Houston Astros starter Hayden Wesneski delivers to the Sacramento A’s line up in the top of the first inning at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Fri Aug 21, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 A’s starter J.T. Ginn: How would you evaluate Ginn’s start, especially his ability to keep the Astros off the scoreboard through the first five innings?
#2 Sacramento’s Lawrence Butler: What did Butler show at the plate, and what will the A’s need from him offensively going forward?
#3 A’s Zack Gelof: How important is Gelof’s continued development to the A’s rebuilding efforts after this difficult stretch?
#4 Sacramento’s Jonah Heim: What did Heim’s performance contribute to an A’s lineup that managed only three hits?
#5 Houston Astros Raynel Delgado: What did you make of Delgado’s performance, including the defensive play that helped complete a strike-’em-out, throw-’em-out double play?
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.
Houston Astros shortstop Nick Allen (left) completes a double play making a throw to first base while forcing out Henry Bolte (33) of the Sacramento A’s at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Fri Aug 21, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Mauricio Segura
Houston held the A’s to three singles and never allowed a runner to reach third base in a 4-0 loss that extended the Athletics’ losing streak to five games. Before the series opener, the A’s had won 10 of their previous 14 meetings with the Astros while averaging 6.1 runs and hitting 26 home runs. This game went in the opposite direction.
J.T. Ginn gave the Athletics a chance early. Houston put runners at second and third with one out in the first, but Ginn escaped after Jonah Heim successfully challenged a pitch that turned Daulton Varsho’s plate appearance into a strikeout. Ginn then struck out Christian Walker to end the inning. Heim kept affecting the game from behind the plate in the second, completing a strikeout-caught-stealing double play when Raynel Delgado went down and Yainer Diaz was erased trying for second. An inning later, Heim threw out Jose Altuve attempting to steal.
Hayden Wesneski was even tougher on the other side. The Houston right-hander allowed only one hit over five scoreless innings, with Donovan Walton’s third-inning single providing the only damage. Walton stole second, and Henry Bolte drew his second walk of the game, but Jeff McNeil popped out to end the threat. Wesneski struck out four and issued three walks, repeatedly keeping the A’s from turning baserunners into runs.
Houston finally broke through in the fourth. Isaac Paredes drew a leadoff walk, Varsho doubled him to third, and Walker lifted a sacrifice fly to center for a 1-0 lead. The fifth inning proved more costly. Nick Allen drew a one-out walk, Yordan Alvarez doubled him home, and Paredes followed with another double to score Alvarez. In the span of two extra-base hits, a one-run game became 3-0.
Ginn finished five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts. It was a respectable outing against the AL West leaders, but the margin for error was almost nonexistent because the Athletics could not solve Houston’s pitching. The loss dropped Ginn to 8-8 after he entered with a 3.53 ERA and a season that included two no-hit bids lasting at least six innings.
The A’s had their best chance against the bullpen in the sixth. McNeil singled with one out, and Carlos Cortes added another single two batters later to put two aboard. Bennett Sousa ended the inning by striking out Lawrence Butler. In the seventh, Heim and Walton drew consecutive walks against Bryan Abreu, but Max Muncy struck out and Bolte grounded out. Steven Okert retired the Athletics in order in the eighth, then Enyel De Los Santos finished the ninth after Heim reached second on an error.
Alvarez supplied the final run in the seventh. Raynel Delgado drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on Allen’s sacrifice bunt and reached third on Altuve’s fly ball. Alvarez then delivered his second RBI double of the game, making it 4-0. He finished 2-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and a hit-by-pitch, providing nearly all the distance Houston needed.
For the Athletics, McNeil, Cortes and Walton collected the three hits. Bolte reached twice on walks, and Heim reached twice as well, but the A’s finished without an extra-base hit. Butler, who entered with five home runs in 18 August games, went hitless with two strikeouts. The lineup has also been thinned by injuries, with 13 players on the injured list and seven members of the Opening Day starting lineup sidelined.
The defeat added another layer to a difficult stretch. The A’s entered the series after being swept in four games at Kansas City and had already lost four straight, eight of 10 and 17 of 21, carrying the lowest winning percentage in the majors at 49-79. This loss pushed the record to 49-80 and left the offense searching for a way to turn baserunners into something more.
