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NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len Shapiro: Lightning strikes twice Bolts get second win to stay alive 3-2; Aves with series lead 3-2

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Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ondrej Palat (18) scores against the Colorado Avalanche and gets congratulated by Mikhail Sergachev (98) and Steven Stamkos (91) at the Ball Center in Denver in game 5 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on Fri Jun 24, 2022

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Len:

#1 The Colorado Avalanche came into game 5 Friday night thinking that with a win they would be able to hoist the Stanley Cup on their home ice after taking a 3-1 lead. It was not to be as the Tampa Bay Lighting scored a goal in each of the first, second and third periods to come away with a 3-2 win and to stay alive for another game.

#2 The Lightning’s Ondrej Palat scored the game winner in the third period at 6:22 and Tampa Bay was able to defend keeping the Aves out of their net for the one goal win.

#3 Tampa Bay goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 35 shots and looked like he was back in old form again shutting out the Avalanche in the first period while allowing one goal in each of the second and third periods.

#4 The Lightning also got goals from two reliable sources Nikita Kucherov and defenseman Jan Rutta which proved to be a total team effort by the Tampa Bay for the win.

#5 Game 6 is on deck in Tampa Bay this will give the Lightning a chance to tie the series on home ice or the Avalanche a chance to put it away on the road at Amalie Arena.

Join Len throughout the NHL Stanley Cup Finals for coverage at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Loses Another One to KC 3-1; A’s on four game skid

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Oakland A’s catcher Stephen Vogt throws his bat after striking out in the second inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City on Fri Jun 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

Oakland Loses Another One to KC 3-1

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the Oakland A’s (23-49) took on another struggling team In Kansas City, the Royals (26-43). Oakland is coming off three straight losses against Seattle at the Oakland Coliseum.

Cole Irving took the mound for Oakland. He pitched 5 2/3 innings and did have a good game but it wasn’t enough as the A’s failed to give him any run support in the 3-1 loss at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

He has not won a game since April 24th. Something that he rarely does is allow more than a single home run in a game but Kansas City’s Edward Olivares did exactly that hitting one in the third inning and a second in the fifth inning.

The Olivares home run in the third inning gave Kansas City the early lead 1-0. In the fourth inning Seth Brown hit a single and drove Tony Kemp home to tie up the game 1-1.

Olivares’ second home run gave the lead back to the Royals in the fifth inning 2-1. The Royals solidified the win in the sixth inning when Carlos Santana singled driving Hunter Dozier home.

Zach Greinke pitched for Kansas City back with the Royals handing the A’s their fourth loss in a row.

Oakland had six hits in the game but but only managed the one run in the fourth inning. They could not string hits together and that has been a problem for the team all season. Seth Brown and Sean Murphy each had two hit games for the A’s.

Oakland will play game two of this series at 1:10 PM tomorrow afternoon. On the mound for the A’s will be Jared Koenig (1-2, 6.59) who had a great game in his last outing with a much improved ERA at 6.59. His last win was Sunday beating the Royals 4-0. Kansas City will start Brad Keller (2-8, 4.30).

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmson: A’s open three game set with Royals in Kansas City tonight

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The Oakland A’s Sheldon Neuse slides in at home plate in the bottom of the first inning to score the A’s only run of the game against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Jun 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1 Jeremiah, Oakland A’s pitcher Frankie Montas left little doubt that he’s a front line pick for the July trade deadline. Montas went eight innings and threw a no hitter for 7.2 innings against the visiting Seattle Mariners on Thursday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum.

#2 Montas has been keeping opponents off balance all season long with his brand of pitching. Opposing teams know that they’ll have their hands full when they face him.

#3 The pair of wild pitches by reliever AJ Puk in the top of the ninth that allowed the tying run and go ahead run had to be one of Puk’s worst meltdowns this season?

