Bay FC’s Alex Preiffer (far left) gets congratulated by her teammates after her second-half goal broke a scoreless tie with Racing Louisville FC. Bay wound up winning 2-0 at PayPal Park on Sunday night. (Courtesy of Erin Chang / Bay FC)
By William Espy
Bay FC returned home to PayPal Park on Sunday evening as they hosted Racing Louisville. With playoffs hopes all but dashed for Bay FC, they were looking to build some momentum against another struggling team to finish the season on a high note and they pulled that off with a 2-0 shutout over Racing Sunday at Pay Pal Park in San Jose.
The first half ended scoreless, with the only notable event being a yellow card issued to Louisville’s Arin Wright in the 35th minute.
It didn’t take Bay long to break the deadlock in the second half though, as Alex Pfeiffer was able to beat Louisville goalkeeper Jordyn Bloomer in the 50th minute. Then, just six minutes later, Karlie Lema doubled Bay FC’s lead with a goal of her own.
Emma Coates made the first changes of the night in the 64th minute, taking out Rachael Kundananji and Lema with Keira Barry and Cristiana Girelli taking their place.
Bay would make a few more substitutions late in the game with Caroline Conti and Maddie Moreau taking over for Pfeiffer and Sydney Collins in the 84th minute, followed by Dorian Bailey taking over for Taylor Huff in the 90th.
In stoppage time, Conti picked up Bay’s only yellow card of the night, but the team held on to win 2-0. They were dominant in every statistical aspect of the game, including possession, shots, and even tackles. Bay will be back at home next Sunday as they host the Orlando Pride.
San Francisco Giants starter Blade Tidwell gets the ball against the Minnesota Twins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon Sep 21, 2026 (San Francisco Giants photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:
#1 Can Giants rookie pitcher Blade Tidwell build on his first MLB win when he faces the Twins and Zebby Matthews at Oracle Park?
#2 Will Jung Hoo Lee be able to play after leaving Sunday’s game against the Dodgers with a groin issue?
#3 Could Marcelo Mayer make his Giants debut as San Francisco deals with a depleted infield and numerous injuries?
#4 Can Josh Bell and Brooks Lee keep Minnesota’s offense rolling after the Twins’ 8-0 victory over the Angels?
#5 How will the Giants respond after being swept by the Dodgers and losing seven of their last 10 games entering the three-game series with Minnesota?
Sacramento A’s third baseman Zack Gelof makes the catch on a pop up by Cleveland Guardians Jose Ramirez in the bottom of the sixth inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 Cleveland Guardians starter Gavin Williams had his mix of pitches working for him shutting out the Sacramento A’s at Progressive Field on Sunday 1-0.
#2 Taking a look at Williams numbers pitched seven innings, allowed three hits, struck out nine batters and moved into first place as the leading pitcher with 244 strikeouts.
#3 Things are getting tougher for the A’s who were coming off a 7-3 record in their previous ten games when they started this road trip which they started on Tuesday in Tampa Bay getting swept in all six games of the trip.
#4 Frustrations continue for A’s manager Mark Kotsay after A’s pitcher Jack Perkins fielded a slow ground ball in front of the pitcher’s mound but Perkins throw ended up hitting Guardians runner Jo Adell in the back in the basepath. Adell was allowed the base and Kotsay argued he was in the fielders lane rather than the runner’s lane and was ceromoniously tossed out for the third time this season.
#5 The A’s will try it again on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento after getting beat in all of their six road games. This time they host the Los Angeles Angels with a 6:40pm PDT start. Starting pitchers for Los Angeles LHP Yusei Kikuchi (1-6 ERA 5.02) for Sacramento LHP Brady Basso (1-3 ERA 4.50).
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.
Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) shoots over Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) in the first half at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Rich Perez
The WNBA now heads into their final week of the regular season. Sunday night the Las Vegas Aces (29-13) beat on the Seattle Storm (8-35) for a 98-77 victory at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas.
The 2026 WNBA season will play their final regulation game on Thursday September 24, the playoffs getting underway on Sunday September 27. Many of the players in the league are back from Germany where they played in the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.
A’Ja Wilson did not travel to Germany not feeling 100% physically well and it was a priority to get her healthy with the playoffs on the horizon. After the first quarter of Sunday night’s game the Aces had a significant lead 29-18.
The Storm rallied in the second quarter coming as close as a single basket but the Aces pushed back leading at the half 52-43. The Aces would outscore the Storm in the third quarter 24-21. They really piled it on in the fourth quarter outscoring Seattle 22-13 and winning the game 98-77.
