Justin Sterner #60 of the Athletics pitches against the Texas Rangers in the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 16, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SACRAMENTO — The Athletics and Rangers met to conclude a four-game series at Sutter Health Park on Thursday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. PST.

The Rangers managed to salvage a series split, defeating the Athletics 9-6 in windy conditions.

It was a turbulent afternoon in Sacramento, and that’s exactly how Jacob Lopez’s day went as he got the start for the A’s.

Lopez, who has been solid so far this season for the A’s, continued to battle walks in his start on Thursday. Lopez entered the game having walked 13 batters in his first three games of the season; he added four more to his total against the Rangers, as he has now walked 17 batters in four starts this year. Even with the walks, Lopez managed to go five innings of two-run, three-hit baseball while striking out five hitters on the day. It was a solid start for Lopez as he continues to battle command issues early this season.

Luis Medina came on in relief for Lopez, pitched the sixth inning, and recorded one out in the seventh. Medina finished going one and a third innings, giving up two runs on two hits while walking one and striking out one.

Scott Barlow was next up for the A’s as he pitched two-thirds of an inning to wrap up the seventh. Barlow gave up a run on one hit, a home run, and walked two batters in his appearance.

Jack Perkins pitched the eighth inning for the A’s and was the sharpest pitcher for them all game. Perkins’ only blemish was a hit batter as he threw a scoreless inning, allowing no walks, hits, or runs.

In the ninth inning, with the A’s having just taken the lead in the bottom of the eighth, Mark Kotsay elected to go with Justin Sterner for the ninth inning. Sterner had a disastrous inning as he allowed four runs on four hits while walking one and striking out one in his inning of relief.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s gave themselves a lot of chances all game to put up crooked numbers. The Athletics’ offense tallied 13 hits and four walks but was only able to score six runs in the game.

The scoring came in the third and eighth innings for the A’s as they plated three runs in each of those innings.

In the third inning, the A’s scored for the first time on a two-RBI single from Jacob Wilson that tied the game at the time. Later in that same inning, Carlos Cortes singled home Wilson to give the A’s the lead before getting thrown out in no-man’s-land between first and second base.

The A’s wouldn’t score again until the bottom of the eighth inning, down 5-3 and looking for a spark to get the offense going. The A’s loaded the bases with two outs, and it brought Nick Kurtz to the plate. Kurtz, who has struggled early on this season, hit a wind-aided, bases-clearing, three-RBI double to give the A’s a 6-5 lead heading into the ninth inning. The ball was popped up by Kurtz to what ended up being shallow left field, but the left fielder never had a shot as the wind was blowing it in all types of directions.

Sterner failed to hold the lead, as detailed earlier, and the A’s fell to the Rangers 9-6.

With the loss, the Athletics fell to 10-9 on the season. 

The A’s will stay home to take on Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox in the first of a three-game series on Friday at 6 p.m. PST. Aaron Civale (2-0, 1.72 ERA) is set to start the game for the A’s as the White Sox send Davis Martin (2-1, 2.50 ERA) to the hill.

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.