The A’s will try to answer in the next game with Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.22 ERA, 81 K), who has allowed two runs or fewer in seven straight starts, against Hunter Brown (3-3, 3.67 ERA, 72 K), with first pitch set for 4:10 p.m. Pacific.
Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.
The Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers will match up in Germany for the 2027 Global Series in Munich and Cologne (image log from the NHL)
NHL podcast Len Shapiro:
#1 Global Series: The Bruins and Oilers will play regular-season games in Germany in 2027-28. How could the NHL’s expansion of games in Germany help grow the league’s international fan base?
#2 FC Bayern partnership: The NHL announced a multiyear partnership with FC Bayern Munich. What opportunities could this create for hockey development and fan engagement in Germany?
#3 Maple Leafs: Morgan Rielly has expressed excitement about remaining with a revamped Toronto roster. Can the Maple Leafs’ offseason changes finally translate into a deeper playoff run?
#4 Ottawa Senators: Ottawa’s latest NHL.com storyline focuses on goaltender Linus Ullmark and the team moving on from Brady Tkachuk. Which of those issues is likely to have the biggest impact on the Senators’ 2026-27 season?
#5 Injuries: Several notable players, including Connor Bedard and Brad Marchand, could miss part of the start of the 2026-27 season. Which team faces the biggest challenge from its injury situation entering the new season?
San Francisco Giants first baseman Rafeal Devers said he didn’t want to talk about the past regarding how he departed from his former team the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston during batting practice on Fri Aug 21, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Friday night the San Francico Giants (52-75) took on the Boston Red Sox (68-59) at the historic Fenway Park. The game got underway under cloudy conditions with rain called for over the weekend. Regardless of the outcome of this series it was highly anticipated by many of the younger Giants’ players.
Playing at Fenway is always special for many of them, a dream if you will. It was a scoreless first two innings with San Francisco’s Logan Webb giving up two hits in the first two innings and Red Sox starter Sonny Gray also giving up two.
The Giants took the first lead of the game in the third inning 1-0 but the Red Sox wasted no time answering with five runs of their own in the bottom of the third taking a 5-1 lead.
When we expected a pitchers duel, we got some lights out hitting from both teams in the third and fourth innings. San Francisco scored three runs in the top of the fourth via a couple of home runs from Drew Gilbert and Rafael Devers. Boston led going into the bottom of the sixth inning adding one more run for a 6-4 final in game one.
GAME RECAP
The game got underway with Red Sox starting pitcher veteran Sonny Gray taking the mound. Gray gave up a single in the first inning but sailed through the rest of the inning. The Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb also gave up a single and a walk in the inning but nothing else.
We expected this game to be a pitchers duel with two excellent guys on the mound. The last thing anyone expected was a slugfest. The two pitchers got through the second inning unscathed, Gray giving up a double and Webb a triple.
The Giants were first up on the scoreboard in the top of the third inning. Bryce Eldridge singled Christian Koss home for their first run. San Franciso’s Jung Hoo Lee walked loading up the bases with Eldridge and Rafael Devers on base but Osleivis Basabe flied out for the third out and the Giants missed a great opportunity to score more runs.
The Red Sox answered back big time in the bottom of the third inning scoring five runs. Willson Contreras homered with Nick Sogard and Wilyer Abreu on base giving Boston a 3-1 lead.
It was a rough start for Webb giving up the home run but Boston had two outs and Webb just wanted to get out of the inning. San Francisco just could not get that final out and Webb would allow a couple more singles and hit two batters loading the bases and walking in one run with another run scoring when Mickey Gasper was hit with the bases loaded. The Red Sox had a 5-1 lead going into the fourth inning. Webb finally got out of the nightmare inning but the damage had been done.
San Francisco was looking at a sizable deficit but was undeterred. With two outs they got an impressive rally going into the fourth inning. Christian Koss doubled and Drew Gilbert hit a two run home run cutting the 5-1 Boston lead down to 5-3.
Rafael Devers came to the plate and hit a solo home run and just like that the Giants were back in this game only trailing by a single run 5-4. There was a pitching change for the Giants as Reiver SanMartin relieved Logan Webb after only 2 2/3 innings. SanMartin gave up a walk and a single but kept Boston from extending their lead.
