Month: August 2025

Slow Las Vegas Start Finishes On Fire Beating Sun 94-86; Aces pick up fourth straight win

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Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) drives on Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (left) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Aug 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

Despite struggling this season, the Connecticut Sun (5-25) gave the Las Vegas Aces (18-14) all they could handle in the first half of their matchup with the two teams tied at the half 45 points apiece. Las Vegas fought back leading after three quarters 70-62 winning the game 94-86 Sunday.

With this win the Aces are tied with the Indiana Fever for fifth place. A’ja Wilson finished the game with 32 points and 20 rebounds. Jackie Young had a 12 point first quarter finishing with 21 points. This was their fourth win in a row.

Game recap: The Aces took their largest lead of the game 14-6 at 5:32 in the opening ten minutes of play. The Sun pushed back erasing the Aces eight point lead cutting it in half 18-14 with 3 1/2 minutes left in the first quarter.

Young started the game with a hot hand already hitting 12 points with two minutes left in the quarter. Every time the Aces extended their lead, the Sun pushed back hard pulling to within two points with under two minutes left on the clock 22-24. With under a minute left in the opening quarter the Sun took a 28-26 lead.

Connecticut had hit five of eight from beyond the arc and the Aces had to contain the Sun’s long ball in the second quarter. After the first ten minutes of play the Sun had taken a 31-27 lead and had gone on a 15 to 3 run. After a hot start, the Aces had really cooled off. Las Vegas already had five turnovers, the Sun only two. Las Vegas had to put the stops on the Sun’s success from beyond the arc.

The Sun did not back down to start the second quarter and in fact continued to extend their lead 39-30 in the opening minutes. This was not the start to the second quarter that Las Vegas had envisioned.

The Sun took a ten-point lead, the largest of the game, 43-33 prompting a time-out for the Aces. After a great first quarter start, the Aces had fallen flat offensively and were struggling defensively.

The Sun’s confidence continued to build as the second quarter wore on leading 45-38 with 4:33 left in the half. Las Vegas needed to trim the Sun’s lead before halftime. The Aces went on a 10-0 run in the final minutes of the second quarter cutting their 12 point deficit to two points. Las Vegas tied up the game at 45 going into the half and it was a new ball game.

The Aces had really turned this game back in their favor in the later minutes of the second quarter. Young had hit 14 points and Wilson was closing in on another double double with 13 points and nine rebounds after two quarters. Las Vegas had to take back control of this game and cut down on the turnovers.

Las Vegas turned this game around in the third quarter taking their largest lead of the game so far with 11 points and leading 70-62 after three quarters.

Connecticut continued to hang around but unlike the second quarter when the Sun pushed, the Aces successfully pushed right back taking an 82-71 lead after the Sun had pulled to within 6 points with 6:35 left in the game.

With 5 1/2 minutes left on the clock Wilson had 28 points and 18 rebounds taking her team to an 86-73 lead. The Aces continue to work their way up the standings. They are without doubt playing with playoff mentality. Their defense really clicked in the second half.

Wilson finished with 20 rebounds, a career high, and 32 points. The Aces locked in defensively to pull off their fourth win in a row.

Game notes: The Aces continued their homestand defeating the struggling Sun Sunday evening at Michelob ULTRA Arena. They had a great win over the Seattle Storm Friday night 90-86 in a nail-biter of a fourth quarter. With the win Friday night the Aces have pulled into sixth place a half game behind the fifth place Indiana Fever. There will be a lot of shuffling as the season enters its final push.

Las Vegas will face a tough assignment on Wednesday evening taking on the New York Liberty but will continue to play with home court advantage before heading out on the road taking on Phoenix on Friday night. Tipoff for the Aces game with the Liberty is scheduled for 6:30 PM PT.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Athletics Stun Orioles 3-2 with Late-Inning Heroics in Camden Yards Thriller

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Sacramento A’s catcher Willie MacIver (65) puts the tag on Baltimore Orioles Jeremiah Jackson (82) in the bottom of the fourth inning at Camden Yards in Baltimore on Sun Aug 10, 2025 (AP News photo)

Athletics Stun Orioles 3-2 with Late-Inning Heroics in Camden Yards Thriller

By Mauricio Segura 

The Athletics spent most of Saturday afternoon looking for the big hit that just wouldn’t come. For eight innings at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, the A’s offense was a story of scattered singles, long outs, and missed chances. Then, in the top of the ninth, everything changed. A lineup that had been held to a single run suddenly found the clutch bats they had been searching for, and when the dust settled, the Green and Gold had stolen a 3-2 victory from the Baltimore Orioles.

