MLB podcast with Charlie O: It just continues to get worse for A’s; It just keeps getting better for Rays

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Tampa Bay Rays Randy Arozarena with folded arms is hitting .359 with two home runs and 11 RBIs one of the top hitters in the Rays line up (@RaysBaseball photo)

On the MLB podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie O, it’s the tale of two teams one team the Oakland A’s are predicted to have a even rougher and tougher season than their 102 loss season and it’s not getting off to a great start either with a loses starting to mount now sitting on a 2-8 start of 2023.

#2 The other team that’s already getting lots of props the Tampa Bay Rays who have won their first ten games defeating the Red Sox in their last game at Tropicana Field Monday night. The Rays have been getting both plenty of pitching and hitting defeating the A’s last Saturday and Sunday in landslide wins 11-0.

#3 Got to ask you have impressive it is for the Rays were in good company with the 1939 New York Yankees. The Rays had a nine game win streak scoring four or more runs going and needed four games to catch the 39 Yankees who have 13 straight wins scoring four or more runs it didn’t happen as the Rays topped the Sox by a run 1-0 on Monday for their tenth straight win.

#4 The Rays also got some top notch hitting Sunday from lead off hitter Brandon Lowe with four RBIs and two runs scored, Randy Arozarena who got two hits and an RBI. The Rays simply are the talk of baseball right now with their 10-0 record.

#5 Charlie, you’ve been around minor league baseball a time or two talk about the Los Angeles Angels affiliate on Sunday the Rocket City Trash Pandas who allowed a hit in a doubleheader and came away with a split. Three Panda pitchers combined for a seven inning no hitter against the Cincinnati Reds affiliate the Chattanooga Lookouts Sunday. The Pandas allowed seven runs in the top of the seventh, five walks, hit five batters, a run scoring wild pitch and a dropped fly ball with the bases loaded which would have been the final out.

#6 Atlanta catcher Travis D’Arnaud has been placed on the seven day injured list. D’Arnaud received a concussion after the San Diego Padres Rougned Odor collided with D’Arnaud at the plate in the Padres loss to the Braves 4-1 Saturday at Sun Trust Stadium in Cobb County. How much or how little did the Buster Posey rule play a part in this collision?

Charlie O does the MLB podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Dodgers crush Giants 9-1 to open three game series at Oracle

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Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy (13) hits a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon Apr 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Michael Duca and Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The Los Angeles Dodgers Max Muncy had himself quite an evening against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle park slugging a grand slam and driving in three runs off Giants starter Logan Webb. This was Muncy’s first multiple hit game since Jul 1, 2021.

In that last multiple hit game against the Washington Nationals Muncy hit for a career high seven RBIs and did it even better three times last season on Jun 9th. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts was considering resting Muncy for Tuesday’s game but he realizes anyone whose hitting three home runs you don’t want to rest him while he’s on a tear in which contributing to defeating the Giants 9-1.

The grand slam for Muncy was his career third and Roberts said it’s fun seeing a player do all those things to be successful at the plate on an evening like Monday night in an eight run slugfest, “It’s a lot of fun,” Roberts said. “Success in general is fun. But it does a little bit more for me when it’s here.”

Los Angeles pitcher Julio Urias picked up his third win against no loses, striking out eight Giant hitters, Urias walked two hitters and gave up four hits in the contest over six innings. The Dodgers backed Urias with nine runs including a huge five run rally in the top of the seventh inning.

Before Sunday’s game the Dodgers had homered at least once in the first nine games. The Dodgers weren’t able to hit a homer on Sunday in their 11-6 loss to the Atlanta Braves.

Wilmer Flores provided the Giants the only offense they’d see all night with a lead off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Urias had a 13 inning scoreless streak going before Flores’ home run. The last time Urias had given up any kind of scoring was on opening day when he gave up two runs and three hits. Urias is pitching his kind of game throwing shutout innings and he nearly did it again on Monday night against the Giants.

