That’s Amaury News and Commentary: A’s Best of Last Place Teams

Sacramento A’s Shea Langeliers slugs his second of three home runs against the Washington Nationals in the top of the fifth inning on Tue Aug 5, 2025 at Nationals Park in DC. Langeliers leads the A’s in home runs with 26. The A’s opened a six game road trip on Tue Aug 19, 2025. (AP News photo)

A’s Best of Last Place Teams

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

The objective is to win, but there can only be one champion. When all is settled, only one of 30 will get the trophy. In the Big Leagues, unlike Little Leagues, there is no “participation” award, and the closest thing to that is the Wild Card, which has been in place since 1995.

You always have the elite teams, such as the Dodgers, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, and a few others, ‘the regular suspects’, but what about if we start from the bottom and see what’s happening there, with under 40 games left for most teams?

That could be interesting, and these are the ones at the bottom. The Cellar. These are the teams that, if the season ended today, would finish last in each of the six divisions. Orioles, White Sox, Athletics, Pirates, Nationals, Rockies.

In this group of non-contenders, the Rockies and White Sox have the best chance of reaching the dreaded 100 games lost. By the way, the White Sox established the new record for most games lost with 121 last season.

The Athletics and the Orioles had been evenly matched for most of the season. However, there is a big difference here, while the O’s were expected ‘in some way’ to be contenders, maybe as a wild card, nobody picked the A’s to do much, but to try to survive another year, they are the most criticized franchise in recent memory (thanks to his owner, who was brutally booed by fans at their home park a few days ago) they were expected to finish, like last season out of the cellar.

I could analyze this until the cows come home, but I will make it easier. Oh yes, there is another difference between the O’s and the A’s, the Orioles’ payroll is $154 million, while the Athletics is $77 million. The A’s lineup is a young and aggressive one.

The first in MLB this year to have three guys with 25 home runs: Brent Rooker, Shea Langeliers, and the Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz. If the A’s retain the same nucleus of players and can improve their pitching from starters to closer (they traded one of the best in Mason Miller), and perhaps spend a little money??? In the off-season, they could be very interesting in 2026, possibly challenging for a wild card.

For the Orioles, it is even more interesting; they play in a tough division with the Jays, Rays, Yanks, and Red Sox, and it could be much more difficult to be relevant next season.

However, there are always trade possibilities; they have already traded veteran Cedric Mullins to the contending Mets, and I expect the Orioles to be busy in the trade and free agent markets this winter. Players on last-place teams often struggle to stay motivated when playoff hopes are lost and fan energy is low, highlighting the importance of professionalism.

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.

http://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

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. 

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Tony Renteria: O’Connell and offense looking good in match up against 49ers

Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) carries against the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas on Sat Aug 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Tony talk about the job quarterback Aidan O’Connell did. O’Connell went 15-23 for 138 yards, and one interception.

#2 On rushing the Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty carried seven times for 33 yards and scored one touchdown. Talk about his chances to make it as a starter?

#3 On receiver Carter Runyon had two receptions for 29 yards and didn’t score a touchdown. Talk about his chance to make it as a starting wide receiver.

#4 Geno Smith who will be the starting quarterback threw for 55 yards in five of six passes how ready does Smith look?

#5 Next up for the Raiders the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale on Sat Aug 23 for a 7:00pm PT kick off.

Join Tony Renteria after each Raiders home and away game for the Raiders post game podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento Sports and Souvenirs with Rukshsana Haq Tue Aug 19, 2025

You got to check it out the Sacramento Sports and Souvenirs store at 1035 Second Street Old Sacramento. They have the largest array of pro and college sports fan gear and souvenirs (photo by Sacramento Sports and Souvenirs)

Sacramento Sports and Souvenirs with Rukshsana Haq:

Old Sacramento’s original sports and souvenir’s store! We carry team sports t-shirts, Hoodies, and All kinds of Gift items.ie; Magnets, Mugs, Lanyards, Key chains, Pins, Zippos, Caps, Beanies, Scarves and more! Sacramento Sports and Souvenirs 1035 2nd Street Sacramento, CA 95814 call (916) 443-0556.

Sportstalk Show host Mauricio Segura interviews Rukshsana Haq owner of Sacramento Sports and Souvenirs.

San Francisco Holds On To Beat Padres 4-3; Pads 4th straight loss; SF makes it two in a row wins

San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray throws against the San Diego Padres line up in the first inning on Mon Aug 18, 2025 at Petco Park in San Diego (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (60-64) beat the San Diego Padres (69-55) 4-3 in game one of their series. The Giants scored first and it was big. They hit three home runs in the inning off the bats of Heliot Ramos, Rafael Devers and a two run homer from Wilmer Flores to take a 4-0 lead that persisted for the rest of the game. The Padres threatened in the seventh inning scoring three runs but they came up short as the Giants held onto the lead to win the game.

