Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/156651
Tehama Tracker Wednesday's results 1B Sports Thursday August 22, 2013 MLB Seattle 5 Athletics 3 Crisp and Moss: solo home runs Cepedes: 2-4, 2B Boston 12 Giants 1 Arias: 2-3, HR Zito: L, 3.2 IP, 6 ER Today's games MLB Pittsburgh Giants CSNB 7:15 p.m. PIT — Locke, 9-4 SF — M.Cain, 8-8 On the tube CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE • 4:30 p.m., NBCSN — British Columbia at Montreal CYCLING • 1 p.m., NBCSN — USA Pro Challenge, stage 4, Steamboat Springs to Beaver Creek, Colo. GOLF • 6:30 a.m., TGC — European PGA Tour, Johnnie Walker Championship, first round, at Gleneagles, Scotland • 9:30 a.m., TGC — Web.com Tour, Cox Classic, first round, at Omaha, Neb. • Noon, TGC — PGA Tour, The Barclays, first round, at Jersey City, N.J. • 3:30 p.m., TGC — LPGA, Canadian Women's Open, first round, at Edmonton, Alberta (same-day tape) LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL • 1 p.m., ESPN — World Series, elimination, teams TBD, at South Williamsport, Pa. • 5 p.m., ESPN2 — World Series, elimination, teams TBD, at South Williamsport, Pa. MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL • 9:30 a.m., MLB — Arizona at Cincinnati • 11:10 a.m., WGN — Washington at Chicago Cubs • 5 p.m., MLB — Regional coverage, Atlanta at St. Louis or Chicago White Sox at Kansas City • 7 p.m., CSNB — Pittsburgh at San Francisco NFL • 5 p.m., ESPN — Preseason, Carolina at Baltimore TENNIS • 10 a.m., ESPN2 — WTA, New Haven Open, quarterfinal, at New Haven, Conn. • Noon, ESPN2 — ATP World Tour, Winston-Salem Open, quarterfinal, at Winston-Salem, N.C. • 7 p.m., ESPN2 — ATP World Tour, Winston-Salem Open, quarterfinal, at Winston-Salem, N.C. (same-day tape) Google and NFL meet PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — Google has been holding talks with the National Football League, raising speculation that the Internet monolith is seeking new inroads into television. Other tech companies like Apple are reportedly in talks with cable providers to boost access to blockbuster television shows through their devices. With Google sitting on a cash pile of $48 billion, the league's Sunday Ticket package is easily within its reach. The contract is currently held by DirecTV, which pays about $1 billion annually for the rights. That contract, however, expires at the end of the 2014 season. Earlier this year, Google Chief Financial Officer Patrick Pichette said ''it serves the shareholder best to actually have that strategic ability to pounce,'' when there is the opportunity to make a major acquisition. The NFL confirmed its meetings with Google Wednesday, but declined to discuss the nature of those talks, as did Google. ''Members of our office meet often with innovative leaders in Silicon Valley and around the world,'' the NFL said in a statement. ''We are constantly looking for ways to make our game better on the field, in the stadium and for fans.'' The Sunday Ticket Package provides fans with access to most out-ofmarket NFL games not televised nationally on ESPN or on NBC. Citi analyst Jason Bazinet believes that DirecTV is losing money on the deal, generating only about $725 million a year in revenue. He thinks a new contract would run about $1.5 billion if DirecTV were to make another go for it. Zito struggles in return as Giants lose to Red Sox SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Barry Zito understands how unpredictable a game baseball can be. Making his first start in three weeks only added to the mystery for the Giants left-hander. Zito failed to get out of the fourth inning and San Francisco lost 12-1 to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday. ''I was excited to get the ball,'' Zito said. ''Some strange stuff happened out there today. Baseball is a strange game sometimes. The nature of the game is so unpredictable. That's why we all love it and why we all hate it. You never know what you're going to get when you come to the yard.'' Zito gave up a two-run home run to Will Middlebrooks with two outs in the second and the pitcher on deck. ''We're not happy about the way we played,'' Zito said. ''It's fundamental baseball. That homer is on my back.'' The Giants also made two errors, messed up a bunt play and allowed a ball to fall safely between three fielders. ''That's kind of a freak play,'' Giants first baseman Brandon Belt said of the base hit in shallow right field that led to three runs in the third. ''You work on that stuff in spring training. People have to communicate and we didn't do that.'' Zito (4-9) lasted 3 2-3 innings in his first start since July 30. He allowed six runs on seven hits, walked two and struck out three. ''We