A’s Close 2025 Season With 9-2 Loss to Royals, Finish 76-86

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Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics hits a two run home run during the bottom of the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 28, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Athletics welcomed the Kansas City Royals to Sutter Health Park for the final game of the 2025 season on Sunday afternoon.

Earlier in the day, the famously not Sacramento Athletics unveiled a new Sacramento gold jersey they will wear in 2026. The Athletics President, Marc Badain, released a statement about the decision for the new jersey.

“It’s been an unforgettable first season in West Sacramento, and this uniform is another way to celebrate the passion we’ve already felt throughout the community.”

On Sunday, the A’s fell in 9-2 fashion to finish off the regular season 76-86.

The A’s elected to go with a bullpen game on Sunday, starting things off with opener Brady Basso. Basso struggled in his one and a third innings of work as he allowed one run on three hits while walking two.

Next out of the bullpen was Tyler Ferguson, who got the last two outs of the second inning without issue.

Elvis Alvarado pitched a scoreless third inning for the A’s as he walked one and struck out two.

Mitch Spence, who proved to be the longman for the A’s on Sunday, pitched the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. Spence labored and didn’t have his best stuff as he allowed three runs on seven hits while striking out one Royal hitter.

Michael Kelly came on for the seventh inning and also struggled as he only managed to get one out while allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits.

Osvaldo Bido finished off the seventh inning and also pitched the eighth, giving up two runs on two hits in his one and two thirds innings of work. He also struck out two batters and walked one.

Scott McGough pitched a scoreless ninth inning for the A’s to finish off the season on the defensive side of the field.

The A’s bats struggled all game against the Royals pitching staff. The A’s tallied seven hits and three walks in the game while scoring only two runs.

The A’s two runs came courtesy of Nick Kurtz, who hit his 36th home run of the season to get the A’s on the board in the eighth inning.

Mark Kotsay spoke about the season after the game—specifically, how he felt the team played after their nearly 20 straight loss stretch.

“…the character of the group showed up, mindset changed, and I think you saw a team that fought throughout the rest of the year to try to get back to the .500 mark and we fell short, unfortunately, but I thought we played our best baseball and the show each in the last three months with winning records.”

Kotsay was alluding to the winning records the A’s posted in July, August, and September to close out the season. The A’s were not an easy opponent in the second half and gave plenty of good teams a tough time.

Brent Rooker spoke with the media after the game, saying he was proud of how the team played even after a rough stretch during the middle of the season.

“I think when you look around the room, there’s a ton of guys that kind of established themselves this year as real pieces on a roster that can compete with those teams that made the playoffs and that’s what we’re going to do. I think we performed well, specifically three months of the season, and is pretty indicative of who we are as a team and we’re excited to go back to work this off season and come into spring training with higher expectations than we have.”

Nick Kurtz, who many regard as the next star of MLB, spoke to us on how he reflects on his first season with the A’s.

“I mean, it was awesome. It was fun, it was exciting, kind saw it all. I had personal tough at bats and tough times and we had the really highs also. As a team you also have a little bit of both as well. So I think moving on, we all learned a lot about ourselves and as a unit, what we need to do to come back here next year and get a potential playoff spot and play some October baseball.”

The A’s will open their 2026 season on the road in Toronto as they take on the Blue Jays on March 26th, 2026.

Webb shines as Giants sweep Rockies in 4-0 win, finish season .500

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San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Logan Webb throws against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 28, 2025, in San Francisco (AP photo: Thien-An Truong)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants ended the 2025 season strong behind Logan Webb’s 5 1/3 shutout innings, as they beat the Colorado Rockies 4-0 at Oracle Park on Sunday afternoon.

Webb, in his final start of the season, struck out 8 in his five-plus innings, while walking none. The Giants’ ace righty struck out the side in the first inning.

Webb finished 2025 leading the National League in innings (207) and strikeouts (224). He’s the first to do so since 1944.

The sold-out Oracle Park crowd showed their appreciation for Webb’s dominant season with a standing ovation.

The Giants offense started the game strong, as shortstop Willy Adames smacked his 30th homer of the year on the first pitch of the game. Adames became the first Giant since 2004 to hit at least 30 home runs in a season. Barry Bonds hit 45 home runs in 2004.

The Giants scored again in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Rafael Devers. Devers finished the season with 35 home runs, combined between Boston and San Francisco.

