Category: MLB

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: That first win for Verlander continues to elude him

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander pitches to the Cleveland Guardians line up in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, the Cleveland Guardians Daniel Schneeman’s three run home run kept the San Francisco Giants Justin Verlander from winning his first game of the season as he dropped his record to 0-4 on Wednesday night.

#2 Verlander allowed four runs and was charged with three earned runs in 4.2 innings of work after being activated from the Injured List on Wednesday morning. Verlander surrendered seven hits and struck out six. It was Verlander’s first start since May 18.

#3 The Guardians Kyle Manzardo hit two doubles and Jose Ramirez got a base hit for an RBI as the Guardians are assured a series win for the first time since 2005.

#4 Stephen, the Giants Heliot Ramos stayed consistent with a home run his 12th of the season. Ramos is hitting .284.

#5 Starting pitchers for Thursday afternoon’s game for the Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (5-3 ERA 3.89) for the Giants RHP Logan Webb (6-5 ERA 2.58) first pitch is 12:45pm PDT.

Join Stephen Ruderman for the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants’ offense stumbles, Justin Verlander is hit in return from IL in 4-2 loss to Guardians

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander was touched up by the Cleveland Guardians on Wed Jun 18, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cleveland Guardians 4 (37-35)

San Francisco Giants 2 (41-33)

Win: Logan Allen (5-4)

Loss: Justin Verlander (0-4)

Save: Emmanuel Clase (16)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 34,055

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants have now lost four-straight for just the second time this season, as Justin Verlander struggled in his return from the Injured List, and the Giants’ offense stumbled again in a 4-2 loss to the Guardians.

Following the hoopla around the trade for Rafael Devers, the Guardians beat the Giants 3-2 in Devers’ debut last night. The loss was also the third-straight for the Giants, whose offense has started to go dormant again.

The Giants turned to Justin Verlander, who was activated off the Injured List to make his 11th start of the season. Verlander was still looking for his first win as a Giant, as he came into Wednesday night’s game 0-3 with a 4.33 ERA over ten starts in a Giants’ uniform.

Verlander last started on May 18 against the A’s. In that start, Verlander gave up two runs and walked five over four innings, and he got a no-decision. However, Verlander also aggravated his right pectoral muscle in that start, which prompted the Giants to place him on the IL

Unfortunately, Verlander was given a rude welcome in the top of the first inning. Kyle Manzardo lined a double to right field with one out, and then Jose Ramirez, the lone-remaining member of the 2016 Cleveland Indians, lined a base-hit to right to put the Guardians on the board early.

The Guardians could have made it a bigger inning, but when Ramirez took off for second base, catcher Patrick Bailey, who was also returning from the IL Wednesday night, gunned Ramirez down at second. That’s right: a whole battery coming off the IL.

Left-hander Logan Allen took the ball for the Guards, and he started his night with a one, two, three bottom of the first. Allen threw a scoreless bottom of the second, and he worked his way out of a jam in the bottom of the third.

Verlander settled down to throw a scoreless top of the second and a one, two, three top of the third. Unfortunately, Verlander found himself back in trouble in the top of the fourth.

Carlos Santanta reached on a chopper to the right side that took a weird hop off the lip of the outfield grass and was bobbled by second-baseman Tyler Fitzgerald. In this era of not giving errors on plays that clearly should be, Fitzgerald was cast with a tough error.

Lane Thomas lined a base-hit to center to put runners at first and second for Cleveland with one out. Up came Daniel Schneemann, and he blasted a three-run home run to left-center, and the Guardians now had a 4-0 lead.

The Giants went down scoreless against Allen in the bottom of the fourth, and the Guardians made noise again in the top of the fifth. Monzardo, who doubled and scored the game’s first run in the top of the first, doubled with one out. The longtime veteran, Carlos Santana, then walked two batters later with two outs.

That would end the night for Verlander, and Bob Melvin turned to Spencer Bivens. Bivens caught Thomas looking at a sinker on the outside corner to end the inning with the score still 4-0.

Verlander gave up four runs, three of them earned, over four and two thirds innings in his return from the IL. He gave up seven hits, but he struck out six, and he hit 95 miles per hour on the gun.

Allen retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the fifth, but Baile lined a base-hit to center to extend the inning for Heliot Ramos. Ramos got a “sweeper”—don’t worry, I’ll get around to saying it soon—and golfed it out to left-center field for a two-run shot to put the Giants on the board and cut the deficit in half.

