Severino Struggles Again as A’s Drop 18th in 19 Games

Drew Avans on Monday night at Sutter Health Park in the Athletics 10-4 loss to the Twins (photo by Sacramento A’s)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Athletics returned home to Sutter Health Park on Monday night, looking to turn the page on a challenging month of May that saw them win only eight games. But the A’s continued their slide with a 10-4 loss to the visiting Minnesota Twins.

There’s no two ways about it—the A’s have been reeling over the last few weeks. They have now lost 18 of their last 19 games, including seven straight. All this comes on the heels of an 11-game losing streak they had just snapped before heading on the road. It has been tough sledding, to say the least, for the A’s and manager Mark Kotsay.

Kotsay was asked after the game by Sacramento Bee sports journalist Chris Biderman how he felt the team responded to a meeting he had with them while on the road.

“We haven’t won a game, but that isn’t necessarily indicative of how they respond, right? In terms of how they played, this game was competitive all the way through six innings… the fight is what we talk about. We have control of showing up and preparing to play a major league game… we can’t control the results, but you can go about the way we play the game the right way, and I feel like they have done that.”

Luis Severino struggled again in what was another disappointing home start. He gave up six runs in the second inning and appeared at risk of an early hook. However, he managed to settle in and retired the next 12 batters he faced before allowing two more runs in the sixth. Severino finished his outing having given up eight earned runs on nine hits, with one walk and one strikeout. It was an ugly ledger, even if he found a groove in the middle innings.

The A’s scored some runs early in what looked like an attempt at a comeback. Brent Rooker drove in a run with an RBI groundout in the third inning to get the A’s on the board. In the fourth, Lawrence Butler sent a ball over the center field wall for a three-run homer, cutting the deficit to two. But the A’s offense failed to score again after the fourth and finished the game with just four runs.

The bullpen covered the final three and a third innings in relief of Severino. Hogan Harris pitched a scoreless inning despite issuing three walks. Elvis Alvarado followed with one and one-third innings, allowing three hits and a run. Sean Newcomb closed things out with one inning of two-hit, one-run ball.

With the loss, the A’s have now dropped seven straight and sit at 23–38 on the season.

The A’s and Twins will be back in action Tuesday night at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. The Twins will send Pablo López (4–3, 2.75 ERA) to the mound. The A’s have yet to announce a starter as of this writing.

Injury Note: Jacob Wilson was slow to get up after a headfirst dive into first base in the sixth inning. He stayed in the game initially despite some neck discomfort but was later removed as the issue persisted. He will be evaluated by the A’s medical staff, though it is not believed to be anything serious.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic Mon Jun 2, 2025: Matos hits game winning home run Sunday is demoted on Monday

San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong works on the Miami Marlins lineup at Loan Depot Park on Sun Jun 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

SF Giants podcast Marko Ukavolic Jun 2, 2025:

#1 The San Francisco Giants took two of three games from the Miami Marlins over the weekend and have won four out of their last six games. The Giants have been playing around .500 ball.

#2 Taking a look at Sunday’s game the Giants got home run production from Luis Matos who hit a three run home run that helped beat the Miami Marlins 4-2 at LoanDepot Park in Miami.

#3 Matos home run was one to marvel he hit 390 feet to left center and it was enough to give the Giants a good front and a 4-0 lead.

#4 The Giants didn’t score after the Matos home run noting that the Giants have not scored in 14 games in a row after scoring four or more runs. They have been hurting for offense.

#5 The Giants open up a three game series starting tonight with the San Diego Padres RHP Stephen Kolek (3-1 ERA 4.11) the Giants will be starting RHP Landen Roupp (3-4 ERA 3.54) first pitch slated at 6:45pm PDT.