San Francisco went three and out in the top of the fifth. SanMartin was relieved in the fifth by Tyler Harris who finished off the fifth and pitched into the sixth inning. The Red Sox would add another run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With Nick Sogard on base Wilyer Abreu tripled him home and Boston had a 6-4 lead going into the seventhn inning.
Erik Miller relieved Sonny Gray in the seventh inning and was terrific. San Francisco was down to their last six outs. Boston hung onto their 6-4 lead as this game was rapidly winding down. San Francisco was just not getting the timely hits they so badly needed.
Jason Foley pitched the final two innings for San Francisco, the eighth and ninth. He kept the Red Sox from doing any more damage but the Giants just stalled out at the plate. The final was 6-4 and Boston had taken the first game of this series. After the exceptional fourth inning the Giants just went flat and production at the plate all but vanished.
GAME NOTES
San Francisco just could not capitalize on the momentum they stirred up in fourth inning. Their offense went quiet only managing a few hits and could not put together another rally. Starting pitcher Logan Webb was hurt by Boston’s huge five-run third inning which included Willson Contreras’ three-run homer.
When the Red Sox added that insurance run in the sixth inning it all began so much more difficult for San Francisco. That run was key for Boston as they went on to win the first game of the series.
This was so very frustrating for the Giants since they had completely erased the momentum deficit in the fourth inning but then they could not get the big hit they needed over the final five innings. They finished with only seven hits, the Red Sox had 11. This was a game that San Francisco was absolutely capable of winning after the fourth inning comeback.
Logan Webb had a terribly disappointing outing only pitching 2 2/3 innings allowing six hits, five runs, three walks and only two strikeouts. He was just off Friday night.
Although Sonny Gray had a rough fourth inning, he remained in the game through six innings. He finished giving up seven hits, four earned runs, two walks with six strikeouts.
Saturday San Francisco will be looking to tie up this series after coming close Friday night. Blade Tidwell will take the mound for the Giants in game two. He has no wins this season only having pitched three starts. His ERA is 4.33 and Saturday will be his first career start against the Red Sox. Patrick Sandoval will take the mound for Boston. He has a 1-2 win/loss record and a 4.76 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:15 PM.
Sacramento A’s pitcher JT Ginn will start for the A’s against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Fri Aug 21, 2026 (AP file photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 On Thursday the Sacramento A’s were swept in a four game series against the Kansas City Royals 6-2 at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City. In the loss it further sinks the A’s in the AL West.
#2 The Royals Bobby Witt Jr hit a home run that scored three runs and wound up beating the A’s 6-2 needlesss to say Witt had a himself a series against the A’s with key hits that help the Royals win most of the four games.
#3 The A’s now have lost 17 of their last 21 games and Wednesday night’s game for example they lost in the late innings when relievers Hayen Juneger and Drew Rom were both rocked in the eighth inning for seven runs.
#4 The A’s got some offense when they scored two runs in the top of the fifth inning. The A’s loaded the bases on three walks in a row and Brian Serven’s base hit and ground out scored runs for the A’s
#5 The A’s open a three game series with the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field on Friday. Starting pitchers for Sacramento RHP JT Ginn (8-7 ERA 3.53) for Houston RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-1 ERA 5.16) for 5:10pm PDT.
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.
San Francisco 49ers Jacob Cowing (26) is upended by the Los Angeles Chargers at So Fi Stadium in Los Angeles (AP News photo)
San Francisco 49ers podcast with David Zizmor:
#1 How impressive was Jacob Cowing’s 83-yard punt-return touchdown, and did that big play strengthen his case for making the 49ers’ roster?
32 What did Sincere McCormick’s 37-yard run and 7-yard touchdown show about the 49ers’ running-game depth heading into the regular season?
#3 How encouraging was Adrian Martinez’s performance, including his 9-yard rushing touchdown and 17-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Watkins, as the 49ers evaluate their quarterback and receiver depth?
San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb will face the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston Fri Aug 21, 2026 (AP file photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:
#1 Willy Adames hit his 20th home run of the season and 200th of his career. How important was his two-run homer in keeping the Giants within striking distance against the Cleveland Guardians?