Dodgers-Giants gather again at Oracle Park the Dodgers will be going with Dustin May (0-1 ERA 0.69) facing the Giants Alex Wood 0-0 ERA 3.00 first pitch 6:45 pm PDT at Oracle Park in San Francisco.

Karlsson reaches 100, Sharks lose to Jets 6-2

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San Jose Sharks’ Erik Karlsson (65) celebrates after his goal against the Winnipeg Jets with Jacob Peterson (24) and Logan Couture (39) during third-period in Winnipeg on Mon Apr 10, 2023 (AP news photo)

by Matthew Harrington

The San Jose Sharks fell to the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 Monday night in Manitoba, but the game will still go down in history. Erik Karlsson scored twice, eclipsing 100 points, the first 100 point season by a defenseman since Brian Leetch during the 1991-92 season.

When Karlsson’s point shot on the power play beat Connor Hellebuyck 3:42 into the 3rd period (as he has many other goalies this year) the Swede became the first European defenseman to pass the century mark. He has 25 goals and 75 assists, both career highs.

It goes without saying he’s the first Shark to have a 100 point season. His first goal also set a bit of Franchise history. Point 99 on a backdoor goal just 20 seconds into play was also the 2,000 franchise goal by a d-man. Logan Couture assisted for his 700th career point, all with San Jose, and Jacob Peterson had his seventh point in as many games.

While Karlsson has the 15th 100-point season by a defenseman, he’s the sixth defenseman to accomplish the feat. Bobby Orr and Paul Coffey combined to complete the feat 11 times while Al MacInnis, Dennis Potvin and Leetch accomplished the feat just once. All are hall of gamers, though MacInnis and Coffey did not win the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in at least one of their 100 point seasons.

The question will be whether Karlsson takes home his third Norris this year or if results like Monday’s push him down the line for a player like Adam Fox, Josh Morrissey or Charlie McAvoy (read: playoff bound and not 29th overall). Karlsson gave the Sharks a 1-0 lead but Pierre-Luc Dubois, Adam Lowry, Kyle Connor and Mason Appleton all scored to put San Jose down 4-1.

Karlsson scored again for the 100 milestone the aforementioned Morrissey scored his 16th of the year and Mark Schieffle scored his 44th on the power play. The Jets desperately needed the win to hold on to the last Wild Card spot with Calgary (90 points) and Nashville (88 points with games in hand) on their trail. Hellebuyck made 19 saves while the Jets fired 33 shots on James Reimer.

Two games remain on the Sharks schedule, one against playoff hopeful Calgary Wednesday night and the other against the lock Edmonton Oilers Thursday night. Should Karlsson score at a two-point-per-game clip he’d move into sole possession of the tenth best season by a defenseman, though Paul Coffey at nine (113 points) is out of reach. But perhaps a piece of hardware is in reach for EK65.

A’s lose their fifth in a row avoid being shutout in 5-1 loss to O’s

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Oakland Athletics starting pitcher JP Sears (38) looks on after surrendering a solo home run to Baltimore Orioles’ Adley Rutschman during the third inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Mon Apr 10, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s met the Baltimore Orioles Monday night at Camden Yards in Baltimore and extended their losing streak to five games bowing to the Orioles 5-1. The A’s hoped to play better after being swept by the Tampa Bay Rays. The Rays outscored Oakland 31-5 in that series.

Oakland needed to get back in the win column. A’s manager Mark Kotsay hoped the A’s could turn things around. That did not happen. The Orioles, a team that turned things around in 2022, showed why they are among the better teams in the tough AL East Division. In his six and 1/3rd innings of work, the Orioles’ starter Kyle Gibson allowed five hits and one run. The Orioles beat the A’s 5-1.

The A’s grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first. With one out, Ryan Noda walked. With Aledmys Diaz at bat, Gibson saw Noda with a big lead. With a quick throw to first, Gibson picked off Noda for the second out of the inning. Diaz then walked.

