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Cal Bears podcast with Morris Phillips: Homecooking puts Golden Bears back in win column; Cal’s Ott runs past Wildcats in Berkeley

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Cal Bears Jaydn Ott rushes for a 73 yard carry against the Arizona Wildcats on Sat Sep 24, 2022 at Cal Memorial Stadium in Berkeley (AP News photo)

On the Cal Bears podcast with Morris:

#1 Morris after a tough loss at Notre Dame last week the Cal Bears redeemed themselves with a rather convincing win over the Arizona at Cal Berkeley last Saturday 49-31.

#2 Basically the mantra was give the ball to Jaydn Ott and when Cal quarterback Jack Plummer did Ott was off to the races carrying for 274 yards and three touchdowns.

#3 On a second play of the first quarter from scrimmage Ott was so reliable he took the ball and ran for 73 yards. Ott also who appeared to have been stopped on another play turned around and took the ball for an 18 yard carry.

#4 Cal head coach Justin Wilcox said of Ott that he’d seen flashes for a long time and has a lot of ability to take it to the house. Morris do you view this game as a break out game for Ott?

#5 On Sat Oct 1st the Bears head to Pullman to take on the Washington State Cougars. The Cougars got edged by the Oregon Ducks 44-41 before that loss the Cougars had won three straight games. This no doubt will be another big test for coach Wilcox and the Bears.

Join Morris for the Cal Bears podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Home Run record is 61, not 73

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New York Yankees star Aaron Judge needs just one more home run to tie the American League home run mark in one season held by the late and former Yankee Roger Maris. Here Judge walks to first base after getting a base on balls from Boston Red Sox pitcher Brayan Bello on Sun Sep 25, 2022 at Yankee Stadium in New York (AP News photo)

The Home Run record is 61, not 73

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

New York Yankee Aaron Judge is just one home run away from tying the American League record of 61 by Yankee Roger Maris in 1961.

Considering all that has happened in baseball since 1961, including the steroids era, it is understandable to believe the real home run record for a regular season (as of today) is that of Roger Maris, 61.

Barry Bonds (2001) who hit 73 home runs holds the major league record. In 1998 Mark McGwire ended with 70 home runs and that same year, Sammy Sosa finished with 66 home runs. We all know these three sluggers did not establish those one season-records without the use of PED’s.

The three have enough lifetime home runs and hitting stats to have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, five years after their last year of play, but we also know why they have not been elected. It remains to be seen if and when they will be elected. More on this at the end.

With nine (9) games left for the Yankees, beginning this Monday. 26 of September, Aaron Judge might soon be the all time home run hitter for a regular season in the history of Major League Baseball.

The New York Yankees, who have won 27 World Series, would be proud to have the three sluggers that made original history. Babe Ruth 60 in 1927, Roger Maris 61 in 1961 and Aaron Judge in 2022.

As far as baseball historians are concerned, Ruth, Maris and Judge have done it without scandals. Induction into the Hall of Fame is based on performance during a whole career.

Babe Ruth is in Cooperstown, Roger Maris, was never elected and Aaron Judge, is way too early to tell, although he is not a rookie, but 30 years old, have been a Yankee since 2016 and to date has hit a total of 218 home runs. However, I am talking about a “the one season home run record”.

Starting this Monday the 26 of September the Yankees visit Toronto for 3 games, return to Yankee Stadium in New York for 3 games against the Baltimore Orioles and then they close the season at Texas against the Rangers for a 3-game series that will end their regular season on October 5.

Aaron Judge will have the last nine (9) games of the season to tie Roger Maris 61 home run record in 1961, and at least one more, 62, to establish the new record. If he achieves it, Aaron Judge will own the new record in the American League.

However, in my humble opinion his record should be the legitimate overall MLB home run record. MLB still recognizes Barry Bonds 73 home runs in 2001 as the current record for home runs in one season. Bonds and others mentioned here and not mentioned here, keep falling short of Hall of Fame election.

