O’s 5 run tenth inning come back defeats A’s 7-2 at Coliseum

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Former Oakland A’s pitcher now Baltimore Orioles reliever Shintaro Fujinami delivers against his former teammates in the bottom of the sixth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Baltimore (76-47). 002 000 000 5 – 7-9-0

Oakland (34-89) 010 001 000 0- 2-6-1 (10 innings)

Time: 2:47

Attendance: 18,213

Saturday, August 19, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The team with the best won and lost record Baltimore Orioles (76-47) in the American League took 10 innings to crush the team with the worst won and lost record in the majors the Oakland A’s (34-89) 7-2 Saturday night at the Oakland Coliseum .

The game began as a pitchers’ duel between two southpaws. Cole Irvin 1-3. 4.92 at game time), the Athletics team leader in wins, starts, innings pitched, and strikeouts last year, and Oakland rookie Ken Waldichuk (2-7, 6.07 at game time), who has had an up and down season, often within the same game, this year were the antagonists.

Waldichuk had trouble with his control in the three innings, issuing a base on balls in each of them and unleashing a wild pitch in the second. On the other hand, he didn’t give up a hit over that stretch. At the end of his 5-2/3 inning shift, the Athletics’ starter had yielded two runs, both earned and both coming on home runs, on four hits, three walks, and two wild pitches.

He threw 81 pitches, 50 of them considered strikes. He wasn’t involved in the decision and went home with a record of 2-7, 5.91

Cole pitched well in his no decision. He allowed one run earned, on four hits, including a homer, and a walk He struck out three and hit two Oakland batters. He pitch count was 77, 54 going down as strikes. He preserve his 1-3 win-lost record and reduced his ERA to 4.06.

Aledmys Díaz put the A’s up 1-0 in the early going, sending a leadoff home run over the left center field State Farm advertisement in the bottom of the second. The blast travelled 400 feet, with an exit velocity of 102.6mph and came off a 91.4mph four seamer. It was the third rounder tripper and 18th RBI for the A’s left fielder this year.

Austin Hays broke Waldichuk’s 13 batter hitless streak in the top of the fourth with a one out home run to left, and James McCann followed that one out later with a dinger to left center. Before you knew it, the A’s down 2-0, Hays’ blast carried 356 feet and was his 12th of the season; McCann’s measured 403 feet and was his fourth.

Lucas Ercceg relieved Waldichuk with a runner on first and two outs in the top of the sixth and fanned James McCann to end the inning and held Baltimore at bay in the seventh . Kirby Snead replaced him for the eighth and preserved the tie.

The Orioles removed Cole at the start of the home half of the sixth but continued using ex Athletics aginst their erstwhile teammates. This time it was Shintaro Foujinami, who promptly surrender the lead on Aledmys’s second home run of the night, a 360 foot line drive over the left field fence. Vennnier Cano replaced Fujinami for the Oakland seventh,

Zack Gelof led off the Athletics’s eighth with a single to center. After Carlos Pérez sacrificed him to second, Cionel Pérez relieved Cano. Pérez kept the A’s off the board with an intentional walk and two strikeouts.

Hays greeted Trevor May, who was given the task of taking the A’s into the bottom of the ninth frame, with a single to shallow left center. Cedric Mullens lashed a sharp liner to left that Ruíz captured for the first out. Hays advanced to second on pinch hitter Ryan O’Hearn’s slow bouncer to shortstop Nick Allen, who made a spiffy play to nab him at first, and Adam Frazier, also pinch hitting, popped out to Allen in foul territory.

Félix Bautista was called on to keep the game alive in the home ninth. Another sixth frame pinch hitter, Seth Brown, went down swinging. Seth Langelieres lifted a high fly to the warning track in right center, just in front of the 362 foot marker that Mulllens hauled down for the second out, and Alllen grounded out to short to send us into extra innings.

Adrián Martínez faced Jorge Mateo with Frazier the zombie runner on second to open the overtime. He let Frazier take third on a wild pitch to Mateo, who then walked. Frazier scored on Ryan Mountcastle’s’s single to center through a drawn in infield while Mateo advanced to third.

