Zhang outlasts Keys in wild finish at Day 3 of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

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8-4-21–ZHANG SHUAI OF CHINA REACTS TO A POINT SHE WON IN HER STRAIGHT SETS VICTORY 7-5 7-6 OVER AMERICAN MADISON KEYS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT AT THE MUBADALA SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC AT THE SAN JOSE STATE UNIVERSITY TENNIS COMPLEX. Courtesy of Sports Radio Service.

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–It’s not every day a match ends on a challenge call.

That’s how Zhang Shuai was able to claim a straight sets victory 7-5 7-6 (7-5) over third seeded Madison Keys in the featured evening match on Day 3 at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at the San Jose State University Tennis Complex.

With the second set tied at 6-6 and in a tiebreaker, Zhang was up 6-4 when Keys returned a shot down the left sideline that was called in. Zhang challenged and the replay showed the shot was indeed out and the call was overturned giving Zhang the tough fought victory.

Zhang’s return game was her key weapon against Keys, whose powerful serve (the highest was clocked at 112 mph) kept her in the match.

Zhang’s challenges also affected the outcome of the first set. Keys won two games in a row to tie it up at 5-5 and seize the momentum. However back-to-back errant calls by the same linesmen resulted in overturn calls that Zhang challenged and won. Her challenges allowed her to regain the momentum and finish off the first set.

“I think I was really really lucky,” said Zhang, who had won five of her six challenges during the match. “I felt those calls were in and maybe if I don’t challenge, then I lose the set 7-5 or 7-6.”

Keys was plagued by numerous unforced errors in the second set. The native of Rock Island, Illinois, who opened up the second set winning four of the first five games, thought she didn’t not play her best tennis on this evening.

“To lose kind of on a really close call sucks,” said Keyes after the match. “But like I said, I gave it everything (I had) and kept fighting till the end. That’s all you really can do when your tennis (game) isn’t a 100 percent there.”

Zhang is now 5-2 in her career against Keys.

Ana Konjuh continued her climb up through the tournament. She entered the tournament as a wild card and now has played her well in the quarterfinals on Friday after her straight sets 6-1 6-4 victory over ninth seeded American Alison Riske.

“I really love it here (in San Jose),” said Konjuh. “I have family here, my cousins (who live here), so it’s not really all about tennis. I get to have dinners with them, (I’m able) to get my mind off of things. So it’s really nice to be back here.”

The 23-year native of Dubrovnik, Croatia, used a powerful serve and a strong backhand to control of the first set as she only lost one game. The second set featured more a battle as Riske didn’t go down quietly as she held serve at 5-4.

In the end, Konjuh was too much to handle for Riske who played well at this year’s tournament.

“I think the key was to play on her forehand, her high balls today. So I had to include my forehand as well. She made some mistakes in the first set but overall I played the match pretty well,” Konjuh said.

In other singles action, Poland’s Magda Linette defeated sixth seeded Petra Martic of Croatia in straight sets 7-5 7-6 (7-5) in an entertaining opening match the started the day off.

Fourth seeded Daria Kasatkina of Russia defeated France’s Caroline Garcia in three sets 3-6 7-5 6-3. Kasatkina and Linette advanced to the quarterfinals on Friday.

Youth ruled in doubles action on Day 3. The American duo of Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery made history in their straight sets victory 6-3 6-2 over the Netherlands team of Pattinama Kerkhove and Rosalie Van Der Hoek. The teenage sensations became the youngest duo to ever play at the tournament. Their combined age of 34 years, 192 days (Krueger is 17 years old and Robinson is 16 years old) set the new mark that used to belong to the American duo of Mary Joe Fernandez and Marianne Werdel-Witmeyer that had a combined age of 34 years, 301 days. They are the youngest to compete at a tour event since 2020.

In other doubles action, the American Duo of Cathy McNally and Coco Vandeweghe defeated the team of Erin Routliffe of New Zealand and Aldila Sutjiadi of Indonesia in three sets 6-4 1-6 10-5.

Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada and Luisa Stefani of Brazil defeated American Kaitlyn Christian and Australian Arina Rodionova in three sets 7-5 3-6 12-10. Ellen Perez of Australia and Czech Republic’s Kveta Peschke defeated the team of Elixane Lechemia of France and American Ingrid Neel in straight sets 6-3 6-2.

