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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s to play home games in Sacramento in 2025; As the Park Turns – What Sacramento will not ask the A’s

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Outside of Sutter Health Park a simulated West Sacramento Bridge slide next to the real one equipped with glove in the children’s playground. Sutter Health Park will be the home of the 2025-28 Oakland A’s while the Tropicana Ballpark in Las Vegas will be constructed and ready by 2028. (photo by Sutter Health Park)

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s will be playing their 2025 season at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento as the A’s and Sacramento River Cats owner Vivek Ranadive have come to agreement and pathway for the A’s to play all their home games in Sacramento. The details of the plan are forthcoming at the end of the week according to Sactown Sports.

The A’s announced Tuesday after they reviewed the “leaked to the media” proposal/offer to the A’s to extend their Coliseum lease for five years (minimum of three) for $97 million plus other demands. The A’s put a press release stating that they did not agree and that no further meetings were planned with Oakland officials. This long A’s stadium saga is not as long as ‘As the World Turns”, the legendary TV Soap Opera that ran on CBS for 54 years. But it is becoming like the Telemundo “Esmeralda”.

Nobody knows how this is going to end. Many say, “It is not a done deal,” leaving from Oakland to Las Vegas. I agree that the only “done deal” in life are taxes and death and that The Tropicana Las Vegas Hotel has closed its doors after more than six decades of memories. The famed venue, home to the city’s longest-running cabaret, The Folies Bergere, nearly made it to its 67th anniversary before closing on Tuesday, April 2. We know these things are a “done deal”.

However, we know that Sacramento will not ask for the following:

1-Sacramento will not ask the A’s for $97 million to play there for three years or maybe five. 2-They will not ask the A’s to sell half of their stake in the Alameda-County Coliseum, among other demands Oakland had in that proposal, including extending their lease. Oakland is not Sacramento.

However, Sacramento is especially interested in the A’s because, as a “trial for a few years” at Sutter Park, if they get the A’s, they are banking that they can prove to Major League Baseball that their city of Sacramento should be seriously considered for a future expansion team.

Sutter Park’s 14,000-plus capacity is not MLB standard, but for the A’s in the last few years, including the first home stand this 2024 season, that is a good crowd. Opening Night at Oakland 2024 last Thursday, 13,522 fans attended the game against Cleveland, and at least half were rooting for the Guardians, maybe more. The A’s fans’ noise came from the crowd boycotting in the parking lot.

But let’s get to the point. David Samson was the President of the Major League Miami Marlins from 2002 to 2017. He was involved with the new Marlins Park next to Little Havana in Miami—the ins and outs of the new Marlins Park.

Samson hosts “Nothing Personal,” a top-rated podcast. He has been following the A’s stadium situation for a long time. This is what Mr. Samson said a day before the A’s met with the City of Oakland, and they did not agree to the 3-5 year extension at the Oakland Coliseum. By the way, Samson also predicted that nothing would be decided upon during the meeting (the third) between the A’s and Oakland. He has experience as an MLB team President, especially when his team, the Marlins, was building their new ballpark, which they play today,

Mr. Samson said this on his podcast: “The A’s need to find a stadium to play before Las Vegas Stadium if they even open. In other words, they need to get a deal in Sacramento and negotiate a deal with their TV partner. Figure out the logistics with the Rivercats.

They have to make sure it is a Major League-ready facility and what this is code for; it doesn’t mean the fans have to have concession stands or that there is good ingress and egress. When you say Major League ready, all that means is players’ facilities behind the scenes you do not see as a fan. It means the weight room, the food room, how the players get to the clubhouse, how they get to the bullpen, all the pleasures and comfort that Tony Clark loves to make sure players enjoy during the season.” (quote)

Commissioner Rob Manfred is under pressure to deliver a playing baseball-ready park for the Oakland A’s while building their new facility in Las Vegas, expected to be ready for Opening Day 2028. Manfred said MLB needs a schedule.

