Sacramento A’s – Page 13 – Sports Radio Service

A’s Edge Mariners 5-4 in Series Finale Behind Springs’ Gem

Published on July 31, 2025July 31, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Seattle Mariners in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on July 30, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — On the day before the trade deadline, the A’s and Mariners squared off in the rubber game of a three-game series on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park. The A’s defeated the Mariners to win the series by a final of 5-4.

Jeffrey Springs turned in another terrific outing for the Athletics, his last before the July 31 trade deadline at 3 p.m. PST. Springs tossed six innings of two-hit, one-run ball while striking out seven and walking only one. In reality, Springs’s only blemish was the second batter of the game, when he gave up a solo home run to Julio Rodríguez.

Early on, it appeared the Mariners might be on Springs to start the game, as Randy Arozarena added a single in the inning. However, that was not the case, as Springs retired the next 13 batters and did not surrender another hit.

The A’s bullpen came in and wasn’t perfect but pitched well enough to keep the Mariners at bay and preserve the win. Justin Sterner relieved Jeffrey Springs and gave up one run and two hits in his one inning of work. Jack Perkins came on to pitch the final two innings of the game. Perkins pitched well, and his only hiccup was a solo home run to Randy Arozarena in the top of the ninth inning to pull the Mariners within one run. Perkins then slammed the door, and the Athletics were victorious, 5-4.

The A’s offense continued to hit well as they had over the past week. The A’s got off to another quick start, scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning to take a 2-1 lead over the Mariners.

Brent Rooker homered in the first, followed by an RBI double from Tyler Soderstrom to give the A’s the early advantage. The A’s scored again in the fourth inning when Miguel Andujar hit a solo home run to give the A’s a 3-1 lead. They added another run in the fifth as Darell Hernaiz hit his second major league home run to give the A’s a 4-1 lead heading into the sixth.

The final A’s run came in the form of Miguel Andujar’s first career multi-homer game, as he launched his second of the night in the seventh inning to give the A’s a 5-3 lead. That would be all the A’s needed to secure the win.

With the win, the A’s took the series from the Mariners and improved to 48-63 on the year. The Mariners fell to 57-52.

The A’s will be back in action on Friday night as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in game one of a three-game series. Starting pitchers for Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly (9-6 ERA 3.22) Sacramento pitcher to be determined. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PST on Friday at Sutter Health Park after a day off on Thursday.

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 podcast: Harper-Manfred prelude to Players-MLB CBA battle; Acuna on 10 day IL for Achilles; plus more news

Published on July 30, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bryce Harper of the Philadelphia Phillies in an meeting with MLB Commissioner made his feeling known how he feels about the salary cap that the owners will be proposing after the 2026 CBA expires (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 In speaking with other reporters Amaury the aftermath of the Rob Manfred-Bryce Harper F bomb tirade is considered the first volley as the Players Union and the Commissioner’s office teed off in the clubhouse in Philadelphia as the CBA expires at the end of the next year with a chance that the 2027 season could be locked out.

#2 Ronald Acuna Jr the Atlanta Braves outfielder had to leave Tuesday night’s game against the Kansas City Royals due to tightness in his right Achilles tendon. Acuna was put on the 10 day injured list on Wednesday morning. Aucna was chasing a ball in right field and felt tightness in the Achilles. The Braves medical staff will be checking Acuna Wednesday before their game.

#3 As New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge is out with an arm injury the Yankees traded for outfielder Austin Slater from the Chicago White Sox on Wednesday. The Yankees are trying to strengthen their line up without Judge and might make some more moves before Thursday’s trade deadline. The Sox got minor league pitcher Gage Ziehl for Slater.

#4 Amaury the San Francisco Giants are on a five game losing streak, they have the worst record in baseball since July 9 at 3-12 (.250). People on the talk shows and the sports writers are asking questions. One of those has been is there any difference from the way the club is being ran since former Giants president Farhan Zaidi left to the it’s being ran with team president Buster Posey or it’s neither one of their faults and the buck stops with team CEO Larry Baer who signs off on who comes and goes?

