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Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Cepeda the second of Giants Heroes to pass in June; Gallen back in D-Backs rotation; plus more

Published on June 30, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

No Bull, Orlando Cepeda was one of the best he shined when playing for the St Louis Cardinals in the 1967 and 1968 seasons leading them to the World Series in each of those years. Here is Cepeda taking in a slide scoring on the New York Mets catcher JC Martin at Shea Stadium in 1968. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Orlando Cepeda the St Louis Cardinals first baseman who went to the World Series as their starting first baseman for the 1967 and 1968 seasons. Cepeda won the National League MVP in 1967 passed away on Friday night at age 86. Cepeda was a longtime San Francisco Giant before going to the Cards after the 1966 season.

#2 San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin called Cepeda’s passing a gut punch as his passing is the second Giants Hall of Famer to go as the legendary Giants outfielder Willie Mays passed away on Tue June 18, 2024. It’s been a very rough month for the Giants Hall of Famers and fans.

#3 The Arizona Diamondbacks Zac Gallen has returned to the pitching rotation he started Saturday’s game against the Oakland A’s at Chase Field. Gallen a right hander faced only one batter in his last outing on May 30th. Gallen had a left hamstring strain where he was placed on the IL.

#4 The A’s opened up their three game series on Friday with a win that snapped a long 11 game road losing streak and ended their six game skid. Defeating the Diamondbacks at Chase Field 9-4. It’s been a long tough road but the A’s figured it out on Friday night.

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers bat boy Javier Herrera snared a line drive foul ball that was headed into the Dodger dugout and could have take out Shohei Ohtani but Herrera’s quick thinking and fast hands caught the drive barehanded avoiding hitting Ohtani who just so happened to be right behind Herrera. Ohtani said of the line drive catch and Herrera “my hero.”

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Northern Colorado hitting knocks Ballers out of the park in 15-7 crushing at Raimondi

Published on June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Northern Colorado Owlz (21-14) 005 321 14 15 21 1

Oakland Ballers (19-16) 000 010 114 7 11 1

Time: 3:19

Attendance: 2,337

Saturday, June 29, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

WEST OAKLAND–There are three consolations for the 15-7 drubbing the Oakland Ballers suffered this warm and sunny Saturday afternoon at the hands of the Northern Colorado Owlz. The first is that it wasn’t as bad as the 15-1 demolition they had endured the previous night.

The second was that the Ballers’ bats finally came alive, too little and too late, but still alive in the B’s four run bottom of the ninth, in which they mixed a hit batter (Austin Davis), a single by Myles Jefferson, a Trevor Halsema double, and Dondrei Hubbard’s eighth home run in 35 games, to give what was a rout the appearance of just a lopsided loss.

This isn’t to say that the team’s offense had been completely moribund until the final frame. Three Ballers had multi hit games. Halsema went three for five; Halsema and Jaylen Smith, two for five. The third consolation, and perhaps the most helpful, was the two mediocre innings, the eighth and ninth, that Kelsie Whitmore pitched to preserve the tattered remnants of the Oakland bullpen to survive and fight another day, Sunday’s contest, in which the Ballers hope to even their six game series against the powerful Owlz.

The four runs, all earned, that she allowed in at the game’s end were more than those surrendered by any of Oakland’s two other relievers, Abraham De León and Jake Dahle. Only starter Aaron Eden, who allowed eight runs on a dozen hits, four of them for four bases, in 3-1/3 frames surrendered more tallies than Whitmore. Needless to say, Eden, now 2-3, 8.40, was charged with the loss.

Northern Colorado used three pitchers. Chase Jesse, their starter, was quite effective, gaining the win that put his record at 4-0, 3.48. He was on the mound for six innings and allowed only one run, which was earned, on five hits and three walks.