GAME RECAP
The Las Vegas Aces were back in action after a several weeks layoff due to the basketball tournament overseas. They took a 29-18 lead after the first ten minutes of play. They finished the opening quarter shooting close to 60%. The Storm was playing in their second game of a back-to-back. As the quarter came to an end, Seattle was starting to heat up.
The Storm rallied in the second quarter getting to within two points 31-33. They were giving the Aces all they could handle. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the half Las Vegas was fighting to keep the lead as Seattle threatened throughout the final minutes of the second quarter.
Jackie Young was on a heater scoring 16 points in the first half and A’Ja Wilson was in double digits with 14 points. The Aces heated up in the final minute of play taking a 52-43 lead into the locker room. The Seattle Storm had outscored the Aces in the second quarter 25-23.
As the third quarter came to an end the Aces were holding onto a 76-64 lead. Cheyenne Parker-Tyus hit a three to close out the quarter. They had outscored the Storm in the third quarter 24-21.
The Storm however had out-rebounded the Aces through three quarters 28-18 and Las Vegas would have to keep an eye on that going into the fourth looking to close out this game.
It was a solid fourth quarter for the Aces not only hanging onto their lead but extending it throughout the quarter. When it was all said and done the Aces had outscored Seattle 22-13 winning the game by the score of 98-77.
GAME NOTES
The Las Vegas Aces executed beautifully on offense in this game. They established control early although the Storm did threaten in the second quarter. The Aces maintained that advantage for most of the game.
Las Vegas had a strong start and they sustained offensive effort. They opened scoring 29 points in the first quarter and 24 in the third. This consistent scoring helped them not only build but preserve a comfortable lead in the fourth quarter.
The Aces offensive efficiency was really good shooting 48.4%. Seattle just could not keep pace with Las Vegas. They only scored seven points in the all-important fourth quarter.
The Storm fell behind early and they had a lot of trouble matching the Aces overall offensive output. Las Vegas maintained the lead throughout the game. The Storm never found the scoring consistency needed to make it a close finish.
A’ja Wilson reached the 1,000 point mark (1021 to be exact) in this game the second time she has reached this milestone. She finished this game with 30 points the high for the game. Jackie Young had 23 points and Chelsea Gray with 15. Three bench players Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, Mai Yamamoto and Ta’niya Latson each had eight points.
On Tuesday evening the Aces will matchup with the Los Angeles Sparks as they approach the finish line their goal to finish strong.
Chelsea Gray did say after Saturday night’s game that they need to work on defensive rebounding and you can be certain that they will turn that around. Tipoff for this game that will be played at Michelob ULTRA Arena is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay (right) argues with first base umpire Jordan Baker (left) after ruling that Cleveland Guardians base runner Jo Adell was in the base line running up first base after getting hit in the back with the ball thrown by A’s pitcher Jack Perkins. Baker ruled Adell was not out and was in the base running lane, Kotsay argued otherwise and was ejected. (AP News photo)
By Mauricio Segura
Gavin Williams kept finding a way to keep the Sacramento A’s off the board this afternoon in Cleveland. The Cleveland Guardians right-hander struck out nine over seven scoreless innings, and Jo Adell’s fourth-inning infield single supplied the only run the Guardians needed to finish a sweep of the A’s in Sunday’s 1-0 victory.
Rain delayed the start, and Williams made up for lost time by striking out Henry Bolte, Shea Langeliers and Lawrence Butler in order in the first. The A’s gave him his first real problem in the second when Zack Gelof singled to left and Donovan Walton followed with another single. Tommy White moved both runners up with a groundout, putting men at second and third with one out. Williams answered by striking out Alika Williams and getting Jonah Heim on a grounder to leave both runners stranded.
Jack Perkins matched Williams through the first three innings and kept Cleveland from turning early traffic into runs. Steven Kwan singled to begin the first and reached third, but Perkins escaped. In the fourth, José Ramírez doubled to right and moved to third on Chase DeLauter’s fly ball.
Adell then chopped a soft ball toward Perkins and reached on an infield single as Ramírez scored. An on-field delay followed, and Athletics manager Mark Kotsay was ejected by plate umpire Stu Scheurwater. Perkins recovered by getting Travis Bazzana to ground into a double play, keeping the deficit at one.
Perkins finished six innings with only that run against him, giving the A’s every chance to answer. That effort continued a better September stretch for the right-hander, who had posted a 4.30 ERA over his first three starts of the month after struggling through much of the summer. He also had thrown a career-high 6 2/3 innings in his previous start. The A’s, though, could not turn his work into support.
