Tag: Sports Radio Service

Aces Edge Storm To Win Series 74-73; Indiana up next round on Sunday

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) celebrates after a play against the Seattle Storm during the first half of Game 3 in the first round of the WNBA basketball playoffs Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

By Rich Perez

LAS VEGAS–This game was not decided until the final seconds of the game as the Las Vegas Aces( 2-1) beat the Seattle Storm (1-2) 74-73 winning the series and moving on to the semifinals where they will meet the Indiana Fever on Sunday.

This game went right down to the wire with the Aces coming out on top. A’Ja Wilson just kept on doing her thing which is always extraordinary. She finished the game with 38 points carrying the team on her back. She got great support from Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray.

Game recap: The Storm had the lead after the first ten minutes of play 19-14 and as the second quarter got underway the Aces surged taking the quarter 19-7 and leading at the half 33-26. They would be looking to take that momentum into the second half.

The Storm refused to fold outscoring the Aces in the third quarter 22-19 and pulling to within four points 48-52. It would turn out to be a barn-burner of a fourth quarter.

The Aces continued to hold onto the lead but could not put much distance between themselves and the Storm. Seattle continued to hang around. With under seven minutes left in the game it was a one-point differential 58-57 with Las Vegas clinging to the lead.

The Aces pushed their lead back out to 66-61 with under three minutes left in the game. With under two minutes left in the game it was all tied up at 68 as the Storm continued to punch back refusing to throw in the towel.

The last two minutes in the game were not designed for the weak-of-heart. Both teams dug deep with the Storm taking the lead 71-70 with 1:14 left on the clock. At 1:03 Las Vegas took back the lead 72-71 but this game was far from over.

The Storm’s Erica Wheeler gave her team the lead back 73-72 with 19.3 left in this game. Wilson missed a jump shot that was rebounded by Young who tipped the shot in for a 74-73 lead. With 12.4 on the clock, the Aces did a bang-up job on defense in the final seconds forcing a missed shot from Erica Wheeler and that was the ball game. The Las Vegas Aces had won the game 74-73 and the series moving onto the next round.

Nneka Ogwumike had the high for the Storm with 16 points and Skylar Diggins had 13 points. Off the bench Wheeler was magnificent with 16 points putting her team in a great position to win this game. She ironically hit the shot in the closing minutes that gave the Storm the lead but she also missed the shot at the very end of the game as the clock ran out.

Wilson had an amazing showing scoring 38 points and Young hit 14 points with Chelsea Gray scoring 12 points. Jewell Loyd had four points and Dana Evans only two, a quiet night for both of them.

Game notes: Thursday night the Aces beat the Storm in game 3 of their series to advance to round 2 of the WNBA playoffs. After splitting the series the Aces they win game 3 at Michelob ULTRA Arena moving on to the semifinals.

Tuesday night the Aces had a 79-70 lead with four minutes left in the game. Everything indicated an Aces win but fouls, turnovers and missed shots let Seattle back in the game and they took full advantage scoring 16 points in the final minutes while the Aces were stuffed only scoring four points.

Now Las Vegas won the winner-take-all game. The good news for the Aces is that with the 2nd seed they had home court advantage. A’Ja Wilson has said “home crowds are always like your sixth man,” and the Aces will really need them Thursday night.

The way they fell off to close out the game Tuesday was very unlike the Aces who typically finish strong. Neither team has roster player injuries and it was a hotly contested game. The Las Vegas loss broke the teams 17 straight win streak and they got back on the winning track.

An eventual loss was a possibility but it was painful nonetheless. The Las Vegas collapse in the final four minutes was something they had not seen in their past 17 games. The loss got the Aces back on track and even more determined as they advanced in the playoffs.

The Aces will broiught their “A game”; they knew what they had to do to win this game. The sell-out crowd was their ally from start to finish as they strived to move onto the next round.

The Las Vegas Aces will now move on to the semifinals for a matchup with the Indiana Fever. The Fever upset the Atlanta Dream Thursday night 87-85 to move onto the next round. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for Sunday September 21 at 12:00PM. The second seeded Aces will meet the Fever at Michelob ULTRA Arena for game one of this series.

