Sports Radio Service

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Roden’s Two Run Answer Leaves A’s Bats Stumped in 2-0 loss

Published on July 26, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Minnesota Twins Alan Roden swings for a two run single in the single in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Sacramnento A’s at Target Field in Minneapolois on Sat Jul 25, 2026 (AP News photo)

Roden’s Two Run Answer Leaves A’s Bats Stumped in 2-0 loss

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics spent eight innings searching for one useful hit and never found it. Alan Roden supplied Minnesota’s only scoring with a two-out, two-run single in the sixth, and the Twins held the A’s to three hits in a 2-0 victory that evened the series at one game apiece.

Minnesota had to change plans before the first pitch when scheduled starter Mike Paredes was scratched during warmups because of a left oblique strain. Kendry Rojas took the assignment with little notice and looked fully prepared, allowing only Tyler Soderstrom’s first-inning single while striking out five across four scoreless innings. He retired 10 of the final 11 hitters he faced and gave the Twins’ bullpen a game it could protect.

The A’s first serious chance developed in the third. Henry Bolte drew a leadoff walk, Lawrence Butler moved him to second with a sacrifice bunt, and Jacob Wilson’s fly ball sent Bolte to third. Nick Kurtz then struck out, leaving the runner 90 feet away.

Kurtz was activated from the injured list before the game after recovering from a right thumb capsule sprain. His return produced four strikeouts in four plate appearances. The contrast was especially harsh because one year earlier, Kurtz went 6-for-6 with four home runs, eight RBI and 19 total bases in one of the greatest games in franchise history.

Brady Basso did his part as the A’s opener, working 2 1/3 scoreless innings with three strikeouts. Minnesota threatened in the third when Ryan Kreidler doubled and stole third, but Mason Barnett struck out Byron Buxton and retired Kody Clemens on a fly ball. Barnett kept the game scoreless through the fifth, giving the Athletics several chances to move ahead.

Jeff McNeil created another opening in the fifth with a fan-interference double to right. Butler drew a two-out walk, but Wilson grounded into a force play. McNeil doubled again with two outs in the seventh, only for Bolte to fly out. Those two doubles made McNeil the only Athletics hitter to reach safely twice.

Minnesota finally broke through in the sixth. Josh Bell drew a one-out walk, and Royce Lewis doubled to left, putting two runners in scoring position. Barnett retired Victor Caratini on a fly ball and was one out from escaping, but Roden sent a ground ball into right field. Bell and Lewis scored, giving the Twins all they needed. José Suarez replaced Barnett and struck out Brooks Lee to end the inning.

The A’s best opportunity unfolded in the eighth and ended with nothing. Butler drew a leadoff walk, and pitcher Andrew Morris made a throwing error on Wilson’s fielder’s choice, putting Butler at third and Wilson at second with nobody out. Kurtz and Soderstrom struck out, then Jonah Heim grounded out. Heim entered the game one hit shy of 500 for his career, but an 0-for-4 performance kept him at 499.

Hayden Juenger and Luis Medina each delivered a scoreless inning for the A’s, but Minnesota’s relievers never surrendered the lead. Taylor Rogers earned the victory with two scoreless innings, while Yoendrys Gómez finished the ninth for his 13th save. Mason Barnett took the loss after allowing two runs over 3 1/3 innings. The finale still gives the Athletics a chance to end a stretch of 10 consecutive series without a victory.

The rubber match features Jeffrey Springs (3-9, 5.96 ERA, 86 strikeouts) for the Athletics against Joe Ryan (6-6, 3.38 ERA, 131 strikeouts) for Minnesota, with first pitch scheduled for 11:10 a.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.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: What the Giants need for next Season, if there is a Season

Published on July 26, 2026July 26, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers (16) might not get picked up by a club before the trade deadline because of his huge remaining six years left on his contract which pays an average of $28 million per year. (AP News photo)

What the Giants need for next Season, if there is a Season

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–Baseball is headed to a lockout by the baseball owners. Some say the players’ only leverage is to strike, maybe during this postseason. However, MLB players cannot strike because the current Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) remains in effect through December 1, 2026, which means labor peace is totally guaranteed during the playoffs.

The playoffs are during October and sometimes until November, with some World Series taking place that late in the year, but nobody plays in December. Players cannot strike. But owners have been telling everybody in the media they are ready to lock out the players. It would be inconceivable for the 2027 season as a whole not to be played; however, there is also a good chance they will not play 162 games. The only question is how long this lockout will last.

