Tag: Sports Radio Service

San Francisco Holds On To Beat Padres 4-3; Pads 4th straight loss; SF makes it two in a row wins

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San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray throws against the San Diego Padres line up in the first inning on Mon Aug 18, 2025 at Petco Park in San Diego (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (60-64) beat the San Diego Padres (69-55) 4-3 in game one of their series. The Giants scored first and it was big. They hit three home runs in the inning off the bats of Heliot Ramos, Rafael Devers and a two run homer from Wilmer Flores to take a 4-0 lead that persisted for the rest of the game. The Padres threatened in the seventh inning scoring three runs but they came up short as the Giants held onto the lead to win the game.

Game recap: The Giants got an amazing start hitting not one, not two but three home runs in the first inning to kick off this game. Heliot Ramos started off the hit parade with a home run to left for the early 1-0 lead.

San Francisco added another home run off the bat of Rafael Devers for a 2-0 lead. The Giants had really taken it to Padre pitcher Nestor Cortes and they weren’t finished. Wilmer Flores hit a third home run, a two-run homer taking a 4-0 lead. San Francisco could not have asked for more.

It was a pitchers duel through the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The Padres very nearly got up on the scoreboard in the second inning but fell short and the score remained 4-0 in favor of the Giants.

There was a pitching change in the sixth inning for the Padres when Cortes was relieved by David Morgan. Cortes went 5 2/3 innings allowing seven hits, four earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts. Cortes had a really tough first inning but pulled it together for the rest of his time on the mound before being relieved in the sixth inning.

Robbie Ray had an exceptional game allowing only 1 hit, 1 walk and 6 strikeout through six innings. He did hit Jake Cronenworth in the fifth inning. He gave up a double in the seventh inning already at 100 pitches and the San Francisco bullpen got busy.

Xander Bogaerts crossed home plate on a throwing error giving the Padres their first run of the game. This game took an ugly turn when Ryan O’Hearn hit a home run with Jose Iglesias on board and in the blink of an eye it was a 4-3 game with the Giants still leading. With two outs in the seventh inning Ryan Walker took over on the mound relieving Ray. He was able to get San Francisco out of the inning.

The Giants turned a double play in the eighth to end the inning taking the 4-3 lead into the top of the ninth looking for an insurance run or two. The newly acquired Mason Miller took the mound for the Padres in the top of the ninth looking to keep this game close.

The Giants were unable to score in the inning. San Diego went into the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-3. The Giants Randy Rodriguez came in to try and close out this game. With two outs, the Padres were down to their final out. Ryan O’Hearn was the final out and the Giants held on and won the first game of this series 4-3.

Game notes: Monday evening the Giants opened up a series against the Padres at Petco Park. The Giants dropped their series over the weekend losing to Tampa Bay winning game three Tuesday but losing the first two games of the series.

The Padres had a really rough time getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium over the weekend. The Padres have lost four straight and the Giants have now won two straight.

Tuesday the Giants will be looking to take a 2-0 series lead. They will start Kai-Wei Teng. He has a 1-2 win-loss record with a 9.90 ERA. Nick Pivetta will take the mound for the Padres with a 12-4 win/loss record and a 2.87 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s open up road trip with 3 game series with Twins

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Jeffery Springs throws against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Field at West Sacramento on Sun Aug 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 Jeffrey Springs wasn’t the sharpest on Sunday and it cost the A’s as the Angels downed the A’s late, 11-5.

#2 Springs was getting hit around early in the game while doing his best to limit the damage. Springs was able to go four and two-thirds innings while giving up five runs (all earned) on eight hits during his outing. Springs struck out five Angels and walked three in the game.

#3 Mark Kotsay reflected after the game on what he saw from Springs. “I thought he settled in nicely and had a chance to get out of that game with five innings pitched, three runs. Moore hits a ball that’s off the plate. It was a good pitch. Sometimes you make a good pitch and the hit finds a spot in the field where he gets a hit. Ultimately I thought he gave us a good start.”

#4 The A’s bullpen stepped up in a big way again on Sunday, something that has become commonplace for the staff as of late. However, a late-inning collapse of Michael Kelly and Ben Bowden did the A’s in.

#5 Tuesday, the A’s and Twins are slated to begin at 4:40 PM PST at Target Field in Minneapolis. Jacob Lopez (6-6, 3.30 ERA) is set to go for the A’s as the Twins will counter with Joe Ryan (12-5, 2.72 ERA).

