Sacramento A’s game wrap: Wilson’s Blast Buys Extra Time but Vargas Cashes In As D-Backs edge A’s in 10 innings 6-5

Wilson’s Blast Buys Extra Time but Vargas Cashes In As D-Backs edge A’s in 10 innings 6-5

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Idemaro Vargas turns a double play while avoiding the sliding Sacramento A’s Tyler Soderstrom (21) on a ball hit by the A’s Jonah Heim in the top of the third at Chase Field in Phoenix Tue Jul 22, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

Digging out of an early hole, the A’s finally reached level ground with two outs in the ninth, and even moved ahead in the tenth. One final answer from Arizona turned the comeback into a 6-5 loss when Ildemaro Vargas singled home Gabriel Moreno for the winning run.

Jack Perkins had barely settled on the mound when Arizona built a 3-0 lead. Ketel Marte drew a leadoff walk, Moreno singled with two outs, and Max Kepler drove a three-run homer to right-center. The opening inning had already been Perkins’ biggest trouble spot as a starter, with ten of his previous 24 runs allowed occurring in the first. Perkins recovered from there,allowing no more runs over his next four innings and giving the A’s enough time to work their way back.

That work began in the third. Lawrence Butler sent a grounder through the middle and raced to third for a triple, then scored when Alika Williams singled to right. Jacob Wilson was hit by a pitch and Tyler Soderstrom drew a walk, loading the bases with nobody out. It was the first major turning point, and Arizona starter Kohl Drake escaped it. Shea Langeliers lined to shortstop, and Jonah Heim grounded into a double play that held the score at 3-1.

Drake, making his major-league debut, limited the Athletics to that single run across five innings. Tommy White produced one of the few other threats with a fourth-inning single, one game after becoming the third player in Athletics history to record four hits within his first three major-league games.

Arizona added breathing room in the seventh without a hit. Geoff Hartlieb issued consecutive walks to Vargas and Jorge Barrosa, then threw a wild pitch that moved both runners. Marte followed with a sacrifice fly, scoring Vargas for a 4-1 lead.

The Athletics answered in the eighth when Langeliers drove Ryan Thompson’s pitch over the wall in left-center. It was his 23rd homer of the season, continuing another power-heavy year for the All-Star catcher. Heim and White followed with singles, putting the tying runs aboard, but Jeff McNeil grounded into an inning-ending double play.

The ninth began quietly and nearly ended the same way. Paul Sewald retired Carlos Cortes and Butler, leaving the Athletics one out from defeat. Donovan Walton then lined a triple to center, and Wilson followed with a two-run homer to left that tied the game at 4-4. Wilson entered the game riding an eight-game hitting streak and carrying the third-longest errorless streak by a shortstop in major-league history. One swing had rescued the Athletics from the edge.

Soderstrom began the tenth at second and moved to third on Langeliers’ groundout. Heim lifted a sacrifice fly to center, giving the A’s their first lead at 5-4. Late production has been a regular part of Heim’s season, with 18 of his first 30 RBIs recorded in the seventh inning or later.

The lead did not survive the bottom half. Luis Medina inherited Corbin Carroll at second, then issued walks to Moreno and Kepler. Nolan Arenado singled to center to score Carroll and tie the game, keeping the bases loaded. Medina struck out Tim Tawa, but Vargas followed with a ground-ball single to left that brought Moreno home and ended it.

The Athletics had several reasons to admire the fight, especially after falling behind by three runs before recording a hit. They also had two painful missed chances: the bases-loaded opportunity with nobody out in the third and the two-on threat in the eighth. Those moments separated a stirring comeback victory from a defeat that took ten innings to settle.

