Category: MLB

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Pirates Plunder Sacramento; Bucs O’Hearn with six RBIs career high in 12-4 beating of Sac

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Sacramento A’s left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (21) goes down to make a catch on the fly against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Jun 17, 2026 (Golden Bay Times photo)

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Pittsburgh Pirates wasted no time turning the game sideways, roughing up Sacramento A’s starter Aaron Civale for five runs in the first two innings and forcing the Athletics to spend the rest of the night chasing a game that had already picked up speed without them.

The Pirates battered Civale early and never gave the Athletics much room to breathe in a 12-4 win. Civale, making his return from the injured list after right shoulder tendonitis, did not get the smooth reception he wanted. Spencer Horwitz opened the game with a double to right, Brandon Lowe drew a walk, and Bryan Reynolds bounced a ground-rule double into right to score Horwitz. Ryan O’Hearn followed with a two-run double to left, and just like that, Pittsburgh had a 3-0 lead before the Athletics had taken a swing.

Braxton Ashcraft made that lead look even bigger by setting down the A’s in order in the first. Nick Kurtz struck out, Shea Langeliers lined out, and Tyler Soderstrom also lined out, giving Sacramento no early leeway. Pittsburgh kept pecking away in the second. Jared Triolo singled, Horwitz doubled again, Lowe singled home Triolo, and Reynolds drove in Horwitz with a single to center. The Pirates led 5-0 after two innings, and the Athletics were already staring up a steep hill.

Civale’s outing ended after he issued a leadoff walk to Lowe in the fourth. José Suarez took over, but O’Hearn greeted him with a two-run homer to left, pushing Pittsburgh ahead 7-0. O’Hearn was the hammer all game, finishing with a double, homer, single, and five RBIs. Horwitz also gave the Pirates a major boost from the top of the order, reaching four times with two doubles and two walks while scoring three runs.

For the Athletics, there were a few bright spots buried in the rubble. Jonah Heim picked up singles in the fourth and sixth. Kurtz, who entered the game as one of the most productive hitters in baseball and had been on a strong June tear, singled to open the sixth.

Langeliers followed with a walk, and after Soderstrom’s grounder and a Pittsburgh error moved the action along, Jacob Wilson lined a two-run single to center. That cut the deficit to 7-2 and gave the home side a little movement, even if it was not enough to truly rattle the Pirates.

Pittsburgh had its biggest burst in the seventh. Marcell Ozuna led off with a homer to center, Jake Mangum singled, Triolo and Henry Davis were hit by pitches, and the inning snowballed from there. Horwitz drew a bases-loaded walk, Lowe lifted a sacrifice fly, and O’Hearn added a two-run single to center. By the time the inning ended, the Pirates had turned the game into a 12-2 burial.

Henry Bolte gave Sacramento a quick jolt in the bottom half, launching a solo homer to center off Evan Sisk. It was a nice response from the rookie, who entered the day batting over .300 and had been one of the more interesting young bats in the Athletics’ lineup.

Zack Gelof added another swing worth remembering in the ninth, driving a solo homer to left off Isaac Mattson. Gelof’s blast extended his career-best hitting streak to 21 games, continuing one of the best individual runs by an Athletics hitter this century.

The problem was that most of the A’s offense came too late and too far apart. Sacramento struck out 11 times and managed only six hits. Lawrence Butler had a rough night with four strikeouts, while Kurtz struck out three times. Ashcraft gave Pittsburgh six strong innings, allowing two runs, only one earned, on four hits and three walks. He kept Saccramento from gathering momentum until the game was already leaning heavily toward Pittsburgh.

The loss was another reminder of the Athletics’ strange season. They have enough offense to make pitchers sweat, enough power to flip a game in one swing, and enough young talent to keep things interesting. But the pitching has been leaking runs too often, especially at home, and this one got away before the Green and Gold could make their bats matter.

