J.T. Ginn #35 of the Athletics pitches during the top of the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 15, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Coming off a sweep at the hands of the Rays in their last series, the A’s bounced back on Friday against the Rangers as they took game one of the three-game series, 8-3. On Saturday, the A’s and Rangers faced off in game two of the series at 6:41 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park.

Thanks to a big sixth inning, the Rangers managed to just edge the A’s in a 5-3 tilt on Saturday night.

J.T. Ginn got the start for the A’s, which was his 22nd start in 25 appearances with the club this year. Ginn has made big strides over what he was a year ago for the A’s, proving more mature and able to work himself deep into games. On Saturday, Ginn ran into a bit of trouble immediately in the first inning, but he managed to work out of it and cruised through the fourth inning of the game. However, it was the fifth and sixth innings that did Ginn in as he gave up four runs across those two innings. All in, Ginn managed to get through six innings of work while surrendering four runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out seven.

“J.T. obviously has been our best this year,” Mark Kotsay said after the game. “So overall, a line like this in this ballpark, four runs, six innings, you don’t walk off here saying it’s not a battle. He had seven punchouts, I think one walk. So maybe not his best night, but he gave us a chance to win the game.”

First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Brady Basso as he came on to relieve Ginn in the seventh inning. Basso pitched well in his outing as he went one and two-thirds innings of work while allowing no runs on one hit and striking out two.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Scott Blewett to wrap up the eighth inning, but Blewett didn’t throw any pitches in the eighth as the A’s executed a pickoff at first base to record the last out of the inning. It was Blewett back out to finish the game in the ninth inning. Scott wasn’t able to pitch a clean ninth as the Rangers got to him for a run to extend their lead to 5-3 heading into the bottom half. Blewett was able to get out of the ninth, limiting the damage as the Rangers scored one run on two hits while striking out once and walking one time against Blewett in his inning and a third of work.

The A’s offense appeared to be hot early, but they finished the game scoring just three runs on eight hits and walking three times.

The A’s recorded their first runs of the game in the second inning when Henry Bolte came up with the clutch two-out knock. Bolte, with two outs and two on, drove a ball just over the wall in left field that clanked off the outside of the foul pole.

The call was ruled foul after a quick meeting of the umpires, and Mark Kotsay asked for a crew chief review, a request the umpires granted. The review ultimately showed the ball hit the pole, and they correctly ruled it a home run. It was Bolte’s sixth home run of the season and gave him RBIs 23, 24 and 25 on the season. The ball traveled 341 feet and left Bolte’s bat at 102.1 mph and at a 22-degree launch angle to give the A’s the 3-0 lead at the time.

That was all the offense the A’s could muster as they went out in the ninth inning unable to mount a sufficient offensive comeback, or really any offense since the second inning.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 48-75 on the season as the Rangers improved to 61-63.

The A’s and Rangers will play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PDT. The A’s are scheduled to send Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.38 ERA) to the hill to start for them as the Rangers will counter with Cody Bradford (0-1, 2.38 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

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