Author: Sports Radio Service

Earthquakes fall to Club Tijuana 2-1 in friendly

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San Jose Earthquakes striker Timo Werner (#11) battles for the ball with Club Tijuana midfielder Gilberto Rafael Mora Zambrano (#15) during a friendly match between the two clubs at PayPal Park on Friday JUL 3, 2026. (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE–The San Jose Earthquakes took to the pitch after over a month off for the World Cup break.

Club Tijuana of Liga MX defeated the Quakes 2-1 in an exhibition friendly match on Friday evening at PayPal Park.

Club Tijuana drew first blood in the sixth minute when Adonis Preciado headed in an Ignacio Rivero corner kick to make it 1-0. Just like that San Jose found themselves chasing the game.

The Earthquakes came close to answering four minutes later when a Timo Werner cross from the left wing was almost headed home by a surging Jamar Ricketts in the box.

San Jose scored the equalizer in the 16th minute with a high pressured attack. Preston Judd recovered the ball on the right wing and then found Beau Leroux in the center of the box. The midfielder took one touch and before Xolos goalkeeper Salím Hernández with a shot to make it 1-1.

The Quakes had an excellent chance to score in the 25th minute when Hernández came off his line and Daniel Munie was point-blank range in front of net, but the ball was cleared before he could muster a shot off

Then in the 40th minute, Judd had his own chance in the six-yard box, but his backheel for the far post was just wide. Two minutes later, Tijuana recaptured the lead when Preciado took the ball on the left wing, cut inside, and blasted a curler for the far post past Quakes goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. to make it 2-1 as the teams headed into the intermission.

In the second half, San Jose made wholesale changes, substituting out all 11 starters. The second wave of Quakes created chances almost immediately.

Jack Skahan unleashed a long-range attempt from the edge of the box that was deflected over the crossbar in the 48th minute. In the 61st minute, Club Tijuana called on their bench to replace half the lineup.

With time running out for San Jose, they turned on their sense of urgency. Bruce Arena’s squad had their opportunities to equalize once more but could not find the second goal. Their last descent chance to equalize came in the 89th minute when Paul Marie created space in the box on the middle left channel but his attempt was blocked. The ensuing corner kick floated dangerously inside the box but was punched away by Hernandez.

Homegrown midfielder Edwyn Mendoza, made his Quakes debut as he had a shot blocked in the first minute of stoppage time. San Jose gave it one last go when Jack Jasinski’s cross from the right wing spun toward net, but Marie’s header landed wide left.

UP NEXT: San Jose returns back to MLS play when they host Orlando City SC on Wednesday, July 22, at 7:30pm from PayPal Park.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Seven run fifth does in Giants 15-3 as Rockies take advantage of the mile high elevation

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San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb got knocked around by the Colorado Rockies in his first three innings at Coors Field in Denver on Fri Jul 3, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 The San Francisco Giants pitching staff experienced throwing in the thin Colorado Rocky Mountain air and they quickly saw the ball leave the yard without a mercy rule getting clobbered 15-3 at Coors Field.

#2 Giants starter Logan Webb was touched up in the first three innings of his start allowing 11 hits and seven runs, two walks, and two strikeouts.

#3 The Rockies scored seven runs in the fifth to rally on San Francisco pitching and after five innings the Rockies held a 14-2 lead.

#4 The only offense that the Giants could account were from Luis Arraez, Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee each who scored a run falling way short of the goal.

#5 Giants try it all over again against the Rockies Saturday starting pitchers for San Francisco RHP Robbie Ray (7-6 ERA 3,39) for Colorado RHP Tomoyuki Sugano ((8-4 ERA 4.80) first pitch 5:10pm PDT.

Lincoln Juarez does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Perkins’ Rough First Inning Too Much To Overcome As A’s Fall To Marlins 12-5

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Sacramento A’s Joshua Kuroda Grauer (44) slugs a fourth inning double against Miami Marlins catcher Joe Mack (90) at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Jul 3, 2026 (Golden Bay Times photo)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a day off on Thursday in Sacramento, the Athletics welcomed the Miami Marlins to Sutter Health Park for the start of a three-game series on Friday night.