#4 It also had to be a tough afternoon for A’s reliever Zach Jackson who loaded the bases for Puk and he ended up taking the loss because he was responsible for the runners left on base.

#5 The A’s open a three game series with the Royals tonight the A’s will start Cole Irvin (2-4, 3.14) he’ll be opposed by the Royals Zack Greinke (0-4, 5.05) this ball game is underway at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Join Jeremiah Fridays for the A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s pen melts down in ninth hands M’s 2-1 win; Montas’ excellent pitching performance goes to waste

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Oakland A’s starter Frankie Montas (47) pitched a gem but was lifted after eight innings of work against the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum on Thu Jun 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–A couple of baseball adages apply to Thursday afternoon’s game between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland A’s. The first adage is the one that says the winning team has to record 27 outs.

The second adage says good teams find ways to win, and bad teams find ways to lose. The A’s found a way to lose on Thursday that had the fans booing the team after the game. The A’s Frankie Montas had his best outing of 2022.

Montas held the M’s hitless until two outs in the top of the eighth. The M’s broke up his no-hit bid with two singles. Montas retired J.P.Crawford for the final out in the eighth and left the game with the A’s ahead 1-0.

All the bullpen had to do was get three last three out to preserve the win for Montas. What happened in the top of the ninth left A’s fans shaking their heads. The A’s bullpen issued four walks and two wild pitches to give the M’s two runs without the benefit of a hit. Seattle managed just two hits in the game and won 2-1 to sweep the three-game series.

The A’s plated a run in the bottom of the first. A’s third baseman Sheldon Neuse led off with a single. M’s starter Robbie Ray retired the next two hitters. A’s DH Sean Murphy walked to send Neuse to second. Cristian Bethancourt followed with a single to drive in Neuse with the run.

There was a scary moment in the “s half of the fifth. Sheldon Neuse hit a slow grounder to M’s third baseman, Abraham Toro, with two out. Toro’s throw to first appeared to hit the first baseman Ty France in his midsection.

France dropped to the ground in agony. After, the M’s medical staff got him back on his feet. France was unable to continue. Dylan Moore replaced him at first base. Neuse was ruled safe on the play. Robbie Ray retired Jonah Bride for the third out. The A’s lead 1-0 after five.

Montas continued his excellent outing into the top of the eighth. Frankie retired the first two hitters he faced. The next hitter, M’s second baseman Adam Frazier, hitting .221, singled to left to break up Montas’ no-hit bid. M’s catcher Luis Torrens followed with a single to put Frazier into scoring position. Montas retired J.P.Crawford for the third out. The A’s still had the lead 1-0 after eight innings.

Things got a bit hairy in the top of the ninth. A’s manager Mark Kotsay called on righty Zach Jackson to pitch. Jackson committed the cardinal sin of walking the leadoff hitter in the ninth. He retired Julio Rodriguez for the first out. Jackson’s control was slightly off as he walked Jesse Winker, which sent Moore into scoring position. Jackson struck out Eugenio Suarez for the second out.

The A’s brought in A.J. Puk to face Kevin Padlo. He walked Padlo to load the bases. Seattle tied the game on Puk’s wild pitch to Abraham Toro. Puk walked Toro on a 3-2 pitch. The ball got by Christian Bethancourt. Winker scored on the pitch.

The M’s have scored two runs in the ninth without the benefit of a hit. Four walks and two wild pitches. The M’s lead 2-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth. A’s manager Mark Kotsay will probably be criticized for taking Montas out of the game. The A’s bullpen did not do the job. The ways the a’s are going, Montas has to wonder if he has to throw a no-hitter if he hopes to win a game.

The M’s closer, Paul Sewald, retired the A’s in order 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth to secure the win for Seattle 2-1. They swept the three-game series.

Game Notes: The A’s are now 23-48 for the year. They are competing with the Cincinnati Reds for the worst record in baseball. The Reds kept pace with the A’s as they lost to the LA Dodgers 10-5 on Thursday.

