Sacramento A’s pitcher Mason Barnett is the starting pitcher against the Los Angeles Angels on Fri Sep 5, 2025 at the Big A in Anaheim to open a three game series (photo from A’s instagram)
Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 St Louis Cardinal Wilson Contreras got three hits, four RBIs and the Cards Nolan Gorman slugged a home run and the Cards pitcher Matthew Liberatore threw for five and one third innings as the Cards beat the Sacramento A’s Wednesday night 5-1 at Busch Stadium in St Louis.
#2 Libertore picked up his seventh win of the season and the Cards Jo Jo Romero got the last four outs to pick up his seventh save of the season.
#3 The Cards Gorman hit a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to pick up his 14 of the year. Gorman also had two base hits in the contest.
#4 The A’s Nick Kurtz hit an opposite field homer in the top of the eighth for his 28th of the season. For Kurtz it was his 14 opposite field home run this season.
#5 The A’s are off Thursday and are in Anaheim Friday night at the Big A to face the Los Angeles Angels. Starting pitcher for the A’s RHP Mason Barnett (0-1 ERA 11.25) the Angels have not announced a starter as of yet. First pitch 6:35pm PT.
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.
St Louis Cardinals Wilson Contreras celebrates after hitting a two run triple in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Sacramento A’s at Busch Stadium in St Louis on Thu Sep 4, 2025 (AP News photo)
Contreras Crashes the Party as Sacramento’s Late Rally Falls Short
By Mauricio Segura
The Sacramento Athletics were looking to shake off the dust and get something going at Busch Stadium on Thursday night, but despite a late spark, they couldn’t claw back from a steady St. Louis Cardinals squad. The game felt more like a chess match than a slugfest for most of the night until Willson Contreras flipped the board with a monster performance, powering the Cards to a 5-1 win over the Sacramento A’s.
Things started off quietly enough, with both teams going scoreless through the first two innings. Sacramento’s lefty Jeffrey Springs was in control early, keeping the Cardinals guessing and escaping a second-inning jam with runners on the corners. The A’s offense, meanwhile, looked more like they were hitting with pool noodles than bats, managing just two baserunners through the first three frames.
It wasn’t until the bottom of the third that the Cards cracked through, and guess who made the noise? That’d be Contreras. After a Masyn Winn single and Iván Herrera walk, Contreras stepped up and roped a two-run single to right. Brent Rooker tried to play hero with a strong throw, but Contreras was gunned down trying to stretch it into a double. Still, damage done. Cards up 2-0.
From that point, the game had a sluggish rhythm. Sacramento had a chance to answer in the top of the fourth after Rooker singled and swiped second, but a pair of flyouts and a strikeout stranded him. The A’s had runners in scoring position again in the seventh, but came up empty after Zack Gelof grounded out and Carlos Cortes was erased on a force play. If there was a theme to the night for Sacramento, it was missed opportunities, and not in the poetic, coming-of-age movie way.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals kept doing just enough. Nolan Gorman sent a solo shot into the Missouri sky in the bottom of the seventh, giving St. Louis a 3-0 cushion and reminding everyone that even low-scoring games can turn on a single pitch.
Finally, in the top of the eighth, Sacramento fans got something to cheer about. Rookie Nick Kurtz stepped in and launched his 28th homer of the season into left field, cutting the lead to 3-1. Rooker followed with his second double of the night and things started to feel a little different.
Tyler Soderstrom singled to put runners on the corners, and suddenly the tying run was at first. But just as quickly as the moment swelled, it popped. Gelof struck out, and Hernaiz grounded out after a failed challenge at first.
The bottom of the eighth? That’s when Contreras buried it.
After a leadoff groundout and a walk to Winn, the A’s intentionally walked Lars Nootbaar, a smart move on paper. But with two outs and runners on first and second, Contreras stepped up and lasered a triple to center, clearing the bases and putting the game effectively out of reach at 5-1. That brought his RBI total to four for the night. Not bad for a guy who also played first base all game, a position he’s still relatively new to.
