MLB podcast with Larry Crino: A’s Covid case might force them to miss series in Seattle; Sox Pillar apologizes for words used in racial injustice protest; plus more

(file photo from Boston Herald) Boston Red Sox outfielder Kevin Pillar seen here in July 19 photo at the Sox summer camp apologized for saying that taking Thursday off for racial injustice and teammate Jackie Bradley Jr was not as important as the playing the game.

MLB podcast with Larry Crino:

#1 The Oakland A’s cancelled their game with the Houston Astros Sunday due to a member of the team traveling party testing positive for Coronavirus. The A’s will isolate in their Houston hotel and they are scheduled to be in Seattle on Tuesday night to face the Mariners.

#2 The Boston Red Sox Kevin Pillar said that when the Red Sox voted not to play because of racial injustice and for shooting victim Jacob Blake he said regarding the team’s only African American player Jackie Bradley Jr on the team “Is it more important that we uplift Jackie because he’s the only one? My answer would be no.” Pillar received lots of criticism for the remarks on social media and later apologized for his choice of words and for and not supporting the social injustices that are taking place.

#3 Larry talk about how important it is for the San Diego Padres to have swung a deal with the Boston Red Sox getting Mitch Moreland in exchange for outfielder Jeisson Rosario and third baseman Hudson Potts. Also the Pads picked up pitcher Mike Clevinger from Cleveland in a nine player deal.

#4 Larry inspite of all the problems the Miami Marlins had with a Covid outbreak on the team which sidelined up to 16 players and two coaches the Marlins were really expected to go nowhere are currently two games out of first place and also had the help with call ups, free agents, and and rookies who took over and kept them in running during the outbreak.

#5 Larry talk about the season that Max Muncy is having he had four RBIs with a three run home run and helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 7-4 win over the Texas Rangers on Saturday night. Muncy is hitting only .198, 9 home runs, 20 RBIs but he can be clutch.

Larry does the MLB podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Giants take 2 of 3 from Snakes in weekend set; SF gets 4-1 win from D-Backs

San Francisco Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford (right) gets the relay to second baseman Donavan Solano (left) for the force out the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, August 30, 2020

San Francisco claimed the rubber match of its three-game weekend series in Phoenix Sunday, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-1 earning its first road series win of the season. It was also the Giants’ ninth win in their last 12 games.

The Giants got a quality start from Johnny Cueto, who surrendered one run on three hits in 6 2/3 innings. Alex Dickerson hit a solo home run in the first inning and delivered an RBI single in the eighth inning off D-Backs reliever Archie Bradley after Arizona’s Stefan Crichton (2-2) allowed a pair of baserunners.

Evan Longoria, who has swung a hot bat all weekend, added a two-run base hit. Tyler Rogers (2-3) worked a perfect bottom of the eighth to earn the win.

Sam Coonrod turned in a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his first career save.

Offensive struggles continue to plague the Diamondbacks. Eduardo Escobar hit a solo home run that tied the game at 1-1 in the seventh, and starter Taylor Clarke allowed one hit in five innings, but Arizona mustered only three hits and has lost 10 of its last 11 games.

Checking the injured list, The Giants said that an MRI on Trevor Cahill’s left hip disclosed joint inflammation. Cahill will start anti-inflammatory medicine and be evaluated later this week. Meanwhile, left-hander Drew Smyly (finger), right-hander Jeff Samardzija (shoulder) and outfielder Austin Slater (groin) will reportedly check in at the Giants’ alternate training site to start rehab.

Former Giants ace Madison Bumgarner, who has been on the shelf since Aug. 9 with back spasms, threw a simulated game on Saturday.