didn't play well at all,'' Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. ''We're having a hard time with the bats here. It's got to get better with the pitching side and the hitting side.'' Joaquin Arias homered among his two hits for the Giants, who have lost three of four. ''Not a whole lot went right today,'' Giants catcher Buster Posey said. ''We have to come out tomorrow and be ready to go. You try to forget these games and even the good ones you put behind you and get ready for the next day.'' Felix Doubront (9-6) Harbaugh defends departed Jenkins Mariners top A's 5-3 OAKLAND (AP) — Brendan Ryan hit a two-run double in the sixth and added an RBI single in the eighth, and the Seattle Mariners beat the Oakland Athletics 5-3 on Wednesday. Michael Morse and Brad Miller homered for Seattle, which overcame an uneven start by Hisashi Iwakuma to beat the A's for the fourth time in the past five games between the division rivals. Iwakuma (12-6) gave up a pair of home runs and pitched with runners in scoring position most of the afternoon, but limited the damage to win his second straight. The Mariners right-hander struck out four and walked two in seven innings. Coco Crisp and Brandon Moss hit home runs for the A's, who are 15-16 since the All-Star break. Ryan entered the game in a 9-for-75 slump and struck out in his first two at-bats before doubling off Oakland starter A.J. Griffin (10-9) with two outs in the sixth. Ryan hit a two-out, 0-2 pitch sharply down the third base line that glanced off the glove of Oakland's Josh Donaldson and ricocheted into the A's bullpen. Kendrys Morales scored and Dustin Ackley barely beat the relay throw home despite colliding with A's catcher Stephen Vogt to put the Mariners up 4-3. Ryan's RBI single off Dan Otero in the eighth made it 53. Iwakuma wasn't nearly as crisp as he was in his previous start against Texas, but did make it hold up. He got Alberto Callaspo to fly out with a runner at third to end the sixth, then retired two straight to end the seventh after Oakland got runners on first and third. Charlie Furbush and AP photo Oakland Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt receives attention from a trainer and manager Bob Melvin after colliding with Seattle Mariners' Dustin Ackley at home plate in the sixth inning of a game Wednesday. Yoervis Medina worked the eighth while Dannny Farquhar struck out the side in the ninth for his ninth save. The A's stranded three runners at third, one at second and had another runner get thrown out at the plate. One day after blowing a four-run lead in a 7-4 loss to the Mariners, Oakland wasted another early lead. Crisp homered leading off the bottom of the first and Moss hit his 20th of the season in the fourth. Callaspo added a sacrifice fly to give the A's a 3-1 lead. Seattle, which overcame a 4-0 deficit to beat Oakland 74 on Tuesday, came back again. Morse hit a towering home rebounded from a tough outing to pitch eight strong innings for the Red Sox, who have won three of five and entered play in a virtual first-place tie with Tampa Bay in the AL East. Doubront gave up one run on five hits. He walked one and struck out three. Jacoby Ellsbury and Shane Victorino each had three hits for Boston, with Victorino driving in a run. Ellsbury scored twice and got his league-leading 46th stolen base. Dustin Pedroia added two hits and drove in a run. ''Any time you get hits out of the top of the lineup good things can happen,'' Victorino said. ''We just have to keep it going.'' The Giants have allowed 10 runs or more in four interleague games, their most in any season. run off Griffin in the second and Miller added a leadoff shot in the fifth. Griffin struck out seven, but continued to have issues with his control. He walked four, giving him 15 over his past three starts. Notes: A's C Derek Norris was held out of the lineup after breaking a toe in his left foot during a play at the plate in the eighth inning of Tuesday's 7-4 loss. The runner, Seattle rookie INF Nick Franklin, suffered a gash that required stitches in his leg. ... Mariners slugger Raul Ibanez was given the day off. ... Oakland OF Seth Smith sat out a second straight game with an astigmatism in his eye. SANTA CLARA (AP) — A.J. Jenkins no longer is in a San Francisco 49ers uniform after being dealt to Kansas City. Coach Jim Harbaugh is still coming to the defense of his former receiver. Harbaugh took the opportunity Wednesday to again criticize those who delivered a negative take on Jenkins, the 2012 first-round pick who underachieved in his one-plus season with San Francisco. Asked a question Wednesday about Jon Baldwin, the receiver the 49ers acquired from the Chiefs on Monday