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Royals Edge Giants For Win, Lead Series 2-1

Published

12 years ago

October 24, 2014

San Francisco, CA – If the Giants were hoping to win the World Series at home, the Royals had a different plan. In the best of seven series, Kansas City took a 2-1 lead after edging San Francisco 3-2 for the win tonight. It was a hard fought game from both teams but the Royals came out on top giving both an offensive and defensive effort from the start.

“The first pitch got away from him,” said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. “He got ambushed there.”

“It’s a tough one to swallow, it was a hard fought game on both sides,” Tim Hudson said. “It was the first pitch of the game and normally pitches don’t get swung at on the first pitch too often. You’ve got to give him credit he could’ve easily popped it up but he doubled and got me in a jam right away. They got in position to draw blood early and they did.”

It took Hudson some time to settle in on the mound. Assuming he might’ve had some jitters pitching in his first World Series, Kansas City took advantage early. Alcides Escobar leadoff the first with a double and scored on Lorenzo Cain’s ground out to first. The Royals made it a 1-0 game.

But San Francisco’s defense prevented the possible next two runs scored in the second. Travis Ishikawa saved two runs on Salvador Perez’s line drive to left field. Hudson allowed a single to Mike Moustakas and walked Omar Infante putting two on with no outs.

Jarrod Dyson followed with a grounder to shortstop Brandon Crawford to rally a double play to end the inning. By the third, Hudson was dialed in. He retired eleven in a row before surrendering Escobar’s second hit of the night in the sixth. Escobar leadoff the frame with a single and Alex Gordon followed with a RBI double extending Kansas City’s lead 2-0.

“Good pitching and good defense,” said Buster Posey. “They just got one more big hit there, than we were able to.”

The bullpen came in and surrendered another hit to the Royals, Eric Hosmer hit a RBI single and extended their lead 3-0. Javier Lopez struck out Moustakas to end the inning but Kansas City’s offense was dominant behind Jeremy Guthrie’s performance tonight. He pitched five shutout innings and retired ten straight until the sixth.

“They did a great job, they shut us out,” Bochy said. “We couldn’t do anything off of Guthrie and their bullpen did a good job.”

Guthrie tossed five innings allowing four hits on two runs. The bullpen came in and yielded a leadoff single to Crawford and pinch-hitter Michael Morse drove in the Giants first run with a RBI double. He’s been an offensive threat coming off the bench. Morse then scored on Posey’s ground out to second cutting the lead 3-2.

“It’s a seven game series, can’t win off two games,” said Morse. “We don’t give up, and the beautiful thing about baseball is there’s always tomorrow. We’re determined and this team is focused.”

With the tying run at third, Pablo Sandoval grounded out to first base to end the threat. The Giants never got a runner past first after the sixth. Hunter Pence started the seventh with a leadoff walk putting the tying run on but the Royals bullpen never allowed another runner on base. Rookie southpaw Brandon Finnegan came into the eighth and retired the three straight batters stranding one, after Wade Davis gave up a leadoff walk.

“We put up two in the sixth and they answered right away,” Hosmer said. “But the bullpen came in and stopped that momentum on their side, shut the door and gave them no hope at the end.”

The Giants will have to win one of the two games at AT&T Park to extend this series back to Kansas City. They have their ace, Ryan Vogelsong ready to go tomorrow and Madison Bumgarner on standby if Bochy chooses to make that switch. It’s been a known fact that when the Giants score first they usually win the game. The goal for tomorrow is to score early and set the tone.

“We’re going to have to score early,” said Morse.

Notes – In other good news Angel Pagan has returned to the team after having successful back surgery a month ago. The doctors cleared him to fly and he immediately hopped on a plane to be here to root his team on to win a possible third World Series in five years. Pagan who was a hug part of this team during the season was back with his team for the first time after missing the final two months of the regular season.

Pagan’s surgery included shaving a herniated disc in his back which caused pain in the later part of the season bumping up Gregor Blanco as the leadoff batter. He’s recovered sooner than excepted and will be back 100% by the time Spring Training resumes in February. Pagan’s been patiently waiting to rejoin his teammates while rehabbing back at home in Puerto Rico.