The Giants have Monday off, then start a series in Denver against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel Dullum: Dumba and Kane expect NHL response on Blake shooting; Covid-19 outbreak cancels A’s-Astros on Sunday plus more

(@theScore file photo) San Jose Sharks Evander Kane makes a statement looking for teeth and more action in the fight against racism and social injustice in America

Headline Sports podcast with Daniel:

1 Racial injustice not forgotten as NHL playoffs resume

2 Matt Dumba, Evander Kane call out NHL on its response to Jacob Blake shooting

3 A’s cancel contest with Astros on Sunday due to member of traveling party testing positive for Covid-19

4 NBA returns with tributes to Clifford Robinson, Lute Olson and Chadwick Boseman

5 Padres get serious, trade with Royals for closer Trevor Rosenthal

6 Mets GM apologizes for unfiltered criticism of Rob Manfred

Daniel does Headlines podcast each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco 49ers podcast with Joe Hawkes: Shananhan gets team prepared for quiet game conditions; Kittle sat out practice with hamstring tightness; plus more

San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan with football talks things over with general manager John Lynch (right) during practice on Sat Aug 29th’s practice at Levis Stadium practice field in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

On the 49ers podcast with J Hawkes:

#1 The 49ers practice have any of the usual music as head coach Kyle Shanahan said he wanted the team to get the feel of real conditions of a ball game with no fans, complete silence, and hearing the audibles all game long.

#2 During practice it was so quiet you could hear 49ers defensive line coach Kris Kocurek talking to his players during practice.

#3 Tight end George Kittle didn’t practice because of hamstring tightness in his hamstring. Coach Shanahan said Kittle did not have a strained hamstring.

#4 Wide receiver JT Nelson who the 49ers were really looking forward to seeing what Nelson could do will be out for a month. Nelson is a five year vet but is a long shot to make the team’s 53 man roster. Nelson who signed on Aug 15th more than likely will be put on the injured reserve list.

#5 During Friday’s practice head coach Kyle Shanahan ordered the first team off the field when a snap from center Daniel Brunskill went past quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo who was in the shot gun which drew a pre snap penalty. Shanahan expressed his displeasure and ordered the first team off the field.

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

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len Shapiro: Bolts Palat scores twice to take 3-1 series lead; Isles stop Flyers 3-1; Knights shutout Canucks 3-0

The Tampa Bay Lightning’s Ondrej Palat scores his second goal at 12:29 of the second period against the Boston Bruins. It was Palat’s fourth goals of the post season in game four of the second round. (AP News photo)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast with Len:

#1 Tampa Bay Lightning took a 3-1 series lead over the Boston Bruins. The Lightning’s Ondrej Palat scored twice for the Bolts. Palat scored his first two goals in the first and second periods.

#2 The Lightning’s Victor Hedman scored at 18:04 of the second period for a 3-0 lead. The Bruins got on the scoreboard when Jake DeBrusk scored at 7:04 in the third period but it wasn’t enough as Tampa Bay wins game 4, 3-1.

#2 The New York Islanders improved to a 2-1 series lead over the Philadelphia Flyers with a 3-1 win. The Isles Tyler Pitlick scored his second goal of the post season in the first period at 14:18 for a 1-0 New York lead. The Flyers Matt Martin tied it up with a goal at 7:12 in the second period.

#3 The Islanders took a 2-1  lead when Leo Komarov scored at 19:54 in the second period and the Islanders put the nail in the Flyers coffin with a Anders Lee goal at 3:41 in the third period for Lee his sixth goal of the post season Islanders win it 3-1.

#4 The Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Robin Lehner stopped 31 Vancouver Canucks shots for a 3-0 win in game three as the Knights take a 2-1 lead in the series. Lehner stands on his head to shutout the Canucks.

#5 The Knights got goals from Alex Tuck (7) in the first period at 4:05, Zach Whitecloud (2) at 5:28 in the first period, and Mark Stone (6) at 2:19 in the third period as the Knights win it 3-0.

#6 The Dallas Stars hold a 2-1 series lead against the Colorado Avalanche both teams meet today for game four. Lots of pressure on the Avalanche to tie the series up as they don’t want to go back to a game five down 3-1.