It was all downhill for Oakland after that. A hit batter. Jordan Westburg’s sac fly to the center field warning track. A fielder’s choice cum throwing error by Allen, a stolen base, and a single, and the Athletics’ comeback had been transformed into a 7-2 Orioles lead.

Jacob Webb, closing for Baltimore in the tenth, hit Ruiz with a pitch and walked Gelof, which, combined with the inning opening placement of Lngeliers at second, loaded the bases for the A’s with no outs. Webb recovered by fanning pinch hitting Tony Kemp, Butler, and Aledmys Díaz.

The win went to Bautista, now 8-2, 1.54; the loss, to Martínez, who fell to 0-1, 5.

Kansas City has been falling behind (or is it ahead?) in the race for the bottom, so we’ll just run a quick check on how the 2023 A’s stack up with the all-time cellar dwellers, the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, and their modern era companions in futility, the 1962 New York Mets.

The Spiders finished 1899 at 20-134, .130, 84 games behind the National League pennant winning Brooklyn Superbas. August 19th saw them split a twin bill with the Pirates at Pittsburgh. Cleveland’s win in the night cap brought its record up to 18-90, .167.

The Mets limped to a 40-120, 2.50 finish in ’62. They were at home at the Polo Grounds when they fell to the Cardinals, 10-5 on August 19. 30-92, also .250.

Tonight’s loss to the Os left the A’s 34-89,.238

The three game series will concludes Sunday, at 1:07. Right hander Kyle Bradish (7-6, 3.18) will pitch for the Birds. Southpaw JP Sears (2-9,4.27) will be the host team’s starter.

Niners Tame Broncos in the Silicon Valley, 21-20 on Moody’s Foot

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) gets a pass away to wide receiver Ronnie Bell (10) as the Denver Broncos defensive end Matt Henningsen tries to break up the play in second half action of pre season football at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — The San Francisco 49ers (1-1) defeated the Denver Broncos (0-2) 21-20, in the closing seconds of Preseason action on the Southside of the Bay Area.

The game started with both starting QBs.(Brock Purdy & Russell Wilson) playing only one series each in the first quarter.

Purdy opened the contest passing for 65 yards (4-6) and set up a 20 yard field goal by Jake Moody. 3-0 SF.

The much maligned Wilson rallied his team with his arm (24) and feet (24), but he also had to settle for a field goal, instead of reaching the end zone. Kicker Brett Maher hit a 48-yarder, tying the contest at 3-3 after 15 minutes of the contest.

In the second quarter, Denver, led by Jarrett Stidham, positioned Maher for another FG (34) to take the lead, 6-3.

The Broncos were on a drive seconds before the half, when Stidham’s 50-yard pass to Jalen Virgil was stopped at the Niners’ one-yard line. Unfortunately for Denver, the halftime horn sounded before they could spike the ball. 6-3 Broncos at the Half.

The third stanza had some paydirt action, as both teams got past each other’s endzones.

The Niners capitalized on the Broncos pre-half miscue, and scored on an 11-yard TD pass to Jack Colletto; however, the extra point was missed by Moody. SF led 9-6 at that point of play.

After the 49ers muffed a punt return, Denver recovered the ball and subsequently scored on a eight-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin. !3-9 Denver is how the third quarter ended.

The final 15 was exciting as Tre Lance was in position to pull off a game winning drive, although Kyle Shannahan had a different plan.

Moody’s foot came into play again, as he converted a 43-yard FG, pulling the Niners within one, 13-12.

However, Broncos’ QB Ben DiNucci tossed a TD pass to McLaughlin, extending their slim lead to eight, 20-12.

Trey Lance got the Santa Clara County crowd excited with his 22-yard touchdown pass to Cameron Latu, but unfortunately he wasn’t able to connect on the two-point conversion, which would have tied the game.

After Denver turned the ball over on downs, the aforementioned TreyFactor Drive happened, but instead of him being the hero of the night with a game-winning TD pass, Shanahan had him down the ball multiple times, to allow Moody to be the MAN.

Moody booted in the 32-yard winner, and the 49ers were the victors, 21-20 on a beautiful Northern California night.

The 49ers are in action again next Friday, August 25, as they host the Los Angeles Chargers at 7pm PDT. The Denver Broncos return to the Mile High City, where they will host the Los Angeles Rams next Saturday, August 26.

