That’s Amaury’s Podcast, News, & Commentary: Warriors stealing the spotlight from the Giants

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AP file Photo: San Francisco Giants president and CEO Larry Baer speaks to reporters after a news conference in San Francisco, Monday, Oct. 5, 2015. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu

by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

SAN FRANCISCO–This time last year the San Francisco Giants were the best team in baseball, but soon in the second half they would hit the skids and became the worst team in baseball from July to September. This season the Giants are a bad team. Bad as in the old days, not “bad”like so good that it is ridiculous. Because that “bad”as in so good that is ridiculous now belongs to the Golden State Warriors, trying to sweep the Cleveland Cavaliers and win their second NBA title in the last three seasons. Reminds you of the Giants just a few years ago?

This Warriors team with Kevin Durant is a better team than last season, when they went up also 2-0 games in the Finals and lost to Lebron James and the Cavs. The Giants still continue to sellout AT&T Park, over 500 consecutive games, because they had a streak of three World Series titles from 2010 to 2014 and fans (as they are) thought that was going to last forever, but the only thing that is a certainty is ‘death and taxes’, and even the mighty Giants are included there.

For the Warriors this is their moment, this is their time in history. They need to win this year and maybe win another title again with this bunch to be among the elite NBA teams in history.

Remember when Michael Jordan returned after retiring in 1993 to lead the Chicago Bulls to the NBA title for the fourth time in six years? That team is considered one of the best in NBA history. Jordan returned to a supporting cast of guys like Scotie Pippen, Dennis Rodman and Steve Kerr (among others) now the coach of the Warriors. The Warriors have a window of opportunity with the current team to become one of the best teams ever in the NBA. I remember the Bulls very well, because during those years I was the Spanish radio announcer for all the Warriors games home and away with the ball club. Best player I ever saw was Michael Jordan. Some say that this season Kevin Durant is the best player in the NBA, even better than Lebron”All World”James. You can come to your own conclusion.In Cleveland Lebron is the best, here in the east bay, Durant with Curry a very close second.

For the Golden State Warriors this run during the years of the Lacob-Gruber ownership has been phenomenal. We can talk about everything this team this year has accomplished, but that will just be a topic of conversation unless they win the tittle again and they should.

The Warriors always, I repeat ‘always’ had great fans, didn’t matter where they played at the Cow Palace when they first moved here from Philadelphia, PA or the now very popular Oracle Arena, their home to until the move to San Francisco and their new facility, not far from AT&T and the Gigantes. Oracle Area with the Warriors in action has become Hollywood North, many Lear jets coming with show-business people to Oakland to see the Warriors play.

Just like the San Francisco Giants recruited a new generation of fans, winning their three World Series, the Warriors have recruited a new and young generation of fans here in the bay area, one of the most affluent places in the United States. Because one thing that unites all people in this country is winning.

1961-62 The Philadelphia Warriors was their last one in Philadelphia prior to relocating to San Francisco. Not too long from today they will return to San Francisco, their first stop here in the Golden State.

Good luck to the Warriors.

NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Durant walks out of presser because of air conditioner; LeBron can’t wait at podium for presser walks out

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Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant speaks at a news conference after Game 2 of basketball’s NBA Finals against the Cleveland Cavaliers in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, June 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

On the NBA Finals/Golden State Warriors Podcast with Jerry (filling for David Zizmor):

During Tuesday’s presser in Cleveland as many of you know Golden State Warriors Kevin Durant got up and walked out because the air conditioner was blowing cold air on him so he got up and ended the presser. You never know what’s on the mind of the players mind and what’s going on with them Durant is pretty non committal. Maybe he got a question that irritated him and the air conditioner was an excellent excuse to bow out of the press conference.

Also during a press conference in Oakland during game two the Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James refused to come up to the podium because he had to wait. LeBron should have done the presser but for whatever reason he had didn’t do the interview and he was asked by ESPN radio a question while trying to leave and LeBron gave ESPN a smart aleck answer. You just never know what kind of answer your going to get from the players but ESPN for example was just trying to do their job.