The series finale will send rookie left-hander Gage Jump (3-5, 3.78 ERA, 56 strikeouts) against veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly (7-8, 5.20 ERA, 62 strikeouts), with first pitch set for 12:40 p.m. Pacific and a rubber game waiting to be claimed.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap:McNeil’s Pinch Hit Turns the Desert Green in 5-2 A’s win

Sacramento A’s Jeff McNiel launches a two run seventh inning pinch hit home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix on Mon Jul 20, 2026 (AP News photo)

McNeil’s Pinch Hit Turns the Desert Green in 5-2 A’s win

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-2 with contributions from the entire lineup. They got a rookie’s first home run, another blast from their steady shortstop, four hits from a newcomer, a veteran’s two-run pinch single and three scoreless innings from the bullpen. The result ended an eight-game road losing streak and a run of five straight defeats in series openers.

Joshua Kuroda-Grauer provided the first jolt in the second inning. The 23-year-old drove Mitch Bratt’s pitch 416 feet to left-center for his first major-league home run, giving the A’s a 1-0 lead. He later fought through a painful foul ball off his groin and finished the plate appearance with a single before leaving with a testicular contusion.

Kuroda-Grauer entered the game tied for the most hits by an Athletic through the first 15 games of a career. His two-hit performance gave him 25 through 16 games, matching Eddie Murphy’s franchise mark from 1912. It was another impressive chapter in a start that has made the rookie one of the brightest parts of a difficult summer.

Jacob Wilson doubled the advantage in the fifth, sending a solo home run to left-center for his sixth of the season. Wilson also handled every chance at shortstop, extending his errorless streak to 100 games. Between Kuroda-Grauer and Wilson, the left side of the Athletics’ infield supplied power, defense and a glimpse of what the club hopes to build around.

Jeffrey Springs protected the 2-0 lead through five innings. Arizona’s Nolan Arenado doubled in the fifth for the 2,000th hit of his career, but Springs stranded him. The Diamondbacks finally solved the left-hander in the sixth. Jorge Barrosa opened with a double, and Ketel Marte followed with a two-run homer that tied the game. Geraldo Perdomo added a bunt single, prompting Mark Kotsay to turn to Luis Medina.

The Athletics had already missed a major scoring chance in the top of the sixth. Tommy White and Alika Williams reached, Henry Bolte moved them over with a sacrifice bunt, but Perdomo threw White out at home on Wilson’s grounder. That wasted opportunity could have hung over the game. Instead, the A’s answered one inning later.

Shea Langeliers and Lawrence Butler began the seventh with singles against Kevin Ginkel. After Donovan Walton popped up a bunt and Jonah Heim struck out, White hit a ground ball back toward the mound. He was initially ruled out, which would have ended the inning, but a replay challenge overturned the call and loaded the bases.

That brought Jeff McNeil off the bench. He entered just 1-for-8 as a pinch hitter, while the Athletics’ pinch hitters had managed only one hit in their previous 23 at-bats. McNeil changed the math with one swing, lining a single to center that scored Langeliers and Butler for a 4-2 lead. He then stole second, and White scored on Ginkel’s wild pitch to make it 5-2.

White finished 4-for-5 in only his fourth major-league game, giving the Athletics a steady stream of traffic from the seventh spot. The A’s collected 15 hits, including 13 singles, and did enough with them to overcome 11 runners left on base.

Medina earned the victory after stopping Arizona’s sixth-inning threat and working through the seventh. José Suarez retired the side in order in the eighth, and Hogan Harris handled a two-runner ninth for his seventh save. Harris struck out Ildemaro Vargas and Arenado before an automatic-ball-strike challenge turned Ryan Waldschmidt’s apparent ball into the final strike.

Game 2 is set for 6:40 p.m Tuesday night. Pacific, with Jack Perkins (2-5, 6.87 ERA, 72 strikeouts) starting for the Athletics; Arizona had not officially named its pitcher as of publication, though Triple-A left-hander Kohl Drake (3-5, 6.92 ERA, 60 strikeouts) was reportedly in line for his major-league debut.