The Era Committees, formerly known as the Veterans Committee, consider retired Major League Baseball players no longer eligible for election by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA), along with managers, umpires and executives, whose greatest contributions to the game were realized in one of four eras.

Committees meet at the MLB Winter Meetings. The home run record for one season is independent of these committees, but baseball can still correct themselves, if they wish to do so, although I believe they will not.

Everybody is entitled to their own opinion and I respect it. I hope you respect mine.

The regular 2022 season ends on October 5, and a couple of days later the postseason will get under way. The latest 2022 World Series odds have the LA Dodgers (+350) and Houston Astros (+425) at the top of the board with the Mets (+550), Yankees (+550) and Braves (+850) circling behind.

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

Oakland A’s game wrap: A’s can’t contain Alsonso hits for 5 RBIs; Scherzer shuts A’s down in 13-4 win

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Oakland A’s pitcher Norge Ruiz rubs up the new baseball after delivering a home run ball to the New York Mets Pete Alonso who is in the background rounding the bases in the top of the fourth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso took advantage of Oakland A’s pitching hitting for a home run, a double and five RBIs for a new Mets record. Mets pitcher Max Scherzer threw for six innings giving up just four hits and one run and struck out seven.

The Mets are now just a 1.5 in front of the Atlanta Braves for first place in the NL East. The Mets are rolling they have won eight of the last ten games. The Braves will host the Mets next week for a three game series and the battle for first place could boil down to those three games.

Alonso’s five RBIs pushed him to first past former Mets catcher Mike Piazza (1999) and David Wright (2008) who each had 124 RBIs. The home run by Alonso was his 39th of the 2022 season and Alonso even hit a home run on Saturday even though the Mets got walloped in that game 10-4. Sunday’s home run was Alonso’s second home in two straight games.

Alsonso said after the game that it was an honor to surpass Piazza and Wright for the team RBI record. Alonso got a two homer in the top of the fourth and got three RBIs in the top of the eighth and he shared credit saying he couldn’t do it without his teammates.

The A’s head to Anaheim in hopes to win a series at the Big A on Tuesday as they will start James Kaprielian (4-9, 4.43) and for the Angels Patrick Sandoval (6-3, 3.01) first pitch 6:38 pm PDT.

Penalty filled game ends with Sharks on top over Kings 3-2

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Photo Credit to the San Jose Sharks. Kevin Labanc warming up before the game against rival Kings at the SAP Center in San Jose on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (@SJSharks photo)

By Titus Wilkinson (@TitusWisme)

SAN JOSE–On a warm Sunday in San Jose both the fans and the players would help to raise the temperature inside of SAP center as the San Jose Sharks beat the Los Angeles Kings 3-2 in overtime in the first preseason game for each team.

It wouldn’t take too long before the Sharks would find the back of the net as Luke Kunin would score 6:56 into the first period from Thomas Hertl and Timo Meier.

Jasper Weatherby would start off the penalty fest that would be this game with a roughing penalty at the 17:48 mark. By the end of the game the Sharks would finish at 0/7 on the power play while the Kings would finish at 0/8.

Tying the game up would be Kings forward Carl Grunstrom at the 59 second mark of the third period assisted by Brandt Clarke and Brenden Lemeiux

It felt like the Kings had fead off of the second period momentum they had generated as the Sharks only mustered two shots early in the third period.

Giving the Sharks the lead back Meier would score on a nice deflection off a shot from Matt Benning also assisted by Hertl at the 9:50 mark of the third period.

Continuing their solid play Blake Lizotte would score at the 17:25 mark of the third to tie it assisted by Grundstrom on a two on one play were Kahkonen would have no chance.

Playing the hero Logan Couture would find twine at the 1:27 mark of overtime assisted by Erik Karlsson and Kevin Lebanc sending the crowd into a frenzy.

