Category: MLB

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: A’s fail to sell out opening home series; Vegas officials approve land permits for A’s ballpark

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Rendering of the A’s Las Vegas ballpark as shown during Mar 6, 2025 at the Las Vegas Stadium Authority meeting (image by negativ)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The first three games at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento the Athletics didn’t sell out. The A’s were near the 14,014 capacity on Monday night’s opener with 12,119 but the were far from it on Tuesday with 10,000 plus and for a Wednesday day game when only 9,000 plus showed up.

#2 Some A’s fans that traveled from the Bay Area came up only to check out the new digs and stayed a few innings on Wednesday and left to go back to the Bay.

#3 The issue during the A’s opening home series against the Chicago Cubs was brought up as to whose to blame for the A’s relocation. Was it owner John Fisher’s fault as former Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao said at the time the city of Oakland and the A’s were so close to a deal at Howard Terminal and they just backed out saying they had a binding deal with the Rio in Las Vegas?

#4 Was it the fault of Major League Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred who some say wanted the A’s out of Oakland and wanted the Bay Area to be a one team market rather than a two team market and could he have been influenced to move the team by the San Francisco Giants who would have the market all to themselves?

#5 On Wednesday the Clark County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve the land permits for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark as the A’s move a step closer to beginning construction for their $1.75 billion ballpark. The A’s are hoping to have the park ready in Vegas by 2028.

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

Jerry Feitelberg tribute podcast with Charlie O: A’s and Warriors broadcaster, friend, colleague, Jerry passes at 86

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Photo from Jerry Feitelberg: Jerry Feitelberg is all smiles before opening day in the San Francisco Giants pressbox at Oracle Park in San Francisco April 7, 2023 before the Giants faced the visiting Kansas City Royals.

We at Sports Radio Service are sad to report the passing of Jerry Feitelberg our colleague, friend and reporter since 2000. Jerry had started out as an owner and pharmacist for Good Neighbor Pharmacy in Alameda.

Jerry retired from being a pharmacist in the early 2000s and went to work as an assistant trainer for the Oakland A’s under head trainer Barry Weinberg. After Jerry’s tenure on the A’s medical team he joined us at Sports Radio Service as a reporter doing analysis, podcasting, hosting remotes and sitting down to interview some of the well known journalists and athletes.

Jerry was 86 and he battled with health issues the last three years but tried as best as he could to get back to doing what he loved best and that was writing and podcast sports. One note should be taken of how driven he was while in the hospital this last year one of regular podcasters needed time off of an assignment and while in the hospital and under doctors care Jerry said he would do the podcast from his hospital room and didn’t miss a beat and did the podcast as if he wasn’t ailing at all. If it’s any comfort Jerry said he enjoyed just getting back on to do a recording again. It did his heart wonders.

Rest In Peace Jerry our good friend and colleague you’ve done well and your well loved in the sports and journalism community. You’ll be missed.

He will be forever loved and remembered by all who knew him, but especially by his 2 daughters, Jennifer and Amy, and their partners, Tim and Eden. He would like any donations made in his name to go to Boston Latin School.

Charlie O who podcasted Jerry’s tribute worked side by side with Jerry during Jerry’s time as a podcaster and beat writer during the Oakland A’s years.

SF Giants game wrap: Adames caps sloppy thriller as Giants pulls off 10-9 win in home opener over Seattle

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San Francisco Giants starter Justin Verlander deals against the Seattle Mariners in the top of the first inning for the Giants home opener at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Apr 4, 2025 (AP News photo)

Friday, April 4, 2025

Oracle Park

Seattle Mariners 9 (3-5)

San Francisco Giants 10 (6-1)

Win: Spencer Bivens (1-1)

Loss: Carlos Vargas (0-1)

Time: 4:03

Attendance: 40,865

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–For the second year in a row and the third time in the last four years, the Giants won their home opener on a walk-off, as Willy Adames came up with the Giants down to their last out and lined a base-hit the other way to score two, and gave the Giants a thrilling 10-9 win to cap off a sloppy 11-inning thriller.

The Giants have always had the pageantry going for their home opener, but this year was a bit different. A week from today is the 25th anniversary of the first regular season game of what was then Pacific Bell Park. With the Giants on the road next Friday, they honored the 2000 team during the introduction of the 2025 Giants.

