Category: Sacramento A’s

Langeliers Goes 4-for-4, Kurtz Debuts as A’s Down Rangers 5-2

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Nick Kurtz after his first major league hit on Wednesday night. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s evened the series with the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening at Sutter Health Park, powered in part by Nick Kurtz’s RBI single in his MLB debut, as they defeated the Rangers 5-2.

J.P. Sears earned the win for the A’s, tossing five innings of two-run ball while allowing five hits and striking out five. The loss went to Rangers starter Kumar Rocker, who was rocked by the A’s offense, giving up five runs on seven hits in just one and two-thirds innings.

The A’s bats got going early, batting through the order in the first inning and putting up four runs. Lawrence Butler immediately got the A’s on the board with a long solo home run to center field that traveled 425 feet, according to Statcast. The A’s quickly added to the lead as Shea Langeliers singled home Tyler Soderstrom, followed by Kurtz singling in Langeliers to make it 3-0. Gio Urshela capped the scoring in the inning with an RBI double, giving the A’s a 4-0 lead.

It was a welcome change for the A’s, who have often trailed early at home, to jump out to a fast start.

In the bottom of the second, the A’s scored again on a Jacob Wilson bases-loaded walk to make it a 5-0 ballgame. It was Wilson’s first walk of the 2025 season. The A’s wouldn’t score again, but they wouldn’t need to.

After Sears exited with a 5-2 lead, the A’s bullpen shut down the Rangers with four innings of shutout ball. Justin Sterner tossed a hitless sixth, Mitch Spence allowed one hit in a scoreless seventh, Tyler Ferguson delivered a clean eighth, and Mason Miller slammed the door in the ninth, striking out three and allowing just a two-out double. It was an electric performance from the A’s pen following Sears’ strong outing.

Langeliers led the A’s with a perfect 4-for-4 night, driving in a run and scoring once. Gio Urshela went 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI.

With the win, the A’s improved to 11-13 on the season and have a chance to take the series from the Rangers on Thursday.

Up Next: The A’s and Rangers face off in the rubber match on Thursday at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. Jacob deGrom is slated to start for Texas, while J.T. Ginn is the probable for the A’s.

Four-run sixth inning and last-minute save by Doval carry Giants to 4-2 win over Brewers

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb (62) throws against the Milwaukee Brewers in the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

Wednesday, April 23, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Milwaukee Brewers 2 (13-12)

San Francisco Giants 4 (16-9)

Win: Logan Webb (3-1)

Loss: Freddy Peralta (2-2)

Save: Camilo Doval (4)

Time: 2:34

Attendance: 29,049

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants played a much cleaner game Wednesday night, as Logan Webb was strong over six and a third innings, and Camilo Doval stepped into his old role to avert disaster and close out a 4-2 win over the Brewers.

After the Giants won the series opener on Monday, the Brewers pounded them into submission Tuesday night. It was one of those games where you had to forget about it and be ready to go the next day.

The next day came, and the Giants had their ace in Logan Webb on the mound. Webb was coming off his first loss of the season on Friday night in Anaheim, which he really didn’t deserve. He gave up just two runs and struck out 12 over six innings. Unfortunately, the Giants just couldn’t provide him with any offense.

Anyway, Webb and the Giants took the field on the first foggy night of the season at Oracle Park. It wouldn’t be easy for Webb out of the gate, as he had to work through jams in each of the first two innings. However, he survived them both without any damage, and proceeded to set down the next 11 hitters he faced over three-straight one, two, three innings.

Brewers’ starter Freddy Peralta had a very similar outing. He escaped a jam in the bottom of the fourth inning, and notched five shutout innings under his belt.

Just like the championship days, the Giants have utilized the ground attack and have taken advantage of errors and defensive mistakes by their opponents this season. They would do it again Wednesday night, as they loaded the bases with nobody out in the bottom of the sixth to knock Peralta out of the game.

In came Nick Mears to face Wilmer Flores. With the count at 1-2, Mears threw a nasty slider just below the knees on the outside corner, but Flores grounded it up the middle and off the glove of the diving shortstop, Joey Ortiz, for a base-hit to center field, and two runs scored to put the Giants up 2-0.

The Giants would get some help from the Brewers’ defense as the inning went along. With runners at the corners at one out, LeMonte Wade hit a potential double play ball to second-baseman Brice Turang that Turang tried to backhand, but it hit off his glove, and Matt Chapman scored to make it 3-0.