A’s Hold Steady in 5-3 Win Over Red Sox

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A Fenway Park groundskeeper helps prepare the field before the Sacramento A’s and Boston Red Sox Wed Sep 17, 2025. The A’s and Sox completed their three game series on Thu Sep 18, 2025. (AP News photo)

A’s Hold Steady in 5-3 Win Over Red Sox

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s wasted no time setting the tone, launching an early offensive surge that carried them to a 5-3 win over the Boston Red Sox. Lawrence Butler got the Green and Gold rolling with a leadoff double in the top of the first, and Brent Rooker followed with his 30th home run of the season, a no-doubt shot into the left-field seats that put Sacramento ahead 2-0 before many fans had settled into their seats.

Nick Kurtz added a double, and Tyler Soderstrom’s RBI single pushed the lead to three runs. Though the Red Sox scratched one back in the bottom half on a Trevor Story sacrifice fly, J.T. Ginn settled in and delivered a composed start, working into the seventh inning and handing the game to a bullpen that has quietly become one of the best in the majors since the All-Star break.

Boston briefly threatened in the second when David Hamilton’s solo homer cut the lead to 3-2, but Sacramento’s defense and Ginn’s efficiency quieted the bats through the middle innings. Jacob Wilson’s RBI single in the third widened the gap to 4-2, and in the seventh Butler manufactured a run with a single, stolen base, and hustle around the bases, scoring on a Trevor Story error.

That insurance tally loomed large after Story went deep in the eighth to trim the deficit to 5-3, but Hogan Harris slammed the door in the ninth, striking out Nick Sogard to seal it.

For Sacramento, the formula was clear: timely power, clean defense, and steady pitching. Rooker’s 30th blast gave the A’s three players at or near the 30-homer plateau, a reminder of how dangerous this lineup has become in the second half.

Ginn’s line, six innings, two runs, wasn’t flashy, but it was exactly what manager Mark Kotsay needed from a rotation that has struggled with length all season. The bullpen, with Harris earning the save, continued its dominance since the All-Star break, a stretch in which it owns one of the best ERAs in baseball.

The victory reflected the resilience of a team that once lost 20 of 21 games earlier this year but has since played above .500 ball. The Athletics are 30-24 since the All-Star break, their best second-half showing since 2019.

The offense, now among the league leaders in doubles and slugging, looks nothing like the light-hitting squad from the past five years. Sacramento’s road record has climbed back to .500, ensuring their best showing away from home since 2021.

Butler’s speed and all-around game, Kurtz’s rookie power numbers, Wilson’s steady bat, and Rooker’s consistency have created a balanced attack that opposing pitchers can’t take lightly. Even as the standings show the A’s with a sub .500 record, the trajectory is upward.

Thursday’s win in Boston was another snapshot of a team starting to find its identity, a group no longer defined by its rebuilding struggles but by its growing core and knack for grinding out wins.

It’s onto Pittsburgh as the A’s will face the Pirates on Friday night at PNC Park and the A’s will start RHP Luis Severino (6-11 ERA 4.82) the Pirates have not announced a starter yet.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s Kelly loses in close game to Sox in ten innings 5-4

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Sacramento A’s reliever Michael Kelly took the loss against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on Wed Sep 17, 2025 (AP file photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Boston Red Sox pinch hitter Nick Sogard hit a tenth inning infield ground ball to knock in Nate Eaton off Sacramento A’s pitcher Michael Kelly for a walk off hit to defeat the A’s in the bottom of the tenth inning at Fenway Park in Boston on Wednesday night.

#2 In a back and forth game the Red Sox never gave up and with Sogard’s game winning base hit the Red Sox lead the American League with 11 walk off hits for 2025.

#3 Boston pitcher Chris Murphy picked up his third win of the season pitching one third of an inning in relief. It was a tough loss for Kelly who drops his record to 4-4.

#4 In the top of the fifth the A’s Lawrence Butler walked Darrell Hernaiz hit a two run single. The did lose by a run but Hernaiz has been key for the A’s run production of late.

#5 A’s and Red Sox going at it Thursday RHP J.T. Ginn (3-6, 4.69 ERA) for Sacramento, RHP Brayan Bello (11-7, 3.25) makes the start of Boston. A’s currently currently in front early in the ball game at Fenway Park.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips: Cal heads to San Diego State in next match up Saturday

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Cal Bears quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (3) prepares to sling a pass against the Minnesota Golden Gophers at Memorial Stadium in Berkeley on Sat Sep 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

Cal Bears podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 Cal Bears (3-0) quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele had himself an afternoon against the Minnesota Golden Gophers (2-1) throwing for three touchdowns in the Bears 27-14 win on Saturday. It was Cal’s third win in a row.

