Category: Sacramento A’s

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Royals Witt Runs Wild as Three Homers Go to Waste in A’s 9-5 loss

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Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr hits a two run home run in the bottom of the second inning against the Sacramento A’s at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Mon Aug 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics scored first, but Kansas City Royals ensurerd the early lead did not last coming back later to defeat the A’s 9-5 at Kaufman Stadium Monday night. Jeff McNeil opened the game with a solo home run to right, continuing a second-half surge that had him batting .380 since the All-Star break. Henry Bolte and Zack Gelof followed with singles, giving the A’s a chance to build something bigger, but Carlos Cortes grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Kansas City answered with three runs in the bottom half. Bobby Witt Jr. drew a walk, Jac Caglianone singled, and a Mason Barnett wild pitch moved both runners up. Maikel Garcia tied the game with an RBI single before Salvador Perez brought home two more with a two-run single to center. The Royals were ahead 3-1, and they never trailed again.

Barnett’s trouble continued in the second. Kyle Isbel drew a walk, advanced on another wild pitch, and scored when Witt launched a two-run homer to left-center. In the third, Michael Massey singled, Isaac Collins drew a walk, and Isbel drove in Massey with a single for a 6-1 lead. Hayden Juenger replaced Barnett after 2 2/3 innings. Barnett allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out two. He had entered the game with an 8.78 ERA in his first three starts of the season after beginning the year as a reliever.

There was a little baseball symmetry in Barnett’s assignment. Kansas City originally drafted him in 2022 before trading him to the A’s with Will Klein and Jared Dick for Lucas Erceg in 2024. Erceg would later pitch the ninth inning for the Royals against the team that acquired Barnett.

The A’s finally broke through against Michael Wacha in the fifth. Tommy White led off with a solo homer, his second major league home run and his second in as many games after hitting the first of his career a day earlier. Donovan Walton followed with a double, moved to third on Alika Williams’ flyout, and scored when Brian Serven hit a two-run homer to left. In a span of four batters, the Athletics had cut a five-run deficit to 6-4.

Kansas City answered again in the sixth. Witt singled, stole second and scored on Caglianone’s RBI single against Scott Blewett, pushing the lead to 7-4. The Royals added two more in the eighth against Seth Johnson. Carter Jensen doubled, Witt doubled him home, and Caglianone followed with another RBI single. Witt finished 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI, four runs scored, a walk and a stolen base. Caglianone added three hits and two RBI.

The A’s had one last opening in the ninth. Cortes singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and White and Walton drew walks to load the bases with nobody out. Steven Cruz replaced Erceg and got pinch-hitter Jonah Heim to ground into a double play. Cortes scored, but White was left at third with two outs. Serven then grounded out to finish the 9-5 loss.

Those double plays were more than a one-game annoyance. The Athletics entered the game fourth in the majors with 95 grounded-into double plays, then added three more against Kansas City. The first erased a promising opening inning, the second wiped out Butler’s leadoff single in the sixth, and the third turned a bases-loaded ninth into a single run.

The Green and Gold will try to square the series Tuesday as Jack Perkins (2-9, 7.27 ERA, 94 strikeouts) faces left-hander Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 2.88 ERA, 40 strikeouts), with first pitch scheduled for 4:40 p.m. Pacific.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sushi Paradise Sacramento/Sportstalk podcast Mon Aug 17, 2026:

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Sushi Paradise 1200 K St downtown Sacramento podcast cast left going up Stephen Ruderman (SF Giants beat writer), Amaury Pi Gonzalez (That’s Amaury News and Commentary), Mauricio Segura (host/ Sacramento A’s beat writer), Lee Leonard (producer), right side going up: Lilly (friend of Steve Sax), Steve Sax (A’s TV analyst), Vince Cestone (SF Giants beat writer), Paul Malolot (IT technican).

Sushi Paradise Sacramento/ Sportstalk podcast Monday Aug 17, 2026:

Welcome to another edition of Sportstalk I’m your host Mauricio Segura (Golden Bay Times/host) with my co hosts, Steve Sax (Sacramento A’s TV analyst), Vince Cestone (SF Giants reporter) Stephen Ruderman (SF Giants beat writer), Amaury Pi Gonzalez (That’s Amaury News and Commentary), my producer Lee Leonard. Our special guest for tonight’s program is the former great second baseman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Sacramento A’s TV and radio color analyst Steve Sax.

