Author: Sports Radio Service

Oakland Roots match wrap: Roots Hold On for 1–1 Draw After First-Half Red Card

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Oakland Roots forward Wolfgang Prentice heads the ball for a goal against FC Tulsa during the first half of a USL Championship match, Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, Calif. (Bridget Whitaker – Sports Radio Service).

By Bridget Whitaker (Sports Radio Service staff writer)

OAKLAND– Coming off the strongest start in the Roots history, Oakland tied FC Tulsa in their game on Saturday night. They earned a hard fought draw at the Coliseum, overcoming adversity after being down a man in the first half.

The Roots are in sixth place in the Western Conference with a 2-3-1 record. On the contrary, Tulsa, the defending Conference Champions, sit in ninth place. In the first few minutes, the Roots opened the scoring with Wolfgang Prentice’s header.

This marked Prentice’s fouth goal of the season, just six matches in. Midway through the first half, Neveal Hackshaw cost the Roots an 11th player, being awarded a red card. From this point on FC Tulsa controlled the momentum and applied constant pressure to the Roots defensemen, forcing their keeper Raphael Spiegel to make several crucial saves to preserve the lead heading into half time.

Starting the second half, Tulsa continued to push, creating several chances as they took advantage of an extra player. Their persistence paid off with Bailey Sparks, the newest substitution for Tulsa, scored in the 65th minute to level the game.

Despite relentless pressure late in the game, Spiegel had a standout performance from goal to secure the draw for Oakland. Ryan Martin said a lack of composure made the difference in not being able to capitalize. “Composure is the biggest issue,” Martin said. “We are getting into good places…the good news is that we’re getting to those spots. Now it’s about taking the next step forward.”

The Roots will look to start fresh in their next game vs the Las Vegas Lights FC on Wednesday Apr 22 a 7:00pm PDT kick off at the Oakland Coliseum.

Crespo’s OT heroics help Barracuda snap losing streak in 4-3 win over Condors in season finale

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San Jose Barracuda forward Anthony Vincent (#76) battled for the puck with Bakersfield Condors center Sam Poulin (#8) during the Cuda’s 3-2 win at Tech CU Arena on Saturday APR 18, 2026. (San Jose Barracuda)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Jarod Crespo picked a great time to score his first career AHL goal.

Crespo scored the game winning goal on the rebound with a backhand shot with 35.3 left in the overtime session as the San Jose Barracuda defeated the Bakersfield Condors 4-3 in the season finale on Saturday evening at Tech CU Arena.

San Jose finished the season snapping its six-game losing streak as the number sixth seed in the Pacific Division. The Barracuda will face the Henderson Silver Knights in the first round of the playoffs in a best of three series out in Sin City. Bakersfield finished as the fifth seed and will face off against the Coachella Valley Firebirds down in the desert in their first-round matchup.

San Jose (40-22-2-2-84 points) drew first blood just past the halfway point of the first period with a power play goal. Brendan Hoffman sent a pass back to Filip Bystedt from behind the net. Bystedt fed Kasper Halttunen in the slot and Finnish forward buried a one-timer past Condor’s goalie Connor Ungar for his 16th goal of the season at the 11:20 mark.

Bakersfield (37-23-11-1-86 points) kept things chippy as a carryover from last night’s game down in Bakersfield. They were outshot 17-8 in the opening 20 minutes as Cuda goalie Gabriel Carrier was perfect.

The Condors evened the score just before the halfway mark of the second period. Arto Leppanen floated a puck toward the net that was redirected by Isaac Howard for his 24th goal of the season at the 8:48 mark. Howard has scored in back-to-back games against San Jose.

The Cuda regained the lead late in the middle frame with an even strength goal. Bystedt began a counterattack from behind his own goal line. Bystedt ran a bit of interference inside the Condors zone to open a lane for Quentin Musty whose shot went off the shoulder of Ungar and floated into the back of the net for his 21st goal of the season at the 14:51 mark.