The Marlins’ offense matched the 90-degree temperature early, and the A’s couldn’t overcome it as Miami defeated Sacramento, 12-5.

Jack Perkins took the hill for the A’s in hopes of helping the club start the series strong against the Marlins and carry over the momentum from the final game of the Dodgers series. However, Perkins struggled mightily, especially in the first inning, and lasted just three and two-thirds innings. Perkins gave up six runs in the opening frame, digging himself into a deep hole as he didn’t record an out until after allowing five runs. Overall, Perkins surrendered seven runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out eight.

“Tough first inning,” Kotsay said of Perkins after the game. “We know this team can hit, and when you leave balls middle-middle, you’re going to pay the price. So I think the grand slam obviously was the capper of that inning. Obviously, you get in trouble right away, it spirals a little bit out of control. I thought he did a nice job of settling down…”

Perkins spoke with the media after the game and appeared to be searching for answers.

“Just have to keep working… that’s something I’m always going to do,” Perkins said. “I’m trying to figure this out and I’m trying to get on a roll here, but I’m just not too sure what’s going on. I’ll get back to work tomorrow and hope to figure it out.”

The A’s once again needed a lengthy performance from their bullpen, and they turned to Jose Suarez to begin the relief effort. Suarez recorded the final out of the fourth inning after relieving Perkins and also pitched the fifth. Suarez was excellent, allowing only one walk over an inning and one-third while needing just 19 pitches.

In the sixth inning, Mark Kotsay called on Justin Sterner. Sterner was solid, but one mistake to Kyle Stowers cost him as he surrendered a solo home run, his only blemish in one inning of work.

Mark Leiter Jr. pitched the seventh inning for the A’s and was terrific. Leiter Jr. tossed a hitless frame, striking out two Marlins hitters while needing just 13 pitches.

The A’s ran into trouble again in the eighth inning when Mason Barnett entered the game. It was Kyle Stowers once again who did the damage after Barnett issued a walk before allowing a two-run homer, Stowers’ second home run of the game. Barnett returned for the ninth, and it was more of the same. He surrendered another two-run homer to stretch Miami’s lead to 12-5. Overall, Barnett pitched two innings, allowing four runs on three hits while walking two and striking out two.

Offensively, the A’s battled but ultimately couldn’t produce enough offense to overcome a 6-0 deficit before they even came to the plate.

In the bottom of the third inning, Nick Kurtz got the A’s on the board with a mammoth moonshot over the batter’s eye in center field. Kurtz’s home run left the bat at 113 mph and traveled 457 feet into the Sacramento evening. It was his 20th home run of the season and gave him RBIs Nos. 65 and 66.

The A’s added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth in an attempt to mount a comeback. Jeff McNeil connected for a bases-clearing, three-run double into the left-center gap. At the time, it pulled the A’s within two runs and made it seem as though a comeback was possible, but they failed to score again. Overall, the A’s finished with five runs on nine hits while drawing four walks and striking out eight times.

Mark Kotsay was encouraged by the fight his team showed after falling behind early.

“The offense did their job coming back and getting us back into that game,” Kotsay said. “It was a seven-to-five game at the time, I think. You’re a hit away from tying a game that you were down seven nothing. So there’s a lot of positive to the offense there.”

With the loss, the A’s fell to 41-47 on the season and 1-3 on the homestand.

Shea Langeliers left the game in the fourth inning after taking a ball awkwardly off his left thumb in the first. The A’s said X-rays revealed only a thumb contusion, and he is listed as day to day.

The A’s will face the Marlins in Game 2 of the series on Saturday, July 4, at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s are slated to send Aaron Civale (5-5, 5.05 ERA) to the mound, while the Marlins will counter with Sandy Alcantara (9-4, 4.20 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. 

Aces Fight Through Overtime Beating Sky 98-90

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Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) is fired up after hitting a basket that tied up the game and forced overtime against the Chicago Sky at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Fri Jul 3, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (15-5) got off to a great start in their matchup with the Chicago Sky (6-14) leading after one quarter 22-19. The Aces really cranked it up in the second quarter outscoring the Sky 27-18 and leading at the half 49-37.

