SAN DIEGO – While it was a big week for current San Diego State teams, former Aztec athletes were just as successful.
The Houston Astros learned what the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and St. Louis Cardinals already have this year, do not mess with Stephen Strasburg in the postseason. In Game 2 of the World Series, Strasburg allowed two runs (in the first inning), on seven hits and a walk, while striking out seven in the 5-2 win by the Washington Nationals. In an elimination game on Tuesday night, Strasburg scattered two runs on five hits and two walks over 8 1/3 innings, striking out seven to force Game 7 on Wednesday night. Strasburg is now 6-2 for his career in the postseason with a 1.63 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 71 strikeouts (against eight walks) in 55 1/3 innings.
In the ZOZO Championship on the PGA Tour, former Aztec Xander Schauffele shot 9-under par to finish tied for tenth. Scott Piercy, another former Aztec, tied for 66th in the tournament.
Kawhi Leonard played in three games the last week for the Los Angeles Clippers. Over those games, Leonard averaged 26.0 points, 6.7 rebounds, 8.3 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.3 blocks per game. The Clippers are currently 3-1 on the season. Rookie Jalen McDaniels made his NBA debut on Friday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Playing for the Charlotte Hornets, McDaniels played for 2:44, scoring two points on 1-for-2 shooting from the field, while also grabbing an offensive rebound. McDaniels now plays for the Greensboro Swarm.
Rashaad Penny returned to his normal usage in Week 8 in Atlanta. Penny played in 18 snaps, receiving eight carries, which he took for 55 yards (6.9 avg.). Penny had a couple carries in the red zone, but Chris Carson scored from the 1-yard line. Seattle hosts the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday. On the other side of the field, Damontae Kazee had another good game, picking up five solo tackles. Kazee appeared on 48 defensive and five special teams snaps. The Falcons are on bye in Week 9 before travelling to New Orleans for a Week 10 matchup with the Saints.
Daniel Brunskill appeared on the field for all offensive snaps for San Francisco for the third straight week. This time it was 67 snaps in a 51-13 win over the Carolina Panthers. Brunskill even got in on the celebration of Deebo Samuel's rushing touchdown in the third quarter. The 49ers will play in Arizona on Thursday night.
For Arizona, Aaron Brewer had nine snaps on special teams in New Orleans in Week 8. Arizona will host Brunskill's 49ers on Halloween for Thursday Night Football. Detroit Lions fullback Nick Bawden saw action for 15 snaps each on both offense and special teams in a 31-26 win over the Giants. Detroit plays at Oakland on Sunday. Kameron Kelly saw 10 snaps on special teams in the Pittsburgh Steelers' 27-14 win against Miami on Monday Night Football. The Steelers host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 9.
Last Thursday, in the MLS Playoffs, Steven Beitashour and Los Angeles FC beat Joe Corona, Daniel Steres, and the Los Angeles Galaxy by a score of 5-3. Beitashour played 59 minutes, logging two tackle attempts, two clearances, and three fouls committed. On the other side of the field, Steres played all 90 minutes, with one shot, four tackles attempted, two clearances, one interception, and a sustained foul. Corona did not see the field. On Tuesday night, LAFC's playoffs continued against the Seattle Sounders. Beitashour did not play in a 3-1 loss for Los Angeles.