For Game 1 of a new four game weekend series against the Angels Thursday, Sacramento will send rookie left-hander Gage Jump (2-1, 3.09 ERA, 23 K) to the mound against Angels right-hander José Soriano (8-4, 2.79 ERA, 92 K). This matchup has real bite if Jump can keep the ball in the yard and Soriano brings his usual trouble. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Pacific.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Giants Sweep Double-Header Win Night Cap Against Braves 7-5

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By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants won the second game of a double-header with the Atlanta Braves 7-5. The Giants took an early lead hitting three home runs in the second inning and would not score again until the ninth inning scoring two more runs. Those two late runs made all the difference in the game. They are now 2-0 in the series.

Game recap: The Giants picked up exactly where they left off in game one scoring the first run of the game taking a 1-0 lead. Luis Arraez walked and Rafael Devers came to the plate and hit a double driving Arraez home for the game opening run. Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt gave up a walk and a single in the bottom of the first but got out of the inning.

San Francisco had a four run top of the second. Adames hit a solo home run, his second of the series. Arraez hit their second home run of the game with Eric Haase on base to extend the Giants lead to 4-0.

With two outs, San Francisco hit their third home run of the inning a Bryce Eldridge solo shot for a 5-0 lead going into the third inning. The Giants had really come out with a lot of offensive energy taking control of the game early. In the bottom of the second, the Braves left two runners stranded coming away empty.

JR Ritchie gave up a walk in the top of the third but not much else. The Braves would be looking for some production at the plate in the bottom of the third but Whisenhunt went three and out in the inning.

San Francisco had their first three and out in the top of the fourth inning. The Braves managed an Austin Riley single but not much else as the game went into the fifth inning. Through four innings, Whisenhunt was terrific giving up only three hits, and no runs.

JR Ritchie remained in the game despite giving up the five runs but did go three and out in the top of the fifth inning. Whisenhunt continued humming on a roll as he also went three and out in the inning.

So far the Giants three home runs had been the highlight of this game through five innings. There had not been a whole for Braves fans to cheer about going into the sixth inning. There had not been much offensive action for either team since the second inning.

The Braves got something going in the bottom of the sixth inning. Matt Olson started the rally with a single followed by an Ozzie Albies single. Austin Riley singled to load the bases and Atlanta had three hits in a row.

The San Francisco bullpen got really busy after the three hits. The Riley single drove Olson home and the Braves were finally up on the scoreboard. JT Brubaker would come into the game and relieve Whisenhunt who went five innings allowing six hits, one earned run with two strikeouts. Dominic Smith hit a sacrifice fly for the second out, Albies scored and we hat a 5-2 game. Brubaker was able to get out of the inning.

The Braves had gotten something going in the game and San Francisco would be looking to get a little traffic on base in the top of the seventh. While the Giants did not get that insurance run they did go three and out. Sam Hentges had relieved Brubaker in the inning.

In the bottom of the eighth inning the GIants were six outs away from the win but they were also facing the heart of the Atlanta order. With Olsen on base with no outs there was another pitching change for the Giants. Ryan Walker relieved Sam Hentges who had pitched the seventh inning giving up only the one hit. Austin Riley singled and Atlanta had two runners on base with two outs. The Braves left the two runners stranded when Rowdy Tellez struck out.

San Francisco was now three outs away from winning game two against one of the best teams in MLB. The Giants started the ninth inning with a Casey Schmitt single. Jonah Cox would run for Schmitt and would go on to steal second base.

Drew Gilbert was hit by a pitch and San Francisco had two runners on base. Eric Hasse sacrificed and the two runners advance to second and third. Arraez hit a single that drove in Cox and Gilbert giving the Giants a couple of insurance runs and a 7-2 lead.

The Braves started another rally in the bottom of the ninth putting this game in jeopardy for the Giants. Matt Gage took the mound for the ninth inning. Jair Carmago got on base followed by a Mauricio Dubon home run and the Braves were trailing 7-4.

Drake Baldwin and Olson both singled and Atlanta had runners at the corners. Another pitching change for the Giants as Tristan Beck came in to try and close out this game. Baldwin scored on a wild Beck pitch making it a 7-5 San Francisco lead with Olson on second and only one out.

Albies grounded out and Beck struck Riley out and that was the ball game.This game had gotten a little too close for comfort. San Francisco had hung on and the Giants had won the first two games of this series

Game notes: After a great start on this current road trip, the Giants took on the Braves in the night cap of this double-header Wednesday. Tueday’s game one had been suspended due to inclement weather and was finished earlier Wednesday afternoon with the Giants taking game one of the series 7-2.