Bakersfield answered back late in the period. Viljami Marjala finished off a give and go with Howard as he tipped in Howard’s shot past Carrier for his 17th goal of the season at the 18:00 mark.

San Jose responded on the net shift. Jimmy Huntington won a battle in the neutral zone and was able to get the puck over to Kyle Crnkovic at the blueline. Crnkovic skated into the middle before ripping a wrist shot past Ungar for the Cuda’s third lead of the game and his first career AHL goal 30 seconds later.

Bakersfield made Patrick Giles pay for an undisciplined slashing penalty late in the third period. Leppanen scored his 11th goal of the season on the power play at the 17:30 mark to even the game at 3-3.

Carrier (15-12-3-1) finished the evening stopping 32 of the 35 shots he faces to earn his 15th win of the season. Ungar (9-2-2-1) made 31 saves on 35 shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished 1-for-4 on the power play. Bakersfield was also 1-for-4.

San Jose won all four games at home against Bakersfield this season.

The Three Stars of the Game: 1) Crespo 2) Leppanen 3) Bystedt.

UP NEXT: San Jose begins the first round of the playoffs against the Henderson Silver Knights on Wednesday April 22nd at 7:00pm at Lee’s Family Forum.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Extra, Extra read all about it Giants beat Nats in extra innings 7-6

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San Francisco Giant Jung Hoo Lee (51) is tagged out by Washington Nationals catcher Drew Mills in the top of the second inning at Nationals Park in DC on Sat Apr 18, 2026. The Giants would end up as eventual winners in 12 innings edging the Nats 7-6. (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman hit an RBI single in the 12th inning for a 7-6 win over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in DC Saturday.

#2 With the bases loaded the Giants got out of a jam in the bottom of the tenth and prevented the Nationals from scoring a game winning run.

#3 In the top of the 12th the Giants Matt Chapman hit an RBI single to give the Giants the eventual game winning hit and break a 6-6 deadlock off Nat reliever Cionel Perez.

#4 Lincoln talk about Rafael Devers whose helping his own cause with an RBI single in the top of the seventh in a tight ball game.

#5 Talk about reliever Jose Butto who will miss five to six months due to arm surgery?

#6 Game three of this series continues Sunday. The Giants have won three straight games going into game three and have a shot at sweeping the series. For San Francisco on Sunday LHP Robbie Ray (2-2 ERA 2.42) for Washington RHP Miles Mikolas (0-3 ERA 11.49) first pitch at Nats Park 10:35am PDT Sunday.

Join Lincoln for the San Francisco Giants podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Beat Nationals In a 12 Inning Marathon 7-6

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San Francisco Giants hitter Drew Gilbert swings for a single off Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli (not shown) for an RBI that scored Helliot Ramos (not shown) at Nationals Park in DC on Sat Apr 18, 2026 (AP news photo)

By Barbara Mason

It took the San Francisco Giants (9-12) 12 innings to win game two of their series with the Washington Nationals (9-12) by a 7-6 score. Each team had opportunities in the extra innings to win but it was the Giants who prevailed.Heliot Ramos had another amazing game as did the entire roster with nearly every player in the lineup with at least one hit, some of them with multiple hits. The Giants struggled to start the game but they fought back and finished the game with a win.

Game recap: Lead-off batter James Wood got the game going in favor of the Nationals hitting a solo home run in the first inning for the early 1-0 lead. That hit preempted an explosive second inning for both teams. San Francisco tied up the game in the top of the second inning coming away with three hits and one run.

Jung Hoo Lee singled, Heliot Ramos doubled, Gilbert singled Ramos home and we had a tie ball game. The Nationals had a crazy bottom of the second inning scoring four runs off of three hits taking a 5-1 lead. It was a rough inning for Giant starter Adrian Houser who not only gave up three hits but also a walk. He hit James Wood with the bases loaded so it was not his best outing so far in this game.