Join Barbara Mason Mondays for the A’s podcasts 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. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants snapping 7 game skid takes weight off team

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Skid snapped San Francisco Giants players share congratulations after their game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oracle Park San Francisco on Sun Aug 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The Giants had a late exorcism, sparked by a four-run bottom of the sixth inning, to snap their seven-game losing streak, and get a much-needed 7-1 win over the Rays Sunday.

#2 The Giants have dropped seven-straight, as well as 15 of their last 16 and 19 of their last 22 games at home. Overall, they have gone 18-35 since June 13, and 7-21 since July 11.

#3 San Francisco starter Logan Webb pitched seven allowed three hits and struck out seven hitters. Webb was the key in the win and the avoided losing their eighth in a row.

#4 Giants centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee made an amazing catch that went off his glove, off his thigh and calf and finally caught the ball between his legs.

#5 Robbie Ray (9-6, 2.98 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener for the Giants at Petco Park Monday night. The Padres starter RHP Nestor Cortes (1-1 ERA 5.71) first pitch 6:40.

Join Marko for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: That’s Bananas! No Attendance Problem for these guys

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Savannah Bananas logo. The Bananas are out drawing most MLB teams and are filling up NFL football stadiums to sell out crowds with their baseball comedy that’s been a sensational hit. (logo by the Tiger)

That’s Bananas! No Attendance Problem for these guys

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Unlike the Athletics, Rays, and Marlins, or any of the other 27 Major League teams, the Savanah Bananas can draw between 50,000 and 80,000 fans at any given time. They are not in Major League Baseball, but these bananas are ripe and ready for entertainment every game, pleasing thousands of people and lots of families who enjoy their antics.

It reminded me of the first time I watched a game between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals. This is a unique type of baseball featuring acrobats and comedians in uniform, some more athletic than others, but it’s entertaining nonetheless

The Savannah Bananas played in stadiums all across the country, including Major League Park. Most recently, August 10-11 at Coors Field, Denver, home of the Colorado Rockies. They often sell out venues. The Savannah Bananas drew 81,000 people to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium on April 26, 2025, as part of their Banana Ball World Tour as they played against the Party Animals.

The game was a sellout, with 81,000 fans in attendance. They also sold out Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on March 15 of this year, a crowd of 65,000. At the time, the sold-out game in Tampa was a record and also the first time the players played in an NFL stadium.

The Bananas are about to draw the same amount of fans (or close), maybe a little less than the A’s and Rays and That’s Bananas!

The Athletics at Sacramento are last among all 30 MLB teams in attendance, averaging just 9,000 per game. With fewer than 20 more home games this 2025 season, they will likely end short of 600,000 in total attendance.

If you are still curious, this is their website. If you are curious, this is their website https://thesavannahbananas.com/ Quote: In the film For Love of the Game, pitcher Billy Chapel says, “[Hearing Yankee fans boo and jeer him] I can always tell when I’m in New York.” This shows that a player is aware of fan presence, regardless of size.

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.

http://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

Webb dominant, and Giants snap skid with 7-1 exorcism over Rays

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San Francisco Giants centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) makes a spectacular catch off his glove, thigh, calf, and between his legs off Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz in the top of the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Aug 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Tampa Bay Rays 1 (61-64)

San Francisco Giants 7 (60-64)

Win: Logan Webb (11-9)

Loss: Ryan Pepiot (1-2)

Time: 2:16

Attendance: 38,876

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants had a late exorcism, sparked by a four-run bottom of the sixth inning, to snap their seven-game losing streak, and get a much-needed 7-1 win over the Rays Sunday.

You all know what’s going on. The Giants have dropped seven-straight, as well as 15 of their last 16 and 19 of their last 22 games at home. Overall, they have gone 18-35 since June 13, and 7-21 since July 11. Plain and simply, they needed a win Sunday to show at the very least that they still had some fight in them.

Of course Logan Webb was on the mound Sunday, because the Giants can almost never win a game prior to one of his starts. Webb set the tone nicely with a one, two, three, top of the first inning.

Jung Hoo Lee then lined a double off the wall down the right field line to lead off the bottom of the first against Rays’ starter Ryan Pepiot. With the leadoff double, things felt different, almost as if the Giants were going to have a good day Sunday. So of course the Giants wasted it, as Pepiot set down the next three.

