Anaheim Angels Zach Neto (right) is out by plenty as he tagged out by the Sacramento A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson (left) in the top of the second inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Jun 19, 2026 (Golden Bay Times photo)

By Mauricio Segura

WESTSACRAMENTO–This game resembled a Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner cartoon, with the Sacramento A’s spending most of it chasing the Los Angeles Angels trying different strategies. But in the end, they didn’t fall off a cliff. They actually caught the bird. Somehow, after falling behind by seven runs, the Green and Gold still found a way to leave with a 12-11 win in 10 innings, finishing a game that had just about everything except a quiet inning.

For a while, this looked like Sacramento’s game from the start. Lawrence Butler gave the Athletics a 1-0 lead in the second with a solo homer to center, and the third inning turned that small lead into something stronger. Zack Gelof drew a walk, Shea Langeliers doubled him home, Tyler Soderstrom followed with a single, and Jacob Wilson doubled in Langeliers. Carlos Cortes then grounded out to score Soderstrom, pushing the Athletics ahead 4-0.

That early lead disappeared fast. The Angels turned the fourth inning into a long, ugly climb for Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs. Christian Moore scored Nolan Schanuel with a sacrifice fly, Denzer Guzman followed with a two-run homer, and Jose Siri gave Los Angeles the lead with a three-run shot to left center. Zach Neto added another homer before the inning ended, and just like that, the Angels had flipped a 4-0 deficit into a 7-4 lead.

Los Angeles kept swinging in the fifth. Jo Adell drew a walk, Oswald Peraza singled, and Logan O’Hoppe crushed a three-run homer to left center, stretching the Angels’ lead to 10-4. When Schanuel homered in the sixth, the Athletics were staring at an 11-4 hole. A deep, dark, looming hole that no one in the stadium would have bet they could climb out of. But they did, and in grand style at that.

The A’s began nibbling away like mice in a cardboard factory. Gelof singled in Butler in the sixth, extending a hitting streak that had already become one of the best in club history. Gelof entered the game riding a 22-game streak, tied for fourth longest by an Athletic in the expansion era, and he kept giving the lineup a steady spark.

Wilson made things interesting in the seventh with a two-run homer after Soderstrom drew a walk, trimming Anaheim’s lead to 11-7. In the eighth, Butler reached again, and Max Muncy, who had entered as a pinch-hitter earlier, sent a two-run homer to center. Suddenly, it was 11-9, and what had looked like a lost cause had turned into a full-blown heavyweight mess.

Then came the ninth, and Jonah Heim gave the Athletics the swing they needed most. Soderstrom doubled to center with one out, Wilson moved him to third, and Heim, pinch-hitting for Colby Thomas, launched a two-run homer to right. The game was tied 11-11, and the Athletics had erased all seven runs of the Angels’ advantage.

The 10th inning gave the Angels a chance to answer, starting with Moore at second base. Denzer Guzman moved him to third with a fly ball, but O’Hoppe hit into a fielder’s choice as Muncy threw home to Langeliers to cut down Moore. Wade Meckler then struck out, and the Angels missed their chance to retake control.

The Athletics did not waste theirs. Butler began the bottom of the 10th at second, Henry Bolte drew a walk, and both runners advanced on a double steal after a confirmed challenge. Max Muncy flied out, Zack Gelof was hit by a nasty pitch, and after Kirby Yates left following an injury delay, Samy Natera Jr. faced Nick Kurtz with the bases loaded. Kurtz drew the game-ending walk, forcing in Butler and sealing a 12-11 win that was wild, weird, and very baseball Twilight Zone.

The win also fit a team that entered with 20 come-from-behind victories and one of the better extra-inning records in the majors. It was not graceful. But it was a reminder that this Athletics lineup, especially with Butler, Gelof, Wilson, Soderstrom, Heim, and Kurtz all finding ways to matter, can turn a bad night into a box score nobody forgets.

Game 2 brings a steadier pitching question, at least on paper, with J.T. Ginn (5-3, 2.91 ERA, 68 K) getting the ball for the Athletics against Angels right-hander Walbert Urena (4-5, 2.60 ERA, 58 K), with first pitch set for 7:05 p.m. Pacific.

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.