Christian Koss came up with two outs and hit a ground ball to Ortiz at short. Ortiz ranged to his left to field it, but his off-balanced throw to first sailed off the glove of first-baseman Rhys Hoskins, and Flores came in to score to cap off a four-run inning.

Webb gave up a base-hit and a walk to start the top of the seventh, and he closed out his night by getting Caleb Durbin to fly out to left. Webb ended up going six and a third scoreless innings and struck out six. Lefty Erik Miller came in and got out of it with the shutout still intact.

Tyler Rogers pitched a one, two, three inning in the top of the eighth, and Ryan Walker came in for a non-save situation in the top of the ninth. It was Walker’s first time on the mound since he gave up four runs and blew the save on Sunday in Anaheim.

Unfortunately, Walker was hit around again. The Brewers loaded the bases with one out following a pair of base-hits and a hit batsman. Turang then came up and lined a ground rule double off the end of the bat down the left field line, which scored a pair of runs and cut the Giants’ lead in half to 4-2.

Bob Melvin summoned Camilo Doval, who lost the closer’s job last August, but who had quietly amassed three saves so far this season. It was a big opportunity for Doval, who lost the job following a string of rough outings in the middle of last season. Doval seized on this opportunity, as he struck out Jackson Churio, and got Christian Yelich to ground out to end it.

Logan Webb got the win; Freddy Peralta took the loss; and Camilo Doval picked up his fourth save. Ryan Walker has five saves.

The Giants improve to 16-9, and they have a chance to take the series with a win Thursday afternoon. Landen Roupp (2-1, 4.09 ERA) will take the ball for the Giants. As for the Brewers, right-hander Tobias Myers will make the start in his 2025 debut.

First pitch will be at 12:45 p.m.

Nick Kurtz to Debut for A’s After Meteoric Rise Through Minors

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Nick Kurtz in the A’s clubhouse on Tuesday. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — A new era at first base for the Athletics is upon us!

The A’s first selection in the 2024 MLB Draft, Nick Kurtz, will make his debut for the Athletics in Sacramento against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday evening.

Kurtz, the No. 4 overall selection in last year’s draft out of Wake Forest, will debut after just 32 minor league games and less than 10 months since being drafted — both unprecedented in MLB. In those 32 minor league games, Kurtz hit .366 with 11 home runs, 10 doubles, and 22 walks, good for a 1.121 OPS. Coaches and players who have seen him during his brief time in pro ball have described him as a very mature player despite his limited experience. 

A’s manager Mark Kotsay, speaking with the media on Tuesday, said, “He’s a pretty accomplished young hitter, and he’s got an advanced approach. As David mentioned, his demeanor, he’s a pretty even-keeled kid.

It’s safe to say there’s plenty of excitement surrounding Nick, both in the clubhouse and in the front office.

Kurtz will play first base on Wednesday as Tyler Soderstrom moves to the outfield.

As the A’s continue to struggle at home (2-8 over their first 10 home games), Kurtz might be just what the doctor ordered. Granted, A’s pitching is generally seen as the area most in need of improvement.

As for Kurtz and his appeal to fans, I’ll say this: I watched Nick clear the batter’s eye in center field and hit the scoreboard in right-center during batting practice on Tuesday afternoon. The kid is gonna be must-watch baseball.

Rangers Outslug A’s 8-5 Despite Late Push in A’s Sacramento Return

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Brent Rooker receives his Silver Slugger from the 2024 season. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s were back home in Sacramento on Tuesday night after a road trip that took them through Chicago and Milwaukee. They swept the White Sox and dropped two of three to the Brewers, finishing the trip with a winning record of 4-3.

On Tuesday, the A’s welcomed in the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, who entered the game with a 13-9 start to the 2025 season. The A’s came in last place in the division at 10-12 but sat just three games behind the Rangers.

The A’s fell to Texas by a final score of 8-5.

A’s starter Osvaldo Bido was roughed up, lasting five and a third innings while allowing eight runs (all earned) on eight hits, including four home runs. It was a tough outing in a game where any decent contact seemed to have a chance to leave the yard.

Rangers starter Patrick Corbin went five innings, giving up two earned runs on seven hits and allowing two homers.

The A’s got on the board with solo home runs in the second and third innings from Miguel Andujar and Lawrence Butler, respectively. Aside from those, they didn’t generate many scoring chances until the sixth inning, where they loaded the bases but came up empty. They finally broke through again in the bottom of the seventh when JJ Bleday delivered an RBI single to score Brent Rooker and cut the deficit to 8-3.

Sacramento continued to chip away in the eighth as Luis Urias and Brent Rooker each added solo shots to pull the A’s within three at 8-5 heading into the ninth.

