Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Minnesota Twins in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on August 24, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO–Returning home to Sutter Health Park after a rough 2-5 road trip last week, the Sacramento A’s welcomed the Minnesota Twins to Sacramento on Monday night at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s, who are well past the point of saving their season, looked to play spoiler to the Twins. The Twins entered play on Monday only two games out of a wild-card spot in the AL, albeit with a record substantially under the .500 mark, at 63-68.
The Twins defeated the A’s in game one of the series, 9-6, as Jeffrey Springs took the loss in the game (his 12th of the season). The Twins improved to 64-68 as the A’s fell to 51-81.
A’s workhorse Jeffrey Springs got the nod on Monday to begin the series with the Twins. It was the 24th appearance for Springs this season (all starts), as he has had a rough go of it, allowing league-high totals in earned runs (76) and home runs (29) entering Monday’s action. Springs pitched OK for the A’s on Monday, some would say a solid outing for the way his 2026 has gone, but he was only able to get through four and two-thirds innings. Springs ran into immediate trouble in the first inning when he gave up a run, but he managed to limit the damage in the hopes of going deep in the game. Overall, Springs gave up four runs on seven hits while walking two, striking out three and giving up a home run, which has been his nemesis all season.
“A couple mistakes that obviously got hit, but overall a few ground balls that found holes,” Mark Kotsay said of Springs after the game. “I felt like there was a lot of soft contact. He obviously probably would feel like he didn’t execute as well as he needs to with some mislocation on the balls that got hit.”
The A’s bullpen had to put in major work on Monday with the early exit of an A’s starter, yet again.
Mark Kotsay elected to go to Hayden Juenger first out of the bullpen. Juenger finished the fifth inning in place of Springs and only got one out in the sixth inning. Across his two-thirds of an inning of relief, Juenger gave up three runs on three hits while walking one and striking out none.
Next up, Kade Morris came on in relief in the sixth inning. Morris pitched the rest of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Across his two and two-thirds innings of relief, Morris allowed two runs on five hits while walking no one and striking out two Twins hitters. It was a solid outing for Morris, who gave the A’s the length they needed after the abbreviated start from Springs.
Last out of the bullpen for the A’s was Drew Rom, who pitched the top of the ninth inning to close things out on the pitching side for the A’s. Rom managed to throw a scoreless inning where he allowed just one hit in the frame.
On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s had their opportunities, but they only managed six runs against the Twins pitching staff on 12 hits and three walks.
The A’s first run came in the third inning when Lawrence Butler brought home Henry Bolte with an RBI single up the middle of the field. The RBI was the 39th of the season for the right fielder, who has played much better since the All-Star break in July.
The A’s second run of the game came in the eighth inning when Tommy White hit an RBI sacrifice fly to bring home Henry Bolte. It was White’s seventh RBI of the year and Bolte’s second run of the game. Bolte also had three hits in the game (all singles) to bring his hit total in August to 30.
The A’s next two runs came in the ninth inning as Jeff McNeil hit a two-RBI double to score Jonah Heim and Henry Bolte to give the A’s their third and fourth runs of the game. They were RBIs 44 and 45 for the A’s current first baseman in Nick Kurtz’s absence due to injury.
The A’s fifth run of the game came a batter later as Zack Gelof hit an RBI double of his own that scored Jeff McNeil. It was Gelof’s 13th double of the year and his 37th RBI of the campaign.
However, the A’s weren’t done yet. Lawrence Butler came up and hit the third straight RBI double for the A’s as he drove home Zack Gelof and ended up at second base. It was Butler’s 40th RBI of the season and his 15th double.
That was all the A’s offense could muster as they mounted a late comeback that fell just short of what they needed.
The A’s will stay home to take on the Twins in game two of the three-game series on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. PDT. Gage Jump (5-8, 4.83 ERA) is slated to take the ball for the A’s as the Twins will counter with Taj Bradley (9-5, 3.90 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.