Game recap: The Giants got an amazing start hitting not one, not two but three home runs in the first inning to kick off this game. Heliot Ramos started off the hit parade with a home run to left for the early 1-0 lead.

San Francisco added another home run off the bat of Rafael Devers for a 2-0 lead. The Giants had really taken it to Padre pitcher Nestor Cortes and they weren’t finished. Wilmer Flores hit a third home run, a two-run homer taking a 4-0 lead. San Francisco could not have asked for more.

It was a pitchers duel through the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. The Padres very nearly got up on the scoreboard in the second inning but fell short and the score remained 4-0 in favor of the Giants.

There was a pitching change in the sixth inning for the Padres when Cortes was relieved by David Morgan. Cortes went 5 2/3 innings allowing seven hits, four earned runs, four walks and five strikeouts. Cortes had a really tough first inning but pulled it together for the rest of his time on the mound before being relieved in the sixth inning.

Robbie Ray had an exceptional game allowing only 1 hit, 1 walk and 6 strikeout through six innings. He did hit Jake Cronenworth in the fifth inning. He gave up a double in the seventh inning already at 100 pitches and the San Francisco bullpen got busy.

Xander Bogaerts crossed home plate on a throwing error giving the Padres their first run of the game. This game took an ugly turn when Ryan O’Hearn hit a home run with Jose Iglesias on board and in the blink of an eye it was a 4-3 game with the Giants still leading. With two outs in the seventh inning Ryan Walker took over on the mound relieving Ray. He was able to get San Francisco out of the inning.

The Giants turned a double play in the eighth to end the inning taking the 4-3 lead into the top of the ninth looking for an insurance run or two. The newly acquired Mason Miller took the mound for the Padres in the top of the ninth looking to keep this game close.

The Giants were unable to score in the inning. San Diego went into the bottom of the ninth trailing 4-3. The Giants Randy Rodriguez came in to try and close out this game. With two outs, the Padres were down to their final out. Ryan O’Hearn was the final out and the Giants held on and won the first game of this series 4-3.

Game notes: Monday evening the Giants opened up a series against the Padres at Petco Park. The Giants dropped their series over the weekend losing to Tampa Bay winning game three Tuesday but losing the first two games of the series.

The Padres had a really rough time getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium over the weekend. The Padres have lost four straight and the Giants have now won two straight.

Tuesday the Giants will be looking to take a 2-0 series lead. They will start Kai-Wei Teng. He has a 1-2 win-loss record with a 9.90 ERA. Nick Pivetta will take the mound for the Padres with a 12-4 win/loss record and a 2.87 ERA. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s open up road trip with 3 game series with Twins

Sacramento A’s pitcher Jeffery Springs throws against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Field at West Sacramento on Sun Aug 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 Jeffrey Springs wasn’t the sharpest on Sunday and it cost the A’s as the Angels downed the A’s late, 11-5.

#2 Springs was getting hit around early in the game while doing his best to limit the damage. Springs was able to go four and two-thirds innings while giving up five runs (all earned) on eight hits during his outing. Springs struck out five Angels and walked three in the game.

#3 Mark Kotsay reflected after the game on what he saw from Springs. “I thought he settled in nicely and had a chance to get out of that game with five innings pitched, three runs. Moore hits a ball that’s off the plate. It was a good pitch. Sometimes you make a good pitch and the hit finds a spot in the field where he gets a hit. Ultimately I thought he gave us a good start.”

#4 The A’s bullpen stepped up in a big way again on Sunday, something that has become commonplace for the staff as of late. However, a late-inning collapse of Michael Kelly and Ben Bowden did the A’s in.

#5 Tuesday, the A’s and Twins are slated to begin at 4:40 PM PST at Target Field in Minneapolis. Jacob Lopez (6-6, 3.30 ERA) is set to go for the A’s as the Twins will counter with Joe Ryan (12-5, 2.72 ERA).

Join Barbara Mason Mondays for the A’s podcasts 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. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants snapping 7 game skid takes weight off team

Skid snapped San Francisco Giants players share congratulations after their game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oracle Park San Francisco on Sun Aug 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The Giants had a late exorcism, sparked by a four-run bottom of the sixth inning, to snap their seven-game losing streak, and get a much-needed 7-1 win over the Rays Sunday.

#2 The Giants have dropped seven-straight, as well as 15 of their last 16 and 19 of their last 22 games at home. Overall, they have gone 18-35 since June 13, and 7-21 since July 11.

