Tag: Sports radio

NHL Stanley Cup Qualifiers podcast with Matt Harrington: Habs upset Pens advance to next round; Isles advance on Panthers 4-3; plus much more

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Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (31) makes a save on Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jason Zucker (16) as Canadiens defensemen Jeff Petry (26) and Xavier Ouellet (61) help out during the first period of an NHL hockey playoff game Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, in Toronto. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)

On the NHL Stanley Cup Qualifier podcast with Matt:

#1 Columbus Blue Jackets 3 vs Toronto Maple Leafs 4 (series is tied 2-2)

#2 New York Islanders 5 vs. Florida Panthers 1 (Isles win series 3-1)

#3 Arizona Coyotes 4 vs. Nashville Predators 3 OT (Arizona wins series 3-1)

#4 Montreal Canadiens 2 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins 0 (Montreal wins series 3-1)

#5 Chicago Blackhawks 3 vs. Edmonton Oilers 2 (Chicago wins series 3-1)

#6 Vancouver Canucks 5 vs. Minnesota Wild 4 OT (Vancouver wins series 3-1)

Matt Harrington does the Stanley Cup Playoffs podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca: Giants hoping to have a better go of it in LA after struggles in Colorado

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The San Francisco Giants Mauricio Dubon shooshes the empty stands at Coors Field in Denver after belting a three run homer in the seventh inning but it wasn’t enough as the Giants lost by two runs to the Colorado Rockies on Thursday 6-4 (AP photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Michael Duca:

#1 The Giants have lost three out of four the the Rockies before heading to LA on Friday. The way you saw that series in Denver was it a matter of just a lot of good hitting for the Rockies or the Giants bullpen couldn’t get tracked?

#2 It’s a shame that Tyler Anderson couldn’t complete a game we know about the pitch count 66 for Anderson five innings, two hits, two walks, and three strike outs a decent start for Anderson.

#3 Talk about Brandon Belt he helped the Giants from getting swept in Colorado with a big fly to edge the Rockies on Wednesday 4-3. Belt’s been hitting .182 talk about how effective he could be in the line up?

#4 There were times that people just gave up on Pablo Sandoval in the past but he’s still durable on Wednesday he got two hits and right now Sandoval is hitting .206, no homers an RBI.

#5 Michael talk a little about catcher Chad Tromp hitting .318 and Mauricio Dubon hitting .258 with a homer on Thursday and they can help the Giants.

Michael joins Sports Talk every other Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Oak A’s Fri game wrap: Semien’s basehit scores Grossman for 13th inning 3-2 win; A’s 7th consecutive win

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The Oakland A’s Marcus Semien connected for the game winning base hit in the bottom of the 13th inning of Friday night’s game at the Oakland Coliseum to score Robbie Grossman for the win (AP photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s had a decent start to the 2020 season. They were by no means on fire and quite frankly their bats were a bit on the sleepy side. They won a few games and then the mediocre start turned into something very special.

It started slowly, but those bats came to attention and there has been no looking back. In the last six games the A’s have outscored their opponents 34-14. The team is riding on a six game winning streak and are sitting atop the AL West two and a half games ahead of the second place Houston Astros. This 3-game series against the Astros could turn out to be a very important one in this shortened season.

The A’s Chris Bassitt was on the mound in the opening game of the series. He breezed through the first two innings allowing the Astros a single hit. The Astros Zach Greinke had two nice innings allowing only one hit by Kris Davis. It was the first for the A’s a double in the second inning. Grossman would strike out leaving Davis stranded going into the third inning.

Martin Maldonado would advance to 1st base on a walk followed by a bullet to deep center field by Myles Straw. Maldonado would score off that hit giving the Astros the first score of the game 1-0. In the bottom of the third inning the A’s managed a single by Marcus Semien but was left stranded when Ramon Laureano was thrown out at first.

