Category: Sacramento A’s

Padres Take Series from A’s in 2-1 Finale Win

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A’s take on the Padres on Wednesday afternoon in West Sacramento (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Sutter Health Park in Sacramento hosted the rubber game between the A’s and the Padres on Wednesday afternoon. The Padres had taken the first game of the series on Monday, while the A’s responded with a 10-4 victory on Tuesday.

Wednesday’s matchup featured Osvaldo Bido on the mound for the A’s, facing Randy Vasquez for the Padres. Both pitchers delivered strong performances, but the A’s offense struggled significantly, managing only two hits and ultimately losing the series finale, 2-1.

The A’s got on the scoreboard first in the second inning when Luis Urias hit a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home Shea Langeliers. Initially, Langeliers was ruled out at the plate, but after a quick review, the call was overturned, awarding the A’s the early 1-0 lead.

San Diego responded swiftly in the third inning, as Oscar Gonzales drove in Xander Bogaerts on a sacrifice fly, tying the game at 1-1. The Padres scored again in the fifth inning with another sac-fly, this time by Gavin Sheets, bringing in Bogaerts once more. That 2-1 lead would stand for the remainder of the game, as the Padres’ pitching silenced the A’s bats.

Despite the loss, Bido pitched reasonably well for Sacramento, throwing five innings and allowing two runs on nine hits while striking out five. Although the nine hits appear problematic, many resulted from soft contact that found gaps in the defense. On the Padres’ side, Randy Vasquez was effective over five innings, giving up just one run on a single hit with three walks and one strikeout.

Offensively, the A’s struggled throughout, producing just two hits and one run in the entire game. They’ll have a chance to regroup with an off day on Thursday before facing the New York Mets at Sutter Health Park on Friday night at 7:05 PM PST. Mets starting pitcher RHP Griffin Canning (0-1 ERA 2.79) for the A’s JP Sears 1-1 ERA 3.46.

With this loss, the A’s fell to 5-8 on the year, while the Padres improved their early-season record to 10-3.

Note: Jacob Wilson continued his impressive start to the 2025 season, recording another hit on Wednesday and extending his hitting streak to 13 games.

Six-run bottom of the first leads A’s to first Sacramento win at Sutter Health, 10-4 over Padres

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Athletics’ Gio Urshela watches his single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Sutter Health Park

San Diego Padres 4 (9-3)

Sacramento Athletics 10 (5-7)

Win: Jeffrey Springs (2-1)

Loss: Dylan Cease (1-1)

Time: 2:37

Attendance: 9,018

By Stephen Ruderman

WEST SACRAMENTO–The A’s finally got their first win in Sacramento, as they responded to a three-run top of the first inning by the Padres with a six-run bottom of the first en route to a 10-4 win.

I’ll be honest, it was a less-beautiful night at Sutter Health Park with the absence of clouds. However, it was still a rather-nice evening, and it was the perfect backdrop for the A’s first win in Sacramento if they could get it.

Jeffrey Springs made the start for the A’s tonight, and things seemed to be going well for him, as he retired the first two men he faced. However, things completely changed with two outs.

Manny Machado hit an opposite-field home run to right, and that was just the start. Xander Bogaerts lined a base-hit to left, and then Yuli Gurriel shot a double into the gap in left-center that knocked in Bogaerts to make it 2-0. Springs was getting lit up, and now that I think back on it, even the first out of the game was a loud out.

Springs then walked Jake Cronenworth, but he finally seemed to be on his way out of the inning on a ground ball to third by Jose Iglesias. Unfortunately, the throw from third-baseman Gio Urshela was high, which took first-baseman Tyler Soderstrom off the back. Iglesias was able to reach first as a result, and Gurriel scored to make it 3-0

The A’s were quick to respond against Padres’ starter Dylan Cease in the bottom of the first inning. Okay, somewhat quick. Lawrence Butler singled to lead off the inning, and Soderstrom walked with one out, With two outs, JJ Bleday smoked a double to right-center, which scored both runs to make it 3-2. Miguel Andujar then fisted a base-hit up the middle to center to knock in Bleday, and just like that, it was tied.

The A’s were not done yet. Jacon Wilson lined a base-hit to left, and Urshela lined a double to the wall in left, which put the A’s ahead 5-3. Max Muncy capped it all off with a base-hit to left, which scored Urshela to make it 6-3.

The Padres scored a run in the top of the second to make it 6-4, and it looked like it was going to be a wild seesaw affair. However, he A’s went down scoreless in the bottom of the second, and Springs threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third.

The A’s then got things going again in the bottom of the third. Bleday led off the inning with a walk, and Andujar singled him over to second. Wilson singled to left past the diving shortstop, Xander Bogaerts, to load the bases, but after left-fielder Oscar Gonzalez overran the ball, Bleday and Anujar both scored, to make it 8-4. Urshela followed that up with a double to left, and it was now 9-4.

From there, the game really settled down. Springs settled down from his early doldrums to retire 14 of the final 16 men he faced to cap off what was a solid six-inning performance.

Cease, on the other hand, was done after giving up nine runs and nine hits over a rough four innings.