Tonight were podcasting from Sacramento’s favorite Japanese Restaurant for Sushi, Teriyaki and many other fine Japanese dishes Sushi Paradise at 1200 K Street in downtown Sacramento call 916-329-8281. Our thanks to Sushi Paradise owner Anson and manager Ray for their kind invitations to have Sportstalk here to do this podcast remote at the wonderful Sushi Paradise in downtown Sacramento.

Sushi Paradise stands out as a premier destination for sushi lovers, combining exceptional culinary artistry with a welcoming atmosphere. With a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced from local markets and beyond, this establishment offers an impressive selection of sushi rolls that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.

Customers have praised the vibrant presentation of dishes, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail that defines the brand’s culinary philosophy. The menu features a harmonious blend of traditional sushi offerings alongside creative twists, ensuring there is something for everyone, from classic favorites to unique specialty rolls. The inviting ambiance and friendly, attentive staff contribute to an enjoyable dining experience, making each visit feel special.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s open up six game road trip in Kansas City Monday night

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Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler (4) celebrates his home run with Tommy White (47) In the bottom of the second inning against the Texas Rangers on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Sacramento A’s Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler both hit two run home runs and Tommy White had his first MLB home run as the A’s defeated the Texas Rangers 5-2 Sunday at Sutter Health Park.

#2 This was the first time the A’s won a home series since Jun 12-14 against the Colorado Rockies at Las Vegas Ballpark and they won their first series at Sutter Health Park bac on Apr 28-30 against the Kansas City Royals.

#3 A’s starter Jacob Lopez struck out six hitter and allowed two runs on five hits to get his first win after making four starts.

#4 A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson is walking a tight rope after mishanding a ground ball in the top of the fourth it was ruled a hit and kept his 114 game errorless streak alive.

#5 The A’s travel to Kansas City to face the Royals Monday night starting pitchers for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (1-3 ERA 6.16) for Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (5-8 ERA 3.46) first pitch 4:40pm PDT.

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Sunday 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

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Bolte Sets the Table and Gelof Clears It; A’s take 3 game set from Rangers with 5-2 win

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Sacramento A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) attempts to bare hand the ball and was not called for an error as Wilson’t 114 consecutive errorless streak stays alive against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Athletics were in a 2-2 tie with Texas when Zack Gelof’s single swing turned the game in the A’s favor. With Henry Bolte aboard after his third single of the game, Gelof drove Jakob Junis’ pitch over the wall in right-center for a two-run homer in the seventh, giving the A’s a 4-2 lead they never relinquished. Tommy White added the finishing touch an inning later with the first home run of his Major League career, and the Athletics beat the Rangers 5-2 to take the three-game series Sunday.

All five Athletics runs scored on home runs, but the offense was hardly all-or-nothing. The A’s collected 13 hits, with Bolte going 3-for-5 and Gelof, White, Lawrence Butler and Max Muncy each producing two hits. Butler supplied the first big swing in the second.

After White singled, Butler drove Cody Bradford deep to right for a two-run homer that turned a 1-0 Texas lead into a 2-1 Athletics advantage. It was Butler’s 11th homer of the season and continued a productive stretch after he had already homered in three straight games earlier in the week.

Texas answered in the third. Wyatt Langford drew a leadoff walk, advanced on a wild pitch and reached third on Brandon Nimmo’s single. Jake Burger then grounded into a force play that brought Langford home and tied the game. Burger was responsible for both Rangers runs. He had opened the scoring with a solo homer in the second and finished 3-for-4.

The Athletics had opportunities to move ahead earlier, but their baserunning created some trouble. Bolte was caught stealing in the first, and Gelof was thrown out trying to take third in the third after an Athletics challenge failed to overturn the call. The A’s also left runners at the corners in the fourth. Bradford and the Texas bullpen kept the score even until Gelof finally broke through in the seventh.

That swing carried extra weight for Gelof, who had been reinstated from the injured list less than a week earlier after a right knee laceration sidelined him for a month. He entered the game with two home runs in five starts since returning, then added another at the most important moment of the series. His return has provided a boost for a roster that has spent much of the season dealing with injuries.

Jacob Lopez gave the Athletics exactly what they needed on the mound. The left-hander worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six. He settled down after Burger’s homer and the tying run in the third, holding Texas scoreless over his final three innings. Lopez also continued a much better run since returning from Triple-A, where he had posted a 3.16 ERA over his previous seven appearances entering the game.

