Tag: Sports Radio Service

Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson: Cardinal excited to have picked up their first home victory in two seasons

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Sep 7, 2024; Stanford, California, USA; Stanford Cardinal wide receiver Tiger Bachmeier (24) returns a punt for a touchdown against the Cal Poly Mustangs during the second half at Stanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images / Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

On the Stanford Cardinal podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 The Cardinal really opened up on offense in their last game Sat Sep 7th at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto against the Cal Poly Mustangs. Tiger Buchmeier returned a 90 yard punt for a third quarter touchdown a key highlight in this game.

#2 Cardinal quarterback Ashton Daniels threw for 271 yards and two touchdowns. Back up quarterback Justin Lamson rushed for a touchdown.

#3 Michael, how special has it got to be for Stanford to pick up their first home victory in coach Troy Taylor’s second year.

#4 Cal Poly scored only one touchdown in the contest in the second quarter and getting landslided 41-7. Mustangs quarterback Bo Kelly was 17-25 passing for 149 yards as Cal Poly drops it’s record to 0-2.

#5 Stanford goes up against the Syracuse Orange at Syracuse this Sat Sep 20th. The Orange are no push overs having won their first to games on Aug 31 defeating Ohio 38-22 and Georgia Tech on Sep 7, 31-28. Will the Orange be a handful for Stanford this Saturday?

Michael Roberson is a Stanford Cardinal beat writer at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders get game winner on Carlson’s field goal to defeat Lemar and Ravens 26-23

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Las Vegas Raiders kicker Dan Carlson (2) kept busy kicking field goals against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. Carlson would kick the game winning field goal with 27 seconds left in the fourth quarter for the win for the Raiders first win of the season on Sun Sep 15, 2024

On the Raiders podcast with Rich Perez:

#1 Rich in the first half if you like field goals this was your game. At 8:28 in the first quarter the Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker hit a 48 yard field goal to put the Ravens on the board first 3-0.

#2 In the second quarter the Raiders kicker Daniel Carlson kicked a 53 yarder and 51 yard field goal and the Ravens Tucker kicked 42 and 32 yard field goals. At the half the Ravens held a three point lead 9-6.

#3 In the third quarter Ravens quarterback LaMar Jackson threw an eight yard pass to Zay Flowers at 11:42 and the Raiders running back Alexander Mattison carried a one yarder. The Ravens had a three point 16-13 lead after three quarters.

#4 Things really got interesting in the fourth quarter the Ravens Derrick Henry rushed for three yards to put the Ravens on top by ten 23-13 at 12:11. The Raiders would counter with 25 yard field goal by Daniel Carlson at 9:21 and at 3:54 Devante Adams caught a one yard pass from quarterback Gardner Minshew to tie it up at 23-23.

#5 At the end with 27 seconds left in the game Raiders kicker Dan Carlson booted a 38 yarder for the game winner and the Raiders shocked Raven Nation with a 26-23 win in Baltimore.

#6 Rich next up the Carolina Panthers who are struggling and lost today to the Los Angeles Chargers 26-3 will be visiting Allegiant Stadium next Sunday. The Panthers are 0-2 the Raiders might have a shot at winning two in a row.

Rich Perez podcasts the Raiders home and away games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cal Bears podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Syracuse Orange to be a real test for Cal this Saturday

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Cal Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza (15) points after a carry for a first half touchdown against the San Diego State Aztecs at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Sep 15, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Stephen:

#1 Stephen the Cal Bears defeated the San Diego State Aztecs 31-10. The Bears got an 7-3 lead on the Aztecs in the first half was there any indication to you that the Bears had this one after that first quarter?

#2 Cal really opened it up in the second half nearly shutting out the Aztecs on defense and scoring 24 points to put the game away.

#3 Bears quarterback Fernando Mendoza threw for two touchdowns and carried for a touchdown your impressions of the job Mendoza did?

#4 Jaivain Thomas rushed for 169 yards and Kadarius Calloway each scored a touchdown as the Bears improved to 3-0.

#5 The Bears play next at Florida State. The Seminoles are 0-3 and lost their last game to the Memphis Tigers (3-0) seeing how Florida State has been struggling how do you see this match up this Saturday at Florida State.