Several members of the 2000 Giants were on hand: 2000 National League Manager of the year Dusty Baker; Pitching Coach Dave Righetti; Bench Coach Ron Wotus; Kirk Rueter, who made the start in the first game against the Dodgers on April 11; Rich Aurilia; Russ Ortiz; Mark Gardner; J.T. Snow; Marvin Benard; and Barry Bonds were introduced.

The 2025 Giants were then introduced, and new San Francisco mayor Daniel Lurie threw out the first pitch. It was a bit smoggy in the morning, but that had cleared by the time of the ceremonies, and it was time for Baseball on a beautiful day on the shores of McCovey Cove.

Justin Verlander, who last pitched at Oracle Park in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series when he gave up the first two of Pablo Sandoval’s three home runs in that game, would take the mound for the Giants. Verlander received a nice ovation during the pregame introductions, which I assume was due to him coming to the Giants and not giving up the two home runs to Pablo, though there probably was a fan or two who applauded for the latter.

Verlander got Victor Robles to pop up to begin the game, but Julio Rodriguez hit an opposite-field cheapie to the first row atop the 24-foot Willie Mays wall in right-center field to give the Mariners a 1-0 lead. I have still yet to determine whether Rodriguez used the abomination known as the “torpedo bat.” Whether it was a cheapie or not, and whether or not J-Rod is using the torpedo bat, it would just be the start of an insane afternoon at the ballpark.

The Giants got the run back against Mariners’ starter Luis F. Castillo in the bottom of the first inning. LaMonte Wade Jr., who came into today’s game 1-for-19 on the young season, roped a double down the right field line, and he scored on a two-out infield hit off the bat of Matt Chapman.

Verlander settled down with a 1-2-3 top of the second, and the Giants again pounced off Castillo in the bottom of the second. Wilmer Flores lined a base-hit to left, and Patrick Bailey reached on a bunt single.

Tyler Fitzgerald laid down a bunt to move the runners over to second and third, but Castillo bobbled the ball, and the Giants had the bases loaded with nobody out. Wade then came up and lined another double to right, and this scored a pair to give the Giants a 3-1 lead.

Verlander ran into trouble in the top of the third, as the Mariners loaded the bases with one out. Randy Arozarena walked to make it 3-2, and Jorge Polanco lined a base-hit up the middle to tie it at 3-3. That did it for Verlander, who threw 65 pitches through two and third innings.

Randy Rodriguez got out of the inning without any further damage, and then he proceeded to throw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth.

Castillo was also done early, as he was pulled after throwing a scoreless bottom of the third.

Tayler Saucedo was the new pitcher for Seattle in the bottom of the fourth. Willy Adames reached on an infield hit with one out and stole second. Jung Hoo Lee grounded a base-hit up the middle, which scored Adames to put the Giants back ahead 4-3.

Mariners Manager Dan Wilson pulled Saucedo for Collin Snider, who walked Chapman to move Lee to second. That brought up Heliot Ramos, who continued his hot start with a base-hit to right. Lee Scored, and the Giants were up 5-3.

Lou Trivino was the new pitcher for the Giants in the top of the fifth. Unfortunately, the Mariners tied the game again, as Jorge Polanco hit a two-run home run to right.

Snider retired the first two men he faced in the bottom of the fifth, but Wade, who already had a pair of doubles, barely beat out a triple to right. The Mariners challenged the call by Third Base Umpire John Libka, but the call was upheld. Adames then lined a double to left, and just like that the Giants retook a 6-5 lead.

Camilo Doval, who was the Giants’ closer until last August, and who had gotten the save on Sunday in Cincinnati, was summoned for the top of the sixth. Doval got J.P. Crawford looking on a cutter on the outside corner to start the inning, but Victor Robles and Rodriguez both singled and stole third and second respectively on a double steal.

Cal Raleigh was now at the plate, and he hit a ground ball to second that went under the glove of second-baseman Tyler Fitzgerald. Robles and Rodriguez scored, and the Mariners were now back ahead 7-6. Arozarena lined out to first for the second out, but Raleigh, who had stolen third, scored on an infield hit by Jorge Polanco, and that made it 8-6.

Eduard Bazardo, who finished the bottom of the fifth was back out in the bottom of the sixth. Matt Chapman had an immediate response with a home run to left-center to make it 8-7.

Ramos reached on an infield hit, and Mike Yastrzemski moved him over to third with a base-hit to right. Wilmer Flores struck out, but Patrick Bailey got Ramos in when he grounded into a fielder’s choice.