Luis Medina handled the seventh and struck out two around an Evan Carter double. Elvis Alvarado and Drew Rom combined for a scoreless eighth, and Hogan Harris retired the Rangers in order in the ninth, striking out Cody Freeman and Joc Pederson around an Elias Díaz groundout to finish it.

White’s milestone provided the final exclamation point. The rookie had built his early Major League résumé mostly with singles after being promoted from Triple-A last month. Leading off the eighth, he drove a 2-0 fastball from Peyton Gray 413 feet to center for his first big-league homer. White finished 2-for-4, and the blast gave the Athletics a three-run cushion. MLB reported that 22 of White’s first 24 Major League hits had been singles before his breakthrough homer.

The victory also ended a long home-series drought. The A’s had not won a series in Sacramento since taking two of three from Kansas City in late April and had gone 0-12-1 in their previous 13 series there. They also entered the finale having lost nine consecutive home day games. This time, three home runs, a steady starter and three scoreless bullpen innings were enough to change both streaks.

Next up, the Athletics open a four-game series in Kansas City with Mason Barnett (1-3, 6.16 ERA, 36 K) facing Michael Wacha (5-8, 3.46 ERA, 117 K), with first pitch scheduled Monday for 4:40 p.m. Pacific.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s come back from behind score two runs in eighth beat Rangers 5-2

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Sacramento A’s Zack Gelof runs the bases after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

Barbara Mason on the Sacramento A’s podcast:

1.The game between the Texas Rangers and the Sacramento A’s was tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning when this game completely turned around in favor of the Green and Gold.

2.It was an outstanding offensive effort for the Athletics in the later innings after a rather ugly game in the earlier innings.

3. Athletics Pitching could not have done any better from the starting pitcher to the four relievers that got the job done Sunday.

4.This was a great game and a great series win and a chance to see the future of the Athletics on the field in these young guys that are loaded with talent and only getting better.

5.Next up for the Athletics will be another cellar team the Kansas City Royals Monday late afternoon at Kaufmann Stadium.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Bolte Homers, but A’s Can’t Hold Off Rangers in 5-3 Loss

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J.T. Ginn #35 of the Athletics pitches during the top of the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 15, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Coming off a sweep at the hands of the Rays in their last series, the A’s bounced back on Friday against the Rangers as they took game one of the three-game series, 8-3. On Saturday, the A’s and Rangers faced off in game two of the series at 6:41 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park.

Thanks to a big sixth inning, the Rangers managed to just edge the A’s in a 5-3 tilt on Saturday night.

J.T. Ginn got the start for the A’s, which was his 22nd start in 25 appearances with the club this year. Ginn has made big strides over what he was a year ago for the A’s, proving more mature and able to work himself deep into games. On Saturday, Ginn ran into a bit of trouble immediately in the first inning, but he managed to work out of it and cruised through the fourth inning of the game. However, it was the fifth and sixth innings that did Ginn in as he gave up four runs across those two innings. All in, Ginn managed to get through six innings of work while surrendering four runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out seven.

“J.T. obviously has been our best this year,” Mark Kotsay said after the game. “So overall, a line like this in this ballpark, four runs, six innings, you don’t walk off here saying it’s not a battle. He had seven punchouts, I think one walk. So maybe not his best night, but he gave us a chance to win the game.”

First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Brady Basso as he came on to relieve Ginn in the seventh inning. Basso pitched well in his outing as he went one and two-thirds innings of work while allowing no runs on one hit and striking out two.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Scott Blewett to wrap up the eighth inning, but Blewett didn’t throw any pitches in the eighth as the A’s executed a pickoff at first base to record the last out of the inning. It was Blewett back out to finish the game in the ninth inning. Scott wasn’t able to pitch a clean ninth as the Rangers got to him for a run to extend their lead to 5-3 heading into the bottom half. Blewett was able to get out of the ninth, limiting the damage as the Rangers scored one run on two hits while striking out once and walking one time against Blewett in his inning and a third of work.

The A’s offense appeared to be hot early, but they finished the game scoring just three runs on eight hits and walking three times.

The A’s recorded their first runs of the game in the second inning when Henry Bolte came up with the clutch two-out knock. Bolte, with two outs and two on, drove a ball just over the wall in left field that clanked off the outside of the foul pole.