for Jenkins, Harbaugh weaved Jenkins into the discussion unsolicited. ''I don't think it's fair to bully or label a young player, though I fully understand that people are entitled to their opinion and perspective,'' Harbaugh said. ''However, I prefer the criticism — I'd appreciate if the criticism — is directed toward me. I'm responsible, and I certainly accept it. Actually, welcome it.'' Jenkins, the 30th overall pick in 2012, appeared in just three games last season and didn't make a single catch. With the Achilles tendon injury to No. 1 receiver Michael Crabtree, he was viewed as a leading candidate to start this season opposite Anquan Boldin. But Jenkins hardly distinguished himself through the early portion of training camp and two exhibition games. Harbaugh was asked to clarify what he felt responsible for in relation to the media criticism directed at Jenkins. ''I'm responsible for helping pick the draft picks, fully responsible for coaching the players up, and I willingly accept those responsibilities,'' Harbaugh said. In July 2012, Harbaugh called out as ''clueless'' those who predicted Jenkins would be a bust before he even played in a preseason game. Referencing the fact Baldwin, a 2011 first-round choice of the Chiefs, has been labeled an underachiever, Harbaugh said: ''I know a lot of people have kind of made some sport of A.J. and Jonathan, and my comments and that type of thing. I feel the same as I did a year ago when I made those comments.'' Raiders break camp after 4 weeks in Napa NAPA (AP) — After four weeks of training camp in wine country, the Oakland Raiders have packed up and headed home with hopes that their work here will translate to the playing field when the season starts Sept. 8. The Raiders held their final practice in Napa on Wednesday before moving back to their full-time headquarters in Alameda. They play their third exhibition game on Friday night against the Chicago Bears. Coach Dennis Allen said he thought it was a successful camp that allowed him to evaluate the players he wants to keep for the regular season. The Raiders endured a few injuries in the past month, with the most significant being a torn left triceps that is expected to sideline left tackle Jared Veldheer for at least half the season. But despite that blow, the Raiders are leaving Napa with confidence. ''We're a different team now than we were at the start of camp on Day 1,'' quarterback Matt Flynn said. ''We've made a lot of improvements, gotten used to each other, we've developed a lot of chemistry and I learned that there's a big passion for the game from everyone, from the top to the bottom. I like this team, and I like the work ethic and I have big expectations for us.'' The Raiders got a little boost when second-round offensive tackle Menelik Watson went through his first complete practice in training camp. Watson had missed virtually all of camp because of a calf injury and is needed now more than ever with Veldheer out. Watson first injured the calf in July and opened camp on the non-football injury list. He was cleared to practice on Aug. 7, but lasted less than 30 minutes before re-injuring the calf. That sidelined him for two more weeks, cutting short valuable learning time for Watson. ''It's been a long process,'' Watson said. ''It took longer than I thought but it was good to get out there and get a couple of reps. It's been good though. I've been able to get into the playbook, get my head around that. Confident in all that stuff now. Just have to put a couple of days together and keep building on that.'' Watson said it will take a few days to get back up to speed and he is expected to get significant playing time in the exhibition finale against Seattle on Aug. 29. The Raiders drafted Watson in the second round in April knowing he was a bit raw having played just two years of football. A former basketball player from England, Watson played one year in junior college and one year at Florida State before being drafted. He was supposed to challenge Khalif Barnes for the starting right tackle job but now might be needed on the more important left side with Veldheer injured. Alex Barron, who has not played in the NFL the past two years, has replaced Veldheer but the Raiders are still figuring out who the starting five will be when the season starts. ''Every day we get a little closer to being able to sort it out,'' Allen said. ''It's like having a 500piece jigsaw puzzle and you're trying to fit those pieces together, and the longer you work at it, the longer you look at it, the easier it is to put those pieces into place. I think we're getting closer to figuring that out and I think the offensive line has responded positively.''