San Francisco had some catching up to do and they did just that in the top of the third inning scoring two runs on two hits . Luis Arraez singled and Casey Schmitt doubled driving in Matt Chapman who scored on a fielding error and Arraez. The Giants had cut the Nationals lead to 5-3. Washington came up empty in the bottom of the third inning.

Each team had a hit in the fifth inning but neither were able to score. With a bit of ground to make up, San Francisco made it happen scoring two runs in the top of the sixth tying up the game 5-5.

Ramos who hit a three run home run in Friday’s game came up huge hitting a two run home run with Lee on second base. San Francisco had new life after having trailed by four runs.

Going into the seventh inning San Francisco was looking to break the 5-5 tie. Willy Adames got the inning going with a single moving onto second base on a wild pitch. Rafal Devers singled driving Adames home and the Giants had the lead for the first time in the game 6-5. The Nationals had no hits, no runs in the bottom of the seventh.

Going into the bottom of the ninth inning the score remained 6-5 in favor of the Giants. San Francisco was one out away from winning this game. With two outs, Brady House singled Wood, (who had been intentionally walked) home and this game was again tied at 6-6.

Neither team was able to finish this game in the tenth inning, the Giants with no hits, no runs and the Nationals with one hit but no runs in the bottom of the inning. This game would go on into the 11th inning yielding nothing for either team, no runs and no hits.

San Francisco took the lead in the top of the 12th inning 7-6 in a marathon. Matt Chapman singled Arraez home from second base. Now the Giants would be looking for three outs and the win in game two.

The Nationals were threatening in the bottom of the inning with two runners on base but two outs. Abrams flied out, Young lined out and for a third time the Giants were one out away from the win. Could the third time be a charm for San Francisco?

Closer Caleb Killian struck out Daylen Lile for the third out and that was the ball game. The Giants had won the second game of the series and their third game in a row.

San Francisco’s Adrian Houser went 5 2/3 innings allowing seven hits, five runs, two walks and one strike out. Relief pitchers Ryan Borucki finished the sixth inning. Erik Miller finished the seventh, Matt Gage the eighth, Ryan Walker the ninth and tenth.

It was a great game for closer Caleb Kilian who pitched the 11th and 12th innings and came away with the victory. After the game he did say that he was still shaking. The bottom line is that he didn’t show his nerves, he got the job done and got the win for San Francisco.

Game notes: Friday the Giants won their series opener beating the Nationals. The Giants had an outstanding second inning scoring six runs setting the stage for the eventual win. Saturday San Francisco won game two of the series and their third game in a row.

It’s difficult to say who the player of the game was. Every player on the roster contributed to the win with Matt Chapman leading the pack with three hits and three RBIs. Heliot Ramos hit a three run homer along with Casey Schmitt and Drew Gilbert each hitting solo home runs on Friday night.

The Giants offense is cranking and they got more scoring seven runs just enough to edge the Nationals at Nationals Park in DC. San Francisco starter Adrian Houser went 5.2 innings giving up seven hits and four earned runs. For Washington’s starter Cade Cavalli four innings of work, seven hits and one earned run allowed and struck out five batters.

Sunday San Francisco will be going for the sweep in game three. Both teams could be emotionally and physically drained after Saturday’s game but they will be on an equal playing field. The only difference will be that it was the Giants who came away with the win in game two. Robbie Ray will take the mound for the Giants with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 2.42 ERA. Miles Mikolas has struggled with a 0-3 win/loss record and a 11.49 ERA. First pitch Sunday is scheduled for 10:35 AM PDT.

A’s Rally From 5-0 Deficit, Walk-Off White Sox 7-6 in 11th

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(L-R) Max Muncy #3, Lawrence Butler #4 and Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics celebrate after Muncy hit a walk-off sacrifice fly scoring Wilson to defeat the Chicago White Sox 7-6 in the bottom of the 11th inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Athletics and the White Sox engaged in game two of their three-game series on Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. PST.