The call was ruled foul after a quick meeting of the umpires, and Mark Kotsay asked for a crew chief review, a request the umpires granted. The review ultimately showed the ball hit the pole, and they correctly ruled it a home run. It was Bolte’s sixth home run of the season and gave him RBIs 23, 24 and 25 on the season. The ball traveled 341 feet and left Bolte’s bat at 102.1 mph and at a 22-degree launch angle to give the A’s the 3-0 lead at the time.

That was all the offense the A’s could muster as they went out in the ninth inning unable to mount a sufficient offensive comeback, or really any offense since the second inning.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 48-75 on the season as the Rangers improved to 61-63.

The A’s and Rangers will play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PDT. The A’s are scheduled to send Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.38 ERA) to the hill to start for them as the Rangers will counter with Cody Bradford (0-1, 2.38 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

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey: McNeil and Butler do some home run damage beating Rangers 8-3

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Jeff McNeil (22) high fives Lawrence Butler (4) after hitting a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning off the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 Sacramento A’s right hander Justin Sterner had right knee surgery in Los Angeles on Thursday. Sterner will miss the remaining of the 2026 season. Sterner came to Sacramento on Friday for rehabilitation process. Sterner had been out since July 17th going 2-3 with a 6.12 ERA over 42.2 innings.

#2 The A’s upended the Texas Rangers on Friday night 8-3 after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in three games.

#3 The A’s opened up the contest scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning off Rangers starter Kumar Rocker when Carlos Cortez hit a three run double to right field making it 3-0.

#4 The A’s Jeff McNeil homered in the sixth inning and Lawrence Butler homered in the seventh inning. making it 5-3. In the bottom eighth inning Henry Bolte hit an infield ground out to score Tommy White making it 6-3 and McNeil hit a two run double to make it 8-3.

#5 Starting pitchers Saturday for the Texas Rangers LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-9 ERA 4.43) for Sacramento RHP JT Ginn (8-6 ERA 3.41) first pitch 1:05pm PDT at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

Tony Harvey does the A’s podcasts each Saturday 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. 

A’s Bounce Back With 8-3 Win Over Rangers Behind McNeil’s Four-Hit Night

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Gage Jump #61 of the Sacramento Athletics pitches during the top of the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a rough three-game series for the Sacramento A’s against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sacramento, where they were swept and outscored 30-14, the A’s welcomed the Rangers to Sutter Health Park for a three-game series on Friday night. After the day game on Wednesday followed by the off day on Thursday, the A’s and Rangers kicked off at 6:40 p.m. PDT under clear skies at a perfect 77 degrees.

The A’s beat the Rangers in game one of the series, 8-3.

Gage Jump took the mound for the A’s in the first game of the series in what was his 14th appearance this year for the A’s (all starts). Jump tried to build off his last outing, which was a six-inning, two-run performance, and he largely did that. Jump cruised through the first five innings on Friday as he faced only four over the minimum (including a fielding error).

However, it was the sixth inning that Jump found himself in trouble. Jump got the first man in the sixth but followed that up with a walk, single and then a three-run, game-tying home run. Kotsay pulled Jump after the home run that spoiled his outing, albeit still leaving with the game tied. Overall, Jump managed five and a third innings, giving up three runs on three hits while walking four and striking out one.

Mark Kotsay thought Jump pitched well, albeit without having his best command.

“Yeah, overall I thought it was a solid outing,” Kotsay said of Jump. “He probably didn’t have the best command of everything tonight, but I thought he worked that lineup really well.”

First out of the bullpen to finish the sixth inning in relief of Jump was Luis Medina. Medina managed to strike out two and get out of the sixth inning with relative ease. Medina again went back out for the seventh inning and was able to record two groundouts before being lifted by Mark Kotsay. Medina finished with a line of one and a third innings of work while allowing no runs and no hits and walking just one batter. Medina struck out two of the five batters he faced.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Drew Rom next out of the bullpen for the A’s. Drew recorded the final out of the seventh and the first out of the eighth before giving up a double and being pulled by the A’s. Overall, Rom faced three hitters and retired two of them in his two-thirds of an inning scoreless.

Elvis Alvarado came on next for the A’s and managed to get the final two outs of the eighth inning without allowing the runner from second (that he inherited) to score. A pumped Elvis walked off the mound after finishing off the Rangers in the eighth with a strikeout and a flyout. Elvis allowed nothing but a walk while striking out one in his two-thirds of an inning of work.

Hogan Harris was the last man out of the bullpen for the A’s as he pitched the ninth inning. Harris pitched a clean ninth inning other than an E5 that caused a runner to reach base.