While the Aces held the lead at the half, they were outscored in the third and fourth quarters, in fact, they tied up the game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter to go into overtime. It was a wild overtime but it was the Aces who broke through coming away with the win 98-90.

Despite A’Ja Wilson watching the game from the sidelines with a right ankle/leg injury her teammates held their own. WIlson had initially been listed as questionable but ruled out at game time.

This was her second consecutive missed game after sitting out the Commissioner’s Cup this week. Friday night the team had to rely on Jackie Young and Chelsea Gray to generate offense and they really came through as did Nalyssa Smith in a monumental way finishing with the game high of 29 points and 8 rebounds. She was terrific. Gray, Young and Jewell Loyd all turned in double digits in this game.

GAME RECAP

The Las Vegas Aces outscored the Chicago Sky in the first quarter of their matchup at T-Mobile Arena 22-19. They would be focused on extending that lead throughout the second quarter.

The Aces again outscored the Sky in the second quarter this time by a larger margin 27-18 taking a 49-37 lead into the locker room at the half. They would need more of the same in the second half, keeping the pressure on the Sky.

It got a bit shaky in the third quarter when the Sky answered back outscoring the Aces 27-21. Las Vegas was hanging onto a 70-64 lead going into the fourth quarter. The Sky was taking away the paint and limiting offensive chances for the Aces and they desperately needed to turn that around.

The fourth quarter was a challenging one for Las Vegas. The Sky not only tied up the game but took the lead with 3:47 left in the game 82-81. Chicago took as much as a three point lead in the final minutes of the game. The Aces were able to tie up this game in the final seconds of the fourth quarter at 86 but unable to take back the lead. This game went into overtime.

With 2.38 left in the overtime this game remained tied at 88. Jackie Young broke the tie stealing the ball and scoring. With 1:14 left on the clock the Aces had possession and the lead 92-88. This game was going down to the wire.

With 1:08 left in the game the Sky were trailing 92-90 as referees reviewed a collision between Natasha Cloud and Jackie Young that resulted in Young coming away with a bloody lip.

If the review went in the Aces favor, the Sky’s basket and the Vegas foul would be taken away. It did go in their favor and the Aces had a 92-88 lead, Chicago losing the two points. Chelsea Gray hit another basket with under a minute.

The Sky fell apart offensively in the final seconds running out of time. They had played a great second half of basketball just coming up short in the overtime. The final was 98-90 in favor of the Las Vegas Aces.

GAME NOTES

This was a fight right down to the final seconds. The turning point was the challenge by Las Vegas with 1:10 left on the clock that went in favor of the Aces. Las Vegas went on to finish the Sky who began to miss the shots they had been making in the second half. It was a real team effort with the Las Vegas starters really stepping up in the absence of A’Ja Wilson. A lot of credit has to go to the Sky who played tough to the end of this matchup.

The Aces will have the day off Saturday but will be back in action at T-Mobile Arena on Sunday taking on the seventh place Indiana Fever. With the win Friday night the Aces are now tied with the Lynx for first place. Tipoff for Sunday’s game is scheduled for 4:00 PM PDT.

San Francisco Blindsided by Rockies Losing 15-3

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Colorado Rockies Jake McCarthy is thrilled after hitting a grand slam home run against the San Francisco Giants in the bottom of the fifth inning at Coors Field in Denver on Fri Jul 3, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

This was a meeting of two struggling teams with similar records when the San Francisco Giants (36-51) took on the Colorado Rockies (36-53). With starter Logan Webb on the mound for the Giants Friday the game that ensued was a real shocker. Webb was absolutely blindsided. He didn’t know what hit him giving the Rockies a 7-1 lead after only three innings.

Webb had been pitching really well and so what went down was absolutely crazy. Webb finished the game allowing 11 hits, 7 runs, 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts. He left the game after three innings relieved by Matt Gage who had a pretty rough go as well. He allowed 4 hits and six runs. The Giants finished the game with only 8 hits, the Rockies 18. The final was a 15-3 slaughter.