The Guardians’ lead was now 4-2, as Bivens threw a one, two, three top of the sixth. The Giants’ bullpen did their job, as they held the Guardians scoreless the rest of the way.

Unfortunately, the Giants’ offense couldn’t do their job. Allen ended up going five and a third innings, and the Guards’ bullpen took it the rest of the way. The Giants had runners on in each of the final four innings, but they just couldn’t keep things going, and the Guardians won it 4-2.

Logan Allen got the win; Justin Verlander took the loss; and Emmanuel Clase got the save.

The Giants have indeed just four-straight, as they fall to 41-33.

The Giants will look to salvage a game in this series and avoid the sweep in a Thursday matinee at Oracle Park. The Giants will have their ace, Logan Webb (6-5, 2.58 ERA), who has also become their stopper, on the mound Thursday. Gavin Williams (5-3, 3.89 ERA) will go for Cleveland.

Usually, weekday afternoon games at Oracle Park start at 12:45 p.m. That will not be the case Thursday. First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

To make room for Justin Verlander and Patrick Bailey, who both came off the Injured List Wednesday night, the Giants sent right-handed pitcher Tristan Beck and catcher Logan Porter back to Triple-A Sacramento.

A’s Falter in Sixth as Astros Run Away with Series Win 11-4

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Max Schuemann on Wednesday night in the Athletics game against the Astros. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Having lost the first two games of the series to the Astros on Monday and Tuesday, the A’s hoped to flip the script on Wednesday night. But for Luis Severino and the A’s, the home woes continued as they dropped their third in a row, 11-4, at Sutter Health Park.

A’s starter Luis Severino pitched well—certainly well enough to keep the A’s in the game—as he worked in and out of trouble all night. All told, Severino tossed five innings of nine-hit, two-run ball and took the loss. He walked just one and struck out five before exiting after the fifth inning.

The real trouble came in the sixth when Tyler Ferguson came on in relief. The inning began innocently enough with a leadoff single, followed by a double play that gave Ferguson two outs with no one on. But the wheels came off from there. The next seven Astros batters reached base, and Houston erupted for seven runs—highlighted by a pair of three-run home runs from Jose Altuve and Victor Caratini. Ferguson was pulled shortly before the second homer but was still charged with six runs on six hits while recording only two outs. Sean Newcomb came on to relieve Ferguson and steadied things with 2.1 innings of two-hit, one-run ball.

Hogan Harris pitched the ninth, but the Astros reignited their offense, scoring two more runs on three hits. It marked the second straight night the Astros put up double-digit runs on the A’s.

Offensively, the A’s scored in the first and sixth innings but didn’t add much until a brief rally in the ninth. Austin Wynns delivered an RBI single in the first, and Nick Kurtz followed with one of his own in the sixth. In the ninth, Kurtz launched a solo home run—his third hit of the day—and Max Schuemann chipped in an RBI single. That would be all for the A’s comeback effort.

With the loss, the A’s dropped to 30-46 on the season and will try to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Astros on Thursday night. Jacob Lopez (1-4, 4.80 ERA) is scheduled to take the mound for the A’s, opposed by Colton Gordon (2-1, 4.70 ERA) for Houston. First pitch is set for 7:05 PM PST.

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. 

Headline Sports Jessica Kwong podcast: Cubs now 6.5 games in front of Brewers; Devers says he’ll play anywhere Giants ask; plus more news

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Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki runs the bases after hitting a three run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Tue June 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast Jessica Kwong:

#1 Jessica the Chicago Cubs are competing they are six and half games in front of the second place Milwaukee Brewers and have won six of their last ten games. The first four hitters in the Cubs line up all scored runs on Tuesday night and Wednesday night’s game was rained out.

#2 At the press conference for new San Francisco Giant Rafael Devers he said he was there to play wherever they want him to play. When Devers was at the Red Sox he said he wanted to play at third base when he was moved to DH for Alex Bregman. Devers unhappy wanted to leave Boston and now says he’s willing to play anywhere the Giants want him to. How do you see this working out.

#3 Jessica, the awkward thing about Devers coming to San Francisco is that his old team the Boston Red Sox are coming to Oracle Park on Friday night. It’s curious to see the greeting his old team will give him when he comes up to the plate against them.

#4 Philadelphia Phillie right fielder Nick Castellanos was scratched from Tuesday’s line up for  “an inappropriate comment” according to Phillies manager Rob Thomson. Castellanos was upset after being replaced moving Max Kepler to right and inserting Johan Rojas to center.