#2 Landen Roupp allowed four runs—three earned—in 5⅓ innings. What did you think of his overall performance against Cleveland?
#3 Rafael Devers reached base to help set up Adames’ home run. How effective was Devers at creating opportunities for the Giants’ offense?
#4 Jung Hoo Lee contributed a hit in the game. What did you think of Lee’s performance at the plate and in the field?
#5 The Giants struggled offensively against Guardians starter Gavin Williams, who struck out 11. What adjustments could players such as Adames, Devers, Lee and Patrick Bailey have made against Williams?
Las Vegas Aces (center) A’ja Wilson (22) takes a jump shot against the Connecticut Sun defenders at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Thu Aug 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Rich Perez
The Las Vegas Aces (25-13) have assured themselves a playoff berth and now play for position. Tonight they took on the Connecticut Sun (9-26). After the first ten miniutes of play Las Vegas had the lead but by a single digit 25-24.
Unexpected yes but the Sun came out playing more aggressively than their record would indicate. Las Vegas began to turn it all around in the second quarter but the Sun came roaring back and at the half the Aces continued to lead by a single point 48-47.
The second half was a tale of two halves. The Aces outscored the Sun in the third quarter 27-16 and were leading 75-63 going into the fourth quarter. Las Vegas broke this game wide open throughout the final quarter. They outscored Connecticut 26-15. The final was 101-78.
GAME RECAP
Now that the Las Vegas Aces have assured them selves a spot in the playoffs position now becomes their focus and winning is imperative in order to do that. Thursday night the Aces take on a team that sits very close to the basement in the standings.
Because of their record, the way that the Sun came out in this game was totally unexpected. Britteny Griner was ruled out for tonight’s game. After the first ten minutes of play, the Aces were hanging onto a slim 25-24 lead.
The Aces had as much as a ten point lead in the game but when halftime came around, Las Vegas was still treading water with a 48-47 lead. The Aces would need to slow down the Sun. They came into the game a bit out of rhythm in the first quarter and seemed to have turned it around in second but let the Sun back in the game.
Las Vegas would have their hands full in the second half. The Sun had been getting good looks and they were moving the ball really well. The Aces needed to disrupt their rhythm and really needed some sharp defense.
In their last game against Atlanta Las Vegas’s defense was not on point and turnovers were horrendous. They have cleaned that up in Thursday night’s first half with only three turnovers. The Aces have beaten the Sun twice this season and the Sun came out looking like a team with something to prove.
Connecticut already had three players in double digits. In the second half, Las Vegas would need to start hitting shots from outside letting A’Ja Wilson work her magic inside. If the Aces could tighten up their defense and they have already put the stops on the turnovers, they have the talent and depth to start creating separation.
Las Vegas started the third quarter going on a 11-0 run and taking a 61-52 lead. Jackie Young was on a heater something we have been seeing quite often. Early in the quarter she had already hit 24 points. She was 3 of 3 from beyond the arc.
A little help from Chelsea Gray and A’Ja Wilson would be a good thing balancing out this offense. Mid-way through the third the Aces had their largest lead of the game 66-52. .After three quarters, the Aces had separated themselves from the Sun leading 75-63. They would have to play a clean fourth quarter with both Nalyssa Smith and Cheyenne Parker-Tyrus with four personals.
Las Vegas took over the fourth quarter taking their largest lead of the game a few minutes into the quarter 87-65. Connecticut was struggling with 17 turnovers as the Aces began to carve them up offensively. Las Vegas was out-rebounding the Sun 35-20. They had done an about-face taking control of this game offensively and defensively.
GAME NOTES
After struggling in the first half of this game, the Las Vegas Aces turned this game completely around. It all started in the third quarter when they outscored the Sun 27-16 and they never backed down for the rest of the game.
They dominated the boards finishing with 41 rebounds, 12 of them offensive to Connecticut’s 29. The extra possessions wore Connecticut down. Las Vegas took far better care of the ball committing only 11 turnovers to the Sun’s 19.
Jackie Young could not be stopped finishing with 24 points the game high and seven rebounds. A’Ja Wilson had 20 points and off the bench Cheyenne Parker-Tyrus was amazing with 18 points and nine rebounds. They totally dominated the second half of the game.