GAME RECAP

Casey Schmitt singled in the first inning of the Giants matchup with the Colorado Rockies. Both of these teams are really struggling with similar records so the game is expected to be somewhat competitive.

The Schmitt single was all that San Francisco could generate but it was so very early in the game. With Webb on the mound for the Giants today expectations are high since he has been pitching really well lately.

Those expectations were crushed early. The first at bat, top of the order for the Rockies Jake McCarthy hit a solo home run to right and Colorado was off to the races. Mickey Moniak singled as did Hunter Goodman and TJ Rumfield and the bases were loaded. Webb walked Carrigg and the Rockies second run of the day scored. Freeman grounded into a double play and with only two outs, Goodman scored and the Rockies had a 3-0 lead.

Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner was having a solid game through two innings. He had a three and out second inning and the Giants offense was struggling to start this game.

Webb was having an awful time only two innings into this game. He gave up a Kyle Karros single to start the second inning followed by a Ezequiel Tovar 2-run home run giving the Rockies a 5-0 lead. Webb gave up a couple more singles in the second inning but got out of the inning without further damage.

San Francisco got some offense in the top of the third inning and scored their first run of the game. Luis Arraez doubled followed by a Schmitt single that drove Arraez home. This game went into the bottom of the third with Colorado leading 5-1.

It was another disappointing inning for Webb giving up a Carrigg triple. He scored when Edouard Julien hit into a fielder’s choice extending their lead to 6-1. Webb gave up two more singles one to Ezequiel Tovar and a second to Jake McCarthy that drove Juien home and the Rockies took a 7-1 lead into the top of the fourth inning.

San Francisco got some offensive production to start the fourth inning. Jung Hoo Lee hit a bunt single advancing to second base on a throwing error by pitcher Feltner. Bryce Eldridge singled Lee home for their second run of the day.

There was a pitching change for San Francisco with Matt Gage relieving Webb. Webb had a horrendous day allowing 11 hits, 7 runs, 2 walks and only 2 strikeouts. Gage had a three and out bottom of the fourth. Colorado still had a significant lead going into the top of the fifth.

Rockies pitcher Ryan Feltner had yet another solid inning going three and out. Colorado had more in store for the Giants. The bottom of the fifth started with a Edouard Julien walk followed by a Kyle Karros single, another single from Ezequiel Tovar and once again the bases were loaded.

McCarthy cleared the bases hitting his eighth home run, this one a grand slam and the Rockies had taken an 11-2 lead. With one out Colorado had more for San Francisco. Hunter Goodman doubled, followed by a TJ Rumfield walk and a Carrigg triple.

Both Goodman and Rumfield scored and the Colorado lead was 13-2. Tylser Freeman singled Carrigg home and the score going into the sixth was 14-2. The Rockies were just plain hitting lights out and the Giants were unable to do much about it.

The Giants Rafael Devers hit a home run in the top of the sixth inning his 15th of the season but with the score 14-3, single runs in an inning were merely a dribble. San Francisco made a pitching change mid-way through the fifth with Ryan Walker relieving Gage and he remained in the game going into the bottom of the sixth. Gage pitched 1 1/3 innings allowing 4 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks with a single strikeout. Walker had a solid bottom of the sixth inning going three and out.

It was a quick top of the seventh inning for Colorado. There was a pitching change for the Rockies in the inning with Gabriel Hughes relieving Feltner who had done a terrific job. He pitched six innings and had allowed 6 hits, 3 runs, 2 walks with 9 strikeouts. Despite a fielding error by Karros in the inning the score remained 14-3. San Francisco took care of the Rockies in the bottom of the seventh.

The Rockies would add one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning for a final score of 15-3. Ezequiel Tovar sacrificed Kyle Karros home. Colorado had scored in five of the eight innings played three of them with multiple runs and a grand slam.