This evening lefty Carson Whisenhunt took to the mound for the Giants after being elevated to the roster.Wisenhunt in the night cap pitched five ininngs allowing six hits and two earned runs.Wisenhunt was 3.65 ERA in 69 innings with 77 strikeouts and 30 walks in Triple-A Sacramento.

The Giants did get a chance to see him last season in five starts where he did struggle. This season he has looking improved and has been trying to get his changeup working for him. The Giants certainly need a more dependable starting rotation right now the sweep might influence some decisions in their search for a rotation.

The Braves who boast some of the best pitchers in the league saw starter JR Ritchie struggle pitching five innings allowed five hits and five earned runs. After first game played under sunny skies, the second game forecast was flawless weather-wise.

It was an exciting second inning for San Francisco with Adames, Arraez and Bryce Eldridge hitting home runs. They would not score again in the game until the ninth inning. The two runs they scored were the difference in the win.

The Giants got a sweep of the double-header winning both ends 7-2 in the front game and 7-5 in the night cap Wednesday night for the sweep. It is a wait and see for Thursday’s game with a tropical storm headed in around 2:00 PM Atlanta time. Landon Roupp will take the mound for San Francisco with a 5-7 win/loss record and a 4.24 ERA. The Braves will start Martin Perez. He comes into this game with a 5-3 win/loss record and a 2.90 ERA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Giants get key hitting and Ray dominates on the mound in front game win

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray was dealing against the Atlanta Braves line up at Truist Field in Cumberland GA on Wed Jun 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray pitched 6.1 innings in relief and allowed just two hits. The Giants got back to back home runs from Rafael Devers and Jung Hoo Lee as the Giants defeated the Atlanta Braves 7-2 at Truist Field in Cumberland GA in the first game of a doubleheader.

The first game was rescheduled after Tuesday’s game was rained out and Robbie Ray picked from where starter Adrian left off on Wednesday. The Braves pitcher Grant Holmes coughed up three runs in two innings pitched.

Ray once he took the mound in the first game on Wednesday was dominate coming into this second game with 6.1 innings pitched two hits and two strike outs.

Stephen Ruderman does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

SF Giants Take Game one In Rain Delayed Front Game Beating Atlanta 7-2

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray was dealing in relief pitching here in the third inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Field in Cumberland GA Cobb County on Wed Jun 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

It took two days but game one of the series between the San Francisco Giants (30-43) and the Atlanta Braves (46-26) concluded with the Giants winning 7-2. Robbie Ray had a terrific day in relief on the mound going 6 1/3 innings allowing two hits, no runs with eight strikeouts. Giants and Braves got underway Wednesday for game 2 of the doubleheader

Game recap: San Francisco pitcher Robbie Ray had a great relief appearance for starter Adrian Houser. Ray went three and out in the bottom of the second inning with two strikeouts. As this game would progress Ray was just getting warmed up.

The third inning was quiet for both teams. James Karinchak pitched his first full inning in the top of the third going three and out. Other than one walk Ray breezed through the bottom of the third inning with the score remaining 3-2 in favor of the Giants.

There was a pitching change for the Braves to start the fourth inning. Dylan Dodd relieved Karinchak and went three and out as did the Giants Ray and the game went into the fifth inning.

After a pretty quiet game, San Francisco lit up Truist Park picking Dodd apart. With two outs the Giants Rafael Devers hit a solo home run followed by a Jung Hoo Lee solo home run and San Francisco now had a 5-2 lead. Ray had another great inning walking one with two more strikeouts.

After the two San Francisco home runs there was another pitching change for the Braves. Reynaldo Lopez relieved Dodd in the top of the sixth inning. After two innings Dodd had allowed two hits, two runs with one strikeout.

Despite a Drew Gilbert single to start the top of the sixth Lopez went through the next three at bats and this game went into the bottom of the inning. Closing out the sixth, the Ray was having a terrific game with six strikeouts and his pitch count through the five innings was 73.

