Category: MLB

Giants fire Bob Melvin after two seasons

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Former San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin signs a hat for a fan on Sat Sep 27, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco. Melvin was fired by the Giants on Mon Sep 29, 2025 one day after the regular season was completed. (AP News photo)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants announced Monday morning that they have dismissed Manager Bob Melvin after just two seasons.

Giants President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey informed Melvin Monday morning.

“After meeting with ownership, I met with Bob today to inform him of my decision,” said Posey in a statement put out by the Giants this morning. “On behalf of the organization, I want to express my appreciation to Bob for his dedication, professionalism and class. I wish him all the best.”

Melvin was brought in following Gabe Kapler’s dismissal following the 2023 season. After several off-season acquisitions, expectations were high for the Giants last season. 

However, a season-ending injury to Jung Hoo Lee, and complications surrounding then-President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi complicated things. The Giants were never able to put much together last season, and they finished their third-straight mediocre season at 80-82.

Posey was brought in to replace Zaidi at the end of last season, which gave Melvin more freedom to manage during games. The Giants also signed Willy Adames to bolster their offense, and following an 18-10 spring, expectations were high for the team.

The Giants started the season on fire, winning eight of their first nine games. They got their record to 24-14 after a win against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on May 7. There was a true belief and determination by the team to make this a special season.

Unfortunately, the Giants lost their mojo and played .500 ball for the next month and a half. Following a sweep by the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in late June, cracks began to appear in the armor of the team.

Despite the Giants’ struggles, Posey exercised Melvin’s option for next season on July 1. The Giants regained their momentum to win seven of their next nine.

However, after a brutal loss to the Dodgers to end the first half on July 13, the Giants collapsed, losing 12 of their next 14 to fall the way to under .500. That led Posey to sell at the trade deadline, as reliever Tyler Rogers, closer Camilo Doval and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski were all dealt for prospects.

Things continued to get worse for the Giants in August, and they fell to seven games under .500 at 61-68 after a walk-off home run by William Contreras in Milwaukee on Aug. 22. The summer was lowlighted by a 1-15 stretch at home.

After a loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Aug. 15, which was the Giants’ 14th loss in their previous 15 home games, Melvin raised eyebrows saying, “We take the field every day, and gotta do it the next day, unfortunately.” It was a comment that rubbed Giants’ fans in a negative way, and showed signs of a manager losing his edge.

After Contreras’ walk-off home run on Aug. 22, the Giants suddenly got hot again. They won 11 of their next 12, and 14 out of 18 in total to get to just a half-game back of the New York Mets for the third wild card spot in the National League on Sept. 12.

At the end, it was the same story. The following night, the Giants blew a 4-1 lead to the Dodgers with Logan Webb on the mound in a brutal 13-7 loss. Three nights later, the Giants scored four runs in the top of the first inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, but blew the lead in a brutal 6-5 loss.

The Giants ended up eight out of ten, and were eliminated on Sept. 23. The Giants did win their final four to finish right at .500 at 81-81 for the second time in the last four years, but the damage was already done. At the end, the Giants finished just two games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the third wild card spot in the National League.

What started off as a magical season eventually turned into the Giants’ fourth-straight mediocre season. It was also the third time in the last four years in which the Giants were at double digits in games over .500, but failed to finish over .500.

“After careful evaluation, we determined that making a change in leadership was in the best interest of the team,” Posey said in the statement. “The last couple of months have been both disappointing and frustrating for all of us, and we did not perform up to our standards. We now turn our focus to identifying a new leader to guide us forward.”

Melvin’s tenure is the shortest of any Giants’ manager in 40 years. Melvin became the first Giants’ skipper to last less than four seasons—or shall we say less than three games shy of four seasons—since Jim Davenport was brought in in 1985, only to last 144 games in a brutal 100-loss season, the worst in the Giants’ 68 seasons in San Francisco.