He threw 105 pitches, 62 of which fit the definition of strikes. Jason McCassey hurled a dodgy seventh frame and allowed a run, earned, on two hits, a hit batter, a walk, and a wild pitch. Halesma greeted Tyler Curtis with a homer over the left field fence in the eighth, but didn’t allow anything more that inning.

But the Owlz relifer fell apart in the ninth and ended up being charged with five runs, all earned, on as many hits, two of them long balls, and two walks in his two innings of work.

NoCo’s five runs in the third pretty much sealed Oakland’s doom. Dario Gómez’s three run homer was the big blow. He ended up going one for four. Dave Matthews and Jackson Coutts, who were on base at the time, finished the day at three for five and three for three, respectively. Evan Scavotto, who went five for six, was on second with a double when Euro Díaz (four for six) doubled him home. Díaz, in turn, scored on Garrett Kuebers single. You get the picture.

In my report on last Saturday’s Baller-Yolo High Wheelers game in Davis, I discussed JP Gates pitching in relief to two Yolo batters without retiring the side and then being replaced by Connor Richardson without any objection by the umpires or High Wheelers.

It caused quite a buzz in the press box. Tyler Peterson, the B’s sportscaster on 860 AM was especially animated, but no one in the press box, including the knowledgeable Doug Greenwald, had an explanation for this violation of the three batter or last out of the inning rule.

After this afternoon’s contest, I had a chance to talk with the Ballers’ manager, Micah Franklin. He had a very simple explanation for this puzzling event; that rule doesn’t exist in the Pioneer League. There’s a certain irony to this. A few days before I went to Davis to cover the game, I wrote to the league offices to ask how I could acquire their rule book. Their answer came after I’d returned to Oakland. They said the rule book wasn’t available to the public. Go figure.

1:05 is the game time for Sunday’s, chance for the B’s to even the series and remain serious contenders for a guaranteed place in the postseason.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

Published on June 29, 2024June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Flashback: Hall of Fame acknowledgement for Orlando Cepeda in 1999 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco. From left to right: Lon Simmons Giants broadcaster (seated), Amaury Pi Gonzalez Giants Spanish broadcaster, Giants manager Dusty Baker, Orlando Cepeda Hall of Famer, and Giants managing partner Peter Macgowan (seated) (photo furnished by Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

Adios Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Ten days after Willie (“The Say Hey Kid”), Mays left us, Adiós today to Cha Cha. Rest in peace. Orlando Cepeda passed on June 28, 2024, at 86, in the Hall of Fame, elected by the Veterans Committee. He was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico; the first baseman played for 17 seasons in the major leagues, and ended with a .297 average, 379 Homeruns, hit over .300 nine times in his career, a six-time All-Star who in 1958, won the National League, Rookie of the Year honors, was the 1966 Comeback Player of the Year Award, the 1967 Most Valuable Player in the National League, and 1973, at the end of his career won the DH of the Year Award.

Orlando’s debut was in 1958 with the San Francisco Giants, where he played most of his 17 seasons. He also played in St. Louis, Atlanta, Oakland, and Boston, and his last season with the Kansas City Royals was in 1974. A power hitter from Puerto Rico, Orlando made his debut in the majors just three years after his compatriot Roberto Clemente, who in 1955 was a rookie with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

I had the chance to speak with Orlando on many occasions, just talking baseball with him in Spanish and all the great memories of his days as a player that he shares with yours truly, the years when he (like many African-American and Latino players) were discriminated in the minor leagues and later here in the big show.

His telephone at home had a recording with Salsa music in the background. He once told me he would be either a musician or a ballplayer. He shared a great love for Latin music and always had a smile when we spoke about that topic.

Many times, either at Candlestick or later after 2000 at what is today Oracle Park, Orlando will come to the Spanish broadcast booth to join me as he enjoyed doing commentary. He was not part of the broadcast team, but it was an honor for us to welcome him, his experience, knowledge, and stories of his great career.