The Giants’ bullpen held the Rockies scoreless after Webb departed in the sixth.

The Giants tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning on a 2-RBI single by Jung Hoo Lee. Lee ended the day 3-for-4 with 2 RBI.

The Giants ended the year going 11-2 against the Rockies, but it wasn’t enough wins for the Giants to get into the postseason. It turns out that 84 wins would’ve been enough for the Giants to get into the 2025 MLB Playoffs.

San Francisco ended 2025 at 81-81.

The Giants will now go into the offseason trying to figure out why they finished the year at or around .500 yet again. After the game, Adames and third baseman Matt Chapman addressed the sold-out crowd promising that next year will be better.

But Giants fans have heard the same thing after season finales since 2022. Will 2026 be different?

Stay with Sports Radio Service all offseason for the latest San Francisco Giants hot stove news.

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Macgowan: BoSox finally get in playoff in walk off clincher; Can Astros get the Wild Card wrapped up Sunday?

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The Boston Red Sox clubhouse was spraying the bubbly after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in Boston on Fri Sep 26, 2025 to advance to the playoffs. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Magowan:

# 1 Did the Red Sox’s walk‑off clincher on Friday finally end their postseason drought?

#2 Can the Astros still salvage a wild‑card spot after their gut‑punch loss to the Angels?

#3 Will Shohei Ohtani’s jersey stay at No. 1 in MLB sales—for a 4th straight year?

#4 Is Aaron Judge being shortchanged in AL MVP debates?

#5 How many more teams will the Red Sox or Yankees displace in the AL wild‑card race today?”

Bruce Magowan filled in for Charlie O on MLB The Show podcasts heard each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Possible work stoppage for Giants opening day 2026 by ballpark workers podcast: Aramark technology expansion could slash jobs at Oracle Park

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Concession stands service employees at Oracle Park could be replaced by auto robots according to Local 2 Unite Here employees (photo by On Labor)

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Aramark, the official food and concessions supplier for the San Francisco Giants, is reportedly set to add more kiosks and other self-serve technology at concession stands throughout Oracle Park next season, according to sources at UNITED HERE Local 2, the union that represents employees of Aramark at Oracle Park.

At the start of this season, Aramark introduced Mashgin AI self-checkout kiosks for fans to access at Oracle Park. They were established at a new Doggie Diner Express stand on the promenade level behind section 112, as well as at nine Bayside Brews beverage markets located throughout the ballpark.

It now appears that this technology will expand to other locations in the ballpark next season. If it goes through, it could put the jobs of many of Aramark’s employees in jeopardy.

Aramark replaced Bon Appetit as the official food supplier for the Giants in 2024. However, UNITED HERE Local 2 and its employees have been a consistent presence serving Giants’ fans at Oracle Park for many years. Many of the workers were serving food at the ballpark, even for Bon Appetit’s predecessor, Center Plate.

Self-technology has been a contentious issue for the union and its workers going back to the fall of 2021. In September 2021, then-Bon Appetit workers authorized a strike over the working conditions at Oracle Park, following the return of fans to the park during the Covid Pandemic. A strike was averted, and another collective bargaining agreement was reached in March 2024.

We had a chance to interview Rhonda Mitchell Unite Here Union Local 2 who talked about the auto robots who are planned to replace food service workers at Oracle Park. Mitchell says that if this comes to fruition there could be a work stoppage that could threaten the Giants home opener in 2026.

In an interview with Local 2 Unite Here Oracle Park Shop Steward Rhonda S Mitchell she discussed the possibility of using auto robots to replace food service workers at Oracle Park:

#1 How much of the food services is being earmarked for auto replacement of the food service people.

#2 Aramark says they refuse to agree on future limits on automation. If that’s going to be iron clad what recourse does the union have.

#3 Under Bon Appetit same union Local 2 that last time the union had to call for a work stoppage.
An alleged offer of a 25-cent raise to San Francisco Giants’ concession workers is outdated information from September 2021. The offer was rejected by unionized workers, who authorized a strike against the food service contractor, Bon Appétit Management, and the Giants over wage and safety issues. The dispute was ultimately settled with a more substantial agreement. The food service workers actually blocked an aisle at Oracle Park to demonstrate the Bon Appetite 25 cent raise.

#4 How much influence or how much say does the Giants have in the idea of having robot auto food servers or what they expect from labor at the park?