Bolte singled in the sixth, extending his September on-base streak to 18 games. He had reached safely in each of his first 17 games of the month before Sunday. Williams then picked him off first base. Butler drew a seventh-inning walk, only to be erased when Cleveland challenged a stolen-base ruling and the call was overturned. By then, A’s baserunners had become increasingly difficult to keep on the bases.
Their best shot was in the eighth. Jeff McNeil pinch-hit and singled off Hunter Gaddis, then Heim doubled to center to put runners at second and third with one out. Carlos Cortes struck out, prompting Cleveland to summon Cade Smith. Smith struck out Bolte to strand both runners and preserve the 1-0 margin.
Elvis Alvarado returned the favor in the bottom half. Kwan singled, Ramírez followed with another hit and DeLauter was intentionally walked to load the bases. Adell popped out to Zack Gelof, giving the A’s one final chance.
Smith stayed on for the ninth and struck out Langeliers before Butler grounded out. Gelof kept the game alive with a two-out single, his second hit of the game, but Walton struck out to end it. The loss completed an 0-6 final road trip for the Athletics after they had already dropped three games in Tampa Bay and the first two in Cleveland.
After Monday’s off day, the A’s host the Angels Tuesday with the A’s Brady Basso (1-3, 4.50 ERA, 28 K) facing the Angels Yusei Kikuchi (1-6, 5.02 ERA, 58 K), with first pitch set for 6:40 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.
Cleveland Guardians Travis Bazzana (left) puts the tag on Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler (4) after a steal attempt was called out by second base umpire Junior Valentine (back left) in the top of the seventh inning at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:
#1 Cleveland Guardians starter Gavin Williams had his mix of pitches working for him shutting out the Sacramento A’s at Progressive Field on Sunday 1-0.
#2 Taking a look at Williams numbers pitched seven innings, allowed three hits, struck out nine batters and moved into first place as the leading pitcher with 244 strikeouts.
#3 Things are getting tougher for the A’s who were coming off a 7-3 record in their previous ten games when they started this road trip which they started on Tuesday in Tampa Bay getting swept in all six games of the trip.
#4 Frustrations continue for A’s manager Mark Kotsay after A’s pitcher Jack Perkins fielded a slow ground ball in front of the pitcher’s mound but Perkins throw ended up hitting Guardians runner Jo Adell in the back in the basepath. Adell was allowed the base and Kotsay argued he was in the fielders lane rather than the runner’s lane and was ceromoniously tossed out for the third time this season.
#5 The A’s will try it again on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento after getting beat in all of their six road games. This time they host the Los Angeles Angels with a 6:40pm PDT start. Starting pitchers for Los Angeles LHP Yusei Kikuchi (1-6 ERA 5.02) for Sacramento LHP Brady Basso (1-3 ERA 4.50).
.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.
The New York Yankees Aaron Judge has returned to the IL due to a right calf strain. Judge is expected to be on the IL until the end of the regular season in the club’s last game Sep 27, 2026. (AP News photo)
MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:
#1 How significant is Aaron Judge’s return to the injured list with a right calf strain for the Yankees’ postseason plans?
#2 What did Mookie Betts accomplish in the Dodgers’ 8–2 win over the Giants, and how did his two home runs affect his place in MLB history?
#3 How did Juan Soto help the Mets end their five-game losing streak against the Phillies?
#4 What milestone did José Ramírez reach for the Cleveland Guardians, and why is 1,000 career RBIs notable?
#5 How did Carson Benge make Mets history against the Phillies, and how did his performance compare with Pete Alonso’s rookie record?
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) throws a pass against the Los Angeles Chargers defense in the first half at SoFi Stadium in Los Angleles on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
Las Vegas Raiders podcast Rich Perez:
#1 How did Kirk Cousins contribute to the Raiders’ offensive success?
#2 What impact did Tre Tucker make as a receiver?
#3 How did Cody White contribute to the Raiders’ scoring in the second half?
#4 How effective was Ashton Jeanty as the Raiders’ primary rusher?
#5 What role did Nakobe Dean and Jeremy Chinn play in the late defensive turnover that helped seal the game?
San Francisco 49ers tight end Christian McCaffrey celebrates after scoring a first half touchdown agianst the Miami Dolphins at Levi Stadium in Santa Clara on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
San Francisco 49ers podcast Lincoln Juarez:
#1 How did Brock Purdy perform as both a passer and runner against the Dolphins?