The A’s had lost ten consecutive home series for the first time since June 20th, 1916, when they were in Philadelphia. The A’s are 8-28 in their last 36 games. 

The A’s offense continues to flounder. The A’s line was one run, five hits, and no errors. The A’s have scored one run or fewer in 26 of the 71 games played this year. They are last in hitting with a team average of .209. Teams can’t win many games this way.

The A’s starting pitching has an ERA of 4.46 for the season, which is the second-highest in the American League. The bullpen is 1-7 with six blown saves and a 6.61 ERA over the last 25 games. These numbers indicate a team that one can say is not very good.

The A’s are on their way to Kansas City to face the Royals for three games starting Friday night. Lefty Cole Irvin (2-4, 3.14 ERA) will pitch for Oakland. Former AL Cy Young award winner, righty Zach Greinke(0-4, 5.05 ERA), will pitch for K.C. The game will start at 5:10 pm.

The time of the game was two hours and fifty-eight minutes. Eight thousand two hundred seventeen fans watched the A’s hand the M’s a 2-1 win. 

NBA Draft podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors looking to develop Baldwin; Kings say Murray can help Mitchell and Fox

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Milwaukee University’s Patrick Baldwin Jr is expected to be a big help for the Golden State Warriors who plan to take their time developing Baldwin (AP News file photo)

On the NBA Draft podcast with David Zizmor:

Golden State Warriors picked center Patrick Baldwin Jr out of Milwaukee who they can develop and take their time brining him up as they’re in a good position to do so. Baldwin comes up from the first round a 28th pick.

Baldwin according to scouting reports could be an elite NBA player at 6’10 he can shoot and handle the ball and play just as good as any guard coming out of the college ranks. Their is a concern about him staying healthy.

Baldwin played in only 11 college games this past season due to an ankle injury can he mesh that and get in more playing time. The Warriors medical staff are good with ankle injuries as they had time to work on Stephen Curry’s ankle a time or two.

Sacramento Kings picked Keegan Murray out of Iowa University a small forward drafted out of the first round as a four pick. Murray has a workout with the Kings prior to the selection and it just so worked out that Murray is now on board with the team.

The Kings say they are looking forward to seeing how Murray works with Davion Mitchell and D’Aaron Fox. They say that Murray will be a big help switching at the post and diversifying in the front court.

David Zizmor is an NBA analyst for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Braves edge Giants 7-6; Atlanta’s Swanson goes yard twice

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The Atlanta Braves Dansby Swanson is thrilled after belting the first of two home runs in the first inning against San Francisco Giant pitcher Alex Wood at Truist Field in Atlanta on Thu Jun 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The Atlanta Braves (41-30) Dansby Swanson hit two home runs on Thursday against the San Francisco Giants (38-31) to help pace the Braves past the Giants 7-6 at Truist Field in Atlanta. Swanson is a dangerous hitter he also scored twice and had two hits in Wednesday night’s game.

#2 The Braves have been all about Hotlanta they have now won 18 of their last 21 games and are just four games behind the New York Mets in the NL East.

#3 Swanson who hit homers in the first and fourth innings has now seven multi homer career games and the last time he did it was on Aug 14, 2021.

#4 The Braves didn’t waste anytime getting on the scoreboard scoring five runs in the bottom of the second Travis d’Arnaud contributed with with a two run single in the rally.

#5 The Giants return to open a homestand at Oracle Park on Friday night against the Cincinnati Reds. The Reds will be going with Graham Ashcraft (3-1, 3.51) he’ll be matched up against the Giants Alex Cobb (3-2, 5.62) a 7:15pm PDT first pitch.