In February 2018, after a fall, he suffered a cardiac episode, a head injury, and a stroke after falling in a parking lot. Orlando Cepeda’s father was one of the most famous baseball players in Puerto Rico. Nicknamed Perucho was a solid professional baseball player in the “Isla del Encanto” trans “Island of the Charm.”

Orlando told me his dad could have played in the major leagues, but he did not want to suffer the discrimination that Hispanic players were subjected to. His father’s full name was Orlando Manuel Cepeda Pennes.

In 1998, through Orlando Cepeda, I met Garbiel (Tito) Avila Jr, who had the idea of starting a Hispanic Baseball Museum in the United States. I joined Avila Jr and, with him, co-founded the museum, which is still going strong after 25 years of traveling across the country.

In 2002, Orlando Cepeda was inducted into The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame (hhbmhof.com). Orlando shared their passion for the game as he was part of the HHBM during many of our public events and always hopes that we will have the permanent site for the Museum near the San Francisco Giants Park.

As a fan I always remember Orlando Cepeda aka The Baby Bull for his pure power at the plate; he hit a lot to centerfield and had power to spare.

Que en Paz Descanse una de las leyendas de Latinoamerica, el gran Boricua Orlando Cepeda.

Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP.

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

Earthquakes drop Cali Clásico against Galaxy 3-0

Published on June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo courtesy of San Jose Earthquakes.

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

STANFORD- The Earthquakes took on the Galaxy in their special Cali Clásico match hosted at the Stanford’s stadium.

Tonight’s match saw Ian Russel lead the squad for the first time since the team parted ways with former head coach Luchi Gonzalez. For the time being Russel is still considered an interim manager after being promoted from his assistant coaching position.

For the Earthquakes it was William Yarbrough in-between the pipes while for the Galaxy John McCarthy got the nod.

It was a solid start for the quakes who had a couple solid early looks from Jeremy Ebobisse and Hernán López. That pressure lead to Mark Delgado being issued a yellow for a foul at the 22 minute mark giving Amahl Pellegrino a free kick.

Only seven minutes later the Galaxy got their second yellow of the night as this time Edwin Cerrillo was awarded one for a foul.

Once again San Jose was pushing as they forced McCarthy to make two saves in the span of just a few minutes. Despite all that LA got the first goal of the game at the 37 minute mark from Joseph Paintsil as he hit the back of the net with a shot from the center of the box.

The yellow’s in the first half were not done though as Jalen Neal was issued one at the 39th minute and San Jose’s Antônio Josenildo Rodrigues de Oliveira was given one for a foul as well.

At the 55th minute star center back Riqui Puig was subbed into the match and made an immediate impact. Just a couple minutes after being subbed in he won a free kick and then got a shot on goal at the 65th minute that was saved by Yarborough. He was not finished though as at the 72nd minute he surged forward and fired a bullet that beat Yarborough but hit iron. Thankfully for LA Dejan Joveljic was standing right there for the rebound and he headed the ball into a gaping cage making it 2-0.

More yellow’s were handed out as this time McCarthy was given one for poor sportsmanship.

With the game now winding down heading into stoppage time LA completely put the game away scoring at the first minute of stoppage time. The goal came from Mauricio Cuevas and ended up being the last one of the match finishing this one at 3-0.

The victory for LA is now their fourth in a row and now puts them up to 11-3-7.

With the loss San Jose falls to 3-15-2 as this club continues to look for answers in what has been a nightmare season.

San Jose will look to end their losing streak on July 3rd when they take on St. Louis on the road at 5:30 p.m.

Dodgers open up the floodgates with seven run 11th inning beat Giants 14-7

Published on June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) joins the chorus of teammates with manager Dave Roberts left and to the back concluding Sat Jun 29, 2024’s contest against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles Dodgers 14 (52-32)

San Francisco Giants 7 (40-44)

Win: Daniel Hudson (5-1)

Loss: Sean Hjelle (3-2)

Time: 3:45

Attendance: 39,663

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–After a tight and hard-fought seesaw game through 10 innings, the Dodgers exploded for seven runs in the top of the 11th inning to beat the Giants 14-7.