After a quiet fourth inning by both teams, the A’s started to make some noise in the 5th inning. With the bases loaded and 1 out the A’s were threatening. A double play ended Oakland’s hopes to get up on the scoreboard and this game would go into the 6th inning.

It was a very frustrating 6th inning for the A’s. After a leadoff triple by Ramon Laureano the team came away empty. Offensively, the A’s were not getting the job done. They had the bases loaded in the 5th and a runner on third with no outs in the 6th but no cigar for Oakland. The only good news for the A’s through 6 innings was the slim lead for Houston.

Houston’s Josh James would take over for Greinke in the bottom of the 7th inning. It would prove disastrous for Houston as Robbie Grossman would knock the ball out of the park to tie the game 1-1. Hopefully that at bat would inject some life into the A’s offense.

Joakim Soria would come in for the A’s to start the 8th inning. Chris Bassitt had allowed only 3 hits having another solid game. The new and improved Soria took care of business stranding a single Astro player heading into the bottom of the 8th inning.

It had been a battle of the starters but now we saw the battle of the bullpen. This battle would carry into the top of the 9th inning with Liam Hendriks. Hendriks would make short work of the Astros and the A’s would head into walk off territory in the bottom of the 9th inning.

The walk off was not to be and so it was off to extra innings. Jake Diekman would start the 10th inning. Matt Chapman would make a diving play to get the third out at first and the A’s would have a second chance for a walk off.

Astros pitcher Enoli Paredes would take the mound in an effort to keep his team in the game. Oakland would leave a runner on third and first heading into the 11th inning. The A’s had opportunity and just weren’t able to take advantage of those opportunities putting their winning streak on the line. J.B. Wendelken would pitch the 11th inning navigating through 3 batters the final out being Correa.

In the 11th inning, the A’s would load the bases for the second time in the game to no avail. It was off to the 12th inning. The Astros with runners on 3rd and 1st with no outs had an opportunity to bury the A’s. Houston was unable to cash in on the opportunity and the A’s had yet another chance to put this one away. They simply had to put the ball into play. A very frustrating game for both managers. The A’s would load the bases for the 3rd time in the game and come up empty yet again.

It was just a matter of time when one of these teams would take advantage of the missed opportunities. The Astros would be that team as Stubbs crossed home plate taking a 2-1 lead. The A’s would have one last chance in this game. With the bases loaded again the A’s finally broke through to even the score 2-2. Would this game continue or could the A’s finally finish it in the 13th inning? Apparently Marcus Semien was frustrated enough to belt a deep ball center field winning the game for Oakland in a marathon. “For us we just wanted to play our game. We’re hot right now. This was a tough game,” Semien said post game.. So the Oakland A’s keep their win streak intact at 7 in a row. It sure makes for another interesting game tomorrow as these two rivals meet for the second game of their series.

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Li takes lead, but former champs in hot pursuit

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Haotong Li chips to the green on the seventh hole during the second round of the PGA Championship at TPC Harding Park on Friday. (Charlie Riedel / Associated Press)

By Jeremy Harness

The PGA Championship has a new leader, and it is not one of the usual suspects, and not a name that one would expect to be atop the leaderboard of a major championship.

Haotong Li shot a bogey-free round of 65 to take the 36-hole lead by two strokes. He got off to a hot start on Friday, birdieing three of his first five holes before knocking down a birdie at the par-4 ninth. He followed that up with a birdie at the par-5 10th and then parred out the rest of the way to maintain that two-shot lead.

“Well, I’ve got no expectation actually,” Li said. “Because you know, (for the) last few months, (I’ve) stayed at home doing nothing. I just want to go out here and have fun.”

Li is being closely followed by a pair of former PGA champs, Jason Day and defending champion Brooks Koepka, as they are tied for second trailing by two shots at six-under overall.

Starting on the 10th hole on Friday, Koepka got the momentum going with a birdie at the par-5 10th but gave it back with a bogey at the 13th. He picked up a little steam with a birdie at the par-4 18th and quickly followed that with a birdie at the par-4 first.