As the penalties suggest it would be a physical game with the Sharks totaling 31 hits and the Kings ending up with Kaapo Kahkonen would finish with a solid 43 saves on the night while on the other side of things Jonathan Quick would make 17 saves and Matt Vilata made 11 saves.

Kahkonen would comment after the game on all the penalties taken, “Obviously there was a lot of penalties in this game so the rhythm was a little off for both teams I guess but we found a way to win so that’s always nice.”

The Sharks next game is against the Anaheim Ducks on Sept. 27 at 7:30 p.m. at Sap Center in San Jose.

PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Late birdie gives Flesch a comeback win

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Steve Flesch gets the pictured Pure Insurance Championship Trophy Award at Pebble Beach on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (@PUREFirstTee photo)

By Jeremy Harness

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Steve Flesch lost his lead on the back nine and appeared to be sunk momentarily but nonetheless hung in there long enough to give himself a chance at the end. And when that chance presented itself, he took full advantage.

He found himself tied for the lead at the par-five 18th as others fell back late, and he nailed an eight-foot birdie putt to claim the Pure Insurance Championship, his second win on the PGA Champions Tour this season.

“It’s exciting; I’ve always played well here,” said Flesch, who also won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic earlier this year in Hawaii. “It really felt good to get that win. I’m just glad I capitalized on 18.”

Flesch started the final round in a tie for second and didn’t waste any time moving his way up. He birdied each of his first four holes to spring into the lead by two shots. He then added a birdie at the iconic par-3 seventh to add to his advantage.

However, Steven Alker, playing alongside Flesch on Sunday, rolled one in for birdie at the seventh to cut Flesch’s lead back to two. Paul Stankowski, who began the day tied for the lead at eight-under, could not get any traction early on but finally got going when he got back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh to join Alker in a tie for second.

Moments later, Ken Duke, who was tied with Stankowski at the top when the day began, made birdie at the par-four eighth to join both men at 10-under before Brett Quigley himself got to that number with a birdie at the par-four 10th.

He got himself into a tie for the lead at the 14th after knocking his approach shot stiff and then holing a short birdie putt but fell right back on the next hole with a crippling double-bogey.

Flesch began coming down to earth on the back nine and momentarily lost the lead. He suffered back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes, the latter being the result of a three-putt. However, he steadied himself following that while others, such as Duke, stumbled.

The low round of the day belonged to Ernie Els, who fired an eight-under round of 64 and capped things off by getting up and down for birdie at the par-five 18th and ended up in a tie for second. He was actually in position for a playoff had Flesch missed the eventual winning putt.

The final round did not begin until 11:15am PST, as roughly half of the field could not finish their second round on Saturday due to a three-hour fog delay and had to wait until early Sunday morning to do so.

PURE INSURANCE CHAMPIONSHIP: Late birdie gives Flesch a comeback win

By Jeremy Harness

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Steve Flesch lost his lead on the back nine and appeared to be sunk momentarily but nonetheless hung in there long enough to give himself a chance at the end. And when that chance presented itself, he took full advantage.

He found himself tied for the lead at the par-five 18th as others fell back late, and he nailed an eight-foot birdie putt to claim the Pure Insurance Championship, his second win on the PGA Champions Tour this season.

“It’s exciting; I’ve always played well here,” said Flesch, who also won the Mitsubishi Electric Classic earlier this year in Hawaii. “It really felt good to get that win. I’m just glad I capitalized on 18.”

Flesch started the final round in a tie for second and didn’t waste any time moving his way up. He birdied each of his first four holes to spring into the lead by two shots. He then added a birdie at the iconic par-3 seventh to add to his advantage.

However, Steven Alker, playing alongside Flesch on Sunday, rolled one in for birdie at the seventh to cut Flesch’s lead back to two. Paul Stankowski, who began the day tied for the lead at eight-under, could not get any traction early on but finally got going when he got back-to-back birdies at the sixth and seventh to join Alker in a tie for second.

Moments later, Ken Duke, who was tied with Stankowski at the top when the day began, made birdie at the par-four eighth to join both men at 10-under before Brett Quigley himself got to that number with a birdie at the par-four 10th.