The Mariners loaded the bases against lefty Erik Miller in the top of the seventh, but Miller was able to get out of it without any damage. Gabe Speier then came in and followed that up with a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh.

Tyler Rogers threw a scoreless top of the eighth for the Giants, and Trent Thornton did the same for the Mariners in the bottom of the eighth.

Bob Melvin brought in his closer, Ryan Walker, for the top of the ninth. It was a luxury Melvin had with his team at home, and Walker rewarded his skipper with a scoreless top of the ninth.

The Giants had already won two of their last three home openers with walk-off hits. Austin Slater infamously sent Darin Ruf on the move with a walk-off double down the left field line in the season opener against the Miami Marlins on April 8, 2022. In the Giants’ home opener against the San Diego Padres on April 5, 2024, Thairo Estrada sent everyone home happy with a walk-off double to left-center.

The Giants were in prime position to make it three walk-offs in four years against Gregory Santos in the bottom of the ninth. Patrick Bailey doubled to lead off the inning, and Christian Koss pinch-ran and got to third on a wild pitch. Unfortunately, the Giants were unable to come through, and we went to extras for some Manfred Ball.

Spencer Bivens survived a Manfred-induced jam in the top of the 10th, and Andres Munoz did the same for Seattle in the bottom of the 10th.

Julio Rodriguez was up with the bases loaded and two outs against Bivens in the top of the 11th. Bivens’ first pitch to J-Rod was a cutter that sailed to the backstop, and Luke Raley scored to give Seattle a 9-8 lead.

Wilson brought in Carlos Vargas for the bottom of the 11th, and Wilmer Flores was the Manfred runner at second for the Giants. Luis Matos pinch-ran for Flores and advanced to third on a soft ground out by catcher Sam Huff.

Tyler Fitzgerald walked on a nut-cutter 3-2 slider right on the outside that Home Plate Umpire Sean Barber did not give to Vargas. Fitzgerald stole second for the Giants’ fourth stolen base of the game, but Wade struck out looking for the second out.

The Giants were down to their final out, just as they were on March 27 in the season opener in Cincinnati. That brought up the new Giant, Willy Adames, with a chance to be the hero. Like Wade, Adames was off to a rough start, but came up to the plate 2-for-6 on the afternoon.

Adames lined the first pitch he saw into right field for a base-hit. Matos scored to tie the game, and as Third Base Coach Matt Williams waived in Fitzgerald, Mariners’ right-fielder Victor Robles double clutched, and that allowed Fitzgerald to slide in ahead of the tag. The game was finally over, and the Giants won it 10-9.

When all was said and done, Spencer Bivens got the win, and Gregory Santos was saddled with the loss.

It was another incredible hard-fought win for the Giants, who are off to their first 6-1 start since 2010.

Adames went 3-for-7, and Wade went 3-for-6. Ramos had another big game, as he went 3-for-5, but he also struck out for the 12th time already this season. Patrick Bailey very quietly today.

With their four stolen bases today, the Giants have 10 stolen bags through their first seven games. For those of you wondering, it took the Giants 22 games to steal 10 bases last season. The only other time the Giants have stolen 10 bases in their first seven games in their history in San Francisco was in 1960.

The Giants will try and make it 7-1 tomorrow, as they will send Robby Ray (1-0, 5.06 ERA) to the mound. Bryce Miller (0-1, 4.76 ERA) will make the start for Seattle. First pitch will be at 6:05 p.m.

Extra-Inning Surge Lifts A’s to Wild 6-3 Win Over Rockies in 11 innings; Sac’s 4 game skid comes to an end

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Sacramento A’s hitter JJ Bleday swings and fouls off a pitch against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Fri Apr 4, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

In a game that felt more like a rollercoaster than a ballgame, the Athletics finally gave their early season something to smile about with a 6-3 win over the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver.

After a four-game skid and a week defined by frustrating losses and bullpen blowups, the green and gold clawed their way to a gritty 6-3 extra-inning win over the Rockies on Friday afternoon. It took 11 innings, four relievers, and one clutch swing from rookie Jacob Wilson to get it done.

But for the first time in a week, it was worth the wait.

Tied 3-3 in the 11th, Wilson stepped up with two outs and runners on second and third. The 22-year-old, already riding a seven-game hit streak to start the season, ripped a go-ahead single to right field, scoring both JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers. Just like that, the A’s had a 5-3 lead.