That’s much more on the NBA Finals podcast with Jerry Feitelberg take a listen below. Dave Zizmor who normally does the NBA Finals podcast took the day off at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

San Francisco Giants Podcast with Michael Duca: What’s the matter with Cain? ; One thing he’s getting touched up on the road

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San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey #28 talks with San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain #18 during the Major League Baseball game between the Milwaukee Brewers and the San Francisco Giants at Miller Park in Milwaukee, WI. John Fisher/CSM (Cal Sport Media via AP Images)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

1 The Giants dropped a three run game to the Brewers 5-2 another tough outing for Matt Cain ten hits, five runs in five innings

2 Are Cain’s bad outings related to mechanics, mental, or his arm giving him problems

3 How remarkable is Giants starter Jeff Samardzija it was noted in the modern era that Samardzija is the first pitcher to have at least 50 strikeouts over his last seven starts with just one walk he actually tallied 59 during that stretch

4 Madison Bumgarner has been throwing on a flat surface and is due to throw of the mound in a few weeks according to the Giants. Bumgarner when he feels better he will be entering rehab with the minor league Giants affilate Sacramento River Cats. After rehabbing he’s expected back in full form in July.

5 The Giants go with Ty Blach whose 4-2 and had a win in his last outing what’s your take in his last few outings

Michael Duca does the San Francisco Giants podcast each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

Rumor: Kings have a Fox crush; willing to trade two #1 picks to move up in draft

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by Charlie O. Mallonee

fox

According to a report from Chad Ford of ESPN, the Sacramento Kings really see De’Aaron Fox of Kentucky as their point guard of the future. The Kings have been looking for a point guard they can build around since trading away Isaiah Thomas in 2014 (the Thomas trade was made by the previous basketball operations management).

Fox – a “one and done” star point guard – was a standout at Kentucky for John Calapari averaging 16.7 points per game and 4.6 assists per game. He is a 52-percent shooter from 2-point range but just a 25-percent shooter form 3-point land. To his credit, Fox’s 3-point shooting did improve considerably late in the season and during the NCAA Tournament.

Because of his talent and speed, Fox is most often compared to Kentucky basketball great John Wall now of the Washington Wizards. Who wouldn’t want the next John Wall on your team? However, how many championships has John Wall won? That would be none. He has helped lead his team into the playoffs but the goal is also a ring and a banner.

What is Fox worth?

fox detail

The real question is – how much is too much to give up for a player like Fox? Two number one draft picks is too much for a team like the Kings. They have so many needs and having two lottery picks in the most talented draft in decade is not a situation to be squandered. Sacramento needs depth and they have the chance to add young talent that they can have under team control for years to come.

There are two top rated point guards that will be available when the Kings select at number five if Fox is gone. Dennis Smith out of North Carolina State who averaged 18.1 ppg and 6.2 apg will almost certainly be there, and maybe the most intriguing player in the draft will also be there as well.

18-year old point guard Frank Ntilikina who plays in France and who is the “darling of Europe” will be available. Ntilikina is 6-foot-5 “pass first” point guard. He was the European junior player of the year. At just 18, Ntilikina is not considered NBA ready and he is seen as a high risk/high reward selection, but who doesn’t want a 6-foot-5 point guard?

In order to take one of these two point guards, the Kings might need to select them a little higher than they are currently ranked. There is no problem with that. Sometimes, you have to draft for need instead of just drafting the next best player available. That type of creative thinking would allow the Kings to keep both of their lottery picks.

Why are the Kings so concerned?

fox cal

The Kings are getting nervous because the Lakers are making noise about not taking Ball (would you want to deal with his father?), Philly really needs to think backcourt players, Phoenix has interest in Fox (why they would draft another guard would a mystery but they are the Suns).

The danger for the Kings is they are about to become the Chicago Bears of the NBA Draft. Every team would like to have two lottery picks and might be willing to entertain a deal. Sports professionals everywhere are laughing at the Bears because the 49ers snookered them out of an extra draft pick for nothing. The Kings need to be very careful not to make the very same mistake.

Who can the Kings get with the number 10 pick?

markkanen

The Kings are projected to have some very interesting possible selections at the number 10 spot. Arizona power forward Lauri Markkanen has been projected to be there. He has been labeled as a Ryan Anderson type player. Center/power forward Zach Collins from Gonzaga is seen as a 10 pick. The very talented small forward Justin Jackson from North Carolina could be there at number 10. If Rudy Gay opts out, the Kings will need someone at the three spot. Jonathan Issac out of Florida State is also a possibility.

On June 22, the Sacramento Kings have the opportunity to change the fortunes of the franchise for the next decade. The brain trust in the basketball operations department led by Vlade Divac cannot afford to take a swing and miss. They must hit a home run with both of their lottery draft selections on that franchise changing night.