Stephen Ruderman does the Cal Bears podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Raiders could have their hands full against Ravens; 49ers face ex teammate QB Darnold; plus more news

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Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is seen here rushing against the Kansas City Chiefs last season on Thu Sep 5, 2023 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The Las Vegas Raiders face Jackson and the Raven Sun Sep 15, 2024 in Baltimore in week 2 of the NFL season. (AP photo file)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Tough opener last Sunday for the Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders had a 7-6 lead over the Los Angeles Chargers but just couldn’t generate enough offense to get some insurance with the Chargers leading 9-7 in the fourth quarter they scored two touchdowns and put the game out of reach winning it 22-10. Can the Raiders regroup their offense and look to quarterback Gardner Minshew to help create some yards and scoring against a tough Baltimore Ravens defense.

#2 The San Francisco 49ers who won their opener last Sunday with authority over the New York Jets 32-19. The Jets quarterback Aaron Rogers could only do so much as the 49ers defense put him on the run all day and 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy was mobile throwing for 231 yards. The 49ers are in Minnesota to face former teammate and Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold. Charlie talk about the 49ers in that Jets win last Sunday and will Darnold get enough protection from the 49ers defense today?

#3 The Chicago White Sox are just five games behind tying the 1962 New York Mets who lost 120 games that season a current MLB record. The White Sox on Saturday night ended their seven game losing streak defeating the Oakland A’s 7-6 with the score tied at 6-6 in the bottom of the ninth the Sox Andrew Benintendi hit a walk off home run for the win.

#4 The San Francisco Giants have been shutout for 27 consecutive innings having been shutout in three consecutive games and getting shutout by the San Diego Padres on Saturday night at Oracle Park 8-0. The Padres used three pitchers to combine for the shutout. Padres starter Joe Musgrove was sharp pitching six innings, allow just three hits.

#5 Charlie, wanted to ask you about the 1530 KFBK Sacramento report last Thursday regarding baseball agents Steve Boras saying that the idea of moving the A’s to Sutter Health Field in Sacramento should be rethought because it’s a health and safety issue to have players worth millions of dollars risking injury playing on a artificial surface. Also the facilities at Sutter Health are minor league no matter how much you try to remodel the park in the off season. Boras added that the A’s should go back to the Oakland Coliseum and negotiate with new Coliseum property owner the African American Sports Entertainment Group and get a good deal to stay at the Coliseum. Also the Major League Players Association has not signed off agreeing to play in Sacramento.

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

Mendoza and Thomas have big games, as Bears’ offense rushes for 275 yards in 31-10 win over San Diego State

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California Golden Bears defensive back Nohl Williams (3) reacts after making an interception during the second quarter of their game at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley, Calif., on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024

California Memorial Stadium

Berkeley, California

San Diego State Aztecs 14 (1-2)

California Golden Bears 21 (3-0)

Time: 3:28

Attendance: 35,197

By Stephen Ruderman

BERKELEY–Jaivian Thomas rushed for 169 yards, and the Bears rushed for 275 yards in total, as they beat the San Diego State Aztecs 31-10 in Berkeley to get off to their first 3-0 start since 2019.

Cal returned home after a thrilling 21-14 win in Auburn last Saturday got them off to a 2-0 start. The Bears would welcome in the San Diego State Aztecs of the Mountain West Conference on a cold and foggy Saturday night at Cal Memorial Stadium.

San Diego State came into town 1-1, and just three days after it was announced that they would be joining a resurrected Pac-12 in 2026. The Aztecs, along with Colorado State Buffaloes, the Boise State Broncos and the Fresno State Bulldogs, will join the Oregon State Beavers and the Washington State Cougars, who are the lone two holdovers from the once-great conference.

Anyway, Cal won the opening toss and chose to receive. The Bears’ first two drives were uneventful, as was the Aztecs’ first drive.

San Diego State then gained some momentum and got the ball deep into enemy territory on their second drive. The Aztecs got to 1st and 10 on the Cal 12 and gained a yard on the next two plays.

