Shea Langeliers #23 of the Athletics hits a grand slam home run off of Tarik Skubal #29 of the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park on August 25, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — It was a tale of two games at Sutter Health Park as the A’s defeated the Tigers in an 8-3 thriller on Monday night.

A’s starter J.T. Ginn and Tigers starter Tarik Skubal, an AL Cy Young favorite, engaged in a full-on pitchers’ duel in West Sacramento. Ginn, whose last home start didn’t go well and who refused to speak to the media afterward, was spinning a gem through five innings of shutout baseball with eight strikeouts.

On the flip side, Tarik Skubal was matching Ginn and setting a pace of his own with nine strikeouts through five innings.

The game totally shifted in the sixth and seventh innings as the offense started going for both teams. The Tigers scored three runs in the sixth inning, and the A’s scored five on Tarik Skubal and the Tigers in the seventh inning. From that point, the A’s took off and didn’t look back against the Tigers.

All in, A’s starter J.T. Ginn tossed five and a third innings of three-run baseball while giving up seven hits. Ginn added eight strikeouts in the game while only walking one.

The Bats

The A’s bats were quiet for the better part of the game against Skubal. Yet, they caught fire and never looked back in the sixth inning.

Jacob Wilson got the A’s on the board with an RBI groundout in the sixth inning. It was a big answer for the A’s after giving up three runs in the top half of the inning, and it pulled them to within two runs of the Tigers as the game was 3-1 at the time.

Then came the seventh inning.

Colby Thomas got the A’s their second run in the seventh inning with a solo home run to set the tone in the inning.

After the Thomas homer, three Athletics reached base to set the table for Shea Langeliers. Langeliers did not disappoint, launching a 2-1 fastball from Tarik Skubal an estimated 450 feet into the Sacramento night. Shea’s bomb put the A’s up 6-3 and in control of the game.

The A’s would add two more runs in the eighth inning as Nick Kurtz came off the bench and clubbed a pinch-hit homer to left field and gave the A’s the 8-3 lead.

The Bullpen

The A’s bullpen was lights out once again on Monday, allowing zero runs across three and two-thirds innings of work.

Sean Newcomb pitched one and a third innings of work, giving up a couple of hits but no runs.

Michael Kelly relieved Newcomb and also delivered a scoreless one and a third innings of work.

Elvis Alvarado, who many view as the A’s potential closer of the future, tossed a perfect ninth inning to seal the deal for the A’s.

Up Next

The A’s are now 61-72 after defeating the Tigers on Monday night.

The A’s will look to win the series as they take on the Tigers on Tuesday in game two of their three-game series. Osvaldo Bido (2-4, 5.37 ERA) is slated to go for the A’s as the Tigers plan to counter with Charlie Morton (9-10, 5.09 ERA).

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