After Friday night’s tough loss, the A’s bounced back to defeat the White Sox 7-6 in 11 innings.

Luis Severino got the ball for the A’s to start the game on Saturday, and he struggled in his outing. Severino ground through five and a third innings of work and gave up five runs (all earned) on five hits while walking four and striking out three. Severino needed 96 pitches to get through his outing while suffering from a three-run homer and a lack of command.

However, the A’s bullpen did its job in relief of Severino to keep the game close and the A’s in it.

Hogan Harris was first out of the pen for the A’s, and he tossed one and a third innings with his only blemish being a Munetaka Murakami solo home run. Other than that, he allowed no other hits.

Next out of the bullpen for the A’s was Joel Kuhnel. Kuhnel came on and pitched a scoreless inning and a third for the A’s. He allowed nothing more than a hit amid an otherwise perfect outing.

Mark Leiter Jr. was the third man out of the bullpen for Mark Kotsay and struggled. Leiter tossed just two-thirds of an inning, allowing two walks and striking out one prior to being lifted for Jack Perkins.

Perkins, who has been serving as a bit of a longman for the A’s, came in and got the last out of the ninth inning to keep the game tied. Perkins also tossed the 10th inning without allowing much other than a hit by pitch to keep the game tied and strand the designated runner who started the inning at second base. With the A’s unable to score in the 10th, Perkins was back out for the 11th inning, where he got into a bases-loaded jam early, but escaped without allowing a run.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s impressed, coming all the way back from 5-0 down to tie the game at six in the bottom of the seventh.

The A’s first scoring came in the second inning when Jacob Wilson hit a solo home run to left field to get the A’s on the board.

In the third inning, the A’s got their second run of the game courtesy of a Jeff McNeil sacrifice fly to score Lawrence Butler.

In the fifth inning, the A’s continued to claw back with an RBI single from Tyler Soderstrom to make it a 5-3 game.

In the sixth, Lawrence Butler reached on a fielder’s choice, driving home Max Muncy to get the A’s to within one, 5-4.

In the seventh inning, the A’s climb up the mountain was completed as Nick Kurtz launched a two-run homer to right field to tie the game at six apiece and give the A’s new life.

However, the rest of the action would take much longer before the A’s could truly celebrate.

The game presented numerous chances the rest of the way for either team to seize the win, but it wasn’t until the bottom of the 11th inning, when Max Muncy hit a sacrifice fly to left field, that either team would. Jacob Wilson would score from third base on the play, and the A’s would score their seventh run to walk off the White Sox 7-6.

After the game, A’s manager Mark Kotsay summed up what pretty much everyone was thinking.

“There was a lot to unpack from this game,” Kotsay said. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to unpack it all, but like I said to start this conversation, it was a pretty emotional rollercoaster.”

With the win, the A’s improved to 11-10 on the season to even the series with the White Sox at a game apiece. The rubber game of the series will take place on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PST. The A’s will send Jeffrey Springs (3-0, 1.46 ERA) to the mound, while the White Sox will counter with Noah Schultz (0-1, 6.23 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. 

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa: Puck drops this weekend on the post season; A review of each matchup

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Ottawa Senators Warren Foegele (37) takes a victory lap in front of the Sens bench after scoring a goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs at the Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa on Wed Apr 15, 2026. The Senators visit the Carolina Hurricane for game 1 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Sat Apr 18, 2026 in Carolina (Canadian Press via AP photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa:

Mary were going to run down each match up for Saturday and Sunday’s NHL Stanley Cup Playoff game and go ahead and analyze each one all games are game 1.