After Brett Wisely hit a walk-off home run to cap off a thrilling 5-3 Giants’ win over their hated rivals last night, the Giants and Dodgers were set to go at it again today in a nationally-televised late-afternoon affair at Oracle Park.

Without a single cloud in the sky, the 4:15 p.m. start time meant there would be a lot of shadows, which would make it a very hard day for hitting.

It would be yet another bullpen game for Bob Melvin’s beat-up pitching staff. Erik Miller would be the opener, and as the Giants took the field, he ran in from the bullpen in left-center field. Hey, he’s a reliever, and the man has his routine. Anyway, Miller started off the day with a 1-2-3 top of the first inning.

Tyler Glasnow made the start for the Dodgers, and Jorge Soler lined a double down the left field line to lead off the bottom of the first. Soler moved to third on a ground out by LaMonte Wade. Ramos then knocked in Soler on a sacrifice fly to right-center field.

The Dodgers responded off Spencer Howard in the top of the second. Andy Pages doubled on a duck snort off the end of the bat to right, and Miguel Rojas knocked in Pages with another suck snort to tie the game

Matt Chapman led off the bottom of the second with a double, just as Soler did in the first. However, the rally was immediately snuffed when Chapman was picked off while taking off for third base prior to the pitch.

It was unfortunate, because he would have scored when Michael Conforto immediately followed that with a double off the center field wall. The Giants would end up wasting the opportunity entirely, as the game went to the third tied 1-1.

Chapman’s gaffe and the Giants’ wasted opportunity would come back to bite them in the top of the third. Shohei Ohtani in particular made it hurt with a home run to straight away center to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.

Not to worry, the Giants had a response in the bottom of the third. Nick Ahmed walked to start the inning, and Soler doubled to right to knock in Ahmed and tie the game. Wade reached on a broken-bat ground ball to short, in which Soler was thrown out trying to advance to third.

It was the Giants’ second base-running gaffe of the game, but thankfully, it didn’t hinder the rally. Heliot Ramos singled up the middle to center, and Patrick Bailey singled to right to score Wade and put the Giants back ahead.

Matt Chapman reached on an infield hit to third that was bobbled by Dodgers’ third-baseman Cavan Biggio—which could have been ruled an error—to knock in Ramos and make it 4-2. Michael Conforto walked to load the bases, and Bailey scored when Luis Matos reached on a fielder’s choice to make it 5-2.

The Giants scored four runs in the bottom of the third, and the Dodgers would score four of their own against a tired Spencer Howard in the top of the fourth. Andy Pages walked with one out, and base-hits by Jason Heyward and Miguel Rojas made it 5-3.

Gavin Lux singled to right, and as Dodgers Third Base Coach Dino Ebel waived in Heyward, Luis Matos threw a perfect strike to the plate, but it was dropped by catcher Patrick Bailey. Heyward scored, and Rojas, the tying run, was now standing just 90 feet away at third.

Biggio laid down a bunt but popped out to first base, and Ohtani walked to load the bases. That did it for Howard, as Melvin brought in Randy Rodriguez.

Will Smith came up and hit a slow ground ball to short that Nick Ahmed charged and bare handed, but Smith beat it out, and Lux scored to tie it. Freddie Freeman then walked with the bases loaded, and the Dodgers were back ahead.

Tyler Glasnow was pulled after the Giants’ four-run bottom of the third, and it was the first time this season that he did not go at least five innings. He was replaced by Yohan Ramirez for the bottom of the fourth. Ahmed reached on an infield hit to start the inning, but Ramirez retired the side in order afterwards.

As the shadows started to eclipse home plate, the scoring almost stopped entirely. Rodriguez threw a 1-2-3 top of the fifth, and Ramirez got Bailey to ground out to start the bottom of the fifth.