Raiders Win Second Pre-Season Game Beating Rams 34-17

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo looks for a receiver in the first half against the Los Angeles Rams at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

Raiders Win Second Pre-Season Game Beating Rams 34-17

By Barbara Mason

Saturday afternoon the NFL pre-season continued with game two. The Las Vegas Raiders (2-0) made the short trip to SoFi Stadium for a game with the Los Angeles Rams (0-2) and made work of the Rams with their second pre season win in the Southland 34-17.

The Raiders scored the first touchdown of the game in the first quarter taking a 7-0 lead into the second quarter. Brandon Bolden rushed for seven yards and Daniel Carlson kicked the extra point. Carlson has had a great start to the pre-season and ended up making a real impact in this game.

Early in the second quarter, Carlson made a 46 yd field goal extending the Las Vegas lead to 10-0. The Rams would tie up the game 10-10. Ram kicker Tanner Brown kicked a 25 yard field goal. Minutes later the Rams had a Jake Hummel interception return for 21 yards and the touchdown.

The game remained tied 10-10 with the second quarter winding down. Las Vegas had more in store for the Rams. With 1:35 left in the half, the Raiders Isaiah Pola-Mao had an interception return for 50 yards, breaking the tie giving the Raiders the lead 17-10. Just before the half, Raider kicker Daniel Carlson sent a 30 yard field goal through the uprights. Las Vegas took a 20-10 lead into the locker room.

The Raiders scored their first offensive touchdown of the game in the third quarter at 8:52. Quarterback Aiden O’Connell found Cam Sims for seven yards and the score giving the Raiders a 27-10 lead. Stetson Bennett rushed for four yards and a Ram touchdown. Los Angeles had cut the Raiders lead to 27-17.

The Raiders were relentless scoring a touchdown in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas had scored in every quarter of this game. Aiden O’Connell threw his second touchdown of the game, a two yard pass to Kristian Wilkerson. The Raiders were cruising with a 34-17 lead. That would be the final.

The Raiders won this game through the air passing for 342 yards. O’Connell was 11 of 18 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Las Vegas rushed for a total of 98 yards.

Raiders post game notes: Last week the Raiders had an efficient game against the San Francisco 49ers winning their first game of the pre- season 34-7. The Rams lost to the San Diego Chargers 34-17.

Next Saturday, the Raiders will travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys in the third pre-season game on Sat Aug 26th. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders get the offense and hold off Rams scoring in second half

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Brian Hoyer (left) is sacked by the Los Angeles Rams linebacker Kier Thomas (96) in first half action in pre season action at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 The Las Vegas Raiders picked up their second pre season win with a defeat over the Los Angeles Rams. The Raiders defense held off the Rams second half allowing them to score just one touchdown and got the win 34-17 at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles.

#2 Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell once again did his under center magic throwing two touchdowns going 11-18 in the second string role for the Raiders.

#3 Raiders running back Zamir White got some mileage running for a team leading 40 yards and Brandon Bolden carried for seven yards and one touchdown.

#4 Jimmy Garoppolo who is the figured for the first string quarterback threw for 39 yards no touchdowns talk about his looks for tonight.

#5 The Dallas Cowboys will be the Raiders next opponent at Texas Stadium in Arlington on Sat Aug 26th you can best be assured that Raiders head coach Josh McDaniels will be going over his last look at both side of the ball for roster picks.

Join Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts after every Raiders home and away game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Roots Lose 3-2 To Colorado Springs Switchbacks After Two Weeks Off

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Saturday, August 19th 2023

By Troy Ewers 

Hayward, Ca – After a two week break the Oakland Roots face the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in a league match up. The Roots came into this game in third place and wanted to keep their spot in the table with only 56 days left in the regular season.

In the last six games the Roots are unbeaten after a stretch of wins and losses and coach Noah Delgado gave the team five straight days off, because the team was banged up after the consecutive games they played before the two week break.

Colorado came into the game with a lot of energy hoping to stop Oakland’s hot streak and that energy translated to a fifth minute goal by Maalique Foster with an assist from Devon Williams. 1-0 Colorado and this woke up the Roots, but when you’re facing the Roots you need insurance goals and you need them fast to really keep them out of the mix.