#5 The Sacramento A’s after sweeping the Houston Astros in four games in Houston have won five of their last six games. The A’s are going well getting hitting from their big boppers Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, Nick Kurtz, and Jacob Wilson. They’ve also been getting some great pitching from their starters JP Sears, JT Gin, Jacob Lopez and Luis Severino.

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.

http://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

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 Even Series Behind Severino’s Strong Start

Published on July 30, 2025July 30, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Luis Severino falls in the first inning on Tuesday night after throwing a pitch. (Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics and Seattle Mariners were back in action on Tuesday night in West Sacramento for game two of a three-game series. Led by Luis Severino and their offense, the A’s defeated the Mariners 6-1 at Sutter Health Park.

Luis Severino turned in his best outing in Sacramento since arriving in free agency during the offseason. It wasn’t a spotless outing for Severino, who labored in the first and fourth innings, but it was a much improved showing compared to his previous appearances. All in, Severino tossed five innings of one-run, five-hit baseball. He also walked two and struck out six Mariners hitters.

The first inning didn’t get off to a good start for Severino. Yet, he was able to bounce back. Severino slipped and fell on the mound on his second and third pitches of the game in what appeared to be a grip issue with the foot he toed the rubber with.

“Yeah, I think me and the mound don’t like each other,” Luis Severino said after the game. “… going on there I dunno. Yeah, I just slipped. I feel like the mound is on top, it’s dry and then we dig out and it’s wet. So just those two pitches there, but after that everything was good.”

After Severino got out of the first inning, it was pretty smooth sailing until the fourth, when he gave up a run. A single, stolen base, and a double later, the Mariners would score their first run and only run. However, Luis beared down and managed to get out of the inning without surrendering anything more. Severino was aided by a tremendous play by his rookie shortstop Darell Hernaiz to end the fourth inning on a scorcher right back up the middle.

“Unbelievable play up there. I told him after that inning that I owe him something. I need to buy him something because of that… maybe some shoes or something that he likes.”

Darell Hernaiz spoke with the media afterward about his thought process making the play to get Severino out of the jam in the fourth inning.

“That was a tough play. I mean, it was kind of instincts and thankfully it worked out, but no, that’s a really hard play and thankfully I was just able to make the play.”

A’s manager Mark Kotsay also heaped praise on the young shortstop after the game.

“Yeah, I think that [Hernaiz play] was the turning point in the game really. Bases loaded there in the fourth. They had a lot of momentum, and that play is one that is very difficult. It’s a short hop up the middle. And for Darryl to come here, we’ve heard a lot about how well he’s playing in Triple-A and being very consistent on both ends of the baseball. I thought Darryl did a great job tonight…”

The A’s offense did a lot of the talking for the club as they scored six runs after only managing one on Monday night. The A’s put up four runs in the third inning and two in the fifth en route to their 6-1 victory. The offense was highlighted by a Brent Rooker three-run homer in the third inning and a Shea Langeliers solo shot in the fifth. Miguel Andujar also had two RBI doubles in the contest.

With the win, the A’s improved to 47-63 on the season and are winners in five of their last six games. The Mariners fell to 57-51 on the season with the loss.

On Wednesday, the A’s and Mariners will face off in the final game of the three-game series. Jeffrey Springs (9-7, 4.13 ERA) is scheduled to start for the A’s, and the Mariners will counter with Bryan Woo (8-9, 2.91 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. PST at Sutter Health Park.

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 Renteria: Good pitching beats good hitting A’s win streak halted at 4 by M’s

Published on July 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay pulls pitcher JP Sears in the top of the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 The Sacramento A’s four game winning streak was stopped in it’s tracks by the visiting Seattle Mariners at Sutter Health Park in Seattle on Monday night 3-1 to open their three game series.

#2 The A’s were coming off a four game sweep against the Houston Astros returning to Sacramento and took a tough loss to the Mariners to open the three game series.