Webb continued to deal, and the game turned into a pitcher’s duel just like Saturday night. In fact, Webb retired 12 of the first 13 men he faced. Pepiot, meanwhile, threw one, two, three innings in the second and third, and worked out of a jam in the bottom of the fourth.

Webb ran into trouble in the top of the fifth, as the Rays put runners at first and second with one out after first-baseman Dominic Smith made an errant throw to second while trying to start a double play. However, Everson Pereira grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning, and Webb got out of it.

Webb settled back down to throw a one, two, three, top of the sixth, and Pepiot set down the first two men he faced in the bottom of the sixth. However, another opportunity would present itself for the Giants with two outs.

Heltio Ramos lined a base-hit to left field, and Devers singled to right. Adames then walked on four pitches to load the bases for Dominic Smith, who has been swinging the bat well, and has collected several big hits here in August.

You would think that the Giants would waste another opportunity, but Smith finally broke the ice with a broken-bat single down the right field line to knock in a pair. When right-fielder Jake Mangum’s throw came into second, Adames broke for the plate, and just got in ahead of the tag. Smith went down to second, and the Giants suddenly had a 3-0 lead.

There was a real roar from the 38,876 in attendance at Oracle Park this afternoon. It wasn’t one of those sarcastic cheers; it was a sincere expression of joy and excitement by the Giants’ faithful, who have had very little to cheer about over the last month.

Christian Koss then lined a double to left to knock in Adames and make it 4-0. For the record, It was a double, because left-fielder Chandler Simpson fell on his behind while trying to field the ball, and they gave Koss the time he needed to take second.

Do you want to know how bad things have been? The bottom of the sixth was the Giants’ first four-run inning in exactly two weeks. The Giants put up a four-spot and five-spot in their win against the Mets in New York on Aug. 3.

Nevertheless, the Giants got a much-needed crooked number in the bottom of the sixth. Adames, who had boldly taken home after Smith’s base-hit, was riling the troops and dancing around the dugout after Koss’ double. Even after everything the Giants have gone through since the All-Star Break, Adames is still doing everything he can to spark this team.

Webb came back out for the top of the seventh and threw a scoreless inning to cap off one of his best starts of the season. Webb gave up just three hits, and didn’t walk a single guy, while striking out seven over seven strong shutout innings.

It was almost identical to Verlander’s outing last night. However, unlike last night the Giants wouldn’t blow it today.

Drew Gilbert stepped up to the plate to lead off the bottom of the seventh against Rays’ reliever Mason Englert. Gilbert came into this at-bat 1-for-20 as a big leaguer, with his one hit being a broken-bat bloop single Monday night against the Padres.

Gilbert proceeded to hit a home run to the arcade out in right on a ball he knew was gone the second it left his bat. Tyler Fitzgerland then stepped up, and he immediately followed it up with a home run to left to make it 6-0.

The Rays would get on the board with a run off the struggling Tristan Beck in the top of the eighth. However, the Giants responded with a run in the bottom of the eighth, and it was Gilbert who got the two-out base-hit to right to knock in the run. 

This turned out to be a big day for the Giants’ young outfielder. Despite his slow start at the plate, Gilbert has shown some potential with his strong arm and his ability to field balls off the tough 24-foot-high Willie Mays Wall in right.

Keaton Winn finished off the game with a one, two, three top of the ninth, and the Giants got their win.

Logan Webb got the win, and Ryan Pepiot took the loss.

The Giants get their 60th win, and improve to 60-64. 

Now the Giants will head down to San Diego to take on the Padres for four games starting Monday night. The Giants have won six out of their last eight on the road, and the Padres were just swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles, so the Giants could have an opportunity to try and get back towards the .500 range. 

However, that may be a tad difficult, considering the Giants will then go to Milwaukee for three next weekend to take on a Brewers’ team that had their 14-game winning streak snapped today.

Anyway, Robbie Ray (9-6, 2.98 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener for the Giants at Petco Park Monday night. The Padres starter RHP Nestor Cortes (1-1 ERA 5.71).

