Category: MLB

Weird weather combo leads to weird game combo of boring and entertaining, as Rockies score four off Roupp for 5-2 win over Giants

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Colorado Rockies Zac Veen flips his bat after connecting for a sixth inning two run home run against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco Fri Aug 14, 2026 (AP News photo)

Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 5 (49-73)

San Francisco Giants 2 (50-72)

Win: Kyle Freeland (4-10)

Loss: Landen Roupp (7-12)

Time: 2:28

Attendance: 38,258

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Colorado Rockies got to Landed Roupp for four runs, and the San Francisco Giants’ offense sputtered against Kyle Freeland, as the Rockies took what may have been the worst overall game played in baseball this season 5-2.

The Giants were hoisting the Rockies, who came into Friday night two games behind the Giants for fourth place. Or shall, I say the Giants were two games up on the Rockies in terms of avoiding last place.

It was a cold and foggy night, but also a humid and monsoonal night here at Oracle Park. With the super El Nino taking shape across the Pacific Ocean, the monsoonal moisture from the desert has been pushed northwards into the mediterranean climate of Northern California. Combine the marine layer with that monsoonal moisture, and you have yourself an interesting night of weather.

Anyway, Landen Roupp took the ball for the Giants, and opened the game with a one two three top of the first inning. Granted, it helped that Jonah Cox, who was just called back up from Triple-A Sacramento, made a spectacular leaping catch at the track in left-center field to take away at least extra bases from Mickey Moniak.

The Giants would be up against the left-hander, Kyle Freeland, who came into Friday night’s game at 3-10 with a 6.63 ERA. Friday night, Freeland would look like Sandy Koufax against this listless Giants’ offense. In case anyone is wondering, Freeland, too, started his night with a one two three first inning.

Roupp pitched scoreless innings in the second and third. Freeland threw a scoreless bottom of the second.

The Giants had a shot against Freeland in the bottom of the third. They wouldn’t score, but we did get a little bit of entertainment. With Christian Koss at second base and one out, Cox hit a ground ball to short. Koss made a classic rookie mistake, and started to take off for third on a ground ball to the shortstop, but Ezequial Tovar’s throw to third was dropped by Willi Castro. Despite that, Koss went back to second. Hey, that’s what you get in a game between the Giants and the Rockies.

Roupp set down the first two men he faced in the top of the fourth. However, the Rockies manufactured a two-out run.

Bryce Eldridge responded with a home run to center to lead off the bottom of the fourth. For Eldridge, it was his 13th home run of the season.

The Rockies retook the lead in the top of the fifth, and added two more on a bomb and water shot by Zac Veen in the top of the sixth. Jung Hoo Lee just turned around, and didn’t even move. As for Veen, he has hit two home runs in six big league at-bats this season.

Roupp ended up going five and two thirds. As for Freeland, he went eight innings. Freeland only struck out two, which kept his pitch count to 95.

The Rockies scored a run in the top of the ninth. The Giants would get one in the bottom of the ninth against Brennan Bernardino on an RBI double by Rafael Devers. 

Then, we would have some more entertainment. With nobody out, and Devers at second, Rockies’ center-fielder Cole Cerrig made a spectacular diving catch on a blooper off the bat of Bryce Eldridge. Devers just kept going to third, and was easily doubled off at second. Tony Vitello challenged the play, but well, to no avail.

Just as it was both cold and humid here at Oracle Park Friday night, this game was both boring and entertaining. It was just a weird night here at Oracle Park.

Kyle Freeland got his fourth win of the season, and Landen Roupp took the loss. Roupp is 2-9 since June 10.

The Giants fall to 22 games under .500 at 50-72, and are just a game up on the Rockies. This is only the second season since 1996 that the Giants have been 22 games under .500. The other season, of course, was 2017.

The good news is that there will be a quick turnaround Saturday. For San Francisco Logan Webb (7-7 ERA 3.59) will be the starter, and he will be opposed by Colorado’s Michael Lorenzen (3-10 ERA 6.83).

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

Busy day of moves:

Friday, the Giants made a flurry of roster moves in addition to Jonah Cox being called back up. Grant McCray and Nate Furman were sent back down to Triple-A Sacramento. 