After a scoreless top of the ninth from the bullpen, the A’s went down in order in the bottom half to end the game.

Brent Rooker finished 2-for-4 with a home run and a walk. JJ Bleday went 2-for-4 with a walk, and Miguel Andujar had a strong night, going 3-for-5 with a homer.

After the game, manager Mark Kotsay praised the team’s fight but pointed to missed chances in the sixth inning. “The sixth inning was the inning we left opportunities on the bases… we left the bases loaded, second and third with nobody out really… We continued to take good at-bats after that… it could’ve been more. We just had our opportunities—had 11 hits and left 10 on the bases.”

Note: In the top of the seventh inning, A’s reliever Jose Leclerc recorded only one out before leaving with right shoulder soreness. After the game, Kotsay confirmed the injury, calling it “more of a strain than soreness.” It’s tough news for a bullpen already dealing with depth issues.

Up Next: The A’s and Rangers continue the series on Wednesday night at 7:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park. J.P. Sears is scheduled to start for the A’s, while the Rangers counter with Kumar Rocker. A’s No. 1 prospect Nick Kurtz will make his debut at first base in the contest.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s open homestand with Rangers Tuesday; A’s hoping to improve on home record

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The Milwaukee Brewers Christian Yelich slides behind the Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers scoring in the bottom of the fourth inning at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Sun Apr 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The Milwaukee Brewers (12-10) Rhys Hoskins went three for five with a home run and four RBIs. The Brewers set a franchise record with nine steals as it wasn’t even close as the Brewers won in a 14-1 laugher.

#2 The Brewers Logan Henderson struck out nine hitters in his big league debut. The Sacramento A’s (10-12) had been going well before Sunday’s game where they had won four out of their last five games and were getting around .500 but were just helpless in this loss at American Family Park.

#3 A’s starter Jefferey Springs was lit up Sunday he pitched 2.1 innings, giving up five runs and six hits, four earned runs, three strike outs and one home run.

#4 The Brewers take the three game series two out of three. The Brewers went to work early scoring four in the first, and rallied later in the game for five more runs in the seventh. A’s pitching just couldn’t hold the Brewers.

#5 The A’s went 4-2 on this last road trip and are 8-4 on the road overall. The A’s come home to open a three game series at Sutter Health Park on Tuesday. The A’s are 2-7 at home and host the Texas Rangers who are first in the AL West at 13-9 and lead second place Seattle by one game. Starting pitchers for the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (1-0 ERA 3.86) for the A’s Osvaldo Bido (2-1 ERA 2.61) first pitch slated for 7:05pm PDT.

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

A’s Tap Out Long Before Happy Hour in Milwaukee 14-1

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Milwaukee Brewers Rhys Hoskins high fives teammates in the Brewers dugout after hitting a third inning home run against the Sacramento Athletics at American Family Park on Sun Apr 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Tap Out Long Before Happy Hour in Milwaukee

By Mauricio Segura

The Athletics’ trip to Milwaukee ended in a forgettable way Sunday, as the Brewers ran wild early and never let up in a 14-1 demolition at American Family Field.

The afternoon unraveled quickly for the green and gold. Starter Jeffrey Springs, who had entered with a 3-1 record, struggled right from the start. A mix of stolen bases, walks, errors, and even a balk saw Milwaukee race out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning alone. Springs lasted just 2.1 innings, tagged for five runs as his ERA swelled to 5.96.

The Brewers smelled blood and kept coming. Rookie Logan Henderson, making his big league debut for Milwaukee, struck out Brent Rooker for his first Major League punchout and retired the side in order in the first. Henderson kept the A’s lineup quiet into the middle innings, picking up a win he will not soon forget.

Meanwhile, the Brewers’ offense turned the game into a track meet. Brice Turang stole three bases, and Milwaukee swiped six overall, exploiting an A’s defense that looked rattled all day. Rhys Hoskins delivered a solo home run and a two-run single, Christian Yelich doubled in another run, and Sal Frelick collected three hits and two stolen bases to fuel the onslaught.

The A’s offense, by contrast, was almost entirely silent. Seth Brown broke through in the fifth with a solo homer, his first of the year, to avoid the shutout. Jacob Wilson continued to be a steady bright spot, collecting two hits to raise his batting average to .342, good for ninth in the majors.

Nothing else went right for the Athletics, who committed two more throwing errors and allowed four unearned runs. By the seventh inning, the Brewers had blown the game wide open with a seven-run frame, burying any hopes of a green and gold comeback.