A’s score twice in 10th for comeback walk off on Padres 5-4

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Jubilation at the Oakland Ring Central Coliseum as Matt Olson (right) is congratulated by teammate Tony Kemp (5) after hitting a game winning double in the bottom of the tenth on Wed Aug 4, 2021 afternoon to split a two game series with the San Diego Padres (AP News photo)

San Diego 4 – 11 – 0

Oakland 5 – 7 – 0 (10 innings)

By Lewis Rubman

Wednesday August 4, 2021

OAKLAND–After Tuesday night’s disappointing 8-1 loss to the San Diego Padres (62-48), the Oakland A’s (61-48) went into Wednesday’s game against the Padres five and a half games behind the Astros in the race for the AL Western Division flag.

Winning that pennant has to be Oakland’s main goal if they are to have any hope of making it into the post season; three teams, the Yankees, Mariners, and Blue Jays are breathing down their necks, all three games or less behind the green and gold in the battle for the second wild card slot.

This afternoon’s contest, a thrilling 5-4, 10 inning triumph for Oakland, began as a tight pitcher’s duel, with the teams locked in a 1-1 tie after the first three innings. I like to consider this the opening act of the three act drama with 17 or 18 scenes that is a well constructed game of baseball. This afternoon’s contest had an epilogue.

The A’s took an early lead against Joe Musgrove, the Friars’ right handed starter who came to the mound with an impresive ERA of 2.94 to offset his unprepossessing won-lost record of 7-7. Jed Lowrie opened the second inning by blasting his 12th home run of the year, a 379 foot drive to right off a 90 mph cut fast ball.

Frankie Montás coughed up that slender lead in the following frame, allowing a lead off leg double to slow footed catcher Victor Caratini, who scored on Adam Frazier´s single to center after Montás had struck out the two intervening Padre batters, Jake Marisnick and Tommy Pham.

The tide turned in San Diego’s favor at the start of the second act, innings four through six. The Padres took the lead in the top of the fourth. With one out, Eric Hosmer singled to right. Jurickson Profar hit a liner that just cleared the glove of a leaping Olson and landed in right for a single that sent Hosmer to second. Trent Grisham then smacked a line drive against the right center field wall that rebounded past the centerfielder, Marte.

That drove in Hosmer, but Laureano fielded the elusive pellet and, combined with Josh Harrison’s fast and accurated relay, nabbed Profar at the plate, 9-4-2. That valiant play went in vain, as the pesky Caratini, who opened the day batting all of .226, singled to left, plating Grisham with the Friars’ third tally.

The second act, and with it Montás´s appearance, ended with San Diego still ahead, 3-1. The A’s starter threw 86 pitches in his afternoon’s work; 60 counted as strikes. All three runs he allowed were earned, and they came on eight hits. He struck out eight friars and didn’t walk any one.

Oakland’s had a new man on the mound to start the third and final act. Andrew Chafin, acquired from the Cubs on July 26, held the Padres to a single in the seventh before passing the ball to Jake Diekman in the eighth, who pitched a scoreless eighth and gave way to Yusmeiro Petit for the ninth inning. He yielded a two out double to Grisham but still held the Padres scoreless.

The seventh inning also brought a new pitcher to the mound for the visitors. Pierce Johnson relieved Musgrove, who, in six innings of brilliant work, had held the home team to a single run on only two hits, although he did issue three wallks and hit two Oakland batters.

One of them was the human bull’s eye, Mark Canha, whom he plunked on a full count in the first. Musgrove’s pitch count was 99. 40 of those were balls. Drew Pomeranz set the A’s down in order in the eighth.

Mark Melançon took the mound in the ninth for the visitors, looking for his 33rd save. Laureano greeted him with a double down the left field line to culminate a ten pitch at bat. Lowrie made the first out, taking a cutter for a called strike three.

Harrison sent a sorching ground ball to the right side of the infield of which Profar made a diving grab and beat the A’s second baseman to first for out number two while Laureano advanced to third. Murphy walked on four pitches, bringing up Chapman. Melvin called on Tony Kemp to run for Muphy.

Chapman hit a grounder to short, and Kemp beat Cronenworth’s throw to second, allowing Laureano to score and bringing Andrus to the plate with the tying run second and the winning run on first with two outs. Yan Gomes pinch hit for him and lined a single to center, bringing in Kemp with the tying run. We now were in extra innings.

