Featured

Giants Rally In The Sixth For Win

Published

11 years ago

October 15, 2014

San Francisco, CA – The Giants rallied in the sixth separating themselves from the Cardinals who usually stick close by. But a few throwing errors from first baseman Matt Adams gave San Francisco some breathing room by scoring three runs in the inning. That was enough for the 6-4 victory over St. Louis, bringing them within one win from returning to the World Series.

“The one inning started with [Juan] Perez,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “He goes up there and finds a way to get a walk and, of course, [Brandon] Crawford had a big day today. And [Matt] Duffy lays down a great bunt, and then you’re hoping to put the ball in play and good things happen.”

“Anytime you put pressure on the defense, you have the opportunity for good things to happen,” Buster Posey said.

Pinch-hitter Perez leadoff the inning with a walk, Brandon Crawford lined a single to right field putting two on with no outs. Pinch-hitter Matt Duffy’s sacrifice bunt advanced both runners before Gregor Blanco’s infield hit scored in Perez to tie the game 4-4. Adams throw home to catcher Tony Cruz was not in time to tag Perez out at the plate with the home plate umpire ruling him safe.

Joe Panik hit another grounder to Adams, who threw wide left to second baseman Kolten Wong in a attempt to rally a double play but failed resulting in a fielder’s choice. Crawford scored extending the San Francisco’s lead 5-4. Posey who went 2-for-3 with a sacrifice fly and two RBI singles drove in three runs. He knocked a single to center field in the sixth driving in Blanco making it a 6-4 game.

“Flip the script, we were down 3-1 in St. Louis two years ago, so we have that fresh in our minds,” said Posey. “We know we’re going to have a tough game tomorrow.”

After going two innings of no score, the Giants took advantage of the Cardinals bullpen. For the first three innings, St. Louis leadoff with a hit, and Matt Holliday kept the offense going when he doubled in the fourth. Adams followed with a single, Jhonny Peralta hit into a double play scoring in Holliday making it a 3-1 game.

Then Wong took Ryan Vogelsong deep on a solo shot extending the Cardinals lead 4-1. That chased Vogelsong off the mound who showed signs of struggle in the first. He tossed three frames, surrendering seven hits, four runs, two walks, struck out one and gave up one home run. Vogelsong lasted three innings, the shortest postseason start of his career.

“They jumped on me early and I never really got a chance to settle in,” Vogelsong said. “We saw it with [John] Lackey yesterday, that first inning can be tough when guys are on base and you don’t really get a chance to settle in and he really did a good job of rebounding but they stayed on me.”

“He was a little up,” said Bochy. “He’s missing his spots more than his last start. You know it’s kind of a rough start for him. The first ball hit, looked like it hit the lip and ends up getting a double on that ball. Gregor missed getting the other ball. He had some tough luck and that added to some missed spots he had tonight.”

St. Louis set the tone early in the first, Matt Carpenter grounded a ball past second baseman Panik and it was ruled a double. Vogelsong walked Jon Jay putting two on with one out. Adams followed knocking a single to left field driving in Carpenter making it a 1-0 game. Peralta grounded out to third basemen Pablo Sandoval rallying the double play to end the threat. Sandoval to shortstop Crawford at second base to first baseman Brandon Belt.

The Giants clapped back, leadoff Blanco hit a fly ball to center field, but center fielder Jay dropped the ball off his glove. Blanco safe at second, Panik followed with a single to right putting two on in the corners with no outs. Posey’s sacrifice fly tied the game 1-1. Sandoval grounded into a double play to end the inning, ironic that he rallied the double play to end top of the first.

Wong stayed hot, he leadoff the second with a double followed by A.J. Pierzynski’s RBI single extending St. Louis’ lead 2-1. Vogelsong forced Randal Grichuk to pop out but walked Carpenter putting two on with two outs. Pitching coach Dave Righetti came out to the mound to calm Vogelsong down and it worked because he struck out Jay to end the inning.

San Francisco didn’t give up, Posey drove in his second run of the night after he hit a RBI single in the third cutting the lead in half 4-2. Shelby Miller walked Sandoval putting two on with two outs, Hunter Pence’s RBI single up the middle trimmed the lead down to one. The Giants scored two runs keeping their offense alive.

“Big day, three RBI’s,” Bochy said. “Had some huge RBI’s, two-out hits and getting that insurance run, that second run, to give us a two-run lead. That’s always huge.”