Join Marko Ukalovic for Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Jun 2, 2025: A’s open 7 game homestand tonight versus Twins

Sacramento A’s baserunner Denzel Clarke (right) dives back into first base ahead of the tag of Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Ernie Clement (22) at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sun Jun 1, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason Mon Jun 2, 2025

#1 Before we get into yesterday’s game and the weekend series let’s take a step back and see just what transpired during the month of May. How did the A’s season take a turn and what can be done?

#2 Sunday the A’s were looking to avoid another sweep after losing the first three games of the series.

#3 Were there any bright spots in this disappointing series and how can this team begin to turn things around?

#4 The Blue Jays really played hard the entire series and it resulted in a series sweep. Addison Barger had a great game yesterday starting the fireworks in the eighth inning to seal the win.

#5 Monday the A’s will be looking for a fresh start to the month of June taking on the Twins in another four game series. Luis Severino will take the mound for the A’s struggling with a 1-4 win/loss and the Twins Joe Ryan will be a challenge with a 5-2 win loss record and a 2.57 ERA.

Barbara Mason does the A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Falter Late in Toronto 8-4 After Early Punch

Sacramento A’s Luis Urias (17) connects for a two run RBI double in the top of the fifth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sun Jun 1, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP)

A’s Falter Late in Toronto 8-4 After Early Punch

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics came out swinging at Rogers Centre Sunday afternoon, jumping to a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Lawrence Butler drew a leadoff walk and came around to score on Tyler Soderstrom’s groundout. Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker followed up with singles, but the early spark soon cooled. The green and gold’s bats fell silent in key moments, stranding runners and squandering the chance to build on that opening punch losing to the Blue Jays 8-4 at Rogers Centre.

Wilson, the rookie sensation, was in the middle of it all, finishing the day with four singles and a stolen base, bringing his total swipes to five this season. The 24-year-old continues to show why he leads all rookies in batting average, now sitting at a dazzling .345, and is second in the majors in total hits. He showcased his versatility with a sacrifice fly in the eighth, tacking on a fourth run that gave the A’s a short-lived cushion. But that promising start would unravel in the bottom of the eighth, when the Jays’ bats turned the tables in brutal fashion.

Soderstrom’s ejection in the third inning, following a called third strike that saw him exchange words with home plate umpire Tom Hanahan, forced Logan Davidson to step in at first base. Davidson would find himself in the thick of a messy eighth that defined the day’s outcome. After the A’s built a 4-2 lead with Luis Urías’ two-run double in the fifth, the Toronto lineup waited for its chance to pounce.

The Athletics’ pitching staff, already known for a shaky 5.68 ERA this season, couldn’t hold back the Jays’ late surge. Justin Sterner, who entered in the eighth, faced the nightmare scenario. A catcher’s interference call against Willie MacIver put George Springer aboard, and the Jays wouldn’t waste the opportunity. Alejandro Kirk singled, and pinch-runner Alan Roden came in. That’s when Addison Barger turned the game upside down, smashing a three-run homer that soared beyond the right center fence, erasing the A’s lead and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

By the time Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drilled a two-run double to center, Toronto had seized an 8-4 advantage, and the A’s hopes had vanished. Grant Holman’s pickoff error only added salt to the wound, as the Jays kept piling on. For a moment, it looked like the Athletics would halt their five-game losing streak. Instead, they were left to ponder what might have been.

Earlier in the game, Denzel Clarke had shown flashes of excitement with a single and stolen base in the fourth, while Brent Rooker, riding a hot streak that has him slugging .800 since May 22, added two more singles to his tally. Drew Avans also made his mark, helping to keep Toronto’s outfielders honest with a sharp lineout and alert baserunning.

On the mound, starter JP Sears was steady if unspectacular. He worked five innings, giving up two runs and scattering six hits before giving way to the bullpen. The A’s relievers have struggled this year, and today was no exception. After Mitch Spence gave up a run-scoring single to George Springer in the fifth, the relievers combined to yield six more runs in the final four innings.