It marked Wilson’s second RBI of the night and his tenth hit in just 25 at-bats this season. He’s now the first Athletic since Billy Butler in 2015 to hit safely in the team’s first eight games.

Gio Urshela added an insurance run with a double to right, capping the three-run frame and giving A’s closer Mason Miller the cushion he needed.

Miller, the 100-mph fireballer who’s struck out seven of the nine batters he’s faced this year, sealed the win in style. A walk, a groundout, and a game-ending strikeout of Ezequiel Tovar (his second of the night) was all she wrote.

The green and gold had their third win of the year. And for once, it didn’t come off as a home run.

The A’s opened the scoring early, manufacturing a first-inning run off a string of sharp singles. Tyler Soderstrom, who entered tied for the major-league lead in go-ahead home runs, knocked in JJ Bleday to make it 1-0.

From there, the game turned into a tug-of-war.

The Rockies tied it in the bottom of the first on a sac fly by Ryan McMahon, then again in the fourth on an RBI double from Kyle Farmer. Jacob Wilson briefly tilted the scales back in Sacramento’s favor with a solo homer in the fourth, and a throwing error by Colorado shortstop Ezequiel Tovar in the sixth opened the door for another A’s run to make it 3-2.

Colorado fought back in the eighth when rookie Jordan Beck lined a game-tying RBI single to left, sending the game into extra frames.

But where the A’s bullpen had crumbled throughout the week, posting a 7.03 ERA entering the game, Friday was a different story.

Justin Sterner, José Leclerc, Noah Murdock, and finally Miller combined for six scoreless innings. Murdock, especially, was impressive under pressure, working out of a bases-loaded jam in the tenth after intentionally walking two Rockies.

“Clutch” doesn’t always come with power. Sometimes, it looks like calm nerves and a good two-seamer.

This marks the A’s seventh win in their last 11 meetings with Colorado and continues a trend of success at Coors Field, where they’ve now won six of their last eight.

They’ll try to make it two in a row tomorrow behind JP Sears.

But for Friday night, under the thin air of the Rockies and the weight of a losing streak finally snapped, the A’s can sleep well tonight.

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips: Giants off to a hitting start; SF home opener Friday at Oracle

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San Francisco Giants Heliot Ramos (17) is thrilled about hitting a double off the Houston Astros in the top of the second inning at Daikin Park in Houston on Wed Apr 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Morris Phillips:

#1 San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores, Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr all hit home runs as the Giants defeated the Houston Astros 6-3 at Daikin Park in Houston on Wednesday. The win help complete a three game sweep.

#2 This is the fourth time that Flores has hit a homer this season and has hit only four last season in 71 games. Flores is tied with a pretty good circle of hitters for home runs Aaron Judge, Kyle Tucker, and Seiya Suzuki for second most home runs in MLB.

#3 Flores didn’t waste anytime getting things started in the first inning with his home run in the top of the first putting the ball in the left field seats off Astros starter Framber Valdez. The Matos home run was a blast to center field and made it 3-0.

#4 The Giants Heliot Ramos hit a double with an out and now has a six game extra base streak going that started this season. Ramos tied former Giant Felipe (1963). Ramos’ double scored two runs to make it 5-0.

#5 The Giants return from their road trip to host the Seattle Mariners at Oracle Park in San Francisco for a 1:35pm PDT first pitch. Starter for the Mariners Bryce Miller 0-1 ERA 4.76 for the Giants Justin Verlander 0-0 ERA 3.60.

Join Morris for the Giants podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Cubs Sweep A’s with Dominant 10-2 Victory in First Day Game at Sutter Health Park

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A’s starter Jeffrey Springs throws in the A’s 10-2 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday afternoon. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO–In what was a week of firsts for the Sacramento A’s, the A’s and Cubs played the first day game at Sutter Health Park on Wednesday. The A’s tried to avoid a sweep by the Cubs on a chilly afternoon, with the first pitch thrown at 12:35 p.m. local time. Unfortunately for A’s fans, they’ll have to wait until the next homestand for the team’s first win at Sutter Health Park. The Cubs defeated the A’s convincingly, 10-2, to complete the sweep in Sacramento.

In a series where not much went right for the A’s, Wednesday proved no different. The Cubs jumped ahead early again, putting up a crooked number in the second inning by scoring four runs off A’s starter Jeffrey Springs. After allowing the runs, Springs was visibly frustrated, seen punching the dugout wall upon returning to the bench. The Cubs continued applying pressure, adding another run in the third inning to extend their lead to 5-0.

