Sharks back rookie Makiniemi to his first NHL win 6-1

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ December 9, 2022

ANAHEIM – After losing two close ones to the Ducks last month in overtime, San Jose broke through with a 6-1 multi-goal win in regulation Friday night.

Goaltender Eetu Makiniemi made his first career start after entering in relief of Kaapo Kahkonen the previous game. This outing included a 2-on-1 shorthanded stop as he veered to his right across the net in the first period. Makiniemi made 23 saves. San Jose head coach David Quinn commented, ¨…this game may take on a whole new complexion on that 2-on-1. They get the shorthand and the first power play if they score…it’s amazing what one play can do early in a game when a goalie makes a big save.¨

It was the Sharks’ first win in their teal and yellow Reverse Retro jerseys, wearing them the second of six times during the season. Coach Quinn referred to the team´s win as ¨thorough,¨ as they broke a four-game losing streak.

Special teams was also up to par as San Jose killed three penalties while scoring once. 

Anaheim began with the first three shots on goal and built up to a 5-1 advantage before the Sharks notched the 1-0 lead. Erik Karlsson connected the diagonal dots to Timo Meier at 10:18 who positioned himself stick side behind goalie John Gibson. It was Meier´s second goal in as many games as Tomas Hertl collected the secondary assist. 

In the second, Scott Harrington earned his first goal with San Jose in the three games he has played as he shot down the slot, breaking the Ducks´ Cam Fowler´s stick in the process. With the primary assist, Kevin Labanc tacked on his 200th NHL point. 

A second Anaheim penalty in the game at 6:55 of the second led to two goals eight seconds apart.

Two goals in eight seconds for #SJSharks, Erik Karlsson on the power play and Nico Sturm from the ensuing faceoff for a 4-0 edge.

It was one second shy of the shortest time between goals in Sharks history (7 seconds, 2x, Simek-Viel, 12/28/21, Depalma-Snuggerud, 11/5/92).

— San Jose Sharks PR (@SanJoseSharksPR) December 10, 2022

Alexander Barabanov, who was questionable before the game, pushed the puck out to Karlsson from behind the net who reacted right away for the 2-0 lead at 7:53.

Teammate Niko Sturm got in the action as well as he was able to strike before Gibson could get back to the net securely.

At 9:37, Trevor Zegras gave the Ducks some life as he broke Makiniemi´s shutout from the right faceoff circle.  

Anthony Stolarz entered in place of Gibson to start the third period.

The teams combined for another three penalties in the first half but the period looked like it might remain scoreless, until Nick Bonino scored an empty netter at 16:18. 25 seconds later, teammate Steven Lorentz, who missed the last game due to the flu, gave the Sharks a sixth goal. This preceded the game´s first fight 11 seconds later, featuring Anaheim´s Sam Carrick and San Jose´s Jonah Gadjovich and roughing calls to Meier and the Ducks´ Max Jones at 18:47.

Game notes: The California rivalry also featured the Jay- brothers, that is Jaycob (Sharks) and Jayson (Anaheim) Megna, playing each other in the NHL for the first time. Meier (1 G, 1A), Tomas Hertl (2A), Karlsson (1G, 1A), Bonino (1G), Barabanov (2A) and Labanc (1A) all kept point streaks alive. San Jose next heads home for one game to host the Arizona Coyotes Tuesday at 7:30pm. 

Ducks win one for Vaakananien 4-1; First Sharks loss of the pre season

The San Jose Sharks and Anaheim Ducks faced off in pre season action at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Fri Sep 30, 2022 (@AnaheimDucks photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ September 30, 2022

~ ANAHEIM– After losing Urho Vaakanainen to a scary collision midway into the first, the Ducks propelled forward in front of a crowd of 13,616, backing goalies John Gibson and Anthony Stolarz over the San Jose Sharks’ split squad Friday.

Though Vaakanainen had to be stretchered off after his momentum literally headed him into the boards, he fortunately had full consciousness and movement as he eventually made it to UCI Medical Center.  

Four was the magic number this time in a reversal of fortune between tonight’s game and the teams’ last meeting on Tuesday. Anaheim matched their goal total from that game (preseason high), which they lost 5-4, but this time the one goal they relinquished was a low for San Jose this preseason along with their first loss. 