On 3rd and 9, Aztecs’ quarterback Javance Tupou’ata-Johnson threw a pass intended for wide receiver Luis Brown IV, but it was blocked by Bears’ cornerback Nohl Williams. On 4th and 9, Nick Lopez kicked a field goal from 29 to give the Aztecs a 3-0 lead with 5:44 to go in the first quarter.

The Bears would have a response on their next drive. Cal made some steady gains early on in the drive, as they got to the 50, but lost five yards on a false start. However, Jaivian Thomas then ran along the left sideline for a gain of 37 yards to the Aztecs’ 18.

Thomas gained another 10 yards on the next play, and then quarterback Fernando Mendoza got through the middle and ran it in himself for a touchdown. Ryan Coe kicked the extra point, and the Bears had a 7-3 lead with 2:29 left.

The second quarter was uneventful, and the Aztecs were unable to do anything after they received the ball to start the third quarter.

The Bears made some steady gains in the backfield, and then on 3rd and 1, Thomas rushed through the middle for a gain of 57 yards all the way to the San Diego State 7. Three plays later, Mendoza handed the ball off to Kadarius Calloway, who ran it into the endzone for a touchdown. Coe kicked the extra point, and the Bears extended their lead to 14-3.

The Aztecs were unable to do anything on their next drive, and the Bears got the ball back on their own 10 with 7:07. On a long drive that would last five minutes and 32 seconds, Mendoza threw a pass to tight end Corey Dyches, who ran it in for a touchdown. Coe once again kicked the extra point, and Cal had now opened up their lead to 21-3 with 1:35 remaining.

San Diego State once again came up empty on their next drive, but when they decided to go for it on 4th and 2, Tupou’ata-Johnson was tackled at the Aztecs’ 25, and the Bears took possession of the ball in a great position to further add on to their lead as the game went to the fourth quarter.

The Bears were unable to score a touchdown, and in fact, they ended up losing five yards in total. However, Coe made a 48-yard field goal, and that made it 24-3.

It was 3rd and 4th for the Aztecs on their next drive, as they had the ball at the Cal 40. Tupou’ata-Johnson made a five-yard pass to wide receiver Jordan Napier, who broke through three or four tackles on his 35-yard run to the endzone, and the Aztecs were back on the board for the first time since the first quarter.

It was also San Diego State’s first touchdown of the night. Nick Lopez kicked the extra point, and it was 24-10 with 11:05 to go, which meant that the Aztecs still had a chance.

However, the Bears would put an end to any last hopes San Diego State may have had. On 2nd and 10 at the Bears’ 25, Calloway made an impressive 60-year gain all the way to the Aztecs’ 15. Mendoza then threw a pass to Nyziah Hunter, who caught the ball at the two and ran it in for a touchdown. After the extra point by Coe, it was now 31-10 with 9:52 to go

The Aztecs’ next drive lasted only two plays, as following an immediate first down conversion, a pass by Tupou’ata-Johnson was intercepted by Marcus Harris.

The rest of the game was fairly uneventful, and the Bears won 31-10.

In addition to the strong running game by Cal, Fernando Mendoza had himself another big game, as he threw for 198 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

The Bears are off to their first 3-0 start in five years, and they will now head back to the Deep South, this time to Tallahassee, Florida to take on the 0-3 Florida State Seminoles in what will be their first ACC conference game next Saturday. Kickoff will be at 7 p.m. in Tallahassee, and 4 p.m. back home in Berkeley.

Vancouver’s Picault and Armstrong each with a goal defeat Quakes 2-0 at BC Place

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San Jose Earthquakes Tanner Beason (15) blocks the penalty kick by the Vancouver Whitecaps Ali Ahmed (22) in first half action at BC Place in Vancouver on Sat Sep 14, 2024 (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By William Espy

The San Jose Earthquakes are back on the road, this time heading to BC Place in Vancouver, British Columbia to take on the Vancouver Whitecaps. Since the Leagues Cup, Vancouver is 1-0-1, defeating Austin FC and drawing with FC Dallas. Meanwhile, the Quakes are 1-1-0, defeating Real Salt Lake and falling to Minnesota United FC.