A’s behind terrific performance by Jesse Hahn, down the Blue Jays again 4-1

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Oakland Athletics pitcher Jesse Hahn works against the Toronto Blue Jays in the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 6, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

by Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND- Jesse Hahn, making his first start since coming off the  10-day DL, was in top-notch form as he held the hard-hitting Blue Jays in check and the A’s went on to win 4-1. Hahn had it all going for him Wednesday night. He had his sinker working and had command of his fastball as he reached 95 miles per hour on the speed gun. Hahn went six innings and allowed just 7 hits, and the run the Jays scored was unearned.

The A’s scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning. Rajai Davis led off with a double. Jed Lowrie singled to advance Rajai to third. Khris Davis hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Rajai. The Jays tied the game in the top of the fourth, Joey Bautista aka Joey Bats reached on a Ryon Healy throwing error. Bautista made it to third on a very hard single off the bat of Kendrys Morales. Justin Smoak hit into what appeared to be a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. Smoak was called out at first but the Jays challenged the call, and it was overturned. Bautista scored on the play. The Jays loaded the bases, but Hahn got Ryan Goins to hit into a double play to end the threat.

The A’s regained the lead in the fifth. Stephen Vogt worked Marco Estrada for a walk. Estrada had retired the previous 12 A’s hitters in a row. Mark Canha doubled to left and went Carrera bobbled the ball, A’s third base coach, Chip Hale, sent Vogt home. Carrera hit the cutoff man, Troy Tulowitzki, and Tulo made a strong throw home to nail Vogt. Canha ended up on third and scored on a single by Adam Rosales. The A’s plated two more in the sixth. With one out, Jed Lowrie singled. Khris Davis hit a blast that went over Toronto’s center fielder Kevin Pillar for a double. Lowrie scored on the play. Ryon Healy hit a line shot to left that got by Ezequiel Carrera who lost the ball in the lights. Estrada’s night was over, and he left the game trailing 4-1.

The A’s bullpen allowed just one hit the rest of the way. Lefty Daniel Coulombe got the first two out in the seventh. Ryan Madson got the third out and then pitched a flawless eighth inning. A’s closer Santiago Casilla allowed a single to Troy Tulowitzki to start the ninth but retired Chris Coghlan on a grounder to Yonder Alonso at first and then struck out Goins and Maile to end the game to earn his tenth save of the year.

Game notes and stats- The A’s are now 26-32 for the season, and the Jays drop to 28-31. Jays pitcher Marco Estrada went 5 and 2/3rd innings and allowed four runs and 7 hits and saw his record drop to 4-4. The A’s Jesse Hahn improved to 2-4. A’s manager Bob Melvin had this to say about Hahn’s effort:” he gave us six innings. For a guy coming back from the DL and no rehab, he did very well.” Melvin remarked when he saw that Hahn was getting “balls on the ground, (he knew that Hahn) got the good sink.” Melvin also said he was pleased with the clutch hitting of his players:”(they) got some big hits when we needed to.”

The A’s conclude the three-game series with they Jays Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum. Game time will be at 12:35 pm Jharel Cotton will go for Oakland while lefty Francisco Liriano handles the pitching chores for Toronto.

Time of game was two hours and forty-five minutes and 16,643 fans watched the A’s down the Jays.

Brewers Anderson extends scoreless streak in 5-3 win goes seven plus as Giants lose three of last five

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Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Chase Anderson acknowledges the crowd as he is taken out of the game during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants Tuesday, June 6, 2017, in Milwaukee. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

By Jeremy Kahn

Chris Anderson pitched another great game for the Milwaukee Brewers, as they took an early lead on the San Francisco Giants.

Anderson pitched 7.2 strong innings, not allowing a run, walking one and striking out four and the Brewers defeated the Giants 5-3 at Miller Park.

This was just the third win in 17 games for the Giants, as Anderson extended his scoreless inning streak up to 21.2.

The Brewers came up with three double plays, with two of them started by hitting hero Hernan Perez. The third baseman hit a home run, helping the Brewers to a win over the Giants, who are now 2-3 on their current seven road trip.

Anderson came up his first RBI of the season and the fifth of his big-league career, as he doubled in the bottom of the third inning.

Matt Cain gave up 10 hits, walking two and striking out three in five innings of work. Cain last won on the road on August 6 in a 7-1 victory over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park.