#2 The Gophers came into Berkeley with a 2-0 record and the Bears were likewise 2-0 and the game was viewed as a toss up but Sagapolutele made it look like easy work in the Cal 13 point win.

#3 Sagapolutele was 24-38 for 279 yards and all of his three passes were short scoring tosses. The win against Minnesota is a victory against a power conference opponent.

#4 The Gophers kicker Brady Denaburgh missed a 51 yard field goal that would have been tied up the game with ten minutes left in the game. Koi Perich mishandled a punt at the Minnesota eight and the Gophers missed their opportunities to get back in the game.

#5 The San Diego State Aztecs lost in their last game to the Washington State Cougars 36-13 and will be Cal’s next opponent. The Aztecs were just demolished on both sides of the ball scoring a one touchdown in the first quarter and six points in the third quarter. Cal is rolling as they travel to San Diego to face the Aztecs. How do you see this match up next Saturday?

Morris Phillips does the Cal Bears podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson: Cardinal kick off against Cavaliers this Saturday in week 4 action

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Stanford Cardinal celebrate their win over the Boston College Eagles at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 14, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

Stanford Cardinal podcast Michael Roberson:

#1  Stanford Cardinal (1-2) running back Micah Ford carried for 157 yards and scored a touchdown. Ford reach a career high for yards carried.

#2 The win gave Stanford Cardinal head coach Frank Reich his first win at Stanford and also college win over the Boston College Eagles (1-2) 30-20 on Saturday.

#3 Stanford’s Collin Wright scored on a 19 yard interception in the first half of the game and the Cardinal defense did some prevent defense stopping a changing goal line stand just shutting down the Eagles in third quarter.

#4 Stanford quarterback Ben Gulbranson threw 13-22 passes for 186 yards that help get coach Reich his first college win as a college head coach. Reich was a quarterback in the NFL with the Charlotte Panthers and got a win with the Indianapolis Colts.

#5 The Cardinal head back east to face the Virginia Cavaliers (2-1) this coming Sat Sep 20. The Cavaliers won their last game against William and Mary Tribe 55-16. Cavaliers quarterback Daniel Kaelin went 8-14 for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Join Michael Roberson for the Stanford Cardinal podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Athletics Fall Short in Extra Innings 5-4 at Fenway

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Boston Red Sox Nate Eaton slides underneath Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers for the game winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning at Fenway Park in Boston on Wed Sep 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Athletics Fall Short in Extra Innings 5-4 at Fenway

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics found themselves locked in another razor-thin battle in Beantown. From early long balls to late-inning strategy, and ultimately heartbreak in extras, the game provided plenty of edge of your seat excitement.

Unfortunately, after clawing their way through nine innings of back-and-forth baseball, the Green and Gold dropped a 5-4 decision to the Boston Red Sox on a frustrating walk-off fielder’s choice in the tenth.

Mason Barnett made his fourth career start and, consistent with his brief track record, worked in and out of trouble before turning things over to the bullpen. Boston wasted little time drawing first blood in the first inning when Masataka Yoshida singled home Trevor Story after a passed ball advanced the runner into scoring position.

Barnett’s uneven command left him exposed again in the second, as Rob Refsnyder hammered a solo homer to give the Sox a 2-1 edge. The Athletics had briefly tied it in the top half on a Lawrence Butler run manufactured by a Carlos Cortes double and a Darell Hernaiz sacrifice fly.

Sacramento’s offense threatened in the third when Nick Kurtz singled and Shea Langeliers drew a walk, but they came up empty after Brent Rooker’s flyout and Tyler Soderstrom’s strikeout. Jacob Wilson added a base hit, but Butler went down swinging to strand the bases loaded. That missed opportunity loomed large, as Barnett labored through the bottom half, yielding a Jarren Duran single and wild pitch before escaping further damage.

The A’s briefly found rhythm in the fifth. Langeliers and Rooker both reached base, setting the table for Soderstrom and Wilson. A walk forced in a run to tie it 2-2, and Hernaiz followed with the biggest swing of the night, a two-run single that put Sacramento ahead 4-2.