He got himself into a tie for the lead at the 14th after knocking his approach shot stiff and then holing a short birdie putt but fell right back on the next hole with a crippling double-bogey.

Flesch began coming down to earth on the back nine and momentarily lost the lead. He suffered back-to-back bogeys at the 12th and 13th holes, the latter being the result of a three-putt. However, he steadied himself following that while others, such as Duke, stumbled.

The low round of the day belonged to Ernie Els, who fired an eight-under round of 64 and capped things off by getting up and down for birdie at the par-five 18th and ended up in a tie for second. He was actually in position for a playoff had Flesch missed the eventual winning putt.

The final round did not begin until 11:15am PST, as roughly half of the field could not finish their second round on Saturday due to a three-hour fog delay and had to wait until early Sunday morning to do so.

Las Vegas Raiders podcast with Rich Perez: Raiders drop to 0-3 can’t get by Titans 24-22

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First half action finds the Tennessee Titans Derrick Henry rushing against the Las Vegas Raiders defense at Nissan Stadium in Nashville on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Raiders podcast with Rich:

#1 Rich just how much were the Tennessee Titans (1-2) and quarterback Ryan Tannehill prepared for the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday?

#2 Tannehill went 19-27 for 264 yards and one touchdown, one interception. Tannehill looked sharp over the Las Vegas defense.

#3 Second quarter Raiders defense couldn’t get to Tannehill or running back Derrick Henry who carried 20 times for 85 yards and scored a touchdown.

#4 Raiders quarterback Derek Carr who started went 26-44 for 303 yards, two touchdowns, and threw for one interception but the Raiders fell short by a conversion 24-22.

#5 Next up for the Raiders they host the Denver Broncos at Allegiant Stadium can the Raiders defense shutdown the Broncos quarterback Russell Wilson and company?

Rich Perez is a Las Vegas Raiders beat writer and does the Raiders podcasts following all home and away games on http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Longoria pinch-single sparks Giants to 3-2 win over Diamondbacks

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San Francisco Giants third base coach Mark Hallberg, left, congratulates Ford Proctor, right, after Proctor picked up his first Major League hit at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the seventh inning on Sun Sep 25, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Sunday, September 25, 2022

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Even with their postseason hopes all but fading, the San Francisco Giants put together a solid weekend in the Valley of the Sun, taking two of three games from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Evan Longoria’s pinch-hit single in the top of the eighth inning provided the go-ahead runs in the Giants’ 3-2 win Sunday.

The Giants have won six of their last seven games, and need to go 6-3 over their final nine games to reach .500.

“’I’m proud of the way the guys have prepared throughout this road trip,” Giants manager Gabe Kapler said. “When you get towards the end of the year, it’s been a long season, and a lot of the guys are tired. But the preparation has been excellent, These guys are getting ready for games in the right way with a lot of good game-planning going on.

“We just want to see improvement through these stretches. It’s been a positive road trip in that regard.”

Longoria added, “Obviously, we need a miracle to make the playoffs, but our message has been pretty consistent throughout this month – we need to play hard and for a lot of guys in this room, there’s a lot to play for in terms of a job next year, contract money, whatever it is.

“We preach to go out there and find something every night, and that usually translates into good games and winning.”

Winning pitcher Jakob Junis (5-6) threw 83 pitches in 5 1/3 innings of a bullpen game for the Giants, giving up one run on four hits and a walk with seven strikeouts. Camilo Doval gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth, but struck out Corbin Carroll for the final out, earning his 26th save.

In the Giants’ eighth, Brandon Crawford singled and Jason Vosler drew a one-out walk; both runners moved up on a passed ball charged to Arizona catcher Cooper Hummel before Austin Wynns walked to load the bases.

After Evan Longoria was announced as a pinch-hitter, D-Backs reliever Reyes Moronta replaced Luis Frias (1-1). Longoria delivered a single to left, driving in Crawford and Vosler with the go-ahead runs.