Lou Trivino, who had converted his last 10 save opportunities relieved Petit with Ha-Seong Kim pinch running for Caratini, the placed runner on second, and Wil Myers batting for Marisnick. Myers grounded out short to first, sending Kim to third.

The shortstop, by the way, was Chapman, Kemp having stayed in the game, playing third. Chapman couldn’t handle a Tommy Pham’s grounder, and the error allowed Kim to score the run that put San Diego ahead 4-3.

It fell to Tim Hill to protect San Diego’s slender lead with Canha the placed runner on second and Marte at bat. Marte singled to right, sending Canha to third. Matt Olson lifted a fly to right that Myers, who remained in the game, seemed to have trouble finding in the sun. The ball bounced off the wall for a double, scoring Canha and Marte. with, respectively, the tying and winning runs.

Trivino got the win. He’s now 4-4, with an ERA of 1.95. Hill got charged with a blown save (as did Melançon) and the loss, making his recorrd 5-6, 2.90

The A’s have tomorrow off and will return to the Coliseum Friday evening at 6:40 when Chris Bassitt (11-3, 3.28) is scheduled to face the Texas Rangers and Mike Foltynewicz (2-10,6.00)

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: The Race to .400

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The Race to .400

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

In today’s game, batting averages are in the back of the bus, when it comes to hitting. It is all about the launch angle and hitting as many home runs as possible. Boston’s Ted Williams was the last player to end a season hitting .400, when he ended the 1941 season with a .406 average.

That would be inconceivable today. Ironically “the shift” that is a regular part of defensive alignments today, was specially designed for Teddy Ballgame by Cleveland Indians player-manager Lou Boudreau. Then it was called “the Boudreau Shift”, however historians noted that the first to use a shift against Ted Williams was Jimmy Dykes, manager of the Chicago White Sox on July 23, 1941.

Two hall of fame players, which I had the privilege to cover and interview were involved in a race to 400. Rod Carew and George Brett, two great players who were among the best in baseball during the 1970’s and 1980’s.

Kansas City Royals George Brett ended the 1980 season with a .390 batting average; he won a total of three batting titles. Rod Carew ended the 1977 season with a .388 average and won seven batting championships. During that great 1977 season the Panamanian-born Rod Carew of the Minnesota Twins, was the day-to-day story for his country of Panamá.

So much that I remember meeting Iván Molino-Mola who was following Carew across the country, a sports radio reporter for a leading station in Panamá. When the Twins visited the Oakland Coliseum Molino-Mola who had a regular telephone and every time Carew came to bat he would pick it up and send a play by play description LIVE of each at bat.

He told me he was doing that from every city where Carew and the Twins were playing on the road. Carew had captivated his country, just like Japanese superstars Ichiro Suzuki did with Seattle and currently Shohei Ohtani of the Angels are doing with the people in Japan.

Rod Carew was a very quiet player, who usually didn’t give many interviews. I remember when he told me: “yo vengo aqui a jugar no a hablar” trans- “I come here to play not to talk”. I joked with him that I was there to talk, just like hitting was his job, talking into a microphone was mine.

I did get to speak with him a few times. He was pleasant and mild-manner and never wanted to talk about his accomplishments. Over two decades later (years after his retirement) he visited the LA Angels FSN Spanish television booth at Angel Stadium and sat for a few innings as José Mota and yours truly asked him questions about his ordeal.

Carew was there for a press conference prior to the game, which many attended, including yours truly. During that press conference he introduced his surgeons and talked about the massive heart attack he had suffered in 2015 and talked in detail talk about his successful heart transplant.

Rod Carew is one of the biggest sports heroes that were born in the small (about 4 million) Central American country of Panamá, as well as Hall of Fame great closer Mariano Rivera and great boxer and champion of the world Roberto Durán.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez the Spanish play by play voice for the Oakland A’s on flagship station 1010 KIQI LeGrande San Francisco and does for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor: Shanahan, Garoppolo remains starting quarterback

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Trey Lance (5) and Jimmy Garoppolo (10) tune up during quarterback drills at the San Francisco 49ers camp in Santa Clara. Will there be a quarterback controversy? 49ers head coach says the job of starter belongs to Garoppolo to start the season. (photo from 49erswebzone.com)

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 Dee Ford said he’s excited to be back in practice after missing the last 15 games of last season due to a back injury. Ford was offsides on two snaps but was happy to get that old feel again.