Both of the Sharks’ split squad games started at 7pm, with the other half playing Northeast in Vegas, winning 7-3 over the Golden Knights with Danil Gushchin´s hat trick.

The Ducks scored first at 9:46 but the celebration was short-lived as this was when Vaakanainen got hurt after securing the primary assist. Derek Grant´s goal was his first of the preseason and Max Jones had the secondary assist. 

Three missed shots and two penalties later from San Jose, Anaheim took advantage as Max Comtois made it 2-0. Comtois scored over goalie Kappo Kahkonen´s right shoulder two seconds after Kahkonen saved Ryan Strome´s shot on the left. The Ducks had strung together eight shots since the Sharks’ last shot and Comtois´ goal occurred on the fourth shot of the 5-on-3 power play. Strome and Troy Terry obtained their second assists of the preseason.

Just over a minute later, Anaheim made their lead triple. With a defender in front, Frank Vatrano was able to score from the inside edge of the left faceoff circle. 

The Sharks finished the period with the last five shots. 

Forty-four seconds into the second, San Jose kept rolling as they obtained a power play advantage.  The teams then traded as it became a period of penalties. with Derrick Pouliot called for slashing at 3:30, Drew Helleson holding at 6:02, and Comtois and Montana Onyebuchi simultaneously served at 10:05. 

Logan Couture broke through Gibson´s wall, when he scored during the holding penalty, making it 3-1. Nathan Beaulieu took the goal back though during even strength at 9:21 as he pulled up going down the slot.

Stolarz took Gibson´s spot and the Ducks then committed and fought through three straight penalties, one 37 seconds into the penalty at 12 minutes and the third at 15:29. 

The period ended with the Sharks called for the last penalty of the second, with 31 seconds left. 

In the extra free shootout for fun, Couture was second up for San Jose and scored again, but Anaheim won it in the fifth round. 

Game notes: With these last games stateside over for the Sharks, just more than half of the team will reunite after cuts, before they head to Berlin, Germany as part of the 2022 NHL Global Series Challenge. San Jose will first face Eisbaren Berlin Tuesday October 4 to cap the preseason before starting the 2022-2023 regular season in Europe as well.

Reimer wins first of preseason 3-1 as Sharks split in Anaheim

San Jose Sharks Jeff Viel (left) and the Anaheim Ducks Sam Carrick (right) scrum with an official trying to get control of the melee in the first period at the Honda Center in Anaheim on Thu Sep 30, 2021 (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ September 30, 2021

~ ANAHEIM– San Jose Sharks goalie James Reimer stayed in net the whole game as the Sharks closed out September and the road part of their preseason, 3-1 over the Anaheim Ducks Thursday. 

It was Reimer´s first full game of the preseason as he saved 24 of 25 shots. Combined with Sunday´s game, San Jose went 1-1 versus Anaheim down at the Honda Center. The Sharks scored three goals in each contest, this one resulting in a win. A la both contests, the regulation winning team also won the bonus shootout after, as Lane Pederson went high over the second goalie of the night for the Ducks, Anthony Stolarz. 

San Jose went net neutral with special teams, going 1-of-4 on the power play and giving up a shorthanded goal, as Anaheim went 0-for-3. Sharks´ coach Bob Boughner commented on the power play, ¨…it’s nice to get the third goal on the power play, but I liked our mentality of just simplifying, put some more pucks and bodies at the net. That’s what we’ve been trying to stress here in camp.¨

Ryan Merkley had his first goal and assist of the preseason and seven other San Jose skaters earned points.

10 seconds into the game, there was a fight between the Sharks’ Jeffrey Viel and the Ducks’ Simon Benoit. This would be the first of a combined nine penalties in the first period, three of them occurring concurrently. 

At 6:15, Adam Raska shoved Benoit into the away bench which caused the door to open. Benoit ended up leaving the ice and Sam Carrick retaliated, charged with a roughing penalty. 

With a 2-on-1, Anaheim´s Benoit-Olivier Groulx had no problem with that, scoring his second goal versus San Jose this preseason as he went top shelf. Buddy Robinson and goalie John Gibson earned the primary and secondary assists on the shorthanded netter 32 seconds later. 

