Sports

Giants Elimination Streak Ends In Loss To Cubs

Published

9 years ago

October 11, 2016

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.”

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WNBA’s Golden State Valkyries Kick Off Season with Community Programs in Oakland

“The Golden State Valkyries are more than a team—they’re a movement,” said Oakland Interim-Mayor Kevin Jenkins. “Their touchdown in Oakland marks a new era of opportunity, inspiration, and equity in sports. This partnership reflects our city’s deep commitment to uplifting women, investing in youth, and building a community where every dream has a place to grow. We’re proud to welcome the Valkyries to The Town.”

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2025

Oakland Post

The Valkyries came to Oakland City Hall with a “Hoopbus.” Present were (from left to right): City Councilmembers Noel Gallo, Rebecca Kaplan, Zac Unger and Rowena Brown; Oakland Mayor-elect Barbara Lee, Valkyries President Jess Smith, a Valkyries team representative and Deputy Mayor LaNiece Jones. Photo courtesy Rebecca Kaplan’s office.

Team installs new nets at playgrounds, holds flag-raisings at City Halls in Oakland and S.F.

Special to The Post

The Golden State Valkyries brought the excitement of their inaugural season to every corner of the Bay Area with a full slate of community celebrations leading up to their historic home-opener against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday.

The week featured flag-raising ceremonies at city halls in Oakland and San Francisco, three “Violet Net” installation days at Oakland parks to encourage basketball play, fun “Hoopbus” takeovers at multiple schools presented by Kaiser Permanente, and player appearances.

In total, 90 violet nets were installed on 45 basketball courts across 34 public parks throughout Oakland this week. A list of the parks receiving violet nets can be found at Valkyries.com.

About the Golden State Valkyries

The Golden State Valkyries, the WNBA affiliate of the seven-time NBA Champion Golden State Warriors, were announced as the 13th WNBA franchise on Oct. 5, 2023. According to Norse mythology, Valkyries are a host of warrior women who are fearless and unwavering – flying through air and sea alike.

This brand is Golden State’s modern interpretation of Valkyries: strong, bold, and fierce. Tipping off during the 2025 WNBA season, the team is headquartered in Oakland and will play home games at Chase Center in San Francisco. For Golden State Valkyries’ assets, including team logos, visit valkyries.com.

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McClymonds High Names School Gym for Star Graduate, Basketball Legend Bill Russell

William “Bill” Felton Russell was born on Feb. 12, 1934, and died on July 31, 2022. He achieved fame as a U.S. professional basketball player who played center for the Boston Celtics of the National Basketball Association (NBA) from 1956 to 1969. He was the centerpiece of the Celtics dynasty that won 11 NBA championships during his 13-year career.

Published

3 months ago

February 18, 2025

Oakland Post

Bill Russell and Brian McGhee in McClymonds High School Gym, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brian McGhee.

By Ken Epstein

West Oakland’s McClymonds High School, “the School of Champions,” this week named the school’s gymnasium in honor of one of its most famous graduates, basketball legend Bill Russell (class of ’52).

Russell is widely known as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. In 2011, he received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the country’s highest civil honor, from President Barack Obama for Russell’s contributions to basketball and the Civil Rights Movement.

The McClymonds’ naming ceremony was held on Wednesday, the same day as Russell’s birthday. Oakland leader Bill Patterson, a longtime friend of Russell’s, was scheduled to cut the ribbon at the reopening of the gym, which had been closed for several months for renovation. Russell’s daughter Karen was scheduled to attend the ribbon cutting.

Russell’s name and signature are now printed on the gymnasium floor.

Patterson was working at DeFremery Park when he met Russell. “I befriended him as a boy and during his years at University of San Francisco” said Patterson. “We stayed friends for the rest of his life.”

Said McClymonds Principal Darielle Davis, herself a McClymonds graduate, “We are excited to honor Bill Russell for his sports accolades and because he broke color barriers. He is part of our legacy, and legacy is really important at McClymonds.”

Brian McGhee, community schools manager at McClymonds and former football player at UC Berkeley, said that Russell meant a lot to him and others at the school. “He was a beacon of light and hope for West Oakland,” he said. “He did a lot for sports and for civil rights.”

Starting in 2018, Ben “Coach” Tapscott worked with Patterson and other McClymonds grads, community members, and former coaches to encourage the Oakland Board of Education to endorse the naming of the school gym, which finally happened recently.

“We worked hard to make this happen,” said Tapscott. “He’s an important part of McClymond’s history, along with a lot of other famous graduates,” he said.

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OPINION: Politics, Football and Identity in Trump’s America

If you haven’t noticed, all Americans are engaged in an even bigger game that means so much more than the Super Bowl. Our democracy is falling apart.

Published

3 months ago

February 17, 2025

Oakland Post

iStock.

By Emil Guillermo

Two Filipino American stories made headlines recently.

First, Nikko Remigio, the Filipino and African American kick returner for the Kansas City Chiefs, did not win Super Bowl LIX.

The other, Alameda’s Rob Bonta said no to running for governor. I don’t blame him. It’s not like a mass of people wanted him to run.

But I did.

Whenever there is a Filipino American in a place you don’t expect, I’m rooting for that person.

As California’s Attorney General, Bonta is probably the most active defender among Blue States pushing back against Trump’s Extreme-Right agenda.

I’d like to Bonta run for California’s top job, but he’s better off waiting in line. The Democrats need a spot for Kamala Harris, and Bonta not running obliges the hierarchy.

History can wait. Bonta’s just 52.

Harris has held off speculation of her next move, saying she just moved back to the state. But it seems governor is the path for her.

For now, Bonta needs to continue taking the fight to Trump in the courts.

Football and Identity Politics

My dad, whose birthday would have been Super Bowl weekend, came to the US in 1928 as a colonized Filipino, an “American National,” where he couldn’t be a citizen, vote, own property or even marry the person he wanted.

Not if they were White.

Still, he believed in America. He never gave up.

Sort of like Nikko Remigio.

My dad would have loved Nikko.

If you haven’t noticed, all Americans are engaged in an even bigger game that means so much more than the Super Bowl. Our democracy is falling apart.

You want to get passionate about Eagles and Chiefs?

Let’s be passionate about our Founding Fathers, too.

Nikko didn’t change the game. He touched it three times and provided more yards than all of KC’s running backs.

That’s all I needed to see.

He’s our Filipino guy.

Detractors may call it “identity politics.”

People don’t seem to understand the fight for visibility. To be recognized. To be seen. It’s all wrapped up in the big idea of Civil Rights.

I was nowhere near as good as Nikko when I played. But when you are blessed to play football, you play your hardest.

For me, that was when I was 12 and 13 playing Pop Warner football in San Francisco. I was MVP for my team as a running back.

But I was ashamed of my dad. He wasn’t like the other dads. And I remember going to the team banquet to retrieve my trophy alone.

I didn’t realize it probably meant more to him than I thought.

I wish I had shared my MVP moment with him like Nikko shared his joy with his dad, Mark, born in Seattle to two Filipino immigrants, and his mom, whose mixture of Black and White made Nikko the picture of diversity.

Filipino American and Black and White at the Super Bowl.

But don’t forget, there is one game bigger.

The Super Bowl for Democracy. We’re battling for it every day Trump pushes a cockamamie idea that shakes the foundation of our Democracy.

About the Author

Emil Guillermo is an award-winning journalist and commentator. Watch his micro-talk show “Emil Amok’s Takeout/What Does an Asian American Think?” on www.YouTube.com/emilamok1 Or join him on http://www.patreon.com/emilamok