Saturday’s games

#1 Ottawa Senators at Carolina Hurricane

#2 Minnesota Wild at Dallas Stars

#3 Philadelphia Flyers @ Pittsburgh Penguins

Sunday’s games

#1 Montreal Canadiens @ Tampa Bay Lightning

#2 Boston Bruins @ Buffalo Sabres

#3 Utah Mammoth @ Vegas Golden Knights

Mary Lisa analyzes the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey: Sox 4 run seventh costly in A’s 9-2 loss at Sutter Health

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The baseball is at Chicago White Sox runner Luisangel Acua (0) has the baseball at his back and A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz (left) won’t get it in time for the putout at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 The Chicago White Sox Munetaka Murakami’s first career grand slam launched the White Sox into the win column with a 9-2 win over the Sacramento Athletics on Friday night at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

#2 The Sox also got good pitching from Davis Martin who gave up three hits over seven innings pitch surrendering three hits and one earned run. No doubt Martin had his stuff working for him.

#3 Sacramento pitcher Aaron Civale struggled pitching 4.2 innings he got racked up by Sox hitting for 11 hits and five earned runs.

#4 A’s Nick Kurtz slugged a RBI single in the last of the fourth that sent A’s Shea Langeliers home and the A’s Andy Ibanez hit for an RBI scoring Max Muncy and that was all the damage the A’s could muster on Friday night.

#5 Match ups for Saturday at Sutter Health Park for the White Sox RHP Erick Fedde (0-3 ERA 3.38) for the A’s RHP Luis Severino (0-2 ERA 5.59) first pitch 1:05pm PDT.

Join Tony Harvey each week for the Sacramento A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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. 

White Sox Power Past A’s 9-2 in Series Opener in Sacramento

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Aaron Civale #45 of the Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning at Sutter Health Park on April 17, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Athletics welcomed Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox to Sacramento on Friday night for the beginning of a three-game series.

The White Sox handled business behind a powerful offensive performance, defeating the Athletics 9-2 in front of a sold-out crowd of 12,027.

Aaron Civale started the game for the A’s and was immediately in trouble as he gave up a leadoff double, and the White Sox never looked back. Civale struggled locating his pitches, which led to hits and not walks on this particular occasion. Civale managed to go four and two-thirds innings while allowing five runs on 11 hits while walking one and striking out four. Civale needed 103 pitches to get through his laborious outing.

“I think there’s probably a lot of balls left in the middle of the plate tonight…he grinded…I thought he gave us everything he had tonight,” Mark Kotsay said after the game.

In the clubhouse, Aaron Civale was doing his best to move on from the draining outing in which he threw 103 pitches.

“I felt like we were doing a good job out there, competing,” Civale said after the game to reporters. “From what I can tell, it’s just kind of one of those days you gotta flush it and move forward.”

The A’s bullpen came in and looked to keep the game within striking distance, but they weren’t able to do that.

Elvis Alvarado came on in relief and tossed two innings of his own. Elvis gave up four runs on a mammoth grand slam to Munetaka Murakami that cleared the batter’s eye in center field. All in, Elvis tossed 45 pitches in his two innings of work while giving up three hits and walking three batters while striking out three.

The A’s finished the game with Justin Sterner, who was on the mound for the A’s late collapse on Thursday. Sterner tossed an impressive two and a third innings of one-hit, no-run baseball while striking out four batters and not allowing a walk. It was a nice bounce-back for the right-hander, who needed 46 pitches to get it done.

On the offensive side, the Athletics couldn’t get much going against the White Sox. Starter Davis Martin for Chicago was dealing early and took a no-hitter into the fourth inning. In total, the A’s managed two runs while collecting four hits and walking four times against the White Sox staff.

The A’s scored two runs, with one coming in the fourth inning and the other in the eighth inning.

In the fourth, Nick Kurtz had an RBI single into right field that scored Shea Langeliers from second base.

In the eighth, Andy Ibáñez collected an RBI when he grounded out to score Max Muncy from third base.

Other than that, the A’s were blanked by the White Sox staff on a brisk West Sacramento night, falling by the final score of 9-2.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 10-10 on the season and will take on the White Sox in Game 2 of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. PST. Luis Severino (0-2, 5.59 ERA) will take the mound for the A’s, while the White Sox will send Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.38 ERA) to the bump.