In the 25th minute, Memo Diaz hit a big time goal past the goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky and celebrated with an even more beautiful backflip to even up the score at 1-1. In the 30th minute, Roots player Joseph Nane signaled for a sub, but before getting a dead ball to sub off he made two stops that denied the Switchbacks attack that possibly could have given them the lead and seconds after his valiant effort, Nane was subbed out.

The Roots continued their press style defense that gave them the win against Vegas and this rattled the Switchbacks in the first half, but they weren’t rattled enough to stop their attack and get a goal past Roots goalie Paul Blanchette.

The goal came in the 40th minute when Tyreek Magee hit a shot that Blanchette didn’t even dive for, because he knew it was too late and Colorado took the lead 2-1. For the first half of the game Colorado had three shots and they were all on goal with two that found the back of the net.

The Roots had a big chance to take the lead that missed the post by Jeciel Cedeno before stoppage time, but kept the pressure on Colorado. Two minutes into stoppage time that pressure Cedeno kept on Colorado drew a penalty and resulted in a penalty shot that was taken by Anuar Palaez and capitalized on to even the score. 2-2.

The whistle blew signaling halftime and Oakland was pleased with an even score going into the next half, but with plenty of soccer to be played they knew if they didn’t keep up the pace and pressure they had in the first, they would be lucky to walk away with a draw.

The second half started at a slower pace and that was initiated by Colorado as a way to counter the press that Oakland started with and this strategy worked for Colorado in the 58th minute when Magee went past the Oakland back line and shot a bullet past Blanchette to take the lead, 3-2 Colorado Springs.

This game went similar to the way these two had two months ago, only difference is more goals actually scored unlike the last game where Oakland won 1-0.

No major scoring chances came for the majority of the second half,but in stoppage time Oakland had various chances at an equalizer, but Kuzminksky and the Switchbacks held off the Roots all the way to the final whistle and secured the three points.

Not the outcome Oakland was looking for, but there’s no two week break to get some rest as their next game four days later August 23rd in New Mexico against New Mexico United.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Fined and suspended for being near dugout after getting the boot Kapler sits out Friday’s game in Atlanta

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San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler, right, gestures toward home plate umpire Chad Whitson after being ejected by Whitson during the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Tue Aug 15, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 San Francisco Giants manager Gabe Kapler served a one game suspension for returning to the dugout area after being ejected from the game on Tuesday night at Oracle Park. Kapler was ejected for arguing balls and strikes when rookie hitter Wade Meckler took strike three by plate umpire Chad Whitson.

#2 The return to the dugout costed Kapler a one game suspension, an undisclosed amount fine. Kapler was seen in uniform with other players chatting by the batting cage downstairs from the dugout and watching the game on a monitor.

#3 Kapler said that he promises on his next ejection to stay in his office with the door shut and with his street clothes on and that he won’t leave his office to resist temptation.

#4 Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider has all his stuff working for him on Friday night at Truist Park in Cobb County. Strider struck out ten in seven innings and it took three other pitcher to help shutout the Giants 4-0.

#5 The Giants dropped their second straight game Saturday 6-5 and they continue to just struggle on the road.

#5 Taking a look at the starting pitchers for Saturday night in Atlanta, Logan Webb (9-9 ERA 3.26) for the Giants, for the Braves starter Yonny Chirinos (5-5 ERA 5.52) for a 4:20pm PT

Join Stephen for the Giants or MLB podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants drop 6-5 decision to Braves

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Photo credit: Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves played their middle game on Saturday. Georgia was on San Francisco’s mind on Logan Webb Day or Webby Day. San Francisco (64-59) dropped a 6-5 decision to Atlanta (80-42) at Truist Field.

Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers (4-5, 2.73 ERA) took the loss after pitching two innings and giving up two hits, two earned runs, three strikeouts, and one home run.

The Giants’ starting lineup consisted of LaMonte Webb Jr., Wade Meckler, Wilmer Flores, Joc Pederson, Michael Conforto, J.D. Davis, Blake Sabol, Johan Camargo, Thairo Estrada, and of course, Logan Webb. Webb pitched six innings and gave up nine hits, four earned runs, five strikeouts, and one home run.