The seventh inning was a great one for the Braves with first baseman Olson robbing the Giants Bryce Eldridge of a probable double making a great stop for the first out. Lopez closed out the top of the inning. Ray gave up his first hit of the game to start the bottom of the seventh, a double to Austin Riley. Another stellar inning for Ray giving up that one hit but striking out two more Braves.

Atlanta through seven innings had really struggled at the plate with only four hits, three of them in Wednesday’s first inning. The Giants would add another run in the top of the eighth, a Willy Adames home run, the team’s third long ball of the game adding to their lead 6-2.

The Braves had their second hit of the game in the bottom of the eighth, a Olson single. The Giants made a pitching change after that hit. Ray had a spectacular outing allowing only two hits, no runs with eight strikeouts.

Ray was relieved by Dylan Smith who closed out the inning after giving up a single to Dominic Smith. He closed out the inning leaving Olson and Smith stranded and San Francisco was one inning away from taking game one of the series.

With one out, the Giants put two runners on first and third base threatening to add to their score. Arraez and Eldridge had each singled with Arraez scoring on a Chapman ground out.

Going into the bottom of the seventh inning San Francisco had a 7-2 lead and the Braves were down to their last three outs. With one out there was a pitching change for the Giants.

Caleb Kilian relieved Dylan Smith with two runners on base. Kilian got the second out and Atlanta was down to their last out. Kilian got the third strike and that was the ball game with San Francisco taking the first game of the series.

Game notes: Wednesday afternoon under far better weather conditions the Giants continued their suspended game one with the Braves 7-2. When Tuesday’s game was called, the Giants had taken a 3-2 lead. In Wednesday’s first game Ray took the mound after starter Adrian Houser left for San Francisco. James Karinchak was on the mound for the Braves to start the third inning. He has been called up by the Braves in his first game back in quite awhile.

The two teams had a three-hour gap before going back onto the field for night cap. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 4:15 PM. Starters for San Francisco RHP Landen Roupp (5-7 ERA 4.24) for Atlanta Martin Perez (5-3 ERA 2.90).

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Reynolds Canon Blasts Sink the A’s 6-5

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Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson (right) dives in ahead of the Pittsburgh Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe’s tag at home plate scoring in the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Tue Jun 16, 2026 (Golden Bay Times photo)

Reynolds Canon Blasts Sink the A’s

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–It seemed like the Sacramento A’s had the Pittsburgh Pirates by the throat and were headed toward a second straight win. Instead, Pittsburgh raised the black flag, fired a few cannon blasts, and stole the night. Bryan Reynolds turned the ballpark into his own personal batting cage, Brandon Lowe saved his best swing for the ninth, and the Pirates edged the Sacramento Athletics 6-5 after spending the early innings trying to crawl out of a ditch.

The Green and Gold did not wait around in the first inning. Nick Kurtz opened the bottom half with a free pass, Tyler Soderstrom followed with another, and Jacob Wilson loaded the bases with the third. Carlos Cortes went down swinging, but Zack Gelof made the inning matter.

He slapped a grounder toward first baseman Spencer Horwitz, and when the play turned messy, Kurtz, Soderstrom and Wilson all scored. Gelof ended up at second on Horwitz’s throwing error, and Lawrence Butler followed with a run-scoring double to left. Just like that, the Athletics had a 4-0 lead and Mitch Keller looked like a man trying to solve a Rubik’s Cube with sliding gloves.

Jack Perkins protected that early cushion nicely through three innings. He gave up a Bryan Reynolds single in the first but stranded him, then settled in with a smooth second and third. Perkins struck out Endy Rodríguez and Tyler Callihan in the second, then got Jake Mangum, Jared Triolo and Horwitz in order in the third. For a pitcher making only his third start of the season after spending most of the year in relief, his performance is exactly what manager Mark Kotsay hoped for.

Pittsburgh finally broke through in the fourth. Reynolds singled to center, Ryan O’Hearn followed with a base hit to right, and Nick Gonzales got the Pirates on the board with a groundout that scored Reynolds. The Athletics still led 4-1, but the Pirates were no longer stuck at the curb waiting for the bus.