#3 Mariners starter Luis Castillo pitched seven innings allowing five hits, one earned run, and four strikeouts with three relievers they help the A’s to just one run.

#4 A’s Luis Urias was hit by a pitch to leadoff the top of the six and scored the A’s only run on a groundout by Brent Rooker as the A’s avoided being shutout.

#5 M’s and A’s on Tuesday at Sutter Health for game two of the series. Starting pitcher for Seattle RHP Logan Evans )4-3 ERA 3.64) for the A’s RHP Luis Severino (4-11 ERA 4.95) first pitch 7:05pm PT.

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.

A’s Bats Go Quiet in Series Opener vs. Mariners 3-1

Published on July 29, 2025July 29, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Carlos Cortes after making a leaping catch in the right field corner on Monday night. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento A’s were back in action on Monday night in West Sacramento, coming off a four-game sweep of the Houston Astros. Riding high after the sweep, the A’s were unable to muster much offense in the series opener, falling to the Seattle Mariners 3-1 on Monday night.

JP Sears took the hill for the A’s in hopes of extending their winning ways from the Houston series. However, Sears labored through his outing, only managing to toss four and one-third innings of five-hit, three-run ball. He struck out six, walked three, and gave up one home run.

In relief of Sears was Justin Sterner, who tossed two-thirds of an inning, giving up only one hit in a scoreless appearance. Michael Kelly followed Sterner and gave manager Mark Kotsay two innings of one-hit, scoreless work. Sean Newcomb tossed one inning of scoreless baseball after Kelly, and Elvis Alvarado finished it off with a scoreless top of the ninth. In total, the bullpen tossed four and two-thirds innings of shutout baseball to keep the Athletics in the game and give them a chance heading into the late innings.

On the offensive side, it was slim pickings for the Athletics in their return home to Sacramento.

The A’s lone run came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Brent Rooker was able to score Luis Urias on a fielder’s choice groundout. Beyond that, the A’s didn’t have many scoring opportunities until late in the game.

They did manage to load the bases with two outs in the eighth inning, but unfortunately, Tyler Soderstrom grounded out to third base in the ninth, unable to drive in the tying run. The Athletics showed some fight as they attempted to mount a comeback, but it was quickly snuffed out by a double play.

With the loss, the Athletics fall to 46-63 on the season, while the Mariners improve to 57-50.

The A’s and Mariners will play game two of the three-game series on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. PST at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

Luis Severino is slated to start for the Athletics with a 4-11 record and a 4.95 ERA.

Logan Evans is expected to go for the Mariners, bringing a 4-3 record and a 3.64 ERA into the contest.

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.

McCutchen’s late-inning homer steals the show in Giants’ top pitching prospect’s debut, Bucs raise the Jolly Roger in game one

Published on July 28, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants’ Carson Whisenhunt pitches to a Pittsburgh Pirates batter during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, July 28, 2025, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vasquez)

By Lincoln Juarez

SAN FRANCISCO–McCutchen homers late and leads Pirates to game one win amid Giants’ top pitching prospect respectable debut.

Monday night the Giants, worn out from a three game sweep against the Mets over the weekend, played host to the Pittsburgh Pirates to start the second half of a six game homestand. Falling to 2-7 since the All-Star break, the Giants turned to their top pitching prospect, left-hander, Carson Whisenhunt to get back in the win column.

The 24-year-old got his contract selected by the Giants Monday afternoon in a series of roster moves sending RHP Sean Hjelle to AAA Sacramento and designating RHP Carson Ragsdale for assignment, clearing up a roster spot for Whisenhunt to make his MLB debut.

With AAA Sacramento, Whisenhunt posted a 8-5 record with a 4.42 ERA, 28 BB, and 86 K. Ranking in the Triple-A top-10 with 97.2 innings pitched at the time of his promotion, the southpaw also led qualified pitchers in ERA.

Donning the first number 88 in Giants history, Whisenhunt represented his aunt’s birthday, dad’s football number, and the year his mother graduated. Safe to say their presence was felt on and off the field as his family got to enjoy the debut from the stands.