For much of the day, the two clubs traded small jabs rather than haymakers. The early innings were defined by free passes and stranded baserunners. In the top of the first, Shea Langeliers popped out to start the game, Brent Rooker flied to center, and after a Nick Kurtz walk, Colby Thomas ended the frame with another pop out. Baltimore’s opening inning was equally frustrating. They drew three walks, including one to Jackson Holliday leading off, but Gunnar Henderson’s stolen base was all they had to show for it before Jeremiah Jackson struck out with the bases loaded.

Sacramento starter Luis Morales didn’t allow a hit through his first two innings but labored with control, handing out multiple walks. Tyler Ferguson came on in relief in the third and kept Baltimore quiet until the fifth, when Jordan Westburg finally broke the scoreless tie. With two outs, Westburg launched his 14th home run of the season, a fly ball that carried into the left field seats to give the Orioles a 1-0 lead.

Up to that point, the A’s only real threat had come in the third when Rooker singled, only for Kurtz to fly out and end it. That changed in the top of the sixth. Rooker, again the spark, doubled to left and moved to third on a groundout. Colby Thomas delivered the first RBI of the day for Sacramento, bouncing a sharp single into left to bring Rooker home and tie the game 1-1.

Justin Sterner and Sean Newcomb handled the sixth and seventh, but the bottom of the seventh saw the Orioles reclaim the lead. With the score still tied, Alex Jackson doubled on a ball the A’s unsuccessfully challenged for being foul. After a strikeout, pinch-hitter Coby Mayo ripped a double to center, scoring Jackson for a 2-1 Baltimore advantage. Sacramento avoided further damage thanks to Luis Urías’ unassisted double play, but the A’s trailed heading into the late innings.

Dietrich Enns and Keegan Akin kept the A’s bats silent in the seventh and eighth, and by the time the ninth rolled around, the Athletics needed a rally against Baltimore’s bullpen to avoid defeat. Darell Hernaiz worked a leadoff walk to set the table. JJ Bleday struck out, but Gio Urshela’s sharp single to left pushed Hernaiz into scoring position. Manager Mark Kotsay made the call for speed, sending in Lawrence Butler to run for Urshela. That move paid off almost immediately.

Willie MacIver, who had been active defensively all afternoon, turned the game on its head with one swing. He smoked a line drive into the left-field corner for a double, and both Hernaiz and Butler came charging home. Just like that, the A’s were up 3-2, and the dugout roared to life.

Elvis Alvarado, who had finished the eighth, handed the ninth to the A’s defense. Greg Allen struck out swinging for the first out, Dylan Carlson grounded to second for the second, and after Holliday worked yet another walk, the game ended fittingly, with Jordan Westburg, Baltimore’s earlier hero, swinging through strike three.

Sacramento’s win was built less on offensive fireworks and more on patience, timely hitting, and keeping the Orioles from breaking the game open when they had the chance. Pitching depth was key, seven different A’s pitchers combined to hold Baltimore to just six hits, with the bullpen striking out eight in relief of Morales. Brent Rooker’s multi-hit afternoon set the tone offensively, and Colby Thomas’ sixth-inning RBI kept the A’s in striking distance. But the lasting memory will be MacIver’s two-run double in the ninth, the hit that turned a frustrating afternoon into a statement of patient triumph.

The A’s return to Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento Monday night starting pitchers for theTampa Bay Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (7-9 ERA 3.77) for the A’s RHP Jefferey Springs (10-7 ERA 3.89) first pitch 7:05pm PT.

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. 

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: Pilings and cement being poured at A’s Las Vegas ballpark site

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Still photo of the Las Vegas A’s ballpark construction site at the former Tropicana Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas at 9:10AM Sat Aug 9, 2025. Some cement and pilings have been installed. (A’s live stream)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Reports from the A’s Las Vegas ballpark construction actual cement is being poured into the foundation of the dugout portion of the grounds.

