Connect with us

Sports

Giants Elimination Streak Ends In Loss To Cubs

Published

on

San Francisco, CA – Call it torture baseball! The Giants had their streak of ten-consecutive postseason elimination games snapped in tonights 6-5 loss to the Cubs. An epic collapse by San Francisco’s bullpen who gave up four runs in the ninth and a total of 32 blown saves for the season. 

“I would like to think you’re going to get three outs there,” said manager Bruce Bochy. “We couldn’t do it. Because of the job he did, we had all the guys lined up, we just couldn’t get outs.”

 

The Giants headed into the ninth with a 5-2 lead. After Matt Moore tossed a phenomenal eight frames his night was done. Many will wonder had he stayed in after throwing 120 pitches, San Francisco would be celebrating instead of Chicago. Once the bullpen took over, Derek Law gave up a leadoff single to Kris Bryant.

 

Then Javier Lopez walked Anthony Rizzo. Sergio Romo replaced Lopez and surrendered a double to Ben Zobrist who scored in Bryant. Will Smith replaced Romo and yielded a single to Wilson Contreras who knocked in two more runs tying the game 5-5. Hunter Strickland came in and gave up a single to Javier Baez who drove in Jason Heyward to extend the Cubs lead 6-5.

 

After that, defeat had spread across the field. The fight the Giants had in yesterday’s game was gone. Closer Aroldis Chapman got a second chance to prove himself after unraveling yesterday in the ninth. Chapman struck out the side to end the game and send Chicago to the National League Championship Series as they await the winner of the Washington Nationals vs Los Angeles Dodgers game Thursday night.

 

“We’re building that reputation just like the Giants have established,” manager Joe Maddon said. “You play until the last drop, and this time of the year you better come with your A game because we’re going to show up for 27 outs.

 

Johnny Cueto at Wrigley Field, I was telling folks, if you ever look at those numbers, they’re not good for us. He’s really tough on us. So, I’m happy to not have to face him in a winner-take-all-game.”

 

San Francisco used one of their biggest weapons on the mound tonight. Moore struck out a postseason career-high 10 batters and became just the 10th pitcher in Giants franchise postseason history to record double-digits strikeouts. Moore certainly could’ve gone the distance. But Bochy thought his bullpen could get three simple outs.

 

“Nobody really came up to me and told me I was done,” Moore said. “I think everyone kind of new it was my last one, no real conversation about it. That’s how baseball goes sometimes. In the moment of where were at winning, I didn’t want to make about myself and say ‘hey leave me in’ and we have guys down there. This is one of those moments we can change next year, the agony of losing.”

 

Moore had a strong start after retiring the first two batters he faced before giving up a walk to Rizzo in the first. Moore exited the inning without any damage. San Francisco’s offense got off to a good start when Denard Span doubled, advanced to third and scored on Buster Posey’s sacrifice fly making it a 1-0 game.

 

But it wasn’t long before the Cubs responded. David Ross led off the third with a solo shot to left field tying the game 1-1. Ross’ only previous postseason home run was back in 2012 when he played for the Atlanta Braves. After that hit, the Giants defense got better allowing no runs until the fifth.

 

“I was trying to be like these young guys who have way better swings than I do,” said Ross. “I’m just trying to get something up in the zone and put a good swing on it. We got down early and I tried to get us back in the game. I put some good wood on it and that doesn’t happen to often for me.”

 

The Giants got a break against Lackey in the fourth. Lackey loaded the bases with two back-to-back singles and walked Gregor Blanco. Moore’s RBI single scored in Conor Gillaspie and Span followed grounding out into a force out making it a 3-1 game. Brandon Belt flew out to center field stranding two.

 

No room for mistakes, Brandon Crawford threw to first baseman [Brandon] Belt after Javier Baez grounded to him but Crawford over threw first and Baez advanced to third in the fifth. Ross’ sacrifice fly scored in Baez to trim San Francisco’s lead 3-2. Meanwhile Lackey was pulled after surrendering two runs in the fourth. He tossed four innings, gave up seven hits, three runs and struck out four.

 

Crawford smashed a home run untouched that bounced off the right field wall, Pence stayed at second only to double back to second and then finally ran to third. The play was ruled a double though Pence could’ve scored on the play. Nevertheless, Gillapsie came through and drove in Pence extending their lead 4-2.

 

“I think he thought he missed second, so that’s why he went back to make sure he tagged it,” Bochy said. “It didn’t hurt us there with Conor getting that big hit there.”

 

Gillaspie went 4-4 at the plate and became the just the 15th Giant to record four hits in a postseason game. The last player to do that was Pablo Sandoval on October 24, 2012 in Game 1 of the World Series. San Francisco now heads into the offseason with many changes to be expected with their bullpen after such a tough loss.