#5 If Aramark were to get their way and install the auto robots talk about how much this impact workers and their families and benefits. I’m sure when the Oakland A’s moved from Oakland a lot of those workers were impacted by losing those jobs?

Stephen Ruderman was a San Francisco Giants beat writer for the 2025 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Bay FC Match Report: Utah FC shuts out Bay FC 2-0 for 11th loss of season

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Utah Royals forward Alsha Solozano (30) is fired up after scoring in the 18th minute against Bay FC at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Utah Royals FC photo)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC hosted the Utah Royals on Saturday night at PayPal Park and lost their 11th game of the season getting shutout 2-0 by the Royals.

Karlie Lema got a great scoring chance in the early moments of the game, but the shot went just wide of the goal. It would be Utah that opened the scoring with a Janni Thomsen goal in the ninth minute. In the 13th minute, Utah’s Aisha Solorzano was shown a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Caprice Dydasco.

The Royals added a second, Solorzano’s first career goal, in the 18th minute. With the goal, Solorzano became the first Guatemalan to score in the NWSL. Kiki Pickett was shown a yellow card in the 24th minute. Utah would hang onto that lead until the half, and Bay FC had a major deficit to overcome in the second half.

Bay FC was robbed by Utah goalkeeper Mia Justus in the 57th when she made back-to-back saves to deny the attack.

Penelope Hocking made her return for Bay FC around the 65th minute. Rachael Kundananji was shown a yellow card for an off-the-ball play on Kate Del Fava in the 78th minute. With it being her fifth yellow card of the season, Kundananji will be suspended for Bay FC’s next game in Portland.

At that point in the game, it was clear that frustration had set in for Bay FC and they’d be unable to get things back on track. Silkowitz was forced to make one final save in stoppage time, but ultimately it made no difference. Utah walked away with a 2-0 win and playoffs seem well out of the picture for Bay FC.

Cardinal avenged ’24 loss to Spartans, 30-29, in the Silicon Valley Battle on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal Sedrick Irvin (26) running back celebrates in front of teammates and the Stanford Stadium crowd in the win over the San Jose State Spartans on Sat Sep 27, 2025 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif.– The Stanford Cardinal (2-3) won their second game at Stanford Stadium during Interim HC Frank Reich’s era, with an exciting 30-29 victory over the San Jose State Spartans (1-3), inside Sanford Stadium.

The Cardinal was on a mission immediately to win their half of the home & home against their Santa Clara neighbor/opponent Spartans. Their first drive took 11 plays, earning 81 yards and a score. Things were looking positive at the midway point of the first quarter.

Stanford redshirt-freshman running back Cole Tabb scampered for an eight-yard touchdown, to put the home team up 7-0, on the game’s first possession. Most of the 26,000+ in the stadium was excited for the Cardinal, while a large proportion was for nearby SJSU.

The Spartans scored on their initial drive too. At just under five minute left in the quarter, San Jose State kicker Denis Lynch converter a 46-yard field goal. That score put the Spartans within four, 7-3.

After a Stanford fumble, SJSU parlayed that miscue into a touchdown , less than a minute left in the quarter, Redshirt-Senior quarterback Walker Eget toss a ten-yard pass to redshirt-sophomore Danny Scudero. San Jose State tool the lead 10-7, after 15 minutes of play.

Midway through the second stanza, Lynch made another FG (36), putting his team up by six, 13-7. Approximately four minute later, Stanford responded with a touchdown. They took the lead by one, 14-13.

Stanford redshirt-senior QB Ben Gulbranson threw a 15-yard TD to senior tight end Sam Roush. That lead did not last long, because the Spartans responded nearly two minutes later. They reached the end zone again. WR Kyri Shoels. SJSU attempted to extend their lead by three more points. but Lynch missed a 28-yard attempt. The Spartans lead by six at recess, 20-14.

In the second half, Stanford’s senior LB Matt Rose was ejected from the game (Targeting) and his team penalized 15 yards for the infraction. halfway through the third quarter. The Cardinal did not suffer on the scoreboard after that crucial ejection. Lynch missed his second field goal attempt; therefore, helping provide a scoreless third quadrant.

After 45 minutes of regulation, the score remained 20-14, Spartans. However, the fourth quarter turned out to be a barnburner.

Within the first minute of the final quarter, SJSU doubled their lead to 12, 26-14. Eget threw another touchdown pass five to Scudero. Unfortunately for the special teams, they botched the extra point. Otherwise, they would have been up by 13. Those missed opportunities did come back to haunt the visiting team.