The other teams (including the A’s) deserve a schedule very soon; that is the norm. Tony Clark is the Executive Director of the Major League Players Association. Sure, he will have to say that if Sutter Park is a “baseball-ready” facility, everybody knows it is a minor league park, but the A’s are running out of options. The A’s and the City of Oakland have been butting heads for a long time. Some say today (Wednesday), Sacramento might have a deal in place.

The Next chapter is being scripted.

Adiós.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg also does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: A’s listening to Sacramento for interim Sutter Health Park possibilities

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Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento home of the San Francisco Giants triple A minor league Sacramento River Cats. The Oakland A’s could call it home starting in the 2025 season if the Rivercats and A’s reach a lease agreement. (photo by visitsacramento.com)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said the Oakland A’s need to get a deal in gear and soon as MLB is pressed to get the schedules ready for the 2025 season by July.

#2 Manfred addressed Tony Clark and the players union to sign off on the A’s playing and using Sutter Health Park a minor league facility in Sacramento because there is not much time left.

#3 The A’s brass of John Fisher and David Kaval are to meet with Sacramento River Cats owner Vivek Ranadive on Wednesday and sources have it that they’ll get a deal done at a much less asking price that the Oakland Coliseum was asking for.

#4 The Coliseum asking price was $17.5 million per season over what the A’s are currently pay at $1.5 million. The Coliseum was asking for $19.4 million per season. Also A’s owner John Fisher would walk away from $70 million in TV money from NBC California.

#5 If the A’s accept the deal on Wednesday this season will mark the final time the A’s will play in Oakland once they leave for Sacramento and later Las Vegas. Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said “Oakland made a fair and reasonable offer to the A’s. We await their response and look forward to continuing discussions as necessary.” Thao is also facing a recall and a deficit for Oakland’s next fiscal year.

Join Jerry for the Oakland A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Red Sox beat A’s 1-0 to complete three-game sweep; Loss is 6th out of last 7 games for Oakland

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Oakland A’s pitcher TJ McFarland gives up the intentional pass to Boston Red Sox hitter Trevor Story (foreground) to load the bases with one out in the top of the eighth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Apr 3, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg and Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND- The Boston Red Sox beat the Oakland A’s 1-0 Wednesday afternoon to complete a three-game sweep. The A’s have lost six of the seven games played this season. The pitching for both teams was excellent—the game’s only run came in the fourth inning.

The A’s starter, Ross Stripling, pitched well enough to win.“Strip was great. [He] pounded the zone…..I think the biggest difference this outing from his first was he actually crowded some guys with his sinker, which is a good sign. Obviously, he’s a guy that’s gonna keep hitters off balance. He did a great job today…..It was a great outing for him.” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

The A’s had their chances but could not get a hit when needed. They threatened to score in the fifth, seventh, and ninth innings. They failed all three times. Each team’s bullpen held the opposition scoreless. The game summary follows below.

The Red Sox drew first blood in the top of the fourth inning. Stripling had the Sox under control for the first three innings. With one out in the fourth, Singles by Triston Casas, Matsataka Yoshida, and Cedanne Radaela loaded the bases.

Second Baseman Emmanuel Valdez’s fly ball to short right field drove in Casas with the first run of the game for Boston. The A’s mounted a threat in the bottom of the fourth. With one out, A’s third baseman, J D Davis, doubled to deep center field—Sox pitcher Nick Pivetta Struck out Seth Brown on a 95 Mile-per-hour four-seam fastball.

The next hitter, Brent Rooker, mired in an early season slump, blasted a ball Ceddanne Rafaela caught at the 400-foot sign. The Red Sox lead 1-0 after four. Kotsay said the A’s simply got beat by good pitching, “We know those first five games weren’t clean games. These last two games were clean; they were competitive. We had a chance to win both games. That’s the type of baseball that I was expecting us to play. We had opportunities with the bases loaded. We also got a couple balls dead center that is this park seem not to go anywhere…..the at-bats [today] were better, even though we didn’t score…..the Red Sox’ bullpen has got it going right now, [and] it was a challenge.”