However, the A’s showed signs of life in their half of the third inning when Brent Rooker blasted a two-run homer to left field, scoring Lawrence Butler and cutting the deficit to 5-2.

Unfortunately, that was all the offense Sacramento could muster. The A’s were held scoreless for the remainder of the game, while the Cubs continued adding runs to turn the matchup into a blowout under the Sacramento sun.

Springs lasted just three innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits with four walks and three strikeouts. Cubs hitters stayed hot, scoring three more runs in the fourth inning off A’s reliever Mitch Spence, who surrendered three hits over two innings pitched.

Angel Perdomo allowed the final two runs of the game during his one and one-third innings of work, giving up one hit. The remaining A’s bullpen—Leclerc, Ferguson, and Miller—combined for two and two-thirds scoreless innings to close out the afternoon.

The A’s were swept by the Cubs, losing Wednesday’s finale 10-2.

Up Next: The A’s travel to Denver to take on the Rockies on Friday at 1:10 p.m. PST. They’ll play three games in Denver before returning home. Friday starters for Sacramento RHP Osvaldo Bido 1-0 ERA 1.80 vs. Colorado who has not named a starter.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Athletics traded Latino Player and American League record holder

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Former Oakland A’s 2023 base stealing leader Estuery Ruiz was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wed Apr 2, 2025. The A’s will be getting right hand pitcher minor leaguer Carlos Duran (AP News file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

The Athletics traded Latino Player and American League record holder

By Amaury Pi-González

Esteury Ruíz, the speedy outfielder for the A’s who established the current American League record for stolen bases by a rookie in 2023 with the Oakland A’s, is now wearing the blue and white uniform of the World Champion Los Angeles Dodgers.

In return, the Dodgers shipped to Sacramento Minor League right-handed Carlos Durán. Although I have not spoken with Esteury since his departure, I wish him nothing but the best, a hard working and good young player who at least is lucky to leave the A’s and going to the best team and organization in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers, a much more cohesive system with young players will probably benefit young Dominican and make him a better player.

It has been challenging for the A’s organization to keep a good Latino player long enough to be identified by the A’s fans. The latest that comes to mind was Cuban Yoenis Céspedes, who was happy playing for the A’s in Oakland, as he always told me and in one occasion when the A’s asked me to interpret for him in front of a group of Oakland A’s fans. Céspedes played the first three of his eight-year career in the major leagues with the Athletics. For the A’s, the Céspedes story is nothing new.

It is difficult for a good Latino players to stay with this organization. In 2003 Miguel Tejada (Dominican) was traded, because the team claimed they could not afford him because they were a “small market team”,an excuse for saying they actually do not want to spend the money for good players.

The Bay Area is not a small market if you call an area with 7 million people “small” (at the time Tejada was traded) it was a two-team major league market, Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. This past season, during an A’s player reunion, the last one at Oakland, Miguel Tejada came to our KIQI 1010AM Bay Area-KATD 990AM Sacramento broadcast booth at the Oakland Coliseum.

He told me during an interview during the game, “siempre me gustó jugar aqui en Oakland, estos son buenos fanáticos” trans-:”I always enjoyed playing here in Oakland, these are good fans”.Miguel Tejada won the AL MVP in 2002 while playing for the Oakland Athletics. He was a six-time All-Star and the MVP for the 2005 All-Star Game, earning two Silver Slugger Awards in 2004 & 2005.

Decades before Miguel Tejada, another Latino shortstop played for the A’s, Dagoberto Blanco (Campy) Campaneris, from Cuba, he played shortstop for the A’s during their dynasty of three-World Series championships. 1972-73-74. During his 19 seasons in the majors, Campy played 9 seaons with the Oakland A’s.

In the Bay Area, San Francisco, Oakland, and San José, have a large Hispanic population of about 30%, represented at least 20% in every county, including the affluent Marin County, the least in proportion. As far as Media market, the Bay Area ranks #5 in the country.

The A’s present home is Sacramento, which is the #20 media market in the country, but ‘there is more!’ After Sacramento, in about three years, they keep going backward (as planned) to Las Vegas, which is the #40 media market in the United States. I believe this is unprecedented in the history of Major League Baseball, maybe in the history of all pro-sports in the US.

For Esteury Ruíz at the end of the day, leaving the A’s and landing with the Dodgers could be the break of his life.

