Tag: Sports radio

USC puts game out of reach, crushes Stanford 56-10 in the Southland

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The USC Trojans linebacker Tackett Curtis (25) tackles Stanford Cardinal quarterback Justin Lamson (8)in first half action at the LA Memorial Coliseum on Sat Sep 9, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Saturday, Sept. 9, 2023

Southern California built a 46-point halftime lead that turned out to be all they would need Saturday, as the No. 6-ranked Trojans routed Stanford 56-10 in the final Pac-12 football opener for both schools, played at the Memorial Coliseum.

This was the final scheduled meeting between the West Coast rivals in a series that goes back to 1905. They’ve been in the same conference since 1922, a status that changes next year when Southern California joins the Big 10 and Stanford goes to the ACC.

USC (3-0 overall, 1-0 Pac-12) jumped to a 21-0 lead on first-quarter touchdowns by Caleb Williams, Marshawn Lloyd and Austin Jones. The Trojans continued to roll in the second quarter, starting with a 75-yard punt return for a touchdown by Zachariah Branch.

Three minutes later, Williams completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to Dorian Singer. At 7:02 of the second quarter, Joshua Karty kicked a 38-yard field goal to put the Cardinal (1-1 overall, 0-1 Pac-12) on the board.

The Trojans didn’t let up, as Williams fired a 75-yard scoring strike to Brenden Rice on the ensuing possession. With 16 seconds to play in the first half, Williams completed a 1-yard TD pass to Lake McRee, giving USC a 49-3 halftime lead.

After a scoreless third quarter, Stanford’s Justin Lamson ran in from a yard out for the Cardinal’s first touchdown at 3:35 of the fourth quarter. Miller Moss scored USC’s final touchdown on a 15-yard run with 58 seconds to play,

Williams played only in the first half, passing for 281 yards and three touchdowns while running for another. The Trojans racked up 433 yards of total offense.

Starting quarterback Ashton Daniels was injured while being sacked in the second quarter and was replaced by Lamson, who passed for 121 yards and ran for the Cardinal’s only touchdown. Daniels was 2 of 7 for 19 yards.

Casey Wilkins was the Cardinal’s top rusher with 63 yards on five carries. E.J. Smith ran for 50 yards and Lamson gained 36 yards on 16 carries. Benjamin Yurosek caught four passes for 54 yards. On defense, Collin Wright racked up 10 solo tackles.

Next week, the Cardinal host Sacramento State. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.

Las Vegas Lights FC Rally In The Second Half To Beat The Oakland Roots 3-1

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The Oakland Roots tuned up for a little foot work before their match against the Las Vegas Lights FC at California Hayward UC East Bay on Sat Sep 9, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Saturday, September 9th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

It’s another USL Championship week and the Oakland Roots faced Las Vegas Lights FC in the final stretch of the season. The Roots wanted to get back on track in this game but were defeated by the Lights 3-1. The Roots are currently in sixth place in the West.

The game for the first 10 minutes was a  battle of possession, but when Oakland drew a penalty, it set up a penalty shot for the team’s leading scorer Johnny Rodriguez. Rodriguez capitalized on the penalty shot and scored his 11th League goal and 12th overall goal of the season and Oakland is up 1-0.

The first half ended with a 1-0 score and Oakland in the lead, but if the Roots know one thing it’s that if they want to secure a W, they can’t take their foot off the gas. When the second half started, the Roots immediately went on the defensive, but that didn’t matter as in the 56th minute Vegas forward Azriel Gonzalez scored one past Blanchette and tied the game up.

The Lights quickly took advantage of the momentum they got off the last goal a minute later Tyler Bagley received a headed pass and slammed it in the net even while smoke from a fan’s flare was in his face. 2-1 Las Vegas Lights FC.

Both goals were assisted by Daniel Rios and it felt like the Roots were now silenced, but there was still time on the clock. Substitutes and fouls slowed the game to halting pace, but that didn’t shake up Vegas as Tyler Bagley scored his second goal of the game from outside the box in the 89th minute and put the nail in the coffin on the Roots as the game entered six minutes of stoppage time, 3-1 Vegas.