It took nine minutes for the Sharks to get their first shot on goal. Gibson was able to corral Radim Simek´s attempt. 

San Jose tied the game up at 12:49.  Alexander ¨Sasha¨ Chmelevski attacked from the left and Merkley and Dylan Gambrell from the right, with Merkley credited with the goal. It was all three skaters’ second points of the preseason. 

At 17:28, both Viel and Carrick were charged with their second penalties of the night, roughing. 

With 25 seconds left in the opening period, Gambrell was cited for hooking, giving the Ducks a one-man advantage. The Sharks ended up outshooting Anaheim 10-8. 

The second period was limited to one goal and one penalty, which both occurred around halfway, at 9:05 and 11:05. Benoit also returned to the ice.

In the middle of the right faceoff circle, Raska bounced the puck off the board and sent the puck straight across to Viel as Viel quickly went around Gibson stickside. This gave San Jose their first lead in Anaheim this preseason.  Artemi Kniazev was also credited with an assist.

The Ducks’ Jacob Perreault was the only one charged with a call, roughing, though afterwards multiple skirmishes broke out.

Both teams finished the closing period with multiple penalties, Anaheim with more and the one that resulted in a goal.

The Sharks’ Kevin Labanc made a clean shot from the left faceoff circle, scoring at 15:40. Merkley and William Eklund got the assists, Eklund´s second of the preseason. 

Up Next: San Jose will face the Ducks one more time this preseason, but first time at home, Monday October 4 at 7pm. 

Sharks lose first exhibition game to Ducks 6-3

The San Jose Sharks forward Tristen Roberts (52) is all happy after scoring a second period goal against the Anaheim Ducks on Sun Sep 26, 2021 at the Honda Center in Anaheim (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ September 26, 2021

~ ANAHEIM– The mostly back-and-forth game went to the home team as the Anaheim Ducks’ Kodie Curran scored the game-winner with a Gordie Howe hat trick in the Sunday victory.

For the San Jose Sharks, this was the first of a split-squad game, with the other half of the team playing the Golden Knights in Las Vegas later at 7pm.   

New Shark Nick Bonino and Jake Middleton each earned two points with a goal and an assist apiece, Bonino’s goal accomplished during the power play.  

Both teams scored in each period of the first preseason game of the 2021-22 NHL season Sunday. That included the extra exhibition period after the third period buzzer, which the Ducks also won by way of Curran. 

San Jose went 1 of 5 on the power play while the Ducks went 1 of 2. Each team went with two  goalies during the game, for the Sharks, Alexei Melnichuk and Zach Sawchenko saved 8 of 10 and 14 of 16 shots respectively and for Anaheim, Lukas Dostal and Olle Eriksson Ek saved 13 of 14 and 11 of 13 on their end.

The crowd saw some fighting action just over a minute into the game when Middleton took exception to a hit on his teammate and got into it with Sam Carrick. 

The Sharks had trouble getting into their offensive end at first with not one player present until about two minutes in and then multiple skaters around three minutes in. John Leonard had San Jose´s first shot on goal around the five minute mark. 

Hampus Lindholm got the Ducks up on the board first at 5:30 with a slapshot from the point. 

The Sharks got a chance for redemption on the power play with a roughing call to Alexander Volkov six seconds later. Ryan Merkley missed a shot and Kevin Labanc´s two shots were blocked by Curran.

Anaheim went on their first power play at 9:36 when Nicolas Meloche was called for holding.

The fourth penalty of the first period occurred when Marc-Edouard Vlasic´s stick was held by Buddy Robinson. San Jose was able to capitalize on their second power play. Merkley was able to stop the clear to keep it in their end and Bonino made a diagonal shot off the post at 14:53 after a pass from Joachim Blichfeld.  

The second period also saw an early fight but not before an earlier goal. Volkov altered 

Kevin Shattenkirk´s shot to give the Ducks the 2-1 lead at 1:39. Curran received the secondary assist. 16 seconds later, Meloche (second penalty) and Curran were cited for fighting. At the same time, a concurrent penalty was given to Volkov, his second of the night, for interfering with Blichfeld.

Halfway through the second period was when the goalie changes occurred. The Sharks took advantage of the fresh goalie at 10:24 to re-tie the game at two apiece. Tristen Robins scored his first, helped by Dylan Gambrell and Rudolf Balcers. 