#5 What happened to the New York Yankees they have now lost five straight games and were shutout by the Los Angeles Angels at Anaheim Stadium on Tuesday night 4-0. The Yankees are hanging onto a 2.5 game lead over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Jessica Kwong does Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Devers Makes a Grand Debut, Giants lose Game 1 Against the Guardians 3-1

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San Francisco, California, USA, June 17, 2025; At Oracle Park, Robbie Ray, 38, the starting pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, throws a pitch against the Cleveland Guardians in the first inning. (Photo Credits to D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images)

Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Oracle Park

Cleveland Guardians: 3

San Francisco Giants: 2

Win: Cleveland Guardians Pitcher Slade Cecconi (2-3)

Loss: SF Giants Pitcher Robbie Ray (8-2)

Saver: Cleveland Guardians Emmanuel Clase (15)

Attendance: 36,222

By: Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO- The Cleveland Guardians defeated the San Francisco Giants on Thursday night to start their nine-game homestand. The Giants were beaten by the Cleveland Guardians in a final score, 3-2.

Giants Manager Bob Melvin placed Rafael Devers into the No.3 spot in the roster and DH role. In the third inning, Devers excellently earned himself an RBI double, a strong 111mph blast into Triples alley that scored Willy Adames and put San Francisco ahead 2-1. Later, he would add a single in the ninth, part of a desperation rally that nearly turned the tide.

Throughout the game, the Giants’ offense had opportunities but found it tough to take advantage of them. San Francisco only finished 1-for-13 with runners in scoring position, leaving 13 men behind overall, even though they put runners on base in almost every inning. Dom Smith’s RBI single in the second inning leveled the game early and was the only other Giant to drive in a run.

Robbie Ray pitched six innings and allowed three earned runs on five hits while striking out five batters, giving San Francisco a strong display. His only big error occurred in the sixth inning when Gabriel Arias hit a game-winning solo home run to put the Guardians ahead for good.

Arias hit his first home run since April 16th. “When you get six innings with three runs, a lot of times you win the game like that,” Giants manager Bob Melvin said after the game, putting Ray’s performance in perspective. He believes you are expecting more from him because he has been so excellent.

Slade Cecconi of Cleveland held his own, giving up just two runs in five innings while keeping the Giants in check. San Francisco put up a strong fight in the bottom of the ninth, loading the bases following consecutive hits by Jung Hoo Lee and Devers, as well as a walk by Heliot Ramos, but closer Emmanuel Clase jammed the door shut. The Guardians’ bullpen took it the rest of the way. He earned his 15th save of the season by striking out Casey Schmitt on a high heater to close the game.

There were good signs for San Francisco despite the defeat. The club kept fighting in the last innings, and Devers seemed at ease at the plate. However, moral victories are not reflected in the standings, and the Giants are aware that if they hope to tie the series, they will need to perform better in the closing moments. In the ninth, the Giants had a chance to walk it off after loading the bases, but Emmanuel Clase closed the game off with a strikeout. After the game, Melvin noted, “We had a rally going, and it looked like we had a chance in the ninth, which we’ve done so many times here, but just couldn’t.”

On Wednesday night, the two teams will play again, The Guardians will start LHP Logan Allen (4-4 ERA 4.28) and the Giants’ veteran right-hander Justin Verlander (0-3 ERA 4.33) is expected to make his comeback from the injured list. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:45 p.m., and he will face Logan Allen from Cleveland.

With the loss, The Giants are now on a three game losing streak and are 41-32 on the season. Guardians have now just snapped their previous three game losing streak.

A’s Four-Game Win Streak Snapped in 13-3 Loss to Astros

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Luis Urias in the loss to the Astros on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s tried to keep their four-game winning streak alive on Tuesday against the Houston Astros, but poor pitching and a lack of offense doomed them in a 13-3 blowout loss at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

The struggles started early. Starter JP Sears was only able to pitch three and a third innings in an abbreviated outing. Sears allowed five runs on five hits, walked three, and surrendered three home runs. Lacking command throughout, he threw 36 pitches just to get through the first inning. It was a rough showing and not what the A’s needed to try and extend their recent momentum.

Osvaldo Bido took over and didn’t fare much better. He gave up four runs on four hits over one and two-thirds innings, as A’s pitching continued to search for answers. Hogan Harris finally stopped the bleeding with a scoreless inning, but the Astros got right back to work against T.J. McFarland, scoring two more runs to stretch the lead to 11-0.