In the bottom of the fifth, the A’s loaded the bases with one out. Singles by Tyler Nevin, his first Major League hit, Nick Allen, and Ryan Noda gave the A’s a chance to put some runs on the board. The next hitter, Zack Gelof, hit into a 6-4-3 to end the inning.

The Red Sox loaded the bases in the eighth inning. Lefty T.J. McFarland was on the hill for the A’s. McFarland retired Abreu for the first out. Jarren Duran singled. It was Duran’s fourth hit of the day. Rafael Devers doubled to put men on at second and third.

The A’s issued Sox shortstop Trevor Story an intentional walk to load the bases. The threat ended when Triston Casas grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning. The Sox still lead 1-0 halfway through the eighth. The Red Sox dodged a bullet in the eighth; with one out, Zack Gelof singled.

Story fielded J J Bleday’s ground behind second base. Trevor stepped on second to get the out on Gelof. Story’s throw to first to complete the double play went awry, and Bleday went to second on the error. Sox reliever Chris Martin could not field Davis’s ball. Bleday went to third on the play. Martin struck out Seth Brown to end the inning.

The A’s had a chance to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Red Sox closer Kenley Jansen walked Shea Lamgeliers and Lawrence Butler. Pinch hitter Abraham Toro hit into a fielder’s choice. Langeliers went to third on the play. All the A’s needed to tie the game was a hit. Jansen ended the A’s thoughts of tying the game when he struck out Ryan Noda to preserve the win for the Red Sox. The Sox win 1-0.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are 1-6 to start the 2024 season. Boston improved to 5-2. The Line score for Oakland was no runs, eight hits, and no errors. Boston’s line was one run, ten hits, and two errors. The Winning pitcher was Nick Pivetta. Pivetta lost his first start 1-0 and won his second start 1-0.

Kenley Jansen recorded his second save. The A’s Ross Stripling pitched well for the A’s. Stripling went seven innings, allowing eight hits and one run. Stripling did not walk a batter and struck out three. Stripling threw 85 pitches, 61 for strikes. Stripling is now 0-2 for 2024.

The game lasted two hours and 21 minutes. There were 6,436 fans in attendance. The A’s are off on Thursday. They will start JP Sears and the Tigers have not yet decided on a starter in Detroit on Friday. The game will start at 10:10 a.m.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: No.10 Warriors hear No.11 Rockets footsteps in battle for play in spot Thursday night

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scores on the Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic in second half action at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Close game Dave on Tuesday night, the Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic triple doubled but the Golden State Warriors got by with a four point 104-100 win.

#2 The Warriors have over come plenty of adversity they struggled in March but as soon as the post season is around the corner they’ve turned it on winning five straight. Could they finish with a play in or better?

#3 Warriors open a two game road trip in Houston on Thursday night against the Houston Rockets (38-37). The Rockets are coming off two loses and they’ve had a hot run previously and are just behind the Warriors in 11th place trying to catch the Warriors for that last play in spot.

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Drop Second Game of Three-Game Series, 5-4 to Red Sox in 11 Innings

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JD Davis Oakland A’s third baseman slugs a single in the bottom of the tenth inning at the Oakland Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics (1-5, 4th AL West) lost a heartbreaker 5-4 to the Boston Red Sox (4-2, 3rd AL West) in 11 innings at the East Bay Coliseum.

Just over 5,000 faithful fans cheered for their home team for more than three hours (3:04), just to be let down after 11 innings of play in the city of Oakland.

The game got off to a good start for the visiting Red Sox, as they posted a tally in the top of the first inning. Boston shortstop Trevor Story hit an RBI double, scoring third baseman Rafael Deavers, to put them up 1-0.