The loss extends the A’s skid to six games, deepening an already rough patch in which the green and gold have dropped 16 of their last 17 contests. The club’s record now sits at 23-36, just one game better than their mark after 59 games last year. Their May woes, highlighted by a 7-21 record, second worst in the majors, have seeped into June, as the Athletics continue to search for answers and a way to snap out of this tailspin.

As the A’s head back to West Sacramento the theme of the day remains painfully clear: a promising start, a sputtering finish. For the Athletics, another day on the road brought another gut-punch ending. The A’s will try and turn the page, but for now, it’s another long night for a team searching for something to hold onto.

It’s also a long flight from Toronto to Sacramento as the A’s will open a homestand on Monday night against the Minnesota Twins. For the Twins RHP Joe Ryan (5-2 ERA 2.57) for the A’s Luis Severino RHP (1-4, ERA 3.89) first pitch 7:00pm 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.

Giants Get Past Marlins, Win 4-2, Taking the Series

San Francisco Giants Luis Matos smacks a three run home run in the top of the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at LoanDepot Park in Miami on Sun Jun 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (33-26) won their series over the Miami Marlins (23-34) winning game three 4-2 Sunday. Giant’s pitcher Hayden Birdsong had a great game going 5 1/3 innings. Heliot Ramos had a couple of hits, one of them a three run home run which turned to be the winning play of the game.

Game recap: The Giants got on the board in the third inning for a 1-0 lead. The very dependable Wilmer Flores grounded out to second with Ramos on third scoring the first run of the game.

The 1-0 lead did not last long, in fact in the very next inning, the fourth inning San Francisco put up some insurance runs when Ramos hit a home run to left center with Casey Schmitt and Patrick Bailey on base and the Giants had a nice 4-0 lead that would persist into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Miami finally got on the scoreboard in the sixth inning scoring one run. Otto Lopez singled Xavier Edwards home from second base and the score was 4-1 in favor of the Giants.

Through seven innings, San Francisco had five hits, and the Marlins also had five hits. The huge fourth inning for San Francisco put them in a great position to win this series. Hayden Birdsong finished a solid game going 5 1/3 innings, allowing five hits but only giving up the one run. His ERA now stands at 2.37 in a good outing. He was relieved by Ryan Walker who got San Francisco out of the sixth inning.

The Giants got on base via a walk in the top of the seventh inning but nothing more. Jordan Hicks would take over on the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning. Hicks walked the first batter he faced Eric Wagaman, but struck out Connor Norby and just when things were looking like they had settled he walked Liam Hicks.

Jordan Hicks forced manager Bob Melvin’s hand when he walked a third runner Javier Sanoja, loading the bases with only one out. Tyler Rogers came in to try and get the Giants out of this inning. He was facing the top of the batting order Xavier Edwards who singled Wagaman home and this game was a 4-2 tally with two outs. Rogers got the third strikeout with minimal damage.

Wilmer Flores singled to start out the top of the eighth inning but next at bat Matt Chapman hit into a double play. Willy Adames also singled but Schmitt struck out and that would close out the top of the inning.

Giant’s pitcher Erik Miller came into the bottom of the eighth inning. The Marlins really got something going in the bottom of the eighth. With one out Wagaman hit a double and the Marlins had two runners on second and third base, Ramirez and Wagaman with one out.

The Giants bullpen got really busy and that was it for Miller. Camilo Duval came to the mound to try and save the inning. He loaded the bases and with two out and was faced with a serious situation but came through striking out Sanoja and getting out of the eighth inning. San Francisco had hung onto their 4-2 lead when it could have ended very badly.

The Giants went quietly in the top of the ninth inning. Luis Matos singled and then stole second base, to no avail, when Ramos grounded out for the third out. It would be up to Camilo Doval to save the game for San Francisco.

He faced the top of the Marlin batting order and gave up a single to first batter Xavier Edwards who had his fifth hit of the day. Jesus Sanchez grounded into a double play and the Giants were one out away from the win. Doval got the out, the save and the Giants got not only the win but the series win.

