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That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Baseball — ¿Qué Pasa?

Published on August 10, 2019August 11, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

By; Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

I remember the old Cuban winter league in the late 1950’s as a kid. My father would take me every Sunday to watch the four teams that made that league. Leones del Habana (Havana Lions), Alacranes (Scorpions) del Almendares, Tigres (Tigers) del Marianao, and Elefantes (Elephants) del Cienfuegos.

Every Sunday, there was always a double-header. The first game Cienfuegos vs. Marianao, and then in the second game, the “eternos rivales” (eternal rivals, sort of like the Yankees and Red Sox), which was the Havana Lions vs. the Scorpions del Almendares.

There was a plethora of Cuban-born and American players: Orestes “Minnie” Miñoso, Brooks Robinson, Jackie Brandt, Lew Burdette, Bob Skinner, Bob Shaw, Miguel “Mike” Cuellar, Camino Pascual, Al Spangler, George Altman, Pedro Ramos,Sandalio “Sandy” Consuegra, Jim Bunning, Mike Fornieles, Luis Tiant, and dozens more,which I remember. After the season ended, they went to Cuba during the winter.

William “Bill” Werle a left handed Major League pitcher, born in Oakland, California, who pitched for the Pirates, Cardinals and Red Sox in the mid-1950’s. He also pitched for the Marianao Tigers in Cuba in 1956. That was the last time that team won the Cuban Professional Winter League title.

As a Major League scout later in life, Bill told me: “Most of the Major League players, we went to Cuba, not only because of the proximity to the US, but because they paid the best in all Latin America.”

Back then, players did not have the strong union like they have today, so they had other jobs to supplement their income after the regular MLB season.

Back then,there was a lot of speed and a lot of strategy deployed by managers. Pitchers went nine innings and more. The guys in the bullpen where mediocre pitchers than didn’t have the talent to be starters. There were professional pinch-hitters, stolen bases, lots of speed, hit and run, bunts galore and even the suicide squeeze was evident in close games when one run was all that you need it.When a player struck out, it was shameful and fans would boo, and yes, games were under three hours with frequency.

Today, it is 2019 and a totally different type of game.

– The game is all about power
– The Home-run is king,there is less creativity
– Strike outs are common,on way to record
– The Hit and Run is an endangered play
-A Bunt is “Breaking News”
-The Professional Pinch Hitter doesn’t exist (not even in the National League,where there is no DH)
-Intentional Walks continue to diminish each year
-The pitchers throw harder and ‘bat speed’ was replaced years ago by ‘launch angle’
-Tampa Bay was the first team to use the now popular “opener,” a guy whose mission is to pitch the first inning

As of today,we are on a pace to hit over 6.000 home-runs for first time in a season. The Oakland Athletics recently became the first team in their franchise history to have 10 players with 10 or more home runs.

If Bill Werle came back to life today, he would see this game and would not recognize it.

It is what it is. Today’s technology has replaced strategy. Baseball still a great game ,but those of us who witnessed the “old school” style of baseball, that was the way it was meant to be played. I actually miss all the strategy and gamesmanship in the greatest game ever invented by humans.

¿Que Pasa?=What’s happening? Answer: Pasa mucho.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez is the Oakland A’s Spanish play-by-play announcer on KIQI 1010 San Francisco and does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Quakes come back once, but not twice, in 2-1 loss

Published on August 10, 2019August 11, 2019 by smallforceLeave a comment

photo from mercurynews.com: San Jose Earthquakes forward Tommy Thompson, right, reaches in to stop Colorado Rapids forward Andre Shinyashiki who drives to the net in the first half of an MLS soccer match Saturday, Aug. 10, 2019, in Commerce City, Colo.

By Pearl Allison Lo

The San Jose Earthquakes fell behind on the road for the fourth straight time as the Colorado Rapids were successful for their second game in a row Saturday.

The result put an end to the Quakes’ five-game unbeaten streak. Vako was the lone scorer with his fourth goal in five games. Colorado’s Diego Rubio had a goal and an assist.

In the first half, San Jose led possession (64.4%-35.6%) and shots 11-7, two of them hitting the post and Chris Wondolowski (back in the lineup) led all with four shots, his frustration clear after his attempts.

One of the two posts hit, came in the 21st minute from Judson, his rebound going straight to Florian Jungwirth and then to keeper Clint Irwin.

Vako, Salinas and Wondolowski had a try at tic-tac-toe, but it fell short with Wondolowski in the 27th minute. Judson was then able to stop Kei Kamara at the other end.

Before two minutes of stoppage were added, the Rapids were the first to score this time as Kellyn Acosta scored his first goal since May 11, Kamara taking a piggyback ride in celebration.