A couple of minutes later, Stanford responded with a 14-yard TD pass. Gulbranson hit redshirt-sophomore WR Myles Libman, to bring the Cardinal within five, 26-21. Lynch avoided the hattrick of missed field goals, when he split the uprights from 31 yards away. They went up by eight, 29-21. Stanford found themselves one scoring opportunity from a tie with less than eight minute in the fourth quarter.

Stanford marched down the field with thoughts of tying the game at 29, with a two-point conversion. Two minutes into the drive, Stanford settled for a 36-yard FG by senior Emmett Kenney. Instead of a tie, Stanford was down by five, 29-24.

That gamble on the defense by Coach Reich worked out for the Cardinal. They received the ball again, and converted on a crucial 4th down conversion.

With :19 left in the game, junior running back Sedrick Irvin reached paydirt on a one-yard run. The Cardinal led 30-29, then attempted a two-point conversion to potentially go up by three. However, the two extra points play failed, then the Cardinal had to hold on to the slim lead.

“I thought the defense was playing extremely well in the second half. You know, they were gaining some yards, but we made the stops we needed to make. It was just fourth and too many yards. Talked to our analytics guys. Had a quick conversation with them about, go for it, kick the field goal, and felt like down by 8 that was the right move.” Stated Stanford Interim HC Frank Reich

San Jose State was unable to score a touchdown, nor get into field goal range, which delighted the Cardinal faithful. After 60 minutes, Stanford was victorious 30-29.

Both quarterbacks threw for over 400 yards passing, in an aerial show on the Farm. Ben Gulbranson – 444 passing yards and two TD passes. Walker Eget – 473 passing yards three touchdown passes.

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, October 11 in Dallas against SMU TBD, while the Spartans will host New Mexico Friday, October 3 at 7:00 PM PT on FS1

Morales Solid in Final Start but A’s Drop Game to Royals 4-2

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Luis Morales #58 of the Athletics walks off the field after being pulled during the top of the fifth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Sutter Health Park on September 27, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — After a thrilling walk-off on Friday night and a Mark Kotsay ejection on Saturday, the Royals got the best of the A’s by a 4-2 in game two of the series.

Luis Morales got the ball for the A’s on Saturday night in his final start of his rookie season. Morales, who has experienced a number of growing pains this year in the big leagues, pitched well to close out his season. He tossed four and two-thirds innings of three-run (two earned) baseball while giving up five hits and walking two Royals batters.

Kotsay was impressed by Morales after his final start of the season.

“I think there’s a lot of excitement that surrounds Luis and I have a full offseason now to prepare for next year and like you said, from starting out in AA to come to the big leagues and have some success and really show what he’s capable of doing in a really short time and make progress…”

“I just thank God…,” Morales said after his start in the clubhouse. “I worked really hard. To go from Double A and finish in the big leagues, for me, it’s a big win to be here.”

The bullpen

Elvis Alvarado was the first out of the pen for Kotsay and the A’s. Alvarado got the last out of the fifth inning and tossed a clean sixth, allowing a walk as his only baserunner.

In the seventh, Michael Kelly came in to relieve Alvarado. Kelly pitched a clean frame with his only blemish being a walk that he worked around with no issues.

The eighth inning belonged to Tyler Ferguson, who pitched a scoreless frame while giving up a two-out walk and a hit that he stranded.

In the ninth inning, Hogan Harris got the ball for the A’s. Harris wasn’t sharp, allowing two hits and a run, but he was able to limit the damage in his one inning of work.

Kotsay was ejected in the ninth inning after a foul tip was called by the home plate umpire that did not appear to hit the bat. This followed a hit by pitch earlier in the game that did not strike Salvador Perez but was ruled a hit by pitch. 

The bats

The A’s struggled against Royals starter Michael Wacha and subsequent bullpen arms prior to the seventh inning. They began to build some offensive momentum in the seventh when Carlos Cortes hit an RBI double to get the A’s on the board, cutting the deficit to 3-1.

In the eighth inning, Shea Langeliers pulled the A’s within one with an RBI double that scored Nick Kurtz, who had walked earlier in the inning.

The A’s wouldn’t score again as they failed to mount a comeback in the ninth. They tallied six total hits and three walks on Saturday night.