It took the rookie two innings to shake off the nerves. Following two fly-outs to open up the game, the Pirates’ Nick Gonzales deposited a first-pitch changeup over the left field wall to start the scoring. A harsh welcome to the big leagues for Whisenhunt as the Pirates offense continued to slug in the second. Three more came across to score, two on an Isiah Kiner-Falefa double and one more via Tommy Pham single. Three hits, two walks, and four runs through the first two frames would be the only threat to Whisenhunt.

In what shaped up to be a productive outing, Whisenhunt received a well-deserved ovation from the 35,000 plus as he walked off the field after five innings, 5 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, and 3 K. He became the first Giants pitcher to start his MLB debut and go at least 5.0 innings in the game since RHP Logan Webb did back in 2019.

After his first big league start, the new Giant gave praise to his catcher Patrick Bailey and his ability to keep him calm while changing the game plan after the Pirates attacked the changeup in the first two innings. Whisenhunt, who is known for his changeup, had to switch things up to throw the Pirates lineup off balance and he prevailed.

2 H, 0 BB, and 0 ER through innings three, four, and five.

His ability to adjust in-game and trust his relationship with Bailey behind the plate is a good sign for the Giants and hopefully something he can build off in his next outing. He could save the Giants some prospects if he can produce as he did in the minors and they don’t have to trade for another starter.

Prior to the game, manager Bob Melvin acknowledged the holes in the rotation for the Giants and said it was a good opportunity for Whisenhunt to take advantage of. Depending on how they view his five innings of work, we could see the rookie take over one of the vacancies in the rotation.

The Giants offense, who went 0-for-23 with runners in scoring position over the weekend against the Mets, kept Whisenhunt in the game early on. Responding with a run of their own in the home first on a Matt Chapman triple that got by the diving Alexander Canario in right field allowing Heliot Ramos to score from first.

In the home second, Yastrzemski led the way with a walk and Patrick Bailey followed with a single placing runners on the corners with no outs. Brett Wisely kept things going with a ground-rule double, scoring Yastrzemski and moving Bailey to third. A few batters later, Willy Adames went with an outside pitch to right field and drove in Bailey to make it a one run game.

The Giants continued to trail by a run until the fourth, where Heliot Ramos doubled with one out and later advanced to third on a Devers groundout. Willy Adames lined a base-hit to left field, Ramos scored, and the game was tied.

From Carson to Carson, the right-handed Seymour took over for Whisenhunt in the sixth yielding a hit and a walk, but keeping the Bucs off the board.

The difference-maker came in the top of the seventh when former Giant, Andrew McCutchen blasted a two-run home run to left on a hanging slider. McCutchen’s 10th home run of the season brought home what wound up being the game’s winning run.

The Giants fought until the final out in the ninth, putting together a rally that saw Willy Adames score to put them within one. Manager Bob Melvin said postgame that it “just felt like one of those games we were gonna come back and win”.

Adames had himself a night going 3-for-5 with 2 RBI and three very hard hit balls, one of them right into a Pirates glove.

With the tying run in scoring position in Jung Hoo Lee and the winning run at first base (pinch-runner Luis Matos), Patrick Bailey dug in with intentions to replicate his heroics he provided a few weeks ago with his walk-off inside-the-park home run to defeat the Phillies.

Pirates closer David Bednar forced a weak groundball to second base and Bailey was thrown out at first to end the game.

Still searching for that offensive magic, the Giants dropped their fourth straight and started the homestand 0-4. Another disappointing night with RISP, as the lineup hit a combined 4-for-13 and left a total of 12 men on base.

With the Padres comeback win over the Mets down in San Diego Monday night, the Giants are now four games out of the final National League wild card spot.

Justin Verlander (1-8, 4.70) takes to the mound Tuesday night against the Pirates’ LHP Bailey Falter (7-5, 3.82) and aims to keep his winning energy in the air, following his first win of the season last week in Atlanta.