A win is a win but we finally saw the San Francisco offense step up but one thing turns around and something else struggles and that was the bullpen Sunday. They really had a tough time but Doval saved the game. San Francisco finished with five hits although the Marlins outhit them with nine. Again Kudos to Hayden Birdsong who pitched a great game.

Game notes: Sunday afternoon the Giants beat the Marlins in game three to take the three game series 2-1. The Giants won the first game of the series 2-0 but then dropped game two to Miami 1-0. San Francisco came out ahead with a 4-2 on Sunday. Giants starting pitcher Hayden Birdsong pitched 5.1 innings, five hits and one earned run gave up one earned run and struck out five. Marlins starter Ryan Weathers pitched six innings, allowed five hits, four earned runs, walked three, and struck out seven.

They will take this win into San Diego where they start their series with the Padres Monday. This will be a battle for second place in the National League West. One game separates the two teams in this four-game series. Logan Webb will have another go on the mound after having struggled in his last outing. He has a 5-5 win/loss record and a 2.82 ERA. Stephen Kolek will start for the Padres with a 3-1 win/loss record ERA 4.11. First pitch Monday is scheduled for 6:45 PM.

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun Jun 1, 2025: Ohtani and Judge both homer in Yanks-Dodgers WS rematch; LA’s Betts returns after fracturing toe; plus more MLB news

Shohei Ohtani the Los Angeles Dodgers superstar watches the flight of the baseball in the sixth inning for his 22nd NL leading home run against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Fri May 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O Sun Jun 1, 2025:

#1 In the 2024 World Series rematch on Friday the Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani and the New York Yankees Aaron Judge both homered in the first inning. It’s like the perfect scenario between both teams on the big stage. The Yankees are the winningest team in the AL and the Dodgers tied for second best record with three other team in the NL.

#2 The Dodgers Mookie Betts stubbed his toe in a dark bathroom but the injury isn’t enough to keep him off the ballfield. Betts stubbed his toe against a wall while walking in a dark bathroom on Wednesday. Betts fractured the toe and missed only Thursday and Friday’s games and was back in the line up on Saturday.

#3 After being out with a left knee injury Los Angeles Angels Mike Trout returned to the line up on Friday night. Trout who normally plays in the outfield was the designated hitter against the Cleveland Guardians and hammered a fourth inning base hit for his only hit of the game in four at bat attempts. Trout said that despite striking out in two at bats he felt good on his return. Saturday Trout went 3-4 so he’s getting his groove back in the DH role.

#4 Things continue to get rougher for the last place Colorado Rockies who lost their ninth out of their last ten games this time to the New York Mets 4-2. The Mets Francisco Lindor had himself a game hitting a homer from the left and right sides. Juan Soto snapped his 0-17 slump with a RBI double.

#5 The Sacramento A’s have now lost 15 of their last 16 games. They have shuttled players from their Las Vegas affiliate to Sacramento to see if they can tweak what’s wrong but A’s manager Mark Kotsay is still looking for solutions. It’s been since the first week of May that the A’s at one time were just one game from moving into first place in the AL West but have fallen back into the cellar now some 8.5 game off the pace.

Join Charlie O for the A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ballers get an edge on Jackalopes for 4-3 win Friday

Oakland Ballers celebrate a one run win over the Grand Junction Jackalopes on Fri May 30, 2025 at Raimondi Park in West Oakland in Pioneer League action (Oakland Ballers X image)

Grand Junction Jackalopes (2-8) 002 100 000 3 9 0

Oakland Ballers (6-4) 110 100 10x 4 5 0

Time: 2:53

Attendance: 1,628

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–It was an anomalous night this Friday at Ernie Raimondi Field. The thermometer read in the 70s, but a brisk wind led many of the 1,628 paying customers to layer up, only to take their extra layer off once the wind died down and then put it back on after sunset.

The sky was a brilliant blue that was smeared with the black smoke of a fire that burned behind the left side of the field, moving towards center, always, the PA announcer told us, at a safe distance from our West Oakland venue.