A’s right fielder Ramon Laureano tripled off the right field wall to drive in Diaz with the game’s first run. The lead didn’t last long. In the Orioles half of the first, the Orioles scored two runs to take the lead 2-1. Cedric Mullins walked to get things going for Baltimore.

With one out, Mullins stole second. Mullins went to third on A’s catcher Shea Langeliers’ throwing error. Orioles’ first baseman Ryan Mountcastle homered to left center to put the Orioles ahead. The A’s didn’t know it, but they were done scoring for the night.

In the bottom of the third, The Orioles’ outstanding young catcher Adley Rutschman homered to put the Orioles ahead 3-1. 

The Orioles put another run on the board in the sixth. Jeurys Familia was now pitching for Oakland. Familia retired the first two hitters. He didn’t get by Austin Hays. Hays sent Familia’s pitch over the wall in center field. 

Baltimore added another run in the eighth inning. With Dominga Acevedo pitching for Oakland, Hays doubled. Ramon Urias singled to drive in Hays with the Orioles’ fifth and final run of the game. The Orioles win 5-1.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 2-8 for the young season. They have lost five in a row. The Orioles improved to 5-5.

The line score for Oakland was one run, eight hits, and one error.

Baltimore’s line was five runs, six hits, and no errors. The O’s hit three home runs.

J.P. Sears was the losing pitcher. Sears is 0-1. He went five innings and allowed three runs and three hits. Two of the three hits were home runs. 

Kyle Gibson improved to 3-0.

The A’s used five pitchers. Sears, Famila, Sam Moll, Zach Jackson, and Acevedo. 

The A’s play the second game of the four-game series with the Orioles on Tuesday. Lefty Kyle Muller ( 0-0, 2.53 ERA) will go for Oakland. The Orioles will counter with Grayson Rodriguez (0-0, 3.60 ERA). The game will start at 3:35 pm.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: What Warriors plan of attack for Mike Brown and Kings in post season

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Jonathan Kuminga hits a shot for the Golden State Warriors and teammate Stephen Curry (30) was all smiles as the Warriors were never behind against the Portland Trail Blazers in Portland on Sun Apr 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1  The Warriors win guaranteed them a spot in the playoffs and were eliminated from a play in game with a huge win over the Trail Blazers 157-101 in the last game of the 2022-23 season.

#2 The Warriors had an amazing opening quarter in this game. Klay Thompson had five triples and the team finished the first quarter with 12 shots from beyond the arc and led after the first 12 minutes 55-27.

#3 There was no stopping the Warriors in the third quarter. They extended their lead to 120-75 with one quarter left in the game. Golden State had 21 shots from downtown shooting just over 55%. 

#4 With ten minutes left in the fourth quarter Stephen Curry, Draymond Green, Thompson, Jordan Poole and Kevon Looney were finished for the day. Curry finished with 26 points, Thompson had 20 points, and Poole had 21 off the bench. Golden State finished with 27 triples in this amazing win.

#5 Warriors open game 1 of playoffs against Kings this Sat Apr 15 for a 5:30pm tip off at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. Kings head coach Mike Brown has a pretty good idea about the layout of the Warriors. Warriors coach Steve Kerr know how coach Brown sets up will this be a game of chess Kerr vs. Brown or will the players dictate the outcome of game 1.

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Jose Barracuda podcast with Marko Ukalovic: Barracuda finish regular season in Tucson

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The Colorado Eagles defenceman Mitchell Vande Sompel (14) battles with San Jose Barracuda forward Luke Johnson (76) had himself a game on Sat Apr 8, 2023 against the San Jose Barracuda scoring twice and picking up two more points in the third period (San Jose Barracuda photo)

On SJ Barracuda podcast with Marko:

#1 Marko, how easy was it for the Colorado Eagles (38-22-7-3) in their 4-0 win over the San Jose Barracuda (29-34-2-5) the Eagles scored the first goal on a Mitchell Vande Sompel (5) that approach was not met with not much resistance and put the Eagles on the scoreboard 1-0 Saturday.