Cain gave up four runs in the bottom of the second inning, that included Perez’s home run, a two-run double from former Oakland A’s second baseman Eric Sogard and Domingo Santana drove in a run with a single.

The Giants tried to make a game of it in the top of the ninth inning, as they scored three runs, two of them off of Carlos Torres, who allowed two runs on three consecutive singles. Buster Posey drove in a run with a single, and then Torres committed a throwing error that allowed another run to score.

Brewers manager Craig Counsell saw enough, as he went to his bullpen again and brought on Craig Knebel, who was able to retire the three batters he faced in a row to pick-up his sixth save of the season.

NOTES: Ty Blach makes his first ever start against the Brewers on Wednesday night, while the Brewers counter with Jimmy Nelson.

Hunter Pence started his second game in a row after being activated prior to the finale on Sunday afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Giants acquired reliever Sam Dyson and cash considerations from the Texas Rangers, while the Rangers will get a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Dyson was designated for assignment by the Rangers on Friday, as he is 1-6 with 10.80 earned run average in 17 games this season.

Oakland A’s Podcast with Charlie O: A’s at 25-32 can they ever see the likes of .500?

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Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt, right, tags out Toronto Blue Jays’ Ryan Goins at home plate in the third inning of a baseball game Tuesday, June 6, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O:

1)  Why is .500 a magic number for the A’s

2) Is the A’s MASH unit about to get another patient?

3)  What’s up with Ryon Healy?

4)  The A’s got off to the right start vs the Blue Jays did they?

5)  Was that series with the Nats nuts or what?

6) What’s coming up on the schedule for the green & gold?

Charlie O does the Oakland A’s podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

NHL Stanley Cup Podcast with Len Shapiro: Game five goes back to Pittsburgh can Pens get back on track?;Rinne stopping everything thrown at him for Preds

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Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) makes a pad save on Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Conor Sheary (43) during Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Nashville Predators and the Pittsburgh Penguins, held on June 5, 2017, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len:

1 Nashville Predators wasted no time jumping right back into the finals tying it up at two a piece with a convincing three goal victory on 4-1 victory in game four

2 The Preds Fredrick Gaudreau playing in only his sixth post season game career and who had signed with the Preds as a unrestricted free agent set a record being the second player in NHL history to score the first three career goals in a finals. Gaudreau joins former Chicago Blackhawk Johnny Harns who did it in 1944.

3. The Preds goaltender Pekka Rinne had a fine outing in game four stopping 23 goals and allowing one goal in each of games three and four

4. For the Pittsburgh Penguins what is it about them was it mental, was it fatigue, or was it getting on Nashville ice that slowed this team down?

5. The Preds also got goals from Calle Jarnkrok, Viktor Arvidsson, and Filip Forsberg in game foue there was nothing like seeing a team like Nashville really coming together as a solid hockey team unit

Len Shapiro does the NHL Stanley Cup Podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

 

 

Categories NHL

Giants rebound in Milwaukee, Samardzija picks up a rare win

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AP17157094018428
Brewers’ Domingo Santana and Brett Phillips nearly collide as Phillips can’t catch a ball hit by San Francisco Giants’ Eduardo Nunez during the ninth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 5, 2017, in Milwaukee. The play was ruled an error. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)

By Morris Phillips

This time Jeff Samardzija found gold at the end of his starting assignment.

The Giants’ pricey, free agent acquisition from 2016 actually began to turn around his 2017 season in May, a month in which the Shark struck out 49 batters, walked just one, but only won once in six starts. Samardzija got little offensive support in St. Louis, Chicago and Los Angeles, and at AT&T Park against the Nationals he got picked apart by the National League’s highest scoring offense.  Throw in a lousy first two innings at Citi Field against the Mets, and Samardzija’s month could be characterized by quality opponents, mostly on the road, along with rough patches in games in which he pitched well when evaluated in their entirety.

But on Monday in Milwaukee, Samardzija pitched well throughout, and the San Francisco offense finally checked in during the eighth and ninth innings, allowing the Giants to register a rare road win, 7-2 over the Brewers.

“He had good command, good velocity,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “Great changeup, cutter too. He had it all going on in a place he hasn’t had much success.”

Samardzija was winless across the more than 45 innings he had thrown at Miller Park in his career, and the Giants had dropped six of eight on the road.  Moreover, their sobering weekend in Philadelphia was another reminder that their season is rapidly slipping away.

