Cleveland Guardians right hand pitcher LL Ortiz pitches into the second inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sat June 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

Frustration Mounts as A’s Come Up Short 4-2 Despite Late Push

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Athletics’ recent surge was put on ice Saturday night as a slow start and early defensive miscues led to a 4–2 loss against the Cleveland Guardians at Sutter Health Park. After winning six of their last eight games, the A’s were looking to build momentum, but a costly second inning and an anemic offense through most of the night left them chasing a game that was all but decided before the sun set.

Right-hander Mitch Spence took the mound for Sacramento riding a string of impressive outings, having allowed just two earned runs over his last three starts. But this one unraveled quickly. The trouble started in the top of the second when Daniel Schneemann lined out to right, followed by a walk to Nolan Jones.

Then came a sharp double to center off the bat of Bo Naylor, who not only drove in the game’s first run but advanced to third on a wild throw from Luis Urías. That error opened the floodgates. Johnathan Rodríguez followed with an RBI double, Angel Martínez grounded out to move him to third, and Steven Kwan singled him home.

By the time José Ramírez notched his 900th career RBI with a single to center, Cleveland had built a 4-0 lead before Spence could escape the inning.

Spence managed to hold Cleveland scoreless over his final three innings and finished with five innings pitched, allowing seven hits and four earned runs while striking out three. It was a gritty performance, but the damage had been done. His effort was backed by a strong showing from the bullpen as T.J. McFarland, Sean Newcomb, and Hogan Harris combined for four shutout innings with six strikeouts and just two hits allowed.

The A’s, meanwhile, couldn’t figure out Guardians starter Luis Ortiz, who baffled hitters for six innings, striking out ten while scattering just four hits and two walks. Sacramento’s best chance came early in the second when Max Muncy reached on a throwing error and Tyler Soderstrom singled to move him to third. But a strikeout from JJ Bleday, a lineout by Urías, and a flyout from Austin Wynns ended the inning with no damage.

Tensions boiled over in the sixth when Lawrence Butler, who had already struck out twice, was called out looking again and was promptly ejected after voicing his frustration. His exit triggered a chain of defensive shuffles. Denzel Clarke took over in center field, JJ Bleday moved to left, and Brent Rooker slid over to right. Butler’s absence was felt, especially as the A’s tried to rally late.

Sacramento finally broke through in the seventh. After a walk by Bleday and a single by Urías, Austin Wynns roped a double to right that brought in Bleday and gave the A’s a flicker of hope. But it was quickly doused when Clarke struck out and Wilson lined out to end the inning. Rooker brought the crowd to life again in the eighth with a triple to deep center, and Muncy followed with a sacrifice fly to cut the deficit to two. Still, the rally fell short as Soderstrom lined out to end the frame.

Emmanuel Clase came in to close things out for Cleveland in the ninth and made quick work of the A’s. Bleday grounded out, Urías lined out sharply to left, and Wynns grounded out to third to seal the loss. The A’s finished the night with just two runs on seven hits, going one for nine with runners in scoring position and leaving six men stranded.

With the loss, Sacramento dropped to 32 and 47 on the season and missed a chance to gain ground in the AL West. While they remain just one game behind the fourth-place Angels, the frustration of yet another game lost due to early defensive lapses and late offensive sputtering was clear. The team is now four and 24 when being out-homered and continues to struggle in close games decided by two runs or fewer.

The A’s will look to avoid losing the series and get back on track Sunday afternoon as lefty JP Sears (5-6 ERA 5.45) takes the hill against Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi (2-3 ERA 4.15). With a nine-game road trip looming, including stops in Detroit, New York, and Tampa Bay, the A’s need to rediscover the rhythm that briefly gave fans hope they could crawl out of the AL West cellar.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times

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.