“We depend on (Longoria) in those big moments,” Kapler said. “He had good swings, he’s got plenty of bat speed left, and he knows what to do in those situations.”

J.D. Davis, who went 4-for-5, added a solo home run into the right-center field swimming pool off Diamondbacks reliever Mark Melancon in the top of the ninth, his 10th of the season, extending the San Francisco lead to 3-1.

“If J.D. doesn’t have the most power on the team, he’s right there with everybody,” Kapler said. “He’s locked in right now. We don’t make too much of the hot-hitter thing, but he came through against a pitcher that was throwing really hard.”

The Diamondbacks cut the San Francisco lead to 3-2 in the bottom of the ninth on a sacrifice fly to right by Pavin Smith, driving in Christian Walker, who led off the inning with a double.

Arizona threatened in the eighth when, with two out, Ketel Marte singled and Daulton Varsho walked. After Marte and Varsho advanced on a double-steal, Stone Garrett grounded out to second.

The Diamondbacks pushed a run across in the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie. Sergio Alcantara hit into a fielder’s choice and scored from first on Smith’s double to right.

San Francisco loaded the bases with two out in the top of the seventh, but came up empty. Ford Proctor and Thairo Estrada singled and Mike Yastrzemski drew a walk, prompting the Diamondbacks to replace Kevin Ginkel on the mound with Frias. Davis lined out to Alcantara at shortstop to end the threat.

Proctor’s single was his first major league hit.

“I’m at a loss for words,” Proctor said. “That’s a moment you always dream of. I just wanted to see a bunch of pitches to help me settle in, and just remember that it’s the same game, to step back and breathe a little bit.

“I had my family there, I’m very thankful for them, and so blessed that they could make it out.”

“One of the tougher decisions of the day is whether to start Proctor or Longoria,” Kapler said. “You want to give Proctor a chance to get his first major league hit and contribute like he did today.”

San Francisco opener Scott Alexander gave up one hit in a scoreless first inning. Jarlin Garcia worked 1 2/3 hitless innings with two strikeouts, followed by Junis and Doval.

Arizona starter Drey Jameson scattered five hits over 5 1/3 scoreless innings with five strikeouts and three walks and a hit batter.

The Giants won despite stranding 12 baserunners.

GIANTS JOTTINGS: After taking Monday off, the Giants return home for a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies starting on Tuesday. RHP Logan Webb (14-9, 2.93) will start the first game and Carlos Rodón (13-8, 2.98) is slated to start the third game. Wednesday’s starter has yet to be determined. … Announced attendance for the D-Backs’ final home game of the season was 25,389.

Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O: A’s take over Mets deGrom in 10-4 win at Coliseum

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The Oakland A’s Shea Langeliers swings for an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum Sat Sep 24, 2022 against the visiting New York Mets (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The New York Mets (96-57) started out Saturday’s contest scoring three runs in the top of the first inning going to the bottom of the first inning the Oakland A’s (56-96) knew they had a tough customer in Mets starting pitcher Jacob deGrom.

#2 Bottom of the first the A’s came back to take the lead when Dermis Garcia hit for a two RBIs doubled in left, then Conner Capel who had four RBIs in the game grounded to second to score Seth Brown to tie up the game and Shea Langeliers hit a double to score Dermis Garcia for a 4-3 A’s lead.

#3 The Mets would get the tie again in the top of the second but the A’s would take the lead for good in the bottom of the third inning when Brown belted his 24th home run of the season to the deepest part of the ballpark at 414 feet for a 5-4 lead.

#4 The A’s chipped away at Mets pitching getting a run in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings and picking two more in the bottom of the eighth inning to win a laugher 10-4.

#5 Game 3 of the series at the Coliseum on Sunday the Mets will send out their ace starting pitcher Max Scherzer (10-4, 2.15) he’ll face the A’s JP Sears (6-2, 3.58) a 1:07 pm PDT first pitch at the Coliseum.