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. 

Barracuda fall 5-2 to Condors, extend losing streak to 6

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San Jose Barracuda vs Bakersfield Condors on Friday April 17th at Dignity Health Arena (via sjbarracuda)

By Madison Montez

The San Jose Barracuda dropped their sixth straight game as the slump continues losing to the Bakersfield Condors 5-2 at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield on Friday night.

Bakersfield opened up the scoring, 1:46 into the first period, Sam Poulin scoring his 20th goal of the season. They extended that lead when Isaac Howard scored his seventh goal of the season.

Sam Poulin extended Bakersfield’s lead to 3-0 scoring his second of the game, and 21st goal of the season. San Jose avoided the shutout when Brendan Hoffman scored his fifth goal of the season. Patrick Giles recorded the primary assist while Jarod Crespo recorded the secondary assist.

Cutting the lead to one, and making it 3-2, Filip Bystedt scored his 22 goal of the season. Jake Boltmann recording the primary assist and Quentin Musty recording the secondary assist. Scoring their second powerplay goal of the night, Bakersfield made it 4-2 when Roby Järventie scored his 22 of the night. To secure the win, Roby Järventie scored an empty netter to make it 5-2.

After the first period, Bakersfield outshot San Jose nine to eight. After the second period, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 12-11. Lastly, after the third period, Bakersfield outshot San Jose 11-10.

Special teams played an early role in Friday night’s game. San Jose went 0/5 on the powerplay. Bakersfield went 2/4 on the powerplay.

Friday night, Laurent Brossoit got the start for San Jose. Making 17 saves on 20 shots, Brossoit recorded Friday night’s loss. For Bakersfield, Matt Tomkins made 28 saves on 30 shots, and recorded Friday night’s win.

THREE STARS OF THE GAME:

  1. Sam Poulin
  2. Roby Jarventie
  3. Matt Tomkins

The Barracuda will be back in action Saturday at 7pm, where they will host the Bakersfield Condors for their last regular season game.

Giants Offensive Excellence Wins Game One Against Nationals 10-5; That’s two in a row for SF

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos is thrilled after hitting a three run home run against the Cincinnati Reds in the top of the second inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Fri Apr 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (8-12) won the first game in their series with the Washington Nationals (9-11) 10-5. They scored multiple runs early in the second inning after leading after two innings 6-0. The offense everyone has been waiting to see finally revealed itself and it was great. Every single player in the lineup had at least one hit and Matt Chapman had 3 hits.

Game recap: The first inning was uneventful for both teams, the Giants Luis Arraez singled but that was it for the opening inning. The Nationals went three and out.

San Francisco got something really big going, more like an explosion, in the second inning. They strung out some hits with Casey Schmitt and Jung Hoo Lee both singling and then a big hit off the bat of Heliot Ramos for a three-run home run to center taking a 3-0 lead.

Daniel Susac singled but was thrown out trying to steal second base. With only one out, Drew Gilbert walked followed by a Willy Adames single. The Giants went back to work putting more runners on base. Luis Arraez grounded out and with two outs a Chapman single drove Gilbert and Adames home for a 5-0 lead.

San Francisco was not finished. Rafael Devers doubled and Chapman scored pushing the lead to 6-0 in favor of the Giants. A rough inning for the Nationals finally came to an end when Schmitt flied out but San Francisco had a huge inning already with six hits in the game. Starting pitcher for Washington Zack Littell gave up eight hits and six runs in the second inning.

Meanwhile Logan Webb worked his way through the second inning giving up a CJ Abrams single and then dismissed the next three at bats and this game went into the third inning. Webb was systematically working his way through the Washington lineup giving up very little.

San Francisco had scored a lot and they had scored early a huge edge going forward in the game but there was still a lot of baseball to be played. That aside what a great way to start a ball game for the Giants.

