J.T. Ginn #70 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Sutter Health Park on August 13, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento A’s went for their fifth series win in their last six tries on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park. However, the Tampa Bay Rays had other plans as they took the series from the A’s in an 8-3 defeat.

J.T. Ginn, the starter in the rubber match, didn’t have a good outing and was roughed up in his two innings of work. Ginn surrendered six runs (five earned) on six hits while walking one as he labored through the first and second innings of the game.

“It didn’t look like he had a good feel for the sinker tonight or confidence in it,” Manager Mark Kotsay said to the media postgame. “When that pitch [sinker] isn’t in his arsenal, it’s difficult, I think, especially with the lineup and the number of left-hand batters that they had in there.”

The media attempted to speak with Ginn following his start, but he declined the scrum postgame without explanation.

The Bullpen

The bullpen came in and pitched well for the A’s except for a small hiccup in the top of the ninth inning.

Hogan Harris relieved Ginn in the third inning and pitched well, giving the A’s three innings of shutout ball, allowing only one hit while striking out three Rays hitters.

Ben Bowden tossed the sixth inning for the A’s, giving up no runs while working around a hit and a walk.

Michael Kelly came in for the seventh inning and recorded a perfect frame.

Sean Newcomb didn’t have his best stuff but recorded a scoreless eighth inning, working around two hits.

In the ninth, Elvis Alvarado, who has pitched well of late, surrendered a two-run homer to Junior Caminero after what should have been an inning-ending double play.

“The bullpen did a great job,” Kotsay said after the game. “Even Alvarado there in the ninth — that double play ball should’ve been turned. We’ve got to execute that play and we are out of that inning, and the bullpen throws up, what, seven zeroes. So we played sloppy defense tonight, and it cost us.”

The Bats

The A’s struggled against Rays starter Drew Rasmussen and the bullpen. The A’s managed only four hits and two runs in the series finale that Rasmussen pitched six innings of.

Lawrence Butler, who was hitting in the seven hole on Wednesday, got the A’s on the board in the third inning with a solo home run to left-center field. The A’s added their second and final run in the eighth inning via a Gio Urshela RBI single to pull the A’s to within 6-2 at the time. Tyler Soderstrom and Colby Thomas were the A’s other two hits, both singles.

Up Next

With the loss, the A’s fell to 54-69 on the season.

The A’s will spend an off day at home on Thursday before welcoming the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to Sacramento for a three-game series.

The A’s are scheduled to send Jack Perkins (1-2, 4.08 ERA) to the hill in game one on Friday, as the Angels are poised to send Yusei Kikuchi (6-7, 3.37 ERA) to the bump. First pitch at Sutter Health West Sacramento 7:00pm PT.

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.