The A’s managed to break through in the seventh inning, scoring three runs on an Astros error, a Luis Urías groundout, and a Gio Urshela RBI single. But any momentum was short-lived.

Sean Newcomb gave up two more runs in his lone inning of work. By the ninth, manager Mark Kotsay waved the white flag and sent catcher Willie MacIver to the mound. MacIver needed just eight pitches to deliver a scoreless frame, the lone highlight in an otherwise forgettable night.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 30-45 on the season. They’ll look to bounce back on Wednesday in game three of the four-game set. Luis Severino (2-6, 4.47 ERA) will get the start for Sacramento, facing off against Houston’s Framber Valdez (7-4, 3.10 ERA).

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Toughest Fans in Baseball

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Chicago Cubs Ian Happ (right) hits a walk off single against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the tenth inning at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 15, 2025. The Cubs are one of the toughest teams in baseball. But the New York Yankees and Mets have the toughest fans in baseball. (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

Toughest Fans in Baseball

By Amaury Pi-González

Although it is very subjective, analyzing fans in all 30 cities and parks across baseball shows us that there is no doubt certain places are consistently more of a ‘pressure cooker ‘ for players, and yes, for fans, than others. Baseball was rooted on the East Coast.

The whole history of the game is in the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. In 1908, the Mills Commission issued its final report, which stated that “the first scheme for playing baseball” was devised by Abner Doubleday at Cooperstown, NY, in 1839.

There are other influential pioneers, such as Abner Doubleday and Alexander Cartwright. There is no doubt that passion among baseball fans for their teams runs deeper on the East Coast. Tradition is a significant part of this passion for their respective teams, namely the Yankees, Red Sox, and Phillies, especially when they come to mind.

While in the Midwest, there is no doubt that Chicago Cubs fans are at the top of the passion meter, followed closely by the currently suffering Chicago White Sox fans, with their number one fan being Pope Leo. While here on the West Coast, the attitudes are quite different, and I might say a little less passionate.

There is one series among two teams that draws the most passion, the Dodgers vs. the Giants. This rivalry, which originated in New York, is particularly intense among fans. However, I have witnessed that this rivalry is much more passionate in San Francisco than in Los Angeles.

When the Dodgers visit San Francisco, the Giants fans bring the “beat the Dodgers” chants and all the heat. However, when the Giants visit Los Angeles, the passion is significantly lower; for most Dodger fans, it’s just a matter of bringing their suntan lotion, and the Giants are just another team.

In my opinion, it’s a “one-sided” rivalry, hotter when they play by the bay than when they play by Hollywood. Talking about fans’ passion? For Oakland A’s fans, (I say Oakland A’s fans) because there are no Sacramento or Las Vegas fans.

For these fans, it’s as if they had to survive a horrid divorce between the city, the owner, and the team, all of which are intertwined. This divorce has hurt everybody, beginning with the fans. Most of the hate directed by fans is aimed at Athletics owner John Fisher, as evidenced by scores of fans in the Bay Area, following the team’s move to Sacramento for three years with a final destination to Las Vegas by 2028.

That “ugly divorce” weighs very heavily on real A’s fans from Oakland and the Bay Area. The national and local media also have no love lost for Mr. Fisher. The national media has taken the A’s ownership to task, and the local media has cooled off.

I have a very good friend who was a season ticket holder for the Oakland A’s. He threw a party last year to burn his tickets in front of a group of his close friends. He is a good man, a good fan who enjoys the game, but as he told me, “This owner betrayed me: why should I sponsor him buying tickets for his team”?

Quote: Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it’s beginning to seem that way. We’re reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan, or you can have a life. Take your pick. –Thomas Boswell.

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.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Ohtani returns to the mound pitches one inning; Devers expected to DH for Giants; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani is seen throwing live batting practice as pitching coach Mark Prior second from left watches before the game against the New York Yankees at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Sat May 31, 2025 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, it was a huge night for Los Angeles Dodgers starter Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound for the first time he faced the San Diego Padres on Monday night at Dodger Stadium. Ohtani had not pitched in a game since September 2023.

#2 Former Red Sox Rafael Devers two hours before he learned he was being traded to the San Francisco Giants was asked what did it mean for the Sox to sweep the visiting New York and how it defined the earlier part of the 2025 season? Dever’s reply was nonchalant “That has passed” Also Devers was asked if he would play first base and he refused saying “I know I’m a ballplayer, but at the same time, they can’t expect me to play every single position out there.”