The game tightened in the sixth. Reynolds lifted a homer to center to make it 4-2, and O’Hearn doubled moments later. Perkins was replaced by Justin Sterner, but Rodríguez greeted the new arm with a single to center that scored O’Hearn and cut the A’s lead to 4-3. The inning nearly grew worse, but Jacob Wilson helped end it with a wild-looking relay that erased Rodríguez at third after Mangum singled.

Gelof answered in the bottom of the sixth with a swing that has become part of his month-long success story. TED Talk pending! He sent a solo homer to left, pushing the Athletics back ahead 5-3 and extending what had been a career-best 19-game hitting streak entering the contest. It also continued a strong run for an A’s offense that came in swinging with a franchise-record 23 homers over its previous seven games. For a moment, the Green and Gold had reclaimed their dominant status.

Reynolds took it right back in the seventh. After Hogan Harris replaced Sterner, Horwitz drew a free pass and Lowe struck out, bringing Reynolds up with two outs. He launched his second homer of the game, this one to right, tying it 5-5. Reynolds finished 4-for-5 with two homers, three RBIs and three runs, a one-man problem the Athletics never solved.

The A’s had chances late. Alika Williams doubled to open the bottom of the seventh and moved to third on a wild pitch, but he was stranded after Kurtz struck out, Shea Langeliers grounded out and Wilson hit into a force play. In the eighth, Gelof drew a free pass and stole second, but Colby Thomas and Henry Bolte both struck out to end another opportunity.

Then Lowe delivered the swing Pittsburgh had been waiting for. Elvis Alvarado took over in the ninth, got Horwitz on a fly ball, then watched Lowe drive a line-drive homer to right for a 6-5 Pirates lead. Alvarado recovered to retire Reynolds and O’Hearn, but the damage had already been done.

The Athletics made one last push against Gregory Soto in the ninth. Kurtz singled to left, and Langeliers followed with a single to center, putting the tying run at second with one out. Soderstrom then struck out after an ABS challenge changed ball four into strike two, a brutal turn under the circumstance. Wilson lined out to right field to end the game, leaving the A’s with a loss that stung after they had played well through the first six innings.

Game 3 tomorrow closes out the series setting up a right-handed chess match, with Aaron Civale (5-2, 4.20 ERA, 39 K) scheduled for the Sacramento Athletics against Pittsburgh’s Braxton Ashcraft (5-3, 3.30 ERA, 90 K), with first pitch set for 6:40 p.m. Pacific.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants vs Atlanta Suspended With San Francisco Leading 3-2; Split doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday

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San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello (left) speaks with Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss (22) after the game was suspened at Truist Field in Cumberland, Cobb County on Tue Jun 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (29-43) at Atlanta Braves (46-25) game on Tuesday was called due to rain and the game will be part of a split doubleheader on Wednesday June 17th. The first game of the double dip will start at 11:00am PDT with the night cap to start at 4:15pm PDT.

Despite threatening weather and even a flood watch forecasted later in the week this game got underway. After a disappointing weekend, the Giants got a very productive start in the first inning of this game.

Luis Arraez got the first hit of the game, a double, followed by a Bryce Eldridge single. With two runners on base, Rafael Devers walked and San Francisco had the bases loaded. Jung Hoo Lee sacrificed to center and Arraez scored giving the Giants the first run and lead of the game 1-0.

That lead for San Francisco did not last long. The Braves first at bat Drake Baldwin knocked a home run to center to tie up the game at one apiece.

Michael Harris II singled followed by a Dominic Smith walk and Atlanta had two runners on base with two outs. Mauricio Dubon singled Harris II home to take a 2-1 lead. The Giants were able to get out of the inning without further damage.

This game went into the top of the second inning starting off with a Schmitt single, Drew Gilbert walked and with one out the Giants had two runners on base. Arraez singled and once again, San Francisco had the bases loaded.

The Braves walked Schmitt home and this game was tied at two. Chapman sacrificed and Gilbert scored to give San Francisco a 3-2 lead going into the bottom of the second inning.

This game attempted to get a bottom of the second in the books but the weather refused to cooperate and this game was delayed withl a rainy forecast for the next few hours. Houser took the mound ready to get the inning started with Mike Yastrzemski at the plate and the game was at first delayed and finally suspended.

In a suspended game play will not continue Tuesday and is officially halted and resumed at a later date from the exact point of the suspension; in this game the bottom of the second inning with the Giants leading 3-2.