The Giants went 131-133 in Melvins’ two seasons at the helm.

Posey and the Giants will now look for a new skipper to help break the spell of mediocrity that has engulfed the Giants over the last four seasons.

A’s Close 2025 Season With 9-2 Loss to Royals, Finish 76-86

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Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics hits a two run home run during the bottom of the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 28, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Athletics welcomed the Kansas City Royals to Sutter Health Park for the final game of the 2025 season on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the famously not Sacramento Athletics unveiled a new Sacramento gold jersey they will wear in 2026. The Athletics President, Marc Badain, released a statement about the decision for the new jersey.

“It’s been an unforgettable first season in West Sacramento, and this uniform is another way to celebrate the passion we’ve already felt throughout the community.”

On Sunday, the A’s fell in 9-2 fashion to finish off the regular season 76-86.

The A’s elected to go with a bullpen game on Sunday, starting things off with opener Brady Basso. Basso struggled in his one and a third innings of work as he allowed one run on three hits while walking two.

Next out of the bullpen was Tyler Ferguson, who got the last two outs of the second inning without issue.

Elvis Alvarado pitched a scoreless third inning for the A’s as he walked one and struck out two.

Mitch Spence, who proved to be the longman for the A’s on Sunday, pitched the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Spence labored and didn’t have his best stuff as he allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out one Royal hitter.

Michael Kelly came on for the seventh inning and also struggled as he only managed to get one out while allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits.

Osvaldo Bido finished off the seventh inning and also pitched the eighth, giving up two runs on two hits in his one and two thirds innings of work. He also struck out two batters and walked one.

Scott McGough pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the A’s to finish off the season on the defensive side of the field.

The A’s bats struggled all game against the Royals pitching staff. The A’s tallied seven hits and three walks in the game while scoring only two runs.

The A’s two runs came courtesy of Nick Kurtz, who hit his 36th home run of the season to get the A’s on the board in the eighth inning.

Mark Kotsay spoke about the season after the game—specifically, how he felt the team played after their nearly 20 straight loss stretch.

“…the character of the group showed up, mindset changed, and I think you saw a team that fought throughout the rest of the year to try to get back to the .500 mark and we fell short, unfortunately, but I thought we played our best baseball and the show each in the last three months with winning records.”

Kotsay was alluding to the winning records the A’s posted in July, August, and September to close out the season. The A’s were not an easy opponent in the second half and gave plenty of good teams a tough time.

Brent Rooker spoke with the media after the game, saying he was proud of how the team played even after a rough stretch during the middle of the season.

“I think when you look around the room, there’s a ton of guys that kind of established themselves this year as real pieces on a roster that can compete with those teams that made the playoffs and that’s what we’re going to do. I think we performed well, specifically three months of the season, and is pretty indicative of who we are as a team and we’re excited to go back to work this off season and come into spring training with higher expectations than we have.”

Nick Kurtz, who many regard as the next star of MLB, spoke to us on how he reflects on his first season with the A’s.

“I mean, it was awesome. It was fun, it was exciting, kind saw it all. I had personal tough at bats and tough times and we had the really highs also. As a team you also have a little bit of both as well. So I think moving on, we all learned a lot about ourselves and as a unit, what we need to do to come back here next year and get a potential playoff spot and play some October baseball.”

The A’s will open their 2026 season on the road in Toronto as they take on the Blue Jays on March 26th, 2026.

Webb shines as Giants sweep Rockies in 4-0 win, finish season .500

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in San Francisco (AP photo: Thien-An Truong)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants ended the 2025 season strong behind Logan Webb’s 5 1/3 shutout innings, as they beat the Colorado Rockies 4-0 at Oracle Park on Sunday afternoon.

Webb, in his final start of the season, struck out 8 in his five-plus innings, while walking none. The Giants’ ace righty struck out the side in the first inning.

Webb finished 2025 leading the National League in innings (207) and strikeouts (224). He’s the first to do so since 1944.