At 15:36, Anaheim went back ahead. Vlasic’s pass went behind the net to Sonny Milano instead, who made a straight pass to the incoming Benoit-Olivier Groulx, as Groulx converted. 

In the third, after a barrage (four in the span of 36 seconds) of shots by the Ducks, Balcers shot in between two defenders and went top post for the game´s third tie at 6:35.  Middleton and Bonino earned the assists. 

Starting at 12:03, scored three goals in a span of six minutes and 20 seconds. Troy Terry found a wide open Curran on the left for the first. Robinson got the second assist. Momentum continued in Anaheim´s favor as they went on their second power play. Volkov aimed at the net as the puck went behind Sachenko. Unable to fish it out, Terry was able to poke the puck into the net to make it 5-3. It was Milano´s second assist. With 1:37 left, Greg Pateryn made it three goals in the third period with an empty-netter to conclude the regulation scoring.

In the exhibition shootout, the Ducks went first as it went from Jacob Perreault to Labanc to Volkov to Alexander Barabanov to Milano (the first one who did not score) to Hertl (blocked) to Curran (scored) to Leonard (wide). 

Up Next: In the second split squad game in Las Vegas the Sharks defeated the Knights 4-2 at the T Mobile Center. On Tuesday, the Sharks will host their home preseason opener against the Los Angeles Kings at 7pm. 

49ers comeback in win over Chargers in second preseason game 15-10; Lance throws for 2 TDs

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) avoids getting taken down by Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Tevaughn Campbell (20) but can’t make the two point conversion in the first half at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo 

~ August 22, 2021 

~ INGLEWOOD– San Francisco began and ended with the lead 15-10 in their first visit to SoFi Stadium for Los Angeles´ first official home game with 68,327 attendance.

There were a lot of penalties in the game, 13 for the 49ers and 12 for the Chargers, the first occurring with 14:18 left in the first.  

San Francisco QB Jimmy Garoppolo started and stayed in for one drive like last game, because of how long the first drive lasted. He was able to avoid a sack and scramble for 10 yards, but was eventually intercepted by Asante Samuel Jr. The possession took 15 plays and lasted almost seven and a half minutes.

The 49ers got their first safety of the preseason when DL Jordan Willis sacked QB Easton Stick in the end zone with 10:42 left in the second.

With 9:07 left, this time it was the other San Francisco QB Trey Lance who was intercepted and it ended up more costly. The following possession after two penalties by the 49ers, the Chargers got the first touchdown. Stick made a three yard pass to WR Joshua Palmer with 5:49 left.

Los Angeles tacked on a field goal to make it 10-2 with just over a minute left to go in the half. This was thanks to a 39-yard long pass to WR Jalen Guyton near the beginning of the drive and despite offensive holding and intentional grounding penalties to the Chargers. LB Jonas Griffith for the 49ers also had a facemask penalty which offset the loss a bit.

The first half excitement wasn’t over yet though. Off a no huddle 12-yard gain by RB Wayne Gallman II to get to 3rd and 1, the 49ers called a timeout and Lance threw another deep pass to WR Trent Sherfield for the second game in a row, this one for 41 yards.

The Bolts then committed a 5-yard penalty and after another timeout, Lance threw five yards into the end zone to WR Mohamed Sanu Sr. and Lance ran to convert for two more points. Kicker Robbie Gould missed the extra point attempt, bringing the score back to within two. 

Los Angeles brought in QB Chase Daniel for the second half. 

Lance had his first non-scoring scramble go for eight yards as San Francisco regained the lead on almost a six and a half minute drive, in which they converted from 3rd down three times. Lance threw a 16-yard pass to WR Travis Benjamin with 5:01 left in the third.

Things kept going the 49ers’ way when they got their first interception with 13:13 left in the fourth. Safety Jared Mayden intercepted Daniel and went 54 yards for a score, but DL Shilique Calhoun was called for offensive holding. 

The Niners committed a third turnover when new QB Nate Sudfeld fumbled on his second drive of the game and LB Cole Christiansen recovered. 

San Francisco and the Chargers punted for the remainder of the game, most three and outs or extended by penalties. Bolts´ Jessie Lemonier committed the last penalty of the game with 1:49 left for roughing the passer.