“I wish I can go out there and pinch-hit,” said a jovial Pagan. “During my rehab I was only able to do light walking. But I’m much more advanced than expected and still have to follow protocol. Now, I’m here for my team and whatever I can do to support them at this time. I’m just happy to be back!”

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Asm. Corey Jackson Announces Launch of 24-Hour Childcare in His District

Assemblymember Corey Jackson has secured $2 million in state funding for a proposed childcare special district in Moreno Valley and Perris. This funding aims to establish a system providing 24-hour, seven-day-a-week childcare, which would be California’s first special district focused solely on childcare. The initiative seeks to address the area’s designation as a “childcare desert” and high costs for working families. The funding will cover startup, planning, and formation costs for the district. Read more about the specifics of this groundbreaking initiative.

Published

3 days ago

September 28, 2026

Post News Group

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley). File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Assemblymember Corey Jackson (D-Moreno Valley) has secured $2 million in state funding to launch a proposed childcare special district serving families in Moreno Valley and Perris, paving the way for a system designed to provide childcare 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Moreno Valley-Perris Childcare Special District would be the first special district in California focused specifically on childcare, according to Jackson’s office. The state funding will cover startup, planning, and formation costs and help the district meet requirements set by the Riverside Local Agency Formation Commission, or LAFCO.

The proposed district would coordinate a mixed-delivery childcare system that could include home-based and center-based care. The goal is to provide universal childcare for families who work overnight, early morning, or other nontraditional shifts.

Jackson’s office says Moreno Valley is a certified “childcare desert,” with licensed childcare spaces available for only 15% of children with working parents. Infant care in Moreno Valley averages $2,776 a month, or about 35.7% of median household income. In Perris, licensed infant care can cost more than 60% of an individual worker’s gross median earnings, according to the assemblymember’s office.

“Securing this $2 million in startup funding is a monumental victory for the working-class families of Moreno Valley and Perris who have been trapped in a childcare desert for far too long,” Jackson said.

The proposal follows Jackson’s unsuccessful effort to establish the district through Assembly Bill 2083. The legislation would have created the district as a dependent special district covering Moreno Valley, Perris and their spheres of influence, with Riverside LAFCO responsible for reviewing its formation and boundaries.

The new funding allows the district’s formation to move forward without requiring mandatory contributions from local school districts and other stakeholders, according to Jackson’s office. His spokesperson, Daniel Peeden, said Jackson hopes the district can be operating by 2028.

The proposal has faced questions from some local officials. Moreno Valley City Councilmember Ed Delgado, who is running against Jackson for the 60th Assembly District seat, said he supports affordable childcare but questioned how the proposed district would operate and how much it would ultimately cost.

“Basically, he didn’t have a plan. We didn’t see a plan,” Delgado said, adding that officials had questions about operating costs, insurance and eligibility.

“It’s going to take a lot more than $2 million to create a special district to provide affordable childcare,” Delgado said.

Delgado has suggested working with existing childcare centers to subsidize costs for local families rather than creating a new agency.

Jackson’s office says the program will lower barriers to “workforce participation” and reduce “affordability anxiety” for young families. This landmark District is poised to trigger a virtuous cycle of economic upward mobility and long-term regional prosperity in the 60th Assembly District, his office added.

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Black History

IN MEMORIAM: The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark, Longtime Orange County Pastor and Community Leader, Dies at 72

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, the longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a prominent faith and community leader in Orange County, passed away on September 9 at the age of 72. Born in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who dedicated his life to service. He served various Southern California churches before leading New Spirit Baptist Church for over 22 years, extending his work into counseling, mentoring, and civic engagement, and supporting the African American community. To learn more about his life and contributions, read more.

Published

4 days ago

September 28, 2026

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The Rev. Leon “Sonny” Clark. File photo.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Rev. Leon William “Sonny” Clark, longtime pastor of New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana and a respected faith and community leader in Orange County, died Sept. 9. He was 72.

Born Oct. 2, 1953, in Bennettsville, South Carolina, Clark was a U.S. Navy veteran who later built a life of service centered on family, faith, ministry, and community.