The sold-out Oracle Park crowd showed their appreciation for Webb’s dominant season with a standing ovation.

The Giants offense started the game strong, as shortstop Willy Adames smacked his 30th homer of the year on the first pitch of the game. Adames became the first Giant since 2004 to hit at least 30 home runs in a season. Barry Bonds hit 45 home runs in 2004.

The Giants scored again in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Rafael Devers. Devers finished the season with 35 home runs, combined between Boston and San Francisco.

The Giants’ bullpen held the Rockies scoreless after Webb departed in the sixth.

The Giants tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning on a 2-RBI single by Jung Hoo Lee. Lee ended the day 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The Giants ended the year going 11-2 against the Rockies, but it wasn’t enough wins for the Giants to get into the postseason. It turns out that 84 wins would’ve been enough for the Giants to get into the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

San Francisco ended 2025 at 81-81.

The Giants will now go into the offseason trying to figure out why they finished the year at or around .500 yet again. After the game, Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman addressed the sold-out crowd promising that next year will be better.

But Giants fans have heard the same thing after season finales since 2022. Will 2026 be different?

Stay with Sports Radio Service all offseason for the latest San Francisco Giants hot stove news.

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Macgowan: BoSox finally get in playoff in walk off clincher; Can Astros get the Wild Card wrapped up Sunday?

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The Boston Red Sox clubhouse was spraying the bubbly after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in Boston on Fri Sep 26, 2025 to advance to the playoffs. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Magowan:

# 1 Did the Red Sox’s walk‑off clincher on Friday finally end their postseason drought?

#2 Can the Astros still salvage a wild‑card spot after their gut‑punch loss to the Angels?

#3 Will Shohei Ohtani’s jersey stay at No. 1 in MLB sales—for a 4th straight year?

#4 Is Aaron Judge being shortchanged in AL MVP debates?

#5 How many more teams will the Red Sox or Yankees displace in the AL wild‑card race today?”

Bruce Magowan filled in for Charlie O on MLB The Show podcasts heard each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Possible work stoppage for Giants opening day 2026 by ballpark workers podcast: Aramark technology expansion could slash jobs at Oracle Park

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Concession stands service employees at Oracle Park could be replaced by auto robots according to Local 2 Unite Here employees (photo by On Labor)

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Aramark, the official food and concessions supplier for the San Francisco Giants, is reportedly set to add more kiosks and other self-serve technology at concession stands throughout Oracle Park next season, according to sources at UNITED HERE Local 2, the union that represents employees of Aramark at Oracle Park.

At the start of this season, Aramark introduced Mashgin AI self-checkout kiosks for fans to access at Oracle Park. They were established at a new Doggie Diner Express stand on the promenade level behind section 112, as well as at nine Bayside Brews beverage markets located throughout the ballpark.

It now appears that this technology will expand to other locations in the ballpark next season. If it goes through, it could put the jobs of many of Aramark’s employees in jeopardy.

Aramark replaced Bon Appetit as the official food supplier for the Giants in 2024. However, UNITED HERE Local 2 and its employees have been a consistent presence serving Giants’ fans at Oracle Park for many years. Many of the workers were serving food at the ballpark, even for Bon Appetit’s predecessor, Center Plate.

Self-technology has been a contentious issue for the union and its workers going back to the fall of 2021. In September 2021, then-Bon Appetit workers authorized a strike over the working conditions at Oracle Park, following the return of fans to the park during the Covid Pandemic. A strike was averted, and another collective bargaining agreement was reached in March 2024.

We had a chance to interview Rhonda Mitchell Unite Here Union Local 2 who talked about the auto robots who are planned to replace food service workers at Oracle Park. Mitchell says that if this comes to fruition there could be a work stoppage that could threaten the Giants home opener in 2026.