When the final whistle blew, the game was already sealed, but the whistle just made it official and the Roots are still on the down trend as we wind down the season.

The next game for Oakland is September 16th at home against FC Tulsa and the next four out of six games will be at home to end the season. The Roots have to string together some wins to secure themselves a good spot in the playoffs and make a run at a USL title.

Oakland A’s commentary: What John Fisher Can Learn From San Jose Teams

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher sitting in the Oakland A’s dugout is the subject of today’s feature Oakland A’s commentary (NBC Bay Area file photo)

Wednesday, September 6th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

OAKLAND– With the end of the MLB season coming at the end of the month and the Oakland A’s two losses away from clinching their second consecutive last place finish in the AL West, the cloud looming over the A’s organization is the threat of leaving Oakland California.

The 2023 season was the year of the boycott. The year of “SELL THE TEAM” chants not just filling the Coliseum, but Oracle Park, the All Star Game in Seattle, and even areas outside of baseball, the boycott was the most talked about thing in Major League Baseball.

The change of location stems from no renovation to the current Coliseum or a new ballpark, but after the stubbornness of owner John Fisher, the negotiations of relocation became the norm starting in 2021. After two years of meetings and talks, Las Vegas became the nominee after Nevada approved a potential $380 million funding deal and the club submitting its relocation paperwork in August of 2023. 

At this point in the conversation, if everything is approved, the new stadium would be completed in Vegas for the 2027 season with Oakland most likely playing the three transition years in either Reno or Sacramento, but in the grand scheme of things, Oakland moving says John Fisher didn’t learn from other Bay Area entities.

Over the past weekend, San Jose State football had their first home game of the season in their newly renovated stadium with new facilities. Building these facilities and having their first game sell out with approximately 22,000 people, a number the A’s would love to have averaged this season, SJSU has the ability to attract big recruits, which will give them a better chance to win games, which in theory can bring more money to the school and an area of San Jose.

The San Jose Earthquakes opened their $100 million stadium that fits 18,000 in 2015 and even with an average team, the stadium is an attraction in the city (they just need better parking). These new facilities in San Jose aren’t just money makers for the organizations, but they make the area they’re in an attraction.

A sign at one of the A’s games said “Fisher should learn from the Quakes” and that sign may go on deaf ears, but it is the sad realization of where we are in this Oakland/Vegas location conversation, all that needed to be done was to build something new. 

In one of the most famous baseball movies ever, Field of Dreams, the most famous quote from the film is “if you build it they will come”, this quote contextually explains that if you build a baseball field, even in the middle of a corn field, people will show up to watch them play baseball.

In a city that lost the football team that was a cultural representation of the city, then lost the best basketball team of the last decade, and is experiencing a poverty problem that is reminiscent of Detroit after the 70’s, to lose a baseball team with such history would devastate the city to possibly irreversible magnitudes, especially if it’s announced after the season. 

Troy Ewers is a beat reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Lose 7-1 to Blue Jays; Toronto six run 7th Inning Rally does in Oakland

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Oakland A’s first baseman Ryan Noda (49) tried to make a catch in foul ground in front of the Toronto Blue Jays dugout and is braced by the Blue Jays Kevin Kiermaier (right) on a ball that was hit by the Blue Jays Ernie Clement at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Sep 5, 2023 (AP News photo)

Tuesday, September 5th, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

Oakland. CA – On Rickey Henderson Field in the Oakland Coliseum, the Oakland A’s face the Toronto Blue Jays for the second game of a three game series. The A’s had a three game winning streak snapped in Monday’s game with a loss to Toronto 6-5, tying the fifth most losses in A’s history. On the mound for the A’s this game was Ken Waldichuk and Chris Bassitt for the Jays.  The Jays had a six run seventh inning rally on Tuesday night for a 7-1 win.

