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Panik Gives Giants Fresh Start With Walk-Off Hit

Published

11 years ago

May 2, 2015

San Francisco, CA – The first month of the season can often be a struggle for many teams. The Giants however, surpassed that theory by opening up the month of April as one of their worst starts in almost twenty years. But that’s now behind them, pinch-hitter Joe Panik delivered his second walk-off hit this season. San Francisco’s 3-2 victory over the Angels was the fresh start they needed to begin their ten-game homestead.

“He’s a great weapon to have off the bench,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “With Joe, it’s a simple swing, short, and he smoked it. It’s a good thing he ended the game because I used all my set-up guys trying to end it.”

Heading into the bottom of the ninth the score was tied 2-2. Buster Posey led off the frame with a infield single. Pinch-runner Gregor Blanco advanced to second on Justin Maxwell’s sacrifice bunt. Angels reliever Joe Smith’s wild pitch moved Blanco to third and walked Andrew Susac. He struck out Brandon Belt but intentionally issued a free pass to Brandon Crawford.

That set up Panik’s single to center field giving San Francisco their third walk-off win of the season. The last time the Giants had walk-off wins over three straight home games was August 19 – Aug 21, 2003. Panik recorded his first career walk-off hit and second career walk-off RBI. Giants starter Chris Heston got off to a good start in the first retiring the first two batters he faced.

But Mike Trout knocked a double to center field. Kole Calhoun followed with a free pass from Heston before David Freese grounded into a force out to end the inning without any damage. Heston faced another hiccup in the third when Crawford’s error allowed a runner on base. But shortly after he returned to form retiring the next twelve batters he faced.

“He’s been really clutch for us,” Bochy said. “You lose [Matt] Cain, you lose [Jake] Peavy, you hope someone steps up, and he’s done more than that. I thought he threw the ball great tonight. It’s a shame he couldn’t come away with the win tonight, but he did his job.”

By the seventh things began to unravel for San Francisco. Kole Calhoun led off the inning with a single and Freese followed by grounding to third baseman Casey McGehee who mishandled the ball. Crawford recovered but was to late in tagging Calhoun at second. After the play was challenged, the umpires ruled it a fielder’s choice and Calhoun was out at second. Cron singled on the next play, putting two runners on.

Matt Joyce tied the game 1-1 with a single up the middle that knocked Heston out of the game. Jean Machi replaced Heston, striking out the next batter and forcing C.J. Wilson to fly out to center field leaving two stranded to end the inning. He tossing seven innings, gave up five hits, one run and struck out six.

The Giants clapped back in the seventh when Angel Pagan singled to led off bottom of the seventh. He advanced to second on a pass ball and Andrew Susac drove him in with a single to center field to make it a 2-1 game. The Angels tied the game again in the eighth. Reliever Sergio Romo gave up to back-to-back singles, the first resulting in a error at second. He struck out Trout and was replaced by Jeremy Affeldt who hit the next batter.

Affeldt was replaced by Santiago Casilla who gave up a sacrifice fly to Freese who tied the game 2-2. A pass ball moved Johnny Giavotella to third and Freese stole second. But C.J. Cron popped out to first to end the threat. Wilson takes full blame for this loss. His last visit to AT&T park was back in 2010 when he pitched for the Texas Rangers in game two of the World Series. Wilson yielded two runs (one earned), four hits over seven frames.

“I could’ve won the game for us, and I’m frustrated about that,” Wilson said. “Even thought I’m just a pitcher in the American League, I feel like I’m coming up there with a competitive at-bat, and I got a good pitch to hit and it just popped up.”

Nori Aoki sparked the offense in the first when he led off with a double. He advanced to second on Matt Duffy’s ground out to first baseman C.J. Cron. Pagan’s sacrifice fly drove in Aoki making it a 1-0 game. In his fourth quality start, Heston gave the San Francisco a chance to win. Pagan went 2-for-3 with a run scored and RBI. His 10 multi-hit game this season leads the club.

“We didn’t have a great month in April,” Bochy said. “So we’d like to turn things around here in May, play winning baseball, and it starts with this homestand.”