Most importantly, outfielder Turner Hill was called up. Hill was too good for Double-A, and thus only lasted a couple of weeks in Richmond. He hit .353 in Sacramento, and was riding a 26-game hitting streak when he was called up. 

I say Hill’s callup was the most important, because he had 40 friends and family on hand here at Oracle Park Friday night. 

Matt Chapman was moved to the 60-day Injured List to make room on the 40-man roster for Hill.

All-Star Game returns to San Francisco:

Friday, Major League Baseball announced that the 2028 All-Star Game will be played at Oracle Park. 

It was generally understood that for the All-Star Game to come back to San Francisco in 2028, major league players would participate in a six-day tournament as part of the 2028 Summer Olympics at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Giants last hosted the All-Star Game in 2007. Barry Bonds and Willie Mays came out from center field during an emotional pregame ceremony. Bonds started that game, and hit second in Tony LaRussa’s National League lineup. 

Ichiro hit his famous inside-the-park home run, and Eric Byrnes’ dog jumped into McCovey Cove. Aaron Rowand got his first taste of the home clubhouse and dugout here at then-AT&T Park, where he would spend the next four seasons. Best of all, the late, great Bruce Froemming was the home plate umpire.

The American League won 5-4.

A’s Bounce Back With 8-3 Win Over Rangers Behind McNeil’s Four-Hit Night

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Gage Jump #61 of the Sacramento Athletics pitches during the top of the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a rough three-game series for the Sacramento A’s against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sacramento, where they were swept and outscored 30-14, the A’s welcomed the Rangers to Sutter Health Park for a three-game series on Friday night. After the day game on Wednesday followed by the off day on Thursday, the A’s and Rangers kicked off at 6:40 p.m. PDT under clear skies at a perfect 77 degrees.

The A’s beat the Rangers in game one of the series, 8-3.

Gage Jump took the mound for the A’s in the first game of the series in what was his 14th appearance this year for the A’s (all starts). Jump tried to build off his last outing, which was a six-inning, two-run performance, and he largely did that. Jump cruised through the first five innings on Friday as he faced only four over the minimum (including a fielding error).

However, it was the sixth inning that Jump found himself in trouble. Jump got the first man in the sixth but followed that up with a walk, single and then a three-run, game-tying home run. Kotsay pulled Jump after the home run that spoiled his outing, albeit still leaving with the game tied. Overall, Jump managed five and a third innings, giving up three runs on three hits while walking four and striking out one.

Mark Kotsay thought Jump pitched well, albeit without having his best command.

“Yeah, overall I thought it was a solid outing,” Kotsay said of Jump. “He probably didn’t have the best command of everything tonight, but I thought he worked that lineup really well.”

First out of the bullpen to finish the sixth inning in relief of Jump was Luis Medina. Medina managed to strike out two and get out of the sixth inning with relative ease. Medina again went back out for the seventh inning and was able to record two groundouts before being lifted by Mark Kotsay. Medina finished with a line of one and a third innings of work while allowing no runs and no hits and walking just one batter. Medina struck out two of the five batters he faced.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Drew Rom next out of the bullpen for the A’s. Drew recorded the final out of the seventh and the first out of the eighth before giving up a double and being pulled by the A’s. Overall, Rom faced three hitters and retired two of them in his two-thirds of an inning scoreless.

Elvis Alvarado came on next for the A’s and managed to get the final two outs of the eighth inning without allowing the runner from second (that he inherited) to score. A pumped Elvis walked off the mound after finishing off the Rangers in the eighth with a strikeout and a flyout. Elvis allowed nothing but a walk while striking out one in his two-thirds of an inning of work.

Hogan Harris was the last man out of the bullpen for the A’s as he pitched the ninth inning. Harris pitched a clean ninth inning other than an E5 that caused a runner to reach base.

The A’s offense took advantage of all their opportunities on Friday as they managed eight runs while gathering nine hits and seven walks.

The A’s first runs came in the first inning of the game thanks to some Carlos Cortes heroics. Cortes, with the bases loaded and two outs, drilled a three-RBI double to the right-center field gap to clear the bases in the first inning. It was the 15th double of the year for Cortes and RBIs 33, 34 and 35 for the left-handed outfielder.