The first four innings started off scoreless with both teams even at three hits, but both pitchers dealing and having a total of eight strikeouts (three for Waldichuk and five for Bassitt). In the fifth inning the season tradition of fans chanting “sell the team” began with all 4,751 people both Oakland and Toronto fans, engaging in the chant. 

In the sixth inning a rally by Toronto started with a Davis Schneider walk and then a Vlad Jr. single, which extended his on base streak to 21 games, but the rally was halted when Whit Merrifield grounded into a double play, continuing the scoreless game. 

The A’s changed pitchers in the seventh to give Waldichuk a break and they brought in Zach Neal. Waldichuk went six innings, allowing four hits, walking, and striking out three batters. Zach Neal wasn’t in the game long at all, walking three out of the four batters he faced and striking out the one he didn’t walk and he was replaced after 19 pitches and bases loaded.

Sam Long came to replace Neal and Toronto’s Kevin Kiermaier hit a single to end this scoreless war of attrition, scoring Alejandro Kirk, 1-0 Blue Jays. This opened the floodgates and the rally began for Toronto. George Springer followed up with two runs when he hit a single that scored Cavan Biggio and Santiago Espinal, 3-0 Blue Jays.

The avalanche didn’t stop as Davis Schneider hit a double that scored Springer, making it 4-0. Right after that and a Guerrero Jr. intentional walk, Whit Merrifield hit a sac fly that scored Springer and finally with two outs, the score was 5-0 Blue Jays.

Kirk who started the inning was back at the plate and walked again, and the same result for Biggio, but when he was walked, it scored another run and after a fly out from Horwitz, the devastating inning for Oakland was finally over, but the damage was done, 6-0 Toronto. 

The A’s weren’t going to go out quietly as with two outs and Seth Brown on second, Jordan Diaz hit a single and scored Brown to finally get Oakland on the board, 6-1. The eighth inning started with Toronto right back on the head of the A’s when Springer hit an RBI single that scored Kiermaier, 7-1 Blue Jays.

The ninth was the last hope to comeback from six runs for Oakland and Toronto closer Bowden Francis struck out the side and the Blue Jays won, 7-1. The winning pitcher is Chris Bassitt who improved his record to 14-7 and the loss goes to Zach Neal (1-1).

The A’s bullpen is now 3-3 with a horrendous ERA. The next game for Oakland is the last game of the series, Wednesday September 5th and JP Sears (3-11, 4.60) and Hyun Jin Ryu (3-1, 2.48) will be on the mound for day game to end this series and the A’s homestand.

San Jose State Lose To Oregon State 42-10 In Their Home Opener

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Oregon State quarterback DJ Uiagalelei (5) throws the ball as San Jose State defensive lineman Mata Hola (94) approaches in the first half at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on Sun Sep 3, 2023 (AP News photo)

Sunday, September 3rd, 2023

By Troy Ewers

San Jose, CA – In CEFCU stadium, the San Jose State Spartans face the Oregon State Beavers and SJSU is coming off a loss last week from USC. Even though the score of that game wasn’t close, it was a big moment for the Spartans to put up four touchdowns on a top 10 ranked team. This game being their first home game of the season in their beautiful revamped facility that would be sure to impress a lot of recruits. A packed house with both Oregon State fans and hometown Spartan fans as we prepared for kickoff.

The first drive for SJSU went the distance, but they were stopped trying to convert on 3rd & 8, but Oregon State had a completely different tune to it. The Beavers went 11 plays and 82 yards for a touchdown to take the first lead of the game plus an extra point, 7-0 Oregon State.

In his second drive SJSU QB Chevan Cordeiro faced pressure from Oregon State’s defense and was rattled as they couldn’t convert on another drive, but they pinned the Beavers with a great punt. The first quarter closed out with Oregon State in the lead 7-0.