What about the Giants? What are they going to do to improve the product on the field? That is their biggest problem. Oracle Park is one of the most beautiful sports facilities in the world; fans are happy and enjoy taking their families and friends to watch the Giants play. This season has not been fun. The Giants will finish in either last or penultimate place this year, and that was not what Posey and the front office had in mind. Next week and a half could give us an idea of what they are thinking.

1-The Big Deal. Rafael Devers is making $27 million this season and is owed $28.5 million every year from 2027 through 2033. If the Giants trade him, somebody will have to pay him. Devers is not a failure; it is just that his production is close to average levels in the league and that 10-year $313.5 million total commitment is tough for any other baseball club to absorb. Can they trade him? And who needs Devers that badly to make the difference and win? There are only a few teams that would take Devers, not because of his play, but because of the money involved there.

2-Another Big Deal. Willy Adames with a huge contract and a full no-trade clause; Adames has underperformed at the plate. Adames’ contract, including his signing bonus of $22 million, is the largest total value contract in San Francisco Giants history, surpassing Buster Posey’s previous record. Adames and the Giants agreed to a seven-year $182 million contract, which was finalized in December 2024. Remember also, his full no-trade clause gives him the power to refuse any deal he doesn’t like. Is he going to be traded? You tell me, but I am not convinced he will.

3-The Easy One: Luis Arraez. This guy is just a solid star player who is a four time MLB All-Star, three time batting champion, and 2-time Silver Slugger winner; what is not to like here? Oh yeah, he also plays a very good defensive second base. He will be traded, and Giants fans will miss him. Arraez’s salary this year with the Giants is $12 million. And he is worth every penny.

The Chapman Chapter: Chapman’s manager in Oakland Bob Melvin’s favorite player in Oakland. The manager always talks big about Matt Chapman, and one of the reasons he crossed the bay to San Francisco to play for the Giants was because Bob Melvin was managing the Giants and he wanted him, and he got him.

The question is: what can Chapman bring in return to the Giants if they trade him? Nobody knows. But it is most likely that Matt Chapman will be traded. A Gold Glove third baseman who has won five Gold Glove Awards, two Platinum Gloves Awards, and one All-Star selection. At 33 years old, he is still a good player for any team that values defense, and he can also give you a big hit in a key moment in a game. I never underestimate Chapman. He will be traded. The Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox can use a third baseman with experience, especially Boston.

Robbie Ray. A pitcher with lots of value. Since Webb is untouchable, Ray is the one starter that could fly away. Lots of teams can use a pitcher with his stuff. A Cy Young Award winner and two-time All-Star, he is somebody who will definitely help a team point to the postseason. Ray will change uniforms again soon; he has pitched for Detroit, Arizona, Toronto, Seattle, San Francisco, and soon_______?

The Giants have a dysfunctional bullpen: They need talented arms who can hold leads and close a game at any given time; the Giants lack all that. A major weakness for this team is relief meltdowns; they need more reliable arms and guys who can pitch in high-pressure situations. They have to find a way to have a better bullpen, because this 2026 version is not even close. There is no contending team without an established closer.

Note: When you think of any work stoppage, players’ strike or owners’ lockout, think of this. Major League Baseball has reached record-high gross revenues, hitting approximately $12.1 billion. This growth is driven by rising ticket sales, strong sponsorships, and massive individual franchise earnings. As we can see, any prolonged work stoppage is not good for anybody, and it could cause irreparable damage to the game’s reputation.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

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

Reid’s equalizer helps Earthquakes earn a point in 1-1 draw with Galaxy in Classico

Published on July 25, 2026July 25, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The San Jose Earthquakes Starting XI posed for the cameras before their match against the Los Angeles Galaxy in the 105th California Classico at Stanford Stadium on Saturday JUL 25, 2026. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

PALO ALTO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Galaxy and the San Jose Earthquakes battled to the very end in a dramatic 1-1 draw in the 105th California Classico on Saturday evening at Stanford Stadium.

San Jose has earned points in two of its last three matches. Los Angeles extended its winless streak to four matches with the draw.

San Jose was without captain Ronaldo Vieira and forward Preston Judd who were suspended for the match due to yellow card accumulation from their last match against Orlando City. Los Angeles was without striker João Klauss who was placed on the Injured List back on May 13th.