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Up Next

Fuel Your School Aids Classroom in East Oakland

Don't Miss

Mayoral Candidates Back Measure Z for Public Safety

Oakland Post

Click to comment

Activism

Big God Ministry Gives Away Toys in Marin City

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grow up.

Published

17 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

From top left: Pastor David Hall asking the children what they want to be when they grow up. Worship team Jake Monaghan, Ruby Friedman, and Keri Carpenter. Children lining up to receive their presents. Photos by Godfrey Lee.

By Godfrey Lee

Big God Ministries, pastored by David Hall, gave toys to the children in Marin City on Monday, Dec. 15, on the lawn near the corner of Drake Avenue and Donahue Street.

Pastor Hall also gave a message of encouragement to the crowd, thanking Jesus for the “best year of their lives.” He asked each of the children what they wanted to be when they grew up.

Around 75 parents and children were there to receive the presents, which consisted mainly of Gideon Bibles, Cat in the Hat pillows, Barbie dolls, Tonka trucks, and Lego building sets.

A half dozen volunteers from the Big God Ministry, including Donnie Roary, helped to set up the tables for the toy giveaway. The worship music was sung by Ruby Friedman, Keri Carpenter, and Jake Monaghan, who also played the accordion.

Big God Ministries meets on Sundays at 10 a.m. at the Mill Valley Community Center, 180 Camino Alto, Mill Valley, CA Their phone number is (415) 797-2567.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

First 5 Alameda County Distributes Over $8 Million in First Wave of Critical Relief Funds for Historically Underpaid Caregivers

“Family, Friend, and Neighbor caregivers are lifelines for so many children and families in Alameda County,” said Kristin Spanos, CEO, First 5 Alameda County. “Yet, they often go unrecognized and undercompensated for their labor and ability to give individualized, culturally connected care. At First 5, we support the conditions that allow families to thrive, and getting this money into the hands of these caregivers and families at a time of heightened financial stress for parents is part of that commitment.”

Published

18 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Costco. Courtesy image.

Family, Friend, and Neighbor Caregivers Can Now Opt Into $4,000 Grants to Help Bolster Economic Stability and Strengthen Early Learning Experiences

By Post Staff

Today, First 5 Alameda County announced the distribution of $4,000 relief grants to more than 2,000 Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers, totaling over $8 million in the first round of funding. Over the full course of the funding initiative, First 5 Alameda County anticipates supporting over 3,000 FFN caregivers, who collectively care for an estimated 5,200 children across Alameda County. These grants are only a portion of the estimated $190 million being invested into expanding our early childcare system through direct caregiver relief to upcoming facilities, shelter, and long-term sustainability investments for providers fromMeasure C in its first year. This investment builds on the early rollout of Measure C and reflects a comprehensive, system-wide strategy to strengthen Alameda County’s early childhood ecosystem so families can rely on sustainable, accessible care,

These important caregivers provide child care in Alameda County to their relatives, friends, and neighbors. While public benefits continue to decrease for families, and inflation and the cost of living continue to rise, these grants provide direct economic support for FFN caregivers, whose wages have historically been very low or nonexistent, and very few of whom receive benefits. As families continue to face growing financial pressures, especially during the winter and holiday season, these grants will help these caregivers with living expenses such as rent, utilities, supplies, and food.

The funding for these relief grants comes from Measure C, a local voter-approved sales tax in Alameda County that invests in young children, their families, communities, providers, and caregivers. Within the first year of First 5’s 5-Year Plan for Measure C, in addition to the relief grants to informal FFN caregivers, other significant investments will benefit licensed child care providers. These investments include over $40 million in Early Care and Education (ECE) Emergency Grants, which have already flowed to nearly 800 center-based and family child care providers. As part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, preparations are also underway to distribute facilities grants early next year for child care providers who need to make urgent repairs or improvements, and to launch the Emergency Revolving Fund in Spring 2026 to support licensed child care providers in Alameda County who are at risk of closure.

The FFN Relief Grants recognize and support the essential work that an estimated 3,000 FFN caregivers provide to 5,200 children in Alameda County. There is still an opportunity to receive funds for FFN caregivers who have not yet received them.

In partnership with First 5 Alameda County, Child Care Payment Agencies play a critical role in identifying eligible caregivers and leading coordinated outreach efforts to ensure FFN caregivers are informed of and able to access these relief funds.FFN caregivers are eligible for the grant if they receive a child care payment from an Alameda County Child Care Payment Agency, 4Cs of Alameda County, BANANAS, Hively, and Davis Street, and are currently caring for a child 12 years old or younger in Alameda County. Additionally, FFN caregivers who provided care for a child 12 years or younger at any time since April 1, 2025, but are no longer doing so, are also eligible for the funds. Eligible caregivers are being contacted by their Child Care Payment Agency on a rolling basis, beginning with those who provided care between April and July 2025.