#2 Javon Kinlaw made his first appearance in team drills on Monday he had suffered from a swelled up knee from last week. Kinlaw said after practice that the knee feel excellent.

#3 After drills on Monday head coach Kyle Shanahan said that Jimmy Garoppolo remains the team’s starting quarterback and Trey Lance is his back up. Shanahan said there was nothing that Lance did in practice to start talking differently with Jimmy.

Join David for all the latest on the 49ers podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: GM Mayock is a breakthrough case tests positive for Covid; 3 Raider players test positive

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Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock in Feb 25, 2020 photo speaks to the media at the NFL scouting Combine in Indianapolis tested positive for Coronavirus a breakthrough case as Mayock is fully vaccinated (AP file photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 Las Vegas Raiders general manager Mike Mayock has tested positive for Coronavirus and has been working from home. Mayock is a familiar figure at Raider practices. Mayock who is fully vaccinated could be out as long as ten days.

#2 Three of the Raiders players including kicker Daniel Carlson was put in the Covid 19 list as of last week and he joins running back Jalen Richard who was on the Covid list as of last week has returned to practice as of Monday.

#3 Raiders head coach Jon Gruden says he likes what he sees out of back up quarterback Marcus Mariota in camp. The kicker is that Mariota has been picked off twice by his roommate linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski.

#4 Mariota said those were the only two interceptions that he has thrown in drills, Gruden added that Mariota threw four incredible passes.

#5 Henry Ruggs was going out for one and caught a pass throw by quarterback Derek Carr who tossed it behind Nate Hobbs and Dallin Leavitt for a touchdown. Ruggs and Carr are expected to be a tandum this season.

Join Rich Perez for the Raiders podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

All-American evening session highlights Day 2 at the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic

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8-3-21—SLOANE STEPHENS WINS A POINT DURING HER STRAIGHT SETS VICTORY OVER CATHY MCNALLY DURING THE EVENING MATCH AT THE MUBADALA SILICON VALLEY CLASSIC ON TUESDAY EVENING. Courtesy of Sports Radio Service

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–Sloane Stephens was down in an early hole in the first set and then won the next eight games in a row as she cruised to victory over Catherine McNally in the featured evening match on Day 2 of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic at the San Jose State Tennis Complex.

Stephens beat McNally in straight sets 6-4 6-2 in an all American showdown that was the crescendo of an eventful day two in the South Bay.

Stephens looked sluggish getting down 0-4 early to McNally to begin the match. However she rebounded well and got her game going by winning the next eight games in a row, six to win the first set and then the first two games of the second set before McNally regrouped and won the next two.

Stephens looked sharp in the final four games to wrap up the match and head into the second round on Thursday.

“Obviously at the beginning it wasn’t what I wanted to do,” Stephens said regarding her slow start. “Once I got going and the rallies started going my way, I was able to execute my plan. Things got easier. I found a way to counter.”

Stephens was familiar with the Bay Area, even though it had been nine years since set stepped foot on a Bay Area tennis court. Originally from Fresno, Sloane’s stepfather, who’s from the area, would bring Sloane up to the area to play in tournaments when she was younger.

“We used to come up here a lot to play. I have really great memories of playing here. My favorite barbecue restaurant is here. I have a lot of family here and obviously the fans I haven’t seen in a long time. I’m just happy to be back,” Sloane said.

Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic came from behind to defeat American Amanda Anisimova in a three set-thriller 1-6 7-5 7-5. Down 5-4 in the second set, Tomljanovic broke serve to tie even the score. She went on to win the next two games to even the match at one set a piece.

Once again the 28 year old Croatian-Australian was down in the deciding 5-3 and managed to storm back winning the final four games to take the match and move on to the second round on Thursday.

“(Being down) in the hole 5-3 (in the third set) was big for me,” said Tomljanovic. “It was a tough game. She had some chances (to close out the match) and I knew that she was going to have serve it up there. And I have broken her a few times (during the match). I actually played a good return game. I definitely had the momentum after that.”