In the ninth, Lawrence Butler tried to ignite one final rally with a leadoff single, but Brett Harris rolled into a double play and Langeliers grounded out to seal the deal.
For Sacramento, the night was frustrating. They had ten hits, just one fewer than the Cardinals, but went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base. Brent Rooker continued to rake, collecting his 36th double and adding a single, while Nick Kurtz’s solo shot was the only tally on the scoreboard. Butler chipped in three hits of his own, but it wasn’t enough.
Defensively, the A’s didn’t boot the ball around. No errors. And Springs gave them a respectable start. But they just couldn’t string the hits together when it counted. That’s been the story of the season in too many games like this one: a solid outing, flashes of potential, but no finish.
Meanwhile, St. Louis didn’t do anything flashy outside of Contreras’ bat and Gorman’s bomb, but they were efficient. And in a game where every hit mattered, that was the difference.
A’s have Thursday off will take on the Los Angeles Angels Friday night at the Big A in Anaheim. Starting pitcher for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (0-1 ERA 11.25) no pitcher has been announced for the Angels.
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.
St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II, left, grounds out as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz handles the throw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Athletics Miss Their Chance in St. Louis as Cardinals Capitalize Late for 2-1 win By Mauricio Segura
The Sacramento Athletics ran into a familiar frustration: timely hits from the other side, a bullpen mistake at the wrong moment, and bats that just couldn’t find enough holes. The St. Louis Cardinals made the most of their opportunity, turning one swing from Iván Herrera into the difference in a 2-1 defeat for the Green and Gold Tuesday night.
For the first five innings, this game felt like it belonged to the A’s. Luis Severino set the tone early, retiring batters with a mix of sharp fastballs and well-placed breaking stuff. He allowed a few singles but escaped any real damage, highlighted by picking off Nathan Church in the third inning. Severino looked completely in control, striking out three and keeping the Cardinals from generating any real momentum.
Meanwhile, the A’s did their best to scratch across a run against St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas. In the top of the third, JJ Bleday doubled and advanced to third after a misplay in right field by Church. That opened the door for Nick Kurtz, who smacked a sharp double of his own to score Bleday and give Sacramento a 1-0 lead. It was the kind of at-bat that showed why Kurtz has quickly become a vital piece in the middle of the order.
Sacramento threatened again in the fifth when Zack Gelof doubled and moved to third, but the A’s failed to cash him in. Jacob Wilson’s popup ended the inning and kept it a one-run game. That inability to tack on runs turned out to be the theme of the night. Time after time, the A’s got men on base but couldn’t string together the hits needed to break the game open.
Severino’s night ended after five scoreless innings, and manager Mark Kotsay turned to the bullpen. That’s where things unraveled. Hogan Harris came on in the sixth and immediately allowed a leadoff walk to speedster Victor Scott II. A sacrifice bunt and a soft grounder moved Scott to third with two outs. With first base open, the A’s still chose to pitch to Herrera. The Cardinals catcher made them pay, crushing a two-run homer to center field off reliever Michael Kelly. Just like that, Sacramento’s slim lead had evaporated.
From there, the A’s couldn’t find an answer. Matt Svanson and JoJo Romero shut them down over the final three innings, allowing just one walk and striking out two. Sacramento’s last chance came in the eighth when Jacob Wilson drew a two-out walk, but pinch-runner Max Schuemann was stranded after Brent Rooker popped out. The ninth brought more of the same: three quick outs, capped by Shea Langeliers going down on strikes and pinch-hitter Colby Thomas grounding out to end it.
It was the type of loss that gnaws at a team. The Athletics outhit the Cardinals early, had runners in scoring position multiple times, and still couldn’t find that one clutch knock to put the game out of reach. Instead, the story became a single mistake pitch and a wasted gem from Severino, who deserved far better than a no-decision.
Starting pitchers for Wednesday for Sacramento LHP Jefferey Springs (10-9 ERA 4.17) for the Cardinals Matthew Liberatore (6-11 ERA 4.32) first pitch 4:45 pm PT at Busch Stadium St Louis.