The Aces will now head out on the road taking on the Toronto Tempo. Tipoff for this game late Sunday afternoon is scheduled for 4:00 PM.
Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. celebrates in the dugout after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, Aug. 20, 2026.Colin E. Braley/AP Photo/Colin E. Braley
By Mauricio Segura
Every time the Sacramento Athletics found ways to put runners on base, Kansas City kept finding ways to make those runners disappear. The Royals Bobby Witt Jr. supplied the early jolt, Isaac Collins delivered the biggest hit with men aboard, and the Royals finished a four-game sweep with a 6-2 win that sent the A’s to 49-79 and extended their losing streak to four.
Sacramento had an opening immediately. Henry Bolte singled to begin the game, but Jeff McNeil followed with a double play. Zack Gelof then drew a walk and Lawrence Butler singled, only for Max Muncy to strike out. Kansas City needed far less traffic. Witt turned the first pitch he saw from Gage Jump into a solo homer to left-center, giving the Royals a 1-0 lead. Maikel Garcia followed with a double, but Darell Hernaiz recovered from a fielding error on Salvador Perez’s grounder and helped cut Garcia down at home.
The A’s missed an even bigger chance in the second. Carlos Cortes singled, Donovan Walton drew a walk and Hernaiz added an infield single to load the bases with one out. Randy Dobnak escaped when Bolte struck out and McNeil grounded out. Sacramento put two more aboard in the third after a Muncy walk and Cortes’ second hit, but Brian Serven struck out. Dobnak worked four scoreless innings despite allowing six hits and four walks.
Kansas City made its chances count. Witt singled in the third, Perez followed with another hit and Vinnie Pasquantino drew a walk to load the bases. Collins then lined a two-run single to left for a 3-0 lead. In the fourth, Michael Massey singled and Nick Loftin tripled him home. Jump intentionally put Witt on, then retired John Rave on a fielder’s choice that erased Loftin at the plate. Perez followed with an RBI single to make it 5-0.
Jump entered the game with 85 strikeouts through his first 15 career starts, the third-highest total in Athletics history over that span, behind only Tim Hudson and Sonny Gray. Kansas City still reached him for five runs in four innings, ending his afternoon before the A’s finally mounted their only scoring push.
The response began in the fifth against Carlos Duran. Butler drew a walk, Muncy and Cortes followed with walks of their own, and Serven singled home Butler with the bases loaded. Connor Thomas replaced Duran and Walton brought Muncy home on a groundout, trimming the deficit to 5-2. Hernaiz lined out to end the threat.
Taylor Rashi then made his A’s debut after being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas. He allowed a run in the fifth when Collins reached and Massey doubled him home, but Rashi prevented further damage and worked a scoreless sixth. His appearance made him the 58th player used by the Athletics this season.
The Green and Gold never generated another rally. Butler singled to open the seventh, but Craig Kimbrel entered and retired Muncy and Cortes before Butler was caught stealing. The A’s did not put another runner on base. John Schreiber handled the eighth and Nate Pearson retired Bolte, McNeil and Gelof in order in the ninth.
Butler finished with two hits and a walk, while Cortes had two hits and a walk of his own. Walton doubled and drove in a run, and Serven supplied the other RBI. The lack of road offense has been a season-long problem for Sacramento, which entered the game with the second-fewest road runs in the majors and a .224 batting average away from home.
The next stop is Houston, where Sacramento starter J.T. Ginn (8-7, 3.53 ERA, 114 K) is set to face Houston starter Hayden Wesneski (2-1, 5.16 ERA, 18 K), with first pitch scheduled for 5:10 p.m. Pacific.
Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.
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.
San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (left) avoids colliding with Osleivis Basabe (right) against the Cleveland Guardians in the bottom of the fourth inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Thu Aug 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The San Francisco Giants (52-74) and the Cleveland Guardians (61-66) met Thursday in game three, with the series all tied up. Both teams will be looking for more production at the plate in this game. Hits were few and far between as were runs yesterday for each of them.
The Guardians got a start similar to their game one win. They scored three runs in the first inning with Steven Kwan, Travis Bazzana and Patrick Bailey crossing home plate for the early 3-0 lead.
The Giants made this game a whole lot more manageable in the fourth inning. Willy Adames homered with Rafael Devers on base and San Francisco had pulled to within one run.