Charlie O did the A’s podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com. Charlie will be back for the Sacramento Kings podcasts on Sundays after the conclusion of the A’s season.

Washington punishes Stanford 40-22

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Tanner McKee (18) tries to bet a pass away while under pressure by the Washington Huskies Daniel Heimuli (right) at Husky Stadium in Seattle on Sat Sep 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

Washington Punishes Stanford 40-22

By Barbara Mason

Saturday evening the Stanford Cardinal (1-2) took on the Washington Huskies (4-0). The Huskies are coming off an impressive win over Michigan State and were looking to go 4-0 against Stanford. The Cardinal are coming off a bye week and tried to win their first Pac-12 contest this season. Stanford lost their Pac-12 opener to USC.

The Cardinal have struggled the past few seasons and they were looking for quarterback Tanner McKee to provide some explosive offense and unfortunately for Stanford they will be missing running back E.J. Smith to injury. Casey Filkins will step in to the starting running back position in the absence of Smith.

The Huskies presented a real challenge in this game. Washington came in the game third in the nation in passing success and are 17th in finishing drives. They are succeeded through the air. Their offense is electric but their defense struggles at times. As Washington came away with that successful victory 40-22 at Husky Stadium in Seattle to hand Stanford it’s second straight loss.

Game recap: The Huskies got up on the board in the first quarter. Will Nixon scampered for three yards and a touchdown leading early 7-0. Stanford was conducting a nice drive deep into Husky territory when a Tanner McKee pass was intercepted on the Washington 17.

The Huskies were unable to convert the interception into seven points but Peyton Henry kicked a 35 yd field goal extending their lead to 10-0 early in the second quarter. The Washington defense came to play sacking McKee six times, number six coming at 9:08 in the quarter.

Stanford’s offensive woes continued in the second quarter when Tanner McKee fumbled at 6:45 recovered by Stanf Faatui Tuitele. The Huskies Wayne Taulapapa would convert that recovery into a touchdown rushing for 34 yards and Washington had 10 points off those two turnovers. The Huskies led 17-0.

Stanford finally got something going driving into Husky territory with five minutes left in the first half. Tanner McKee got this offense moving in the right direction. McKee found Michael Wilson for 23 yards and a Cardinal touchdown; Stanford finally up on the board 17-7.

With 30 seconds left in the half the Cardinal were pinned deep in Oregon territory and very nearly gave up a safety operating from the 3 yard line. McKee was able to avoid the safety but had to leave the game with an ankle issue. It had been a rocky first half for Stanford.

In the third quarter Washington began to pull away. Henry kicked a 47 yard field goal early in the quarter and Husky quarterback Michael Penix Jr, completed a 30 yd pass to Rome Odunze extending their lead 27-7.

Stanford had a nice drive going in the third but failed to convert a 4th and 1 and the Huskies were back in business. Washington kicked a 32 yard field goal and the Huskies were putting this game away 30-7.

Stanford was able to score in the fourth quarter. McKee found John Humphrys for 17 yards, the touchdown and a successful two-point conversion. Washington led 30-15 with 13:58 left in the game.

Stanford had only been able to stop the Huskies once in this game. Washington’s Henry kicked another field goal this one a 26 yard field goal and the Cardinals now trailed 33-15. It was now a three possession game.

Tanner McKee fumbled with 10:45 left in the final quarter and Stanford had their third turnover in this game. The Huskies took that turnover to an eventual touchdown putting this game out of Stanford’s reach. Penix Jr. completed a 21 yard pass to Giles Jackson for a 40-15 Washington lead.

A McKee pass to Michael Wilson for 78 yards and a touchdown was Stanford’s last hurrah, too little too late. The final was 40-22.

McKee finished with 3 touchdowns and 286 passing yards. Michael Wilson had 176 receiving yards and Casey Filkins had 100 rushing yards.