Join Len every other Sunday for the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sebastian Lletget spoils first MLS starts for Quakes’ Cowell and Beason in 3-2 win

The San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy get into a mad scramble for the football in the Cali Clasico on Sat Aug 29th in Carson City (espn.com photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ August 29, 2020

~ Los Angeles Galaxy´s Lletget gave his team their first and final lead in the 82nd minute Saturday. This broke a three-game unbeaten streak the Earthquakes held in the California Clasico. The last four matches now have seen at least one team with three goals. 

Meanwhile, San Jose´s 16-year old Cade Cowell and Tanner Beason (also his debut) made their first MLS starts and both made an impact. 

It was the Earthquakes´ first match since outside the Orlando Bubble after Wednesday´s match was postponed due to racial injustice sit outs and their first contest since Magnus Eriksson went back to Sweden. 

The Galaxy really amped up their shots in the second half, with over half of them on target. 

San Jose led early. In the 11th minute, Tommy Thompson threw the ball in to Cristian Espinoza who kicked the ball back to Thompson. Thompson then ran to the goal line, made a perfect pass to Vako from the edge of the penalty box, and with no hesitation, Vako spun the ball past goalie David Bingham to notch his second tally of the year.

In the 32nd minute, Cristian Pavón was eventually able to shake off Thompson as they neared the goal entering the penalty box. With keeper Daniel Vega at the corner of the goal, Pavón then made a sliding sweep around kick that Beason was able to knock down at the goal line, no hands required, to save the score. Though that prompted Los Angeles´ś Ethan Zubak to put his hands to his head in disbelief, the Galaxy were for the most part undeterred as they scored in the following minute. 

Daniel Steres put the teams into a 1-1 tie as Lletget assisted with one of his three total corners in the first half.  

Pavon was the only with multiple shots in the first half as Los Angeles largely controlled possession after Vakoś goal. Pavon finished the match with a game-high six shots. 

The Galaxy´s Rolf Feltscher took a yellow card in the 52nd minute. Quakes’ Jackson Yuelil faked the kick before deferring to Cristian Espinoza. 

Los Angeles obtained a second yellow card in the 56th minute. 

It was then Cowell´s time to shine, as he won a one-on-one battle with Feltscher after a pass from Vako. Cowell got into position with two defenders near him and one of his teammates and found his spot to give his team a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute with warranted emotion as the youngest player ever on San Jose. 

 

Both teams were increasing their intensity as the Galaxy tried five shots in between the 64th and 66th minutes.   

Beason committed a handball in the 70th minute and Pavón was able to concert on the penalty kick in the 72nd minute to retie the game.

Danny Hoseen and Vako exchanged places in the 82nd minute, and in that same minute, Lletget sealed the game off a corner, which at first was debated for being a handball. 

Up Next: San Jose will face the other Southern California team LAFC midweek at 7:30pm. 

Giants pound Snakes pitching in 5-2 victory

San Francisco Giant outfielder Mike Yastrzemski watches the flight of his RBI double in the second inning of Saturday night’s game at Chase Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, August 29, 2020

San Francisco jumped to a four-run lead Saturday against Arizona, and the Giants rolled to a 5-2 win over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field.

Evan Longoria, Brandon Crawford, Mauricio Dubòn, Brandon Belt and Alex Dickerson each had two hits, as the Giants outhit Arizona 13-3. Longoria doubled twice, and Mike Yastrzemski, Belt and Crawford each had a two-bagger.

Giants starter Trevor Cahill worked 3 1/3 innings before being pulled in favor of Jarlin Garcia (2-1). Sam Coonrod, Trevor Gott and Tony Watson each threw a scoreless inning, and Tyler Rogers did the same to earn his second save.

San Francisco did most of its offensive damage against D-Backs starter Luke Weaver (1-5), who surrendered four earned runs on eight hits in three innings.

Longoria put the Giants ahead in the first inning with an RBI double that drove in Alex Dickerson. Belt followed with a run-scoring double, plating Longoria, giving San Francisco a 2-0 lead.

In the Giants’ second, Yastrzemski’s double to right center drove in Dubòn. One inning later, Pablo Sandoval’s RBI single drove in Longoria.

Arizona’s Christian Walker belted a two-run homer in the bottom of the fourth, but Wilmer Flores provided the Giants with an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a solo home run, his eighth of the season.