The Giants wasted no time getting on the board. LaMonte Wade Jr. homered on a fly ball to right field for a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.

The Giants doubled their lead in the top of the second inning. Johan Camargo grounded into a forceout that went from Nicky Lopez to Orlando Arcia. J.D. Davis scored for a 2-0 lead. Blake Sabol went to second base, while Camargo went to first base with one out.

The Braves tied the game in the bottom of the second inning. Eddie Rosario doubled on a line drive to Joc Pederson. Matt Olson scored to cut the Giants’ lead in half to 2-1. Marcell Ozuna went to third base. Orlando Arcia grounded out and went from Johan Camargo to LaMonte Wade Jr. Ozuna scored to tie the game 2-2 with two outs.

The Giants took a two-run lead in the top of the fourth inning. J.D. Davis was out on a sacrifice fly to Ronald Acuna Jr. Joc Pederson scored for a 3-2 lead with one out. Thairo Estrada singled on a line drive to Eddie Rosario. Michael Conforto scored for a 4-2 lead. Johan Camargo went to second base.

The Braves made it a one-run game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Travis d’Arnaud doubled on a sharp line drive to Michael Conforto. Eddie Rosario scored to cut the Giants’ lead to 4-3.

The Braves tied the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Ronald Acuna Jr. homered on a fly ball to right field to tie the game 4-4.

The Giants challenged a force play in the top of the sixth inning and the call on the field was upheld. Johan Camargo grounded into a double play that went from Nicky Lopez to Orlando Arcia to Matt Olson. Michael Conforto scored for a 5-4 lead. J.D. Davis went to third base, as Blake Sabol was out at second base and Camargo was out at first base with two outs.

The Braves responded in the bottom of the eighth inning. Eddie Rosario homered on a fly ball to center field. Luke Williams scored for a 6-5 lead.

Notes
The Giants placed Ross Stripling on the 15-day injured list — retroactive to August 17th — with a mid-back strain.

The Giants placed Ryan Walker on the paternity list.

The Giants recalled Sean Hjelle and Casey Schmitt from Triple-A Sacramento.

Up Next
The Giants and Braves will wrap up their series on Sunday at 10:35 am Pacific. The Giants’ starting pitcher is TBD, while the Braves named Max Fried (4-1, 2.57 ERA) their starting pitcher.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Sabres long time announcer Jeanneret passes at 81; Toews says he’ll be back next season; plus more news

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Former Buffalo Sabres longtime announcer Rick Jeanneret poses with the Buffalo Sabres passed away on Thu Aug 17, 2023. Jeanneret was longest tenured NHL announcer in the game’s history. (photo from NHL.com)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 Long time broadcast voice of the Buffalo Sabres Rick Jeanneret who started with the Sabres on Oct 10, 1971 and retired on Apr 22, 2022 died at 81 years old. He retired as the longest tenured play by play announcer in NHL history.

#2 Jeanneret was inducted in the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2012 and was the recipient of the Foster Hewitt Award.

#3 Former Chicago Blackhawk Jonathan Toews will not be retiring from ice hockey but did say he will be taking time off from the game. Toews played hockey for 15 years. Toews 35 said he wanted to wait to the end of the regular season to decide what he’s going to do and who he will return with.

#4 The Winnipeg Jets Josh Morrisey said he’s 100 percent ready entering camp next month after sustaining a season ending lower body injury during while playing against the Las Vegas Golden Knights in a double overtime in which the Jets loss 5-4. The injury Apr 22 last season and Morrissey said the injury couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

#5 Now that the Pittsburgh Penguins defenceman Erik Karlsson is settling in with his new team how do you see him fitting in in Pittsburgh. Karlsson led the NHL last season with the most goals for a defenceman and now he joins the likes of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin what’s that going to do for Karlsson and the Penguins at large.