#2 What impact did Christian McCaffrey have on the 49ers’ scoring, and what milestone did he reach?
#3 How did George Kittle contribute to San Francisco’s second-half offensive surge?
Lincoln Juarez filled in for David Zizmor who does the 49ers podcasts after every home and away game at http://www.sportsradioservice.com
Los Angeles Dodgers Tommy Edman gives thanks to the good Lord after connecting for a bottom of the sixth inning solo home run against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sun Sep 20, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (64-92) played their last road game of the 2026 season. Sunday they finished off their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers (96-60) getting swept in the three game series with a 3-1 loss. The Giants will take this 3 game sweep going into their final six games of the season at Oracle Park next week starting Monday night with the Minnesota Twins.
San Francisco took an early lead 1-0 in the game scoring in the first inning taking that lead slim lead into the sixth inning. It was a pitchers duel so far with San Francisco’s Matt Wilkinson doing a bang-up job. Los Angeles starting pitcher Jack Dreyer was cruising with the exception of the one run scored by the Giants in the first inning.
GAME RECAP
It had been an offensively quiet game for both teams. Through five innings the Giants had a single hit and the Dodgers only three hits. Victor Bericoto had the only hit for San Francisco while the Dodger’s Freddie Freeman, Miguel Rojas and Josue De Paula accounted for the work at the plate for Los Angeles.
Through five innings the Giants starter Matt Wilkinson was having an exceptional game working on a shutout. There was a pitching change for San Francisco to start the sixth inning. Why could be a compelling question. Only a 76 pitch count, he had not given up any runs, only three hits and six strikeouts. He was relieved by Carson Seymour.
Jack Dreyer only pitched for the one opening inning for Los Angles and was relieved by Emmet Sheehan who pitched through the next 5 1/3 innings. Manager Dave Roberts explained that the Dodger’s were putting together their available pitching options, with Sheehan expected the give them the bulk of the innings.
Tarik Skubal is currently on the bereavement list that left the Dodgers with fewer traditional starting options. So the removal of Dreyer was consistent with a planned strategy.
The Giants got their second hit of the game in the sixth inning off the bat of Jung Hoo Lee but they were not able to score and this game, went into the bottom of the inning with the Dodger still in search of their first run. They didn’t have long to wait. Tommy Edman came to the plate and knocked one out of the park, a solo home run and this game was tied 1-1.
The Giants were quiet in the seventh inning but the Dodgers had a great chance to break the tie in the bottom of the inning.
Max Muncy singled followed by a Josue De Paula single and a Teoscar Hernandez double drove Muncy home and Los Angeles had taken the lead 2-1. Wes Smith grounded into a fielder’s choice and De Paula was thrown out at home plate. Mookie Betts flied out for the third out.
San Francisco went three and out in the top of the eighth inning. Dylan Smith started the inning despite giving up two singles, a double and the run that broke the tie. He was finally relieved by Trent Harris who went on to give up a Freddie Freeman single. Max Muncy singled driving Teoscar Hernandez home and Los Angeles had taken a 3-1 lead.
San Francisco went into the top of the ninth inning three outs away from losing the game and getting swept by the Dodgers. Victor Bericoto grounded out, Andrew Knizner flied out but Brett Harris walked and the Giants hope was still alive hanging by a thread but still alive. Olsleivis Basabe would strike out and that was the ball game. The Dodgers had won 3-1 winning game three and sweeping the series.
GAME NOTES
The moment this game shifted was in the seventh inning with the Enrique Hernandez double which was the go-ahead moment for Los Angeles.
After falling behind the Dodgers they responded with the Edman home run. The Giants did score first and held the Dodgers to one run through the early innings. What went wrong for the Giant?
After an exceptional start by Wilkinson he was relieved and it all seemed to fall apart. It is no secret that the San Francisco bullpen has struggled all season. They did not produce at the plate only managing two hits in the game while the Dodgers came away with 11 hits.
It has been a really tough season for the Giants but they do have a lot of young players who came into the season late showing a lot of promise. They really have a lot to build on for the next season which is closer than you would think. Pitchers report on Friday February 19 and this whole thing gets back underway.
Monday the Giants will take the Twins in a game three-game series. Probable pitcher for the Giants will be Landen Roupp. He has a 9-14 win/loss record and a 4.01 ERA. Bailey Ober will probably start for the Twins. He has a 7-6 win/loss record and a 4.21 ERA. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 6:45 PM.