“This money is coming to me at a critical time of heightened economic strain,” said Jill Morton, a caregiver in Oakland, California. “Since I am a non-licensed childcare provider, I didn’t think I was eligible for this financial support. I was relieved that this money can help pay my rent, purchase learning materials for the children as well as enhance childcare, buy groceries and take care of grandchildren.”

Eligible FFN caregivers who provided care at any time between April 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025, who haven’t yet opted into the process, are encouraged to check their mail and email for an eligibility letter. Those who have cared for a child after this period should expect to receive communications from their child care payment agency in the coming months. FFN caregivers with questions may also contact the agency they work with to receive child care payments, or the First 5 Alameda help desk, Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PST, at 510-227-6964. The help desk will be closed 12/25/25 – 1/1/26. Additional grant payments will be made on a rolling basis as opt-ins are received by the four child care payment agencies in Alameda County.

Beginning in the second year of Measure C implementation, FFN caregivers who care for a child from birth to age five and receive an Alameda County subsidized voucher will get an additional $500 per month. This amounts to an annual increase of about $6,000 per child receiving a subsidy. Together with more Measure C funding expected to flow back into the community as part of First 5’s 5-Year Plan, investments will continue to become available in the coming year for addressing the needs of childcare providers in Alameda County.

About First 5 Alameda County

First 5 Alameda County builds the local childhood systems and supports needed to ensure our county’s youngest children are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

Our Mission

In partnership with the community, we support a county-wide continuous prevention and early intervention system that promotes optimal health and development, narrows disparities, and improves the lives of children from birth to age five and their families.

Our Vision

Every child in Alameda County will have optimal health, development, and well-being to reach their greatest potential.

Learn more at www.first5alameda.org.

Oakland Post

Posts by Oakland Post

Activism

2025 in Review: Seven Questions for Assemblymember Lori Wilson — Advocate for Equity, the Environment, and More

Her rise has also included several historic firsts: she is the only Black woman ever appointed to lead the influential Assembly Transportation Committee, and the first freshman legislator elected Chair of the California Legislative Black Caucus. She has also been a vocal advocate for vulnerable communities, becoming the first California legislator to publicly discuss being the parent of a transgender child — an act of visibility that has helped advanced representation at a time when political tensions related to social issues and culture have intensified.

Published

18 hours ago

December 29, 2025

Oakland Post

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City). File photo.

By Edward Henderson, California Black Media

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson (D-Suisun City) joined the California Legislature in 2022 after making history as Solano County’s first Black female mayor, bringing with her a track record of fiscal discipline, community investment, and inclusive leadership.

She represents the state’s 11th Assembly District, which spans Solano County and portions of Contra Costa and Sacramento Counties.

California Black Media spoke with Wilson about her successes and disappointments this year and her outlook for 2026.

What stands out as your most important achievement this year?

Getting SB 237 passed in the Assembly. I had the opportunity to co-lead a diverse workgroup of colleagues, spanning a wide range of ideological perspectives on environmental issues.

How did your leadership contribute to improving the lives of Black Californians this year?

The Black Caucus concentrated on the Road to Repair package and prioritized passing a crucial bill that remained incomplete during my time as chair, which establishes a process for identifying descendants of enslaved people for benefit eligibility.

What frustrated you the most this year?

The lack of progress made on getting Prop 4 funds allocated to socially disadvantaged farmers. This delay has real consequences. These farmers have been waiting for essential support that was promised. Watching the process stall, despite the clear need and clear intent of the voters, has been deeply frustrating and reinforces how much work remains to make our systems more responsive and equitable.

What inspired you the most this year?

The resilience of Californians persists despite the unprecedented attacks from the federal government. Watching people stay engaged, hopeful, and determined reminded me why this work matters and why we must continue to protect the rights of every community in our state.

What is one lesson you learned this year that will inform your decision-making next year?

As a legislator, I have the authority to demand answers to my questions — and accept nothing less. That clarity has strengthened my approach to oversight and accountability.

In one word, what is the biggest challenge Black Californians are facing currently?

Affordability and access to quality educational opportunities.

What is the goal you want to achieve most in 2026?

Advance my legislative agenda despite a complex budget environment. The needs across our communities are real, and even in a tight fiscal year, I’m committed to moving forward policies that strengthen safety, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for the people I represent.