The Athletics celebrate after the Nick Kurtz home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Monday night . (Photo: MLB on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENO–After a treacherous month of May, the Athletics have finally made it through and into June. After getting swept in Anaheim for the second time in just a few weeks, the A’s went into Kansas City and returned the favor with a sweep of the Royals this past weekend. On Monday, they welcomed the Houston Astros to Sacramento for the first of a three-game series. The A’s defeated the Astros 3-1.

Pitching dominated the game on both sides, as the starters and bullpens for each team were phenomenal. However, it was Nick Kurtz who played the hero for the A’s.

With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, Brent Rooker worked a walk against Astros reliever Bryan Abreu. Nick Kurtz stepped in and quickly got ahead 2-0 in the count. Looking fastball, Kurtz swung out of his shoes on a breaking ball that fooled him, bringing the count to 2-1. “…When you have a swing like that,” Kurtz said following the game, “there’s a good chance they’re going to throw it again.” Throw it again Abreu did. But this time, he missed his spot with another breaking ball inside, and Kurtz turned on it—launching the game-winning two-run homer 447 feet into the trees beyond the berm in right-center field. “I knew it pretty much right away… that’s the scenario you dream about as a kid, and being able to do it at this level was really cool,” Kurtz said of his walk-off shot.

Kurtz sent the A’s home happy, but the unsung hero of the night was the A’s pitching staff.

Mitch Spence started the game for the A’s and dominated, tossing five innings of seven-hit, one-run ball. His only major blemish was a slider that leaked over the plate, which Jose Altuve launched for a home run in the first inning. J.T. Ginn, fresh off the injured list, followed with three shutout innings of one-hit baseball while striking out five. Ginn was nasty—exactly what the doctor ordered in his return. Mason Miller pitched a clean top of the ninth, striking out two to keep the game tied.

The A’s will take on the Astros in game two of the series on Tuesday at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. JP Sears (5-5, 5.08 ERA) is slated to start for the A’s, countered by Houston’s Jason Alexander (0-0, 18.00 ERA).

With the win, the A’s have now won four straight and are 30-44 on the season. The Astros fell to 41-31 with the loss.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.