It is now a wait and see how this game will be made up and with an even greater chance for rain Wednesday it is unclear how this series will play out. The rain is expected in the early morning hours Wednesday with cloudy and partial sun through the late morning and into the afternoon through the evening hours. Tuesday’s game will be part of a split doubleheader on Wednesday.

Starting pitchers for the front game which will resume in the second inning for San Francisco RHP Adrian Houser (2-6 ERA 5.73) for Atlanta RHP Grant Holmes (4-2 ERA 4.33) first pitch 11:00AM PDT.

Starting pitchers for the second game: For San Francisco TBA for Atlanta JR Ritchie (1-1 ERA 3.82) first pitch 4:15pm PDT.

Barbara Mason is a San Francisco Giants staff reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria: A’s open up the floodgates crush Bucs in series opener 11-2 at Sutter Health

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Three Sacramento A’s leap for joy Tyler Soderstrom (left), Lawrence Butler (4), and Henry Bolte (right) after defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Mon Jun 15, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony, the Sacramento A’s opened up on the Pittsburgh Pirates with an 11-2 win at Sutter Health Park on Monday night after getting beat by the Colorado Rockies Sunday 23-9. It was quite the turnaround for the A’s to open the series.

#2 The A’s Nick Kurtz also hit his 17th home run of the season a 407 foot two run shot that gave the A’s a two run 3-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

#3 Jeff McNiel slugged a 359 foot home run scoring Lawrence Butler ahead of him for a two run home run that gave the A’s a 5-1 lead.

#4 Kurtz hit another home run in the bottom of the seventh inning a three run home run a 380 foot shot that put the A’s way ahead 11-1 with the final score ending up 11-2 A’s.

#5 Starting pitchers for Tuesday in game two of the series: Starter pitchers for Pittsburgh RHP Mitch Keller (5-4 ERA 5.14) for Sacramento RHP Jack Perkins (2-3 ERA 6.25) first pitch slated for 6:40pm PDT.

Tony Renteria does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Tuesday 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. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Will the All Star voting for Ohtani influence the 26 MVP race?; Brewers Pratt top prospect to make MLB debut; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a lead off home run in the top of the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on Sat Jun 13, 2026 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 How might the early All-Star voting lead held by Shohei Ohtani influence discussions about the 2026 MVP race and his impact as a two-way player?

#2 What expectations should fans have for top prospect Cooper Pratt as he prepares to make his major league debut with the Milwaukee Brewers?

#3 Do you agree with MLB’s decision to suspend Ron Marinaccio for the hit-by-pitch incident involving Gunnar Henderson, or should the league have handled it differently?

#4 Which player currently has the strongest case to start for the American League in the All-Star Game: Yordan Alvarez, Aaron Judge, or another candidate?

#5 What does rookie Blaze Jordan’s fast start, including his first MLB home run, suggest about the future of the St. Louis Cardinals lineup?

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Kurtz and McNeil Turn Pirates Into Plank Walkers; Sac dominates Bucs 11-2 at Sutter Health

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Sacramento A’s slugger Nick Kurtz (16) rounds the bases after hitting one of his two home runs against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Mon Jun 15, 2026 (Golden Bay Times photo)


Kurtz and McNeil Turn Pirates Into Plank Walkers

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–Nick Kurtz gave the Sacramento Athletics exactly what they needed after a missed chance in the first inning: a reminder that baseball is finicky and rewards on its own terms instead of when most expected. The A’s deafeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-3 at Sutter Health Park on Monday night. 

Sacramento loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the first on singles by Kurtz, Shea Langeliers and Tyler Soderstrom, only to see three straight strikeouts leave them stranded like Tom Hanks on a pacific island, minus the volleyball. That could have turned into a sour opening. Instead, the A’s simply waited one inning before turning the game in their favor for good.

Henry Bolte started the second with a double to right, and Jeff McNeil followed with an RBI single to left that scored Bolte and snapped his 0-for-20 skid. Kurtz then delivered the real damage, driving a two-run homer to left-center that put the Athletics ahead 3-0 and gave J.T. Ginn room to work.