#2 Vande Sompel scored his second goal of the game on a back hand move in the second period going up 2-0 and the Barrcuda could feel the pressure going into the third period.

#3 The Eagles had the lead but the Barracuda were outshooting the Eagles 19-6 with two power plays after two periods.

#4 Vande Sompel finished with two points for the second consecutive game. The Barracuda failed to score and end the shutout but allowed two empty net goals.

#5 The Barracuda close out the regular season in Tempe against the Tucson Roadrunners this Friday and Saturday for a two game set both 7:00pm face offs.

Join Marko Ukalovic for the Barracuda podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Florida Gulf Toast: A’s outclassed, shutout again 11-0 by the Rays

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By Morris Phillips

For the A’s, it has to get better because it can’t get worse.

In losing 11-0 for the second consecutive day the A’s did absolutely nothing of note except appear on the injury list with a significant issue regarding Seth Brown. Given that, saying the right things after the game carries some weight.

“The ball didn’t roll our way today, and we’ve got to shore up some things,” second baseman Tony Kemp said. “It’s good to get the bad things out of the way now. It was a tough series for us. We have stay positive, stay confident and keep moving forward.”

The A’s were swept in three games by the red-hot Rays, who set a couple of impressive records in starting the season 9-0. Run differential is one of those records that was merely enhanced by Tampa Bay outscoring the A’s 31-5 across the series.

“When you’re rolling as a team, you just keep it going. You don’t question anything,” said Brandon Lowe.

As outstanding as the Rays were, it still felt the A’s were trying to draw greater attention to themselves with their poor play. The A’s managed just one hit–Ramon Laureano’s single–and two baserunners. Only five A’s reached base on Saturday night, another snoozefest for the visitors.

James Kaprelian’s start was rocky, but it looked like almond butter until the fourth when Brandon Lowe’s grand slam put things out of reach at 5-0. The Rays struck for four more in the sixth, and single runs in the eighth and ninth.

The A’s pitching staff proved plenty helpful by issuing seven walks and hitting two batters.

Brown was injured in Saturday’s game on a check swing. The injury became serious when it was diagnosed as an oblique issue that will land Brown’s critical contributions on the disabled list.

The A’s visit Baltimore on Monday, another team on the rise. JP Sears will face Kyle Gibson in the series opener.

Kings drop final game of the season to Denver 109-95

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Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Huerter, left, fights for control of a loose ball with Denver Nuggets forward Bruce Brown in the second half in Denver on Sun Apr 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kings Drop Final Game of the Season to Denver 109-95

By Barbara Mason

Easter Sunday afternoon there was a lot of action in the NBA and a lot of teams fighting for position in the final standings. But, one of those games between the third place Sacramento Kings (48-34) and the first place Denver Nuggets (53-29) had nothing to do with the final standing in the Western Conference. The Nuggets got a six point win over the Kings 109-95.

Coming into this game the Nuggets were on a 3-game skid and a win would be a good thing going into the playoffs. The Kings have lost their last two games the most recent game to the Golden State Warriors 119-97. In this game the Kings did not play most of their starters giving them the night off.

The Kings got a great start in the first quarter leading 43-26. The Nuggets were playing without numerous starters. Jokic, Murray, Porter Jr. and Gordon were unable to play this games due to assorted injuries from leg tightness to inflammation to sprains.

The Kings had a halftime lead 67-59. They had played their usual starting lineup and going into the third quarter, De’Aaron Fox, Domantas Sabonis and Harrison Barnes sat for the second half.

The Nuggets took a slim lead into the fourth quarter 83-81 and finished off the Kings with a final of 109-95. Denver had outscored the Kings in the third (24-14) and fourth (26-14) quarters erasing the 17 point lead Sacramento had had in the first quarter.