For a moment, the Fenway crowd hushed as the Green and Gold seized momentum. But the Red Sox quickly responded in their half, capitalizing on a defensive miscue at second base. Duran and Story reached, and Yoshida’s infield single plated a run. By the end of the inning, the margin was cut to 4-3.

From there, the bullpens took over. Tyler Ferguson, Justin Sterner, Elvis Alvarado, and Michael Kelly were summoned in succession, and each found themselves in high-leverage moments. In the sixth, Trevor Story tied the game with a sharp RBI single to center, and suddenly it was 4-4 heading into the late innings. The A’s had no answers for Boston’s relief corps, striking out frequently and failing to advance runners in scoring position. Wilson and Soderstrom combined for four hits, but timely execution was lacking.

The ninth inning embodied the night’s frustration. With two outs, Soderstrom singled and Wilson followed with another sharp liner to right, putting runners on the corners. Butler lofted a fly ball to left that died in Jarren Duran’s glove, ending the threat.

The game drifted into extras, where the A’s simply could not manufacture the big hit. Colby Thomas reached to start the tenth, but consecutive strikeouts and a pop out left Butler stranded at third.

That opened the door for Boston. With Nate Eaton placed at second under the new rules, the Red Sox bunted him to third, then watched as Nick Sogard chopped a grounder to second. Zack Gelof’s only play was to first, allowing Eaton to score the game-winner. Just like that, Sacramento’s bid for a third straight win in Boston vanished.

For the Athletics, the loss was another in a season filled with one-run battles. They fell to 18-21 in such games, with both of their victories against Boston this year decided by a single run. Despite offensive firepower, with Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, and Brent Rooker all pushing toward 30-plus home run seasons, the club remains plagued by inconsistent pitching and stranded baserunners.

Barnett’s line reflected the struggle: multiple innings cut short by missed execution and an early hook that forced the bullpen into heavy duty. Overall, it was a great showing of traditional baseball.

Starting pitchers for Thursday for Sacramento RHP JT Ginn (3-6 ERA 4.69) for the Boston Red Sox RHP Brayan Bello (11-7 ERA 3.25) first pitch 10:35am PT.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary–A’s Nick Kurtz Rookie of the Year

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Sacramento A’s slugger Nick Kurtz is congratulated in the A’s dugout after hitting a two run home run against the Cincinnati Reds at Sutter Health Park in Cincinnati on Sun Sep 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Nick Kurtz Rookie of the Year

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On November 18 at 6 PM ET, the BBWAA will announce its Rookie of the Year Award. In the American League, there is only one player who deserves such an accolade: Nick Kurtz.

Kurtz became a name in baseball this year. Kurtz of the Sacramento Athletics is the first and only rookie in Major League Baseball history to hit four home runs in a single game, a feat he accomplished on July 25, 2025, against the Houston Astros. His six-hit, four-homer performance also tied the MLB record for total bases in a game, set by Shawn Green in 2002.

The Athletics were the first team to have three consecutive players winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award. OF José Canseco in 1986,1B Mark McGwire in 1987, and shortstop Walt Weiss in 1988. For us who covered/broadcast that great era of A’s baseball, those three were key players in the championship seasons under the Walter Haas ownership.

Wednesday, with approximately ten games left in the regular season for most teams, the A’s have two top candidates for the 2025 Rookie of the Year Award. 22-year-old first baseman Kurtz and 23-year-old shortstop Jacob Wilson, who was also the starting shortstop for the American League in this season’s All-Star Game. Other American League rookies that are notable, but will not win the Rookie of the Year, are Boston outfielder Roman Anthony and Houston outfielder Cam Smith.

The A’s (now playing in Sacramento temporarily) are entering the last part of the season with the possibility of ending in fourth place again, like last season. The difference is that this 2025 season, the A’s have new blood, including very young and talented players, among them the two rookies like Kurtz and Wilson, who have propelled the team to a better record than the 69-93 Oakland A’s of 2024.

History: Jackie Robinson won the first official Rookie of the Year award in 1947. The award was given to only one player for both leagues in 1947 and 1948, but has been given to one player in each league since 1949. The award was later named the Jackie Robinson Award. 