In the second half, the Quakes maintained their possession advantage, but the Rapids were much better.

San Jose’s Danny Hoesen and Carlos Fierro (debut) came in as substitutes in the 58th minute.

Right after Andre Shinyashiki hit the post, Magnuss Eriksson sent the ball down to Hoesen, who with his back to net, made the much shorter pass up to Vako. Vako kicked at net and Irwin did not even have the chance to make a save attempt in the 62nd minute.

Colorado went back up 2-1 when Rubio received the pass from Keegan Rosenberry with space. Rubio was easily able to maneuver himself into an advantageous position in the 73rd minute. It was Rubio’s third straight goal in as many games, the first of the streak beginning against the Quakes and looking back further, his sixth goal in the past eight games.

The Rapids were able to maintain their lead through five more minutes of stoppage time in the second half.

Up Next: San Jose continues their three-game road trip next Saturday versus Sporting Kansas City at 5:30 pm.

Glennon, Peterman lead Raiders over Rams in exhibition opener

Published on August 10, 2019August 11, 2019 by jhawkes51Leave a comment

sfgate.com photo: In this June 11, 2019, file photo, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Antonio Brown is shown during an NFL football minicamp in Alameda, Calif. The Raiders and their big personalities like Antonio Brown and Richie Incognito are ready to be stars on HBO’s “Hard Knocks.”

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
SRS Contributor

OAKLAND — The NFL exhibition season is nothing more than drinking non-alcoholic beer. You’ll be satisfied momentarily by the buzz it creates but in the end, you’re sober again looking for another fix.

With roster spots up for grabs, the first exhibition game can go a long way in determining a player’s long-term future with a football team.

With many of the starters for both the visiting Los Angeles Rams and Oakland Raiders, including starting quarterbacks Jared Goff and Derek Carr respectively not suiting up, Oakland defeated Los Angeles, 14-3, in the exhibition opener for both teams at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday night.

Seven-year pro Mike Glennon, who signed with Oakland in the offseason after playing for the Arizona Cardinals in 2018, started the game for Oakland over third-year pro Nathan Peterman.

Glennon drove Oakland down the field on their first possession of the game, engineering a six-play, 70-yard drive in 2:45 resulting in a seven-yard touchdown run by backup running back DeAndre Washington for an early 7-0 lead.

But Glennon struggled overall, completing 17-of-25 passes for 200 yards to go along with two interceptions. Glennon’s second interception came in the red zone with Oakland driving down the field.

On the ensuing drive, the Rams would get on the board for the first time behind a 36-yard field goal by kicker Greg Zuerlein to make the score, 7-3, before halftime.

In the second half, Peterman took over the offense and quickly setup Oakland’s second touchdown of the game thanks to his 50-yard run on 3rd down-and-4 from the Raiders’ own 42-yard line moving the football to the Rams’ 8-yard line.

After a five-yard run by running back James Butler that moved the football to the 3-yard line, Peterman found reserve wide receiver Keelan Doss on an in-route for the score to make the game, 14-3, in the third quarter.

Peterman threw for 66 yards on 9-of-12 passes, and led the Raiders in rushing with 56 yards on three carries.

Second-year wide receiver Keon Hatcher, who is fighting for roster spot in a crowded wide receiver room that includes veterans J.J. Nelson and Ryan Grant, caught just two passes for a team-high 45 yards.

Nelson, who is in his first year with the Raiders after spending his first four seasons in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals, finished with 43 yards on two catches.

Grant added three catches for 32 yards.

Defensively, defensive end Arden Key recorded Oakland’s lone sack of the game. The second-year player finished tied with defensive backs Nevin Lawson, D.J. Killings, linebacker Marquel Lee and defensive lineman Anthony Rush with three tackles tonight.

Oakland held Los Angeles to just 190 yards of total offense on the night.

For the Rams, quarterback Blake Bortles started the game for Los Angeles but wasn’t impressive at all.

Bortles, who signed with the Rams in the offseason to be the primary backup to starter Jared Goff after spending his first five years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, completed just 3-of-8 passes for 50 yards on two drives before giving way to Brandon Allen (6-of-12 passing for 34 yards) and John Wolford (6-of-8 passing for a team-high 54 yards).

Rookie running back Darrell Henderson, Jr. led the team in rushing yards with six carries for 13 yards. Second-year wide receiver KhaDarel Hodge led the team with three catches for 48 yards.

The game was filled with penalties as both teams combined for 23 penalties (12 by the Rams, 11 by the Raiders).

Up next: Raiders will take on the Arizona Cardinals in the desert on Thursday night, while the Rams will host the visiting Dallas Cowboys at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum next Saturday night.