Clark began his formal ministry at Metropolitan Baptist Church in Altadena in 1978. After acknowledging his call to ministry in 1980, he preached his first sermon and went on to serve churches throughout Southern California, including Second Baptist Church in Riverside, Mount Vernon Baptist Church in Rubidoux, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Pomona, and Friendship Baptist Church in Yorba Linda.

In November 2003, Clark was called to lead New Spirit Baptist Church in Santa Ana, where he served as pastor for more than 22 years. His work extended beyond the pulpit through counseling, mentoring, civic engagement, and efforts to strengthen Orange County’s African American community.

Clark served on the Orange County Heritage Council and supported efforts to preserve and celebrate African American history and culture. He helped organize the Orange County Black History Parade and Unity Festival, served on the Interfaith Committee and the Orange County Transit Authority, and served as president of the Orange County Ministers Conference.

In 2024, the City of Santa Ana recognized Clark for his contributions to the community. He also received the Orange County Southern Baptist Association Hall of Faith Award and was previously honored as Pastor of the Year by the Orange County Heritage Council.

Clark is survived by his wife, Andrea Joyles Clark; six children, Shawn Williams, Le Ondra Clark Harvey, Kyla Coward, Joshua Clark, Marissa Clark and Ashley Clark; grandchildren and great-grandchildren; siblings; extended family; and the New Spirit Baptist Church congregation.

A wake will be held Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 to 8 p.m. at New Spirit Baptist Church, 701 S. Sullivan St. in Santa Ana, with a remembrance service from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, Oct. 2, at Friendship Baptist Church, 17145 Bastanchury Road in Yorba Linda. Viewing begins at noon, followed by the service at 1 p.m.

Burial will take place Monday, Oct. 5, at 10:15 a.m. at Riverside National Cemetery.

Clark often shared a guiding principle that shaped his ministry: “Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

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Economy

Poll: Becerra Widens His Lead Over Hilton; Californians Split on Wealth Tax

A new Public Policy Institute of California poll shows Democrat Xavier Becerra leads Republican Steve Hilton by 22 points in California’s governor’s race, with 60% of likely voters supporting Becerra compared to 38% for Hilton. The September survey also reveals Californians are closely divided on a proposed one-time tax on billionaires, with 52% of likely voters in favor of Proposition 40. Affordability issues are a major factor for voters. Read more to learn about the poll’s additional findings on voter sentiment.

Published

4 days ago

September 28, 2026

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Democrat Xavier Becerra and Republican Steve Hilton.

By Bo Tefu, California Black Media

Democrat Xavier Becerra holds a 22-point lead over Republican Steve Hilton in California’s governor’s race, while voters remain closely divided over a proposed one-time tax on billionaires, according to a new Public Policy Institute of California poll.

The September PPIC survey found that 60% of likely voters support Becerra, compared with 38% for Hilton. His lead is actually narrower than it was in July, when he led Hilton 61% to 36%.

Becerra leads among independent voters, with 57% supporting him compared with 38% for Hilton. Party loyalty remains strong, with 93% of Democratic likely voters backing Becerra and 92% of Republicans supporting Hilton.

Hilton leads in the Central Valley, where 52% of likely voters support him compared with 46% for Becerra.

Affordability remains a major factor: 65% of likely voters say candidates’ plans to address cost-of-living issues are “very important” to their vote.

“Affordability continues to be top of mind for Californians when considering their choice for governor,” said Mark Baldassare, PPIC Statewide Survey director and Miller Chair in Public Policy.

The poll also found a narrow split over Proposition 40, a proposed one-time tax of up to 5% on taxpayers with assets exceeding $1 billion. Fifty-two percent of likely voters said they would vote yes, while 46% said they would vote no.

Support for the wealth tax varies sharply by party. Seventy-two percent of Democrats favor Proposition 40, compared with 46% of independents and 21% of Republicans.

Two competing measures also drew majority support. Fifty-one percent back Proposition 41, while 54% support Proposition 42, both of which could affect the wealth-tax proposal.

The findings come as Californians express broader frustration with the state’s political direction. Seventy-one percent of likely voters expect bad economic times in California over the next year.

“Californians are clearly grumpy and aren’t enamored with any particular political party or movement,” Baldassare said.

The survey interviewed 1,745 California adults, including 1,103 likely voters, from Sept. 4-10. The margin of error for likely voters is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points.