Matt Chapman lined a base-hit the other way to right, and Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts pulled Ramirez for Alex Vesia, who immediately walked Michael Conforto to put runners at first and second with one out.

Matos was unable to get the job done, as he flew out to left, but Brett Wisely got jammed and floated a broken-bat base hit to center to score Chapman to tie it.

It was now a 6-6 game heading to the sixth. Rodriguez and left-hander Taylor Rogers combined for a 1-2-3 top of the sixth. Wade doubled off Vesia with one out in the bottom of the sixth, and Ramos walked after Roberts brought in Michael Petersen. However, Bailey and Chapman both struck out and the game remained tied.

Freeman doubled off Rogers with one out in the top of the seventh, but Ryan Walker came in to strike out Teoscar Hernandez and Andy Pages. Anthony Banda threw a scoreless inning in the bottom of the seventh, and the game remained tied going to the eighth.

Walker got out of a jam in the top of the eighth, and Blake Treinen pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth for LA to send it to the ninth.

Camilo Doval came in for a non-save situation in the top of the ninth. Doval has had a rough go of things here in June, but he has particularly struggled in non-save situations.

Doval struck out Ohtani to start the inning, but Will Smith singled, and Freeman walked. However, Doval bore down and struck Hernandez and Page out—both swinging—to get out of it unscathed.

Evan Phillips then pitched a scoreless bottom of the ninth for the Dodgers to send this game into extra innings. This would be the second time in their last three games that the Giants were going extras.

Melvin went to Sean Hjelle for the tenth, and Andy Pages was the automatic runner at second for the Dodgers. Miguel Rojas gave the Dodgers the lead with a base-hit to center.

The veteran, Daniel Hudson, came in for LA in the bottom of the 10th, and Brett Wisely was the runner at second. Nick Ahmed grounded out to short to start the inning, but David Villar hit a pinch-hit double into the gap out in left-center to tie it.

Hudson fell behind 3-1 to Wade, and then Roberts decided to put him on. Ramos then reached on a swinging bunt along the third base line to load the bases for Patrick Bailey. It was a break for the Giants, as the ball appeared to have hit Ramos’ foot, but it was not a reviewable play.

Roberts brought in Chris Taylor from center field to be the fifth infielder, as the Giants had a chance for their second-straight walk-off win, but Bailey struck out swinging at a low slider, and Matt Chapman fouled out.

So it was off to the 11th, and with Tyler Rogers not available after pitching in three of the Giants’ last four games, Hjelle was back out. I’m not going to waste everyone’s time with the long and painful details, but the Dodgers pounded Hjelle into submission for seven runs.

Melvin had Ohtani put on to start the inning, and once Will Smith drove in a pair with a double to left-center, the floodgates opened. The first out of the inning wasn’t even made until Jason Heyward scored the inning’s seventh run on a sacrifice fly by Miguel Rajos.

As for the bottom of the 11th, Ryan Yarbrough pitched a 1-2-3 inning to end it, and the Giants took a brutal loss on the chin 14-7.

The win goes to Daniel Hudson, and the loss goes to Sean Hjelle, who was just thrown into a tough situation having to eat innings for the Giants’ beat-up bullpen at a bad time.

The Giants fall to 40-44, and they can once again try to win the series in the finale Sunday afternoon. Lefty James Paxton (7-1, 3.39 ERA) will make the start for the Dodgers, and for the Giants, you guessed it, it will be another game bullpen game. First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

Blake Snell will make another on Wednesday in Sacramento against the Reno Aces. If his start goes well, the Giants hope to have him return to the rotation the following week during the Giants’ series against the Toronto Blue Jays at Oracle Park.

The Giants added a memorial pass for Hall-of-Famer Orlando Cepeda, who passed away yesterday. Like Mays’ memorial patch, Cepeda’s has the orange number 30 under the name “Cepeda.” which is also in orange in a black circle surrounded by a circular orange outline.