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Community

Mayor Barbara Lee Holds Special State of the City Address in Deep East Oakland

In partnership with Rise East and the 40×40 Council, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee held a special 2026 State of the City East Oakland community conversation on Oct. 14. The purpose of bringing a State of the City address directly to the community was to celebrate East Oakland, highli

Published

3 days ago

October 19, 2026

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Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee, left. moderated a community chat with (l.to r.) Selena Wilson, CEO of the East Oakland Youth Development Center; Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, CEO of the Black Cultural Zone; Dr. Noha Aboelata, CEO of Roots Health Center and Greg Hodge, CEO of the Brotherhood of Elders.

By Special to The Post

In partnership with Rise East and the 40×40 Council, Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee held a special 2026 State of the City East Oakland community conversation on Oct. 14.

The purpose of bringing a State of the City address directly to the community was to celebrate East Oakland, highlight the work underway, and look ahead to what neighbors, local businesses, youth, funders, community organizations, and partners can accomplish together.

Held at the Roots Community Health/Parker Elementary School Campus at 7929 Ney Ave., the event was emceed by special guest Mark Curry, Oakland native, comedian, and actor.

Lee shared how Rise East and the 40×40 Council have brought together the knowledge, relationships, and resources of people and organizations committed to East Oakland.

Residents bring lived experience, community organizations bring trusted relationships and philanthropy, and businesses bring resources and opportunity, she said, then turned to the government’s role: public investment, services and policy.

But, Lee intoned, City Hall has a responsibility to help connect those efforts.

“I am committed to listening to residents, working across departments and sectors, and helping open doors to opportunity. We must connect neighborhood priorities to the decisions we make about housing, economic development, safety, health and our young people.

City Hall “must be accountable for the results,” Lee said. “The measure of success is what families experience: greater stability, more opportunity and a stronger sense that they belong and have a future here.

“Tonight is an opportunity to listen to the leaders doing this work, learn what is making a difference and identify where we can do more together,” the mayor said.

Lee went on to moderate a ‘fireside chat’ on the theme: Building Oakland’s Future Together — From Neighborhood Investment to Community Empowerment with:

Selena Wilson, CEO, East Oakland Youth Development Center
Greg Hodge, CEO, Brotherhood of Elders
Carolyn “CJ” Johnson, CEO, Black Cultural Zone
Dr. Noha Aboelata, CEO, Roots Health Center

Mayor Barbara Lee’s media relations department provided this report.

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Black History

Practitioners of African Traditional Spirituality Offer Ancestral Reverence Ritual Oct. 31

The Council for Global Ancestral Reverence will host “Ancestral Souls Rising” from Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, featuring a three-day gathering of prayer and discussion. Led by elders and priests across the African diaspora, the seventh annual ritual honors those lost without traditional rites while addressing current social challenges. This year’s event connects ancestral wisdom with contemporary issues, including a two-day conversation inspired by Afro-Beat music focused on Black community solidarity and the sacred importance of voting. Read more for details on the ritual schedule and participants.

Published

3 days ago

October 19, 2026

Post News Group

Oakland native Nedra Williams writes sacred symbols on the ground in San Leandro. Courtesy photo.

By Special to The Post

The Council for Global Ancestral Reverence (C4GAR), a group of elders who practice African traditional spirituality, will lead a three-day gathering of prayer and discussion from Oct. 31-Nov. 2.

Called ‘Ancestral Souls Rising,’ the council members and 21 priests will lead the prayers from many parts of the African diaspora: Africa, Portugal, and across the U.S. from Maryland to the Bay Area.

Now in its seventh year, the annual ritual began during the 2020 pandemic when hundreds of thousands of people died alone and were buried in mass graves without rites and rituals according to loved ones’ traditions.

This prayer event was and is intended to give peace to the departed and comfort for the living who still mourn. Each year, we gather names of new ancestors from living elders to elevate them into the “Great Hall of the Titans.”

In ensuing years, C4GAR added themes to the prayer gathering that referenced current events. In 2024, before the consequential presidential election, C4GAR called on people to vote, invoking the memory of Civil Rights Movement heroes and heroines like John Lewis, who urged “Good Trouble,” and Fannie Lou Hamer, who famously declared that she was “sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

The day of global Prayer on Oct. 31 will be followed by a two-day conversation inspired by “The Blueprint,” an Afro-Beat song by UyiosaEl, to write our new blueprint that supports solidarity and action in the Black community.

“Our elders have, for many generations, known the power of prayer, ritual and breath,” the council said in a statement.

It was and is their intention, then, to use the cultural wisdom, the gift of prayer “and the most sacred thing we have, our breath, to send energy into the world that invokes and honors our ancestors,” the council statement continued.