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

Aces Shoot Lights Out From Beyond the Arc Beating Wings 106-87

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Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) is fired up after scoring against the Dallas Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Aug 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

It was competitive for awhile during the Las Vegas Aces (21-14) game with the Dallas Wings (9-16) but the Aces closed it out big time in the final minutes of the fourth quarter taking as much as a 23-point lead.

The final was 106-87 in favor of the Aces winning their seventh game in a row. Once again A’Ja Wilson was outstanding finishing with 34 points and eight rebounds. Kierstan Bell had an amazing game hitting 6 of 7 from beyond the arc.

Bell had 18 points in the game. Jewel Loyd had 12 points off the bench and Nalyssa Smith chipped in 14 points in a great offensive effort for the Aces. The team had a collective 18 shots of 34 from beyond the arc.

The Wings hung with the Aces throughout the opening ten minutes of play. Despite trailing for a bit in the first quarter, the Aces took the lead 31-27 going into the second quarter. Las Vegas got rolling big time as the second quarter wore on. With 2:13 left in the half, the Aces had taken a 52-40 lead. Las Vegas outscored the Wings 24-17 in the second quarter and took a 55-44 lead into the locker room at the half.

Wilson had a terrific first half with 18 points and 3 rebounds. She had been outstanding from both ends of the floor. Bell had 12 points and Chelsea Gray had 10. It had been another slow start for Jackie Young and Jewel Loyd and they would be looking for more in the second half.

Las Vegas was 100% from the line and 50 % from both the field and from beyond the arc. Through the first two quarters the Aces were protecting the ball well with only six turnovers.

The Wings had two players in double digits at the half. Maddy Siegrist had 11 points as did Paige Bueckers. They struggled from three point land making only 2 of 9. The Aces had made nine of 18 points from beyond the arc.

Las Vegas has come out a bit slow in the third quarter of games recently and they would need more physicality in the second half as well as containing the Wings offense. Young already had three personal fouls which was of some concern.

Dallas also had two starters with significant personal fouls, Luisa Geiselsoder with three and Haley Jones with four. The Wings started to trim the Aces lead to start the third quarter prompting a early time-out for the Aces.

Dallas trimmed the Las Vegas 12-point lead to six points mid-way through the quarter. Leading by only six points, Las Vegas put a stop to the Dallas run taking a 69-57 lead with 4:26 left in the quarter.

Both Lloyd and Young made three’s to stage the comeback. Dallas continued to fight cutting the Las Vegas lead to single digits 75-66. The Aces closed out the quarter taking back a double digit lead 81-66. Las Vegas continued to hit big shots from beyond the arc with Bell hitting 4 of 4 and Lloyd 4 of 6. They had a total of 13 threes.

The fourth quarter got underway with Wilson on the bench something we typically see. They would need her fresh down the stretch. Bell hit her fifth three of the game at 6:28. Dallas continued to hang around cutting the Las Vegas 18 point lead down to 12 points prompting another time-out.

With 4:22 left in the game the Ace had taken a 93-72 lead with Bell hitting three after three finishing with 6 of 7 and 18 points. The Aces win in a strong fourth quarter finish.

This has been an amazing run for the Aces; Las Vegas had won their seventh game in a row. They had hit 18 three’s in their 106-87 win over Dallas. It was a perfect blend of offensive and defensive effort. They have won nine of their last ten games.

Game notes: The Aces are on a roll that’s unequivocal. Ever since they were soundly beaten by the Lynx back on August 2 by the score of 111-58 they have pulled out all the stops playing some incredible basketball. The lop-sided loss to Minnesota didn’t sit well with Las Vegas and they have turned their season around and they did it on a dime.

They have beaten the Valkyries twice in a row, the Storm, the Sun, the Liberty and the Mercury for a six game winning stretch. This afternoon the beat the Wings at Michelob ULTRA Arena getting lucky number seven.

A’Ja Wilson has come unleashed and off the bench Jewel Loyd has also been instrumental in this winning streak along with the rest of the team. They have all been playing smart, hard and it is without doubt paying off handsomely.

Today the entire team continued to move up in the standings and have been taking it one game at a time as the wins continue to pile up. It has sure been something special for Las Vegas fans to witness.

