Miami Marlins Otto Lopez (front) on second base after hitting an RBI double, the Sacramento A’s second baseman Jeff McNeil (22) can’t bare to watch in the top of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sat Jul 4, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The A’s looked to get back on track and even the three-game series with the Marlins on the Fourth of July. The A’s haven’t won a series since June 8-10 against the Brewers and are in desperate need of some momentum as they head toward the All-Star break. The A’s dropped Game 1 to the Marlins on Friday and looked for Aaron Civale to even the series against Sandy Alcantara.

On Saturday, Aaron Civale and the A’s weren’t able to keep the Marlins at bay as they dropped Game 2, 7-2.

Aaron Civale made his 15th start of the season for the A’s, and it didn’t go according to plan for the right-hander. Civale struggled throughout the game and only made it through four and two-thirds innings while surrendering four runs on six hits, walking four and striking out six. Civale did his best to keep the A’s in it, but his 84 pitches were enough to prompt Mark Kotsay to go to the bullpen.

“I think for Aaron, a couple home runs put the ball up in the zone a little bit,” Kotsay said after the game. “For us as an offense to get behind, it’s tough to generate offense right now to score runs. Overall, the starting pitching is what we need to improve. We need to get guys deep into games. Zeros early for some momentum.”

The A’s bullpen had to carry a heavy load again on Saturday after Civale departed with two outs in the fifth inning.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Elvis Alvarado for the final out of the fifth, which he recorded via a strikeout after issuing a walk.

In the sixth inning, José Suarez came in to pitch and delivered a scoreless inning of work. Suarez walked one but otherwise didn’t allow another baserunner during his outing.

In the seventh inning, Kade Morris came on in relief. As it turned out, Kotsay stuck with Morris for the remainder of the game as he threw the final three innings for the A’s. Morris didn’t pitch particularly well, but he provided the needed length for the A’s with a depleted bullpen in a game they were unlikely to come back and win. Morris finished his night allowing three runs on seven hits while walking two over three innings and 68 pitches of relief.

On the offensive side, it was a rough night for the A’s, who managed just two runs on eight hits while drawing one walk.

The A’s first run came in the seventh inning when Jeff McNeil hit a sacrifice fly to score Henry Bolte from third. It was McNeil’s 26th RBI of the season as he looks to get hot after his three-RBI night on Friday.

In the ninth inning, the A’s mounted one last rally as Joshua Kuroda-Grauer reached on an error by the shortstop, allowing Carlos Cortes to score the A’s second run of the game.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 41-48 on the season and extended their stretch without winning a series.

Sunday, the A’s will hope to avoid a sweep as they take on the Marlins at 1:30 p.m. PDT. Gage Jump (3-2, 2.93 ERA) is slated to start for the A’s, while the Marlins will counter with Eury Pérez (4-6, 4.21 ERA).

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.