 

“The season was very trying, baseball is amazing cause you never know what will happen next,” Romo said. “Tonight’s a great example and last night was a good example. So being part of the bullpen you want to do your job and we were unable to do that tonight.”

 

“A loss is always disappointing, especially since I’m a bullpen guy and I take pride in that,” said Strickland. “We can’t control where the ball falls, it hurts, it’s frustrating for sure. We win and lose as a team. We’ll prepare and get ready for next year.”

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Arts and Culture

Gov. Newsom and First Partner Jennifer Siebel Newsom Host 2024 Hall of Fame Ceremony

Former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and three other African Americans were among 10 luminaries inducted into the 2024 Class of the California Hall of Fame on Feb. 8. The 17th Annual California Hall of Fame ceremony was held at the California Museum.

Published

on

Willie Brown, Former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor, was proud to be among the Hall of Fame inductees. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.
Willie Brown, Former California Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor, was proud to be among the Hall of Fame inductees. CBM photo by Antonio Ray Harvey.

By California Black Media

Former Assembly Speaker and San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown and three other African Americans were among 10 luminaries inducted into the 2024 Class of the California Hall of Fame on Feb. 8.

The 17th Annual California Hall of Fame ceremony was held at the California Museum.

“The California Hall of Fame is one of our families’ favorite traditions as it is a time to come together to celebrate remarkable Californians as well as their loved ones because we know that it is about partnerships,” Siebel Newsom said. “The governor likes to say that California is a dream factory because it doesn’t matter what zip code or background you come from, the California dream is alive and well to everyone who calls this state home.”

The other Black honorees were filmmaker Ava DuVernay; Federal Judge and civil rights leader, the Hon. Thelton Henderson; and basketball Hall of Fame player and broadcaster Cheryl Miller.

“It’s what I’ve been waiting for and to be among a great group of individuals that also deserve the honor,” Brown told California Black Media on the event’s red carpet before the ceremony began. “No, I never thought someone from Texas would be recognized this way. But here I am, and it all happened in the great state of California. It’s a fantastic feeling.”

Other 2024 inductees are: master chef and “mother of fusion cuisine” Helene An; computer scientist and “father of the internet” Vincent A. Cerf; all-female pop punk band The Go-Gos; Chicano Rock band Los Lobos; former U.S. Secretary of Defense and Congressman Leon E. Panetta; and artistic director and choreographer Brenda Way.

This year’s honorees join a history-making club with over 150 inspirational Californians previously inducted for their groundbreaking achievements and personifying the state’s innovative spirit.

“It’s just a humbling experience. I want to thank the Governor and First Partner. Who would have thought 100 years ago (that I would be inducted?) It’s incredible,” Miller said after her induction. “I want to thank the governor and First Partner for an incredible event.”

During his acceptance speech, Henderson said he was deeply honored.

“You know, it really would have been a really big deal to be inducted into the Hall of Fame in the area where I grew up, for example, South Central Hall of Fame, or the Watts Hall of Fame, or the Straight Out of Compton Hall of Fame,” he said. “But being inducted into the California Hall of Fame, Hall of Fame of the greatest state in the country in this great nation is something else.”

Continue Reading

Community

El Cerrito High Senior Jayvon Bolds Named to Blue-Grey All-American Bowl

El Cerrito High School senior Jayvon Bolds is set to play in the Blue-Grey All American Bowl game at Cowboy Stadium in Dallas on Jan. 8. Bolds, an 18-year-old scholar athlete whose favorite subject is history, was nominated for the honor by Rodney Alamo Brown, founder of Soulful Softball Sunday who also serves as an announcer for the Texas bowl game.

Published

on

Jayvon Bolds (No. 4) is headed to Cowboys Stadium to play in the Blue-Grey All American Bowl. (Photo courtesy of Rodney Alamo Brown).
Jayvon Bolds (No. 4) is headed to Cowboys Stadium to play in the Blue-Grey All American Bowl. (Photo courtesy of Rodney Alamo Brown).

By the Richmond Standard

El Cerrito High School senior Jayvon Bolds is set to play in the Blue-Grey All American Bowl game at Cowboy Stadium in Dallas on Jan. 8.

Bolds, an 18-year-old scholar athlete whose favorite subject is history, was nominated for the honor by Rodney Alamo Brown, founder of Soulful Softball Sunday who also serves as an announcer for the Texas bowl game.

“It’s a real honor,” Alamo Brown stated about Brown’s selection for the bowl game. “This makes him an All-American.”