Next up for Las Vegas will be another home game; another challenge for the Aces taking on the Atlanta Dream who sit in second place in the league and first place in the Eastern Conference. That game will take place next Tuesday with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM at Michelob ULTRA. The Aces will be looking to keep this crazy run going strong and there is absolutely nothing that would indicate otherwise

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Can’t keep a good club down Brew Crew on 14 game win streak; Phils Wheeler out with blood clot; plus more news

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Milwaukee Brewers starter Quinn Priester delivers against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Sat Aug 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 The Milwaukee Brewers are one hot club they have now won 14 straight games to rally from behind to defeat the Cincinnati Reds 6-5. The Brewers came back from behind in the second straight game to win it in 11 innings. The 2025 Brewers became the first team since the 1987 Brewers who won 13 straight to pass them with their 14 game win streak.

#2 Philadelphia Phillies president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski announced that Phillies ace pitcher Zack Wheeler has been placed on the 15 day IL on Saturday. Wheeler has a blood clot in his right arm. Dombrowski said there isn’t much they can say about it right now but doctors were commended for finding the clot. Dombrowski said it could have been a much more worse situation.

#3 Houston Astros All Star closer Josh Hader will not throw for the next in three weeks due to a left capsule shoulder strain last Friday. Hader hopes he can pitch again in the 2025 season. Hader said he wants to get as strong as he can in the next three weeks. Hader’s record for this year 6-2 ERA 2.05.

#4 The San Francisco Giants continue to spiral losing it’s seven in a row and 15 of their last 16 home games, marking the worst 16-game stretch at home since 1901. 

#5 The Sacramento A’s continue to roll winning their sixth game out of their last ten and defeating a Los Angeles Angels team that just swept the Los Angeles Dodgers in three games. The A’s have taken the first two games of the current series with wins on Friday 10-3 and on Saturday night 7-2. The A’s are four games behind the Angels to move out of the basement in the AL West.

Join Charlie O for MLB The Show podcasts Sundays 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. 

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: Fisher on video being booed by A’s fans at Sutter Health Park

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Fans watch the A’s play the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, in West Sacramento. Charles Russo/SFGATE

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 On Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park John Fisher who was walking from his seats on the luxury box level was booed at the end of the sixth inning from fans who he walked past.

#2 Fisher also walked on the field before the game and fans in Sacramento who are known for being laid back let the foul language fly at Fisher and one fan stood above the tunnel where Fisher was walking and said some extra obscenities pertaining his thoughts about the A’s relocation from Oakland and the A’s not committing to Sacramento.

#3 Daniel simply what would you say the fans are the most angriest with Fisher for his moving the A’s out of Oakland, not committing to the Sacramento fans, or fans believe he’s yanking their chain over the construction of the Las Vegas ballpark and how that was handled.

#4 Fisher who hardly appeared at any of the Oakland A’s games before they moved and had avoided being seen when in Oakland, has been at a number of A’s games at Sutter Health Park and even gave a rare interview with a Nevada paper regarding the Las Vegas ballpark and relocation.

#5 The A’s had the worst attendance during their series with the Tampa Bay Rays and players and fans have expressed that they are not happy seeing or playing Major League Baseball in a triple A park and they have laid that blame on Fisher.

Daniel Dullum does the A’s Relocation podcasts each Sunday 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. 

Bay FC match report: San Diego defense shuts down Bay FC 2-1 Saturday

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Bay FC forward Penelope Hocking, center, is seen on the sideline before a NWSL soccer match against San Diego Wave FC in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025.Stephen Lam/S.F. Chronicle

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the San Diego Wave on Saturday night. Bay were looking to start climbing up the standings, while San Diego attempted to solidify their spot near the top of the league table. The Wave were able to use some good defense to shut down Bay FC from making a come back late in the match 2-1 at Pay Pal Park.

San Diego got a chance from a free kick in the opening minutes, but the shot hit the crossbar and Jordan Silkowitz was in the perfect position to make a save if it was a bit lower as well.

Silkowitz had to make a few saves early in the match, as the San Diego attack looked to get on the board, but she stood tall.

In the 23rd minute, Silkowitz went down with an apparent cramp but quickly got back up and remained in the game. In the 26th minute, Rachel Hill was taken down inside the box, but, rightfully, no penalty was awarded.

In the 45th minute, Rachael Kundananji went down after a collision in midfield. San Diego goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan showed tremendous sportsmanship, as she immediately came over to check on her, just as she did for Silkowitz earlier in the match. Kundananji got some attention from the training staff, but remained in the match.

The match remained a draw heading into halftime, but possession was massively in favor of the visiting side.