Despite the ugly loss, the Athletics return home with some positives in hand. They finished their six-game road swing with a 5-2 record and improved to 8-5 away from home this season, tied for the best road winning percentage in the majors. It is a stark contrast to their struggles at home, where they are just 2-7.

Next up, the Athletics will open a six-game homestand starting Tuesday against the defending champion Texas Rangers. Osvaldo Bido, who has posted a 2.61 ERA in his first four starts, is scheduled to take the ball.

The loss drops the A’s to 10-12 overall.

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.

Rooker and Langeliers Stir The Brew in Milwaukee; Athletics even series with 3-1 win

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Sacramento A’s starter Luis Severino (40) delivers against the Milwaukee Brewers line up in the bottom of the first inning at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Sat Apr 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

Rooker and Langeliers Stir The Brew in Milwaukee

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics may have changed addresses but their fighting spirit packed its bags right along with them. Behind clutch home runs from Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers, the green and gold snuck by the Milwaukee Brewers 3-1 Saturday night at American Family Field.

From the first pitch, it was clear that runs would be at a minimum. Both starting pitchers, Luis Severino for the A’s and Chad Patrick for the Brewers, settled in quickly.

Severino, a two-time All Star known for his fiery fastball during his Yankees days, looked sharp. His only blemish came in the third inning when Garrett Mitchell doubled and later scored on a routine groundout by Caleb Durbin to give Milwaukee an early 1-0 lead.

The A’s answered back in the fifth. JJ Bleday and rookie Jacob Wilson sparked the rally with back-to-back singles. Miguel Andujar, a former Rookie of the Year runner-up, laced a double to left field, scoring Bleday and tying the game at 1-1. Andujar, who has been quietly productive since joining the Athletics, continues to show flashes of the player who once roamed the Bronx outfield.

The game turned in the sixth inning with a single swing off of Brent Rooker’s bat. His thunderous sixth home run of the season deep to center, gave the A’s a 2-1 lead. It was a vintage Rooker swing, all muscle and impeccable timing, that left Milwaukee’s outfielders as spectators.

Severino kept mowing down Brewers hitters into the late innings. By the ninth, manager Mark Kotsay turned the ball over to Mason Miller’s triple-digit heater to seal the win. But before Miller could slam the door, Shea Langeliers gave him a little extra cushion with his fifth homer of the year, another blast to center field off reliever Joel Payamps, making it 3-1.

Miller, who touched 102 miles per hour on the radar gun, made quick work of Milwaukee’s final three batters. Brice Turang flied out harmlessly to right. Jackson Chourio, the Brewers’ highly touted rookie, struck out swinging. Christian Yelich, the former MVP, fought but ultimately went down on a foul tip to end the game.

It was a textbook road win for the Athletics: timely hitting, solid defense, strong starting pitching, and a closer who simply overpowers hitters.

For all the talk about the A’s rebuild, nights like this are a reminder that the green and gold have plenty of pieces worth watching. As the team continues to forge its new identity away from Oakland, performances like these give their fans reason to believe that better days are not just in the distant future but already unfolding.

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

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: Sale of Coliseum on hold until 2026; AASEG looking to purchase A’s half of property

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Usher Leland Anderson greets fans at the Oakland Coliseum before the Colorado Rockies and Oakland A’s match up on May 22, 2024. The Oakland Coliseum Complex property sale is expected to be completed by February 2026 as purchased by the African American Sports Entertainment Group (AP file photo)

On the Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel last Monday Oakland City officials held a vote to delay the closing date of sale for the African American Sports Entertainment Group share of the Oakland Coliseum complex. The delay will be until early 2026.

#2 The sale would go to a group of developers and investors AASEG who are negotiating with Alameda County officials and are in negotiations right now.

#3 If the deal is settled it would sell half of the City of Oakland’s ownership of the 112 acre property that would include the Oakland Coliseum and Arena, administrative offices, the parking lots to the AASEG. The sale was set to be close on May 30th.

#4 Will this deal get done? The deal between AASEG and Alameda County must be approved separately as the A’s own the other half of the Coliseum property. The County had met directly with AASEG in January.

#5 In 2025 AASEG made a deal to buy the A’s half of the Coliseum for $125 million. The approval of the sale needed to be approved by the Alameda county supervisors. The A’s had bought the county’s share back in 2019 for $85 million. Last fall the Oakland City Council approved the sale of the property to AASEG. Last Monday now the City Council voted to delay the sale. Council members Rebecca Kaplan and Ken Houston extended the closing date of the sale so it would align the timeline with the city and county.