GAME NOTES

It was an outstanding start for Feltner who pitched through six innings. It was the exteme opposite for Webb. He was coming off an outstanding June in which he was named National League Pitcher of the month but he was hit hard early in this game. He only lasted three innings giving up 11 hits, 7 runs, 2 walks with 2 strikeouts.

It was equally tough for San Francisco reliever Gage who allowed 4 hits, 6 runs, 2 walks and only 1 strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. When the dust had settled San Francisco pitching had collectively allowed 18 hits, 15 runs, 6 walks and only 4 strikeouts.

It was not a great day on the mound for the Giants. The Rockies leadoff batter McCarthy had a terrific game with a couple of homeruns (grand slam), 4 hits, and 6 RBIs. The Giants Rafael Devers had a couple of hits which included his 15th home run of the season and Schmitt also had a couple of hits. Other than that the San Francisco offense was pretty stagnant.

Saturday the Giants will get another crack at Colorado. Robbie Ray will start for San Francisco in game two. He will attempt to cool off the red-hot Rockies and tie up this series.

Ray comes into this game with a 7-6 win/loss record and a 3.39 ERA. Colorado will send Tomoyuki Sugano to the mound. He has a 8-4 win/loss record and a 4,80 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 5:10 PM.

NBA podcast Michael Roberson: Where would LeBron consider taking his talents next?

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LeBron James prepares to shoot during the first half of Game 2 of a second-round NBA playoff series against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday, May 7, in Oklahoma City. James is leaving the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons.Nate Billings/AP

NBA podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 LeBron James who is looking for greener pastures after leaving the Los Angeles Lakers was given a warm farewell by Lakers governor Jeanie Buss. Where will LeBron go he was rumored that he could go to Golden State.

#2 For years Anthony Davis (who is now a Washington Wizard) and LeBron were asking ownership at the Lakers to bring in a center. So as soon as LeBron left the Lakers the Lakers signed Walker Kessler for four years $130 million which works out to be $32.5 million a season. To get Kessler the Lakers had to trade their 2031 and 2033 unprotected first round picks. Also pick swaps for 2028 and 2030 to the Utah Jazz.

#3 The Philadelphia 76ers just couldn’t wait after getting superstar Jaylen Brown from the Boston Celtics the Sixers are now making a pitch for LeBron. How do you see LeBron being a factor with the Sixers if that were to happen?

#4 LeBron is 41 years old and some would say at the twilight of his career. Do you see LeBron going back to the Cleveland Cavaliers and ending his career

#5 Did the Warriors Draymond Green opt out of his $27 million contract so he make cap room in the event that LeBron wanted to come to Golden State as the Warriors is the most likely place that Green will retire so he’s not exploring free agency to join another team.

Michael Roberson is an NBA analyst at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s open 3 game series with Marlins Friday at Sutter Health

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Sacramento A’s starter Jack Perkins will face the Miami Marlins on Fri Jul 3, 2026 at Sutter Health Park in the opening of a three game series (AP file photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Great game for A’s catcher Shea Langeliers 2-5 with a run scored in helping the offense pile on Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Charlie Barnes in the 7-1 win.

#2 Big night on Wednesday for Jonah Heim who went 2-3 with a home run, two hits, and two RBIs.

#3 Joshua Kuroda Grauer went 2-4 with a run scored and two hits and played the hot corner for the A’s Wednesday do you see JKG getting more looks at third base and hitting in the five hole?

#4 A’s pitcher JT Ginn had all his pitches working for him on Wednesday night six innings and allowed just one hit. He had Dodgers two way player Shohei Ohtani under control going 0-5.

#5 Starting pitchers for the Miami Marlins series starting Friday night for the Marlins RHP Tyler Phillips (1-3 ERA 3.02) for Sacramento RHP Jack Perkins (2-3 ERA 6.00) first pitch 6:40pm PDT.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts each Thursday 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. 

World Cup at Santa Clara Stadium: USA advances to round 16 with 2-0 shutout over Bosnia Herzegovina

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By William Espy

United States’ Folarin Balogun (20) scores their first goal against Bosnia goalkeeper Nikola Vasilj (1) during the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the United States and Bosnia in Santa Clara, Calif., near San Francisco, Wednesday, July 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

By William Espy

USA’s Folariin Balogun scores in the 45th minute and Mark Tillman 82nd as USA advances to the 16th round defeating Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team on Thu Jul 1, 2026.