Kundananji got a shot on target in the 49th minute, with a strong run past the Wave defense but Sheridan made an easy save. Silkowitz followed suit with a save of her own in the 51st minute. Unfortunately for Bay, moments later San Diego would take the lead in the 52nd minute with a goal by 17-year-old Kimmi Ascanio.

Silkowitz made a phenomenal diving save in the 57th minute to keep the deficit at just a single goal.

San Diego made the first substitution of the night in the 60th minute with Trinity Armstrong entering for Hanna Lundkvist. Meanwhile in the 62nd minute, Taylor Huff was shown the first yellow card of the night.

Kenza Dali made it 2-0 in the 64th minute, right before Albertin Montoya was set to make a wholesale change. Dorian Bailey, Kiki Pickett and Tess Boade entered after the goal in an attempt to right the ship, but it seemed like Montoya waited too long to make the changes.

Boade gave Sheridan another save in the 69th minute, as the shot went directly to the Wave goalkeeper.

San Diego was called for a handball inside the box in the 73rd minute, and Caroline Conti stepped up to the spot. She scored on the shot, and Bay FC trailed by only a single goal with 15 minutes to go. At that point, Montoya took out Kelli Hubly for forward Asisat Oshoala as they desperately needed an equalizer.

Perle Morroni was shown a yellow in the 89th minute. Ultimately, Bay FC’s comeback attempt would come up short, and they’d fall 2-1.

Giants’ bullpen meltdown spoils Verlander gem as losing streak reaches seven games; Rays get by SF 2-1

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San Francisco Giants’ Justin Verlander walks to the dugout after pitching against the Tampa Bay Rays in the fifth inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

By Lincoln Juarez

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants bullpen blew a 1-0 lead in the eighth inning and the Giants suffer another late-game loss 2-1. Giants pitcher Justin Verlander threw his best start of the year and went seven innings deep for the first time as a Giant.

Fans entering Oracle Park Saturday night hoped that Bay Area rapper Saweetie wouldn’t be the most entertaining thing they saw. 

Looking to avoid a sixth straight series loss at home, which has only happened once in the history of Oracle Park (2008), the Giants turned to 42-year-old Justin Verlander to put an end to what’s been a miserable losing streak. 

Still with just one win on the season, Verlander made his 21st start of 2025 Saturday night. He allowed five earned runs last Sunday when the Giants got torn apart by the Washington Nationals 8-0. Other than recording his 3,500th strikeout Sunday afternoon, Verlander did not provide much else in the defeat. 

Saturday night, Verlander looked stellar. Through his seven innings of work he tallied 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 walks, and 8 strikeouts. The seven innings he threw Saturday night made for the longest outing of his 2025 campaign and his best outing as a Giant to date. 

The Giants could only put together one run of offense for their Hall of Fame starter who earned his 3,511th career strikeout Saturday night allowing him to pass Walter Johnson on the all-time strikeout leaderboard. 

In his 21 starts following Saturday’s no-decision, the Giants have provided just 38 runs of support. That put him at third fewest runs of support for pitchers across the majors with at least 20 starts. 

Saturday night was also the seventh time this season that Verlander exited a game inline for the win. The Giants have only won one of those games. 

Through the struggles Verlander has faced he’s managed to put together some quality starts giving the Giants chances to win ballgames. Bob Melvin said postgame when asked what that says about Verlander, “That’s why he’s gonna be a Hall of Famer”. 

Worse than the Giants not being able to help with the bats, the bullpen couldn’t preserve the win as Jose Butto recorded two outs on two pitches but lost his command in the eighth. Matt Gage replaced him after the Rays tied the game at 1-1 and couldn’t hang on either. A hit-by-pitch and three singles allowed the Rays to rally for two runs to take a late lead in the eighth and they wouldn’t look back. 

The Giants went down one, two, three, in the home eighth and struck out three consecutive times following a Jung Hoo Lee single in the bottom of the ninth. 

San Francisco has lost seven in a row and 15 of their last 16 home games, marking the worst 16-game stretch at home since 1901. 

Sunday afternoon is game three of the series where the Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (8-9 ERA 3.86) will face the Giants RHP Logan Webb (10-9 ERA 3.34), as Webb will take the mound to try and put an end to the losing streak. 

First pitch 1:05pm at Oracle Park.