The Beantown Boys followed that up in the top of the second with another run. Left Fielder Jarred Duran did the damage this time, with a linedrive single, sending home, appropriately named, Triston Casas. The DH after crossing the plate, put Boston up 2-0, early in the contest.

The A’s didn’t take too long to respond, as they got themselves on the scoreboard in the bottom of the frame. Catcher Shea Langeliers belted a 2-run homer, to even the score at 2, after the second inning. Third Baseman J.D. Davis also scored on the home run.

For the third consecutive inning, Boston managed to put up at least one run. Second Baseman Pablo Reyes belted a single to center field, knocking in right fielder Tyler O’Neill. The BoSox were up again, 3-2.

Once again, Oakland responded immediately in the bottom of the same inning. Center Fielder J.J. Bradley blasted a two-run homer, putting the home team back in the lead, 4-3. First Baseman Ryan Noda was the other runner batted in,

Next there was a 3 inning scoring drought, until the top of the seventh. Trevor Story created his own narrative by slicing another rbi base hit. This one was a single to right field, scoring Duran. The game was tied at 4, which stood for the allotted 9 innings.

Extra innings were in store for the fandom. Neither team was able to cross the plate in the 10th inning.in Finally in the 11th, Boston decided to end the baseball battle in their turn of the stanza.

Since Boston was the visiting team, any run would not end the game immediately, but would put the onus on Oakland. Boston did just that, ALMOST. They did not exactly hit someone in; however, Tyler O’Neal was responsible for the GW RBI, by ignominiously hitting into a double-play, that was enough to allow Wilyer Abreu to score the winning run.

Boston won the game dramatically 5-4. The winning pitcher was RHP Josh Winckowski (1-0), while RHP Mitch Spence (0-1) took the L.

The two combatants will be back in action Wednesday Afternoon at 12:37 PDT, with projected pitchers: Oakland’s RHP Ross Stripling (0-1, 7.20) vs. Red Sox’ RHP Nick Pivetta (0-1, 1.50).

Sabonis unstoppable 22 points 20 rebounds as Kings defeat Clippers 127-106

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Sacramento Kings center Domantas Sabonis (10) center drives on the Los Angeles Clippers center Ivica Zubac (right) in first half action at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Kings were back in action on Tuesday night inside Golden One Center. The Kings were coming off an off day on Monday after playing on Sunday at home. On Sunday, the Kings defeated the Los Angeles Clippers in blowout fashion, 127-106.

The Clippers were also coming off a win on Sunday. The Clippers defeated the Hornets in Charlotte by the final 130-118. The Kings and Clippers were set for tip-off on Tuesday at 7 PM PST. The Kings defeated the Clippers 109-95 on Tuesday night in front of a sold-out crowd.

In the first quarter, neither team got off to a fast start. The Kings and Clippers started slow on offense, as neither team found a rhythm in the first quarter. Both teams scored 24 points in the first quarter to remain tied after the first. Paul George and Keegan Murray started the game hot for their respective teams, scoring nine points each.

In the second quarter, the Kings offense took off. The Kings exploded to open up a 16-point lead in the second quarter. Fox and Davion Mitchell were firing on all cylinders early in the quarter to open the game up. However, the Clippers battled back to get the game closer at the midway point in the quarter, cutting the lead to six with 4:47 in the half.

For the rest of the quarter, the teams traded baskets to go into halftime, with the Kings leading 56-51. The Kings would take the five-point lead into halftime, looking to expand on it in the third quarter.

In the third quarter, the Kings had a breakout quarter from start to finish. The Kings offense went off for 35 points against a weak effort by the Clippers on the defensive end of the floor. The Kings, led by an aggressive Keegan Murray, would hold the Clippers to 19 points in the third.

The Kings would go into the final quarter of action leading 91-70. Keegan Murray was leading the Kings through three quarters with 19 points. Paul George had 18 through three-quarters of action for the Clippers.