First pitch at 6:45pm.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: After sweeping Astros will A’s have momentum against Mariners?

Published on July 28, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s Brent Rooker (left) scores underneath Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini (right) in the top of the fourth inning at Daiken Field in Houston on Sun Jul 27, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 Sacramento A’s Miguel Andujar and Shea Langeliers both homered in the first inning. A’s starter JT Ginn pitched six innings of shutout ball and the A’s beat the Houston Astros 7-1 Sunday taking a four game series from the Astros at Daiken Park in Houston.

#2 Andujar making his first start in his nine year career, Andujar homered off the Astros Colton Gordon’s fifth pitch. Then Langieliers climbed into the batters box and clobbered a 3-0 fast ball for his 17th homer of the campaign.

#3 Barbara, Langeliers is going good he has now hit home runs in his last three games this for the first time in his career. Langeliers also went two for four with two RBIs.

#4 Gin picked up his second win of the campaign is now at 2-2 and pitched his longest game of 2025 going six innings, allowing only three hits and struck out four.

#5 The Athletics open a three-game home series against the Seattle Mariners on Monday night, with M’s starter RHP Luis Castillo (7-6 3.30) facing A’s LHP JP Sears (7-8 4.98 ERA) at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento first pitch 7:05pm PT.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Baseball is Unique

Published on July 27, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s circles the bases during one of his four home runs hit against the Houston Astros in the top of the ninth inning at Daiken Park in Houston Fri Jul 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Baseball is Unique

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

Amaury Pi-González

Baseball is a Sport of failure. You get one hit in three at-bats, and you are a very good hitter, hitting .333, an average that is worthy of a batting title most of the time, even though you failed twice in three tries. But sometimes you can hit the big jackpot in one game, and the whole world will know your name, especially nowadays with social media constantly on our minds every single second of the day. Here are some examples.

Most recently: A’s Nick Kurtz, a 22-year-old rookie, went out and did something even rarer in a 15-3 blowout win over the Astros in Houston on July 25, 2025 Going a perfect 6-for-6 with four home runs, Kurtz became the first A’s player in franchise history with a four-homer game, the first rookie in MLB history with a four homer game, and the 20th player overall.

Prior to Kurtz, veteran Eugenio Suárez of the Arizona Diamondbacks hit four home runs on April 25, 2025. Kurtz is just beginning his career, and only time will tell how good a player he will be. But in this 4-homer game, he was the King of Baseball.

Now everybody knows who Nick Kurtz is, and just like that, he became a contender for American League Rookie of the Year., Sometimes, One Day can make a Career. On May 9, 2010, Dallas Braden, while pitching for the Oakland Athletics, achieved the feat against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The game, which took place on Mother’s Day, was the 19th perfect game in MLB history. I was there, calling the game for the Spanish radio Network, at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum. Braden pitched in the majors for only five years, all with the Oakland A’s, and ended his career with a 26-36 record and a 4.16 earned run average.

Not a great career by any means, but that Perfecto on May 9, 2010, opened the door for him, as he now works as the A’s television network analyst. Don Larsen was an American League pitcher who played 15 seasons in the Major Leagues from 1953 to 1987 (81-91) for seven different teams, including the New York Yankees, where he made history.

Larsen pitched a perfect game in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. This remains the only perfect game ever thrown in World Series history. The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown houses several items related to Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series, including autographed baseballs used in the game, tickets, and photos.

Larsen’s catcher, Yogi Berra, also had his mitt from that game displayed. After his baseball career, Larsen became an executive for a paper company, where he worked closely with farmers in California’s Salinas Valley. On a funny note: Charlie Silveira who was a third string catcher for the Yankees told me and other reporters that after that perfecto he asked Yogi Berra for a souvenir, “I warmed him up for that game” Silveira told me, and according to his story, he asked Yogi for a souvenir, Yogi said he had nothing left, but the next day Yogi gave Charlie a brown bag, (with a souvenir) it was Larsen’s cup, the one he wore on that game. Charlie, who passed a few years ago, told me, “I have Larsen’s cup in my living room as a souvenir”. In September 1971, Larry Yount was called up to the Houston Astros and was set to make his MLB debut as a pitcher. However, as he warmed up on the mound, his elbow began to hurt, and he eventually left the game without throwing a single official pitch or facing a batter.