The Huskies punished Stanford quarterback McKee with eight sacks in this game and the Cardinal were outplayed offensively and defensively. The Huskies kept their perfect record intact while Stanford dropped to1-2. Stanford takes on another very touch opponent next Saturday, #15th ranked Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 PM.

Chicharito’s brace powers Galaxy in 3-2 win over Earthquakes in California Classico

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San Jose’s Niko Tsakiris attempted a counter attack during the California Classico at Stanford Stadium on Saturday Sep 24, 2022. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

PALO ALTO–Chicharito ended up getting the last laugh in the Bay Area.

The Mexican striker recorded a brace as the Los Angeles Galaxy defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-2 in this season’s installment of the California Classico on Saturday evening at Stanford Stadium.

San Jose has three of its past four matches with two left to go in the regular season. Los Angeles has won two matches in a row and has points in five of its past six matches.

Before the match, a big banner ran along the end zone that depicted two clowns in an attempt to poke fun at the Galaxy.

17-year old ‘Quakes homegrown player Nico Tsakiris made his first start of the season at midfielder for interim head coach Alex Covelo. Tsakiris replaced Jamiro Monteiro who was out on international duty. Defender Miguel Trauco made his ‘Quakes debut in the 59th minute when he subbed in for Tanner Beason.

“Fantastic, that’s why he played,” said Covelo when asked to evaluate the play of Tsakiris. “He is a player that is going to be the future of San Jose, MLS, and maybe Europe. That’s why we put him in. We didn’t put him in because I just woke up this morning and said let’s put in Niko. I think it was a good opportunity for him and he deserves it. He did well.”

Los Angeles (13-12-7-46 points) drew first blood in the 12th minute. Julián Araujo sent in a cross into the middle of the box where Chicharito deked out Rodrigues and then beat ‘Quakes goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski with a left footed shot for his team leading 16th goal of the season.

The Galaxy doubled its lead in the 42nd minute. A turnover by San Jose led to Gastón Brugman blasting a shot from the edge of the 18 that hit the bounced underneath the crossbar and into the back of the net for his third goal of the season.

Los Angeles scored its third unanswered goal with Chicharito’s second goal of the game in the 69th minute. Efraín Álvarez threaded a ball through the two defenders that allowed Chicharito to sneak behind the defense and seal the deal with his 17th goal of the season.

San Jose (7-15-10-31 points) attempted a comeback three minutes later when Galaxy goalkeeper Jonathan Bond tripped up Cristian Espinoza inside the box for a penalty kick. Espinoza was on a mini breakaway after receiving a brilliant pass from Tsakiris. Bond had no other option but to take down Espinoza.

“As a No. 10, and it being my first start, you want to try and create as much as you can but also keep it simple. The opportunity came and it just felt right. We ended up improving and scoring from it, which was helpful for the group and our momentum. The opportunity was there so I took it,” Tsakiris said.

Espinoza cashed in the penalty in the 74th minute with a shot to the lower right corner of the net for his seventh goal of the season.

The Earthquakes scored on the final play of the game off of a set piece to make the score look respectable in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Espinoza sent a corner kick out the edge of D when Trauco kicked it into the middle of the box where Nathan one-touched the ball off of a defender’s foot for his third goal of the season and fifth in a ‘Quakes uniform.

“The atmosphere was spectacular. The team pushing hard in the second half was also due to the atmosphere, and the fans who came out to support and push the team to win until the end,” said Covelo.

Bond finished the match with one save on three shots on target to earn the win. Marcinkowski made one save on four shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with four corner kicks. Los Angeles had six.

The attendance for the match was 44,200, sixth most of any MLS match during the 2022 season.

San Jose is now 28-35-16 all-time vs. LA Galaxy, including a 5-2-2 record at Stanford Stadium.

The Earthquakes are now 7-11-7 in MLS play under Covelo.

UP NEXT: San Jose plays its final home match of the season on Saturday 10/1 when they host Minnesota United at 7:00pm at Pay Pal Park.