Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics looks on after hitting an RBI double against the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on August 31, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s will look to move past the rubble of the last weekend in August after being swept by the Rangers this weekend.

Sunday, the Rangers completed the sweep in 9-6 fashion in front of an announced 8,716 fans at Sutter Health Park. The first pitch was tossed in 97-degree heat.

J.T. Ginn, who has had a really up-and-down season for the A’s this season, got the nod for manager Mark Kotsay and the A’s looking to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon.

Ginn wasn’t impressive and clearly didn’t have his best stuff. J.T. ran into trouble immediately in the game as he surrendered a two-run homer to Joc Pederson as the Rangers got off to an early start.

On the other hand, Ginn at least gave the A’s some length. Ginn was able to go six innings while allowing five runs on five hits while walking two and surrendering two home runs.

“I think there’s still a lot to work with, J.T.,” Mark Kotsay said after the game. “He did throw strikes today, which is a positive. The balls up on the sinker today is what they took advantage of today, really.”

Ginn elaborated after the game on his thoughts on the start.

“I think I just had some sinkers over the plate… I thought it was good to get through six innings. That’s something that has kind of been a struggle for me throughout the year, but I think I attacked the zone given the circumstances.”

The Bullpen

The A’s bullpen wasn’t sharp either on a forgettable Sunday afternoon in 100-degree temperatures.

Elvis Alvarado, who has really come into his own this season for the A’s, was only able to record one out in the seventh inning while giving up two runs on two hits and walking two.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Eduarniel Núñez to clean up Alvarado’s mess and he did just that, striking out the two batters he faced in the seventh. In the eighth inning, Núñez ran into trouble of his own. He gave up two runs on two hits while also walking two in a rough inning. He would finish his outing tossing one and two-thirds innings.

Tyler Ferguson was the last man out of the pen for the A’s and gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning for the A’s.

The Bats

The A’s bats were quiet most of the day. However, the A’s found some life late in the game in the eighth inning.

After the A’s loaded the bases with one out, Jacob Wilson doubled home a pair to pull the A’s to within six and make it an 8-2 game.

Brent Rooker came up next in the eighth and hit an RBI groundout to give the A’s their third run of the game. Yet, the A’s didn’t stop there.

Tyler Soderstrom hit an RBI double to the opposite field and Carlos Cortez followed with an RBI double of his own as the A’s drove in two more runs to make it an 8-5 game.

In the ninth inning, the A’s got one more run as Lawrence Butler doubled home JJ Bleday, who pinch-hit for Brett Harris and walked earlier in the inning.

The A’s finished the game with those six runs and managed to tally nine hits in the contest.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay was pleased with the fight his club showed, albeit coming up short.

“I thought the effort and the fight that we had in the eighth inning shows a lot about the club and easily could have shut it down today down by eight runs in the eighth inning, and they didn’t.”

Up Next

The A’s head on the road to take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday at 11:15 a.m. PDT. It is a rare tough day away game followed by a day home game where the visiting team must travel east.

Luis Morales (2-0, 1.19) is set to go for the A’s as the Cardinals will send Sonny Gray (12-7, 4.19 ERA) to the hill in the matinee affair.

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.