Sacramento had a great start in this game despite the loss. They made six of their first seven shots from downtown before the Nuggets began to recover. The Kings only shot 35% in the final three quarters. This team came into the game as the highest -scoring team in the NBA. Harrison Barnes had the team high with 17 points even though he sat in the final 24 minutes.

Going into the playoffs the Kings hope to step it up a notch higher than they had during the regular season. The turn-around that this team has experienced this season has been nothing short of amazing. They have to be sentimental favorites going forward.

They are certainly the talk of the NBA and they deserve all the accolades thrown their way. It has been a very long since this team has been a playoff team and they will not have the post season experience that many of these teams will have.

This could hurt them, however, this is a determined group with an amazing bench and some phenomenal starters. A lot of credit for this turnaround has to go to Head Coach Mike Brown. The Kings had all the pieces and Brown knew exactly how to put them together.

The Sacramento Kings will face the sixth seed in the playoffs which was revealed today. They will face the Golden State Warriors who demolished the Trail Blazers this afternoon 157-101.

Giants get comforts of Comforto 8th inning blast to push win over KC 3-1

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San Francisco Giants’ Michael Conforto hits a two-run home run against the Kansas City Royals during the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Apr 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

Kansas City. 000 100 000. – 1. 5. 0

San Francisco. 000 000 03x. – 3.5. 1

Time: 2:15

Attendance: 30,207

Sunday, April 9, 2023

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–Looking over my score sheet before this afternoon’s game, when the visiting Kansas City Royals were 3-6, and their hosts, your San Francisco Giants, were still 3-5, I marveled at the difference between the batting averages of their respective line ups KC’s starting nine ranged from Franmil Reyes’s .118 to Salvador Pérez’s ,267.

The figures for the home team went from David Villar’s paltry .200 to Thairo Estrada’s hefty 414. Yet the Royals had beaten the Giants in both of the previous games of this three game series Go figure.

When the tumult and the shouting had died down, San Francisco had come from behind to earn a thrilling 3-1 victory in a splendid pitchers’ duel.

San Francisco began the game with right hander Anthony DeSclafani on the mound. He had been outstanding in his one previous start, shutting out the White Sox in Chicago last Monday. He pitched six innings, allowing only three without a walk striking out four on the way to earn the win.

DeSclafani’s mound opponent, the souithpaw Kris Bubic, had been adequate but unsuccessful in his earlier start. He was saddled with the loss in the Royals 4-1 defeat by the Blue Jays last Tuesday. He threw 88 pitches, 57 for strikes, over fivee frames, in which he gave up seven hits and a walk. TheRoyals were trailing 2-1 when he left the scene. Both Toronto runs were earned.

DeSclafani retired the first 11 Royals he faced. Then Vinnie Pasquantino smacked a double to left center and Salvador Pérez, who had sparked yesterdays’ KC comeback, drove him home with a single to left that put the visitors up, 1-0. Meanwhile, Bubic was mowing down Giants as if he were an International Harvester.

The only Giant to reach base before Villar led off the home fifth with a solid single to center was Miichael Conforto, who got hit by a pitch in the initial episode. In spite of a two out bunt single by Heliot Ramos, newly arrived from Sacramento along with Austin Wynns, San Francisco still was on the short end of a 1-0 score.

That’s how things stood when DeSclafani exited the scene in the top of the seventh. Vinnie Pasquantino had gotten Kansas City’ s second safety, a lead off single to center, and the SF starter had disposed of the always dangerous Pérez with a pop out to Crawford. Left hander Scott Alexander came on stage and surrendered a single to pinch hitter Matt Duffy before retiring the next two batters to hold KC’s margin to a single run. He gave way to Taylor Rogers for the visitors’ eighth.

DeSclafani had gone 6-1/2 innings and held his opponents to one run, earned, on three hits and no walks. He set seven Royals down on strikes. He threw 88 pitches, 61 for strikes and lowered. his ERA to 0.73.

Bubic soon followed DeSclafani to the showers. Carlos Hérnandez started the home seventh and, for openers, granted a free pass to Joc Pederson, pinch hitting for Davis.