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 Barbara Mason: A’s can’t get past Nationals in 5-2 loss

Washington Nationals Dylan Crews is congratulated by teammates after hitting a top of the fifth inning home run against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Heatlh Park in West Sacramento on Sun Jul 19, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the visiting Washington Nationals rebounded on the Sunday after getting clobbered by the Sacramento A’s on Saturday. The Nats held on for a 5-2 win getting pitching from starter Frank Griffin who pitched seven innings allowing eight hits and one run.

#2 A’s starter Jacob Lopez went 4.1 innings allowing two hits and two runs and strike out six hitters, Lopez was releived by Elvis Alvarado who pitched two thirds allowing two hits and three earned runs, which accounted for a bulk of the Washington runs Sunday.

#3 Alvarado got tagged for two home runs by the Nationals in the top of the fifth inning when CJ Abrams hit a 422 foot two run home run giving the Nats a 4-1 lead. The Nats picked up an insurance run from Dylan Crews who hit 362 foot home run to left field making it 5-1.

#4 The A’s only offense came from Tyler Soderstrom when he hit a single to right field to score Alika Williams in the bottom of the third. Later the A’s would add their last run of the game in when Jacob Wilson singled to center scoring Jeff McNeil to make it 5-2 which would be the final.

#5 The A’s head to Arizona to open up a three game series with the Diamondbacks. Starting pitchers for Sacramento LHP Jeffrey Springs LHP (3-9 ERA 6.08) for Arizona LHP Mitch Bratt (0-0 ERA 6.00) first pitch 6:40pm PDT at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Barbara Mason filled in for Daniel Dullum on the Sacramento A’s podcast. Barbara usually podcasts A’s baseball Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: A’s Offense Sputters As Nationals Take Series Winning Game Three 5-2

Sacramento A’s starting pitcher Jacob Lopez deals to the Washington Nationals line up in the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Jul 19, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Washington Nationals (50-50) had the A’s number in game one of their series severely beating them down 23-4 Friday followed by the Athletics (42-57) getting some outstanding payback in game two winning that game 15-1 on Saturday.

On Sunday it all came down to game three that would decide the winner of this series. It was a bit of an up and down game for starting pitcher Jacob Lopez. He was relieved by Elvis Alvarado who gave up two back-to-back home runs for three runs and the Nationals had a 5-1 lead.

Prior to those home runs the A’s were looking at a 2-1 deficit that was manageable but that all came to an end when the Nationals extended their lead to 5-1. While the Athletics did have 11 hits in this game and the Nationals only seven.

The two home runs were the deciding factor in Sunday’s National win along with the A’s inability to string together hits. They have only won one series this season at home another huge disappointment after sitting atop the division for quite a while earlier this season.

GAME RECAP

Going into this game three the series was up for grabs. After a couple of exciting offensive competitions both teams were eyeing a win in the final game of the series. A’s starter Lopez got the first out of the game but went on to walk the next two at bats.

25 pitches later Lopez got out of the inning leaving the two runners stranded. Jacob Wilson got a single in the bottom of the first but 13 pitches later the Nationals Foster Griffin closed out the inning.

The Athletics retired the Nationals in the top of the second as did Washington leaving one runner Colby Thomas stranded going into the top of the third inning.

The Nationals were first up on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Nasim Nunez scored on a Curtis Mead ground out taking a 1-0 lead. It was a very brief lead for the Nationals. The Athletics tied up the game in the bottom of the inning when Tyler Soderstrom singled Alika Williams home and this game was knotted at 1-1 after three innings.

The Nationals took back the lead in the top of the fourth when Harry Ford doubled Dylan Crews home for a 2-1 advantage. Ford hit the ball deep into left field and Soderstrom could not round it up for the easy Washington run.

Lopez hit a second batter in the inning but got out of the inning leaving two runners stranded only giving up the one run. The Nationals retired the Athletics three and out in the bottom of the fourth.

It all came apart in the top of the fifth inning when the Nationals picked A’s relief pitcher Elvis Alvarado apart hitting a couple of back-to-back home runs. The first a two run home run off the bat of CJ Abrams with Curtis Mead on base for a 4-2 lead. Dylan Crews hit a solo home run to finish off the top of the inning with the Nationals leading 5-1.