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 pitcher Jefferey Springs is the only pitcher on the A’s staff to have double digits for wins with a record of 10-9 (AP News photo)
A’s 2025 Reprise of 2024
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-González
Beginning September 1, the last month of the regular season, the A’s have 24 games left, currently with a 63-75 record. The 2025 version appears to have a much more explosive lineup than the 2024 version; with much less talented pitching, nevertheless, they are very close to ending with the same record, albeit with a very similar one, and have an outside (and although unlikely) shot at ending exactly as they did last season, which was a 69-93 record. Like the legendary Yankee broadcaster Mel Allen would say, “How about that!”
The 2025 version, as of the conclusion of August, has Brent Rooker with 27 home runs, rookie Nick Kurtz (probably AL Rookie of the Year) also with 27 home runs, and catcher Shea Langeliers with 29 home runs, with an excellent opportunity to reach 30-plus HR this season for the first time in his career. Mathematically, all three, Rooker, Kurtz, and Langeliers, could each finish with 30 home runs or more.
The team signed Luis Severino to a 3-year deal for $67 million (the biggest in franchise history) back in December 2024 to be the #1 starter and leader with his experience helping a young pitching staff; however, from the beginning, he complained about the park and was not happy at all in Sacramento.
As of today, Severino’s record is 6-11 with a 4.82 ERA. Since pitching is the most mentally demanding of all positions, I believe his negative feelings at the beginning of the season were detrimental to his mindset, which affected him and ultimately led to his inability to straighten out his season.
Jeffrey Springs is the only A’s hurler to have double-digit wins; 10-9 with a 4.17 ERA. In 2025, prior to his trade to the San Diego Padres on July 31, JP Sears had a 7-9 record with a 4.95 ERA for the Oakland A’s (or, the temporary “The Athletics”) over 22 starts and 111 innings.
He was the team’s second-leading winner at the All-Star break. Sears (La Tienda, in Spanish for The Store), as I nicknamed him during our Spanish broadcast, could find himself in the 2025 World Series, with a Padres team that is super-loaded with talent.
The Padres are so deep and have one of the best bullpens anywhere. They do not have to use Mason Miller to close every game; that is how deep this San Diego ballclub is today.
Starting Labor Day, these are the teams Los Atléticos will play during the home stretch: Cardinals, Angels, Red Sox, Reds, Pirates, Astros, and the Kansas City Royals. Only Houston, Boston, and Kansas City are teams playing over .500 with a good chance of advancing to the postseason. Will they finish in penultimate place, like last season, or in last place, like in 2023?
Quote: “For many in baseball, September is a month of stark contrast with April, when everyone had dared to hope” – John Thorn.
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.
While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com
Sacramento A’s pitcher Luis Morales will get the start against the St Louis Cardinals on Mon Sep 1, 2025 at Busch Stadium in St Louis (AP file photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Mauricio Segura:
#1 The Texas Rangers Joc Pederson doubled with three RBIs. Ranger pitcher Jacob deGrom struckout six batters and pitched shutout ball for five innings in the Rangers 9-6 win over the Sacramento A’s. What did A’s starter JT Ginn need to do try and shut the Rangers hitting down?
#2 The loss was a sweep as the A’s lost all three game to the Rangers and just couldn’t really get past the Rangers throughout the series. How did you see the A’s hitting in the series?
#3 deGrom had been struggling he was 0-4 in his last five starts resulting in Ranger losses. deGrom’s last win was back on July 22 in deGrom first appearance since the All Star break. deGrom had skipped a start during that stretch due to shoulder fatigue. Despite deGrom’s earlier struggles he’s got experience and he gave the A’s line up fits?
#4 It’s getting rough for the A’s, they have now been swept nine times this year and this was the first time they were swept at home since May 19-22 by the Los Angeles Angels. The Rangers swept Sacramento in Texas for the first time this year. How frustrating how it got to be for Sacramento to have been swept that amount of times.