In the fourth quarter, the Kings maintained the lead to defeat the Clippers. The Clippers outscored the Kings 25-18 in the game’s final quarter. However, it was to no avail.

The Kings would defeat the Clippers 109-95 to have a two-game win streak going before they head on the road. The Kings leading scorer in the game was Domantas Sabonis, who scored 22 points with 20 rebounds. Russell Westbrook led the Clippers with a 20-point performance.

Up Next: The Kings go on the road to take on the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden. The Kings and Knicks will tip off at 4:30 PM PST on Thursday.

Webb suffers first-career loss at Dodger Stadium as Dodgers beat Giants again 5-4

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Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts (5) circles the bases after hitting his Major League leading fifth home run in the bottom of the third inning at Dodgers Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

Webb suffers shortest outing in two years, and Dodgers beat Giants again 5-4

Tuesday, April 2, 2024

Dodger Stadium

Los Angeles, California

San Francisco Giants 4 (2-4)

Los Angeles Dodgers 5 (6-2)

Win: Logan Webb (0-1)

Loss: Ryan Yarbrough (1-0)

Save: Evan Phillips (3)

Time: 2:57

Attendance: 49,365

By Stephen Ruderman

The Dodgers, led by Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman, got to Logan Webb, and beat the Giants 5-4, as they have won the first two games of this series

Logan Webb, who came into tonight undefeated in his career at Dodger Stadium made his second start of the season, and hoped to be the stopper. The Dodgers opted to go with an opener, and it would be Ryan Brasier, who appeared last night.

Brasier pitched a scoreless top of the first inning, and Webb came out for the bottom first to face the Dodgers’ trio of superstars in Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. Last night, the three of them went a combined 6-for-11, and scored six of the Dodgers’ eight runs. 

Betts and Freeman have gotten off to torrid starts this season, and they would strike again in the bottom of the first. Betts singled to start the inning and stole second base. Ohtani struck out looking, but Freddie Freeman lined a base-hit to right to knock in Betts and put the Dodgers on the board first.

The lefty Ryan Yarbrough came in for the Dodgers in the top of the second, and immediately gave up a leadoff double to Wilmer Flores. Thairo Estrada grounded out back to the pitcher to get Flores to third, and Patrick Bailey struck out swinging for the second out of the inning. Nick Ahmed, who has had some RBI hits early in the season, lined a base-hit to left field to knock in Flores and tie it up.

Logan Webb responded by throwing a 1-2-3 bottom of the second, and Matt Chapman came up and doubled off Yarbrough to lead off the third. Jorge Soler flew out to left to get Chapman to third, and Michael Conforto continued his hot start to the season, as he lined a base-hit to right-center to knock in Chapman and give the Giants the lead.

The Dodgers responded in the bottom of the third when Mookie Betts hit a home run to left-center to re-tie it. It was Betts’ fifth home run of the young season, as well as his 1,500th-career hit. Betts is hitting .500 through his first eight games.

“Honestly, anything [Betts] does doesn’t surprise me anymore,” said Webb. “He’s the best player in Baseball, I think”

Yarbrough threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth to get the Dodgers right back in the dugout, and they would be ready to go against Webb in the bottom of the fourth. Max Muncy doubled off Webb to start the half-inning, and Teoscar Hernandrez walked. 

James Outman lined out to Flores at first, but Gavin Lux came up and hit a shot to left-center that fell in for a hit to knock in Muncy and put the Dodgers back ahead, and hustled his way into second for a double. Kiké Hernandez then came up and lined a single to left, which scored both Hernandez and Lux, and that made it 5-2 Dodgers. Webb got Betts fly out to right, but after walking Ohtani, Webb was done.

This was the first time Webb did not make through the fourth since April 19, 2022 when he went three and two thirds against the New York Mets in the second game of a double header at Citi Field in New York.

