Brady Basso #66 of the Athletics throws a pitch during the first inning of the Los Angeles Angels and Athletics game at Sutter Health Park on September 22, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The A’s returned home to Sacramento on Tuesday for the first of two games against the Los Angeles Angels. The A’s, who went 0-6 on their six-game road trip, were limping to the finish line after what has been a disappointing 2026 season.
The A’s, thanks to late-game heroics, defeated the Angels 9-7 to open the final homestand of the season at Sutter Health Park.
Brady Basso got the start for the A’s in what was his 25th appearance and seventh start of the 2026 campaign. Basso, who was looking to build on his last home start, wasn’t able to replicate his success. Basso struggled early and often as he was only able to go two innings while surrendering five runs on six hits. In addition, Basso gave up two walks and a home run while striking out two during his outing.
First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Scott Blewett, who came in and pitched the third inning. Blewett was solid in his appearance as he gave up just one hit while striking out two in the frame.
Seth Johnson was next out of the bullpen for Mark Kotsay as he called on the right-hander for the fourth, fifth and part of the sixth inning. Johnson was solid, but he did give up one run on four hits in his two and two-thirds innings of work. Johnson also walked one and struck out one during his appearance.
Drew Rom came on next for the Athletics to record the final out of the sixth inning. Rom went back out and continued pitching for the A’s as he tossed the seventh inning without giving up anything. All in, Rom tossed one and a third innings of work, allowing nothing and striking out no one.
Luis Medina came in for the A’s in the eighth inning as he looked to keep things close after the A’s mounted a rally in the seventh. It wasn’t the cleanest of innings for Medina, but he managed to navigate through it, allowing only one hit and a walk but no runs.
In the ninth inning, it was Hogan Harris on for the A’s to close things out. Harris walked the first batter of the inning, but it was immediately erased by a twin killing from the A’s defense. Harris gave up two more singles, directly followed by an unlucky RBI hit off Harris to make things tighter at a 9-7 score. However, Harris was able to escape the inning allowing nothing else and secured the win for the A’s, 9-7. Harris allowed three hits and a run in his one inning of work while striking out one and walking one.
On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s scored nine runs while compiling 14 hits and walking three times in the game.
Lawrence Butler got the A’s on the board with their first run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning. Butler launched a ball deep to the wall in right-center field that banged off the wall and gave Butler time to get to third on the play. It was the second triple for Butler this season, and the run that scored was his 60th RBI of the year.
Later that inning, the A’s got their second run of the game. Jeff McNeil reached on a fielder’s choice and error by the first baseman on a play that scored Lawrence Butler from third base. It was the A’s second run and, at the time, kept their rally going.
In the seventh inning, the A’s scored their third run of the game on yet another triple. This time, it was Carlos Cortes who drilled a ball to right field that the Angels couldn’t handle, and it went all the way to the wall. Cortes ended up at third base with his second triple of the year, and Alika Williams crossed the plate to give Cortes the RBI.
Later that inning, the A’s would get their fourth run of the game on an RBI single from Shea Langeliers. Carlos Cortes scored on the play to give Langeliers his 56th RBI of the year.
In what turned into a nightmare inning for the Angels, the A’s scored again on an RBI walk from Jeff McNeil that saw Henry Bolte cross the dish. It was the fifth run of the game and third of the inning for the A’s as they continued their comeback, making it a 6-5 game.
In what was a perfect bookend to the offensive night, the A’s scored four more runs in the eighth inning to complete the comeback against the Angels. Carlos Cortes, who wasn’t even in the starting lineup, launched a two-run home run over the wall in right field to give the A’s a 7-6 lead in the eighth inning. It was the 10th home run of the year for Cortes and gave him three RBIs on the night. The home run left the bat at 103.4 mph and landed on the bullpen roof 386 feet away from home plate.
However, the A’s weren’t done yet. Later in the inning, Zach Gelof launched his own two-run homer to give the A’s a 9-6 lead and position themselves firmly in the driver’s seat. It was the 20th home run of the year for Gelof and his 51st and 52nd RBIs of the year. The ball left Gelof’s bat at 101.9 mph and landed 411 feet away on top of the visitors’ clubhouse.
The A’s and Angels will play the second and final game of their brief two-game series on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s will send Jeffrey Springs (4-14, 6.18 ERA) to the hill as the Angels counter with Walbert Ureña (9-10, 2.74 ERA).