Bolds will play three positions for the Eastern team: kr, slot back and special teams—i.e., kickoff and punt return.

“The plan is to line up Bolds all over the field and let him do his thing. He’ll be a weapon for our staff,” said NFL veteran Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout and All-American Bowl Coach Dick Bell. “In a game like this, with the platform being an NFL facility with former professionals as assistants and mentors, he’ll have a chance to shine on one of the biggest stages around.”

Recently, Bolds received a scholarship offer to continue his higher education at Clarke University in Dubuque, Iowa.

Bolds maintains a 3.3 GPA and is heavily involved in leadership as he is the vice president of the Black Student Union.

Blue-Grey Football launched in 1989 by founders Gus and Erik Bell with the aim of helping prospects gain national exposure so that they can improve their chances to secure college scholarships.

Some of the nation’s most talented young football players compete in the annual game, with Fox Sports, CBS Sports and USA Today regularly providing coverage, as well as ESPN.comScout.comRivals.com and 247Sports.com.

Bolds’ family is planning on traveling to Dallas on Friday and is seeking donations from the community to offset the enormous cost. Those who are willing to donate may do so by sending their donations to this cash app, $Juanita Towns.

Rodney Alamo Brown contributed to this report.

Continue Reading

Book Reviews

Book Review: “Who Got Game? Basketball”

A little less than two feet. That’s how far you can get your two feet off the floor if you’re an average kid doing an average vertical jump. Not quite twenty-four inches, but don’t worry: the taller you grow, the higher you could be able to jump. Practice some, dribble a little, shoot more three-pointers, and you might jump right into a book like “Who Got Game? Basketball” by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Jez Tuya.

Published

on

“Who Got Game? Basketball” Author Derrick Barnes Courtesy of EyeSun Photography (Charlotte NC). Book Cover Courtesy of Workman Publishing c.2024.
“Who Got Game? Basketball” Author Derrick Barnes Courtesy of EyeSun Photography (Charlotte NC). Book Cover Courtesy of Workman Publishing c.2024.

A little less than two feet.

That’s how far you can get your two feet off the floor if you’re an average kid doing an average vertical jump. Not quite twenty-four inches, but don’t worry: the taller you grow, the higher you could be able to jump. Practice some, dribble a little, shoot more three-pointers, and you might jump right into a book like “Who Got Game? Basketball” by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Jez Tuya.

Here we are, football season’s almost over, and your mind has turned to other things – namely, hoops set high over your head, and a round bouncy basketball. Kids like you who “got game” have had it for more than a century. Yes, the game of basketball was created by Dr. James Naismith in 1891 in Massachusetts.

In the years since, basketball has changed a lot, thanks to what Derrick Barnes calls “pioneers.” Julius “Dr. J” Erving improved the dunk. Before that, in 1950, the NBA first allowed Black basketball players on the teams. There have been super-tall players (Manute Bol and Gheorghe Muregan were both seven feet, seven tall) and smaller b-ballers – five-three Muggsy Bogues had a vertical jump of nearly four feet! – and just two years after the game was invented, America had its first women’s team.

A lot of off-court people poured themselves into the game, too. Barnes writes, for example, about Pat Summitt, hoopster, leader, and “one of the greatest coaches in all of sports history.” Her record of 1,098 wins ranks her at first-place in coaching women’s basketball, and as the coach with the second-most wins overall.

You can probably guess that in a book about buckets, there are bucketfuls of stats. Barnes includes a list of NBA players who jumped to a team right out of high school. He writes about the greatest basketball park ever, he explains why winners cut down the net, how Title IX changed the game, why backboards rarely break into a zillion pieces anymore, high scores, bad injuries, “hoops movies,” and where in the world you can pick up a game today.

So, your 9-to-13-year-old loves basketball so much that they dribble a ball in their sleep? They think their favorite jersey is church wear? Then you’ll be the hero of the day when you bring home “Who Got Game? Basketball.”

But first, there’s one big thing you need to know: this is not a how-to book. There aren’t any instructions inside here, no rules or plays to follow. Instead, author Derrick Barnes makes young b-ballers happy by sharing little-known info about the game they love so much, short lists, great stories about great players, wins and losses, and phrases they should know to talk the talk. All this knowledge is supported by colorful illustrations by Jez Tuya that kids will enjoy alongside the facts.

This book is for die-hard young b-ballers, but don’t be surprised if an adult finds a thing or two to learn here. “Who Got Game? Basketball” is a book any fan will want to jump on.

“Who Got Game? Basketball” by Derrick Barnes, Illustrated by Jez Tuya, c.2023, Workman Publishing, $16.99, 172 pages.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.