#5 On Monday the A’s open a six game road trip starting in St Louis. Starting pitcher for the A’s Monday Luis Morales (2-0 ERA 1.19) and for the St Louis Cardinals former A’s pitcher Sonny Gray (12-7 ERA 4.19) first pitch 11:115AM PT. How do you see this match up and can the A’s get it moving again on this road trip?
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.
Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics looks on after hitting an RBI double against the Texas Rangers in the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on August 31, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s will look to move past the rubble of the last weekend in August after being swept by the Rangers this weekend.
Sunday, the Rangers completed the sweep in 9-6 fashion in front of an announced 8,716 fans at Sutter Health Park. The first pitch was tossed in 97-degree heat.
J.T. Ginn, who has had a really up-and-down season for the A’s this season, got the nod for manager Mark Kotsay and the A’s looking to avoid the sweep on Sunday afternoon.
Ginn wasn’t impressive and clearly didn’t have his best stuff. J.T. ran into trouble immediately in the game as he surrendered a two-run homer to Joc Pederson as the Rangers got off to an early start.
On the other hand, Ginn at least gave the A’s some length. Ginn was able to go six innings while allowing five runs on five hits while walking two and surrendering two home runs.
“I think there’s still a lot to work with, J.T.,” Mark Kotsay said after the game. “He did throw strikes today, which is a positive. The balls up on the sinker today is what they took advantage of today, really.”
Ginn elaborated after the game on his thoughts on the start.
“I think I just had some sinkers over the plate… I thought it was good to get through six innings. That’s something that has kind of been a struggle for me throughout the year, but I think I attacked the zone given the circumstances.”
The Bullpen
The A’s bullpen wasn’t sharp either on a forgettable Sunday afternoon in 100-degree temperatures.
Elvis Alvarado, who has really come into his own this season for the A’s, was only able to record one out in the seventh inning while giving up two runs on two hits and walking two.
Mark Kotsay elected to go with Eduarniel Núñez to clean up Alvarado’s mess and he did just that, striking out the two batters he faced in the seventh. In the eighth inning, Núñez ran into trouble of his own. He gave up two runs on two hits while also walking two in a rough inning. He would finish his outing tossing one and two-thirds innings.
Tyler Ferguson was the last man out of the pen for the A’s and gave up a run on two hits in the ninth inning for the A’s.
The Bats
The A’s bats were quiet most of the day. However, the A’s found some life late in the game in the eighth inning.
After the A’s loaded the bases with one out, Jacob Wilson doubled home a pair to pull the A’s to within six and make it an 8-2 game.
Brent Rooker came up next in the eighth and hit an RBI groundout to give the A’s their third run of the game. Yet, the A’s didn’t stop there.
Tyler Soderstrom hit an RBI double to the opposite field and Carlos Cortez followed with an RBI double of his own as the A’s drove in two more runs to make it an 8-5 game.
In the ninth inning, the A’s got one more run as Lawrence Butler doubled home JJ Bleday, who pinch-hit for Brett Harris and walked earlier in the inning.
The A’s finished the game with those six runs and managed to tally nine hits in the contest.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay was pleased with the fight his club showed, albeit coming up short.
“I thought the effort and the fight that we had in the eighth inning shows a lot about the club and easily could have shut it down today down by eight runs in the eighth inning, and they didn’t.”
Up Next
The A’s head on the road to take on the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday at 11:15 a.m. PDT. It is a rare tough day away game followed by a day home game where the visiting team must travel east.
Luis Morales (2-0, 1.19) is set to go for the A’s as the Cardinals will send Sonny Gray (12-7, 4.19 ERA) to the hill in the matinee affair.
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.
Lawrence Butler #4 of the Athletics is congratulated by Brent Rooker #25 after Butler hit a solo home run against the Texas Rangers in the bottom of the third inning at Sutter Health Park on August 30, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s and Rangers were back in action on Saturday night in game two of a three-game series.
The A’s lost game two of the series 9-3 against the Rangers at Sutter Health Park.