In an interview with Local 2 Unite Here Oracle Park Shop Steward Rhonda S Mitchell she discussed the possibility of using auto robots to replace food service workers at Oracle Park:

#1 How much of the food services is being earmarked for auto replacement of the food service people.

#2 Aramark says they refuse to agree on future limits on automation. If that’s going to be iron clad what recourse does the union have.

#3 Under Bon Appetit same union Local 2 that last time the union had to call for a work stoppage.
An alleged offer of a 25-cent raise to San Francisco Giants’ concession workers is outdated information from September 2021. The offer was rejected by unionized workers, who authorized a strike against the food service contractor, Bon Appétit Management, and the Giants over wage and safety issues. The dispute was ultimately settled with a more substantial agreement. The food service workers actually blocked an aisle at Oracle Park to demonstrate the Bon Appetite 25 cent raise.

#4 How much influence or how much say does the Giants have in the idea of having robot auto food servers or what they expect from labor at the park?

#5 If Aramark were to get their way and install the auto robots talk about how much this impact workers and their families and benefits. I’m sure when the Oakland A’s moved from Oakland a lot of those workers were impacted by losing those jobs?

Stephen Ruderman was a San Francisco Giants beat writer for the 2025 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Morales Solid in Final Start but A’s Drop Game to Royals 4-2

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Luis Morales #58 of the Athletics walks off the field after being pulled during the top of the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 27, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — After a thrilling walk-off on Friday night and a Mark Kotsay ejection on Saturday, the Royals got the best of the A’s by a 4-2 in game two of the series.

Luis Morales got the ball for the A’s on Saturday night in his final start of his rookie season. Morales, who has experienced a number of growing pains this year in the big leagues, pitched well to close out his season. He tossed four and two-thirds innings of three-run (two earned) baseball while giving up five hits and walking two Royals batters.

Kotsay was impressed by Morales after his final start of the season.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement that surrounds Luis and I have a full offseason now to prepare for next year and like you said, from starting out in AA to come to the big leagues and have some success and really show what he’s capable of doing in a really short time and make progress…”

“I just thank God…,” Morales said after his start in the clubhouse. “I worked really hard. To go from Double A and finish in the big leagues, for me, it’s a big win to be here.”

The bullpen

Elvis Alvarado was the first out of the pen for Kotsay and the A’s. Alvarado got the last out of the fifth inning and tossed a clean sixth, allowing a walk as his only baserunner.

In the seventh, Michael Kelly came in to relieve Alvarado. Kelly pitched a clean frame with his only blemish being a walk that he worked around with no issues.

The eighth inning belonged to Tyler Ferguson, who pitched a scoreless frame while giving up a two-out walk and a hit that he stranded.

In the ninth inning, Hogan Harris got the ball for the A’s. Harris wasn’t sharp, allowing two hits and a run, but he was able to limit the damage in his one inning of work.

Kotsay was ejected in the ninth inning after a foul tip was called by the home plate umpire that did not appear to hit the bat. This followed a hit by pitch earlier in the game that did not strike Salvador Perez but was ruled a hit by pitch. 

The bats

The A’s struggled against Royals starter Michael Wacha and subsequent bullpen arms prior to the seventh inning. They began to build some offensive momentum in the seventh when Carlos Cortes hit an RBI double to get the A’s on the board, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

In the eighth inning, Shea Langeliers pulled the A’s within one with an RBI double that scored Nick Kurtz, who had walked earlier in the inning.

The A’s wouldn’t score again as they failed to mount a comeback in the ninth. They tallied six total hits and three walks on Saturday night.

Up next

The A’s will finish the 2025 season on Sunday as they take on the Royals at 12:05 p.m. PST in West Sacramento. The Royals are scheduled to start Cole Ragans (3-3, 5.02 ERA) in their season finale, while the A’s have yet to announce a starter.