“His stuff looked pretty good,” said Manager Bob Melvin. “He [was] behind in some counts, and there [were] some two-strike hits. I don’t know if they were sitting soft late in the count, but [the Dodgers] have some guys with some decent numbers [who] made him work and throw a lot of pitches”

Yarbrough came back out and pitched a 1-2-3 shutdown inning, and Landen Roupp, who came in to relieve Webb in the fourth, pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the fifth

Jorge Soler, whom Bob Melvin said he expects to get hot prior to the game, hit a home run to left-center to start the top of the sixth and make it 5-3, but the Giants were not done yet. Conforto reached on an infield single to third, and Flores lined a single to right-center that sent Conforto to third. 

The Giants now had runners at the corners with nobody out and the tying run at first for Thairo Estrada, hit a ground ball to third and beat out the back end of a fielder’s choice, which scored Conforto to make it 5-4. Alex Vesia came in for Yarbrough, and escaped further damage.

The Dodgers had runners at first and second with nobody out against Roupp in the bottom of the sixth. Roupp then beared down to strike out Hernandez, and as well as Betts, who Roupp froze with a filthy curve on the inside corner. Roupp was then succeeded by the lefty, Taylor Rogers, to face Ohtani, and Ohtani grounded out to second to end the inning.

“[Roupp] is becoming a guy that we feel really good about,” said Melvin. “I even told him when I took him out, ‘There’s going to be a time when I’m not going to take you out there.’ For him to pitch the way he did, and [who] has continued to pitch for a guy that has very little experience, and then has to go through that order…..I think he’s gaining a lot of confidence going forward…..He’s got really good stuff, and that’s why he’s on the team” 

“Roupp is fun to watch,” added Webb. 

Michael Grove came in and set the Giants down 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh, Taylor Rogers got into trouble in the bottom of the seventh, and Ryan Walker came in to bail Rogers out and get the final two outs of the inning. 

“The whole staff definitely picked me up,” said Webb. “I try not to get in those situations where they have to throw a lot of innings, but they did a great job tonight.”

The Giants had runners at first and second with one out against Grove in the top of the eighth, but they were unable to come through, as Evan Phillips came in for Grove to get the final out. Phillips pitched a scoreless ninth to close it out, and the Dodgers won it 5-4.

“We had an opportunity to come back, and we had some guys on [to] potentially tie it or win it,” said Melvin. “[We] just couldn’t get that big hit again when we [got] guys in scoring position.”

Ryan Yarbrough got the win; Webb suffered his first-career loss at Dodger Stadium; and Even Phillips got the save.

As for Betts and Freeman, they went a combined 5-for-9 tonight, and have gone a combined 10-for-16 in this series

The Giants have now lost three-straight, and fall to 2-4. The Giants’ young left-hander, Kyle Harrison, will look to be the stopper tomorrow night, just as he was last Friday in San Diego, and  the Giants will try to avoid the sweep.

News and Notes:

  • The Giants traded catcher Joey Bart, who they designated for assignment on Sunday, to the Pittsburgh Pirates for right-handed minor league pitcher Austin Strickland. Strickland, 21, was drafted by the Pirates last year.

As for Bart, this will be a new opportunity for him. Bart has shown his potential, and there seems to be a belief that he can stick in the big leagues and succeed with another team.

Warriors win thriller beat Dallas Mavericks 104-100

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Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) celebrates guard Klay Thompson (11) in the second half at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Apr 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (41-34), winners of their last four road games, returned home to face the Dallas Mavericks (45-30). The Mavs were also on a roll, having won seven straight. Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are the Mavs’ scoring leaders. The Warriors came away with another win defeating the Mavericks on Tuesday night at Chase Center 104-100.

Doncic averages 34 points a game, and Irving averages 25 points a game. The Warriors’ game plan was to stop those two superstars and hope the defense could come through in crunch time. Dallas’ coach, who went to St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda and two years at Cal, wanted his team to put the clamps on Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson.