Vancouver entered the night as a heavy favorite, and that’s for good reason. Not only did they have the all-important home-field advantage, but they also found themselves sixth in the Western Conference while the Earthquakes were last in the conference by a considerable margin. The Quakes were shutout on Saturday night at BC Place in Vancouver 2-0, as the Whitecaps got goals from Fafa Picault and Stuart Armstrong.

Earthquakes Starting XI: Daniel, Marie, Beason, Rodrigues, Akapo, Kikanovic, Yueill, Tsakiris, Lopez, Espinoza, Judd

Whitecaps Starting XI:Takaoka, Utvik, Veselinovic, Blackmon, Ahmed, Vite, Priso, Schopf, Adekugbe, Picault, Gauld

The Whitecaps were controlling the game in the first half. They more than doubled up the Earthquakes on shots, both total and on target. The Whitecaps had 8 total, five of which were on target. Meanwhile, the Quakes only had 3 and 2 respectively.

Possession was in Vancouver’s favor as well, with them having 56% possession after 45 minutes. Despite that, it took Vancouver until the 35th minute to get on the scoreboard when Fafa Picault scored off of an assist by Ryan Gauld on a set piece. Gauld took the corner kick, and it landed directly on Picault’s head giving Daniel no chance to make a save. It was a picture-perfect corner by Vancouver.

With the Whitecaps already the favorites heading into the match, and their early lead making it even more likely that they walk away with three points, the Earthquakes had a lot of work to do to overcome the odds.

San Jose had a couple of substitutions to start the second half with Ousseni Bouda and Vitor Costa coming on for Preston Judd and Benjamin Kikanovic. About ten minutes later, they make another change, taking off Niko Tsakiris for Alfredo Morales.

Despite the changes, Vancouver looked even more dominant to start the second half. They were controlling possession at an even more extreme rate, weren’t allowing the Quakes to get shots off, and overall were outplaying the visitors.

They fired a considerable number of shots at Daniel, and many of them forced the goalkeeper to make a save. All in all, they’d have 11 shots on target and 19 total.

In the 86th minute, Gauld got his second assist of the night on a very unselfish pass which found Stuart Armstrong wide open. He was able to put it away with no issues, giving the Whitecaps a 2-0 lead which they’d carry to the end of the match. The Earthquakes only managed two shots for the entirety of the second half, and none of them forced the goalkeeper to make a save as they were both off target.

It’s not very surprising that the Earthquakes dropped points against a top-half team in the Western Conference while on the road. The Whitecaps are a strong side in the midst of a playoff push, while there isn’t much optimism around the Earthquakes in general at the moment.

The lack of any type of offensive production, specifically in the second half certainly should be concerning though. In a season where there’s no hope in the standings, you have to at least hope for a moral victory, and in this case there weren’t even any of those to speak of. The Earthquakes will look to right the ship as their road trip continues in Seattle to take on the Sounders this Wednesday.

Giants have been shutout now for 27 straight innings; SF gets blanked by San Diego 8-0

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San Francisco Giants Marco Luciano (left) and the San Diego Padres Manny Machado advanced on a two run single in the top of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Sep 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

San Diego (84-65). 100 103 030. 8. 17. 1

San Francisco (72-77). 000 000.000 0. 5. 1

Time: 2:33

Attendance: 31,243

Saturday, September 14, 2024

By Lewis Rubman

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Diego Padres cut the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lead for first in the National League’s Western Division to 3-1/2 games by shutting the San Francisco Giants out, 8-0, this chilly Friday evening on the banks of McCovey Cove while Los Angeles was overwhelmed, 10-1, by the Braves in Atlanta. The Giants have now been shutout in three games and for 27 straight innings.

San Diego led their hosts from the start and never looked back, but they didn’t break the game open until they posted a three spot against rookie starter Mason Black in the top of the sixth, when Donovan Solano’s double, followed by singles off the bats of the indomitable Luis Arraiz and right fielder Fernando Tatís, Jr., a walk to the versatile veteran Jurickson Profar, and Jackson Merrill’s two bagger.