Earlier in the day Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva defeated Croatia’s Donna Vekic in straight sets 7-5 6-3. Putintseva played a strong game using her drop shot as a deadly weapon against Vekic, who could do nothing but admire the play from the 26-year born in Moscow, Russia.

Vekic had many unforced errors, including three double faults, and could not find a rhythm throughout the two sets.

“It was a tough match, she played well,” said the 25 year old Croatian. “I don’t think I played too bad. It’s just in the important points, I didn’t play too well and she took advantage of that.”

Vekic did not use fatigue as a possible factor for her loss as an excuse. She had just finished playing in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for her home country and flew in from a long flight to San Jose shortly after her time at the Olympics was over.

“I would say I was ready to play today. I didn’t feel tired before the match, I was good to go. It’s just that’s how the schedule goes,” Vekic said.

In other singles action, Kristina Mladenovic of France defeated Korea’s Na-Lee Han in straight sets 6-4 6-4. American Claire Liu beat Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in three sets 6-3 4-6 6-4 .

Danielle Collins defeated fellow American Shelby Rogers in straight sets 6-4 6-3 to close out the final match of the evening.

In doubles action, the team of Eri Hozumi (JPN) and Zhang Shuai (CHN) defeated the American team of Makena Jones and Elizabeth Scotty in three sets 6-1 3-6 (10-3). The team of American Emina Bektas and Great Britian’s Tara Moore defeated the other American duo of Peyton Stearns and Maribella Zamarripa in three sets 6-4 1-6 (12-10).

Pads Snell holds A’s to a run; SD scores early in 8-1 win

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San Diego Padres starter Blake Snell serves them up against the Oakland A’s in the first inning of game one of the two game series at the Oakland Ring Central Coliseum on Tue Aug 3, 2021 (AP News photo)

San Diego 8 – 14 -0

Oakland 1 – 7- 0

By Lewis Rubman

Tuesday August 3, 2021

OAKLAND–Tonight’s southpaw starters, 2018 AL Cy Young winner Blake Snell (4-4, 5.44 at game time) for the Padres and Sean Manaea (8-6,3.01), whose ERA speaks for itself for the Athletics are no strangers to each other. They were mound rivals last Wednesday at Petco Park, where Manaea retired the first 16 Friars he faced before walking his erstwhile teammate Jurickson Profar in the sixth frame.

Manaea ended up pitching a full six innings before leaving the game, which Oakland eventually won 10-4 with a 10-0 lead. Obviously, Snell wasn’t as effective. He got chased after surrendering seven runs in a scant four inning stint on the mound.

Tonight, it was a different story. The Padres took the lead in the first and never relinquished it, going on to win by the lopsided score of 8-1. Tommy Pham, leading off for the Friars, drove a 3-2 sinker 401 feet into left center field for his 12th home run and 36th RBI of the year to get San Diego off and runnning-I should say trotting-to a one run lead.

Snell, for his part, got through the first undamaged, although the A’s put men on second and third with no outs on a single by Mark Canha and Starling Marte’s double. Leaving runners in scoring position has become an unfortunate tendency over the last month or so for the green and gold.

The Padres added on in the second, with two out singles by eighth and ninth hitters, Ha-Seong Kim and Jake Marisnick, driving in Austin Nola, who also had singled. Then Tommy Phan brought in Kim with a single to center just before Jake Croenenworth’s infield single brought in Marisnick with San Diego’s third tally of the frame.

The A’s threatened in their half of the second but were done in by another of their recently displayed short comings, bad base running. With the bases loaded and one out, Josh Harrison, who was part of the July 30 trade with Washington that brought Yan Gomes to Oakland, tried to score on Canha’s fly to medium right field.

The result was an inning ending 9-2 double play. To give the Athletics´performance on the basepaths its due, Harrison and Chapman pulled off a duble steal as part of the threat, and Oakland stole a total of four bases over the course of the game. (Marte and Laureano swiped the other two).

It was the curse of the lead off double that did the A’s in in the fifth. The two bagger came off the bat of Laureano, who followed it uo with his 12th stolen base of the season. But Chapman struck out, and Andrus flew out to the warning track in left center, and the A’s once more had left a man stranded on third. (Their total for the game was eight).