Raiders take preseason opener over Rams 14-3

Published on August 10, 2019August 11, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

yahoo.sports.com photo: The Oakland Raiders DeAndre Washington carries for the Raiders Saturday against the Los Angeles Rams at the Oakland Coliseum in the first pre season game of 2019

By Jeremy Kahn

OAKLAND — Even though the game may not count in the standings or the stats, the Oakland Raiders looked good in their first preseason game.

DeAndre Washington scored on the Raiders first series of the game on a seven-yard run, as the Raiders defeated the defending NFC Champion Los Angeles Rams 14-3 before a crowd of 48,715 at the Coliseum.

Washington ended the day with six carries for 24 yards, including that seven-yard touchdown, helping the Raiders to the victory.

Mike Glennon got the start under center for Jon Grudens team, as Derek Carr did not even dress for the Raiders.

Glennon, fighting for the backup spot behind Carr and is in competition with Nathan Peterman, went 17-for-25 for 200 yards; however, Glennon threw two interceptions, including a 39-yard return by Sammie Parker. Kevin Peterman made the pick of Glennons other interception.

Peterman went 9-for-12 in the game, for 66 yards. He also led the Raiders with 56 yards rushing, including a 50-yarder scamper that setup Petermans touchdown pass to Keelan Doss on the first possession of the second half.

James Butler led the Raiders in receptions, as he caught four passes for 25 yards and Alec Ingold also caught four passes.

The Raiders offense in total gained 407 yards, while the Rams offense gained just 190 yards in the 11-point loss.

Rookie Darrell Henderson, Jr., led the Rams with six carries and just 13 yards rushing, while Johnny Wofford led the Rams in passing, as he went 6-for-8 for 54 yards passing.

The big story of this first preseason game was the penalties, as the two teams combined 23 penalties for 222 yards.

NOTES: The Raiders take the field again on Thursday night, as they travel to State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Az., to face number one overall pick Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals.

In their opener, the Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 17-13 at State Farm Stadium on Friday night.

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami: Jimmy G expected to sit out Saturday night’s preseason contest

Published on August 9, 2019August 9, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Photo credit: @NBCS49ers

On the San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Lami:

#1 In this first preseason game on Saturday night, what’s to be expected from 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo?

#2 Garoppolo will not play on Saturday night. Usually in the first preseason game, you see the starter just playing with the other starters in the first quarter.

#3 After the ACL injury and the recovery in camp during 11-11 practices, Garoppolo hasn’t thrown a single pick yet.

#4 For the 49ers opponent, the Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott will team up with Amari Cooper. How important do you see that tandem on Saturday night?

#5 Last season, Prescott had 3885 yards passing, 22 touchdowns, and threw only eight interceptions — one of the best passing records in the NFL last season.

Join Joe Lami for the 49ers podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon: Carr might even commute with Gruden after becoming Vegas next door neighbors; Raiders have rough scrimmage against Rams

Published on August 9, 2019 by Sports Radio Service1 Comment

Photo credit: @KrisWysong

On the Oakland Raiders podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon:

#1 Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr has just bought a house near head coach Jon Gruden. This is an indication that Carr might be staying with the silver and black for awhile.

#2 Carr’s purchase makes him a next door neighbor of Gruden’s and getting a cup of sugar just became easier as told by Carr’s brother David to NFL Network.

#3 There were false starts all over the place in scrimmage with the Los Angeles Rams, who are playing the Raiders on Saturday, and it was reported that Carr was not in synch with receivers.

#4 Also, Carr was getting dropped passes and miscommunications in the scrimmage and not a great thing going up against the Rams on this Saturday night.

#5 In scrimmage against the Rams, Gruden said the receivers mishandled a pass and perhaps a game-ending pass. How much concern should Gruden have going into this first preseason game with the Rams after a scrimmage like that?

Joe Hawkes Beamon does the Raiders podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants suffer 7th loss in 10 games, get swept at Oracle by Nats

Published on August 8, 2019 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

sfgate.com photo: Washington Nationals’ Gerardo Parra hits a three-run home run against the San Francisco Giants during the third inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2019.

On the Giants podcast with Michael:

#1 The San Francisco Giant have now lost seven of their last three games, including getting swept at Oracle Park by the Washington Nationals. Was it a matter of the Giants facing a Nats team who were prepared, ready to conquer or the Giants are fizzling out after having such a great run?

#2 How much of an advantage was if for former Giant Gerardo Parra to have played for the Giants and to be able to hit the key three-run homer against the Giants on Wednesday for the Nats win.