The A’s next run came in the sixth inning thanks to Jeff McNeil. McNeil connected on just his fifth home run of the season on a low rope over the bullpen in right-center field. It was RBI No. 37 for McNeil as he gave the A’s back the lead at the time, 4-3. The home run left Jeff’s bat at 101.5 mph and traveled 400 feet with a 26-degree launch angle.

The A’s got back on the board with another run, this time in the seventh inning and courtesy of Lawrence Butler. Butler drove a solo home run over the wall in center field to give the A’s, at the time, the 5-3 lead. It was Butler’s 10th homer of the season and was good for his 34th RBI of the campaign. The ball left Butler’s bat at 103.4 mph and landed 411 feet away from home plate beyond the wall in center field just left of the grass berm.

In the eighth inning, the A’s put a crooked number up to seal the deal against the Rangers. Henry Bolte hit into a fielder’s choice to the catcher, who then threw the ball away down the left-field line. The throwing error by the catcher allowed Tommy White to score and extended the A’s lead to 6-3.

Jeff McNeil, who already had a single, double and home run in the game, stepped up next and ripped a two-RBI double down the right-field line to put the A’s up 8-3. McNeil rounded the corner at second hard but slammed on the brakes as he thought about going for the cycle. It was McNeil’s fourth hit of the game and RBIs 38 and 39 on the season.

With the win, the A’s improved to 48-74 as the Rangers fell to 60-63.

The A’s and Rangers will play game two of the three-game series on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.41 ERA) is scheduled to start for the A’s as the Rangers will send MacKenzie Gore (6-9, 4.43 ERA) to the hill.

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: Giants to get 2028 All Star Game; Adames out for Friday back giving him problems could go on IL

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San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames as seen here Aug 10, 2026 sat out Fri Aug 2026 against the Colorado Rockies at Oralcle Park due to his back flaring up (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Major Leauge Baseball announced that the San Francisco Giants will get the 2028 All Star Game at Oracle Park in San Francisco. The last time San Francisco host the All-Star Game was in 2007. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the reason why the Giants were awarded the mid season classic was due to it’s passionate fanbase, world-class ballpark, and rich baseball history.

#2 San Francisco Giant shortstop Willy Adames who had recieved critcism particularly from Apple TV and Los Angeles Angels TV play by play announcer Wayne Randazzo who questioned Adames’ work ethic. Adames had his back flare up Wednesday and is under observation and might not start in Friday night’s game.

#3 Adames did play in Wednesday afternoon’s game going one for four with a run, a hit and a walk. He did show some stress in the seventh inning when he flipped a throw to second base afterwards twisting and turning. The Giants trainer took a look at him during a pitching change and Adames played through his injuries in that game.

#4 Adames who had been at the MLB bottom of the list for shortstops for defensive metrics was criticized by Randazzo for not working hard enough on his defense but disagreed that he had been taking infield and ground ball with coach Ron Washington but injuries have hampered Adames in a season where he had been batting around .224.

#5 Pitching match ups for Friday night’s opener with the Colorado Rockies and Giants. for Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (3-10 ERA 6.63) for San Francisco RHP Landen Roupp (7-11 ERA 4.22) talk about how you see this match up?

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Roupp looking for a strong outing against Rockies Friday

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Landen Roupp gets the start against the Colorado Rockies Fri Aug 14, 2026 (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 Can Landen Roupp build on his recent strong starts and give the Giants a chance to control the game early against Colorado?

#2 Will Rafael Devers continue his success against Rockies starter Kyle Freeland, whom he has homered against twice in 10 career at-bats?

#3Can Jung Hoo Lee provide the spark at the top of the Giants lineup after recently moving into the leadoff spot?

#4 With Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt out for the season, can Christian Koss seize his opportunity at third base and provide some needed offense?

#5 Can Willy Adames, despite his difficult 2026 season, provide the veteran leadership and offensive punch the Giants need against the Rockies?