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Giants Come Out Flat But Redeem Themselves in 11th Inning Beating Arizona 5-1

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander walks from the bullpen to the dugout after taking warmups before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on Wed Sep 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

This game was a real sleeper until the 11th inning. After ten silent innings between the San Francisco Giants (76-76) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (77-76) in game three of their series, the Giants bats went crazy with four hits in the 11th inning scoring five runs and winning this game 5-1.

Up to that point they only had one hit through ten innings. It was an amazing win for the Giants winning a game that was so desperately needed. They got the job done in this one. Giant pitcher Justin Verlander was outstanding going seven innings.

Game recap: As this game got underway and the innings came and went, this game became a good old-fashioned pitchers duel. There was no score going into the bottom of the ninth inning. Neither team was hitting. Through nine innings, San Francisco had managed only one hit and Arizona had three.

Diamondbacks pitcher Brandon Pfaatt was having a solid game pitching through nine innings allowing only the one hit, giving up a walk with seven strikeouts. Justin Verlander went seven innings allowing 3 hits no runs, 2 walks and 3 strikeouts.

This game was headed into extra innings. The one thing that San Francisco did not want to see was another Arizona walk-off. It was up to Giant’s pitcher Ryan Walker to get out of the ninth inning giving the Giants a chance in the tenth.

With one out Walker allowed a Corbin Carroll triple and the Diamondbacks were looking for their second walk-off of the series. Gabriel Moreno was intentionally walked and then it all went downhill when Walker hit Blaze Alexander and the Diamondbacks had the bases loaded.

Ryan Walker got out of this huge mess and the Diamondbacks had squandered a monster opportunity. With renewed life, San Francisco would lean on Rafael Devers to get the inning going after going hitless in three at bats.

He had a productive out moving speedster Grant McCray from second to third base. Willy Adames struck out for the second out and Matt Chapman came to the plate; the Giants last hope in the inning. The Giants wasted a great opportunity when Chapman struck out giving Arizona another crack at sweeping the series.

The Diamondbacks were able to move a runner, Alek Thomas, to third base but they also came up empty unable to bring Thomas home and this game went into the eleventh inning.

The Giants really got something going in the 11th. Matt Chapman advanced from second to third on a passed ball by Gabriel Moreno. Bryce Eldridge walked and San Francisco had two runners on base with no outs.

Jerar Encarnacion singled Chapman home and the Giants had taken the lead 1-0 with no outs. Patrick Bailey singled loading the bases for San Francisco. The Giants broke this game wide open when Christian Koss doubled driving Jung Hoo Lee (he ran for Eldridge) and Encarnacion home taking a 3-0 lead still with no outs.

There would be a pitching change for the Diamondbacks. Grant McCray sacrificed and Patrick Bailey scored extending their lead to 4-0. After such a slow start San Francisco was coming on like gangbusters. They would add another run with two outs when Rafael Devers singled Christian Koss home and this game went into the bottom of the 11th inning with the Giants leading 5-0.

The Diamondbacks were able to score a single run in the bottom of the 11th inning but it was too little too late. Corbin Carroll sacrificed Geraldo Perdomo home from third base but that would be it for Arizona. The final was 5-1 in favor of San Francisco.

Game notes: Wednesday afternoon the Giants beat the Diamondbacks in game three of their series. The Giants are .500 yet again this season. After a nice turnaround in past weeks their offense has really struggled. The Giants Wild Card chances improved Wednesday after the Mets lost to the Padres and the Giants moved from four games out now to two games back for the last Wild Card spot.

They were crushed in game one of this series losing 8-1 followed by a disappointing loss in game two. After taking a 4-0 lead early in that game, they allowed Arizona to come back and finish the game off with a walk-off winning 6-5.

Wednesday the Giants avoided the series sweep. With both the Mets and Reds losing the Giants once again are looking at a shot to get back into third place in the NL Wild Card race. Giants starter Justin Verlander had himself an outing going seven innings, allowing three hits, two walks, and three strikeouts for the win.

After breaking their four-game losing streak Wednesday, the Giants face a tough four-game series that gets underway Thursday night with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 PM. They will take on the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.

Logan Webb will get the call with a 14-10 win/loss record and a 3.34 ERA. The Dodgers plan on starting Yoshinobu Yamamoto. He has a 11-8 win/loss record with a 2.66 ERA.

There is sure to be a lot of fireworks between these age-old rivals. San Francisco needs to have a great series. They are two games back behind the Mets and are tied with Cincinnati Reds and and half game back of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants now need to concentrate on the game in front of them and nothing else.