He then played the remaining eight holes even-par with a birdie and a bogey to finish the second round with a two-under round of 68.

“I’m pretty happy,” Koepka said. “I felt like I probably could be ten right now. Hit a lot of good putts, just didn’t go in. A couple of them, if I just hit them, they’re in. But driving it pretty well. Iron play, I’m pretty pleased with. You know, I like where I’m at.”

Day also had an erratic Friday round, which was marred by a double bogey at the par-4 12th. He picked things up considerably with a stretch of three birdies over four holes. However, Day gave some momentum back with a bogey at his final hole, the ninth, for a one-under round of 69.

“I definitely feel good,” Day said. “I’m to the point now where I’m nitpicking my round and before I really wasn’t. Before I was just happy to get inside the cut, you know, and get on to the weekend, and sometimes you need those weeks to just make it and get some confidence. Certainly have gained a lot of confidence over the last three times I’ve played, and you know, I’m just going to try and tidy up the putting for this weekend hopefully and hit it a little better off the tee.”

Defensive miscue costs Giants in 7-2 loss to LA

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Fresh Prince of Home Run: The Los Angeles Dodgers Will Smith hits one deep that eludes San Francisco Giants left fielder Darrin Ruf’s glove over the Dodgers bullpen in the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium (AP photo)

By Jeremy Kahn

It seems that the San Francisco Giants defense is not getting any better and once again it cost them a game in the long run.

Justin Turner singled to left field immediately following a fielding error by Darrin Ruf in left field that Cody Bellinger to advance to second in the bottom of the third inning, and then scored on the Turner and the Los Angeles Dodgers took a 2-1 lead on their way to a 7-2 victory over the Giants at Dodger Stadium.

The error by Ruf was their major league leading 18th error of the season in 15 games this season.

Mookie Betts continues to get better as the shortened season continues, as he hit a solo home run off of Jeff Samardzija that tied up the game. It was the first home run for Betts at Dodger Stadium.

Donovan Solano gave the Giants a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, as he singled in Mike Yastrzemski, who doubled to left-center field with one out in the inning.

The Dodgers broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Max Muncy hit a solo home run into the right field pavilion and then three batters later, Will Smith launched a two-run home run into the left field pavilion that gave the Dodgers a 5-1 lead over their longtime rivals.

Samardzija did not make it out of the fifth inning, as the Dodgers loaded the bases with nobody out after Samardzija walked Bellinger and then hit Turner and Enrique Hernandez before being replaced by Sam Selman, who was able to get Muncy; however, the Dodgers added another run, when Chris Taylor grounded into a fielders choice to score Bellinger.

The right-handed throwing Samardzija went four innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits, walking two and striking out three, as his record fell to 0-2 on the season.

Wilmer Flores homered off of Dennis Santana in the top of the sixth inning for the Giants final run of the evening, and are now 1-4 on their road trip.

Dylan Floro picked up the win for the Dodgers, his first of the season after he replaced starter Julio Urias, who gave up one run in four innings of work.

UP NEXT: Johnny Cueto will take the mound for the Giants on Saturday evening, while Clayton Kershaw takes the mound for the Dodgers.

Kings lose momentum fall to 1-4 in bubble 119-106

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Brooklyn Nets’ Caris LeVert (22) looks to pass the ball as Sacramento Kings’ Alex Len, left, and Harrison Barnes defend during the second half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Aug. 7, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis, Pool)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento Kings played a solid game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. They came out of the gate strong and didn’t really look back taking their first game in the bubble. It was a glimmer of hope for Kings fans who hope the Kings can get to the 9th spot for a chance to play in the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Kings could not keep that momentum going.