#3 The Nats’ Joe Ross started against the Giants for the win, pitching six shutout innings of three-hit ball for an effective game. Was it a matter of the Giants’ lineup just didn’t have the drive or were off balance facing Ross?

#4 Former Giant second baseman Joe Panik’s departure this week — was it a surprise or was it something that had been on the mind of Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi?

#5 Giants open a four-game series Thursday against the Philadelphia Phillies at Oracle Park. For the Phillies, Aaron Nola (10-2, 3.60 ERA), and for San Francisco, Madison Bumgarner (6-7, 3.92 ERA)

Join Michael for the Giants podcast each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Preview of the A’s and White Sox series in Chicago

Published on August 8, 2019August 8, 2019 by rxsluggerLeave a comment

Photo credit: mercurynews.com

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s have a day off on Thursday before they begin a three-game series with the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field starting on Friday.

The A’s are enjoying an entire week in the Windy City as the schedule makers gave them three days with the Cubs, one day off, and three with the White Sox. The A’s finish the eight-game road trip with two against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park next Tuesday and Wednesday.

The A’s need to continue playing well. They trail the Tampa Bay Rays by 1/2 game in the race for the second Wild Card. The A’s swept the White Sox when they met in July at the Oakland Coliseum. They would like to continue their success against the Sox. They need to take two from the Giants as the A’s meet the AL West-leading Houston Astros for four. They then play the AL East-leading New York Yankees for three, and wrap up the homestand with two more against the Giants. The Astros have dominated the A’s this season. They improved their starting rotation at the deadline with the additions of Zach Greinke and Aaron Sanchez. Joe Biagini joined the Astros bullpen.

The A’s will send Mike Fiers to the hill Friday afternoon against the White Sox. Fiers is 10-3 and has an ERA of 3.46. He has been pitching well since early May. He faced the Sox on July 12th and did not allow a run in 7 2/3 innings of work. He will be opposed by former Athletic, Ross Detwiler. Detwiler was a member of the A’s in 2016. Detwiler is 1-2 for the year and has an ERA of 5.72. In his last start against the Philadelphia Phillies, Detwiler went 5 2/3 innings and allowed just two runs.

On Saturday, Tanner Roark will be making his second start as an Athletic, and his first start ever against the White Sox. Roark is 7-7 for the year and has an ERA of 4.14. Roark won his first start as an A last Sunday when he went five innings and allowed just one hit, and as a result, received credit for the win.

Meanwhile, the White Sox will have Reynaldo Lopez handling the pitching chores. Lopez is 6-9 with an ERA of 5.41. Lopez has been pitching well since the All-Star break. In his last five starts, his ERA is a respectable 2.56.

On Sunday, Chris Bassitt will go for Oakland, and he will be opposed by the White Sox’ best pitcher, Lucas Giolito. Bassitt is 7-5 and pitched well Monday against the Chicago Cubs. Bassitt went six innings and allowed two runs. He did not figure in the decision. Giolito is 12-5 for the season. His ERA is 3.44. He beat the Detroit Tigers last Monday as he went six innings and allowed three runs.

The White Sox are 51-62 for the year and are currently in third place in the AL Central. The team is managed by Rick Renteria. Renteria is in his third season with the Sox. He and Frank Chance are the only two managers in history to have managed both the Cubs and the White Sox.

Chicago’s key players to keep an eye on are first baseman Jose Abreu, shortstop Tim Anderson, left fielder Eloy Jimenez, and catcher Wellington Castillo. Abreau and Jimenez are the main power guys. Tim Anderson has 12 homers this season, and he can also do damage. Other players to watch are outfielders Leury Garcia, Ryan Cordell, Adam Engel, and the veteran John Jay.

The A’s have won seven of the last 10 games. They need Matt Chapman to break out of his slump. They still have a lot of power in the lineup. Matt Olson is second on the club with 22 home runs. Marcus Semien has 19. The A’s will have Khris Davis back at DH for the series with the Sox. Davis has 17, but his production has declined since he suffered a hip injury in Pittsburgh. Mark Canha has picked up the slack as he has hit 17 so far this year.

The A’s have 10 players on the roster with 10 or more homers. The A’s have to continue winning. It would be nice if they could take four out of five from the Sox and the Giants. They have to contend with the Astros, which is no easy task. The Astros have an outstanding starting rotation. They have a virtual All-Star team on the field. They are loaded with stars such as Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, Alex Bregman, Yule Guriel, Michael Brantley, George Springer, and Josh Reddick.

The A’s then have a day off to catch their breath and then go up against the mighty Yankees. The A’s will have to be at their best just to keep up with the Rays. A’s manager Bob Melvin will have his team ready. This is the time of the year that the fans will be seeing great baseball.