SJSU’s opening second quarter drive was way better than anything they strung together in the first with Cordeiro getting yards in the air and on foot, but once they got to the red zone, a penalty and an incompletion caused them to attempt a field goal for their first points of the game and they got it, 7-3. Oregon State’s quarterback DJ Uiagalelei gets his second touchdown, this one in the air with a 14 yard pass play and Oregon State goes up 14-3.

SJSU followed it up with another drive that didn’t result in a touchdown, but another punt and the Beavers received the ball with two minutes left in the first half. In those two minutes, Oregon State scored again on six plays going 60+ yards, which ended the first half with the Beavers up 21-3 on the Spartans. SJSU only converted on one third down in the first half, but the positive for the Spartans was that they had zero turnovers.

The second half started with the Beavers with the ball and it looked like they picked up right where they left off, but even after trying to convert on fourth down, SJSU finally stopped them and took over possession.

Oregon State’s scoring was right back on schedule with six minutes left in the third quarter, when QB Uiagalelei completed a 31 yard pass in the end zone and after the extra point was converted, Oregon State was up 28-3.

The rest of the third quarter was a combination of solid defense and effective offense by SJSU, even utilizing the clock while they were on offense. The third quarter ended with SJSU having the ball in the red zone after stringing together 20 yards with four plays.

The fifth play of that drive was the opening play of the fourth quarter and Chevan Cordeiro ran 2 yards into the end zone making the score, 28-10. The Spartans needed to cool down this Oregon State offense or else this game would be over before the fourth was even halfway done and Oregon State wasn’t going to be stopped.

The Beavers scored again after seven plays and 65 yards with Uiagalelei throwing his third touchdown pass, this one received by Anthony Gould for 28 yards, 35-10 Oregon State. San Jose State found themselves in a terrible spot where on the drive in the fourth quarter that would be the part where they can strike a comeback, but Cordeiro was sacked and then with 6:26 left in the game, the Beavers had the ball, seemingly ending the chance of the Spartans coming back and stealing a win.

Oregon State wasn’t done yet, they scored another touchdown with 3:13 left making the score 42-10, but the cut was deep and the majority of fans left in CEFCU stadium were in black and orange representing Oregon State.

The Spartans didn’t want to end this game without one more touchdown for their own confidence and backup QB Jay Butterfield completed a 19 yard pass to Brandon Alvarez with four seconds left in the game. The final seconds ticked and the horn blew for the end of the game and the Spartans lost 42-17 in their home opener. Chevan Cordeiro went 18/32 for 143 yards, but no passing touchdowns.

The Spartans lose back to back games to PAC-12 teams and start off 0-2. The next game for SJSU will be at home against Cal Poly, September 9th and San Jose State is hoping they can get their first win of the season, especially against a non PAC-12 team.

Oakland Roots Lose 1-0 To Sacramento Republic FC From A Penalty Shot

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Defenseman Memo Diaz of the Oakland Roots and the defense tried as hard as they did couldn’t stop the Sacramento Republic FC getting shutout at CSU East Bay in Hayward on Sat Sep 2, 2023 (@oaklandrootssc photo)

Saturday, September 2nd, 2023

By Troy Ewers 

Hayward, CA – In CSU East Bay, the Oakland Roots take on NorCal rival Sacramento Republic FCin their first game of September as we approach the final stretch of games this regular season. Oakland Roots looked to rebound from their heartbreaking loss last week, August 26th. Oakland currently sits in fourth place in the West and the battle for a playoff run continues.

The game started with Sacramento immediately getting on the board after Juan Herrera converted a penalty shot with a shot off the right foot to the bottom left of the net, 1-0 Sacramento. The rest of the first half was a slow half due to many penalties, 17 in total (10 for Sacramento and 7 for Oakland). The teams went even on shots on goal with two, but Oakland was still behind as the first half whistle blew.

The second half was a match with no change of pace, but there were more shots for both sides, a total of 22 for both squads and after an even possession match up this game ended with the same score we started with three minutes in.