That, added to single runs in the first and fourth frames, made it 5-0 in favor of the Padres, who tagged on a trio of tallies in the eighth, getting to Erik Miller on a uncursed leadoff double by Arraez, an RBI single by Tatís, a base on balls to Profar, and a two RBI double by Jackson Merrill. The Pads scored their eight runs on 17 hits off five San Francisco pitchers.

Erik Miller, who faced only two batters in the top of the seventh, was the sole unscored upon San Francisco hurler, unless you include Donovan Walton, an infielder by trade, who gave up two hits but no runs in the ninth.

Black, who fell to 0-4, 6.75 with the loss, lasted only four innings and surrendered two runs, one earned on six hits, one of them a fourth inning solo home run to Xander Bogaerts, and a walk. 55 of his 79 offerings met the criteria to be counted as strikes.

Sean Hjelle pitched two innings and surrendered three runs, all earned, on five hits and two free passes. Jordan Hicks, just back from paternity leave, was touched up for three runs, all of them earned, on four hits and a walk in his inning and a third.

Joe Musgrove earned his sixth win against five losses for his six innings of three hit ball, in which he struck out eight of the 22 Giant batters he faced. Adrián Morejón struck out the side in seventh, and Alek Jabob mopped up with two hits and a K in the final two frames.

Arraez extended his streak of consecutive plate appearances without being struck out from 129 to 135. He also stretched his hitting streak to a dozen games. Only Bobby Witt, Jr., now has more three hit games than Arraez’s 18.. Merrill’s two RBIs raised his total to 85, tops for NL rookies.

The free falling Giants will try to recover Sunday afternoon. The game, scheduled to begin at 1:05pm PT, will follow a celebration of the life of Orlando “Peruchín” Cepeda at 12:30pm. Martín Pérez (4-5, 4.46) will take the mound for the Friars; The Giants Landen Roupp (0-1, 3.44) will throw his curve balls at the Padres.

A’s Fall To White Sox After Tying Up the Game – Benintendi homers For Walk-Off 7-6

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Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi slugged a walk off home run against the Oakland A’s as catcher Shea Langeliers looks on in the bottom of the ninth inning at Guarantee Rate Field in Chicago on Sat Sep 14, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland Athletics (65-84) fought hard in their second game with the Chicago White Sox (34-115). Twice they fought back from three run deficits, the first in the sixth inning and the second in the ninth. It all came crashing down in the bottom of the ninth inning when Andrew Benintendi homered to right and Chicago had the walk-off 7-6 on Saturday.

Game recap: Neither team would score in the opening inning but it was the White Sox who got up on the board first in the second inning. Oakland pitcher J.T. Ginn gave up three hits in the first inning but kept the White Sox off the board.

He did not get off so easy in the second inning giving up four hits and two runs for a 2-0 Chicago lead. The White Sox extended their lead in the third inning when Ginn gave up a solo home run off the bat of Gavin Sheets.

Ginn would get out of the inning but not before he allowed two more hits. Through three innings he had allowed ten hits. The White Sox have struggled with letting teams back in games but the A’s were starting to dig a bit of a hole which all started on the mound.

Ginn started to pull it together in the fourth with a one, two, three inning and the Oakland offense had some damage control to attend to. This season the A’s have come from behind on many occasions but they were struggling offensively in this game with only 5 hits through four innings.

Brent Rooker hit another milestone in the fifth inning connecting for his 24th consecutive hit. With two outs in the fifth inning, Oakland had Rooker on second and JJ Bleday at first base. Shea Langeliers struck out and the A’s had come away empty.

Oakland’s Kyle Muller relieved Ginn in the fifth inning and he would go three up and three down. The sixth inning was also solid for Muller with another three up three down inning.

Oakland threatened again in the sixth inning but as in the fifth inning there were two outs. The A’s had runners on second and third. Jacob Wilson was hit by a pitch which loaded the bases. Leadoff hitter Lawrence Butler was next up at the plate.

Chicago pitcher Chad Kuhl walked Butler and Soderstrom scored from third and the A’s were on the board 3-1. Brent Rooker singled Max Schuemann and Jacob WiIson home and this game was tied 3-3. Oakland still had runners at the corners but a JJ Bleday ground ball ended a huge sixth inning for the Athletics. Now there would be a tie to break.