Littell had a vastly improved in the third inning, his best of the game with a three and out. The Nationals got something going in the bottom of the third, Jose Tena and Keibert Ruiz had back to back singles.

Top of the batting order for Washington James Wood came to the plate with no outs. Webb was in a bit of a jam but he did strike Wood out. The next at bat for the Nationals was a fielders choice ground out but Jose Tena scored for the first National run of the game.

With two outs there were two runners on base for Washington but Webb got the third out without giving up a lot. It had been a long inning for Webb; he already had a 55 pitch count going into the top of the fourth inning. San Francisco had given up the one run still leading 6-1.

The Giants got a great hit in the fourth inning from the bottom of the batting order. Drew Gilbert hit a solo home run, his first of the year, to right center, the second of the game for San Francisco.

Adames followed that home run up with a double. With Adames on third Chapman singled driving in another run for an 8-1 score.11 hits through four innings plus every player on the roster with at least a hit was probably the best game the team has played so far this season. Littell’s pitch count was really getting up there as well with 77 pitches though four innings.

The Nationals cut the Giants lead in the bottom of the fourth to 8-3 when Daviid Liles hit a 2-run home run with Joey Weimer on base. 79 pitches later Webb got out of the inning.

Littell was relieved in the fifth inning by Paxton Schultz. Littell allowed 11 hits, 8 runs, 1 walk, 2 home runs and 4 strikeouts.

The hits quieted down in the second half of the game for the Giants. San Francisco had one hit in the fifth inning, a Susac double but that would close out the inning. The Nationals went three and out in the inning and this game was moving along. It only took Webb five pitches to get out of the inning.

It was a three and out in the sixth inning for San Francisco. The Nationals were able to score in the bottom of the sixth. A Lile walk resulted in a fourth run for Washington when Tena singled him home for an 8-4 San Francisco lead.

The Giants extended their lead with a third home run in the top of the seventh inning 9-4. Schmitt hit a solo long ball 399 feet to left center. The Nationals would answer in the bottom of the inning when Wood blasted a Matt Gage pitch out of the park. Gage had relieved Webb after six innings. Webb finished with 7 hits, 4 runs 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. He allowed one home run.

Washington’s PJ Poulin relieved Schultz going into the eighth inning . Schultz had pitched for three innings for the Nationals. Schultz finished with 2 hits, 1 run, (a home run) and 1 strikeout. The Giants Caleb Kilian would take over for Gage in the eighth inning only giving up a walk and it was on to the ninth inning.

Richard Lovelady relieved Poulin in the ninth inning. The Giants threatened to bust this game wide open to finish. Lovelady gave up a single to Arraez, and a single to Chapman with no outs.

Lovelady went on to strike out Devers and Schmitt popped out for two outs. Lee walked loading the bases followed by a Ramos walk and Arraez scored. Getting that third out was a horrible struggle for Lovelady.

When all the dust had settled and the Nationals got that third out, the Giants were leading 10-5. It was only the one run scored but could have been a whole lot worse for Washington. Blade Tidwell closed out the game for the Giants winning game one 10-5.

Game notes: After breaking a four game losing streak Thursday beating the Reds 3-0, the Giants began a three-game weekend series with the Nationals at blustery Nationals Park Friday night. At the start of the game the winds were fairly calm and so wind was not be a factor in the game Friday night.

The Giants continued their winning streak with a convincing 10-5 win Friday night. Adames lead-off and Heliot Ramos batted seventh, Daniel Susac eighth and Drew Gilbert ninth. After Adames, Arraez, Chapman, Devers, Schmitt and Lee will fill in the roster.

The Giants had won the series opener. San Francisco finished the game with 15 hits and had won their second game in a row.

For Saturday’s game Adrian Houser will take the mound for the Giants in game two. Houser has an 0-2 win/loss record and a 5.06 ERA. Cade Cavalli will get the nod for the Nationals with a 0-1 win/loss record and a 4.60 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 1:05 PM PDT.