This certainly wasn’t the result Oakland sought out for, but it’s something they have to recover from going into their next match. That next match for the Roots will be in Las Vegas against Las Vegas FC, September 9th. Hopefully the Roots can shake off the last two losses and regain their momentum.

Giants avoid shutout with ninth-inning double in 6-1 loss to Padres

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Photo credit: San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Kyle Harrison, right, waits to face the next batter as San Diego Padres’ Xander Bogaerts, left, rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the second inning of a baseball game Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

By: Mary Anne

The San Francisco Giants continued their series against the San Diego Padres on Saturday. The Giants lost to the Padres 6-1 at Petco Park. San Francisco fell to 70-66, while San Diego improved to 64-73.

The Giants’ starting lineup featured Austin Slater, Thairo Estrada, Wilmer Flores, Mitch Haniger, Patrick Bailey, J.D. Davis, Paul DeJong, Casey Schmitt, Wade Meckler, and Kyle Harrison. Harrison (1-1, 4.70 ERA) took the loss after pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up six hits, six earned runs, two walks, five strikeouts, and four home runs.

The Padres got on the board first. Juan Soto homered on a fly ball to center field for a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

The Padres tripled their lead in the bottom of the second inning. Xander Bogaerts homered on a fly ball to center field for a 2-0 lead. Gary Sanchez homered on a fly ball to center field for a 3-0 lead.

The Padres doubled their lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Garrett Cooper homered on a fly ball to left center field. Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts scored for a commanding 6-0 lead.

The Giants wrapped up the scoring in the top of the ninth inning. Austin Slater doubled on a sharp line drive to Fernando Tatis Jr. Casey Schmitt scored to cut the Padres’ lead to 6-1. Wade Meckler went to third base.

Notes
Wilmer Flores achieved a career-high 20 home runs in the Giants-Padres game Friday.

Up Next
The Giants and Padres will finish their series on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Pacific. Alex Cobb (7-5, 3.57 ERA) will start for the Giants, while Seth Lugo (5-6, 3.67 ERA) will start for the Padres.

Cal takes down North Texas 58-21 in Denton, TX

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Photo credit: @CalFootball

By: Mary Anne

The California Golden Bears started the 2023 NCAA football season against the North Texas Mean Green. Cal defeated North Texas 58-21 at DATCU Stadium and did the Texas two-step. Cal improved to 1-0, while North Texas fell to 0-1.

The Golden Bears were ready to roll in their week one uniforms and got on the board first. Jeremiah Hunter caught a 23-yard pass from Sam Jackson V for the game’s first touchdown. Michael Luckhurtst kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead at 12:53.

The Mean Green tied the game a little under two minutes later. Ja’Mori Maclin caught a 3-yard pass from Stone Earle for the game-tying touchdown. Noah Rauschenberg kicked the extra point for a 7-7 tie at 11:04.

The Golden Bears responded late in the first quarter. Jaydn Ott rushed for a 4-yard touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point for a 14-7 lead with 1:04 left in the first.

The Golden Bears led 14-7 after the first quarter.

The Mean Green opened the second quarter with a scoring play. Ja’Mori Maclin caught a 59-yard pass from Stone Earle for the game-tying touchdown. Noah Rauschenberg kicked the extra point for a 14-14 tie at 14:33.

The Golden Bears regained the lead with back-to-back touchdowns. Isaiah Ifanse rushed for a 26-yard touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point to make it 21-14 with 7:30 left in the second quarter. Jaydn Ott rushed for a 66-yard touchdown. Luckhurst’s extra point kick failed, so the Golden Bears settled for a 27-14 lead with 5:42 left in the second.

The Mean Green made it a six-point game with under two minutes left in the second quarter. Xzavior Kautai caught a 12-yard pass from Stone Earle. Noah Rauschenberg kicked the extra point and cut the Golden Bears’ lead to 27-21 with 1:47 left in the second.

The Golden Bears had the last word of the second quarter. Isaiah Ifanse rushed for an 8-yard touchdown. Jaydn Ott tried the 2-point conversion, but it was no good, and Cal settled for a 33-21 lead with seven seconds left in the second.