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 relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s Fisher no public disclosure on $100 million construction payment for Vegas ballpark

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The latest look at the developments of the A’s Las Vegas ballpark located at the former Tropicana Casino and Hotel. Pilons and cement has been poured this still was taken at 5:52 on Fri Sep 26, 2025 (still photo from Athletics live stream camera)

Sacramento A’s relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, so far no public disclosure or reporting indicates a completed “$100 million” payment in isolation.

#2 The pledge structure is more complex (equity, debt, public funds) rather than a simple lump sum.

#3 The reported pledges and financial commitments are much larger and intended to cover the full project cost, rather than a $100 million tranche.

#4 So, in short: No — there is no verified record that Fisher has made a standalone $100 million payment for the ballpark construction, at least not publicly disclosed.

#5 Fisher is working on raising additional capital via minority investors and private sources, which could reduce the Fisher-family share. But as of latest reports, the Fisher family is still expected to carry the bulk of the private financing.

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s Relocation 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. 

Verlander Shines in Likely Giants Farewell as San Francisco Edges Rockies 4-3

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Justin Verlander #35 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Oracle Park on September 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO — In what was most likely Justin Verlander’s last start in orange and black, the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-3 in game two of their three-game series to close out the season.

Justin Verlander pitched very well in what was likely his final start for the Giants. Verlander tossed six innings of two-run ball, giving up five hits and a walk while striking out seven. He walked off the mound after the sixth inning to a nice ovation from Giants fans who understood it could be the last time they see him.

Bob Melvin spoke after the game on Verlander’s final start.

“It’s nice to get him a win. You look up at his 3.85 ERA… knows where it’s going, pitched consistently every time out. We don’t give him a ton of run support but just enough today.”

The bullpen

The Giants turned to Joel Peguero for the seventh inning, and he tossed a scoreless frame, allowing only a lone walk.

In the eighth inning, Tristan Beck pitched a perfect frame to keep the Rockies off the board and from mounting any sort of comeback.

However, in the ninth inning Ryan Walker came on to close things out and ran into trouble. Walker managed just one out as he gave up a walk, two hits, and a run before Melvin had seen enough and went to Spencer Bivens to finish things off. Bivens came in, retired both batters he faced, and secured the 4-3 victory for the Giants.

The bats

The Giants didn’t get much offense going, but it was just enough to secure the win. They collected only four hits against the Rockies and scored a total of four runs while walking twice.

Three of the Giants’ runs came in the second inning thanks to a three-run home run from Casey Schmidt. Schmidt’s blast was hit to straightaway center field and left the bat at 104.5 mph before coming to rest 422 feet away on top of the center field netting.

The Giants scored one more run in the eighth inning on a Rafael Devers RBI double that went past the diving Rockies center fielder to give San Francisco a 4-2 lead.

Up next

The Giants will play their final game of the season on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PST at Oracle Park in San Francisco. A sellout is expected for the season finale as Logan Webb (14-11, 3.30 ERA) is slated to go for the Giants. The Rockies are scheduled to send McCade Brown (0-4, 7.54 ERA) to the hill. If the Giants can complete the sweep, they will secure a .500 season at 81-81. They currently have 80 wins heading into Sunday’s game.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

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On the San Francisco Giants scoreboard Giants second baseman Willy Adames (right) receives the Jose Uribe Hispanic Heritage Baseball Hall of Fame Museum Award from author and vice president of the Museum Amaury Pi Gonzalez at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Sep 24, 2025 (photo by NBC Radio)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum honors Giants Willy Adames

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

On Wednesday, September 24, prior to game #159 of the regular season, Willy Adames, shortstop of the San Francisco Giants, received the Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame plaque honoring him with the José Uribe Award.

Amaury Pi-González, Vice President and Co-Founder of the museum, presented Adames with the plaque. Michael Friedman and Michael Gama, also representing the museum, were in attendance. This award is presented by the museum to the most outstanding Hispanic player on the San Francisco Giants each year.

In 2024, Wilmer Flores was the recipient. Two days later on Friday September 26, the Giants honored Adames with the Willie McCovey Award, Felicidades Willy this is your year!