The United States Men’s National Team were back in the Bay Area on Wednesday, as they played the Bosnia and Herzegovina National Team in Santa Clara in a Round of 32 matchup.

Folarin Balogun nearly gave the United States an early lead, but the goal was called offside by the narrowest of margins. He wouldn’t be denied for long though, as right before the halftime break, Balogun scored, and this time the goal was reflected on the scoreboard.

As a result, the Americans carried a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Things certainly wouldn’t be easy for the United States in the second half though, as their goalscorer Balogun was shown a controversial red card for accidentally stepping on an opponent’s ankle in the 64th minute. Due to the red card, the Americans would be down a player for the final 26 minutes of the night.

Despite momentum being heavily in Bosnia’s favor for the majority of the remaining game, Malik Tillman scored a beautiful goal off of a free kick to give the United States a 2-0 lead in the 82nd minute.

The Americans held on to secure their victory, their first win in the knockout round since 2002. The United States will be back in action on Monday when they face off against Belgium in Seattle.

Heim Homers, Drives In Two as A’s Avoid Sweep Against Dodgers with 7-1 victory

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Sacramento A’s Jonah Heim rips a 444 foot home run in the bottom of the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Charlie Barnes at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Jul 1, 2026 (photo by Mauricio Segura-Golden Bay Times)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The A’s sent J.T. Ginn to the hill on Wednesday night in a bid to avoid being swept at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game series. While not necessarily a smooth outing, Ginn delivered the win for the A’s in a 7-1 affair over the Dodgers.

Ginn took the ball in what was his 16th start for the green and gold this season while still being the only starting pitcher in the AL to throw a complete game this season. Ginn didn’t have his sharpest stuff, but he battled through six solid innings against the team that drafted him in the first round in 2018. Ginn scattered three hits and five walks while allowing just one run and striking out four Dodgers hitters. Ginn left the game after the sixth inning with the A’s holding a 6-1 advantage.

“You look at JT this year versus last year, that inning, or that game, would’ve easily spiraled from him,” Kotsay said of Ginn after the win. “He was able to get through those walks like we talk about, executing pitches and really navigating a lineup that can be challenging.”

As Kotsay turned to the bullpen in the seventh inning, he called on Luis Medina to pitch both the seventh and eighth innings. Medina was lights out for the first five outs of his two innings of work. However, Medina allowed a two-out double to Max Muncy before walking Kyler Tucker, which led Kotsay to go back to the bullpen.

Kotsay elected to go with Hogan Harris to clean up the eighth inning, and he recorded the final out by way of a strikeout. Harris stayed in to pitch the ninth inning and struck out three hitters while allowing just one single.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s had a nice, balanced attack against the Dodgers’ bullpen game after Los Angeles elected to bypass Shohei Ohtani’s scheduled day.

Jonah Heim got the A’s on the board in the second inning with a solo home run to center field. It was Heim’s eighth home run of the season and his 32nd RBI as he sent the ball 444 feet with an exit velocity of 105 mph.

In the fourth inning, the A’s scored two more runs on an RBI groundout from Lawrence Butler and an RBI single from Henry Bolte that scored Joshua Kuroda-Grauer to give the A’s a 3-1 advantage.

In the fifth inning, the A’s offense was back at it as Shea Langeliers led off with a solo blast to left-center field that traveled 433 feet. It was Langeliers’ 20th home run of the season and his fourth consecutive 20-home run season. The booming home run left the bat at 104 mph.

Later in the fifth inning, the A’s added two more runs on a Colby Thomas RBI double and a Jonah Heim RBI single that drove in Thomas in the very next at-bat.

The final run for the A’s came in the bottom of the eighth inning when Alika Williams sent a ball 403 feet over the left-center field wall for a solo home run. It was Williams’ second home run of the season, and it left the bat at 100 mph.