Mason Barnett started for the beleaguered A’s rotation in what was his MLB debut on Saturday. Barnett, who was drafted in the 2022 First-Year Player Draft by the Royals, spent two plus seasons in the organization before being acquired by the A’s. The A’s acquired Barnett from the Royals in a 2024 trade where the A’s sent Lucas Erceg to the Royals in the deal.
In his minor league career, Barnett is 22-17 with a 4.44 ERA in 78 games in which 72 were starts. Mason was 6-2 with Triple-A Las Vegas this season while pitching to a 6.13 ERA in 25 games.
On Saturday, Barnett pitched well in his debut but the runs began to add up in his outing. Mason gave up eight hits and five runs across four-plus innings of work while walking none and striking out one. The last straw in his outing would be a home run to lead off the fifth inning that prompted Mark Kotsay to go to the bullpen.
Mark Kotsay spoke after the game about the outing from Barnett.
“He attacked the strike zone and he got beat with pitches in the middle of the plate,” Kotsay said. “Early on it looked like the fastball had some life and he was getting some popups, but I think they picked up the release point and stayed on the breaking ball pretty well.”
Mason Barnett, who spoke to the media after the game, reflected on his MLB debut and how it went.
“I was super excited for it for sure,” Barnett said. “Obviously not what I wanted, and at the end of the day we didn’t win and I think that’s the most important. I’ve got to move forward from here and make the adjustments I need to make.”
Barnett continued on what the moment was like for him after years of grinding in the minor leagues.
“I was super excited, super pumped. I was excited to get out there and I feel like after the first inning I kind of settled in a little bit…”
The Bullpen
The A’s bullpen kept the A’s in the game early on Saturday while tossing five productive innings. However, the A’s pen let the game get away from them late.
Hogan Harris relieved Mason Barnett in the game and tossed a scoreless fifth inning, giving up just one hit.
Tyler Ferguson came in to pitch the sixth inning, giving up two hits but managing to escape the inning unscathed.
Sean Newcomb, who the A’s have relied on a lot in recent weeks in high-leverage situations, wasn’t sharp in the seventh inning as he gave up two runs on three hits and was only able to get two outs. Osvaldo Bido came in and got the final out of the seventh before pitching a scoreless eighth, giving up one hit.
Bido ran into trouble in the top of the ninth as he surrendered a two-run homer to allow the Rangers to expand their lead to 9-3. All in, Bido finished with two and a third innings pitched, giving up two runs on three hits in his outing.
The Bats
For the second night in a row, the A’s offense failed to keep pace with their opponent.
The A’s only managed eight hits, three runs, and walked only once against a solid Rangers pitching effort.
The A’s first two runs came in the third inning when Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker hit solo home runs on opposite ends of a Shea Langeliers lineout. It got the A’s on the board and at that time they only trailed 4-2. However, the A’s weren’t able to do much else until late when Carlos Cortes hit an RBI double. That would be all the A’s could muster in their 9-3 defeat at the hands of Bruce Bochy and the Rangers.
Nick Kurtz Injury Update
The A’s announced that the MRI on Nick Kurtz’s right oblique came back clean and he does not have a strain. Mark Kotsay said before Saturday’s game that Kurtz should be back “sooner than later” (according to a tweet from MLB.com writer Martín Gallegos).
Up Next
The A’s will look to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Rangers on Sunday at 1:05 PM PST at Sutter Health Park.
The Rangers are slated to send Jacob deGrom (10-6, 2.79 ERA) to the hill countered by A’s righty J.T. Ginn (2-5, 4.96 ERA).
A’s Las Vegas ballpark live stream at 3:00pm Fri Aug 29, 2025 (A’s Vegas ball park live stream)
Sacramento A’s relocation podcast: MLB Studying nine cities for expansion
#1 MLB is proposing realignment but there must be expansion before that is to happen. Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred said there will be shuffling teams into different divisions and MLB is considering adding two more teams from expansion to make realignment work.
#2 There are a multiple cities vying for a MLB team there is a list of the top nine cities who want a MLB franchise but only two would be considered. Those two should be ready to host by 2030.