For the first half of the see-saw (or teeter totter if you’re a left coast native) contest, the scoreboard was a vast wasteland, devoid of information). The Ballers’ first run of their 4-3 squeaker victory over the tough luck Grand Junction Jackalopes crossed the plate in the person of a batter who had struck out.

It came on the feet of Tremayne Cobb, Jr., who was held hitless for only the second time this season. (The first occurred Wednesday). Grand Junction’s Johnnuelle Ponce, put the interlopers ahead 3-2 in the top of the fourth with a blast over the left center field fence that brought his BA up to .100.

He was his team’s designated hitter. The visitors outhit their hosts by a working day, i.e. nine to five. My mother told me there’d be days like this….

Oakland’s unconventional first inning began with Cobb’s reaching first after striking out swinging at a wild pitch, reaching second on Lou Helmig’s groundout, stealing third, and trotting home on Christian Almanza’s single.

The B’s tacked on another tally in the second, again on their own fleet feet and the the poor control of Brock Gillis, the Jackalopes’ starter. Esai Santos, who’s been coming into his own recently, opened the frame with a walk, pilfered second, took third on a wild pitch, and then scored on another one.

Meanwhile, Reed Butz, opening night’s winning hurler for the Oaklanders, was breezing along. That breeze died down in the third. Zeb Roos smacked a one out double to right, Alex Pimental wrangled a walk, and Kendal Foster moved him up to second with a single to right center that brought Roos home with Grand Junction’s first run.

The two baserunners pulled off a double steal, which set the scene for catcher Mason Minzey’s sacrifice fly to left that allowed Pimental to waltz home with the tying run. Sic transit gloria mundi.

The team’s matched runs in the fourth, one a piece. Ponce’s round tripper to left center gave the Jackalopes a brief advantage,. When Butz issued a free pass to Roos, the next batter he faced, his work for the evening was finished, leaving the B’s starter with a line of three runs, all of them earned, on five hits, including Ponce’s dinger, four walks, and couple of Ks. His truncated outing of 3-2/3 cost him 98 pitches and left him with a no decision.

In the home half of the frame, Cobb once more scored without benefit of a hit. He walked, and that ended Gillis’s unhappy mound tenure. He’d thrown 87 pitches and, after Tai Atkins, his replacement had allowed the runners he’d inherited to score, was charged three runs, all earned, in 3-2/3 innings. He struck out three B’s, a feat that couldn’t quite offset his three wild pitches.

Once Gillis had retired to the showers, Zach deVito, Ayan Alger, and Reese Miller took the mound for an inning each. Alger was the only one to allow a hit, two of them, in fact, and one of them was enough to score the winning run, Davis Drewek’s seventh inning home run over the left field fence. That made Alger the losing pitcher, and his balance sheet now stands at 0-1

Following Butz’s departure , a trio of Oakland relievers shut out the Jackalopes on four hits, one against each of Carson Lambert (2-1/3 IP), Connor Richardson (1-1/3), the eventual winning pitcher, and two off of Connor Sullivan, who earned his second save of the season.

Roos and Isaac Núñez had multi-hit games for Grand Junction, each with two. No Baller got more than one hit.

The weekend phase of this six game series begins Saturday at 4:35 and will conclude on Sunday, June 2. It’s been an exciting series, and the next two days promise more excitement. After that, the Ballers will leave on a two week road trip, returning to Ernie Raimondi Field on June 17.

A’s Fall Short 8-7 in See-Saw Thriller at Rogers Centre

Toronto Blue Jays Daulton Varsho (5) who got injured gets tangled with Sacramento A’s third baseman Max Schuemann (12) after hitting a triple at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat May 31, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP)

A’s Fall Short in See-Saw Thriller at Rogers Centre

By Mauricio Segura

In a game that saw no shortage of drama or fireworks, the Sacramento Athletics were narrowly edged out 8-7 by the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Saturday the loss extends the Sacramento losing streak to five games. It was a classic back-and-forth affair in which both teams showcased power and precision, but ultimately, the green and gold came up just shy of ending their losing skid.