This is the inscription on the José Uribe plaque. The Jose Uribe Sportsmanship Award has been awarded to a San Francisco Giants player who best exemplifies the character and Sportsmanship of the late Jose Uribe, a former San Francisco Giants Shortstop from the Dominican Republic who was a member of the 1989 National League Champion San Francisco Giants, who went on to play the Oakland Athletics during the Loma Prieta Earthquake-stricken World Series.

The Hispanic Heritage Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame wants to thank Bertha Fajardo of the San Francisco Giants for her cooperation in coordinating this event. Over 30% of all players in Major League Baseball are Hispanic, according to most statistics. https://hhbmhof.com/

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Athletics Walk Off Royals in Dramatic 4-3 Finish

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Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler (left) steals second base as the Kansas City Royals second baseman Jonathan India (6) tries to put the tag on too late in the bottom of the second inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Sep 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Athletics Walk Off Royals in Dramatic Finish

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Athletics finished Friday night’s game into a cinematic thriller, clawing back from an early three-run hole and delivering a walk-off 4-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals.

For eight innings, it felt like a strategic chess game with the pawns wearing spikes. Long stretches of scoreless ball punctuated by flashes of daring baserunning and systematic pitching changes. In the end, the Green and Gold found a way to finish what they started.

Kansas City struck first, roughing up the A’s starter in the top of the fourth with a three-run burst that briefly silenced the Sacramento crowd. The A’s offense had been held quiet until the bottom of the fifth, when the lineup finally cracked the Royals’ early momentum.

Lawrence Butler, a sparkplug all season, set the tone with his 22nd stolen base. That moment of aggression on the bases rattled the visitors and seemed to wake up the dugout. A series of timely swings and a wild pitch by Taylor Clarke brought three runs across, tying the game and wiping out the Royals’ early advantage.

Managerial maneuvering became the story from that point forward. The A’s sent Carlos Cortes up as a pinch-hitter in the fifth, and when he stayed in the game as the right fielder, it signaled Sacramento was not content to just trade zeroes.

The Royals countered with a carousel of relievers, including Hogan Harris, Jonathan Bowlan, and finally Angel Zerpa, trying to keep the home side in check. The Athletics kept matching those moves, using pinch-hitters like Max Muncy in the eighth and defensive substitutions in the late innings to keep fresh legs on the field.

From the sixth inning on, the scoreboard barely budged. Both bullpens locked in, each frame turning into a tense exercise in stranded runners. The outfield even got a late-game shuffle with Mike Yastrzemski moving from center to right, while the Royals inserted John Rave to cover center field. Every pitch after that felt like it carried the weight of the night.

By the time the ninth inning rolled around, the game was still knotted at three. That is when the home side decided to settle things. With Luinder Avila now on the mound for Kansas City, the A’s capitalized on a perfectly timed pinch-runner swap, Max Schuemann replacing Brett Harris, to inject speed and pressure. The gamble paid off as Sacramento pushed across the decisive run, sending the crowd into a frenzy and sealing a satisfying 4-3 walk-off victory.

The box score might tell you it was a game of four runs and a handful of substitutions, but the feel inside Sutter Health Park told a different story. It was a night defined by raw grit and refusal to play standard baseball in hopes it would pay off. No, tonight, Mark Kotsay put all the pieces in place unsing outside the box strategy and declared checkmate because of it.

The Green and Gold left the field to the roar of fans who have quickly made Sacramento feel like home for big-league baseball. For a franchise carving a new chapter in a new city, moments like this walk-off win offer a taste of the drama and energy they will need to keep the momentum rolling.

Starting pitchers for Saturday: For the Royals RHP Michael Wacha (9-13 ERA 4.00) for the A’s RHP Luis Morales (4-2 ERA 3.07) first pitch 1:05pm PT at Sutter Health Park.

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.