#3 Amaury a shocker the Colorado Rockies have put together two wins in a row with a win over the Washington Nationals. The Rockies got a two run win over the Nats on Monday night 6-4. The previous wins for the Rockies on Sunday against the Atlanta Braves 10-1 at Truist Field in Cobb County. The Rockies have been the worst team in the majors all season talk about these last two wins was this a matter improved confidence just to get these two in a row.

#4 Recent polls amongst 78% MLB players are concerned about betting on the game. As you may recall Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr’s children got death threats over a lost bet someone overseas made. The person who made the threat apologized but players are concerned that betters could take their lost wagers a bit too far.

#5 More Ohtani news: On the night that Ohtani returned to the mound his former interpreter Ippei Mizuhara reported to federal prison in Pennsylvania to start his 57 month sentence. Mizuhara, 40 was charged for bank fraud, tax fraud, and faced 33 years in prison. Prosecutors ask for a 57 month sentence and the defense asked for 18 months.

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 podcast Tony Renteria: A’s Kurtz delivers two run walk off homer to beat Astros 3-1

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz delivers a 447 foot two run walk off home run in the bottom of the ninth to win it for the A’s 3-1 against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Mon Jun 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento A’s podcast with Tony Renteria:

#1 Sacramento A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz launches a walk off two run home run against the Houston Astros that broke a 1-1 deadlock at Sutter Health Park for a 3-1 win on Monday night.

#2 The A’s Brent Rooker walked against Astros pitcher Bryan Abreu that started the ninth inning and Rooker has now reached base 12 straight home games.

#3 Kurtz has been on a tear ripping his seventh home run of the 2025 season and his blast was 447 feet over the right field fence. Again proving the A’s have some solid young talent.

#4 Tony, A’s outfielder Denzel Clarke won the Electric Play of the week on Monday for the third week in a row. He was named the for the award after his home run robbing catch on Mon Jun 9 in Anaheim against the Los Angeles Angels.

#5 The Astros and A’s duel again at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Tuesday night. Starting pitcher for the Astros RHP Jason Alexander (0-0 ERA 18.00) for the A’s JP Sears (5-5 ERA 5.08) with a 7:05pm first pitch.

Tony Renteria does the 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. 

Nick Kurtz Walks It Off as A’s Beat Astros for Fourth Straight Win 3-1

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The Athletics celebrate after the Nick Kurtz home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Monday night . (Photo: MLB on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENO–After a treacherous month of May, the Athletics have finally made it through and into June. After getting swept in Anaheim for the second time in just a few weeks, the A’s went into Kansas City and returned the favor with a sweep of the Royals this past weekend. On Monday, they welcomed the Houston Astros to Sacramento for the first of a three-game series. The A’s defeated the Astros 3-1.

Pitching dominated the game on both sides, as the starters and bullpens for each team were phenomenal. However, it was Nick Kurtz who played the hero for the A’s.

With the game tied in the bottom of the ninth, Brent Rooker worked a walk against Astros reliever Bryan Abreu. Nick Kurtz stepped in and quickly got ahead 2-0 in the count. Looking fastball, Kurtz swung out of his shoes on a breaking ball that fooled him, bringing the count to 2-1. “…When you have a swing like that,” Kurtz said following the game, “there’s a good chance they’re going to throw it again.” Throw it again Abreu did. But this time, he missed his spot with another breaking ball inside, and Kurtz turned on it—launching the game-winning two-run homer 447 feet into the trees beyond the berm in right-center field. “I knew it pretty much right away… that’s the scenario you dream about as a kid, and being able to do it at this level was really cool,” Kurtz said of his walk-off shot.

Kurtz sent the A’s home happy, but the unsung hero of the night was the A’s pitching staff.

Mitch Spence started the game for the A’s and dominated, tossing five innings of seven-hit, one-run ball. His only major blemish was a slider that leaked over the plate, which Jose Altuve launched for a home run in the first inning. J.T. Ginn, fresh off the injured list, followed with three shutout innings of one-hit baseball while striking out five. Ginn was nasty—exactly what the doctor ordered in his return. Mason Miller pitched a clean top of the ninth, striking out two to keep the game tied.

The A’s will take on the Astros in game two of the series on Tuesday at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. JP Sears (5-5, 5.08 ERA) is slated to start for the A’s, countered by Houston’s Jason Alexander (0-0, 18.00 ERA).

With the win, the A’s have now won four straight and are 30-44 on the season. The Astros fell to 41-31 with the loss.

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.