The Athletics wasted no time making noise. In the top of the first, Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker reached base to set the stage for Tyler Soderstrom, who launched a three-run blast to center field, his 12th of the year.

It was an early statement that the A’s were in no mood to be passive spectators. Soderstrom has been one of the few bright spots in an A’s offense that, despite struggling lately, is still tied for sixth in the league in slugging percentage.

Yet, Toronto didn’t flinch. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled in the bottom of the frame and came home on Addison Barger’s fourth homer of the season. Two walks and a clutch single by Nathan Lukes later, and the Jays had turned a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 lead before the first inning was done.

The second inning offered a glimpse of hope for the A’s. Luis Urías worked a walk, and Denzel Clarke, playing just his seventh Major League game, crushed his first big league homer to left field, retaking the lead at 5-4. Clarke, who was called up from Triple-A Las Vegas last week, has shown promise with his speed and a .263 average in the minors. The momentum felt palpable.

Unfortunately, it would not last. The A’s have been notorious this season for surrendering long balls, and today was no different. Bo Bichette’s solo shot in the bottom of the second tied things at five, marking the 87th home run allowed by A’s pitchers this season, on pace to break the franchise record of 220.

From there, the Blue Jays kept the pressure on. George Springer went deep in the third and fifth innings, his seventh and eighth of the year, highlighting a four-homer day for Toronto. The A’s bullpen, which entered the game with a 6.10 ERA, continued to falter.

Gunnar Hoglund, making his sixth start of the season, gave up six runs over five innings, struggling with right-handed hitters once again, who are hitting .326 against him this year.

The A’s offense did its best to claw back. Brent Rooker, who had been in a mini-slump earlier in May, belted his 13th homer of the season in the ninth, bringing the A’s within a single run. Tyler Soderstrom doubled with two outs, adding to his multi-hit day. But Shea Langeliers, representing the tying run, lined out to second baseman Ernie Clement, ending the Athletics’ rally and sealing another gut-wrenching loss.

Despite the defeat, there were glimpses of the A’s youthful spark. Lawrence Butler added three hits and a stolen base, extending his streak of successful swipes to eight. Wilson, the leading rookie in Major League Baseball for batting average and RBI, collected another hit to maintain his .344 average, continuing his breakout campaign.

For the Athletics, the loss extends their current road losing streak to nine games, matching their longest in three years. They now sit at 23-36, 12 games under .500, and have dropped 15 of their last 16 contests. The green and gold will look to rookie JP Sears on Sunday to stop the bleeding and salvage the final game of the series.

But in a game marked by dazzling home runs and missed opportunities, Saturday’s thriller was another chapter in a season where the A’s have consistently found themselves one swing, or one pitch, away from victory.

The A’s and Jays close out this series on Sunday. Starting pitcher for Sacramento JP Sears (4-6 ERA 5.18) and for Toronto Kevin Gausman (5-4 ERA 3.68) first pitch 10:37 am PDT.

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.

Anemic Offense Continues to Plague Giants Losing to Marlins In 1-0 Shutout

San Francisco Giants pitching coach JP Martinez (black hoodie) talks with starter Robbie Ray (glove in face) with catcher Sam Huff, Matt Chapman (behind Ray) and LaMonte Wade Jr (31) in the bottom of the second inning at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Sat May 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After winning game one of their series with the Miami Marlins (23-33) the San Francisco Giants (32-26) were looking for a win Saturday in game two assuring them of a series win but instead of getting the series win the Giants were shutout 1-0 by Marlins starter Ed Cabrera and the bullpen to tie the series at 1-1. Friday San Francisco did have 11 hits but left a lot of runners in scoring position stranded but got the win 2-0.