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

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: GM Feinstein says it won’t be the same without former GM Forst; A’s starter Perkins says he’s being tested after getting lit up by Rays Wednesday; plus more news

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Jack Perkins struggled in his outing against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wed Aug 12, 2026 at Sutter Health Park (Sports Illustrated)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Dan Feinstein the A’s new general manager spent 25 years working with A’s former general manager David Forst who said Forst was one of his closest friends. Forst was fired as A’s general manager, “So, the last few days have been difficult for me, personally. I have enormous respect for David and the impact he’s made not only on me, but for so many people in this organization for a very long time. Things will not be the same here without him.”

#2 Feinstein said that for the remaing 40 plus games he will get behind A’s manager Mark Kotsay, the staff, the players in trying to win the remaining 44 games.

#3 A’s starter Jack Perkins who struggled against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday pitching five innings allowing 12 hits and six earned runs

#4 Perkins said about his performance, I’m being tested,” Perkins said. “One day it’s the homer. Today, it was the singles. It’s just frustrating. I’m going to keep grinding and see where we go from here. … Right now, it’s tough to look at who I am out there.”

#5 Jeremiah on Tuesday night we saw A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson’s throw go wide at second that missed second baseman Donavon Walton that allowed the Rays runner Richie Palacios to advance to second the throw was ruled a fielders choice error at first by official scorer Mark Honbo but was reversed to just a fielders choice that kept Wilson’s errorless streak at 112 games.

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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy: Perkins gets lit up for 6 earned runs as Rays sweep A’s in 8-4 win

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Tampa Bay Rays Junior Caminero hits an RBI single during the top of the fourth inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 What went wrong for A’s starter Jack Perkins, and how difficult was it for Sacramento to recover after Tampa Bay built an early lead?

#2 How important were Lawrence Butler’s two-run home run and Zack Gelof’s solo homer in giving the A’s a chance to get back into the game?

#3 What did Carlos Cortes contribute offensively, and did his performance provide a positive sign for the A’s going forward?

#4 How did the A’s pitching staff handle Tampa Bay’s lineup, particularly after the Rays scored seven runs through the first four innings?

#5 What can the A’s take away from the series despite the sweep, and which players—including Lawrence Butler, Zack Gelof and Carlos Cortes—gave fans the most encouraging performances?

Join Bridget Mulcahy does the Sacramento A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and read her for A’s commentary at the Davis Enterprise

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 game wrap: Hicks Takes Over as Two-Out Trouble Sinks A’s 8-4

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Tampa Bay Rays Liam Hicks looks on after being tagged out at the plate by Sacramento A’s catcher Brian Serven (not pictured) in the top of the third inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Maurcio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics kept Tampa Bay within reach for three innings, then watched the Rays turn a one-run game into a steep climb. Things are not changing for this Sacramento temporarily anchored ballclub. Liam Hicks’ three-run homer capped a four-run fourth inning and pushed Tampa Bay past the A’s 8-4, despite late solo homers from Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler.

Jack Perkins escaped the first without allowing a run despite Hicks’ two-out double that sent Junior Caminero to third. The second was different. Jonny DeLuca opened with a double, Cedric Mullins beat out a bunt single, and Richie Palacios drove in DeLuca with a single to left. Taylor Walls moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt, and Mullins scored when Yandy Díaz reached on a fielder’s choice that included a fielding error by Perkins. Jonathan Aranda then grounded into a double play, limiting Tampa Bay to two runs.

The Rays added another run in the third when Caminero singled, Hicks followed with a base hit and Mullins doubled home Caminero. Hicks tried to score on the play, but Carlos Cortes started a relay through Donovan Walton to Brian Serven, who recorded the out at the plate. That defensive play mattered moments later.

In the bottom half, Walton was hit by a pitch and Gelof singled before Cortes drove a double into right. Both runners scored, cutting Tampa Bay’s lead to 3-2 and giving the A’s their best chance to turn the game around.

Tampa Bay answered immediately, scoring all of its fourth-inning runs with two outs. Díaz singled, Aranda followed with another hit, and Caminero brought Díaz home with a single to left. Hicks then changed the shape of the game with a three-run homer to right-center, scoring Aranda and Caminero for a 7-2 advantage.

Perkins finished five innings after DeLuca doubled again in the fifth but was left stranded. The right-hander allowed 12 hits and seven runs. His outing continued a difficult stretch that had already included an eight-game losing streak entering the start, while A’s starters carried a 6.62 ERA in August before the game. The club’s pitching staff also entered with a 5.49 season ERA, the highest in the majors.