It was the first walk for either team. Hernández set down the next two batters he faced and then yielded to Ryan Yarborough, who struck Blake Sabol, batting for Wynns, out looking Kris Bubic’s line was 6 IP, two hits, nine Ks, and a hit batter. The rest, zeroes except for his pitch count of 76, 56 of them strikes.

Taylor Rogers gave up a leadoff to Nicky López in the eighth, got the next two Royals out, and passed the baton to John Brebbia, yesterday’s goat. But not today. He struk out Witt looking.

San Francisco knotted the score in their half of the eighth. Bryce Johnson singled to left with one away. After Thairo Estrada flew to left, Wilmer Flores laced a two bagger down the third baseline that just barely got Johnson in with the tying run. Michael Conforto the put the Giants up by two with a monumental splash hit into. McCovey Cove, 429 feet deep.. It was Conforto’s three four bagger and came off a slow hanging curve.

John Brebbia stayed on to close out the win and get credit for the win, wrapping things up with a game ending double play, 4-6-3, courtesy of Matt Duffy. Ryan Yarborough was socked with the loss.

Today, Kansas City. Tomorrow, Los Angeles. The Dodgers are going with Julio Urías (2-0,1.50) who goes against the Giants Logan Webb (0-2,6.55) at 6:45 at Oracle Park in San Francisco Monday, April 10.

Warriors avoid play in tournament with decisive win over Portland 157-101; Golden State to face Sacramento in first round

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Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson reacts after making a 3-point basket against the Portland Trail Blazers during the second half in Portland on Sun Apr 8, 2023 (AP News photo)

Warriors Avoid Play In Tournament With Decisive Win Over Portland 157-101

By Barbara Mason

It’s an exciting time for the Golden State Warriors (44-38) who now control their own destiny. Sunday they took on the Portland Trail Blazers (33-49). The Warriors win guaranteed them a spot in the playoffs and were eliminated from a play in game with a huge win over the Trail Blazers 157-101 in the last game of the 2022-23 season.

The Warriors had an amazing opening quarter in this game. Klay Thompson had five triples and the team finished the first quarter with 12 shots from beyond the arc and led after the first twelve minutes 55-27.

Those 55 points in the first quarter were a new NBA record and the 12 made three’s tied the most shots in an opening quarter and the Warriors were having a terrific game. On top of all of these milestones, Thompson became only the third players in NBA history to hit 300 3-pointers in a season. Only one turnover; just another high point in an amazing start for Golden State.

The Warriors kept some tight defense on Portland and limited their scoring opportunities continuing to maintain their significant lead 64-34 with eight minutes left in the half. After the first two quarters Golden State had an 84-53 lead. The way these guys were shooting three’s left you breathless.

The Warriors would take some incredible momentum into the third quarter, the likes of which we have not seen all season especially on the road. Two quarters stood between the Warriors and a spot in the playoffs plus the elimination of a play-in tournament.

There were only five turnovers in the first half for the Warriors. They were shooting at nearly 60% from the field and over 50% from downtown. They were out rebounding the Trail Blazers 29 to 17. Stephen Curry finished the half with 18 points as did Jordan Poole off the bench.

There was no stopping the Warriors in the third quarter. They extended their lead to 120-75 with one quarter left in the game. Golden State had 21 shots from downtown shooting just over 55%. They had not let- down one bit in this game as they went into the final quarter.

With ten minutes left in the fourth quarter Curry, Green, Thompson, Poole and Looney were finished for the day. Curry finished with 26 points, Thompson had 20 points, and Poole had 21 off the bench. Golden State finished with 27 triples in this amazing win.

The long and winding road had come to an end for the Warriors in the regular season. If the way they have played to close out the season is any indication, these guys are peaking at the perfect time. With this decisive win the Warriors will get a week off before traveling to Sacramento to take on the Kings in the first round of the playoffs.