In the seventh inning, it was the White Sox breaking the tie. Andrew Benintendi singled Nicky Lopez home for one run and then Gavin Sheets sacrificed driving Luis Robert Jr. home taking a 5-3 lead. Chicago would tack one more run on in the eighth inning when Zach DeLoach scored off a Nicky Lopez single and the White Sox had another three run lead 6-3.

Oakland rallied in the top of the ninth inning. With Lawrence Butler on second and Brent Rooker on first with no outs, the A’s were threatening. JJ Bleday walked and the Athletics had the bases loaded again with Shea Langeliers at the plate.

Langeliers delivered driving both Butler and Rooker home and the score was 6-5 in favor of the White Sox. With runners on first and second Seth Brown would be looking for his first hit of the game.

Brown also delivered loading the bases still with no outs. Zach Gelof singled JJ Bleday home to tie up this game at six. Shea Langeliers attempted to reach home plate but was thrown out which was reviewed and confirmed.

The White Sox would look for the walk off in the bottom of the inning. Both of these teams were fighting for the win and it would be the White Sox that would finish on top. Andrew Benintendi knocked the ball out of the park for the walk-off and the 7-6 win.

It was a terrible disappointment for Oakland after coming back twice in this game to tie up the score. The A’s will play in the rubber match looking to take the series. Lawrence Butler continued his hitting streak as well as his stolen bases. This guys does it all. Brent Rooker had three hits in this game as did Zach Gelof. The A’s finished the game with 11 hits.

Game notes: Saturday evening the A’s took on the White Sox in game two of their three game series after beating them last night in a shut out 2-0. Oakland was looking for a win in game two but the Sox broke a 6-6 deadlock in the bottom of the ninth to come away with a one run win 7-6 at Guarantee Rate Field. A’s starter JT Ginn went four innings. allowed ten hits, three runs and struck out three earned runs. The Sox starter Chris Flexen pitched five innings allowing six hits, walked two hitters and struck out eight.

JP Sears will take the mound for the Athletics Sunday. This will be his 30th start this season. He has a 11-10 win/loss record and a 4.18 ERA. Sean Burke will start for the White Sox. First pitch is scheduled for 11:10 AM.

NHL podcast with Len Shapiro: Let the showcasing begin; On display San Jose’s Celebrini and Will Smith; Pacioretty not giving up trying to make Leafs in tryout; plus more NHL news

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Macklin Celegrini of the San Jose Sharks (71) scored against the Utah Hockey Team in the third period in the prospect tournament game at the Toyota Sports Performance Center in El Segundo on Fri Sep 13, 2024 (Los Angeles Kings photo)

On the NHL podcast with Len Shapiro:

#1 No.1 NHL draft pick center Macklin Celebrini is expected to play a huge role in his rookie season. Celebrini will be joined by center Will Smith who was selected No.4 in the 2023 NHL draft.

#2 He’s not giving up the former Montreral Canadien superstar Max Pacioretty signed a professional tryout contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Pacioretty last played for the Washington Capitals in 47 games, scored four goals, 19 assists, and 23 points. Pacioretty is 35 years old is he at the end of the line or can he help the Leafs this season?

#3 21 years old Luke Hughes of the New Jersey Devils injured his left shoulder during off season training. Hughes will be out from six to eight weeks. Hughes will not need surgery. Hughes is New Jersey’s lead defenseman who has 49 points, ten goals and 39 assists last season.

#4 It was the first time ever that the Utah Hockey Team took the ice in their inaugural season during the prospects tournament game in El Segundo. For Utah to land an NHL team came under the most unusual circumstances as the Arizona Coyotes just couldn’t land a permanent arena after playing at Arizona State University and the Coyotes were forced to sell the team to Utah Hockey Team owner Ryan Smith. The Utah Hockey Team lost in that first game 3-2 to the Sharks.