Join Michael for the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s too wild to stay in game against M’s in 2-1 loss; Oakland reliever Puk throws two wild pitches in 9th

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The Seattle Mariners Jesse Winker scores from third base on Oakland A’s pitcher AJ Puk’s second wild pitch in the top of the ninth inning at Ring Central Coliseum in Oakland on Thu Jun 23, 2022

On the A’s podcast with Daniel:

#1 Daniel, the Oakland A’s (23-48) leading 1-0 for eight innings couldn’t hold on in the ninth inning as reliever AJ Puck threw two wild pitches that allowed two runs to scored as the Seattle Mariners (32-39) came away with a 2-1 win.

#2 Meanwhile the A’s back in the bottom of the first inning scored their only run of the game when Cristian Bethancourt hit a single that scored Sheldon Neuse. What makes this so unusual the A’s have had to scratch for getting a run of any kind.

#3 The A’s got superb pitching from starter Frankie Montas who threw shutout ball until he was lifted after eight innings of dealing. Montas’ line eight innings, two hits, two walks, and eight strikeouts.

#4 The A’s relivers Zack Jackson and AJ Puk couldn’t salvage the game in the top of the ninth. The A’s leading 1-0 saw the bases loaded and Puk replaced Jackson. Puk threw a wild pitch that allowed the Mariners Dylan Moore to score from third base to tie it up 1-1. Another Puk wild pitch allowed Jesse Winker to score from third for the Seattle go ahead run making it 2-1.

#5 The A’s go back to the drawing board and open a three game series in Kansas City where they’ll start Cole Irvin (2-4, 3.14) he’ll be opposed by the Royals Zack Greinke (0-4, 5.05) a 5:10 pm first pitch at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.

Join Daniel for Major League Baseball podcasts Thursday nights right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

NHL Stanley Cup Finals podcast with Mary Lisa: Avalanche can put it away in game 5 in Colorado

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Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) controls the puck next to Colorado Avalanche goaltender Darcy Kuemper (35) during the third period of Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Finals on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Tampa, Fla. (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Finals with Mary Lisa:

#1 The Colorado Avalanche are just one game away from hoisting the Stanley Cup taking a 3-1 series lead over the Tampa Bay Lightning as game 5 is coming back to the Ball Center in Denver.

#2 The Aves went up 2-0 and played game 3 on Monday at Tampa Bay the Lightning jumped all over the Aves 6-2 after the Aves won a laugher 7-0 in game 2. The Lightning showed for a moment there they would back on track.

#3 Now with game 5 in Colorado on Friday night the Aves showed they had a lot of advantages having home ice winning the first two games of the series at Ball Arena.

#4 There is no doubt that these two teams can score as they demonstrated in games 2 and 3 but they can both play some good defense as well in game 4 they kept it within a goal for a as the Aves came back to win it 3-2.

#5 Aves goaltender Darcy Kuemper in game 4 was the real difference stopping 37 of 39 Tampa Bay shots for the win.

Join Mary Lisa for the NHL Stanley Cup Final podcasts right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: How long will the A’s keep Frankie Montas?

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Frankie Montas Oakland A’s starter has been lights out but has not been getting any run support and could be a candidate for a blockbuster trade (ESPN file photo)

How long will the A’s keep Frankie Montás?

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–How long with the A’s keep Frankie Montás? That is “The $64,000 dollar question”. Back in the late 1950’s, there was a game show on CBS-TV prime time with that title. Although today $64,000 is not enough even to buy you an electric car, this is the question that many A’s fans I speak with before every game at the Oakland Coliseum will like to have an answer to.

They have seen all the A’s established players getting traded before the season began; from Olson to Chapman, to Chris Bassitt to others that produced and helped the team make it to the postseason in recent history.

On a warm Wednesday afternoon at the Coliseum in front of an 8,215 in attendance, Frankie Montás pitched one of his best games ever, trying to prevent the Seattle Mariners from sweeping the A’s in a 3-game series.

Montás pitched eight innings (had a no-no for 7 2/3, threw fastballs at 99 mph, mixed with his nasty splitter, plus) gave up only two hits, no runs, and struck out eight. His eight innings pitched was a season high. Seattle won the game 2-1.

