Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Sutter Health Park on September 08, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — As the first fake fall in Sacramento came to a screeching halt on Tuesday with the return of near-100-degree temperatures, the A’s and Blue Jays engaged in game two of their three-game series at Sutter Health Park at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s, having won the first game of the series in walk-off fashion on Monday, sent Jack Perkins to the hill to start the ballgame as they looked to secure the series win.

The Blue Jays spoiled the night for the A’s and evened the series as they took game two, 4-2.

As mentioned earlier, it was Jack Perkins taking the ball for the A’s in what was his 34th appearance for the club this season (his 14th start). Perkins got off to a bit of a rough start, allowing two home runs in the second inning, but he settled in nicely until he was eventually chased in the sixth inning. Perkins allowed the first two batters of the sixth to reach base via singles, and that prompted Mark Kotsay to come and get him. When it was all said and done, Perkins allowed four runs on seven hits across five-plus innings of work while striking out three and allowing no walks.

“Honestly, this is probably the first one this year that I can really say that I feel like I took a good step in the right direction,” Perkins said to the media after the game. “Obviously the no walks was huge, but I think the way my pitches were working off of each other, getting the sinker involved more… the way the other pitches performed, I thought I did really well.”

A’s manager Mark Kotsay was also pleased with the way Perkins performed.

“Command was better and for him to get into the sixth inning after the last start… tonight was a different guy.”

Chris Roycroft was first out of the bullpen for the A’s in the sixth inning, taking over for Perkins. Roycroft was unable to help Perkins out and keep any inherited runners from scoring, but he limited the damage to keep the A’s in the game. Roycroft pitched two innings of no-run, three-hit baseball while walking none and striking out one during his outing.

In the eighth inning, the A’s turned to Geoff Hartlieb. Hartlieb allowed no runs, one hit and one walk and managed two strikeouts across his two innings of work, allowing Mark Kotsay to save the rest of the bullpen as he finished the game.

At the plate, the A’s totaled two runs on six hits while walking only once.

The A’s first run of the game came in the fourth inning when Carlos Cortes sent a booming home run over the wall in right-center field. It was the ninth home run of the season for Cortes and his 40th RBI, which pulled the A’s to within a run, 2-1, at the time. The home run left the bat of Cortes at 99.4 mph and landed 388 feet from home plate.

The A’s second run of the game came later, in the seventh inning, when Donovan Walton went yard to get the A’s back on the board. It was the sixth homer of the year for Walton and his 23rd RBI. The homer left Walton’s bat at 104.9 mph and landed 369 feet away from home plate over the wall in right field.

That would be all the offense the A’s could muster in the game.

With the win, the Blue Jays are back at the .500 mark at 73-73, while the A’s fell to 59-88. Jack Perkins was charged with the loss for the A’s (3-11), while José Soriano was credited with the win (12-7).

The A’s and Blue Jays will play the rubber game of the three-game series on Wednesday at 12:05 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. On Wednesday, the Blue Jays will send Braydon Fisher (3-4, 3.20 ERA) to the hill while the A’s will go with Brady Basso (1-2, 4.32 ERA) to start the game.

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.