Jackie Young Spurs Aces to Fourth Straight Victory 88-77 Over Mystics

Published on June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Washington Mystics forward Aaliyah Edwards (24) greets the Las Vegas Aces forward A’ja Wilson (22) at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington DC on Sat Jun 29, 2024 (photo by Las Vegas X)

By Barbara Mason

The Las Vegas Aces (10-6) won their fourth straight game beating the Washington Mystics (4-15) 88-77. Jackie Young had the game high with 26 points and the newly returned Chelsea Gray had her best game since her recovery with 22 points. A’ja Wilson had 11 points with 9 rebounds. After struggling for a bit, these ladies have turned things around in a big way and in record time.

Game recap: The Mystics had a great opening quarter leading after the first twelve minutes 28-20. The second quarter was a close one with the Aces barely winning the quarter 26-24. At the half, the Aces trailed 52-46.

Las Vegas went on to win the third quarter 21-17 but continued to trail with the Mystics leading 69-67 in a very close game. The Aces closed out this contest in the fourth quarter crushing the Mystics 21-8 in the quarter and winning the game 88-77 for their fourth win in a row.

Not only Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray sealed the win, but they also had help from Tiffany Hayes off the bench with 17 points and 4 rebounds. A’ja Wilson chipped in eleven points with 9 rebounds which did end her streak of scoring at least 20 points per game this season.

With so much depth on the roster right now both Wilson and Kelsey Plum can have quiet games without hurting the team. When one team member has a slow night there is always reinforcement. That’s what this team is all about; lifting each other up.

The Mystics Stefanie Dolson finished with 23 points and seven rebounds putting her team in position to win but the fourth quarter surge by the Aces was too much for Washington to handle. The Aces opened the fourth quarter with a couple of baskets which gave Las Vegas the lead and the rest is history.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon the Aces were on the road taking on the Mystics. Since the return of Chelsea Gray a month ago, the Aces are now firing on all cylinders after struggling for a few weeks. They are holding down third place in the Western Conference and can once again be considered contenders for a third title. The Mystics have had struggles all season winning only 4 games so far this season and lost their 15th game of the season today and were challenged by Las Vegas.

The Aces will now travel home to take on Caitlan Clark and the Indiana Fever Tuesday night at Michelob ULTRA Arena. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 6:30 PM.

A’s Offense Falters Losing to Diamondbacks In Shutout 3-0

Published on June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Oakland A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom (left) dives towards first base to beat the Arizona Diamondback runner Corbin Carroll (7) to first base in the bottom of the seventh inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Sat Jun 29, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After an impressive offensive display in last night’s game, the Oakland A’s (30-55) offense today was equally unimpressive. They only managed two hits the entire game getting shutout by the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-43) 3-0. The pitching was terrible allowing ten hits and three runs in 3 1/3 innings. They still have the opportunity to win this series if they can get get their bats going in game three.

Game recap: Although the A’s did fall behind early as in Friday night’s game, there was no reason for alarm. This team has proven that they can comeback as they did in last night’s game. The Diamondbacks took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Ketel Marte singled Eugenio Suarez home for the early lead. With so much game left there was still a lot of baseball to be played. Oakland needed their offense to get this game on track.

Arizona did not back down scoring a run in the third and fourth innings. Jake McCarthy singled Christian Walker home and in the fourth inning Lourdes Jose Gurriel Jr doubled Herrera home and the Diamondbacks had a strangle hold on this game and Oakland could not do much about it.

The A’s bats remained silent through the entire game with only twp hits, one in the first inning and one hit in the seventh inning. It was such a stark contrast from what we saw last night. In game one, they had 14 and in today’s game a complete shutdown with the two hits.

Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar had a single hit apiece but that was it offensively for Oakland. Friday night seven batters for the A’s were hitting and today only Rooker and Andujar. Consistency has been a real problem for Oakland this season and the game today was no different.