#2 The pilings have been constructed where the cement has been poured a large pile of dirt sits in the middle of the construction site.

#3 The A’s have filed permits worth over $157 million that have been filed with Clark County. The permits allow the constructing of the concrete at the lowest level of the ballpark to the upper main concourse with the primary steelwork.

#4 There have been questions if A’s owner John Fisher has been able to come up with his share of the $1.75 billion construction cost. At the groundbreaking ceremony in July A’s team president Mark Badain said the A’s have the money or they wouldn’t be doing the groundbreaking.

#5 The A’s said that they would be scheduling a project update at the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Aug 21st. Expected to attend are Las Vegas Stadium Convention and Authority CEO Steven Hill, A’s executive Sandy Dean, and Badain.

Join Daniel Dullum for the Athletics Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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. 

San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander acknowledges the crowd after striking out Washington Nationals' Nathaniel Lowe in the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Aug 10, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

Giants, Verlander stymied by Nats 8-0, lose another series at home to sub-.500 team

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Photo credit: San Francisco Giants pitcher Justin Verlander acknowledges the crowd after striking out Washington Nationals’ Nathaniel Lowe in the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Aug 10, 2025. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group via AP)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO–The San Francisco Giants had visions of getting back into the National League Wild Card race after an inspiring 4-2 road trip, but they came back to earth at the end of their home series against the Washington Nationals on Sunday in a 8-0 shutout loss.

The Giants currently sit four games out of the third and final Wild Card spot. In terms of the math, it looks doable. But in the eye test, the Giants look like they are a trek across the Sahara Desert away from reaching the postseason.

The Giants fell back to .500, 59-59. It was more of the same–wasted opportunities after getting the leadoff hitter on, a plethora of strikeouts, and a sub-.500 team with younger and more-exciting talent running circles around a seemingly-sluggish Giants team.

The top of the first inning started off great for the Giants. Verlander struck out the side, and in doing so, notched his 3500th career strikeout. A great feat for a great pitcher. But then, the trouble started.

“The rest was awful,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said. “I mean we have 40,000 people here, and we don’t give them anything to root for the entire game other than that. So, unfortunately, that probably is as disappointing a game as he had all year.”

Unfortunately for the Giants, the game was lost in the second inning. With runners at second and third and nobody out, Verlander struck out Nationals first baseman Brady House and got center fielder Jacob Young to ground out to second with the infield in.

But then, Verlander hung a 3-2 slider to James Wood, which he lined down the first base line for a 2-run double. Verlander had made Wood look silly on a couple of fastballs up in the zone earlier in the at-bat.

Then, CJ Abrams launched a two-run homer off the right-field foul pole on a similar hanging, 2-strike slider. The Nationals were up 4-0, but it may as well been 20-0.

The Nationals would add on lone runs in the fourth and sixth inning, followed by two unearned runs in the seventh.

Abrams would end the day 2-for-5 with a home run and a single. Former Giant Paul DeJong continued to torture the Giants with a 3-for-5 day.

The Giants had no answer for Nationals starting pitcher MacKenzie Gore, who pitched six shutout innings, striking out 10 Giants. 40,089 Giants fans at Oracle Park had very little to cheer about on a beautiful Sunday afternoon in the city.

“I’m frustrated that our fans come out and support us every night, and we gave them literally nothing today,” Melvin said.

The Giants could only scatter three hits for the game.

The highlight of the game for the Giants? A scoreless ninth inning from Christian Koss, a position player who came in to save the bullpen.

The Giants will try to get right against the San Diego Padres on Monday night at Oracle Park. Ace Logan Webb will try to get the Giants back into the win column.

Time is running out for the 2025 season, and if the Giants don’t want to be a team on the outside looking in for the eighth time in the last nine years, they’ll have to find that jetliner in an oasis to get them across the Sahara.

Or will that jetliner be another mirage?

Starting pitchers for Monday night the San Diego Padres have not announced a starter and the Giants will be going with RHP Logan Webb (10-8 ERA 3.24) first pitch at 6:45pm PT.