This single unusual appearance in a game marked the entirety of his MLB career. He never played in the majors again. Because he was officially announced as a pitcher, Yount is in the baseball record books and even has a file in the Hall of Fame.

His brother Robin Yount played from 1974 to 1993, won two AL MVP Awards, and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999 Owner and Manager for one Game. On May 11, 1977, Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner added another story when he ventured from the owner’s suite to the dugout to manage the Braves. His job lasted only one night; Major League Baseball’s powers that be reminded Turner that a rule prevented managers from partial or full ownership of a team.

However, this was not unique to baseball. NFL George Halas, who founded and coached the Chicago Bears. Al Davis, also the owner of the Oakland Raiders, coached the team. But some did, if not just for one game, but multiple seasons.

A record in any sport for an owner and manager at the same time? Connie Mack, Philadelphia Athletics, was also at least a part-owner of the team from 1901 until 1954, as well as field manager. Last but not Least: Baseball is unique in that the defensive team controls the ball at the start of each play.. In most other sports, the offensive team initiates play by possessing the ball. In baseball, the pitcher (a defensive player) throws the ball to the batter (offensive player), making baseball the only sport where the defense starts with the ball.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

A’s 7-1 Power Surge Under the “Roofed” Texas Sun; Sac sweeps Houston in 4 games at Daiken

Published on July 27, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s starter JP Sears throws against the Houston Astros in the bottom first inning at Daiken Park in Houston Sun Jul 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s 7-1 Power Surge Under the “Roofed” Texas Sun; A’s sweep Astros in 4 games at Daiken

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics brought thunder and precision to Daikin Park on Sunday afternoon, lighting up the scoreboard and shutting down the Houston offense with a 7–1 victory that was every bit as lopsided as the box score suggests.

From the moment Miguel Andujar deposited the first pitch he saw into the right-field seats, it was clear the A’s came to play. And for nine innings, they played with the kind of crisp execution and timely power that every manager dreams of.

Andujar’s solo shot to open the game wasn’t just a strong start, it was a tone-setter. The very next inning, Shea Langeliers joined the party with a solo blast of his own, this one heading out to left and giving the Athletics a 2–0 lead before Houston had even touched a base. That early firepower would’ve been enough on its own, considering the dominance of starter J.T. Ginn, but the A’s weren’t done.

Ginn, who’s been gradually carving out a solid role in the A’s rotation, looked completely unbothered by Houston’s lineup. He worked quickly, attacked the strike zone, and kept hitters guessing with a mix of breaking balls and sneaky heat.

Through six innings, he didn’t allow a single run, and at one point retired seven straight batters with the kind of confidence that says, I’ve got this! He ended his afternoon by handing off a shutout that the bullpen preserved, mostly with ease.

The Green and Gold offense went a little quiet after the early surge, but in the fourth, they manufactured runs with savvy baserunning and smart situational hitting. Brent Rooker led off with a single and advanced on a single by Austin Wynns, both of whom took extra bags on a wild pitch. Gio Urshela then drove in Rooker with a textbook sacrifice fly, and Colby Thomas followed with a clutch RBI double to stretch the lead to 4–0.

Houston, meanwhile, struggled to generate anything remotely resembling a rally. The heart of their order, Jose Altuve, Victor Caratini, and Christian Walker, was mostly silenced by Ginn and later relievers Jack Perkins and Ben Bowden. Even when they had a chance to chip away in the seventh, a costly error by shortstop Max Schuemann was quickly erased by solid defense and more empty swings from the Astros.

By the time the ninth inning rolled around, the A’s bats woke up again like they had unfinished business. Langeliers and Wynns opened with back-to-back singles, and Carlos Cortes, who stayed in the game after pinch-hitting in the seventh, roped a single to load the bases.