Regarding the 49ers´ quarterbacks, Garoppolo threw 3 of 6 for 15 passing yards, 10 rushing yards and the one interception. Lance finished 8 of 14 for 102 passing yards, eight rushing yards, two scores, the one interception and was sacked twice. Sudfeld went 3 for 5 for 24 yards. Head Coach Kyle Shanahan remained noncommittal after the game between Garoppolo or Lance starting Week 1. 

For the Bolts, Stick went 10 for 14 for 85 yards and one TD. Daniel went 14 of 21 for 60 yards and one interception. The San Francisco defense sacked each of them multiple times, Stick three times and Daniel twice. 

Overall the Niners won the yardage game, 281-162. The biggest difference came via rushing, with San Francisco outrunning Los Angeles 148-53.

The Chargers rested all their offensive starters. 

Up Next: The Niners play their third and final preseason game versus their former Bay Area rival, the Las Vegas Raiders August 29th at 1pm. 

Chiefs win edge over 49ers in clubs’ first preseason game 19-16

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Trey Lance (5) threw against the Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Demone Harris (96) at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sat Aug 14, 2021 (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ August 14, 2021

~ San Francisco almost made a late comeback Saturday, but Kansas City was able to prevail 19-16 with 1:19 left in the contest.  

49ers’ rookie quarterback Trey Lance made a splash in his debut, with an 80-yard rocket to wide receiver Trent Sherfield. 

Quarterbackwise, the traditional starters, San Francisco’s Jimmy Garoppolo and the Chiefs’ Patrick Mahomes each played the first drive, followed by Lance and Chad Henne.

The first three drives of the game resulted in punts. 

Kansas City got on the board first due to good field position combined with a 13-yard pass interference penalty to Talanoa Hufanga. Henne made a five yard pass to Byron Pringle with 2:57 left in the first. 

After an incomplete pass and a seven yard sack in his first drive, Lance followed it up with his 80-yarder score eight seconds later. It stayed 7-6 when kicker Robbie Gould’s extra point hit an upright. Lance finished 5-of-14 for 128 yards and was sacked four times. 

The 49ers made it two scoring drives in a row as Deommodore Lenoir intercepted Henne. Robbie Gould helped the cause at the end of the resulting drive with a 36-yard field goal, making it 9-7 with 12:29 left in the second.

Lance made another big play with 9:44 left, throwing 34 yards to Charlie Woerner. 

The Chiefs brought in “rookie” undrafted free agent quarterback Anthony Gordon with 7:45 left.

With just under a minute left before halftime, kicker Harrison Butker went for a 62-yard field goal. It would have been a career-best, but fell short. 

The 49ers led all halftime stats except for first downs.

Kansas City went up 10-9 after the first drive of the second half. It was the longest drive of the game, lasting 6:14 and culminating with a 52-yard field goal by Butker.  

After the opening drives, quarterbacks rookie Shane Buechele and Josh Rosen came in for San Francisco and the Chiefs respectively. 

The 49ers had two drives resulting consecutively in an interception and a fumble. The interception came with their closest position of the second half so far when they were on KC’s 19.

Kansas City padded their lead by three with a 46-yard Butker field goal with 4:27 left to go in the game and this sparked two more scores.

Nsimba Webster started San Francisco’s drive with a 43-yard return followed by a 34-yard rush. 

With the clock winding down and potential overtime looming, the Chiefs made sure it did not happen and Buchele walked into the endzone for the game’s final points.

The match officially ended on an illegal shift penalty to the 49ers.

Red zone totals were 2-2 for Kansas City and 1-3 for San Francisco. 

Up Next: The 49ers will face one of their Southern California counterparts next in the form of the Los Angeles Chargers at the new SoFi Stadium Sunday August 22 at 4:30pm. 

Giants rally for four runs in 11th defeat Brewers 9-6

San Francisco Giants Brandon Belt connects for a two run home run in the 11th inning. The Giants scored four runs in the top of the 11th to defeat the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park on Sat Aug 7, 2021 (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo 

~ August 7, 2021

~ With the game almost written as San Francisco Giants (70-41) was down to their final out, speed and defense combined to change the game and the Giants got the final lift and their 70th win in 11 innings defeating the Milwaukee Brewers (66-45) 9-6. 