About Trades: Jesse Chávez, pitcher, is the most traded player in MLB history, traded a total of ten times.

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

Giants Beat Astros In Series Sweep 6-3 at Daikin Park

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants Wilmer Flores rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run against the Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez in the top of the first inning. Flores is greeted by third base coach Matt Williams (9). (AP News photo)

San Francisco’s Wilmer Flores continues to hit those deep balls with teammates Luis Matos and LaMonte Wade Jr. chiming in Wednesday hitting a couple of their own as they beat the Houston Astros in a sweep, 6-3 in the finale at Daikin Park in Houston.

The Giants finished the game with six hits and six runs and it doesn’t get any better than that. It has been a great start for San Francisco who now will head home to Oracle with a 5-1 record.

Game recap: San Francisco could not have asked for a better start in this game. They got started early and kept the pressure on the Astros from the get go. Wilmer Flores continued the great series he has been having hitting a home run in the first inning with Willy Adames on base taking a 2-0 lead.

There was no letdown for the Giants hitting their second home run of the game in the second inning off the bat of Luis Matos, a solo shot giving San Francisco a 3-0 lead. There was more from San Francisco in the same inning when Heliot Ramos doubled base runners Tyler Fitzgerald and Mike Yastrzemski home and the Giants had struck again taking a 5-0 lead.

The Astros got on the board in bottom of the second inning scoring one run. Zach Dezenzo singled Jeremy Pena home for their only run of the game so far still trailing significantly 5-1. Although early in the game the Giants were putting up a great offensive effort against Astro pitcher Framber Valdez which is not an easy task. Valdez did have five strikeouts but he did allow four hits and five earned going five innings.

Houston scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning cutting the Giants lead more than in half 5-3 giving the Astros new life. Yordan Alvarez singled base runners Jose Altuve and Chas McCormick home. Houston still had four innings left to do some more damage but needed their defense to keep the Giants off the board in the later innings.

The Giants had five scoreless innings but struck again in the eighth inning with a LaMonte Wade Jr. home run, San Francisco’s third deep ball of the game. Relief pitching kept the Astros off the board for the final four innings and the Giants had their first sweep of the season 6-3.

Even though the Astros had more hits in the game than San Francisco they did not capitalize on those hits and their season record fell to 2-4. San Francisco now has a 5-1 season record as they now head home for their home opener on Friday night. This will be an especially special game for fans as they not only celebrate their first home game of the season but also 25 years at Oracle Park.

San Francisco starting pitcher Landen Roupp had a good game with a lot confidence. He has a great curve ball although as the innings wore on that pitch at times became predictable thus allowing those runs from the Astros. He allowed four hits and three earned runs with eight strikeouts.

Game notes: Wednesday the Giants took on the Astros in game three of their series getting the sweep after winning games one and two. On the mound for the Giants was Landen Roupp who pitched effective baseball against the Astros. The Astros starter Framber Valdez pitched five innings giving up four hits and five runs. The Giants have had a great start on this young season and kept it going in this series.

Going home to Oracle for the home opener on Friday, the Giants will welcome the Seattle Mariners to San Francisco for a three game series. The festivities are slated to start at 1:35 PM in a day-game matchup with 40,000 plus fans on hand.

Seattle will start Bryce Miller 0-1 ERA 4.76. For San Francisco Justin Verlander 0-0 ERA 3.60 looking for a better start than he had against the Reds in the 3-2 loss last Saturday, not the debut he wanted.

Cubs Strike Early Again, Spoil A’s Bid for First Win at Sutter Health Park 7-4

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Shai Langeliers touches home plate and is congratulated by Brent Rooker after hitting a two-run homer in the A’s 7-4 loss to the Cubs on Tuesday night. (Photo: Athletics on Instagram)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

The Sacramento A’s returned to action for game two at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Tuesday night. After suffering an 18-3 blowout loss to the Chicago Cubs on Monday, the Athletics aimed for redemption in their new home ballpark. Luis Severino took the mound for the A’s, hoping to deliver the club’s first victory at Sutter Health Park. However, the offense couldn’t rally late, and the A’s ultimately fell 7-4 to the Cubs.

As they did on Monday, the Cubs quickly jumped ahead with three runs in the first inning courtesy of a Seiya Suzuki homer on a 94 MPH sinker down the middle from Severino. From that point on, the Cubs maintained the lead.