The Athletics’ bullpen gave the offense a chance to chip away. Drew Rom retired all three batters he faced in the sixth, Scott Blewett worked around DeLuca’s single and stolen base in the seventh, and Seth Johnson handled a scoreless ninth. Hayden Juenger allowed Tampa Bay’s final run in the eighth when Palacios drew a walk, Walls singled and Díaz drove in Palacios with a base hit.

The A’s finally found the seats in the bottom of the eighth. Gelof hit his 13th homer to left-center, and after Cortes struck out, Butler added his ninth to right-center. The two solo shots made it 8-4, but Michael Grove stopped the inning there and Tampa Bay retired the side in order in the ninth.

Gelof’s day also carried a bigger streak. He entered with a 23-game home hitting streak, already the second-longest by an Athletic in the expansion era behind Carney Lansford’s 30-game run in 1984, and his third-inning single pushed it to 24. Tyler Soderstrom also extended his hitting streak to ten games with a first-inning double. He had already posted two other ten-game streaks this season, making him the first Athletic with three streaks of at least ten games in one season since Jay Payton in 2006.

After a Thursday breather, the A’s welcome the Rangers on Friday at 6:40 p.m. Pacific, with ESPN currently listing Kumar Rocker (4-9, 4.46 ERA, 103 K) opposite Gage Jump (5-7, 4.46 ERA, 84 K), although MLB still has both starters officially marked TBD.

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. 

Offense, bullpen and defense blow six shutout innings by Houser, and Astros top Giants 2-1 for series win

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Houston Allen Nick Allen (20) is tagged out in a rundown by San Francisco Giants shortstop Osleivis Basabe (39) in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Aug 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, Aug. 12, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Houston Astros 2 (62-60)

San Francisco Giants 1 (50-71)

Win: Steven Okert (6-1)

Loss: Keaton Winn (2-3)

Save: Josh Hader (16)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 28,101

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Adrian Houser gave up just two hits over six shutout innings in his first start in two months, but he only got one run in offensive support. The Giants’ bullpen and defense then faltered, as the Astros scored runs in the seventh and eighth to beat the Giants 2-1, and take the series Wednesday.

Adrian Houser took the ball for his first start since the rains limited him to just an inning during the suspended game in Cobb County on June 16. The Giants turned to him, as they looked to play spoilers, and take this series over the American League West-leading Astros, who came into Wednesday’s game a half game up on the Texas Rangers.

Houser opened up the day with a one, two, theee, inning in the top of the first. Now, it was up to the Giants’ offense to give him some support.

Joe Espada went with an opener on this getaway day, and that would be the lefty, Bryan King. After a pair of walks, Espada went to Enyel De Los Santos with two outs in the bottom of the first. Victor Bericoto was at the plate, and flipped a base-hit to left field. Willy Adames came in to score, and the Giants struck first.

Houser ended up retiring the first nine men he faced Wednesday. The Giants wasted an opportunity against Tasuya Imai in the bottom of the second, and Imai threw a one, two, three, inning in the bottom of the third.

The second time through the order started off a little bit different for Houser, as he survived a jam in the top of the fourth. He then settled back down for a one, two, three, top of the fifth.

Nick Allen singled to lead off the top of the sixth, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Christian Vazquez. Jeremy Pena then hit a ground ball to short, and Allen was caught in a rundown before being tagged out. Pena thought he would try and sneak into second base, but he was thrown out by a mile. For those of you interested, it was a 6-5-4-5 double play, with third-baseman Christian Koss tagging Pena out at second base.

That was an interesting and nice way to end Houser’s afternoon. Houser was good today, as he gave up just two hits, and walked just one over six shutout innings. He struck out five.

Unfortunately, the Giants’ offense couldn’t really do anything against a whole assortment of Astros’ relievers. That meant this 1-0 lead was in the hands of the Giants’ bullpen, which already blew a ninth inning lead on Monday night.

Sam Hentges was the man for the seventh inning, and Yordan Alvarez led off the top of the seventh with a base-hit. It was easy to guess that the Giants’ bullpen was going to blow it, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate.