#5 The New York Islanders Maxim Tsyplakov is out to make a strong impression. Tysplakov signed a one year deal as a free agent on May 16. Tsyplakov 25 has stood out amongst the rookies, free agents and players trying to make the team. “It’s clear that he’s a little more physically mature than a lot of guys out there,” said Rick Kowalsky, coach of Bridgeport, New York’s American Hockey League affiliate.

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

Wheelers deal Ballers season ending loss 6-4 in game 3 of Pioneer Playoffs

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The Oakland Ballers make their way back to the clubhouse following their game 3 playoff game against the Yolo High Wheelers at Raimondi Field in West Oakland on Fri Sep13, 2024 (Oakland Ballers X photo)

Yolo (2-1) 201 100 200 6 10 2

Oakland (1-2) 001 020 100 4 5 2

Time: 2:47

Attendance: 2,662

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–The Oakland Ballers’ successful inaugural season came to a depressing close this Friday the 13th when the Yolo High Wheelers, who have the same principal owners as the Oakland nine and also are newcomers to the Pioneer Baseball League, played Cain to the the Ballers’ Able.

The raucous crowd of 2,662, about 65% of Raimondi Park’s capacity, made enough noise that you’d have thought their favorites had fared better than they did. The decibel level of the West Oakland revelers exceeded that made in the East Oakland venue where the other (for now) Oakland ball club used to drive George Steinbrenner crazy. Nonetheless, Oakland fell to what on this occasion was clearly a superior team.

The game was closer than the score indicated, although the final outcome wasn’t seriously in doubt after Yolo jumped off to 2-0 lead in the top of the first.The High Wheelers’ starting pitcher, Ben Ferrer, struck out the three Ballers he faced in the bottom of the frame, and that set the tone for the rest of the contest.

Oakland rallied a few times but never caught up with their opponents, who won through a combination of their own good performance, some Oakland shortcomings, and a few sequences in which everything seemed to happen to the Ballers at just the wrong time..

The visitors outhit their hosts, 10-5. A pair of High Wheelers, José González and David Glancy, hit the ball out of the park, and three more, Brayland Skinner, Braylin Marine, and Angel Mendoza logged doubles. A trio of Ballers, Brett Carson, Daunté Stuart, and Tyler Lozano, homered, but those were the team’s only extra base hits. Brett Carson, Thursday’s hero, was the only Oaklander to turn in a multi-hit performance, a two out single in the fifth and a two out solo home run in the seventh, the home team’s swan song.

Ferrer went six innings to earn the win. For all his dominance in the opening frames (he struck out eight of the first 12 Ballers he faced), he allowed four hits and three runs, all earned, in six innings of work. That might be a quality start, but would you call someone with an ERA of 4.50 a quality pitcher?

Only if you were his agent. Jack Zatasky gave up a run on Carson’s four bagger. Connor Langrell and Ty Buckner followed him and held Oakland hitless and runless in the inning that each of them pitched, which earned Buckner the save.

The best pitching performance the Ballers got was from Zach St. Pierre, who relieved starter Luke Short (four runs, all earned, on six hits in 3-1/3 innings). St. Pierre allowed two runs in his three innings on the mound, but neither of them was earned. He allowed two hits and struck out two.

The crowd cheered and chanted “ZSP” as he left the field to make way for Christian Cosby in the top of the seventh. (“Oh, Tyler Lozano” was another chant that echoed across Raimondi Park several times over the course of the game).

Cosby promptly served up a sacrifice fly for a run that was charged to St. Pierre. The reason that neither that run nor the one that preceded it was earned is that Mendoza had reached third on an error by Oakland shortstop Brad Burkel that would have been the third out.

(That’s an example of what I meant by bad sequencing for the Ballers. An earlier one came on Skinner’s down the left field line RBI double in the third that Dandrei Hubbard could have handled if he hadn’t been playing in to defend against a bunt). Neither Cosby in his 2/3 of an inning nor Carson Lambert in his two full innings allowed a run, although each of them was touched for a hit .

The Glacier Range Riders whalloped the heavily favored Missoula Paddleheads, 17-3, Friday evening to take a commanding lead in the other first round playoff series. It looks like a Glacier-Yolo championship is in the offing while the Ballers wait ’til next year.