Ginn used that room well. He handled traffic and kept Pittsburgh from building anything dangerous. Bryan Reynolds singled in the first, Endy Rodríguez reached in the second, and the Pirates put two aboard in the third before Ginn got Ryan O’Hearn looking to end the inning.

Pittsburgh’s only run against him followed a Zack Gelof fielding error in the fourth. Nick Gonzales reached, Rodríguez singled, and Jake Mangum dropped a run-scoring hit into left. But Ginn quickly stopped the inning from growing, getting Esmerlyn Valdez to bounce into a pitcher-to-second-to-first double play. Ginn finished six innings, allowing six hits, one unearned run, two walks and three strikeouts.

The Athletics added another burst in the bottom of the fourth. Lawrence Butler singled, Bolte moved him over, and McNeil launched a two-run homer to right, ensuring his slump stayed buried. Suddenly, the same player who entered searching for a hit had three RBIs by the fourth inning. For Sacramento, the runs were starting to roll off the assembly line.

Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson opened the fifth with back-to-back hits, including Wilson’s ground-rule double down the right-field line. Gelof then extended his career-best hitting streak to 19 games with an RBI single to center, scoring Soderstrom and pushing the lead to 6-1. Gelof’s streak had already been one of the better runs in the majors, and even with an error earlier in the game, he still found a way to add another mark to it with his bat.

The seventh inning turned the game from comfortable to completely out of reach. Gelof reached on an error by Brandon Lowe, Butler doubled him home, Bolte added an infield single, and McNeil singled to right to score Butler. Then Kurtz returned for his second big swing of the game, sending a three-run homer to left.

His second blast gave him three hits, two home runs and five RBIs, and it fit neatly with the tear he has been on. Kurtz entered riding a seven-game hitting streak and ranked among the league’s best in on-base percentage, walks, OPS and run production. Against Pittsburgh, he looked every bit like a hitter pitchers cannot treat casually.

Pittsburgh found one final run in the eighth when Rodríguez homered to left-center off Mason Barnett, but Justin Sterner’s scoreless seventh and Barnett’s two-inning finish kept the Pirates from making the score interesting. Spencer Horwitz doubled with two outs in the ninth, but Brandon Lowe flied out to left to close an 11-2 Athletics win.

The A’s finished with 15 hits, including three from Kurtz, three from McNeil, two from Soderstrom and two from Bolte. Butler also scored twice and drove in a run, while Wilson’s double helped set up the fifth-inning push. After a rough loss in their previous game, the Green and Gold responded with the kind of complete win that gives a team a little swagger back.

Game 2 brings another right-handed duel, with Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.25 ERA, 43 K) taking the ball for Sacramento against Mitch Keller (5-4, 5.14 ERA, 58 K) for Pittsburgh, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Pacific Tuesday night.

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. 

Las Vegas A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s pitching just couldn’t stop the bleeding in 23-9 Rockies laugher

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas A’s hitter Carlos Corez connects with a two RBI single in the bottom of the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Las Vegas Ballpark on Sun Jun 14, 2026 (AP News photo)

Las Vegas A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

  1. The Las Vegas Athletics had a great start in their series with the Colorado Rockies in Las Vegas. Sunday they were going for the sweep but the Rockies had vastly different plans as the A’s soon saw getting clobbered 23-9.

2. This series was littered with home runs coming from both teams making it a lot of fun for the fans who braved the 100 degree plus temperature to come out to the ball park. A lot of happy fans caught coveted souvenirs that flew into the stands in this series.

3. The A’s struggled on the mound in game three of this series from A’s starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs down to the relief pitching from Luis Medina, Brady Basso, and Scott Barlow. The A’s had something that is not the norm with position player Carlos Cortez on the mound in the ninth inning.

4. The work at the plate for the A’s was really working with double digits in every game in the series but the problem in game three despite 15 hits for the A’s the Rockies finished the game with 24 hits for the lopsided score.

5. The A’s will continue their home-stand although they will be back at Sutter Health in West Sacramento to start a three-game series Monday with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Both teams almost have identical records the Pirates are 36-36 and the A’s have a 35-36 recor first pitch 6:40pm PDT.

Barbara Mason does the A’s podcasts each Monday 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.