The good news is that the rubber game Sunday is a new start and could very well bring the A’ a series win. A’s pitcher Luis Medina will do his best to make that happen. His win-loss record is not great 1-3 and his ERA is 5.25. Arizona has also struggled on the mound this season. They will send Brandon Pfaadt (3-6, ERA 4.45) to start as they will be looking to take the series as well.

It was not a great outing for Hogan Harris in game two. He only lasted 3 1/3 innings allowing 10 hits and three runs and had only three strikeouts. On the other hand the Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen returned from IR holding the A’s to a single hit in six innings for the 3-0 win. Gallen threw 77 pitches, 50 strikes striking out seven A’s. Ketel Marte had another solid game with three hits which put the stops on a three-game losing streak for Arizona.

Game notes: After a banner night Friday night the A’s took on the Diamondbacks in game two of their series. There was not much that Oakland could not do Friday night in game one from hitting, to defense to pitching; it was magic and the team needed to keep the ball rolling into the second game of the series.

They have suffered setbacks far too often in the past and ended up repeating an old pattern Saturday with no run production and no hitting. Hogan Harris took the mound for the A’s and couldn’t keep this winning streak alive in the loss. The Diamondbacks assigned Gallen who made his first start since May coming off the IL and wound up shutting out the A’s in six innings pitched.

Sunday afternoon, the A’s will be looking to win this series. They will need a lot more then two hits to do it and they will need Luis Medina to set the stage. Medina will be challenged with a very solid and deep Arizona roster. First pitch for game three is scheduled for 1:10 PM.

Bay FC Asisat Oshoala scores gamer defeat Racing Louisville 1-0

Published on June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bay FC’s Asisat Oshoala is thrilled after scoring at the 76th minute from the spot against Racing Louisville FC at Lynn Family Stadium in Louisville in what would be the match’s only goal. (photo by Bay FC X)

By William Espy

Bay FC was on the road Saturday, as they visited Louisville, Kentucky to take on Racing Louisville FC in a matinee matchup at Lynn Family Stadium. It was an important game as the winner could walk away 8th in the league standings, while the loser could quickly start trending in the wrong direction.

Entering the night, Bay had won three of their last five matchups, while Louisville had two victories and a draw in the same time frame. Bay was without key player Rachael Kundananji who had been suspended for yellow-card accumulation. Asisat Oshoala scored the match’s only goal in the 76th minute that would defeat Racking Louisville 1-0.

Bay Starting XI: Rowland, Malonson, Beattie, Menges, Dydasco, Bailey, Pickett, Anderson, Hill, Oshoala, Boade

Louisville Starting XI: Lund, Pickett, Erceg, Jean, Milliet, DeMelo, Howell, Fischer, Sears, Bahr, DiGrande

The game started out with a collision between Kiki Pickett and Savannah DeMelo in midfield in the first minute. DeMelo was a little shaken up, but the physicality toward her continued as she collided with Jen Beattie and Joelle Anderson just a minute later.

Jaelin Howell would get the first strong chance of the night in the 8th minute for Louisville, however, the ball would sail over the goal. Moments later at the other end, Asisat Oshoala had a great run, she had to hold up while she waited for her teammates but there wasn’t enough on the shot and it was grabbed by the goalkeeper Katie Lund.

Rachel Hill created a second strong chance for Bay on the following play, however her shot went through the box and out for a goal kick. Anderson would be shown a yellow card in the 13th minute following another challenge on DeMelo.

The foul resulted in a very dangerous free kick for Louisville, but after the cross into the box, the ball would be headed out of play. Kayla Fischer nearly gave her teammate Emma Sears a fantastic scoring chance in the 16th minute, but the through-ball was just out of reach and went out for a Bay FC goal kick.