#3 The top cities being considered, Charlotte, Mexico City, Montreal, Nashville, San Antonio, Salt Lake City, Portland, Sacramento, and Oakland. Daniel talk about which two cities has the best chance to get selected.
#4 Since we are doing the A’s relocation podcast talk about your thoughts on the chances of Oakland getting an expansion team.
#5 The pluses for an Oakland expansion team its the tenth largest TV market in the country and the Bay Area has no shortage of corporate sponsorships. Oakland is the largest TV market out of the nine cities mentioned for expansion. Money talks will MLB be smart on the TV market size or keep walking past Oakland?
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.
Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Texas Rangers in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on August 29, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO — The A’s winning streak was snapped at three games as they lost game one of a three-game series to the Texas Rangers 5-2 on Friday night.
A’s starter Jeffrey Springs pitched well but not well enough to avoid being the losing pitcher for the game. Springs went five and two-thirds innings, giving up three runs on seven hits in his outing. He also walked two and struck out five in what was a solid body of work overall.
The Bullpen
The A’s bullpen came in and did its part to keep the game close and give the team a chance.
Michael Kelly, the first arm out of the pen for the A’s, allowed two runs on one hit in his two-thirds of an inning of work.
Eduarniel Núñez came in as the second man out of the pen and tossed one and two-thirds innings. Núñez pitched well, giving up only one hit and no runs in his outing while showing good command.
Brady Basso finished off the game for the A’s out of the bullpen, tossing a scoreless ninth inning with his only blemish being a walk.
The Bats
The A’s bats weren’t able to get it done on Friday night as they came up short against the Rangers’ staff.
The A’s scored in the third inning on a two-run double from Brent Rooker that tied the game at two at the time.
However, the A’s wouldn’t score the rest of the way and only managed five total hits in the game, struggling to generate much traffic on the bases.
Nick Kurtz
A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz left Friday’s game with what the club described as “right oblique soreness.”
Afterward, Kurtz said the issue has been bothering him recently and that he felt it more in the second inning. To avoid making it worse, the team pulled him from the game.
Manager Mark Kotsay said Kurtz will be evaluated this weekend. “We’re going to get a look at it tomorrow,” Kotsay said. “But it’s a holiday weekend, so it might be difficult.”
Up Next
The A’s and Rangers will battle again in game two of the series on Saturday at 7 p.m. PST at Sutter Health Park.
Merrill Kelly (10-7, 3.20 ERA) is scheduled to go for the Rangers, and he will be countered by Mason Barnett, who is making his major league debut for the A’s.
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 pitcher Luis Morales was dealing in the shutout against the Detroit Tigers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 27, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 The Sacramento Athletics got superb pitching from starter Luis Morales who pitched seven innings, allowed two hits, two walks, and seven strike outs to help shutout the Detroit Tigers 7-0 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento Wednesday night.
#2 The win is a sweep for the A’s in three games over the Tigers 8-3 on Monday, 7-6 on Tuesday and Wednesday night’s sweeper a 7-0 shutout.
#3 The A’s got key hitting in the first inning Tyler Soderstrom scored Nick Kurtz on a base hit to left for a 1-0 lead, in the second Zack Gelof hit a two run home run that put the A’s on top 3-0. Later in the second Brent Rooker hit a sac fly to center that scored Kurtz and it was 4-0 after 1.5 half.
#4 In the fourth the A’s added three more runs before it was over Brett Harris scored on an error as Gelof was safe on a throwing error by Tigers pitcher Casey Mize making it 5-0. In the top of the eighth Gelof doubled to center scoring Harris and JJ Bleday for all the damage and a 7-0 final.
#5 A’s have a day off Thursday before opening the next leg of their homestand against the Texas Rangers Friday. RHP Jack Lieter (8-7 ERA 3.81) will start for the Rangers and the A’s LHP Jefferey Springs (10-8 ERA 4.15). First pitch 7:05pm PT in West Sacramento.
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.
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