While it was another close 2-1 game, extra innings for the second game in a row for both clubs was not necessarily on the radar. It was, though, San Francisco’s third extended game in a row.  

After the Giants were completely shut off the bases the last four innings, a leadoff single to Kris Bryant in the ninth and a misplay by Avisail Garcia in right field, re-tied the game.

Pitcher Brent Suter had come in for the ninth and got Mike Yastrzemski and pinch-hitter Darin Ruf to line and strike out respectively in between. Tommy La Stella was the batter who hit the ball to right field as he made it to third.

Tyler Rogers came in to take down the Brewers in order to bring San Francisco back up to bat.

Milwaukee had to make two pitching changes in the tenth. Miguel Sanchez came in and San Francisco put in pinch-runner Thairo Estrada for Wilmer Flores at second. LaMonte Wade hit a leadoff single and got to second on an error made by Garcia.

Sanchez then issued an intentional walk to Brandon Belt to load the bases and Buster Posey made it 4-2 with a single up the middle. Brandon Crawford then used a sacrifice fly to make it 5-2 before Sanchez walked Bryant and then went off the mound in favor of pitcher Angel Perdomo.

Perdomo got Yastrzemski out, a balk added insult to injury to help runners advance and then Perdomo intentionally walked pinch-hitter Austin Slater to reload the bases before getting the final out. 

The Brewers fought back in huge fashion. Manny Pina hit a leadoff home run to make it a one-run game. One out later, Willy Adames tied the game for the fourth time with his own home run. 

However, the Giants were not to be outdone, scoring four more runs in the 11th that would finally be enough cushion. With one out, Wade made it 6-5 and Belt followed with his second home run to make it 8-5. A Posey single, Crawford groundout and a Bryant double rounded out the 9-6 game.

Milwaukee added that sixth run in the bottom with two outs as Cain singled in Garcia. Cain stole second but Manny Pina popped out to seal the night. Jake McGee, San Francisco’s ninth pitcher got the win and Sal Romano, the Brewers’ seventh, suffered the loss. 

Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff had San Francisco batters swinging the right way in this  matchup of the top two teams in baseball.

Woodruff, with the lowest MLB run support, only had one run backing him in each of his two previous losses, with an additional run in this no decision. He started off efficiently, striking out five of the 10 straight batters he retired. Woodruff threw for six innings, giving up six hits, one run, and one walk while striking out eight. 

Opposing starter Aaron Sanchez, starting for the first time since May 4th, lasted two innings, giving up four hits and one run as he threw 46 pitches. 

The Brewers’ Eduardo Escobar got the hitting going with a double in the bottom of the first inning. Milwaukee also got the Giants’ bullpen active in the second with runners on first and second and one out as Sanchez’s pitches climbed.

Milwaukee made it on base each inning so far and the third was no exception as Sanchez Issued a leadoff walk to Kolten Wong. Adames took advantage, bringing Wong back to home plate with a RBI double.  This took Sanchez out and brought in former Brewers’ pitcherJay Jackson. 

In the fourth, the Giants finally broke through Woodruff with Belt’s second home run in as many games, both coming with one out. Posey and Crawford then followed up with base hits and Bryant got a walk to load the bases. After the second mound visit of the inning, Woodruff was able to keep his strikeout per inning streak alive, getting Yastrzemski. Woodruff then got Alex Dickerson to pop out to keep the game tied. 

It did not take long for Milwaukee to thank Woodruff for keeping the game close as Tyrone Taylor led off with a triple and Cain made it 2-1 with a sacrifice fly in the second half. 

San Francisco got more runners in scoring position with one out but Woodruff was able to get the final out by strikeout. This happened in the fifth when Donovan Solano, pinch hitting for the second game in a row, hit a one-out double on his ninth pitch of his at-bat. In the sixth, Crawford and Bryant got on first and second with singles. 

The bottom of the sixth was the first time the Giants kept the Brewers off the bases.

Mikwaukee’s Christian Yelich made his return from the Covid-19 injury list, pinch hitting in the seventh. 

Up Next: The Giants will be back at it to finish the series Sunday at 11:10am before returning home. 