Los Angeles (5-7-6-21 points) drew first blood in the 12th minute. Harbor Miller started a counterattack down the right wing. Miller found Marco Reus in the middle of the pitch. Reus made a quick pass out to Joesph Paintsil on the left wing and the Ghanian striker beat Quakes goalkeeper Angus Gunn with a right-footed shot for his fourth goal of the season.

San Jose (10-4-3-33 points) had two quality chances in the first ten minutes of a wide open first half. In the ninth minute, Jack Skahan had a golden attempt from inside the box after a nice centering feed from Ousseni Bouda. However, Galaxy goalkeeper JT Marcinkowski kept it from going into the back of the net. A minute later a cross into the box from Timo Werner crept out to Nick Fernandez but his shot attempt sailed wide right.

The Earthquakes dominated the first 10 minutes of the second half with chances from Timo Werner and Benji Kinkanovic. A shot from Werner from the left wing was stoned away by Marcinkowski in the 50th minute. Then in the 54th minute the former Quakes goalkeeper stopped a header attempt by Kikanovic.

San Jose finally hit paydirt in the 63rd minute off of a set piece. Werner’s free kick from 20 yards out was deflected off of the head of a Galaxy defender that caromed off of the crossbar. The rebound found Kikanovic who sent the ball toward the net where a crashing Reid Roberts tapped it home for his second goal of the season.

The Quakes had a golden chance to win the game late in stoppage time. Bouda was tripped up by Marcinkowski inside the box in the 5th minute of stoppage time resulting in a penalty. The ensuing kick by Werner was denied by a diving save from Marcinkowski to help steal away two additional points for San Jose.

Marcinkowski finished the match with five saves on six shots on target. Gunn made one save on two shots to earn his first point in a Quakes kit.

GAME NOTES: Both squads finished the match with six corner kicks.

UP NEXT: San Jose heads back out on the road to take on FC Cincinnati on Saturday August 1st at 4:30pm at TQL Stadium.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Ray dominant over six shutout inning in potential final home start as Giant in 9-2 blowout over Angels

Published on July 25, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Saturday, July 25, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles Angels 2 (41-64)

San Francisco Giants 9 (44-60)

Win: Robbie Ray (9-6)

Loss: Ryan Johnson (2-5)

Time: 2:32

Attendance: 39,102

By Stephen Ruderman

San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee (right) is congratulated by Rafael Devers (16) after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the third inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Jul 25, 2026 (AP News photo)

SAN FRANCISCO–Robbie Ray pitched six shutout innings in what could have been his final showing for Giants’ fans here at Oracle Park, and his offense backed him up in a 9-2 Giants’ blowout of the Angels.

After what I can admit was a thrilling win last night to snap their five-game skid, the Giants looked to make it two in a row against one of the few teams throughout Baseball that has had it more difficult than the Giants over the last decade.

The Trade Deadline is in nine days. A lot is going to happen over these next nine days, and with the not-so-low probability that Robbie Ray will be one of the Giants dealt for prospects, today was set to potentially be his final home start for the Giants here at Oracle Park.

Ray signed with the Giants in 2024, when he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, and only pitched in seven games that season. Last season, an incredible 7-0 start earned him a trip to the All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Saturday, Ray was his usual self, as he threw six shutout innings. He walked two, struck out five, and gave up six hits. Tony Vitello pulled him after just 80 pitches.

Angels’ starter Ryan Johnson opened the day with two shutout innings. However, the Giants exploded for five runs against him with two outs in the bottom of the third inning.

Rafael Devers, the hero from last night, lined a base-hit to left field to knock in Luis Arraez, and put the Giants on the board. Casey Schmitt grounded a single the other way to right, which scored Heliot Ramos to make it 2-0. Up came Jung Hoo Lee, who slapped a home run to the metal tin atop the Willie Mays Wall in right field.

The Giants followed that up with four more runs in the bottom of the fourth. That was capped off by a three-run home run by the red-hot Devers, who went 6-for-10 in the first two games of this series.

With this Giants’ bullpen, no lead is ever safe. Tristan Beck gave up a run in the top of the seventh, but he settled down to throw a one, two, three, inning in the top of the eighth.

Former Giants’ catcher Tyler Heineman was on the mound for the Angels in the bottom of the eighth. Believe it or not, he threw an 11-pitch one, two, three, inning.