The Kings played an unfortunately typical Kings game this year. The Kings have been notorious for giving up a big quarter. For this team it has mostly been in the first quarter of the game. On Friday afternoon, it was e second quarter. The Kings were leading after the first quarter 27-24. However, the tide would turn in the second. The Kings and their sloppy defense would be out scored 39-26. At that point, the Kings had mailed in the game.

The rest of the game the Kings would battle but not be able to make up the ground lost in the second quarter. The Kings would lose 119-106. A bright spot for the Kings was the continued good play Bogdan Bogdanovic. After a career high 35 points in Thursday, Bogdan scores 27 points on Friday.

The Kings fall to 1-4 in the bubble and playoff hopes are slim to none.

Up next: The Kings take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday afternoon.

49ers podcast report with David Zizmor: Mostert almost dropped out to be with family; 49ers like Jordan as defensive end

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San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert (31) scores in front of Green Bay Packers free safety Darnell Savage during the first half of the NFL NFC Championship football game Sunday, Jan. 19, 2020, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)AP

On the 49ers podcast with David:

#1 San Francisco 49ers running back Raheem Mostert said he was  considering dropping out out of concern for his wife Devon and son Gunnar because of the Coronvirus spread. Mostert said he had long talks with Devon and both decided that he would play this season working with the Niners while Devon and Gunnar stayed in Devon’s hometown of Cleveland during the season.

#2 The 49ers met with two pass rushers this past week with defensive end Dion Jordan and Ziggy Ansah. Jordan’s price tag was more to the 49ers liking making him the most likely one of the two to be signed. It was noted that Jordan had previous battles with drugs and alcohol but most importantly he has been sober since 2017. Ansah had been suspended previously for performance enhancers.

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

MLB podcast with London Marq: Kids, call ups, rookies, all make Marlins best team in baseball; Did A’s coach really do the Nazi salute following game Wednesday?

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Miami Marlins shortstop Jonathan Villar (2) and center fielder Monte Harrison, right, celebrate after defeating the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 in the second game of a doubleheader, Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2020, in Baltimore. Marlins’ Corey Dickerson, left, looks on. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

On the MLB podcast with London Marq:

#1 Who would have thought that after losing half the roster 14 players and two coaches to Covid 19 the Miami Marlins who had to use call ups, free agents, and rookies would turn the ship around and put the Marlins in first place with five straight wins and have one of the best records in baseball?

#2 MLB did come out with a directive on Thursday saying that all 30 teams must follow a directive to stay in their hotel rooms and only go out to the ball park to work. The Marlins and St Louis Cardinals were apparently going shopping, socializing outside of their hotels and someone got infected. MLB is saying that players caught getting Covid 19 carelessly will be suspended for the rest of the season.

#3 Oakland A’s bench coach Ryan Christianson who did a salute that looked like a Nazi salute in front of the Oakland A’s dugout right after the conclusion of Wednesday’s game against the Texas Rangers had apologized after it made social media. The video of the salute show Christianson standing in front of the dugout with his arm extended and pitcher Liam Hendriks putting his arm down as he walked by. After Hendriks walked by Christianson extended the arm again and saluted again in the same way.

#4 Christianson did not deny the salute saying it was not the Nazi salute and it only looked like it and it was not intended to offend anyone and he was doing it as an alternative to the elbow bump. On video you can see Christianson doing it not only once but twice.

#5 The Houston Astros who are having huge starting pitching issues will open a three game series against the Oakland A’s who are on a six game winning after sweeping the Texas Rangers in Oakland. The A’s have been getting key hitting can good hitting beat a struggling Astros starting rotation?

Join London each Friday for Sports podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP: Day, Todd tied atop lead at Harding Park

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At the PGA Championship golf Tournament at Harding Park in San Francisco Tiger Woods launches a tee shot on the 12th hole during the first round of the tournament on Thu Aug 6, 2020 (AP photo)

By Jeremy Harness

It has been very weird watching sports for these past few months, with teams playing without any spectators in attendance, with the exception of a few essential employees.