With the win, the A’s improved to 41-46 on the season and salvaged a game against the Dodgers to avoid the sweep. The A’s will spend Thursday’s off day in Sacramento before welcoming the Miami Marlins for a three-game weekend series. The first game of the series is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. PST on Friday as the A’s will send Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.00 ERA) to the hill. The Marlins have yet to announce a starter for the series opener. 

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 Win First Game Over Diamondbacks This Season 6-4

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San Francisco Giants starter Trevor McDonald allowed only one hit over six innings pitched against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on Wed Jul 8, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The first four innings of this game was a good old fashion pitchers duel until the San Francisco Giants broke through scoring three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Both starting pitchers Trevor McDonald for the Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen were terrific through the fourth inning.

The Giants broke through in the fifth inning with a couple of home runs one from Heliot Ramos and a second off the bat of Victor Bericoto. In the very next inning San Francisco scored three more runs taking a 6-0 lead into the top of the eighth inning. The Giants had finally beaten the Arizona Diamondbacks this season despite a very shaky eighth inning that saw the Diamondbacks score four runs. The final was 6-4 in favor of San Francisco.

GAME RECAP

The first four innings of this game was a pitchers duel with the Giants Trevor McDonald and Arizona’s Zac Gallen putting on quite a show. McDonald gave up one single through the four innings and Gallen also gave up one hit. They were both terrific until it came to the fifth inning.

San Francisco turned the entire game around in the top of the fifth inning. Heliot Ramos got the Giants on the scoreboard with a home run to center taking a 1-0 lead. This was his sixth home run this season. Victor Bericoto came to the plate and hit a 2-run home run his fourth of the season and San Francisco had taken a 3-0 lead.

The Giants would double their lead in the top of the sixth inning scoring three more runs. Heliot Ramos tripled Rafael Devers home for the first run of the inning. Jung Hoo Lee singled Ramos home for the second run and they capped the inning off with a Drew Cavanaugh single that drove Lee home. It had been another tremendous inning for San Francisco now leading 6-0.

The Giants had kept the Diamondbacks off the scoreboard through seven innings but that all came to an end in the bottom of the eighth inning. It was a very sloppy inning for San Francisco.

Arizona cut the Giants lead significantly starting with a Pavin Smith single that drove Nolan Arenado home for the first run. Ketel Marte doubled and TommyTroy scored on a throwing error by shortstop Christian Koss followed by another run scored by Smith cutting the Giants lead in half.

Arizona would score a fourth run with Marte scoring on a Corbin Carroll ground out. Koss would have a second error in the inning. It had been a tough one for relief pitchers Ryan Walker and Dylan Smith giving up four runs in the inning. Arizona had new life now only trailing by two runs 6-4

Going into the bottom of the ninth inning the Diamondbacks were now three outs away from losing this game. Despite a forgettable eighth inning San Francisco held on to beat the Diamondbacks 6-4 a winner over Arizona for the first time this year.

GAME NOTES

This had been a much better start for the San Francisco Giants (36-50). In the first two games of this series Arizona (43-43) had scored early never allowing the Giants to take the lead until Wednesday night. The Giants had 11 hits in the game, the Diamondbacks seven.

The two home runs in the fifth inning off the bats of Heliot Ramos and Drew Bericoto turned this game around. San Francisco added three more runs in the sixth inning but they let the Diamondbacks back in the game in the bottom of the eighth inning giving up hits along with some ugly errors by shortstop Christian Koss. San Francisco was able to hang on to beat Arizona for the first time this season 6-4 avoiding the sweep.

San Francisco starting pitcher Tyler McDonald had a terrific game. He pitched six innings allowing only one hit with five strikeouts. He was spectacular. Arizona starter Zac Gallen also had a nice start through four innings before it all went south in the fifth inning.

San Francisco will now head to Colorado for their next series with the Rockies that gets underway this Friday. Probable on the mound for the Giants will be Logan Webb. He has a 5-5 win/loss record and a 3.09 ERA. The Rockies are right now undecided as to who will take the mound on Friday night. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 5:10 PM.

Barbara Mason is a San Francisco Giants road reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com