#3 San Francisco starter Logan Webb pitched seven allowed three hits and struck out seven hitters. Webb was the key in the win and the avoided losing their eighth in a row.

#4 Giants centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee made an amazing catch that went off his glove, off his thigh and calf and finally caught the ball between his legs.

#5 Robbie Ray (9-6, 2.98 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener for the Giants at Petco Park Monday night. The Padres starter RHP Nestor Cortes (1-1 ERA 5.71) first pitch 6:40.

Join Marko for the Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: That’s Bananas! No Attendance Problem for these guys

Savannah Bananas logo. The Bananas are out drawing most MLB teams and are filling up NFL football stadiums to sell out crowds with their baseball comedy that’s been a sensational hit. (logo by the Tiger)

That’s Bananas! No Attendance Problem for these guys

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Unlike the Athletics, Rays, and Marlins, or any of the other 27 Major League teams, the Savanah Bananas can draw between 50,000 and 80,000 fans at any given time. They are not in Major League Baseball, but these bananas are ripe and ready for entertainment every game, pleasing thousands of people and lots of families who enjoy their antics.

It reminded me of the first time I watched a game between the Harlem Globetrotters and the Washington Generals. This is a unique type of baseball featuring acrobats and comedians in uniform, some more athletic than others, but it’s entertaining nonetheless

The Savannah Bananas played in stadiums all across the country, including Major League Park. Most recently, August 10-11 at Coors Field, Denver, home of the Colorado Rockies. They often sell out venues. The Savannah Bananas drew 81,000 people to Clemson’s Memorial Stadium on April 26, 2025, as part of their Banana Ball World Tour as they played against the Party Animals.

The game was a sellout, with 81,000 fans in attendance. They also sold out Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, on March 15 of this year, a crowd of 65,000. At the time, the sold-out game in Tampa was a record and also the first time the players played in an NFL stadium.

The Bananas are about to draw the same amount of fans (or close), maybe a little less than the A’s and Rays and That’s Bananas!

The Athletics at Sacramento are last among all 30 MLB teams in attendance, averaging just 9,000 per game. With fewer than 20 more home games this 2025 season, they will likely end short of 600,000 in total attendance.

If you are still curious, this is their website. If you are curious, this is their website https://thesavannahbananas.com/ Quote: In the film For Love of the Game, pitcher Billy Chapel says, “[Hearing Yankee fans boo and jeer him] I can always tell when I’m in New York.” This shows that a player is aware of fan presence, regardless of size.

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.

http://goaquaadventure.com

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

It Was Just A Dream: Valkyries’ Solid First Quarter Devolves Into Streak Ending 79-63 Loss To Atlanta

By Morris Phillips

SAN FRANCISCO–Like fog making a dramatic entrance from the Pacific Ocean, defense descended on the Chase Center Sunday night and almost didn’t leave.

The Atlanta Dream starting five got the first taste of the weather in the first quarter in which they were limited to one made basket from Brionna Jones.

The Valkyries found out how sparse made baskets would be in a 10-point second quarter that saw the Dream’s defense take hold.

Throughout the gritty defense included scary collisions that saw the hosts lose Iliana Rupert to concussion protocol for the remainder of the game and Veronica Burton for a critical stretch at the end of the third quarter.

From the Valkyries’ perspective, what was beautiful turned ugly quickly and decisively in a 79-63 loss that ended their four-game win streak.

The Dream simply started slow and finished fast by eventually finding the gaps in the Valkyries’ defense on their way to 38 points in the paint.

“In the first half our spacing wasn’t very good,” said Naz Hillmon, who finished with 12 points and five rebounds. “We know that the Valkyries are a team that really wants to make sure they pack the paint and help each other rotate. I think in the second half we made the right plays. First by spacing out, getting good hits on our ball screens and going from there.”

The game was a defensive struggle at the break with the scored tied at 25. But Burton’s absence signaled the breaking point as a 30-8 run spanning the third and fourth quarters swung the game to the visitors.

“They beat us in all the hustle categories and that just can’t happen,” coach Natalie Nakase said. “You can’t win a game if you’re getting out hustled.”

“Credit to Atlanta. They just did a hell of a job on both ends of the floor.”

The Valkyries fell to 18-16 with ten regular season games remaining. Their cushion over ninth place Los Angeles is two games, but this was the beginning of a closing stretch that will see Golden State play a number of teams with winning records. They’ll need some wins against those teams to maintain a playoff spot.