Despite some chances for both teams early in the first half, the game was fairly sluggish out of the gate. The main reason would likely be the 94-degree heat, which certainly had an effect on both teams. In the 37th minute, Louisville had their best opportunity of the night so far on a shot by Fischer but Katelyn Rowland was able to track the shot and make the save. Louisville truly came alive in stoppage time, getting multiple scoring opportunities but were unable to convert. The game entered half-time as a 0-0 draw.

Bay FC made a single change heading into the second half, with Anderson coming out for Deyna Castellanos. Hill got Bay’s first shot of the half in the 48th minute, but the defense stood strong once again. In the 58th minute, Elexa Bahr was alone with quite a bit of space inside of the box, however, her shot was off-target and went out of play.

Louisville came out with quite a bit of energy in the second half, as a result they were creating most of the offense early in the half. Reilyn Turner came on for Louisville in the 64th minute replacing Bahr, while Bay made quite a few changes at the same time, with Kayla Sharples, Princess, and Savy King coming on for Beattie, Caprice Dydasco, and Tess Boade. Demelo was involved in another collision in the 67th minute and received some attention from the trainer but she remained in the game.

Louisville made a few changes of their own as Parker Goins and Jordan Baggett came on for Fischer and Marisa DiGrande in the 72nd minute. In the 73rd, Princess was brought down inside of the box. The Video Assistant Referee suggested that the play be reviewed for a potential penalty.

The penalty was ultimately awarded, and Bay FC had a phenomenal opportunity to take the lead with less than 20 minutes remaining. The foul was the result of contact with Baggett inside of the box. Oshoala stepped up to the spot for Bay and she scored to give Bay a 1-0 lead in the 76th minute.

Immediately after the penalty, the game was paused for a hydration break. In the 88th minute, Oshoala found Princess inside of the box who attempted to extend the lead but was unable to finish the chance. Louisville took out Emma Sears for Maddie Pokorny in the 89th minute as they attempted a final push for an equalizer.

As the timer crossed the 90-minute mark, it was announced that Louisville would have nine minutes of stoppage time to attempt to tie things up. Lund would go down in the 92nd minute following a lot of action on the other end of the pitch.

Caroline Conti entered the match for Oshoala in the 94th following the injury delay. Carson Pickett nearly tied it up right before the whistle, but the shot went just wide. Bay FC’s defense held up and they recorded their second straight shutout, and more importantly their second straight 1-0 win.

NHL Draft/San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa: A huge celebration for Celebrini No.1 NHL draft pick joins Sharks

Published on June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Macklin Celebrini addresses the press at the Stanley Cup Finals at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise FL on Mon Jun 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the NHL Draft/San Jose Sharks podcast with Mary Lisa:

#1 What a way to kick off the off season with the San Jose Sharks selecting the No.1 pick in the 2024 NHL Draft out of Boston University Macklin Celebrini.

#2 The big question is will Celebrini finish at Boston College or will he turn pro in this upcoming 2024-25 season and skate with the Sharks.

#3 Mary, if you look at the job that last season’s No.1 pick Connor Bedard and what he did for the Chicago Blackhawks this is something that the Sharks would hope for do you see that as a strong possibility?

#4 After the Sharks dealt Erik Karlsson and Thomas Hertl, Celebrini is a player they look forward to build around.

#5 Mary, talk about the anticipation, the anxiousness, the announcement once it was made that Macklin Celebrini long anticipated No.1 draft pick and now the moment had arrived. What was that like for Celebrini to what it actually happened that he would be joining the Sharks for this 2024-25 season?

Mary Lisa is an NHL analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

Published on June 28, 2024June 29, 2024 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Adios Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

As a fan I always remember Orlando Cepeda aka The Baby Bull for his pure power at the plate; he hit a lot to centerfield and had power to spare.

Que en Paz Descanse una de las leyendas de Latinoamerica, el gran Boricua Orlando Cepeda.

Adiós Cha Cha Cepeda, Descansa en Paz, RIP.

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