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

Late Rally Falls Short as A’s Bow to Brewers 5-3

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Sacramento A’s pitcher JT Ginn delivers to the Milwaukee Brewers in the bottom of the first inning at American Family Park in Milwaukee on Fri Apr 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

Late Rally Falls Short as A’s Bow to Brewers 5-3

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics’ recent hot streak cooled on Friday evening, as they dropped the opening game of their weekend series against the Milwaukee Brewers by a score of 5-3 at American Family Field. Despite a late-inning push, the green and gold couldn’t overcome an early Brewers lead fueled by timely hits and solid pitching.

Brewers starter Freddy Peralta kept the A’s lineup quiet early, striking out six through five innings and scattering seven hits. His effort limited the Athletics’ damage to just one run during his tenure on the mound. Peralta improved to 2-1 with a tidy 2.31 ERA.

Meanwhile, the Athletics’ J.T. Ginn, fresh off a winning performance against the Mets last weekend, found tougher sledding against Milwaukee’s lineup. Ginn surrendered three runs on five hits and two walks through 4 2/3 innings. Christian Yelich proved to be Ginn’s toughest challenge, driving in two runs including a key RBI single in the third inning that contributed to the early Brewers advantage.

Milwaukee jumped ahead in the third when rookie Caleb Durbin recorded his first Major League hit, later scoring on Jackson Chourio’s double. Yelich’s subsequent RBI single made it 2-0. In the fifth, Yelich added his second RBI single of the game, stretching Milwaukee’s lead to 3-0 and chasing Ginn from the game.

The A’s offense, which had powered through Chicago earlier this week with nine extra-base hits in a single game, struggled to replicate that magic against Milwaukee pitching. Oakland’s batters could only muster scattered singles through most of the contest. Tyler Soderstrom, who entered leading the Majors in home runs with nine, managed two singles but couldn’t deliver the powerful swing he’s become known for this season.

Gio Urshela finally put the A’s on the board in the sixth, driving in JJ Bleday on a fielder’s choice. But Milwaukee quickly answered back with two more runs in the seventh, capitalizing on fielding errors and timely hits to push their advantage to 5-1.

Down but not out, the A’s fought back in the ninth. Brent Rooker, who had an impressive series against the White Sox going 6-for-13, doubled to score Max Muncy, and Tyler Soderstrom added a sacrifice fly to narrow the deficit to 5-3. With the tying run at the plate, Milwaukee’s Trevor Megill struck out Shea Langeliers, extinguishing Oakland’s comeback hopes and securing the Brewers’ victory.

Despite the setback, there were positive notes for Oakland. Lawrence Butler extended his hitting streak to four games and continues to impress with his recent performances. Miguel Andujar had a strong night at the plate, collecting three singles.

With this loss, Oakland’s record slips slightly to 9-11, while Milwaukee moves to 11-9. The A’s will look to bounce back Saturday with Luis Severino (0-3 ERA 4.01), seeking his first win of the season, facing Chad Patrick (1-0 ERA 1.76) at 4:10 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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Swinging A’s stay hot on road trip sweep Sox in Chi-Town

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Sacramento A’s Brent Rooker (25) congratulates Tyler Soderstrom (21) who hit his Major League leading ninth home run in the top of the seventh inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Thu Apr 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 A combination of four pitchers for the Sacramento A’s did in the Chicago White Sox in by shutting them out 8-0 at Rate Field on the South Side of Chicago Thursday. JP Sears started it off by pitching six innings, three hits, no runs and two strike outs.

#2 A’s manager Mark Kotsay used three pitchers to help combine for the shutout over the Sox, after Sears left he was relieved by Noah Murdock who went 1.2 innings, with one hit and two strikeouts, middle reliever TJ McFarland pitched one third of an inning no runs, no walks and no strikeouts, and Jason Alexander mopped up going one inning with two strikeouts.

#3 The White Sox didn’t even put up a threat with only four hits. The A’s had runners circling the bases all afternoon with one run in the fifth, two in the sixth, one in the seventh, and three in the ninth.

#4 In the series the A’s won game one by a lopsided score on Tuesday 12-3, on Wednesday a little close but a win for Sacramento 3-1, and Thursday afternoon no mercy in the 8-0 shutout for the A’s.

#5 The A’s go into Milwaukee with confidence after a sweep in Chicago. The Milwaukee Brewers are second place in the NL Central and are 7-3 at American Family Park. The Brewers have won six of their ten games. The A’s have the second best road record at 7-3 in baseball behind the San Francisco Giants who are 9-3 away.

Join Jeremiah for the A’s podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com