Up next

The A’s will finish the 2025 season on Sunday as they take on the Royals at 12:05 p.m. PST in West Sacramento. The Royals are scheduled to start Cole Ragans (3-3, 5.02 ERA) in their season finale, while the A’s have yet to announce a starter.

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 relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s Fisher no public disclosure on $100 million construction payment for Vegas ballpark

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The latest look at the developments of the A’s Las Vegas ballpark located at the former Tropicana Casino and Hotel. Pilons and cement has been poured this still was taken at 5:52 on Fri Sep 26, 2025 (still photo from Athletics live stream camera)

Sacramento A’s relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, so far no public disclosure or reporting indicates a completed “$100 million” payment in isolation.

#2 The pledge structure is more complex (equity, debt, public funds) rather than a simple lump sum.

#3 The reported pledges and financial commitments are much larger and intended to cover the full project cost, rather than a $100 million tranche.

#4 So, in short: No — there is no verified record that Fisher has made a standalone $100 million payment for the ballpark construction, at least not publicly disclosed.

#5 Fisher is working on raising additional capital via minority investors and private sources, which could reduce the Fisher-family share. But as of latest reports, the Fisher family is still expected to carry the bulk of the private financing.

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s Relocation podcasts Saturdays 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. 

Verlander Shines in Likely Giants Farewell as San Francisco Edges Rockies 4-3

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Justin Verlander #35 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Oracle Park on September 27, 2025 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO — In what was most likely Justin Verlander’s last start in orange and black, the Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 4-3 in game two of their three-game series to close out the season.

Justin Verlander pitched very well in what was likely his final start for the Giants. Verlander tossed six innings of two-run ball, giving up five hits and a walk while striking out seven. He walked off the mound after the sixth inning to a nice ovation from Giants fans who understood it could be the last time they see him.

Bob Melvin spoke after the game on Verlander’s final start.

“It’s nice to get him a win. You look up at his 3.85 ERA… knows where it’s going, pitched consistently every time out. We don’t give him a ton of run support but just enough today.”

The bullpen

The Giants turned to Joel Peguero for the seventh inning, and he tossed a scoreless frame, allowing only a lone walk.

In the eighth inning, Tristan Beck pitched a perfect frame to keep the Rockies off the board and from mounting any sort of comeback.

However, in the ninth inning Ryan Walker came on to close things out and ran into trouble. Walker managed just one out as he gave up a walk, two hits, and a run before Melvin had seen enough and went to Spencer Bivens to finish things off. Bivens came in, retired both batters he faced, and secured the 4-3 victory for the Giants.

The bats

The Giants didn’t get much offense going, but it was just enough to secure the win. They collected only four hits against the Rockies and scored a total of four runs while walking twice.

Three of the Giants’ runs came in the second inning thanks to a three-run home run from Casey Schmidt. Schmidt’s blast was hit to straightaway center field and left the bat at 104.5 mph before coming to rest 422 feet away on top of the center field netting.

The Giants scored one more run in the eighth inning on a Rafael Devers RBI double that went past the diving Rockies center fielder to give San Francisco a 4-2 lead.

Up next

The Giants will play their final game of the season on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PST at Oracle Park in San Francisco. A sellout is expected for the season finale as Logan Webb (14-11, 3.30 ERA) is slated to go for the Giants. The Rockies are scheduled to send McCade Brown (0-4, 7.54 ERA) to the hill. If the Giants can complete the sweep, they will secure a .500 season at 81-81. They currently have 80 wins heading into Sunday’s game.

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa: Sharks Veterans and younger players meshing just fine in camp

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San Jose Sharks defenseman John Klingberg (3) takes part in a practice session on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, in San Jose, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

San Jose Sharks podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 With new veterans like John Klingberg, Dmitry Orlov, Nick Leddy, and Jeff Skinner added this offseason, how are they meshing with the younger players in camp? Are they assuming leadership or mentorship roles early on?

#2 Which prospects or camp invites are making the strongest push to break into the NHL roster, and in what roles (bottom 6 forward, power play, penalty kill, third pairing defense, etc.)?

#3 As the team trims its roster (seven players were cut already), what’s the strategy or criteria being used to decide who stays and who is sent down or released?

#4 How is the goaltending competition evolving in camp? Who is standing out between the goalies Alex Nedelikovic and Yaroslav Askarov in terms of consistency, reaction, rebound control, and poise under pressure?

Mary Lisa Walsh cover the San Jose Sharks road games at http://www.sportsradioservice.com