Henry Bolte had singled to start off the bottom of the inning, the only hit of the inning for the A’s.

The A’s Brady Basso came in to relieve Alvarado in the top of the sixth inning. Despite a throwing error from Joshua Kuroda-Grauer he got the A’s out of the sixth inning. Shea Langeliers doubled to start off the bottom of the sixth but there was not much else going on for Sacramento going into the seventh inning. The A’s had a lot of ground to make up and not much time to do it.

The Nationals went three and out in the top of the eighth. The A’s would face relief pitcher Tom Cosgrove in the bottom of the eighth inning who only lasted 2/3 of an inning after giving up back-to-back singles to Jonah Heim and Josua Kuroda-Grauer. He was relieved by Clayton Beeter after giving up the two singles. Beeter got the job done and the A’s were down to their last three outs.

The Athletics Geoff Hartlieb came into the bottom of the ninth inning looking for some sort of rally. While the A’s were able to score a run in the ninth that would be all from Sacramento. Wilson singled Jeff McNeil home for the one run. The final was 5-2 in favor of the Nationals.

GAME NOTES

The Nationals clearly took advantage of scoring opportunities. They were more effective with runners on base while the Athletics had a lot of trouble delivering timely hits. The A’s did struggle on the mound.

Lopez has been inconsistent this season and the Nationals this season have been able to capitalize when they have runners aboard. It was Alvarado who did the most damage in this game however.

A huge reason for the Nationals win in this game was starting pitcher Foster Griffin who has been one of Washington’s most reliable pitchers and he made it extremely difficult for the Athletics lineup to string together any sort of rally. It was another disappointing loss for the Athletics coming out of the all-star game.

Lopez took the mound in this game with a 4-3 win/loss record and a 6.83 ERA. He favored the slider to start the game and held fairly steady through four innings. He was relieved by Alvarado who gave up back-to-back home runs for three National runs in the fifth inning. Lopez pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing two hits, two earned runs, two walks with six strikeouts.

The Athletics faced the Nationals starter Foster Griffin with a solid 10-2 win/loss record and a 2.77 ERA. He had a solid showing pitching seven innings allowing eight hits, ine earned run, one walk and two strikeouts.

Monday the Athletics will head to Arizona for a three-game series with the Diamondbacks. Sacramento’s pitcher for the series will be Jeffrey Springs. He has a 3-9 win/loss record and a 6.08 ERA.

The Diamondbacks will probably start Mitch Bratt a newly acquired young left-handed pitcher. His two starts this season only went three innings so the win/loss decision went to the bullpen. He has no win/loss record so far this season but has a 6.00 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Wilson Starts a Green and Gold Turnaround Whip Nats 15-1; Sac skid ends at 10 games

Sacramento A’s pitcher JT Ginn took a no hitter into the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals on Sat Jul 18, 2026 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s game wrap:

By Mauricio Segura

Jacob Wilson needed one swing to show the Sacramento Athletics had no interest in extending their misery. His leadoff homer to left launched a five-run first inning, J.T. Ginn carried a no-hitter into the seventh, and the A’s buried the Washington Nationals 15-1 to halt a season-high 10-game losing streak on Saturday night at Sutter Health Park.

The turnaround was comical in its size. The A’s had been outscored 91-25 during the disapointing streak, then scored more runs in this game than they had produced over their previous seven games combined. They also responded to a 23-4 loss in the series opener by taking control and dominating Washington almost immediately.

Ginn set the tone by striking out James Wood, Luis García Jr. and José Tena in order in the top of the first. Wilson then sent a Zack Littell offering over the left-field wall. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a single, Carlos Cortes doubled him home, and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer added another RBI double for a 3-0 lead. Jonah Heim’s single scored Kuroda-Grauer, and Lawrence Butler’s force play brought home Donovan Walton to make it 5-0.