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O: Pawol did great job in first game as MLB’s first woman umpire; Yanks and Williams continue to suffer; plus more

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Jen Pawol makes baseball history as the first female umpire to work an MLB game in history working the first game of a doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Sat Aug 9, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 Jen Pawol made baseball history becoming the first female to work a MLB regular season game. Pawol’s made her umpiring debut on Saturday’s first game of a doubleheader between the Atlanta Braves and Miami Marlins. Pawol worked first base and had a relatively quiet first game.

#2 New York Yankees reliever Devin Williams battled against the Houston Astros in a 5-3 loss on Friday night allowing three runs in the tenth inning. The Astros Carolos Correa got a base hit and Taylor Trammell hit a two run home run for a 5-2 score. Williams has allowed four home runs in his last eight appearances.

#3 Hall of Famer and former New York Yankee Mariano Rivera tore his Achilles tendon while chasing a fly ball at an Old Timer’s game on Saturday. Rivera will need surgery. Mariano’s agent Fern Cuza said that Rivera who is 55 will have the operation in less than a week.

#4 Former Seattle Mariner Ichiro Suzuki has his No.51 retired in a pregame ceremony in Seattle before facing the Tampa Bay Rays. Ichiro said to the crowd, “What’s up Seattle!” and added “Iam so grateful to be here today to receive this highest of honors.”

#5 Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani hit his 40th home run of the season on Saturday night against the Toronto Blue Jays in a 9-1 win. Ohtani hit a 417 foot shot off Jays starter Chris Bassitt which gave the Dodgers a three run lead.

Charlie O does the MLB The Show podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Earthquakes stun Whitecaps with Judd’s late heroics in 2-1 win

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San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd celebrates his game winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps with his teammates and fans at PayPal Park on Saturday AUG 9, 2025. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Preston Judd has made the most of his opportunities when his number is called.

Judd scored the game winning goal in the fourth minute of stoppage time in the second half as the San Jose Earthquakes pulled out a 2-1 upset victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday evening at PayPal Park.

Jamal Ricketts, who came into the match as a sub in the third minute of stoppage time, set up Judd’s late match magic when he went around a defender and crossed the ball over the middle from left to right. DeJuan Jones, one touched it back into the middle of the box before Judd blasted it in from point-blank range for his fifth goal of the season.

“I’ve been saying it all year. Whenever I get in, I want to make a difference. We were winning 1-0, but even then, I wanted to get the second goal to hopefully help the team win. I got in a position where I helped the team win in the 94th minute,” Judd said.

San Jose snapped a six-match league winless streak and seventh overall as well as moved up to the eighth spot in the Western Conference. Vancouver had its three-match point streak snapped and remained in second place, four points behind San Diego.

Vancouver (13-6-6-45 points) put themselves behind the eight ball early in the match as they went down a player in the 27th minute when Édier Ocampo picked up his second yellow card of the match after knocking down Vitor Costa just outside the box resulting in a red card and an automatic ejection. Ocampo recorded his first yellow card in the 20th minute with a hard foul.

San Jose (8-10-8-32 points) were left wondering in the 30th minute on an apparent foul inside the box by Vancouver’s Andres Cubas after making contact with Chico Arango causing Arango to fall to the turf. Referee Timothy Ford let the play go as no penalty was called on the play.

The Whitecaps got caught with their hand in the cookie jar one too many times in the 50th minute. Triston Blackmon tripped up Costa inside the box resulting in a penalty. After a short video review that confirmed the penalty on Blackmon, Josef Martinez scored his co team-leading 11th goal of the season after converting the penalty kick with a right footed shot off of the left post and into the back of the net past Whitecaps goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.

Martinez has scored five goals in four career games against Vancouver.

A minute later Quakes goalkeeper Daniel made a point-blank save with his right leg when he challenged an unmarked Daniel Rios who was left wide open inside the middle of the box after Vancouver quickly attacked on the ensuing kickoff.

Daniel kept his bid for a clean sheet with a timely diving save off of a Jayden Nelson right-footed shot from the left side of the box in the 71st minute.