Keaton Winn was the man for the ninth, and of course he had to give us a little bit of “drama.” He walked Vaughn Grissom with two outs, but that would be it. The Giants won 9-2.

Robbie Ray gets the win, and Ryan Johnson takes the loss. The Giants are now 43-60, and they will have a chance to do something Sunday that they have not done all season: sweep a three-game series.

Carson Whisenhunt will be brought up to make the start Sunday. However, Whisenhunt is only expected to be up here for one start. Jose Soriano will go for the Angels.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Jeff Kent goes to the Hall of Fame:

Don’t forget, folks. Legendary Giants’ Second-baseman Jeff Kent will officially be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York Sunday.

Kent, who was voted in by the Veteran’s Committee, will be inducted alongside outfielders Carlos Beltran and Andruw Jones.

The Giants have a contingency in Cooperstown, which includes President and CEO Larry Baer.

The ceremonies will begin at 1:30 p.m. Eastern, 10:30 a.m. Pacific.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: No LeBron James for the Warriors? That complicates the Warriors’ plan

Published on July 25, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Former Los Angeles Laker LeBron James who is making his way to the Philadelphia 76ers ended the dream of joining Stephen Curry (right) and the Golden State Warriors (Yahoo.com file photo)

No LeBron James for the Warriors? That complicates the Warriors’ plan

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

There is no doubt that the Golden State Warriors needed LeBron James more than the Philadelphia 78ers. The future Hall of Fame player chose to sign a two-year, $8 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. It is not money anymore; he wants to compete and challenge himself into a role that could lead to a championship for his new team, in this case, the 76ers.

The Warriors are facing a lot of pressure to maximize Stephen Curry, their biggest star and future Hall of Fame member. Curry had a wuiioet season and recovering helaht, not havbing LeBron James now rthey they are in a rough situation as they play in a very tough Western Conference, with such team as the Thunder, Spurs, Nuggetts and Lakers, just to mention a few, the patch for the Warriors is not much more complicated than a few days ago, when they was still hope of LeBron James by the bay..

It is simple.If the Warriors could have paired LeBron James with Stephen Curry, that would have put them in championship contention right away, but it was not the case; some say: it was not meant to be. In the meantime, the most spoken-of Warrior in recent memory, Draymond Green, is finalizing a new commitment after declining his $27.7 million player option.

New Orleans Pelicans forward Trey Murphy III is a primary trade option, and many expect the Warriors could be making available their first-round draft picks to make a deal with the New Orleans team. This shows potential, and it could happen, but the Warriors have to consider drastic adjustments, maybe Michael Porter Jr.or even Alperen Sengun. They might be “close to desperate,” but nobody can deny that Warriors fans were highly disappointed, as their hopes were high on a LeBron Stephen duo taking the team once more to an NBA TITLE.

And that’s the way the ball bounces!

Quote: Michael Jordan: “I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”

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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey: A’s get a 2-0 shutout against Twins; A’s sell share of team to Mark Cuban

Published on July 25, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s third baseman Tommy White (left) attempts to catch the ball while the Minnesota Twins Royce Lewis slides safely into the third base in the bottom of the fourth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on Fri Jul 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 Sacramento A’s starting pitcher Jacob Lopez and four relievers got a shutout against the Minnesota Twins 2-0 at Target Field in Minnesota on Friday night. As opposed to some previous struggles the bullpen came through and kept the Twins off the basepaths for most the game.

#2 The Twins only could muster five hits was it a matter of getting good pitching or the Twins just never saw this A’s bullpen and just couldn’t figure A’s pitching out?

#3 Lopez in his start had a great outing with five innings pitched allowing just one hit and four strikeouts with good command to get things started for Sacramento.

#4 The A’s didn’t get a hit through the first four innings until Tommy White hit a double in the fifth inning with one down. With the bases loaded Lawrence Butler came up and hit a sacrifice fly to center to score Donavan Walton for one of the A’s two runs.

#5 Former Dallas Mavericks managing partner Mark Cuban has bought a minority share of the A’s. The undisclosed amount by sources say Cuban bought five percent of the team. The investment was in preparation of the A’s move to Las Vegas in 2028.

#6 The A’s and Twins match up for the second game of the three game set Saturday. Starting pitchers for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (1-0 ERA 4.64 21 strikeouts). Minnesota Twins left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-5, 5.00 ERA, 71 strikeouts), with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 p.m. Pacific.