Rookie Kuroda-Grauer entered tied for the most hits by an Athletics player through his first 13 major-league games, matching Jack Hayden’s 21 in 1901. His first-inning double gave him 22 through 14 games, one more than Hayden had at the same point.

The A’s added another run in the second. Wilson singled, Shea Langeliers drew a walk, Cortes was hit by a pitch, and Kuroda-Grauer’s grounder scored Wilson for a 6-0 advantage. Littell then held the score there through the fifth, but Ginn gave Washington even less. The right-hander allowed only three walks through six innings and struck out seven while keeping the Nationals without a hit.

Jeff McNeil began the sixth with an infield single after an Athletics challenge overturned the original call. Two outs later, Soderstrom drove a two-run homer to right-center, stretching the lead to 8-0. It was a fitting burst from a hitter who had recently returned from a left hip injury.

Washington finally collected its first hit when Keibert Ruiz singled with one out in the seventh. Ginn departed after 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three walks with seven strikeouts. Hogan Harris finished the inning by getting Daylen Lile on a force play and striking out Curtis Mead.

Then the A’s turned the bottom of the seventh into a long tour of the bases. Cortes opened with a solo homer for a 9-0 lead. Walton drew a walk, Butler later joined him aboard, and McNeil singled home Walton as an error by Wood moved Butler to third. Wilson followed with an RBI single before Soderstrom was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Langeliers cleared them with a three-run double to right, pushing the margin to 14-0.

Cortes had made his fifth pitching appearance of the season in the opener, joining Charlie Jamieson as the only Athletics position players to pitch five times in one year. Back at his usual job, Cortes finished with a double, homer, two RBI and two runs.

McNeil added another RBI single in the eighth, capping a three-hit, two-RBI performance and making it 15-0. Wilson also finished with three hits, three runs and two RBI. Soderstrom had two hits, three runs and two RBI, and every Athletics starter reached base at least once.

The Nationals avoided the shutout in the ninth. Ruiz opened with a ground-rule double, moved to third on Lile’s single and scored on Jorbit Vivas’ sacrifice fly. Luis Medina then retired Dylan Crews on a force play to finish the 15-1 victory, a result that replaced ten games of frustration with nine innings of complete control.

The series finale puts two left-handers on center stage as Jacob Lopez (4-3, 6.83 ERA, 43 strikeouts) starts for the A’s against Washington’s Foster Griffin (10-2, 2.77 ERA, 109 strikeouts), with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Pacific.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey: Painful 23-4 loss for A’s extends ten game losing streak

Sacramento A’s starter Gage Jump (61) throws against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Jul 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 How did Sacramento A’s rookie first baseman Tommy White perform in his MLB debut, and what did his first major league hit reveal about his potential?

#2 What positives, if any, can the A’s take from pitcher Gage Jump’s outing despite the team’s 23–4 loss, and how did his performance change after the early innings?

#3 How effective were A’s Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers at the plate, and were they able to provide any offensive spark against Cade Cavalli and the Washington Nationals’ pitching staff?

#4 How much did the absence of injured regulars Nick Kurtz and Zack Gelof affect the A’s lineup, and did Donovan Walton help stabilize the infield in his first game with the club?

#5 Following a 23–4 defeat and a 10th consecutive loss, what adjustments should manager Mark Kotsay expect from veterans such as Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, and Shea Langeliers heading into Saturday’s game?

Join Tony Harvey for the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: A’s Jump and pitching staff can’t stop the bleeding in spite of new pitching coach Dan Hubbs getting crushed 23-4 by Nats

Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Lageliers (left) can only watch as the Washington Nationals Andres Chaparro (87) gives thanks to the Almighty after scoring at the plate in the top of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Jul 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s game wrap:

A’s Took A Friday Night Detour to Skidsville 23-4

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics were hoping the All-Star break would provide a reset, but Washington had other plans by sending the A’s to the showers with a 23-4 devestating loss. The Nationals broke open a close game with a series of big innings and handed the Green and Gold another frustrating defeat, extending a stretch that has seen Sacramento searching for answers.