Webb dominant, and Giants snap skid with 7-1 exorcism over Rays

San Francisco Giants centerfielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) makes a spectacular catch off his glove, thigh, calf, and between his legs off Tampa Bay Rays designated hitter Yandy Diaz in the top of the fourth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Aug 17, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Tampa Bay Rays 1 (61-64)

San Francisco Giants 7 (60-64)

Win: Logan Webb (11-9)

Loss: Ryan Pepiot (1-2)

Time: 2:16

Attendance: 38,876

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants had a late exorcism, sparked by a four-run bottom of the sixth inning, to snap their seven-game losing streak, and get a much-needed 7-1 win over the Rays Sunday.

You all know what’s going on. The Giants have dropped seven-straight, as well as 15 of their last 16 and 19 of their last 22 games at home. Overall, they have gone 18-35 since June 13, and 7-21 since July 11. Plain and simply, they needed a win Sunday to show at the very least that they still had some fight in them.

Of course Logan Webb was on the mound Sunday, because the Giants can almost never win a game prior to one of his starts. Webb set the tone nicely with a one, two, three, top of the first inning.

Jung Hoo Lee then lined a double off the wall down the right field line to lead off the bottom of the first against Rays’ starter Ryan Pepiot. With the leadoff double, things felt different, almost as if the Giants were going to have a good day Sunday. So of course the Giants wasted it, as Pepiot set down the next three.

Webb continued to deal, and the game turned into a pitcher’s duel just like Saturday night. In fact, Webb retired 12 of the first 13 men he faced. Pepiot, meanwhile, threw one, two, three innings in the second and third, and worked out of a jam in the bottom of the fourth.

Webb ran into trouble in the top of the fifth, as the Rays put runners at first and second with one out after first-baseman Dominic Smith made an errant throw to second while trying to start a double play. However, Everson Pereira grounded into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning, and Webb got out of it.

Webb settled back down to throw a one, two, three, top of the sixth, and Pepiot set down the first two men he faced in the bottom of the sixth. However, another opportunity would present itself for the Giants with two outs.

Heltio Ramos lined a base-hit to left field, and Devers singled to right. Adames then walked on four pitches to load the bases for Dominic Smith, who has been swinging the bat well, and has collected several big hits here in August.

You would think that the Giants would waste another opportunity, but Smith finally broke the ice with a broken-bat single down the right field line to knock in a pair. When right-fielder Jake Mangum’s throw came into second, Adames broke for the plate, and just got in ahead of the tag. Smith went down to second, and the Giants suddenly had a 3-0 lead.

There was a real roar from the 38,876 in attendance at Oracle Park this afternoon. It wasn’t one of those sarcastic cheers; it was a sincere expression of joy and excitement by the Giants’ faithful, who have had very little to cheer about over the last month.

Christian Koss then lined a double to left to knock in Adames and make it 4-0. For the record, It was a double, because left-fielder Chandler Simpson fell on his behind while trying to field the ball, and they gave Koss the time he needed to take second.

Do you want to know how bad things have been? The bottom of the sixth was the Giants’ first four-run inning in exactly two weeks. The Giants put up a four-spot and five-spot in their win against the Mets in New York on Aug. 3.

Nevertheless, the Giants got a much-needed crooked number in the bottom of the sixth. Adames, who had boldly taken home after Smith’s base-hit, was riling the troops and dancing around the dugout after Koss’ double. Even after everything the Giants have gone through since the All-Star Break, Adames is still doing everything he can to spark this team.

Webb came back out for the top of the seventh and threw a scoreless inning to cap off one of his best starts of the season. Webb gave up just three hits, and didn’t walk a single guy, while striking out seven over seven strong shutout innings.

It was almost identical to Verlander’s outing last night. However, unlike last night the Giants wouldn’t blow it today.

Drew Gilbert stepped up to the plate to lead off the bottom of the seventh against Rays’ reliever Mason Englert. Gilbert came into this at-bat 1-for-20 as a big leaguer, with his one hit being a broken-bat bloop single Monday night against the Padres.

Gilbert proceeded to hit a home run to the arcade out in right on a ball he knew was gone the second it left his bat. Tyler Fitzgerland then stepped up, and he immediately followed it up with a home run to left to make it 6-0.

The Rays would get on the board with a run off the struggling Tristan Beck in the top of the eighth. However, the Giants responded with a run in the bottom of the eighth, and it was Gilbert who got the two-out base-hit to right to knock in the run. 

This turned out to be a big day for the Giants’ young outfielder. Despite his slow start at the plate, Gilbert has shown some potential with his strong arm and his ability to field balls off the tough 24-foot-high Willie Mays Wall in right.

Keaton Winn finished off the game with a one, two, three top of the ninth, and the Giants got their win.