Both teams played wonderful defense. It was like a playoff game Tuesday night. There were several ties and several lead changes. The winner would not be determined until late in the game. The Warriors kept attacking the rim late in the game. The Mavs were called twice for goaltending. The Warriors held on to win 104-100.

The Mavs started strong, sinking three three-pointers to open the game. However, the Warriors, led by Andrew Wiggins’ impressive seven-point contribution in the first quarter, fought back to tie the game at 14. A crucial basket from Chris Paul at the end of the period gave the Warriors a narrow 28-27 lead. 

The Mavs led 34-28 when the Warriors went on a 19-2 run to lead 47-34. Dallas came roaring back. The Mavs finished the first half with a 15-2 run to tie the game 49-49. Doncic, with 17, and Kyrie Irving, with 12, punished the Warriors’ defense to force the tie.

The Mavericks started the third quarter with a 10-2 run to lead 59-51. Andrew Wiggins made two threes and two two-point buckets to tie the game 61-61. The Mavs scored the next seven points to lead 68-61. Behind Moses Moody’s two threes and buckets by Curry and Wiggins, the Warriors tied the game at 71-71. The Warriors outscored the Mavs 9-2 to finish the third quarter leading 80-74.

Each team knew a six-point lead was relatively easy to overcome in the fourth quarter. Could the Warrior’s stop Doncic and Irving? Would Thompson and Curry play well in the last 12 minutes? Would the bench players rise to the occasion? The Warriors answered all the questions in the affirmative.

Thompson started the quarter by making a steal and a three-point basket. Brandin Podziemski connected from downtown. Chris Paul and Wiggins each made a basket, and the Warriors led 90-79. Dallas responded with a 13-2 run to tie the game 92-92.

Thomson made a two-point bucket to stall the Dallas offense. Green made the next two baskets to put the Warriors ahead 98-92 with 1:48 left to play. Green made the defensive play of the night when he made a steal and then put the ball through the hoop at the other end to give the Warriors an eight-point lead 100-92.

Kyrie Irving hit a three, closing the gap to five points. Wiggins made it 102-95. The Mavs’ J P Washington connected from downtown to trail by four 102-98 with 25.9 seconds left. The Mavs’ strategy was to score quickly and then foul.

The Mavs blocked Thompson’s layup attempt, and Irving scored at the other end to make the score 102-100. The fans were biting their nail and were hoping the Warriors would find a way to win the game. The Mavs then fouled Thompson in the backcourt.

Thompson, was 92% from the free-throw line) cooly sunk two free throws. There was just 10.3 seconds left to play. Warrior’s head coach, Steve Kerr, made sure that his players knew not to foul anyone attempting to make a three-point shot. The Warriors’ defense met the challenge. Dallas was not able to get a shot off before the buzzer sounded. The Warriors win a thriller 104-100.

Game Notes: The Warriors are now 41-34 with the win. The Warriors have seven games left and have a three-game lead over the Houston Rockets for the tenth spot in the Western Conference. The Rockets lost to Minnesota Wednesday night and are 38-37.  

The Mavericks’ record is now 45-30. The Warriors extended their winning streak to five games, snapping the Mavs’ seven-game win streak.

The Warriors had six players in double figures. Andrew Wiggins led the Warriors with 23 points. Thompson and Paul each had 14. Curry had 13. Moses Moody had 12. Moody made four threes. Green added 11. 

The Warriors shot 44.6% from the floor. Each team made 15 threes. With the smallest team in the NBA, the Warriors outrebounded the bigger Mavs 57-48. 

Doncic led the Mavs with 30 points. Doncic also had a triple-double. Doncic pulled down 12 boards and had 11 assists. Irving finished with 27. P J Washington recorded 20 points, and he made three threes. Daniel Gafford was the only other Maverick in double-figures with ten. 

The Warrior bench outscored the Dallas Bench 39-13. 