Entering the series, the A’s had dropped nine straight and 13 of their previous 14 games, with both the offense and pitching staff struggling to find consistency.

The opening two innings belonged to the pitchers. Gage Jump worked around a quiet first inning by striking out two, while Washington starter Cade Cavalli matched him pitch for pitch. Carlos Cortes collected Sacramento’s first hit with a line-drive single, but Jacob Wilson bounced into a double play and Tyler Soderstrom struck out to erase the early opportunity. Jump then retired the Nationals in order in the second, adding two more strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.

Washington finally cracked the scoreboard in the third. Jacob Young worked a walk and Nasim Nuñez followed with a single before Jump retired James Wood for the second out. After a brief on-field delay, Curtis Mead ripped a two-run double into left, scoring both runners. Andrés Chaparro followed immediately with a sharp RBI single, giving the Nationals a 3-0 advantage.

The Athletics answered in the fourth with one swing. Wilson reached on a single, bringing Soderstrom to the plate. The left-handed slugger launched a two-run homer to center, trimming the deficit to one and briefly injecting life into Sacramento’s offense. It was one of the few bright spots for an offense that had scored only four runs over its previous five games entering the contest.

That momentum disappeared almost instantly. Washington struck back in the fifth when Chaparro crushed a two-run homer after Mead singled, stretching the lead to 5-2. Later in the inning, after Dylan Crews stole second following a walk, rookie catcher Harry Ford drilled a two-run homer to center. The Nationals had suddenly built a comfortable cushion while Sacramento’s bullpen struggled to slow the rally.

Mead continued to torment Athletics pitching in the sixth. Young walked again, Nuñez singled, stole second, and both runners scored on James Wood’s single to right. Mead followed with another double, and Chaparro lined a two-run single to center that became even more costly when a fielding error allowed him to reach second. CJ Abrams added an RBI double, and Daylen Lile capped the seven-run inning with a run-scoring single. By the time the dust settled, Washington had blown the game wide open.

The Nationals kept their foot on the gas in the seventh. Nuñez singled once more before Mead ripped his third double of the game. Chaparro then delivered the knockout blow, hammering his second home run of the afternoon, a three-run shot to left. Chaparro finished with two home runs and six RBIs, while Mead enjoyed a spectacular afternoon with three doubles, a single, and five RBIs. Nuñez reached base repeatedly, Young scored three times, and Ford added a home run and three RBIs to an offense that never stopped producing.

Sacramento continued to battle despite the lopsided score. Tommy White, making his major league debut after earning his promotion with a strong season in the minors, collected a double for his first big league hit. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer also stayed hot with a single and a ground-rule double. The rookie infielder entered the game tied for the second-most hits by an Athletics player through his first 12 major league games, and he continued to strengthen that impressive start.

Shea Langeliers added another highlight in the eighth, lining a solo homer to left for Sacramento’s third run. Henry Bolte later drove home Kuroda-Grauer with a ground-rule double after a Washington error helped keep the inning alive, but it was far too little to threaten a comeback.

Washington added one final exclamation point in the ninth after the Athletics turned to position player Carlos Cortes on the mound. Dylan Crews doubled home a run, Ford added an RBI single, and Daylen Lile capped the scoring with a three-run homer to center.

Sacramento showed flashes with Soderstrom’s two-run blast, Langeliers’ solo shot, White’s first career hit, and another productive day from Kuroda-Grauer, but Washington’s relentless attack, led by Chaparro and Mead, proved overwhelming from the middle innings forward.

The series continues Saturday when J.T. Ginn (7-6, 3.67 ERA, 82 K) gets the ball for the Athletics opposite Zack Littell (7-6, 4.90 ERA, 94 K) for Washington, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Pacific as Sacramento looks to finally put the brakes on its lengthy skid.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy: A’s looking to Langeliers, Gelof, Kurtz, Wilson, for some offense; Severino and Springs for shoring up pitching in second half

The Sacramento A’s are looking forward to Nick Kurtz and the rest of the line up to provide some offensive punch in the second half of the season (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 Can Shea Langeliers continue to provide middle-of-the-order power and leadership as the A’s look to finish the season on a high note?