Join Tony Harvey for the A’s podcasts Saturdays 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.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Win against Angels huge after getting swept in Kansas City

Published on July 25, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) puts the tag on Los Angeles Angels Zach Neto (9) at second base during a steal attempt at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jul 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

A win is a win no matter who you get it against the Giants had blown a 5-1 lead to the Los Angeles Angels of all teams after getting swept by the Royals of all teams whatever you could do to get a win and you know what. The Giants fought back and in the bottom of the tenth inning Rafeal Devers got a single to score the walk off winning run for the Giants 7-6 win.

Devers hit bounced over the wall the runner didn’t come into score he was too busy celebrating a similar thing happened in the 1995 NLCS the New York Mets had come back in game six as the Mets won game five. Robin Ventura was mobbed by his teammates at first base and he was charged with only a single.

The Angels and Giants match up for game two of the series on Saturday at Oracle Park. Starting pitchers for Los Angeles RHP Ryan Johnson (2-4 ERA 6.10) for San Francisco LHP Robbie Ray (8-6 ERA 3.33)

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Two Runs and a Wall of Zeroes A’s shutout Twins 2-0

Published on July 25, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s pitcher Jacob Lopez pitches against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Fri Apr 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics scored twice, collected five hits, and made both runs stand up in a 2-0 victory over the Minnesota Twins. This was not an offensive showcase. It was a nine-inning exercise in surviving trouble, turning ground balls into outs, and making Minnesota regret every missed chance.

Jacob Lopez set the tone with five scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while striking out four. His command wandered at times, resulting in four walks and a hit batter, but the Twins never found the swing that could turn traffic into damage.

Lopez struck out Ryan Jeffers to strand two runners in the third, then escaped an even tighter spot in the fourth after Royce Lewis stole second and third and Luke Keaschall stole second. Brooks Lee ended that threat with a popout to Jacob Wilson.

Minnesota’s only hit against Lopez was in the fifth, when Austin Martin sent a ground-rule double down the left-field line. Byron Buxton followed with a liner to Tyler Soderstrom, and Jeffers flied out to Lawrence Butler. Lopez finished his outing with another zero and improved to 5-4, providing a major lift for a rotation that had gone 3-15 with a 6.42 ERA over its previous 27 games.

Twins starter Zebby Matthews was nearly untouchable early, retiring the first 10 Athletics he faced. Soderstrom finally reached with a fourth-inning walk, though Shea Langeliers erased that chance with a double play. The breakthrough developed in the fifth. Donovan Walton drew a walk, rookie Tommy White drove a double to center, and Jeff McNeil drew another walk to load the bases. Butler lifted a sacrifice fly to center, scoring Walton for a 1-0 lead. White later tried to score on a wild pitch but was cut down at home.

The Athletics added their second run in the sixth with a simple three-batter sequence. Henry Bolte singled, Wilson moved him to second with a groundout, and Soderstrom sent a ground ball through the left side to bring Bolte home. Soderstrom had entered the series batting .294 with three home runs and seven RBI in 10 games since returning from a hip injury, and his run-scoring single gave the pitching staff a little more room to work.

That room became valuable immediately. Geoff Hartlieb began the bottom of the sixth by issuing walks to Josh Bell and Lewis. A wild pitch advanced both runners, and another walk to Keaschall loaded the bases with one out. José Suarez entered and needed only one batter to escape. Lee hit a grounder to Tommy White, who stepped on third and threw to first for an inning-ending double play.

From there, the Athletics turned the infield into a roadblock. Suarez retired the Twins in order in the seventh, with all three grounders going from Wilson to McNeil. Elvis Alvarado allowed a leadoff single to Jeffers in the eighth, then got Bell to bounce into another double play. Wilson handled that one as well, extending his errorless streak to 103 games, seven shy of Mike Bordick’s major-league record for a shortstop.

Hogan Harris handled the ninth. He struck out Victor Caratini, hit Keaschall with a pitch, then fielded Lee’s grounder and started a game-ending double play. Harris earned his eighth save, and the Athletics completed a shutout with four scoreless innings from the bullpen.

The win extended the Athletics’ streak against Minnesota to five games and gave them four consecutive victories in Minnesota. The A’s now have a chance to claim their first series victory in 11 tries.