Montás is 0-3 with a 1.79 ERA in 6 games against AL West teams and 3-4 with a 4.27 in nine starts against the others. For A’s pitchers is dangerous this year to give one or two runs, because their offense is well…offensive. The A’s have been shutout nine times already.

The night before the A’s best pitcher by record, Antioch native Paul Blackburn did not have much on the ball as he gave seven earned runs on ten hits to the Mariners, his team lost 9-0. Although Blackburn should be headed to his first All Star game because of his performance so far, 6-3 with a 2.97 ERA, we all know the best and definitely must gutsy pitcher for the green and gold is Dominican-born Frankie Montás.

Frankie Montás has the most value of any of the current Oakland Athletics active roster and with the shortage of starting pitchers among contending teams, it would be a surprise for the A’s to keep him prior to the regular August 2 deadline.

There are many reasons for that. Common sense will tell us that even if he stayed with the team the whole season, the A’s still will not be a contender. The other reason is just a fact of life in Oakland in 2022, you are here for a short amount of time and logically there are half dozen teams that have been interested in Montás since Spring Training.

We most never think that because he has not been traded, he will stay with the A’s the rest of the season. In my opinion (and I am not a betting man) still a long shot.

The Chicago White Sox come to mind. They were supposed to win the weak Central Division “going away” and they still might, but as of today that is debatable as the Guardians and Twins are definitely looking like they also can win.

Andrew Vaughn is the type of player the A’s can use, the 24-year old Santa Rosa native is on his second year with the White Sox, playing everyday hitting .333 with seven home-runs and 31 runs batted in.

This is just one of many scenarios that have been mentioned during the past few months of a possible trade. Other teams have also ‘check the tires’ on Frankie Montás. It is possible that the A’s want more than Vaughn for Montás and that is keeping both sides from pulling the trigger.

I would like nothing more than for Frankie Montás to be part of the rebuilding going on here in Oakland. and possibly when they move to their new ballpark he can be surrounded by productive players, that would make the Oakland A’s a contender again.

I am the eternal optimist, but I also have my feet planted on the ground and will doubt if he did stayed for this whole 2022 season. It just doesn’t make sense, plus his demand after today’s performance went way up. If anything, after this afternoon in Oakland more General Managers are aware of who is Frankie Montás who has pitched his heart out with very little run support.

Early in the season manger Mark Kotsay told me when I asked him how important is Frankie Montás for his team, he responded “very important, everytime he pitches, our team feels they can win the game”.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead Spanish play by play talent on flagship station Le Grande 1010 KIQI San Francisco and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: No Swinging A’s in series against Mariners

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Oakland A’s shortstop Nick Allen (left) gets the ball too late as the Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez (right) slides in safely at second base in the top of the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Jun 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the A’s podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, the Oakland A’s have simply have not been getting any hitting throughout the first two games of the series with an 8-2 loss on Tuesday and the Seattle Mariners blew the A’s out on Wednesday night 9-0.

#2 The A’s up and down their line up struggled on Wednesday night faced just two Mariners starter George Kirby who went six innings giving up five hits, one walk and six strike outs shutting out the A’s during his time on the mind keeping A’s hitters off balance.

#3 With the A’s with no runs scored only two players got two hits in the contest centerfield Ramon Laureano and catcher Sean Murphy which showed how much this team is struggling just to get on base.

#4 Also the A’s fifth pitcher in the game was position player Sheldon Neuse who was inserted to relieve in the top of the ninth inning retired three hitters in order who all hit the ball to the warning track. Neuse was left in the game as a designated hitter.

#5 The A’s battle the Mariners once more on Thursday to conclude the three game series at the Coliseum starting for the Mariners Robbie Ray (6-6, 4.25) and for the A’s Frankie Montas (3-7, 3.53) a 12:37 pm PDT first pitch

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