Rhys Hoskins uses career-high six RBIs to bring home Phillies win 13-6

Philadelphia Phillies’ Rhys Hoskins, second from right, gets a three run home run in the seventh inning scoring ahead of Hoskins Ronald Torreyes, left, and Luke Williams, second from left at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jun 19, 2021 (AP News photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ June 19, 2021

~ Philadelphia’s Hoskins, a native Californian, had two home runs in a 13-6 rout, halting what would have been the San Francisco Giants’ longest winning streak of the season. 

On the day of Juneteenth, now officially recognized as a federal holiday, the host team Giants paid homage by donning uniforms like the San Francisco Sea Lions wore, playing in the West Coast Negro Baseball Association. 

The scoring began right away with both teams trading off equal amounts of runs once San Francisco got on the board, until the bottom of the third.

Two was not Giants’ starting pitcher Alex Wood’s number to start off the game. After a strikeout took him to two outs, he intentionally walked Bryce Harper and a wild pitch moved runners to second and third. With two strike counts, Wood then unintentionally walked Andrew McCutchen to load the bases and hit rookie Alec Bohm to put a number on the scoreboard. The first marked an over 30 pitch count for Wood.  

San Francisco replied with run support as LaMonte Wade also led off with a single and Mike Yastrzemski followed with a home run to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first. 

To start the second, Wood got two outs but then Odubel Herrera reached base due to a throwing error by second baseman Donovan Solano. Teammate Hoskins took advantage as he sent the ball soaring for his first home run as the Phillies’ retook the lead. 

Both teams used two-run doubles and RBI singles to put together three-run innings in the bottom of the second and top of the third. 

The Giants’ Brandon Belt sent a baseball splashing into McCovey Cove to mark the game’s first tie. This inning also initiated the first of both starters’ exits and ensuing zeroes on the scoreboard. Ranger Suarez came in for Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola after he walked Solano on 10 pitches.  

Despite protests by Wood, Dominic Leone entered the game in relief to begin the fourth.

The multiple-inning tie remained until the Phillies’ Ronald Torreyes broke it in the sixth with a solo home run. Hoskins made it 8-6 with a RBI double. 

Philadelphia scored their most runs in an inning in the seventh with four. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases. After a mound visit with pitcher Conner Menez, he was able to get two outs with one runner scoring on a sacrifice fly. Hoskins then fully cleared the bases with a three-run home run to double his teams’ lead over San Francisco to 12-6. 

In the top of the eighth, a 2-1 count marked Harper’s helmet being nicked by Menez’s throw, as it flew off Harper’s head. Harper remained at home plate.

The bottom of the eighth saw a delay due to the pitching mound being repacked for Phillies’ pitcher Archie Bradley. 

Against Philadelphia’s five relief pitchers, the Giants’ hitters struck out seven times and were held to two hits.

Up Next: San Francisco looks to rebound and decide the series on Father’s Day tomorrow Sunday at 1:05pm. 

LAFC’s Diego Rossi gains his 8th and 9th MLS-leading goals in 5-1 win over Quakes

The Final score tells it all as LAFC remains unbeaten with a 5-1 win over the San Jose Earthquakes on Wednesday night (@SJEarthquakes photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ September 2, 2020

~ San Jose and LAFC went the way it has gone Wednesday, with the latter still unbeaten in now five games engaged with the former.

57th minute substitute Danny Hoesen and Cristian Espinoza connected however, with no time left, in minute 92 giving LAFC the 5-1 win over San Jose. This avoided a matching of the worst loss between the two teams March 30, 2019 where LAFC were victorious 5-0.

The Quakes did not help themselves though, this time, in that giving the ball away led to two goals. LACF outshot San Jose 19-9. 

Rossi scored the lone goal of the first half in the 21st minute.

After a 33rd minute yellow to Diego Palacios, considering his kicking position, Yueill´s shot just glanced over the top of the net.

San Jose´s Florian Jungwirth tackled Bradley Wright-Phillips before Rossiś goal and Judson was able to stop a breakaway by him in the 43rd minute. 

Wright-Phillips´s attack right at the start of the second half gave the Quakes a glimpse of what was to come as he would score soon and LAFC´s lead would grow larger by bounds. 