Game 2 brings right-hander Mason Barnett (1-0, 4.64 ERA, 21 strikeouts) against Twins left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-5, 5.00 ERA, 71 strikeouts), with first pitch scheduled 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.

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.

Giants beat Angels, 7-6, as San Francisco celebrates Autism Acceptance & Cal Poly Night

Published on July 24, 2026July 25, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames (2) swings on a 91 mph slider and called for a strike against the Los Angeles Angels during the bottom of the 6th inning of a MLB baseball game in San Francisco, Friday, July 24th, 2026. (Photo credits to Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The San Francisco Giants returned home on Friday night to start the second half of the season. They hosted the Los Angeles Angels for a three-game series, and the Giants took game 1 in ten innings 7-6. This was the two teams’ first time seeing each other, and the rest of the weekend will be the only time they see each other this season.

The Giants came back home with some injuries and losses. After winning the first game back from the All-Star break, the Giants would lose the next five in a row, also being swept at Kansas City. Giants outfielder Harrison Bader stopped baseball activity and will see a foot and ankle specialist in Indianapolis this weekend.

Angels starting pitcher for this first game of three is RHP Grayson Rodriguez (3-3, 8.23 ERA). Rodriguez has 27 strikeouts and walked 17 so far this season. The Giants’ starting pitcher for the game was 2026 MLB All-Star, RHP Logan Webb (5-7, 3.87 ERA). Webb has 85 strikeouts and walked 27 this season.

Los Angeles leadoff hitter Zach Neto wasted no time for his team as on his first bat he got himself a triple on a sharp fly ball to right field. This put Giants pitcher Logan Webb in an early awkward position in the first. Then Angels Nolan Schanuel would bring home Neto on a single to give the Angels a 1-0 early lead.

After the Angels batted, it was the Giants turned and they responded. Giants Arraez singled, then got hit by a double play from the Angels. Giants Bryce Eldridge walked, but Rafael Devers came to bat and got the crowd going. Devers homered on a fly ball to left field, his 21st of the season, giving San Francisco the lead, 2-1.

Two innings later, in the third, the Giants were still connecting the bat with the ball. Giants Bryce Eldridge joins the fun as he gets a ground-rule double. Then the Angels intentionally walked Devers, setting up a three run homer for Casey Schmitt to left field. Schmitt’s homer was also his 21st of the season, and he would extend the Giants’ lead to 5-1.

At the top of the fifth, the Angels were getting their hitting momentum going after being shut out the last four innings. Starting it off would be Angels Jo Adell and Denzer Guzman with both getting singles. Then Tyler Heineman tripled on a fly ball to right field, bringing in Adell and Guzman to score, 5-3.

Next batter, Zach Neto would get walked, with now two players on base with no outs as well. Then the Angels’ Mike Trout was out on a sacrifice fly, but brought in Heineman to score, 5-4. Eventually, the Giants would stop the bleeding and get the final out by a force out at second.

It wouldn’t be until the bottom of the seventh that the Giants got back on the board. Giants’ Drew Gilbert gets walked and then subbed for pinch-runner Grant McCray. Then Daniel Susac would get out on a sacrifice fly, but would bring in McCray to score, 6-4. However, the Angels weren’t phased as they responded right into the next inning.

At the top of the eighth, Angels Jorge Soler singles, then Angels Vaughn Grissom homers on a fly ball to left field. This homer would be his sixth of the season and would tie the ballgame, 6-6. After that, both teams’ defense and pitching would sharpen up as they entered the ninth inning of the game.

In the ninth inning, the game is still tied, with both teams still having a chance to win and take game 1 of the season series. Unfortunately, both teams’ defense would step up, and neither team would score. So this “Battle of California” game is heading into extra innings.

Bottom of the tenth inning, it was all Giants. The Giants had runner Jesus Rodriguez on second, so at bat it was Luis Arraez who was able to get himself another single in this game. So now the Giants have two runners on base. Then the Giants’ Bryce Eldridge walked, which led to Rafael Devers hitting a single to left field and bringing in the game-winning run. The Giants would take game 1 against the Angels, 7-6.

These two teams come right back to action in Oracle Park Saturday, July 25th, at 1:05 p.m. for first pitch. The San Francisco Giants will start LHP Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.33 ERA) hoping to take game two as well. The Angels will respond with RHP Ryan Johnson (2-4, 6.10 ERA) as the Angels try to get the win and even the series. The game will be broadcast on NBCS BA.