When Manny Machado doubled to left with one down in the fifth, that was it for Manaea. He lasted 4-1/3 innings,and surendered five runs, all earned, on eight hits, including Pham’s lead off home run, but didn’t walk anyone. He threw 99 pitches, 68 for strikes, and, at game’s end, was the losing pitcher, leaving him with a record of 8-7, 3.26.

Deolis Guerra relieved him and closed out the inning but not before he’d walked Wil Myers and allowed Austin Nola to double to left, scoring Machado, a run charged to Manaea, and Myers, whose run went on Guerra’s account.

The A’s finally got on the board when Marte blasted his eighth round tripper of ‘21, and first as an Athletic, with one down in home fifth. It came on a 94 mph four seamer and traved 413 feet into the left field seats.

Burch Smith took over for Guerra to start the sixth and set the side down in order but gave up two runs on four singles (by Machado, Hosmer, Nola, and Grisham) in the seventh. A walk to Cronenworth was all he allowed in eighth.

Snell came out after the fifth, having thrown enough innings to earn the win, improving his record to 5-4, 5.24. He threw 105 pitches, 65 for strikes, and allowed one, earned, run on six hits and three walks, striking out six. His replacement was Craig Stammen, who pitched a flawless sixth before giving way to Emilio Pagán in the seventh and Matt Strahm in the eighth.

JB Wendelken mopped up for Oakland in the top of ninth, and Miguel Díaz closed the book on the A’s for San Diego.

Barring a post season match up, the two teams will play each other for the last time this year Wednesday afternoon at 12:37. Frankie Montás (9-8, ERA 4.08) and Joe Musgrove (7-7, ERA 2.94) are scheduled to face each other in a battle of bleary eyed righthanders.

Arizona Levels the Series winning 3-1

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Arizona Diamondbacks starter Madison Bumgarner throws to the San Francisco Giants line up in the top of the first inning on Tue Aug 3, 2021 at Chase Field in Phoenix (AP News photo)

Arizona Levels the Series Winning 3-1

By Barbara Mason

In last night’s game the San Francisco Giants held what many would have called an insurmountable lead.They were coasting 7-1 after scoring five times in the top of the fifth inning which included a grand slam. The Diamondbacks had other ideas, however, and letting the Giants run away with this game was not among them.

Arizona tied up this game in the seventh inning at eight apiece. It took extra innings but San Francisco prevailed 11-8. A Posey double, a duggar single and a Solano sacrifice was all it took.

For Game Two Madison Bumgarner was on the mound for Arizona. He pitched through seven innings and was having an excellent game. The Diamondbacks were facing Johnny Cueto who pitched through six innings.

Tuesday night the teams met for Game Two of the four game series. Arizona took a 3-0 lead in the second inning when Nick Ahmed doubled and Asdrubal Cabrera also doubled. Ahmed drove in Christian Walker and off of Cabrera’s double Ahmed and Madison Bumgarner scored.

In the fifth inning San Francisco got up on the board via a Curt Casali home run. The score would remain 3-1 through seven innings.

Aaron Sanchez relieved in the bottom of seventh inning for the Giants. He loaded the bases but was able to get out of the inning without giving up a single run. The score would remain 3-1 going into the eighth inning.

It was a quiet inning for both teams and heading into the ninth inning the Giants were running out time. The Giants had a double in the ninth inning off the batt of Solano but that would be it for San Francisco. The final score was 3-1.

It was a very quiet offensive game for San Francisco in tonights game. They will be looking to pick up their offense tomorrow in Game Three of this series. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Is there any proof that Kane bet on hockey?

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Evander Kane (left) against his legal council’s advice released a statement on Monday saying the accusations by his wife Anna (right) that he gambled on hockey is false and no doubt will be looking for the proof he bet on hockey (photo from heavy.com)

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury the recent allegation of San Jose Shark Evander Kane 30 of betting on hockey has already drawn comparisons to former Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose who later confessed to betting on baseball. How concerning is this for the game of hockey and Kane’s career.

#2 Kane in November 2019 was sued by the Cosmopolitan hotel in Las Vegas for $500,000 in gambling debts which he paid back during a trip with the Sharks while playing against the Las Vegas Golden Knights.

#3 Oakland A’s are battling for a wild card spot with the Boston Red Sox also they are behind the first place Houston Astros by 4.5 games they could battle to the end of the season to try and get a playoff spot.