The PGA Championship, the first golf major or the 2020 season that kicked off Thursday at TPC Harding Park, is no different. The eerie silence, which has been commonplace without the authentic crowd noise that typically accompanies big events such as this, was just as prevalent in the first round.

But hey, at least the PGA Tour had enough sense to not include the cheesy fake crowd noise that has plagued MLB games over the past month.

As for the golf, Jason Day and Brendon Todd finished Thursday’s opening round tied for the lead after firing five-under rounds of 65.

Todd, who has been brilliant for the first 54 holes for many of the tournaments this season but has faltered in the final round, got off to a great start, going three-under on his front nine. On the back nine, he thwarted two bogeys with four birdies.

Day, on the other hand, was bogey-free on his round, recording three birdies on his front nine and a two more birdies on the back side.

There are nine players that are tied for second, including defending champion Brooks Koepka and former Masters winner Zach Johnson.

Tiger Woods is in the mix as well, after his two-under round of 68 on Thursday, as he is currently tied for 20th. He was one-under for the first nine, with three birdies against two bogies, and turned in a one-under second nine with two birdies and a single bogey.

Giants’ bullpen no match for Colorado’s bats in 6-4 loss on getaway day

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By Morris Phillips

The Colorado Rockies are crushing opponent’s bullpens, and they made sure the Giants got a reminder before the visitors left town Thursday afternoon.

David Murphy and Charlie Blackmon homered in a five-run, seventh inning as the Rockies overcame a late deficit and a flawless five innings from Giants’ starter Tyler Anderson in a 6-4 win.

Giants’ relievers had allowed just five homers in 56 appearances coming in. But the new rule requiring that each pitcher face at least three batters doesn’t allow managers to always match up–right vs. right, left vs. left–and that favors a power hitting lineup like the Rockies possess. After Thursday’s three homers and two doubles, Colorado is hitting .294 with 11 home runs after the opposing starter is lifted.

“Anything we can do to get to the ‘pen and have someone go through at least three hitters in our lineup, whether it’s lefty or righty, we feel good about that,” Trevor Story said.

Anderson didn’t issue the home team any favors, as the former Rockie dealt for five innings, allowing two hits, two walks and no runs.  In his first start of the season, Anderson appeared highly motivated by his fall from grace in 2019. Tabbed as the Rockies’ opening day starter, Anderson suffered a knee injury after making five starts, then was demoted to Triple-A before having season-ending surgery. After being waived by the Rockies, Anderson was claimed by the Giants in October.

“I hadn’t thrown a lot of pitches, and there’s been a lot of injuries going on around baseball,” Anderson answered when asked if should have been allowed to pitch deeper into the ballgame. “I think that was the right move there.”

After the game went scoreless for the first five innings, the bats broke out on both sides with Trevor Story’s solo shot off Wandy Peralta in the sixth, which was topped by Mauricio Dubon’s three-run shot in seventh to give the Giants the lead.

But Rico Garcia failed to hold that lead, allowing consecutive doubles to Garrett Hampson and Chris Owings before Murphy’s two-run shot in a pinch-hitting role. Manager  Gabe Kapler then turned to Caleb Baragar but he allowed a David Dahl single ahead of Blackmon’s homer and the Rockies led 6-3.

Jairo Diaz came on for the Rockies in the eighth and got the final, four outs for the save.

Teams were required to reduce their active rosters from 30 to 28 before the game, and the Giants opted to demote Steven Duggar and pitcher Andrew Suarez to their alternative training site in San Jose

The Giants have dropped four of five and open a three-game series at Dodgers Stadium on Friday night.

“I think it’s just, take the step right in front of you. We understand that there’s no architectural blueprint for this season, and we’re just going to fight tomorrow. Be ready and prepared to play the Dodgers in Los Angeles tomorrow.”

Jeff Samardzija is expected to start for the Giants on Friday with Johnny Cueto scheduled for Saturday.