Vancouver scored the equalizer in the 88th minute thanks to a lucky break. Blackmon lofted a ball out to Brian White who was able to volley the ball to himself. On the same play Quakes defender Bruno Wilson slipped and fell that led to a breakaway for White. The Whitecaps leading scorer chipped the ball past Daniel for his team leading 12th goal of the season.

“Giving up a goal, up a man, that late, it’s frustrating. We never got out of the game. Right away we started attacking. We were pushing for that goal. We know we needed the goal. Our attitude on the field showed that we were going to score a goal. I felt it. I believed in it. I think a lot of the players believed that we were going to score a goal to win that game. It showed and it worked out,” Judd reiterated.

Daniell finished with two saves on three shots to earn his eighth win of the season. Takaoka made three saves on five shots on target in the losing effort.

“A tough game, but we’ve been in a lot of those games this year and been on the other side of it as well,” said San Jose Earthquakes head coach Bruce Arena. “I’m pleased with the win. If we’re a team that has any interest in being in the playoffs, we have to win these home games, so this is critically important.”

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished the match with five corner kicks. Vancouver had three.

The Earthquakes improved their record against the Vancouver Whitecaps to 11-12-12 all-time in MLS regular season play with an 8-2-8 (26 GF, 16 GA) record at home.

The Quakes moved up to eighth in the MLS Western Conference standings with 32 points (8-10-8). Vancouver Whitecaps FC remained second in the West with 45 points (13-6-6).

Bruce Arena won his 270th regular-season game, extending his MLS record among head coaches. The late great Sigi Schmid is second with 240.

The Quakes earned their first home victory in league play since May 3, a 4-1 win over Portland.

The team celebrated Portuguese Heritage Night at PayPal Park, with Lisbon native Bruno Wilson starting at center back for the Quakes. Wilson played his youth football at Oeiras and Sporting Clube de Portugal before playing as a professional with SC Braga, CD Tondela and FC Vizela.

Cristian Espinoza made four key passes tonight to extend his MLS lead (86). He remains tied for second in the league in assists (12).

Daniel’s two saves ran his total to 82, good for sixth in MLS.

With 48 goals in 26 matches, San Jose is currently third in MLS in total goals. Only San Diego FC (50) and Inter Miami CF (49) have outscored the Quakes in 2025.

The Earthquakes’ attack is back up to first in the league in expected goals (53.92). The Philadelphia Union is second (52.23).

Whitecaps newly acquired midfielder Thomas Müller will be introduced at a press conference on Thursday by the Whitecaps as he hopes to make his Vancouver debut in their next match against the Houston Dynamo on August 17th.

UP NEXT: San Jose plays its inaugural match against San Diego FC on Sunday August 17th at 4:00pm at PayPal Park.

San Francisco 49ers podcast David Zizmor: Broncos roll on 49ers for 30-9 win pre season opener in Santa Clara

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Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix throws against the San Francisco 49ers defense in the first pre season game on Sat Aug 9, 2025 at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara (AP News photo)

San Francisco 49ers podcast podcast David Zizmor:

#1 Jarrett Stidham threw for two touchdown passes after seeing Denver Bronco quarterbacks Bo Nix and Broncos starters struggle against the San Francisco 49ers defense. Stidham led the way in the pre season opener for a Bronco 30-9 win.

#2 The two teams worked out in a joint practice on Thursday as the starters from both teams got plenty of work in. The 49ers during the game played just a few starters and the Broncos used their starters for just a few series.

#3 Second game of the pre season 49ers are in Las Vegas against the Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on Sat Aug 16, 2025

David Zizmor does the 49ers podcasts after each 49ers game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Bats Erupt Early to Power Past Orioles 11-3 in Statement Win

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A’s Bats Erupt Early to Power Past Orioles 11-3 in Statement Win

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics didn’t waste any time reminding the Baltimore Orioles crowd that this wasn’t going to be an ordinary night at Camden Yards as the A’s blasted the O’s 11-3 on Saturday.

The first two pitches they saw didn’t even matter, Lawrence Butler worked a leadoff walk, and on the very next at-bat Shea Langeliers unloaded on a Brandon Young fastball, sending it on a low, screaming line into the left field seats. Just like that, the Green and Gold were up 2-0, and the tone was set.