“Doing this creates a vibration that protects us and employs their ancient wisdom for the well-being of our communities,” the elders said.

The councilmembers, all over the age of 60, recognize that what is now history for so many was once their lived experience. And that history, those joys and sorrows, are now in their bodies.

To them, the uttered prayer and the sacred breath are oaths to an unfolding future that people can still shape.

The council members are Dr. Iyabeji Cathy Royal, Iyalocha Jennifer Dillard, Manbo Charlene Desir (Florida), Nana Sula Spirit (Louisiana), Baba Obafemi Feyemi, Ohen Nedra T. Williams, and Iyalocha Wanda Ravernell-Stewart Emeritus (Oakland).

This year, they also encourage everyone within their reach to VOTE because it is not only a secular and political act, but a sacred one. Remember, the ancestors were denied that right and died for it.

For tickets, go to:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/council-for-global-ancestral-reverence-presents-ancestral-souls-rising-26-tickets-2003127345814?aff=oddtdtcreator

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Community

It’s Time to Lose Weight Before the Holidays

Licensed internist Dr. H. Geoffrey Watson has joined gastroenterologist Dr. Ralph Peterson at Oakland’s MacArthur GI to address the rising obesity epidemic. With U.S. obesity rates reaching 42.4%, the clinic offers supervised weight-loss programs and screenings for fatty liver disease. Treatments include dietary counseling and various medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which regulate digestion and appetite. As certain populations continue to be disproportionately affected by chronic health conditions, medical experts are highlighting new tools available to help patients reach their goals before the holiday season. Read more.

Published

3 days ago

October 19, 2026

Post News Group

By Special to The Post

Dr. H. Geoffrey Watson, a licensed internist, has joined renowned gastroenterologist Dr. Ralph Peterson at MacArthur GI in Oakland to address obesity, provide supervised weight-loss programs including GLP-1 therapy, and screen for and treat fatty liver disease.

The Obesity Epidemic

Obesity is associated with numerous chronic health problems, including hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, asthma, depression, joint disorders, fatty liver disease, and high cholesterol. Its causes include genetics, environment, stress, medication side effects, hormonal imbalances, and other factors.

Since 1999, the prevalence of obesity in the United States has risen from 30.5% to 42.4%. Childhood obesity rates are also climbing, with approximately 19.3% of children and adolescents now affected.

Measuring Obesity: Body Mass Index

Obesity is measured using a formula called the Body Mass Index (BMI). You can calculate your own BMI on most smartphones by searching “BMI calculator” and entering your height and weight. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is classified as overweight, and a BMI of 30 or greater is classified as obese.

Populations Disproportionately Affected

Obesity affects certain populations at higher rates. Among U.S. adults, obesity prevalence is 49.9% in Black adults, 45.6% in Hispanic adults, 41.4% in White adults, and 16.1% in Asian adults.

Treatment Options

A variety of treatments are available for obesity, including dietary counseling, exercise programs, bariatric surgery, and anti-obesity medications.

Common oral medications include:

• Adipex (phentermine): A stimulant that works by suppressing appetite.

• Contrave (bupropion/naltrexone): A combination of an antidepressant and an anti-addiction medication that helps control appetite and cravings.

• Qsymia (phentermine/topiramate): A combination of a stimulant and an anti-seizure medication that reduces appetite and cravings.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Therapy

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists were originally approved to treat type 2 diabetes. GLP-1 is a hormone produced naturally by the body that regulates digestion, blood sugar, and appetite by communicating with GLP-1 receptor cells throughout the digestive tract. These medications reduce cravings, appetite, and food intake by influencing the hunger hormones ghrelin, which stimulates hunger, and leptin, which signals fullness.

What We Offer

Drs. Peterson and Watson provide FDA-approved tirzepatide injections, a GLP-1 receptor agonist medication indicated for weight management. Each patient receives a comprehensive history and physical examination to ensure the safety and appropriateness of the medication as part of an overall weight-loss protocol. Dr. Peterson also offers ultrasound screening for fatty liver disease.

We look forward to helping you reach your weight-loss goals and feel your best this holiday season.

H. Geoffrey Watson, M.D., runs the MacArthur GI Clinic at 10520 MacArthur Blvd., Oakland, CA. He can be reached at (510) 562-7467.