Jose Leclerc pitched through a jam in the top of the seventh on his way to a scoreless inning. Bleday then led off the bottom of the seventh with a home run to right to make it 10-4.

Justin Sterner threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and Tyler Ferguson ended it with a scoreless top of the ninth.

At the end of the game, “California Love” by Tupac played as the A’s new victory song, replacing “celebration,” which of course was used for decades at the Coliseum.

Jeffrey Springs got the win, and Dylan Cease took the loss. The A’s improve to 5-7, and they can take the series with a win in the rubber match tomorrow afternoon.

Osvaldo Bido (5-3, 3.41 ERA) will take the ball for Oakland, and Randy Vasquez (0-1, 1.69 ERA) will go for the Fathers. First pitch will be at 12:35 p.m.

A’s News and Notes:

Tyler Soderstrom had to leave the game with tightness in his right calf. More on his condition should be available shortly.

Sacramento A’s recap: Soderstrom, Butler, and the Long Ball Show, but A’s Fall 12-5 in Coors Field Slugfest

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Colorado Rockies Ezequiel Tovar (right) is thrilled after hitting a double as Sacramento A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson holds the baseball in the bottom of the second inning at Coors Field on Sun Apr 6, 2025 (AP News photo)

Soderstrom, Butler, and the Long Ball Show, but A’s Fall in Coors Field Slugfest

By Mauricio Segura

The thin air of Coors Field once again served as a launchpad, but this time, it launched the Athletics straight into a granite wall of Rockies offense, cold and unmovable like the mountains behind them. Despite continuing their season-long home run streak and getting early fireworks from Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler, the green and gold dropped Sunday’s rubber match to the Rockies, 12-5.

Tyler Soderstrom wasted no time extending the A’s power streak to ten games, the longest season-opening run in franchise history. With two outs in the top of the first, Soderstrom’s two-run blast to right, his fourth of the season, gave the Athletics an early 2-0 lead and showcased the rookie’s knack for clutch power. He now leads the club in go-ahead homers.

Rookie starter Joey Estes, looking to rebound from a rough Opening Day outing, was once again roughed up. He gave up six runs across three innings, including a solo shot to Brenton Doyle in the bottom of the first. Doyle wasn’t done either. His two-run double in the second turned the tide and ignited a five-run Colorado rally that knocked the A’s on their heels.

Estes, who tied a career high by allowing nine hits in his previous start, couldn’t find rhythm in his Coors debut. After his ERA ballooned to 13.50, manager Mark Kotsay handed the reins to Mitch Spence in the fourth. Spence fared little better, yielding another run as Tovar and Doyle, Colorado’s 1-2 punch, continued to hammer the gaps.

Still, the A’s weren’t entirely silenced. Lawrence Butler, red-hot this series, crushed his first homer of the season in the fifth, a no-doubter to center that briefly narrowed the gap to 7-4. It was Butler’s sixth hit in two games, part of a much-needed turnaround for the outfielder who started the season batting .167 through seven games.

Miguel Andujar added three hits, including an RBI single in the fourth. The left fielder, who entered the game on a modest three-game hitting streak, quietly continues to be one of the A’s more consistent bats, now batting .304.

But whatever momentum the Athletics generated was flattened in the bottom of the eighth. The Rockies sent ten men to the plate, piling on five runs against Spence and T.J. McFarland. Ezequiel Tovar, who doubled twice and drove in three, delivered a two-run single in the inning to put the game out of reach. By the time Hunter Goodman’s two-run knock made it 12-4, the damage was done.

The A’s added one more in the ninth on Butler’s RBI single, but that was little consolation in a game where pitching woes once again told the story. Estes is now winless in his last four starts dating back to 2024, and Spence has surrendered ten earned runs over 6.2 innings this year.

Notably, Jacob Wilson’s contact streak ended after 33 plate appearances without a strikeout. He finally struck out, fanning once in the first inning and again in the ninth to end a remarkable run, the longest by an Athletic since Billy Burns in 2016. Wilson did add a single earlier in the game, extending his season-opening hit streak to ten games.

The loss dropped the Athletics to 4-6, still trying to find consistency after being swept at home by the Cubs. They’ll return to Sutter Health Park Monday to open a six-game homestand, starting with a series against the Padres. Luis Severino is expected to take the mound, still in search of his first win in green and gold.

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.

A’s Stun Rockies With Triple Play and Long Ball Barrage in 7-4 Comeback Win

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Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson reaches second base after hitting a double for two RBIs in the top of the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field in Denver on Sat Apr 5, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

What began as a historic defensive feat for the Colorado Rockies ended as a thunderous offensive statement from the Sacramento A’s, who powered their way to a 7-4 comeback win Saturday night at Coors Field. Fueled by a relentless late-inning surge and capped by a dominant ninth from flame-throwing closer Mason Miller, the green and gold captured their second straight win in Denver.

The highlight reel started early for Colorado, who turned the first triple play of the 2025 Major League season in the top of the second. With runners on first and second, Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson grounded sharply to third baseman Ryan McMahon, who initiated a textbook 5-4-3 triple play. It was a moment of defensive brilliance, but the Rockies’ good fortune would be short-lived.