Of course, the Orioles had an answer of their own in the bottom half. Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg opened with back-to-back singles before Gunnar Henderson launched a center-field shot that flipped the score in Baltimore’s favor, 3-2. For a moment, it looked like we might be in for one of those punch-counterpunch slugfests that test the stamina of both teams.

But instead, the Athletics turned it into a one-sided hitting clinic.

Langeliers got the rally started again in the third with a sharp single, and Nick Kurtz followed with another hit to set the table for Brent Rooker. Rooker didn’t miss, swatting his 24th home run of the season into the Baltimore night and reclaiming the lead, 5-3. Tyler Soderstrom, who seems determined to hit in every game he plays, doubled to extend his streak to ten straight, eventually scoring on a Darell Hernaiz sacrifice fly.

By the time the fifth inning rolled around, the Sacramento lineup decided it was time to bury Baltimore under a mountain of hits. Kurtz and Rooker kicked things off with another one-two punch, Rooker’s double plating a run.

The inning snowballed from there, JJ Bleday drew a walk, Hernaiz reached on a pitcher’s error, and Luis Urías brought home another with a single. That chased Young’s replacement Yaramil Hiraldo from the game, but the fresh arm didn’t slow the A’s.

Gio Urshela drilled a two-run double, Langeliers banged a ground-rule double to plate another, and the scoreboard blinked an eye-popping 11-3 by the time the Orioles could stagger back to the dugout.

Jack Perkins, meanwhile, quietly steadied the game for Sacramento after a bumpy first inning. Once he got the ball with a lead, he went to work, forcing weak contact and letting his defense back him up. The Orioles, who’d looked ready to slug along early, were suddenly reduced to a string of harmless fly balls and frustrated strikeouts.

Baltimore’s biggest problem wasn’t just that Sacramento was hitting, it was that the A’s lineup spread the damage around. Langeliers was a menace at the plate with three hits, including the opening home run, and drove in four.

Rooker was equally destructive with a homer and a double. Kurtz chipped in two singles, Urshela added a two-run double, and Urías joined the fun with two hits and two RBIs. Even the outs had sting to them, as several lineouts were ripped right at Baltimore fielders.

After the offensive explosion, the A’s bullpen kept things airtight. Michael Kelly took over in the seventh and, aided by a fine grab from Soderstrom in foul territory, kept the Orioles from building even a whisper of a rally. Hogan Harris slammed the door in the ninth with two strikeouts, ensuring the Athletics didn’t need to sweat the late innings.

For Sacramento, this was the blueprint game, patience at the plate, punishing mistakes, and pitching that tightens as the night goes on. They made an Orioles team fighting to stay in the playoff picture look like they were still in spring training mode.

The win also underscored the balance in the Athletics’ lineup. No single player carried the load; instead, they produced an assembly line of base runners and timely extra-base hits. They scored in four different innings, tallied 15 hits, and walked five times, giving their pitchers a cushion big enough to land a jumbo jet.

The Orioles, for their part, had no answer after the first inning. Henderson’s three-run blast was their only real highlight. Once Perkins and the bullpen adjusted, Baltimore went down in order in four separate innings and never truly threatened again. Even when they did put a man on, The A’s defense snuffed it out.

For fans of the Green and Gold, it was the kind of night that offers both entertainment and reassurance. Sacramento didn’t just win; they dictated every inning after the first. If this version of the Athletics shows up consistently, they’re going to make life miserable for opposing pitchers from now until the season’s final day.

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. 

Valkyries Apply The D: Sparks Stopped Cold in 72-59 Loss

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By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–The streaking Sparks arrived at Ballhalla having scored at least 100 points in each of five wins over their last six games. All that offense came to a halt Saturday night with an  uncurteous assist from the Valkyries.

The hosts clamped down, holding Los Angeles to 32 percent shooting in a 72-59 win that was critical for playoff positioning. The Valkyries clinched the season series between the clubs with a third win in four meetings, and created a one game cushion in the fight for the eighth and last playoff seed.