Tanner Beason, in his second start, gave the ball away to Rossi, and then Beason found himself in a foot race with Wright-Phillips. Wright-Phillips went ahead and keeper Daniel Vega slid to stop him. Wright-Phillips remained standing to clean up in an empty net in the 49th minute. He finished with a game-high six shots. 

Vega got his hand high to save a free kick from Brian Rodríguez in the 58th minute. 

In the 64th minute, Rodríguez again with ample room was stopped, but as he slid surrounded by two defenders, he was able to knock the ball through Jungwirth´s legs upon second touch to José Cifuentes. The Ecuadorian then turned around and looped the ball towards the net for his first MLS goal and a 3-0 lead.

Rossi made it 4-0 in the 69th minute. Palacios´s kick went off Jungwirth´s foot as Rossi swooped in before Vega after running past Beason for his second half goal.

Cifuentes´s teammate Danny Musovski also got in on the action with his first MLS goal in the 83rd minute.

Up Next: San Jose looks to recover on the weekend Saturday 7:30pm verus the Colorado Rapids.

 

Sebastian Lletget spoils first MLS starts for Quakes’ Cowell and Beason in 3-2 win

The San Jose Earthquakes and the Los Angeles Galaxy get into a mad scramble for the football in the Cali Clasico on Sat Aug 29th in Carson City (espn.com photo)

~ By Pearl Allison Lo

~ August 29, 2020

~ Los Angeles Galaxy´s Lletget gave his team their first and final lead in the 82nd minute Saturday. This broke a three-game unbeaten streak the Earthquakes held in the California Clasico. The last four matches now have seen at least one team with three goals. 

Meanwhile, San Jose´s 16-year old Cade Cowell and Tanner Beason (also his debut) made their first MLS starts and both made an impact. 

It was the Earthquakes´ first match since outside the Orlando Bubble after Wednesday´s match was postponed due to racial injustice sit outs and their first contest since Magnus Eriksson went back to Sweden. 

The Galaxy really amped up their shots in the second half, with over half of them on target. 

San Jose led early. In the 11th minute, Tommy Thompson threw the ball in to Cristian Espinoza who kicked the ball back to Thompson. Thompson then ran to the goal line, made a perfect pass to Vako from the edge of the penalty box, and with no hesitation, Vako spun the ball past goalie David Bingham to notch his second tally of the year.

In the 32nd minute, Cristian Pavón was eventually able to shake off Thompson as they neared the goal entering the penalty box. With keeper Daniel Vega at the corner of the goal, Pavón then made a sliding sweep around kick that Beason was able to knock down at the goal line, no hands required, to save the score. Though that prompted Los Angeles´ś Ethan Zubak to put his hands to his head in disbelief, the Galaxy were for the most part undeterred as they scored in the following minute. 

Daniel Steres put the teams into a 1-1 tie as Lletget assisted with one of his three total corners in the first half.  

Pavon was the only with multiple shots in the first half as Los Angeles largely controlled possession after Vakoś goal. Pavon finished the match with a game-high six shots. 

The Galaxy´s Rolf Feltscher took a yellow card in the 52nd minute. Quakes’ Jackson Yuelil faked the kick before deferring to Cristian Espinoza. 

Los Angeles obtained a second yellow card in the 56th minute. 

It was then Cowell´s time to shine, as he won a one-on-one battle with Feltscher after a pass from Vako. Cowell got into position with two defenders near him and one of his teammates and found his spot to give his team a 2-1 lead in the 59th minute with warranted emotion as the youngest player ever on San Jose. 

 

Was getting late here on the east coast so I thought it was a good idea to hang it up for the night.

WRONG DECISION

Cade Cowell becomes the 8th youngest goalscorer in MLS history. Really nice take by the 16 (!) year old 🇺🇸

pic.twitter.com/OIDxuwcgzt

— Future USMNT (@FutureUsmnt) August 30, 2020

Both teams were increasing their intensity as the Galaxy tried five shots in between the 64th and 66th minutes.   

Beason committed a handball in the 70th minute and Pavón was able to concert on the penalty kick in the 72nd minute to retie the game.

Danny Hoseen and Vako exchanged places in the 82nd minute, and in that same minute, Lletget sealed the game off a corner, which at first was debated for being a handball. 

Up Next: San Jose will face the other Southern California team LAFC midweek at 7:30pm.