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: No Baseball in the Southland due to Hurricane Hilary on Sunday

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Hurricane Hilary moving up the west coast from Baja California to the San Diego and Los Angeles areas is expected to be a Category 1 tropical storm that could pack wind speeds up to 60 MPH. The Padres, Dodgers, and Angels have moved their games to Saturday for day night doubleheaders. (Axios still photo of Hurricane Hilary)

On That”s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Major League Baseball has been encouraged to change it’s Sunday schedule a day ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Hilary which is expected to be a Category 1 tropical storm in the San Diego and Los Angeles areas. Hilary is expected to bring winds of 60 MPH. The forecast has forced the three teams in the Southland to move all games to Saturday.

#2 MLB has announced on Friday that the games between the Arizona at San Diego, Tampa Bay at Los Angeles Angels, and Miami at Los Angeles Dodgers all will be played as double headers on Saturday. Forecasters have said that this hurricane could rival nothing California has ever seen before with winds, rain and gusts that could do severe damage to the Southland.

#3 Amaury, the Tampa Bay Rays and Miami Marlins know all about hurricanes what all the teams plan to do after Saturday night’s game will they hunker down in a solid building structure in downtown LA or downtown San Diego or will they charter a plane out of town until the coast is clear?

#4 Angels manager Phil Nevin said he’s lived in the Southland for 52 years and has never seen anything like this and says while he’s curious and excited it’s down right scary what could happen. There are millions of people who could get trapped by this hurricane and causalities could be shocking.

#5 Amaury, the last time a tropical storm hit the Southland was on Sep 25, 1939, Joe DiMaggio was in his third year in baseball, no MLB was in the Southland yet and Anaheim wasn’t even a twinkle in Walt Disney’s eye.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces Drop a Tough One To Los Angeles 78-72

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The final score says it all as the Las Vegas Aces drop their fourth loss of the year to the Los Angeles Sparks at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Aug 19, 2023 (@LVAces image)

Aces Drop a Tough One To Los Angeles 78-72

By Barbara Mason

Saturday the Las Vegas Aces (28-4) took on the Los Angeles Sparks (13-18) at Michelob ULTRA Arena and dropped their fourth loss of the season to the Los Angeles Sparks 78-72, the Aces who rarely loose have lost three of their last seven games. They had a slow start while the Sparks came out with a lot of energy. Los Angeles won the first quarter 24-15.

Las Vegas came around in the second quarter winning it 21-18 but trailed going into the half 42-36. They had made up a little ground and they typically crank things up in third and fourth quarters. We have seen them close out up many games this season in the second half.

The Sparks put up some nice early offense in the third quarter and with under six minutes left in the quarter had taken a 50-40 lead. The Aces had some work to do.

Los Angeles kept the heat on in the fourth quarter. Their offense was crushing it and their defense was giving the Aces all kinds of trouble. With 3 1/2 minutes left in the game, the Sparks had taken a 72-65 lead and showed no signs of letting down.

They have improved significantly since the start of the season and they also have been thriving in the fourth quarter. Las Vegas was forcing turnovers but they were having trouble turning some of them into points.

It’s in these tight games that the team is really missing Candace Parker who is out indefinitely after having surgery for a fracture in her left foot. There were less than two minutes left on the clock and the Aces trailed 72-70. With 30 seconds left in the game, the Aces fouled, the Sparks scored, took a 74-70 lead, and it was all but done for Las Vegas. This was their first season loss at home.

Las Vegas was only shooting at 35% from the field and 25% on three’s. They struggled from the get-go while the Sparks came out strong from the start of the game. Los Angeles was shooting almost 53% from the field and 50% from beyond the arc. They outplayed the Aces throughout most of the game. Los Angeles is fighting for a playoff spot so they have a lot to play for going forward.

This was a very low scoring game for Las Vegas who typically scores in the neighborhood of the mid-nineties. This is not the time of year that you want to fall off offensively. A’Ja Wilson had a great game despite the loss with 25 points and nine rebounds which was the high score for the Aces. Layshia Clarendon had the high for the Sparks with 22 points.

Aces post game notes: After finally figuring out the Liberty, the Las Vegas Aces (28-4) were looking to finishing off the season on a high note. There are eight games left in the regular season and they will meet New York one more time in late August. The Aces have clinched a playoff spot as has New York. It seems right now that Las Vegas has met their match in the Liberty.

Las Vegas will have a few days off before heading to Atlanta to play the Dream this coming Tuesday. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00 PM.