The Golden Bears brought a 33-21 lead to the locker room at the half.

The Golden Bears continued to dominate offensively in the third quarter. Isaiah Ifanse rushed for a 1-yard touchdown. Jack Endries tried the 2-point conversion, which was good, and Cal took a 41-21 lead at 11:24. Taj Davis caught a 4-yard pass from Ben Finley for the touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point for a 48-21 lead with 8:02 left in the third.

The Golden Bears had a commanding 48-21 lead after three quarters.

The Golden Bears continued their offensive dominance in the fourth quarter. Ashton Stredick rushed for a 5-yard touchdown. Michael Luckhurst kicked the extra point for a 55-21 lead at 11:42. Luckhurst kicked a 52-yard field goal to make it 58-21 with 6:27 left in the fourth.

Notes
Cal will join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in August 2024.

Cal had a good visit with Dallas Cowboys punter Bryan Anger on Friday. Anger will start his 12 NFL season next week. He played college football for Cal and was drafted 70th overall in the third round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Up Next
Cal will return home to Memorial Stadium to host the Auburn Tigers on Saturday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.

Stanford defeats Hawaii 37-24 in Honolulu

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Photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images. Stanford running back E.J. Smith.

By: Mary Anne

The Stanford Cardinal said “Aloha” to the 2023 NCAA season with a game against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors under a new head coach, Troy Taylor, also known as Stanford’s 35th head coach in program history. Stanford defeated Hawaii 37-24 at the Clarence T. C. Ching Athletics Complex on Friday night and said “Mahalo” for their first win of the season. Stanford’s now 1-0, while Hawaii’s now 0-2.

In the wake of the deadly Maui wildfires, Stanford wore Maui decals on their helmets for Friday’s game, and Hawaii initiated a Maui relief drive and collected non-perishable goods as part of a previously scheduled fan fest just days ago. A moment of silence was held to remember the Maui wildfire victims before kickoff.

After the opening kickoff, the Troy Taylor era was officially underway, and the Cardinal scored first. E.J. Smith rushed up the middle for a 1-yard gain for the rushing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 7-0 lead with 7:25 left in the first quarter.

Just 49 seconds into the second quarter, Hawaii tied the game 7-7. Pofele Ashlock caught a 7-yard reception thrown by Brayden Schager for the passing touchdown. Matthew Shipley kicked the extra point for a 7-7 tie at 14:11.

The Cardinal responded a little over two minutes later. Benjamin Yurosek caught a 32-yard reception thrown by Ashton Daniels for the passing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 14-7 lead at 12:24.

The Cardinal extended their lead late in the second quarter. Bryce Farrell rushed for a 2-yard rushing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 21-7 lead with 4:25 left in the second.

Brayden Schager threw a 33-yard pass deep to the right to Karsyn Pupunu. The play was under review, and after further review, the ruling of a completed pass stood, and Hawaii’s 1st and 10 remained. Michael Shipley kicked a 32-yard field goal to cut the Cardinal’s lead to 21-10 at 0:00.

The Cardinal brought a 21-7 lead to the locker room at the end of the first half.

The Cardinal scored first to open the second half. Joshua Karty kicked a 25-yard field goal for a 24-10 lead at 11:07.

The Rainbow Warriors scored late in the third quarter. Steven McBride caught a 24-yard reception thrown by Brayden Schager for the passing touchdown. Rainbow Warriors head coach Timmy Chang attempted a two-point conversion, but it was no good. Hawaii cut Stanford’s lead to 27-16 at 14:52.

The Cardinal extended their lead midway through the fourth quarter. Joshua Karty kicked a 46-yard field goal for a 30-16 lead with 9:15 left in the fourth.

The Cardinal expanded their lead late in the fourth quarter. John Humphreys caught a 13-yard reception thrown by Ashton Daniels for the passing touchdown. Joshua Karty kicked the extra point for a 37-16 lead with 5:30 left in the fourth.