San Francisco improved to 16-19, and the Diamondbacks slipped to 14-20. The rubber match is scheduled for Sunday afternoon. Johnny Cueto (2-0, 5.40) starts for the Giants against the D-Backs’ Taylor Clarke (1-0, 2.33).

Oakland A’s game 2 wrap up: A’s Lose More Ground to Astros 6-3 in night cap; swept in doubleheader

It’s been one of those days for the Oakland A’s as the A’s Mark Canha does a swipe slide but is tagged out by the Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado during the second inning of the first game on Sat Aug 29th’s doubleheader at Minute Maid Field in Houston (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s wasted no time getting on the board in Game 2 of their doubleheader against the Houston Astros. Facing Astro pitcher Zack Greinke Ramon Laureano hit a homer (382 feet) to take the early lead 1-0.

The Astros would now duel with the A’s pitcher Frankie Montas who has yet to reach the level he had been at previously, before his suspension. It has been a very big series for the Astros Kyle Tucker driving in three runs in the first inning and just like that the Astros led 3-1. It would be another big first inning for the Houston Astros and a disappointing start for Montas.

It didn’t get much better for Montas in the second inning when George Springer hit a home run scoring Martin Maldonado and extending their lead 5-1. It has been a struggle for Montas since the beginning of the season and there doesn’t seem to be any sign of the old Montas.

In the third inning we got to see Tommy La Stella’s first at bat since coming to Oakland from the Angels. He would pop fly out in his first showing. Zach Greinke was proving to be a very difficult pitcher to hit making it tough on the A’s offense.

Montas had a three up three down third inning and it was on to the fourth inning. Matt Chapman would hit his tenth home run in the fourth, another solo home run. Hits were few and far between for Oakland, trailing 5-2.

In the bottom of the fourth the A’s would make a pitching change sending J.B. Wendelken to the mound. The Astros would leave two runners on base when George Springer struck out. The A’s had three innings left in the games to try and comeback. Oakland had five hits so far in this game and Houston had seven.

In the fifth inning the A’s would chip away at the deficit. Machin would score when LaStella grounded out moving Laureano to third. Chapman would pop out leaving Laureano on third and the A’s still had a two run deficit and two innings left to do something about it. TJ McFarland would dismiss the Astros in the bottom of the fifth inning.

A double play would end the top of the sixth inning and the A’s were running out of innings. The seventh, eighth and ninth inning comebacks that the A’s are famous for have to happen in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings of these shortened games.

The offense has been very disappointing for awhile now and the team has become very inconsistent of late. Given the hitting prowess of the Astros the Athletics had their hands full and they needed to match the offense of Houston and they just were not.

In the bottom of the sixth Yuli Gurriel would sacrifice fly and Martin Maldonado would score giving the Astros a 6-3 lead. This really took away the possibility of an Oakland comeback.

Oakland couldn’t get a thing going in the seventh, a theme that ran throughout this game. It was very choppy with a few bright spots but this team just was not hitting. The Astros outhit the A’s 11 to 6.

Tomorrow: Oakland will play one more game against Houston. They need this game; they do not want to let the Astros get within one and half games especially since they will be seeing them at home in a little over a week for a four game series. They have to step up their offense and pitching has to improve especially with only 26 games left in the season.

 

Oakland A’s game wrap: Astros take two run win in first game of double dip 4-2

Houston Astros reliever Ryan Pressly (right) exchanges high fives after recording the last out against the Oakland A’s in the Astros 4-2 win of the first game of Saturday’s doubleheader at Minute Maid Field in Houston (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s took on the Houston Astros in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. Yesterday’s game was scratched when both teams left the field in support of the fight for racial equality.

There have been at least 20 teams that had chosen not to play on Wednesday, Thursday and last night’s game between the A’s and the Astros. They join the NBA, WNBA, NHL, MLS and the NFL in this fight. With heavy hearts both teams took the field at Minute Maid Park for the first of two games.