Sacramento starter JP Sears, who carried a career 1.80 ERA against the Rockies into the game, again kept them largely in check. Sears allowed three runs over six solid innings, using a mixture of command and guile to keep Coors Field’s hitter-friendly environment from becoming a launching pad.

Trouble found Sears in the second inning, when Kyle Farmer’s two-out double set up Sean Bouchard’s first homer of the year, a no-doubt two-run blast to left. Colorado tacked on another in the third, capitalizing on a walk and double-play ball to bring home Brenton Doyle for a 3-0 lead.

Then came Sacramento’s slow, steady comeback.

A fourth-inning wild pitch from Germán Márquez scored Lawrence Butler to get the A’s on the board. In the sixth, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers both drew walks before Tyler Soderstrom laced an RBI double. Márquez exited, and Jacob Wilson greeted reliever Jimmy Herget with a go-ahead two-run double to left, putting the A’s up 4-3.

That sixth inning outburst was no fluke, the A’s have been living and dying by the long ball. Coming into the night, 58.6% of their runs had come via homers, the fifth-highest mark in the majors. Saturday’s game only padded that stat.

In the seventh, Brent Rooker continued his hot start to the season by blasting his fourth home run, a solo shot to center. Two batters later, Langeliers, who now has three homers on the year, crushed a two-run bomb to give the A’s a commanding 7-3 lead.

Lawrence Butler had himself a night, going 3 for 4 with a double, single, walk, and a caught stealing. The speedy right fielder is now batting .400 against the Rockies in the series and flashed some aggressive base running that kept the Rockies’ defense alert.

Jacob Wilson also extended his season-opening hit streak to eight games and remains one of only two players in the majors without a strikeout this season. His plate discipline and clutch contact continue to impress, and Saturday’s two-run double proved vital.

The Rockies tried to claw back in the eighth with a solo homer from Ryan McMahon, but their rally fizzled when Kyle Farmer flew out to end the inning.

Then came the closer, Mason Miller.

The electric right-hander closed the door with his third save of the year, striking out two in the ninth while allowing a single and a wild pitch. Miller has now struck out eight of the 11 batters he’s faced this season and remains unscored upon.

Despite a rocky 3-5 start to the year, the A’s have now taken two straight at Rocky Mountain altitude, showcasing the same scrappy resilience they showed in Friday’s extra-innings victory.

The A’s next be looking for the sweep Sunday behind A’s right-hander Joey Estes 0-1 ERA 13.50 vs. Rockies starter RHP Chase Dollander 0-0 ERA 0.00 first pitch 12:10pm PDT.

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

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

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Mauricio Segura

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Jeremiah Salmonson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

The Athletics traded Latino Player and American League record holder

By Amaury Pi-González

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame

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

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

By Jeremiah Salmonson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cubs Spoil Sacramento Debut with 18-3 Blowout of Athletics

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A Rickey Henderson tribute is played on the screen after the Athletics are introduced at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Major League Baseball made its debut in the Sacramento region Monday night under chilly conditions that resembled a Bay Area evening, as the cool Delta breeze swept through Sutter Health Park. The stage was set for the Athletics, now calling Sacramento’s newly renovated ballpark home, to host the Chicago Cubs in the first of their 81 home games this season. An enthusiastic, sellout crowd of 12,192 fans packed the stands to witness history.

Unfortunately for the home crowd, the Cubs dominated, handing the Athletics an 18-3 blowout loss.

Coming off a promising start to their season in Seattle, where the A’s split a four-game series thanks to strong pitching performances, Oakland’s pitching staff collapsed entirely on Monday night. 

The Cubs quickly established momentum, jumping out to a four-run lead in the first inning against A’s starter Joey Estes. Estes struggled with command throughout his brief outing, lasting only four innings while surrendering nine hits, six earned runs, four walks, and three home runs.

The Athletics briefly showed signs of life in the third inning when Jacob Wilson hit a solo home run to cut the deficit to 4-1. However, the Cubs responded immediately in the top of the fourth with a solo homer by Carson Kelly, restoring their four-run advantage.

In the bottom of the fourth, the A’s offense showed resilience again. Max Muncy drove in a run with an RBI double, followed by an RBI groundout from Jacob Wilson, bringing the Athletics closer at 5-3. Unfortunately, this would mark the end of the scoring for the home team.

The Cubs’ offense relentlessly attacked the A’s bullpen, piling on five runs in the fifth inning, six more in the sixth, and adding runs in both the eighth and ninth innings. Oakland’s bullpen struggled significantly: Mitch Spence allowed four runs (two earned) in just two-thirds of an inning, Noah Murdock surrendered six earned runs, and TJ McFarland and Jhonny Pereda each contributed an earned run. Ultimately, no A’s pitcher had an answer for the relentless Cubs lineup.

The Cubs defeated the Athletics 18-3 as they spoiled the A’s home debut in their new home. 

The A’s will seek to bounce back in game two of the series on Tuesday, with Luis Severino scheduled to take the mound following a solid outing in Seattle last week. First pitch is set for 7:07 p.m.