The Rainbow Warriors scored with a little over a minute left in the fourth quarter. Pofele Ashlock caught a 16-yard reception thrown by Brayden Schager for the passing touchdown. Dalen Morris rushed the football for a successful 2-point conversion and cut the Cardinal’s lead 37-24 with 1:08 left in the fourth, but it was too little, too late.

Notes
Stanford accepted an invitation to join the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in August 2024.

Up Next
Stanford will take on the No. 6 USC Trojans on Saturday, September 9, at 7:30 p.m. Pacific.

San Francisco Giants Lose 4-1 To Cincinnati Reds Wrap Up Six Game Homestand At Oracle

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Cincinnati Reds’ Christian Encarnacion-Strand, right, hits a two-run home run in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey during the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Aug 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, August 30th, 2023

By Troy Ewers

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – In a day game coming off of Alex Cobb’s almost no-hitter, the San Francisco Giants faced the Cincinnati Reds to complete their series and the Giants are wrapping up their six game homestand. Logan Webb takes the mound for San Francisco and Hunter Greene for the Reds. This game for the Giants was to hold a spot for the NL wild card, especially after the D-Backs loss the night before. 

 A pitcher’s duel between Webb and Greene for five innings as we saw a scoreless game with seven hits total, but in the top of the sixth, the drought ended as Spencer Steer and Eddy De La Cruz got on base from singles.

Smart baserunning play got the first run as De La Cruz attempted to steal second and Patrick Bailey tried to throw him out, but was unsuccessful and as the ball left Bailey’s hand, Steer was successfully home, 1-0 Reds.

The very next run came from an RBI single by Christian Encarnacion-Strand which scored De La Cruz, 2-0 Reds with one out. Webb escaped the inning with a beautiful double play where he stopped the ball on a dime, threw to second, and then a play at first, but the damage was done and in the bottom of the sixth for the first time in this game, the Giants played from behind.

They started this at bat with Casey Schmitt hitting a lead-off double and carried on with a Thairo Estrada single. This rally caused Cincinnati to make a pitching change and bring in Ian Gibaut, but the rally continued as a wild pitch, moved the lead-off Schmitt who was on third score at home and Estrada to second, 2-1 Reds. Gibaut was able to get out the inning, but the energy in the park was still high as we entered the seventh. 

The Giants decided to sit Webb down after six innings, seven hits, six strikeouts, and two runs, so they brought Ryan Walker in the seventh and he got back to back strikeouts, but after a single they switched him with Taylor Rogers to provide relief.

After the seventh inning stretch, the Reds brought in Fernando Cruz and he didn’t crack under the pressure, upholding that lead for Cincinnati. The eighth came and the Giants swapped one Rogers brother in for another as Tyler Rogers took the hill.

It looked Tyler Rogers was holding his own, but Encarnacion-Strand got his second RBI of the game with a two run shot to center field that scored De La Cruz making this game 4-1 Reds. 

The ninth inning started off with Luke Jackson shutting down the Reds to hopefully spark some type of comeback for San Francisco. Patrick Bailey was the leadoff guy and was walked, so the hopes for a comeback rally began to fill Oracle Park.

Yastrzemski popped out for the first out, but the energy was still hovering around the park. J.D. Davis grounded into a fielder’s choice for the second out and that’s when fans began to try to beat the traffic. Wade Meckler being the last hope to keep this comeback alive and on a full count he was struck out and that’s the ball game, 4-1 Cincinnati. 

Even though the Giants didn’t sweep the series, they walked away with a series win and their homestand ended here. San Francisco has no time to think about this loss, because they find themselves headed to San Diego the very next day to face the Padres.

The Giants haven’t announced who will start in this four game series at Petco Park in San Diego, but they know they will face Pedro Avila (0-1, 2.63) of the San Diego Padres and hopefully the Giants can go in to the month of September with momentum to secure their spot in the playoffs.

Troy Ewers is a beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com