.

After the game, A’s manager Bob Melvin said this about Cotton’s performance:”he pitched OK. (He) gave up a couple runs in the early innings. Thought stuff was good at times and inconsistent at times. Thought he pitched better as game went along.” Melvin had a terse comment about the offense when he said this:”we didn’t swing the bats.” Melvin was impressed at the size of the crowd but said this:” we gave them nothing to root about tonight.”

The time of the game was three hours and thirty-three minutes. The Attendance was 40,019 which was the largest crowd since September 4th, 2005.

The A’s and White Sox play game two of the three-game series Wednesday afternoon at 1 pm. Daniel Gossett will pitch for Oakland and James Shields will go for the White Sox.