#2 Will Zack Gelof return healthy and regain his offensive rhythm after another stint on the injured list, giving the Athletics a much-needed boost?

#3 How much can rookies and young standouts Nick Kurtz and Jacob Wilson elevate the A’s offense over the final months of the season?

#4 Can veterans Luis Severino and Jeffrey Springs stabilize a pitching staff that has struggled for consistency throughout the first half?

#5 Will Brent Rooker, Lawrence Butler, and Tyler Soderstrom provide enough production to help the A’s become one of the American League’s most dangerous young lineups down the stretch?

Join Bridget Mulcahy for the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Wednesday 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. 

All Star Game 2026/Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: Langliers great first half with 21 home runs earns him a spot at the All Star Game

Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers (left) San Diego Padres pitcher Mason Miller (center) and A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz (right) have a reunion at the 2026 All Star Game in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park on Mon Jul13, 2026 (Sacramento A’s X photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 Chicago White Sox Sam Antonacci and Braden Montgomery both hit home runs as the Sox rallied for six runs in the first inning. Montgomery kept busy swinging for four RBIs in the contest.

#2 JT Ginn tried as hard he may pitched 4.1 innings was tagged for six hits, eight runs, three walks and seven strikeouts. Does it seem a matter of Ginn is having arm trouble or the Sox got their pitches today?

#3 The loss is the A’s ninth in a row. This matches their longest loss streak on May 27 to Jun 4 from last season. The A’s have now lost 13 of their 14 games and have lost 17 of their last 20 games with an overall record of 41-55.

#4 A’s All Star Shea Langeliers in spite of the tough afternoon hit his 21st homer of the season for the A’s only run of the game. Langeliers is hitting .257 with 21 homers and 46 RBIs, 90 hits. Langeliers has worked hard to get to represent the A’s at the All Star game.

#5 Barbara, talk about the job that A’s All Star Nick Kurtz did in the first half as he showed up in Philadelphia but won’t play at the All Star Game.

#6 A’s will take a four day All Star break off Monday through Thursday. Will these four days be for regrouping, resting and trying to draw a plan to get back what they had earlier this season first place in the AL West or will the A’s be sellers before the trade deadline or even at the All Star break.

Barbara Mason is a Sacramento A’s podcast analyst heard Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s get swept by Sox in Chicago; ChiSox’s Montgomery’s 4 RBIs help defeat Sac 9-1

Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, right, looks to first base after forcing out Chicago White Sox’s Braden Montgomery, left, during the fifth inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, July 12, 2026. Nam Y. Huh – AP

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Chicago White Sox Sam Antonacci and Braden Montgomery both hit home runs as the Sox rallied for six runs in the first inning. Montgomery kept busy swinging for four RBIs in the contest.

#2 A’s starter JT Ginn tried as hard as he may pitched 4.1 innings was tagged for six hits, eight runs, three walks and seven strikeouts. Does it seem a matter of Ginn is having arm trouble or the Sox got their pitches today?

#3 The loss is the A’s ninth in a row. This matches their longest loss streak on May 27 to Jun 4 from last season. The A’s have now lost 13 of their 14 games and have lost 17 of their last 20 games with an overall record of 41-55.

#4 A’s All Star Shea Langeliers in spite of the tough afternoon hit his 21st homer of the season for the A’s only run of the game. Langeliers is hitting .257 with 21 homers and 46 RBIs, 90 hits. Langeliers has worked hard to get to represent the A’s at the All Star game.

#5 A’s will take a four day All Star break off Monday through Thursday. Will these four days be for regrouping, resting and trying to draw a plan to get back what they had earlier this season first place in the AL West or will the A’s be sellers before the trade deadline or even at the All Star break.

Daniel Dullum is a Sacramento A’s podcast analyst heard Sundays 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.