St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II, left, grounds out as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz handles the throw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Athletics Miss Their Chance in St. Louis as Cardinals Capitalize Late for 2-1 win
By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics ran into a familiar frustration: timely hits from the other side, a bullpen mistake at the wrong moment, and bats that just couldn’t find enough holes. The St. Louis Cardinals made the most of their opportunity, turning one swing from Iván Herrera into the difference in a 2-1 defeat for the Green and Gold Tuesday night.

For the first five innings, this game felt like it belonged to the A’s. Luis Severino set the tone early, retiring batters with a mix of sharp fastballs and well-placed breaking stuff. He allowed a few singles but escaped any real damage, highlighted by picking off Nathan Church in the third inning. Severino looked completely in control, striking out three and keeping the Cardinals from generating any real momentum.

Meanwhile, the A’s did their best to scratch across a run against St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas. In the top of the third, JJ Bleday doubled and advanced to third after a misplay in right field by Church. That opened the door for Nick Kurtz, who smacked a sharp double of his own to score Bleday and give Sacramento a 1-0 lead. It was the kind of at-bat that showed why Kurtz has quickly become a vital piece in the middle of the order.

Sacramento threatened again in the fifth when Zack Gelof doubled and moved to third, but the A’s failed to cash him in. Jacob Wilson’s popup ended the inning and kept it a one-run game. That inability to tack on runs turned out to be the theme of the night. Time after time, the A’s got men on base but couldn’t string together the hits needed to break the game open.

Severino’s night ended after five scoreless innings, and manager Mark Kotsay turned to the bullpen. That’s where things unraveled. Hogan Harris came on in the sixth and immediately allowed a leadoff walk to speedster Victor Scott II. A sacrifice bunt and a soft grounder moved Scott to third with two outs. With first base open, the A’s still chose to pitch to Herrera. The Cardinals catcher made them pay, crushing a two-run homer to center field off reliever Michael Kelly. Just like that, Sacramento’s slim lead had evaporated.

From there, the A’s couldn’t find an answer. Matt Svanson and JoJo Romero shut them down over the final three innings, allowing just one walk and striking out two. Sacramento’s last chance came in the eighth when Jacob Wilson drew a two-out walk, but pinch-runner Max Schuemann was stranded after Brent Rooker popped out. The ninth brought more of the same: three quick outs, capped by Shea Langeliers going down on strikes and pinch-hitter Colby Thomas grounding out to end it.

It was the type of loss that gnaws at a team. The Athletics outhit the Cardinals early, had runners in scoring position multiple times, and still couldn’t find that one clutch knock to put the game out of reach. Instead, the story became a single mistake pitch and a wasted gem from Severino, who deserved far better than a no-decision.

Starting pitchers for Wednesday for Sacramento LHP Jefferey Springs (10-9 ERA 4.17) for the Cardinals Matthew Liberatore (6-11 ERA 4.32) first pitch 4:45 pm PT at Busch Stadium St Louis.

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.