That set the stage for Schuemann’s redemption: a two-run single that made it 6–0 and turned a solid win into a decisive one. Luis Urías tacked on another RBI single, and just like that, the A’s had dropped a three-spot in the ninth for good measure.

Though Houston finally pushed across a run in the bottom of the ninth, courtesy of a Chas McCormick double and Mauricio Dubón’s RBI two-bagger, it was far too little, far too late. Ben Bowden calmly induced a flyout from Yainer Diaz to close the door and end what was, for all intents and purposes, a thorough and complete win by the visiting club.

A’s are back in Sacramento Monday night against the Seattle Mariners. Starting pitcher for the M’s RHP Luis Castillo (7-6 ERA 3.30) for the A’s LHP JP Sears (7-8 ERA 4.98) first pitch 7:05pm PT.

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.

Hope Fuerniss, HMCC | Area Director of Sales and Marketing

916.384.0140 (o)| 901.3

Butler Blasts the Door Open as A’s Outmuscle Houston Late 5-1; A’s go for 4 game sweep Sunday

Published on July 27, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler runs the bases after hitting a ninth inning three run home run against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Sat Jul 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Butler Blasts the Door Open as A’s Outmuscle Houston Late 5-1 For 3 Game Sweep

By Mauricio Segura

Them Sactown boys rolled into Daikin Park with an underdog’s swagger and walked away with a statement win Saturday, thanks in large part to a ninth-inning bomb from Lawrence Butler that put an exclamation point on a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Sacramento A’s pieced together just enough early offense, held their nerve through a tense middle stretch, and then erupted late to seal the deal. On a night where both teams leaned heavily on their bullpens, the Green and Gold had the final word.

The game started with Brent Rooker doing what he’s been doing all year, making pitchers pay for mistakes. His two-out double in the top of the first drove in Nick Kurtz and gave the Athletics a quick 1-0 lead. That early run looked like it might be enough for a while, as starter Jacob Lopez and reliever Justin Sterner danced through danger against a Houston lineup that couldn’t quite cash in on their opportunities.

The Astros had their chances. In the first inning, Jose Altuve and Christian Walker both drew walks, putting traffic on the bases with just one out. But Yainer Diaz’s fielder’s choice and a bunt attempt from Chas McCormick that didn’t fool anyone killed the rally. That kind of frustrating inning would become a theme for Houston.

Lopez pitched with poise until the fifth, when Sterner took over. The A’s bullpen was tight, giving up just one run the rest of the way. The lone misstep came in the bottom of the sixth, when the Astros finally broke through. Christian Walker doubled, Yainer Diaz singled him to third, and Chas McCormick lifted a sacrifice fly to center that tied things at 1-1. But the tying run felt more like a temporary pause than a momentum shift.

Just one half-inning earlier, Shea Langeliers had launched his 16th homer of the season, an absolute rope into the left-center seats, to put the A’s up 2-0. Even though the Astros had responded, the A’s weren’t rattled.

Then came the ninth inning, where things got a little loud.

After two quick outs, it looked like Houston’s Héctor Neris might escape unscathed. But then shortstop Zack Short mishandled what should’ve been the third out, allowing Max Schuemann to reach.

A walk to Luis Urías followed, setting the table for Lawrence Butler. Neris tried to sneak a fastball by him, but Butler was ready and demolished it over the right-field wall for a three-run shot. In the blink of an eye, what had been a nail-biter turned into a comfortable 5-1 lead.

Houston, meanwhile, couldn’t figure out Miller, who entered in the ninth and slammed the door with a strikeout, a lineout, and a weak groundout to end it. The Astros struck out 14 times in total and were held to just five hits, a stat line that underscored their inability to mount any sustained offensive threat.

As the A’s continue to navigate life on the road and the trials of a franchise in transition, games like this offer a glimpse of what could be. If the kids keep hitting and the arms hold up, they’ll be more than just spoilers down the stretch. They’ll be a problem to the other contenders.

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