#4 The New York Mets say they regret they have to pass on signing Vanderbilt star Kumar Rocker 21, Rocker didn’t pass the physical and the issue of concern was Rocker’s arm. Rocker’s agent Scott Boras said that numerous Orthopedic surgeons, Rocker had MRIs on his shoulder and elbow. Boras said that Rocker is in better shape this year than he was in 2018.

#5 Olympic baseball had four out of seven relievers on the US team gave up five runs to help give Team Japan a ten inning victory 7-6. The US had a three run lead and couldn’t hold the lead as the bullpen melted down and Japan came back and edged the US.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the vice president of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Hall of Fame Museum and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants blow big lead, recover in extras to best the D’Backs, increase NL West lead

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By Morris Phillips

Trade deadline activity that strengthens a competing club is energizing for the fans and organization. But it can be agonizing for players who may be on the departing end of a big trade.

Once the trade deadline passes, nervousness ceases and everybody gets back to work.

On Monday night in Phoenix, Alex Dickerson got back to work.

The Giants’ burly left fielder hit a grand slam to give the Giants a big lead, only to see it evaporate, and force the club to regain control in extra innings in an 11-8 victory over the Diamondbacks. With the acquisition of Kris Bryant, Dickerson had to be wondering about his current status with the club with Bryant offering a better option for the team’s outfield spots. But Monday found Bryant and Dickerson in the lineup together, a clear sign that manager Gabe Kapler hadn’t forgotten what a menace Dickerson has been when facing Arizona.

“He’s had quite a bit of success against the D-backs,” Kapler said. “He’s had quite a bit of success in this ballpark. I think he feels especially confident.”

“It hasn’t been the greatest year for me to this point, but they know and I know that I’m better than how I’ve played,” Dickerson said. “I just needed that kind of day where it all comes together. It was a good feeling to have everybody pulling for me.”

Kapler made it clear that while more is expected of Dickerson, hitting just .217, not much more is expected. Being an occasional home threat and delivering in that manner may be enough.

“I just think he needs to be the better version of Alex Dickerson. That’s a guy who’s a really tough out at the plate against righties and occasionally has games with big damage like he had today. I don’t want Alex to put any additional pressure on himself to be perfect every time out. Just be productive and keep the line moving.”

Dickerson’s slam off reliever J.B. Bukauskas in the fifth was typical, Giants home run express delivery: a poorly placed pitch in the hitting zone that wasn’t missed. That Dickerson sent the pitch 437 feet for his career-best 11th home run of the season said it all. The slam ended an 0 for 17 stretch for the slugger.

Despite building a 7-1 lead, the Giants found themselves in a nail bitter with a D’Backs club that came in 40 games below .500 and was embarassed by the Dodgers on Sunday, losing 13-0. Josh Reddick got the Arizona comeback started with a two-run shot off Anthony DeSclafani in the fifth. Asdrubral Cabrera followed with another two-run shot, and Christian Walker’s two-run double got the D’Backs even in the seventh.

Reliever Jay Jackson was victimized by Walker, a surprise after Jackson gave the eight, neat appearances in July, and had put himself in line for a bigger role out of the Giants’ pen. Jackson’s command issues on Monday were apparent prior to facing Walker, but Kapler was reluctant to turn to any of his top three relievers after a weekend of extended activity against the Astros.

With the game tied, Kapler did find some success with newly reacquired Tony Watson and hot arm Jarlin Garcia, who pitched the ninth and tenth innings. That gave the Giants a chance to catch a collective breather, and rally in the tenth. Buster Posey started it with a double that chased home Brandon Crawford, the placed runner to start an extra inning. Dickerson’s line out advanced Posey to third, and Austin Slater walked. Steven Duggar followed with an RBI single, and Donovan Solano capped the rally with a ground out that allowed Slater to score.

The Giants gained a half game on the Dodgers and Padres, increasing their lead in the NL West to 3 1/2 games. The Giants have won six of eight and moved a season-best 28 games above .500 at 67-39. The season series against Arizona continues to be lopsided with the Giants capturing 10 of 11 meetings thus far.

On Tuesday, the veteran matchup sure to gain attention takes place with Johnny Cueto facing Madison Bumgarner, the former Giant and 2014 World Series hero at 6:40pm.