The A’s offense took advantage of all their opportunities on Friday as they managed eight runs while gathering nine hits and seven walks.

The A’s first runs came in the first inning of the game thanks to some Carlos Cortes heroics. Cortes, with the bases loaded and two outs, drilled a three-RBI double to the right-center field gap to clear the bases in the first inning. It was the 15th double of the year for Cortes and RBIs 33, 34 and 35 for the left-handed outfielder.

The A’s next run came in the sixth inning thanks to Jeff McNeil. McNeil connected on just his fifth home run of the season on a low rope over the bullpen in right-center field. It was RBI No. 37 for McNeil as he gave the A’s back the lead at the time, 4-3. The home run left Jeff’s bat at 101.5 mph and traveled 400 feet with a 26-degree launch angle.

The A’s got back on the board with another run, this time in the seventh inning and courtesy of Lawrence Butler. Butler drove a solo home run over the wall in center field to give the A’s, at the time, the 5-3 lead. It was Butler’s 10th homer of the season and was good for his 34th RBI of the campaign. The ball left Butler’s bat at 103.4 mph and landed 411 feet away from home plate beyond the wall in center field just left of the grass berm.

In the eighth inning, the A’s put a crooked number up to seal the deal against the Rangers. Henry Bolte hit into a fielder’s choice to the catcher, who then threw the ball away down the left-field line. The throwing error by the catcher allowed Tommy White to score and extended the A’s lead to 6-3.

Jeff McNeil, who already had a single, double and home run in the game, stepped up next and ripped a two-RBI double down the right-field line to put the A’s up 8-3. McNeil rounded the corner at second hard but slammed on the brakes as he thought about going for the cycle. It was McNeil’s fourth hit of the game and RBIs 38 and 39 on the season.

With the win, the A’s improved to 48-74 as the Rangers fell to 60-63.

The A’s and Rangers will play game two of the three-game series on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.41 ERA) is scheduled to start for the A’s as the Rangers will send MacKenzie Gore (6-9, 4.43 ERA) to the hill.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: GM Feinstein says it won’t be the same without former GM Forst; A’s starter Perkins says he’s being tested after getting lit up by Rays Wednesday; plus more news

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Jack Perkins struggled in his outing against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wed Aug 12, 2026 at Sutter Health Park (Sports Illustrated)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Dan Feinstein the A’s new general manager spent 25 years working with A’s former general manager David Forst who said Forst was one of his closest friends. Forst was fired as A’s general manager, “So, the last few days have been difficult for me, personally. I have enormous respect for David and the impact he’s made not only on me, but for so many people in this organization for a very long time. Things will not be the same here without him.”

#2 Feinstein said that for the remaing 40 plus games he will get behind A’s manager Mark Kotsay, the staff, the players in trying to win the remaining 44 games.

#3 A’s starter Jack Perkins who struggled against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday pitching five innings allowing 12 hits and six earned runs

#4 Perkins said about his performance, I’m being tested,” Perkins said. “One day it’s the homer. Today, it was the singles. It’s just frustrating. I’m going to keep grinding and see where we go from here. … Right now, it’s tough to look at who I am out there.”

#5 Jeremiah on Tuesday night we saw A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson’s throw go wide at second that missed second baseman Donavon Walton that allowed the Rays runner Richie Palacios to advance to second the throw was ruled a fielders choice error at first by official scorer Mark Honbo but was reversed to just a fielders choice that kept Wilson’s errorless streak at 112 games.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts each Thursday 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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy: Perkins gets lit up for 6 earned runs as Rays sweep A’s in 8-4 win

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Tampa Bay Rays Junior Caminero hits an RBI single during the top of the fourth inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 What went wrong for A’s starter Jack Perkins, and how difficult was it for Sacramento to recover after Tampa Bay built an early lead?

#2 How important were Lawrence Butler’s two-run home run and Zack Gelof’s solo homer in giving the A’s a chance to get back into the game?

#3 What did Carlos Cortes contribute offensively, and did his performance provide a positive sign for the A’s going forward?

#4 How did the A’s pitching staff handle Tampa Bay’s lineup, particularly after the Rays scored seven runs through the first four innings?

#5 What can the A’s take away from the series despite the sweep, and which players—including Lawrence Butler, Zack Gelof and Carlos Cortes—gave fans the most encouraging performances?

Join Bridget Mulcahy does the Sacramento A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com and read her for A’s commentary at the Davis Enterprise

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.