The Warriors are back on the road again. The Warriors play the Houston Rockets Thursday night and then play the Mavericks again Friday night in Dallas.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: A’s moving onto discussions with Sacramento Wednesday; No deal to stay at Oakland Coliseum

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Oakland team president David Kaval (left) and reporter Marko Ukalovic (right) sat down for a Mar 30, 2017 interview when Kaval had an open door policy for reporters. That door has since been closed as Kaval and top A’s officials met with the Oakland Coliseum Join Authority Tue Apr 2, 2024 regarding a lease extension at the Coliseum. (photo from Marko Ukaloivc)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury the Oakland A’s met with City management and the Oakland Coliseum Joint Authority today. There was talk before they were going to meet that there was no way the A’s would agree to pay the $97 million for five years to play their interim years at the Coliseum.

#2 Ironically the $97 million that the City of Oakland was asking for was the same amount that separated the City and A’s for the Howard Terminal ballpark. Then A’s president David Kaval announced that the A’s had a binding agreement with the Rio in Las Vegas back in June.

#3 I know you reported that Sacramento is a solid second choice for a A’s interim home if the Coliseum falls apart. The A’s have visited Sutter Health Park and Kaval said he likes the park and it was reported that MLB Commissioner would prefer the A’s stay in California. The Sacramento Rivercats if necessary are prepared to make adjustments to Sutter Health to make it work for the players.

#4 One of the biggest reasons the A’s wanted to meet with the Coliseum was they didn’t want to walk away from the $70 million a year NBC California contract they have that runs through 2030. Whatever deal they get in Sacramento would not be nearly as close as what NBC would pay the A’s if they’d stay in Oakland.

#5 A $97 million five year contract with the Coliseum would work out to $19.4 million a year on rent. Figuring they would get $210 million from NBC California for the first three years and the A’s would have to shell out $60 million to the Coliseum Joint Authority in rent and still would be a good deal giving the A’s $150 million on a three contract. They A’s refused that offer and countered with asking for two years for $17 million and the Coliseum Authority declined leaving both sides far apart.

#6 Amaury, reports today regarding Esteury Ruiz was sent down because as A’s general manager David Forst said he needs to get on base more. Also Brent Rooker has been benched because Forst said he’s not hitting. Insiders say that Ruiz and Rooker have been demoted or benched because they wore Last Dive Bar wristbands which are pushing for A’s owner John Fisher to sell the team. This has certainly become political.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play announcer for the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NCAA Women’s Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson: Iowa vs. Connecticut and South Carolina vs.NC State

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Iowa Hawkeyes Caitlin Clark (22) celebrates their victory over the LSU Tigers to advance to the Elite Eight Mon Apr 1, 2024 in Albany NY (AP News photo)

On the NCAA Women’s Final Four podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Michael wanted to start with the Iowa Hawkeyes Caitlin Clark who scored 41 points that help beat Kim Mulky and the LSU Tigers 94-87 Monday night.

#2 Michael, the win by the Hawkeyes avenges the loss they had against LSU from last season.

#3 Iowa is advancing onto the a tournament that you’ll be covering they’ll be facing Connecticut head coach Geno Auriemma whose Huskies are 33-5 and just recently defeated the USC Trojans 80-73.

#4 In the other Final Four the No.1 South Carolina Gamecocks (37-0) will battle the No.3 NC State Wolfpack (32-6). The Wolfpack are coming off a win over the Texas Longhorns 76-66 and the Gamecocks are coming off a win against the Oregon State Beavers 70-58.

#5 South Carolina is undefeated going into the Final Four does that make a big difference or is it irrelevant?

#6 Here’s a team that hits home in the NIT the Illinois Fighting llini (18-15) who tip off against the Villanova Wildcats (22-12) on Wednesday. The Illini are almost a .500 team and here they are in the NIT what are they’re chances against a team like Villanova?

Michael Roberson covered the NCAA for http://www.sportsradioservice.com