The first inning was a good one for the Houston Astros getting on the board early when Kyle Tucker homered to right, for 366 feet, scoring Michael Brantley who had walked and Yuli Gurriel who had doubled to right giving the Astros the early lead 3-0. The A’s had a quick first inning with two strike outs, Piscotty and Grossman. Marcus Semien popped out.

Starting pitcher for the A’s was Chris Bassitt and for the Astros Lance McCullers Jr. An important series for Oakland; they were looking to extend their four and a half game lead on Houston in the standings.

The last thing they wanted to see was Houston gaining any ground on them. Giving up a 3-0 lead to start the game was the last thing that the A’s needed against a very tough team. Neither team could get a lot going through the next two innings. The A’s finally got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning when Robbie Grossman scored.

Grossman had doubled to right and Stephen Piscotty had singled. With runners on first and third, Chapman grounded out to right allowing Robbie Grossman to score and the A’s were on the board 3-1. The Astros answered right back with their first at bat in the bottom of the fourth inning. Josh Reddick homered to right for 413 feet extending their lead 4-1.

It was a quiet fifth inning for both teams going into the top of the sixth inning. The A’s were able to get another run up on the board by yet again Grossman. He was having a great game keeping his team in this one.

Grossman was safe at first on a throwing error by the pitcher and moved on to third on another error by the Astros. Matt Chapman singled allowing Grossman to score now trailing Houston 4-2. Through six innings the A’s had 6 hits and Houston had 8.

The A’s had one last chance in the seventh inning with only seven being played in the double header. It was a quick two outs for Oakland in the top of the seventh inning, Canha and Laureano. Kemp would ground out to first and that was the game. The Astros would now trail the A’s in the standings by three and a half games.

Both teams would have about an hour to regroup and get ready for game two. The first game had been a little over two hours. It wasn’t Bassitt’s finest hour. He had three innings in this game and obviously it was a tough first inning for him. “ He was just a little off,” said Bob Melvin of Chris’ performance. “Getting behind in the first and all of a sudden it’s 3-0. Lou came in and did a good job,” he said. The A’s would be looking for a chance to even the score in game two and reclaim their four and a half game lead in the standings.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s in Houston for doubleheader today; Make up game from Fri to recognize shooting victim Jacob Blake

On Jackie Robinson day at Minute Maid Field Fri Aug 28th stands Houston Astros catcher Martin Maldonado, on home plate a Black Lives Matter t shirt with the Oakland A’s and Houston Astros #42 jerseys honoring Jackie Robinson. Soon after honoring Robinson the A’s and Astros walked off the field in recognition of shooting victim Jacob Blake and racial injustice in America (photo from the Houston Chronicle)

On the A’s podcast with Jeremiah:

#1  In a statement by the A’s they made it very clear before their cancelled game in Houston that Oakland is a diverse community and that in recognition of Black Lives Matter, shooting victim Jacob Blake, and racial injustice in America the A’s and Astros postponed Friday night’s game at Minute Maid Field.

#2 The A’s and Rangers were about to cancel their game on Wednesday but were able to cancel their game on Thursday. A’s second baseman Marcus Semien said that there just wasn’t enough time to cancel the game and so the A’s did play the Rangers on Wednesday but were able to cancel the game on Thursday.

#3 Semien said that after Wednesday’s game the team had a meeting in the clubhouse asking what they were going to do and they had seen other sports teams and leagues cancel their games and to shine a light on what is going on in our country.

#4 The A’s going into Saturday’s doubleheader have won six of their last eight games before postponing their next two games. The A’s did get two days rest how much of an advantage will that be for the A’s coming into Minute Maid Field against a rough and ready club like the Astros.

#5 Taking a look at today’s doubleheader pitchers for the A’s in the first game Chris Bassitt (2-1 ERA 2.97) for the Houston Astros Lance McCullers Jr (2-2 ERA 5.74) and in the night cap starting for the A’s Frankie Montas (2-2 ERA 5.22) and for the Astros Zack Greinke (1-0 ERA 2.29).

Jeremiah has the A’s podcasts every Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com