San Francisco 49ers podcast David Zizmor: Is this Jones’ window to shine and create a quarterback controversy?

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San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) and running back Christian McCaffrey ask each other “Whose the man?” during second half action against the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome in New Orleans on Sun Sep 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco 49ers podcast David Zizmor:

#1 San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones subbing for Brock Purdy let it fly in New Orleans with three touchdowns and passed for 279 yards. Was this a great game for Jones or throwing against the Saints who are a struggling team wasn’t the real test just yet for Jones?

#2 Jones had himself a great game of sorts in order to get some real attention if he was to come out against the Arizona Cardinals and have another three touchdown game again could he give head coach Kyle Shanahan something to think about or no matter how great Jones throws Brock Purdy gets back in there at the first opportunity?

#3 David it’s Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals this coming Sun Sep 21 for the home opener for the 49ers. The Cardinals won their first two games beating the Saints and Carolina Panthers would you say this is the Cardinals first real test while the 49ers have beaten the Seattle Seahawks and the Saints how do you see this clash this weekend?

David Zizmor does the San Francisco 49ers podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Playoffs Hopes Fading; Lose to the Diamondbacks In Walk-off 6-5

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Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll scores on a Jordan Lawlor walk off single in the bottom of the ninth inning as San Francisco Giants catcher Adam Knizner looks on at Chase Field in Phoenix on Tue Sep 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After leading 4-0 in the first inning, the San Francisco Giants (75-76) lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks (77-75) in a walk-off 6-5. The Diamondbacks Jordan Lawlar hit an infield single in the ninth inning and Corbin Carroll crossed home plate from third base for the hard-fought win in a walk-off.

This was the Giants fourth loss in a row as the Giants drop two games back for the third spot in the NL Wild Card. The Giants playoff hopes maybe dimming as the regular season is rapidly coming to an end. Less than a week ago San Francisco had it all going on; they were playing some of their best ball of the season and like a thief in the night it all disappeared.

Game recap: The Giants had a great start in the game scoring four runs in the first inning. Taking a 4-0 lead in any game is terrific but needs some back-up from the mound and the cooperation of the defense.

Matt Chapman hit a sacrifice and Heliot Ramos score for the early 1-0 lead. Wilmer Flores singled in the first and Rafael Devers scored pushing their lead out to 2-0. They would extend that lead to 4-0 when Jerar Encarnacion doubled and Casey Schmitt and Wilmer Flores both scored.

The Diamondbacks very nearly tied up the game in the second inning scoring three runs. Blaze Alexander singled Gabriel Moreno home and Adrian Del Castillo hit a home run with Alexander on base and Arizona was within a run 3-4. San Francisco got an insurance run in the third inning taking a 5-3 lead. Wilmer Flores hit a solo home run to left center and the Giants were back in business.

When it looked so promising the Giants would not score for the rest of the game. They’re bats checked out after the third inning. The Diamondbacks scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning tying up this game.

Arizona took the tie into the ninth inning looking for a walk-off. It was quick one with Jordan Lawlar singling Corbin Carroll home and that was the ball game in the hoped for walk-off 6-5. The Diamondbacks had taken a 2-0 series lead and the Giants had lost their fourth game in a row.

Game notes: Time may be the San Francisco Giants worst enemy as the 2025 season enters the final weeks. The Giants were looking for a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Tuesday night after losing the first game of the series Monday night 8-1.

San Francisco has lost four games in a row; every loss sets their playoffs hopes back. Such a disappointment because of the promising turnaround the Giants had seen the past few weeks. Right now it all seems to be going in the wrong direction for the Giants.

Giants starter Tristan Beck threw for three innings allowing five hits, three earned runs, and one strike out. Beck was proceeded by four relievers. The second reliever Trevor McDonald pitched two innings allowed three hits, two runs, a walk and one strikeout. All the damage was done by the D-Backs as the Giants lost by a run Tuesday night.

In Wednesday’s game three the Giants will try to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 12:40 PM PT.

Justin Verlander will take the mound for San Francisco. He has a 3/10 win -loss record and a 3.94 ERA. Arizona will start Brandon Pfaadt. He has a 13-8 win/loss record and a 5.31 ERA. The Giants will try to put an end to their losing streak as well as avoiding a sweep.