But unlike the team’s season, Samardzija’s has life, thanks to some adjustments suggested by pitching coach Dave Righetti that have the pitcher displaying greater command of all his pitches.

“I’ve just been staying back real well and haven’t been drifting down off the rubber until it’s time,” Samardzija said. “That’s been the big adjustment me and (Righetti) made: just letting everything happen on the rubber. After that, it’s just executing the pitch.”

Samardzija coughed up two runs early, but then retired 19 batters in a row at one point, against a surprising Milwaukee team that has a winning record after 58 games, and probably expected to be more scathing than the two extra base hits they managed off Samardzija.

After trailing 2-0 after one inning, Samardzija was still around when the Giants came up with a pair of runs in the eighth, breaking a 2-2 tie. The righthander escaped trouble in the seventh by striking out Nick Franklin and Jonathan Villar who came to the plate with two runners aboard.  Throughout, the Brewers had trouble squaring up Samardzija’s cut fastball.

In the eighth, pinch hitter Aaron Hill doubled home a pair of runs. Then in the ninth, Brandon Belt singled home Kelby Tomlinson, and Buster Posey and Hunter Pence came up with run-scoring ground outs. Milwaukee’s Brett Phillips, in his major league debut, dropped a fly ball in right field, extending the inning for the Giants.

Pence rejoined the lineup after a month-long absence due to injury, giving the Giants familiarity in their starting nine that had been long missing.  Eduardo Nunez, along with Belt and Posey, contributed a pair of hits each to an 11-hit attack.

On Tuesday, the Giants look to string together wins behind Matt Cain, who will be opposed by the Brewers Matt Anderson.

 

 

Healy hits two homers drives in all five runs powers A’s to victory over the Blue Jays 5-3

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by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The A’s won the first game of the three-game series with the Blue JaysMonday night by a score of 5-3. The A’s Sean Manaea continued to pitch well. Manaea won his fourth consecutive game, and he went six innings and allowed just four hits and two runs. The offense was supplied by Ryon Healy. Healy drove in all five runs on the strength of a three-run homer in the second and a two-run blast in the fourth. The A’s bullpen did the job although Toronto did score a run in the eighThe visiting Toronto Blue Jays plated a run in the very first inning. Sean Manaea walked leadoff hitter Kevin Pillar. The next hitter, former A’s third baseman Josh Donaldson, rifled the first pitch from Manaea into the left field for a double. Pillar, who has a lot of speed, was able to score all the way from first. Toronto leads 1-0 with the A’s coming up to hit in the bottom of the first.

The A’s took the lead in the bottom of the second inning. Khris Davis walked to start the rally going. Yonder Alonso followed with a sharp single to right to put men on at first and second with no out. The designated hitter Ryon Healy hit a 0-1 pitch deep into the left-center field bleachers for his 12th dinger of the year. Oakland leads 3-1 after two complete.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ryon Healy did it again. With a man on first, Healy sent J.A. Happ’s 2-2 pitch into the exact same spot as his first homer. For Healy, it was his second multi-homer game of his career. His first came against Washington this past weekend. The five RBIs in a game is a career-high for Healy. The A’s lead 5-1.

The Blue Jays scored their second run of the game in the fifth. A walk to Carrera was followed by a Kevin Pillar double that allowed Carrera to score from first. Manaea retired the side with no further damage.

The Jays cut the deficit to two in the top of the eighth. With two out, Jays’ first baseman Justin Smoak took Liam Hendriks deep to make it a 5-3 game. Hendriks closed out the inning with no further damage.

Santiago Casilla closed out the ninth for Oakland to preserve the win for Oakland.  The A’s win 5-3.

Game Notes- Sean Manaea improved his record to 5-3 and Toronto starter J.A. Happ dropped to 0-4. Happ had never lost to the A’s in seven previous starts and never allowed more than 3 earned runs in any including five quality starts. Santiago Casilla recorded his ninth save of the year. The A’s did not commit an error and Trevor Plouffe made three outstanding fielding plays at third base.

The A’s are now 25-32 for the year, and Toronto drops to 28-30. Game Two of the series will be Tuesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. Jesse Hahn returns from the 10-day DL to pitch for Oakland. Marco Estrada will go for Toronto. Game time is at 7:05 pm

Time of game was three hours and five minutes and 12,890 fans were on hand to see the A’s win.