The A’s responded in the bottom of the second inning, as Brent Rooker blasted a two-run homer to left field, scoring Lawrence Butler. This narrowed the gap to 3-2, giving Sacramento momentum heading into the third inning.

After a scoreless second inning, Severino surrendered two more runs in the third on a Kyle Tucker home run and a Dansby Swanson RBI double. The A’s again battled back, with Shea Langeliers hitting a two-run shot in the bottom half of the inning, scoring Rooker, trimming the deficit to 5-4.

Despite the A’s resilience, their offense stalled from there. The Cubs added another run in the fourth when Ian Happ drove in Pete Crow-Armstrong with a sacrifice fly to center field, extending the lead to 6-4.

Severino concluded his night with scoreless fifth and sixth innings, ending with six innings pitched, allowing six hits, six runs (five earned), three walks, and six strikeouts. Although the final stat line may not reflect it, Severino delivered a solid outing overall.

Reliever T.J. McFarland allowed another run in the seventh inning on a Justin Turner RBI single, pushing the score to 7-4 Cubs. McFarland recorded just one out in his brief appearance. A’s relievers Ferguson and Sterner combined to pitch the final two and two-thirds innings without allowing any further runs.

The Athletics went quietly in the ninth, dropping the second game of the series 7-4. Cubs starter Justin Steele earned the win, pitching six and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs on seven hits while striking out six. Severino was credited with the loss, and Ryan Pressly secured his second save of the year for Chicago.

The A’s will aim to avoid the sweep on Wednesday, facing the Cubs again at 12:35 PM at Sutter Health Park.

Giants Take Series Lead Beating Astros 3-1

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By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb delivers against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Tue Apr 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

The San Francisco Giants (4-1) won their third straight game in a row beating the Houston Astros (2-3) 3-1. The Giants only had four hits cashing in for three runs and Houston had seven hits in the game but only the one run. Heliot Ramos had the only home run of the game as San Francisco now has a 4-1 season record.

Game recap: Both pitchers breezed through the first and second innings. Logan Webb allowed one hit in the two innings and Hayden Wesneski had not allowed a single hit.

The Giants got something going in the third inning when Astro pitcher Wesneski walked two runners, Patrick Bailey and Christian Koss, in a row with no outs and the top of the lineup coming to bat. San Francisco was looking at a golden opportunity.

The top of the batting order LaMonte Wade Jr. struck out for the first out in the inning but Willy Adames hit a line drive to left field driving Bailey and Koss home and the Giants had a 2-0 lead. Jung Hoo Lee lined out and Matt Chapman struck out for the third out. The Astros had one hit in the third inning but a strikeout and a double play sent the game into the fourth inning.

The Giants extended their lead in the fourth inning when Heliot Ramos homered to left and San Francisco had a 3-0 advantage. The Astros got out of the inning but there was some action in the Houston bullpen as Taylor Scott warmed up indicating possible changes in the fifth inning. In the bottom of the fourth inning the Astros got on the board off the bat of the veteran Jose Altuve who homered to left and it was a 3-1 ball game.

The game headed into the fifth inning and Wesneski remained on the mound for Houston. Neither team scored and it was on to the sixth inning, in fact the fifth, sixth and seventh innings were quiet for both teams. Through seven innings the Giants had three hits cashing in on all of them and Houston had seven.

The Giants pitcher Tyler Rogers took over on the mound in the eighth inning giving up two hits but got out of the inning. The Giants continued to lead 3-1 going into the ninth inning. Other than a Houston pitcher error, Astro pitcher Bryan King struck out Wilmer Flores, Patrick Bailey and Casey Schmitt and Houston had one last chance in the bottom of the ninth inning. It was a three and out for Houston and that was the ball game with San Francisco winning their third game in a row 3-1.

Game notes: Tuesday evening the Giants faced the Astros in game two of their series. While it is early in the season, the Giants have already shown some encouraging improvement over last season. Since their season opener they have scored 21 runs some of which came on a two out count. They have been bringing base runners home and not leaving them stranded.

Saturday the Giants starter Logan Webb went to the mound and pitched five innings giving up seven hits and a run. The Astros righty Hayden Wesneski pitched five innings, giving up two hits and three runs.

Game three of this series is slated for a 1:10 PM PDT first pitch. Landen Roupp will take the mound for the Giants with a 3.58 ERA. The Astros will be looking to pitcher Framber Valdez to salvage at least one game in this series.