Oakland Ballers vs. San Jose Giants Battle of the Bay exhibtion game at Excite Ballpark in San Jose on Tue Mar 31, 2026 (image from Oakland Ballers X)

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

By Lewis Rubman

Oakland Ballers 1 San José Giants 13

Attendance 2,800 (estimated)

SAN JOSE–It doesn’t take long for the Bay Area to establish a tradition. Last year’s Battle of the Bay 2.0 was such a success that it was inevitable that there’d be a repeat performance of the showdown between the San Francisco Giants’ Class A California League farm team and Your Oakland Ballers of the independent Pioneer Baseball League, classified as “partner” circuit with MLB. the successor to the big league franchise that deserted Oakland. San José defeated Oakland last year, 5-2, but the crew from Raimondi Field held their own. Tonight’s encounter was a different story. The B’s fell behind in the first inning and never recovered. The final score was a dismal 13-1

Both teams won their league’s championship in 2025, but the similarities end there.

The Giants had a month’s spring training under their belt. Tuesday night’s exhibition game was the first time the 2026 incarnation of the Ballers took the field together.

The game was played under this year’s MLB rules, which gave Oakland somewhat of a well needed boost because the most radical change in those rules this year has been their adoption of the Pioneer Baseball League’s challenge system. I don’t think anyone would argue that the East Bayers were a better team than their opponents, even though none of the little Giants is on the big team’s 40 player roster. Still, both squads were motivated by both pride and the need to prove themselves.

For a moment it looked as if the Ballers had a chance. Returning slugger Tyler Lozano matched Walker Martin’s round tripper matched Walker Martin’s homer that had given the Giants their early lead. That was Lozano’s only at bat for the chilly and drizzly night and the one bright spot in his team’s dismal performance.

Dario Reynoso led San José’s attack with a perfect three for three at the plate. Two of his hits were doubles, and he was walked a couple of times, drove four runs across the plate, and stole a base in the bargain. Two other Giants had perfect offensive nights; Martin’s blast in the opening frame came in his only at bat, and Cam Maldonado went two for two, with a triple, a walk,and a stolen base.

None of Oakland’s hurlers last more than a frame on the mound.

The box score hasn’t been released at this writing.

San José retained the Tom Pellack Memorial Bridge Trophy, made from the steel used in the original Bay Bridge.There’s a certain irony in that.

The Ballers will have plenty of time to recover.The reigning Pioneer Baseball League champions will open the defense of their title at Raimondi Fieldon Tuesday evening, May 19 at 6:35.