Paredes hit a ground ball right to short that was literally tailor made. Unfortunately, Adames just lobbed a throw over to second to get the lead runner, Alvarez, which allowed Paredes to beat out the back end at first.

Daulton Varsho then hit a fly ball to left, but Victor Bericoto lost it in the sun, and dropped it, which got Paredes over to third. Tony Vitello then brought in Keaton Winn to face Nelson Velazquez, who tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center.

Amazingly, only one run scored through that debacle of an inning. All I can say is that things like this happen when a team is having a bad season. That inning was just another clip for the 2026 San Francisco Giants lowlight reel.

After our old friend, Steven Okert, who pitched for the Giants from 2016 to 2018, set down the Giants one, two, three in the bottom of the seventh, Winn was back out for the eighth. However, Willy Adames was not after his lob to second base in the top of the seventh. According to Vitello, Adames was pulled due to a back issue.

Anyway, the Astros predictably took the lead, and it only took them four pitches to do so. Taylor Trammel led off the inning with a triple, and Nick Allen immediately got him in with a sacrifice fly.

Bryan Abreu threw for a one, two, three inning, in bottom of the eighth, and the Giants were up against Josh Hader in the ninth. With one out, Christian Koss gave one a ride to left with one out, but Yordan Alvarez had it right at the wall. Jung Hoo Lee then grounded out to second to end the game. Yes, it was a one, two, three, inning, but I guess that Koss’ long fly ball could count as a whimper.

Steven Okert got the win; Keaton Winn took the loss; and Josh Hader picked up the save.

The Giants are now 50-71, and they are just two games ahead of where they were through 121 games in their 98-loss season of 2017. The Giants were 48-73 after 121 games after 2017. I’ll say it again: it has been a bad season for the Giants.

The Colorado Rockies will come in for the third and final leg of the lone three-team homestand for the Giants this season. The Giants will get to enjoy a day off Thursday, and then they will get underway against the Rockies on Friday night.

Starting pitchers for Colorado LHP Kyle Freeland (3-10 ERA 6.63) for San Francisco Landen Roupp (7-11 ERA 4.22)

First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

Baseball America ranks Giants’ farm system as fourth-best:

As rough as this season has been, it has come with its positives. One of those being that the draft and the trade deadline have bolted the Giants’ farm system to the fourth-best in the eyes of Baseball America.

Carson Whisenhunt

Whisenhunt sharp as Giants defeat Astros 4-1

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Photo: San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Whisenhunt threw 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball on Tuesday, Aug. 11, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt came into Tuesday night’s game with a 7.25 ERA, so it was reasonable to expect an offensive barrage from the Houston Astros.

But Whisenhunt said, “not so fast!” as the Giants young righty threw 5 2/3 strong innings to lead his team past the powerful Astros 4-1 at Oracle Park on Tuesday night. But it started off shaky for Whisenhunt.

Houston loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with one out, but Whisenhunt wiggled out of trouble after walking a batter and hitting a batter in that inning.

The Astros were able to break through in the top of the second inning when center fielder Daulton Varsho and outfielder Cam Smith each hit singles to start the inning. The next batter Yainer Diaz walked, loading the bases with one out. Shortstop Jeremy Peña then grounded one to the third baseman Christian Koss, who cut down the runner Varsho on the force out. Then, Yordan Alvarez hit a sacrifice fly to give the Astros a 1-0 lead. The next hitter Isaac Paredes flew out to right field to end the inning.

San Francisco evened the score in the very next half inning. Designated hitter Rafael Devers led off with a walk. After Victor Bericoto struck out, center fielder Drew Gilbert singled in Devers, who took second on a wild pitch.

The Giants took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, which again started with a walk. After Gilbert’s one-out walk, Osleivis Basabe advanced him to second on a groundout to the pitcher. The next batter catcher Drew Cavanaugh singled Gilbert in to give San Francisco a 2-1 lead. That would prove to be enough to lead the Giants to victory.

In the fifth inning, the Giants extended their lead on a Bryce Eldridge solo home run. It was a long potato to left-center field that gave the Giants a 3-1 lead. Eldridge now has 12 home runs on the year.