The visitors were essentially limited to a credible offensive showing in the second quarter then through two surges in the third quarter. That brought the Sparks to within 43-40 with 4:52 remaining in the quarter but they would get no closer the remainder of the game. The Valkyries closed beautifully, surviving a scoreless finish over the final 3:41 without relinquishing their double-digit lead.

Veronica Burton was a two-way menace with a team-best 16 points along with suffocating defense on Kelsey Plum, who was limited to 4 points and one made basket. In the season-opener, Plum exploded for 37 points, but this time was left visibly flustered.

“We were really connected defensively,” Burton said. “The communication was at an all-time high, we were in our shifts. Obviously I was guarding her a lot but I never felt like I was on an island.”

“Just Vee understanding the game plan, asking questions at shootaround… We understand the talent of Kelsey Plum, scorer on all three levels. Credit to Vee, and credit for her teammates having her back,” coach Natalie Nakase said.

The Valkyries scoring was characteristically balanced Cecila Zandalasini contributing 14 points, all in the first half, and Janelle Salaun adding 11. Twelve made threes were most damaging to the Sparks with Zandalasini leading the way with four of those. Also, the Sparks were plagued by turnovers early with eight of their total of 12 coming in the game’s first 15 minutes.

Dearica Hamby led Los Angeles with 15 points, and Julie Allemand and Rae Burrell scored 10.

Julie Vanloo was greeted with a warm welcome in her return to Chase Center after her controversial release following her return from the Eurobasket tournament. Vanloo had two points and four rebounds in 13 minutes for the Sparks.

Steph Curry and his wife Ayesha were present in support of family friend Cameron Brink. Brink had five points and two rebounds off the bench.

The Valkyries conclude their home stretch on Monday at 7:00pm against the Connecticut Sun.

Devers Homers Again but Giants Fall to Nationals After Whisenhunt’s Rough Start

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Carson Whisenhunt #88 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Washington Nationals in the second inning at Oracle Park on August 09, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

DOWNTOWN SAN FRANCISCO — The Giants and Nationals played game two of their three-game series on Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park. The Giants fell behind early and weren’t able to mount a comeback, falling to the Nationals 4-2 in the matinee affair.

Carson Whisenhunt wasn’t sharp from the get-go on Saturday, giving up a leadoff homer to James Wood in the top of the first inning. Whisenhunt would only go four innings, surrendering three runs — all on home runs — and giving up five hits while walking three.

“I didn’t have my best stuff,” Whisenhunt said after the game. “The home runs, I left pretty much through the middle of the plate. Just got to be a little better.”

Bob Melvin shared Whisenhunt’s sentiments after the game, chalking it up to a few missed pitches and a lack of command.

“Well, they [Nationals] were on his fastball,” Melvin said postgame. “They hit some fastballs for homers, so I think his stuff was as good as we’ve seen it today. But just kind of middle-middle… three fastballs and they hit three homers off [those pitches].”

On the other hand, the bullpen came in and pitched well, all things considered. Carson Seymour came in to relieve Whisenhunt and threw three innings of one-run ball, giving up four hits in his relief. Matt Gage, who served as the opener on Friday, came in to finish the game, throwing two scoreless innings while allowing two hits in his appearance.

In the end, the Giants’ offense wasn’t able to get enough done to mount the comeback they needed. However, just as he did on Friday, Rafael Devers got the Giants on the board with a solo home run in the sixth inning.

After the game, Bob Melvin spoke to Devers’ ability to get deep into counts and lay off tough pitches en route to some of the solid at-bats he’s been having.

“… He’s just a really good hitter who knows what his strengths are, and the fact that he does hit the ball the other way allows him to lay off some pitches when he’s feeling good.”

The Giants’ only other run came in the eighth inning when pinch hitter Wilmer Flores hit a sacrifice fly to center field to give the Giants their second run of the game. That was all she wrote for the Giants as they fell by the final of 4-2 while amassing eight hits total.

The Giants fell to 59-58 with the loss as the Nationals improved to 45-70.

On Sunday, the Giants and Nationals will play the rubber match at 1:05 p.m. PST at Oracle Park. Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.29 ERA) is set to go for the Giants as the Nationals counter with MacKenzie Gore (4-12, 4.29 ERA).