Cleveland would push their lead back out leading 4-2 going into the bottom of the sixth. Going into the eighth inning Cleveland continued to hang onto the 4-2 lead. The Guardians put up one more insurance run on the scoreboard for the final score 5-2. They had won the game and the series.
GAME RECAP
The Guardians jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Landen Roupp walked Steven Kwan and it was on. Travis Bazzana singled followed by a Jose Ramirez single and the Guardians had the bases loaded. Nathaniel Lowe sacrificed both Kwan and Bazzana home for two runs and a 2-0 lead. A Patrick Bailey single drove Ramirez home for the third run and a 3-0 lead. It had been a rough start for Roupp
Roupp pulled it together nicely in the second and third innings going three and out in both. The Guardians starting pitcher Gavin Williams had a great start rolling through the first three innings.
The Giants finally broke through in the fourth inning scoring two runs and only trailed by a single run 3-2. Devers singled in the top of the inning and Willy Adames hit his 200th career home run. The game now was completely within reach of San Francisco.
There was a pitching change for Cleveland in the sixth inning. Williams was relieved by Tim Herrin after 5 2/3 innings. Herrin got out of the inning. Cleveland would score another run in the bottom of the sixth.
Roupp allowed a single followed by a walk and that would be it for him relieved by Sam Hentges who gave up yet another single and Bailey scored the Guardians fourth run of the game. They led 4-2 going into the seventh.
San Francisco went three and out in the seventh still trailing late in the game. Carson Seymour had relieved Hentges in the bottom of the inning closing out the seventh. Going into the eighth inning the Giants needed some production at the plate only six outs away from losing the game and the series.
The Giants got something going in the top of the eighth. Bryce Eldridge walked followed by a Jung Hoo Lee single and San Francisco had two runners on base with two outs. Osleivis Basabe grounded out leaving the two runners stranded.
The Giants JT Brubaker would take the mound in the bottom of the eighth. He faced Patrick Bailey, former Giant, who was having a nice game with two hits. San Francisco suffered a second error in a rundown and the Guardians had Petey Halpin on second with only one out.
Halpin had gotten to second on the error and advanced to third on a wild pitch. A Brayan Rocchio single drove Halpin home and the Guardians were having a very lucrative inning. It had not gone well for JT Brubaker giving up the run. Cleveland took the 5-2 lead into the ninth inning.
San Francisco was three outs away from losing the game going into the top of the ninth. They had been unable to produce timely hits and had not played clean ball really digging themselves into a hole. Victor Bericoto lined out, and Jonah Cox struck out. Christian Koss walked and the Giants were still alive.
Andrew Knizner also walked and San Francisco had two runners on base against one of the best closers in the game Cade Smith. The Giants ran out of luck when Devers flied out and that was the ball game 5-2 in favor of Cleveland.
GAME NOTES
The Giants had struck out 40 times in this series against an amazing pitching squad in Cleveland. It was just to much for San Francisco having to come from behind while trailing 3-0 twice in the series.
In Thursday’s game again they fell behind 3-0 in the first inning. Too many errors today coupled with lack of production at the plate was a real recipe for a losing effort. Pitching has been a real problem with no consistency for the Giants.
Adames has not been playing clean ball lately and it has been tough to watch. San Francisco has had so many injuries and their lineup has been totally decimated, there is just no margin for error right now.
The Giants got close in the fourth inning but let it slip away with errors and lack of offense. Williams struck out 11 Giants in 5 2/3 innings allowing only four hits and two runs. All in all a comeback for San Francisco in this game was a stretch. The Giants were outplayed in the key moments of this game. They only had four hits to the Guardians 9.
Landen Roupp was stung in the first inning but settled down and kept the Guardians from breaking this game open. Adames two run home run was the highlight of the game for the Giants. Unfortunately this was the only offensive highlight for San Francisco.
The Giants will now take it to Boston for a matchup with the Red Sox. San Francisco will be looking to bounce back after this series loss and who better to look to than Logan Webb. He has had some amazing outings. He has a 8-7 win/loss record and a 3.50 ERA. The Sox will start Sonny Gray who has been impressive with a 15-3 win/loss record and a 2.65 ERA. He will be a handful. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:10 PM.