This is something that the Giants couldn’t clean up in Saturday’s game again no offense. They had a red-hot pitcher taking the mound in Robbie Ray who came into the game with a spotless 7-0 record but got the loss now dropping to 7-1.

The Marlins starter Edward Cabrera pitched 5.2 innings, allowed six hits, no runs, and struck out five for the win.

Temperatures were toasty Saturday much as Friday but fans were comfortable under the state-of-the-art retractable roof at loan-Depot Park.

Game recap: This game became a real pitcher’s duel. The Marlins scored a single run in the second inning. taking the early 1-0 lead. San Francisco pitcher Ray got the first two outs in the inning but went on to walk Dane Myers and Nick Fortes back to back.

Javier Sanojar singled Myers home and that would be the last run the Marlins would score going into the bottom of the sixth inning.

Going into the seventh inning there had not been a whole lot of hitting for either team although the Giants had six hits to the Marlins two. Cabrera had 5 2/3 solid innings giving up the six hits, two walks and five strikeouts.

He was relieved by Ronny Henriquez who finished off the inning for Miami. Henriquez stayed on the mound to start the seventh inning. He got the first two outs but hit Heliot Ramos and the Giants had a runner at first.

When it looked as if Jung Hoo Lee had knocked the ball out of the park, the Miami defense made a second amazing catch in the outfield robbing the Giants of a lead in the game. They had made a similar catch in the second inning that also would have made a difference in the game. Those two amazing plays by the Marlins kept this game a one-run game.

The eighth inning rolled around and San Francisco was running out of game. Chapman had been on base three times in the game but the team was still looking for their first run. Willy Adames walked and San Francisco had two runners on base with one out.

Mike Yastrzemski sacrificed and Chapman advanced to third and the Giants had runners at the corners. Tyler Fitzgerald struck out and that was the inning.

The Giants again went quietly in the ninth inning and this team continues to struggle as a whole. The series is tied and the rubber match will finish off the series Saturday. San Francisco has been unable to figure out just what is going so wrong for the team.

The good news is that we are through the month of May and the team will be looking for much more in the month of June where they have typically played well. Is this getting into their heads? There is no way of knowing but they do have some serious issues to address. After the 1-0 Marlin win, Miami will be trying to walk away with the series Sunday.

Robbie Ray had a great game despite the loss. He got into a bit of trouble in the second inning with walks and of course the one run. He finished the game pitching for seven innings which was really needed after going through seven pitchers in Friday’s game.

He gave up two hits, one run, three walks with nine strikeouts. The Giants were 0-6 with runners in scoring position and left ten runners stranded wiping out the great performance the team got from Ray. The disappointment continues with this team as they try to salvage the series in Sunday’s game.

First pitch for game three is scheduled for 10:40 AM. Hayden Birdsong (2-1 ERA 2.48) will take the mound for the Giants and the Marlins will start Ryan Weathers (1-0 ERA 1.15).

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s team prez Badain says they’ve already broke ground for Vegas ballpark

Work being done on the Athletics Las Vegas ballpark construction site at the former Tropicana Casino and Hotel includes excavation and piling foundation work on May 14, 2025 (photo by Las Vegas Review Journal)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 According to Sacramento A’s president Marc Badain cranes will be arriving at the old Tropicana site to start construction on the Las Vegas ballpark in late June.

#2 Badain addressed the Las Vegas Stadium Authority on Thu May 22 sharing work details for the construction plans. Badain also talked about the work that is already taking place as the foundation is already underway.

#3 Grading work already has taken place. Before July 1 100,000 cubic feet of dirt will be excavated. Construction crews have already doing tests on the pilings the foundation for the park. The pilings will be supporting the stadium.

#4 According to Badain Las Vegas Stadium Authority and the A’s have already broke ground at the old Tropicana site.

#5 Mortenson-McCarty is the contractor that is working on the park’s construction they will have their office compound set up and 75 percent should be on site by this coming week.

Daniel Dullum does the A’s Relocation podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com