San Francisco capped their scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning on a two-out rally. After the first two batters flew out, Cavanaugh singled to get things going. Koss then doubled him in and then advanced to third on a throwing error by the shortstop Peña. The Giants were up 4-1.

The Astros committed two errors in the game, which helped the Giants cruise to victory.

J.T. Brubaker came in to close it out in the ninth and earned the save. He retired the side in order, a rarity for a Giants pitcher in the ninth with a lead. The Giants bullpen as a whole pitched 3 1/3 innings of hitless ball.

In addition to Whisenhunt’s 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, he gave up four hits and struck out two batters, while walking three.

For the Astros, starter Hunter Brown threw five innings of three-run ball. He gave up five hits, while striking out four and walking three.

Up next, the Giants will go for the series win against the Astros on Wednesday afternoon at Oracle Park. Neither the Giants nor the Astros have announced who is pitching in the matinee. Game time is at 12:45 p.m.

Starting pitchers for Houston LHP Bryan King (2-3 ERA 3.83) San Francisco has not determined a starter yet.

Astros star second baseman Jose Altuve left the game after getting hit on the left foot. He was diagnosed with a contusion. He is listed as day-to-day.

A’s Drop Another Series as Rays Roll to 12-4 Victory in Sacramento

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Mason Barnett #63 of the Athletics pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on August 11, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif.— Coming off a disastrous bullpen implosion on Monday night against the Rays, the A’s looked to flip the script and get back in the win column on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park.

Unfortunately for the A’s, they sealed their fate of another losing series as they fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 12-4.

Mason Barnett took the ball for the A’s to start the game in what was his 17th appearance for the club and his third start of the season. Barnett, much like Lopez yesterday in the first inning, gave up the lead immediately as the Rays took a 2-0 lead three batters into the game on a two-run shot. From there, Barnett continued to struggle with the long ball as he gave up two more home runs during his outing. Mason went a total of four innings in the game while giving up six runs (five earned) on five hits, while walking three and striking out no Rays hitters.

Mark Kotsay said that Barnett tweaked his hip during the game and that they hope he can continue to pitch with no setback. As for the performance Tuesday, Kotsay spoke on Barnett going as long as he could.

“He pitched that fourth inning knowing that he wanted to go out and give us as much as he possibly could … just the execution portion of his pitches (was lacking).”

In the bullpen, it was Brady Basso who was first out as he tried to keep the game where it was in hopes of an A’s comeback. Basso pitched OK, giving up one run on three hits across two innings of work while striking out two, but it was a solo home run that the Rays did their damage on.

In the seventh inning, Mark Kotsay turned to Elvis Alvarado next. Alvarado struggled, giving up two runs on one hit and a walk in his one inning of relief.

In the eighth inning, with the game mostly in the books, the A’s turned to Yunior Tur to get the final six outs of the game. Tur, like his fellow relievers, struggled to get outs as he gave up three runs in the eighth inning. In the ninth, Tur was able to settle in and retire the side in order, but the damage was already done by the Rays in the inning prior. Tur tossed two innings of three-run, two-hit baseball while walking no one and striking out three hitters.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s did their scoring in the middle of the game as the offense dried up in the later innings, aside from a ninth-inning burst. The A’s managed four runs on eight hits while not walking at all in the ballgame.

The A’s first two runs of the game came in the fourth inning when Lawrence Butler sent a long drive over the right-center-field wall for a two-run home run. Butler’s blast was his eighth of the season and tallied his 31st and 32nd RBIs of the year as he drove in Jacob Wilson, who singled two batters earlier.

The A’s scored two runs late in the game on a Carlos Cortes two-run double in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was the 13th double of the year for Cortes and RBIs 29 and 30.

That was all the offense the A’s could muster as they went away quietly without much of a fight late in the game other than the brief ninth-inning rally.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 47-73 while the Rays improved to 73-46 on the year.

On Wednesday, the A’s and Rays will wrap up their three-game series with a matinee affair at 12:05 p.m. PDT. The A’s will send Jack Perkins (2-8, 7.04 ERA) to the hill while the Rays will start Drew Rasmussen (11-5, 2.75 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.