Logan Webb got the win, and Ryan Pepiot took the loss.

The Giants get their 60th win, and improve to 60-64. 

Now the Giants will head down to San Diego to take on the Padres for four games starting Monday night. The Giants have won six out of their last eight on the road, and the Padres were just swept by the Dodgers in Los Angeles, so the Giants could have an opportunity to try and get back towards the .500 range. 

However, that may be a tad difficult, considering the Giants will then go to Milwaukee for three next weekend to take on a Brewers’ team that had their 14-game winning streak snapped today.

Anyway, Robbie Ray (9-6, 2.98 ERA) will take the ball in the series opener for the Giants at Petco Park Monday night. The Padres starter RHP Nestor Cortes (1-1 ERA 5.71).

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.

Dreyer’s late match heroics propel San Diego FC to 2-1 comeback win over Earthquakes

San Jose Earthquakes defender Daniel Munie battles for the ball against San Diego FC’s Jeppe Tverskov during San Diego’s 2-1 win over San Jose at PayPal Park on Sunday AUG 17, 2025. (Brandon Vallance-Getty Images)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — You can’t let a sleeping dog lie around too long.

Anders Dreyer scored the game winning goal in the 84th minute as San Diego FC delivered a 2-1 comeback win over the San Jose Earthquakes in the first ever matchup between the two squads on Sunday afternoon at PayPal Park.

San Jose has lost three out its last four matches and remained in 9th place and the final playoff spot in the Western Conference with 32 points. San Diego has won three league matches in a row and five overall including Leagues Cup play as they remained atop of the Western Conference standings with 52 points.

San Jose (8-11-9-32 points) dominated the first half play with nine total shots compared to just two for San Diego. The Earthquakes had three quality chances in the final five minutes of the half. Cristian Espinoza had two chances in the 42nd and 45th minutes with two shots inside the box. Espinoza’s first attempt sailed just wide left of the net. Then his second attempt was stopped by San Diego goalkeeper CJ dos Santos.

San Diego (16-7-5-52 points) came into the match with injuries to their back line with three of their starting defenders out. Leading MVP candidate Dreyer was relatively quiet for the MLS all-star and Jeppe Tverskov who is second on the team with nine assists.

The Quakes broke through on the scoreboard in the 72nd minute thanks to an embarrassing blunder by dos Santos inside his own box. dos Santos nonchalantly tried to kick the ball out of the zone but Noel Buck, who came in as a substitute a minute before, pressured dos Santos and the ball deflected off his body. Josef Martinez collected the ball, made a move around dos Santos and delivered the ball into the back of the net off of the head of Manu Duah for his team leading 12th goal of the season and 128th of his MLS career.

The expansion club struck back to even the match in the 81st minute. Franco Negri crossed the ball into the middle of the box from just outside the 18 on the left side. An unmarked Marcus Ingvartsen buried the ball into the back of the net with a header for his second goal of the season.

Then three minutes later San Diego gained its first lead on a counterattack play. Christopher McVey sent the ball up Ingvarsten inside their defensive zone. Ingvarsten quickly sent a long pass out to Dreyer for a breakaway attempt. Dreyer got Quakes goalkeeper Daniel to go down before gliding the ball into the far corner of the net for his team leading 13th goal of the season.

dos Santos finished the match with four saves on five shots to earn the victory. Daniel made one save on three shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with three corner kicks. San Diego had six.

The Earthquakes celebrated Autism Awareness Night, where the first 200 fans who bought a special-event ticket benefiting autism organizations received a limited-edition poster illustrated by artist Shane Tarkington, who was diagnosed with autism at age 2. Quakes Sporting Director/Head Coach Bruce Arena joined his grandson Holden, who was diagnosed with autism at an early age, in the ceremonial First Kick with his mother Jenny and father Kenny, who is currently an FC Cincinnati assistant coach. Comedian Ron Funches, whose son was also diagnosed with autism, fired the ceremonial pregame siren.

DeJuan Jones is the only Quakes player who had previously faced San Diego FC. The defender tallied an assist against San Diego with former club Columbus Crew on March 15, 2025. 

Espinoza had three key passes to run his league-leading total to 89. His 12 assists are still good for fourth in MLS (tied).

After scoring once today, the Quakes are now tied for fourth in the league for team goals (50), behind Orlando City SC and Inter Miami CF (53) and San Diego FC (52). 

The Earthquakes continue to lead MLS in expected goals (55.73).

UP NEXT: San Jose begins a two-match road trip on Saturday August 23rd when they play the Houston Dynamo at 5:30pm at Shell Energy Stadium.