Aces Battle Back From Ten-Point Deficit Beating Dream 74-72 For Eighth Straight Win

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Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) led the way in scoring with 32 points over the Atlanta Dream at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Tue Aug 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

This had to be one of the toughest battles the Las Vegas Aces (22-14) faced all season beating the second place Atlanta Dream (22-13) 74-72. The game was a collection of lead changes, ties and some very physical basketball.

This game was not decided until the clock ran out. A’Ja Wilson had another amazing game finishing with 32 points and 12 rebounds. Jackie Young also had a solid game with 16 points and seven rebounds. Chelsea Gray had seven rebounds, 11 assists and eight points. The Aces has now won eight games in a row.

Game recap: The Atlanta Dream took a 19-18 lead as the clock ran out on the first quarter in their matchup with the Las Vegas Aces. It had been a really close game in the quarter with this game very slow to evolve.

After the first three minutes of play only three points had been scored in a slow start for both teams. Mid-way through the quarter this game was tied at 7-7. It had been a very low scoring quarter with four ties and both teams trading leads.

The second quarter was another close one with the Aces coming out on top 23-21 taking a one-point lead, 41-40 into the half.

The Aces were able to pull a small lead in the third quarter 48-44 but the Dream tied up the game 48-48 at 6:11. The intensity continued to escalate as the quarter wore on and with 3:35 left in the quarter it was again tied at 52. As the quarter ended the battle had continued with the Aces now trailing by four points 57-61. They had their work cut out for them going into the fourth quarter.

The Dream continued to extend their lead in the fourth quarter going on a 11-0 run taking a ten-point lead 67-57. Las Vegas hunkered and pulled to within two points with a lot of time left on the clock 65-67.

WIth 4:44 left on the clock this game was once again tied at 67. There was yet another stoppage of play in the quarter something that had persisted throughout the second half of play. With 3:22 left in the fourth quarter this game took on a life of it’s own as the clock began to countdown.

As the seconds ticked away, this game turned into a battle of wills and it was the Las Vegas Aces that were winning. With under two minutes left in the game Las Vegas was hanging onto a 72-69 game but the battle was hardly over.

The Dream tied up the game with 1 1/2 minutes left in the game. It all came down to the final seconds and with 15.9 left on the clock, the Aces had a 74-72 lead in one crazy game. In an absolutely amazing battle the Las Vegas Aces realized their eighth win in a row 74-72.

This Aces has improved by leaps and bounds in their past eight games. They fought hard for this win led by the incomparable Wilson along with every one of her teammates.

Wilson finished with 32 points and 12 rebounds another double double for her something that has become commonplace for her. Young had 16 points and seven rebounds. Gray had 11 assists and seven rebounds. They have now won eight games in a row.

Game notes: After beating the Dallas Wings Sunday winning their seventh game in a row, the Aces picked up their their eighth win in a row beating the Atlanta Dream at Michelob ULTRA Arena Tuesday night. Wilson has been on a tear for awhile now and the Aces got more of the same Tuesday night.

Wilson has a terrific cast of support with Young and Gray. Bell had a great game on Sunday coming away with 18 points and 6 rebounds. The Aces is also getting a lot of help from Lloyd off the bench. They hit 18 three’s in that game.

The Dream who are in second place in the league and got upset against the Aces. This game was a huge test for Las Vegas who pulled it off. They were able to contain Allisha Gray who is always a scoring threat. The win Tuesday night was huge for Las Vegas. The Aces beat the Dream back on July 22, 87-72 and have one more game against the Dream in season play on Wed Aug 27 in Atlanta.

Thursday night the Aces will again take the floor at Michelob ULTRA Arena. They will face the Mercury looking for their ninth win in a row. Tipoff for this game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Cafecito  La Cosecha 917 Ninth St downtown Sacramento Sportstalk podcast Tue Aug 19, 2025

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Cafecito La Cosecha podcast cast: (left side) Stephen Ruderman (SF Giants beat writer), Mauricio Segura (Sacramento A’s beat writer), (right side) Michael Duca (Host/MLB.com), Lee Leonard (producer), Ernesto Delgado (owner Cafecito La Cosecha), Kelli Duca (SF Giants guest services) photo by Sergio-Cafecito La Cosecha server (not pictured) Vince Cestone (Social media and MLB analyst) and Daisy Amaya (advertising)

Welcome to another podcast of Sportstalk I’m your host Michael Duca with my co-hosts Mauricio Segura Sacramento A’s beat writer, Charlie O MLB The Show podcast, Stephen Ruderman San Francisco Giants beat writer, and Vince Cestone MLB analyst and Sports Radio Service social media. Our thanks to owner of Cafecito La Cosecha Ernesto Delgado who also owns the Octopus Peru right across the street from Cafecito and Mayahuel at 1200 K Street in downtown Sacramento.

Were podcasting at the beautiful Cafecito Restaurant at 917 Ninth Street at Cesar Chavez Plaza in downtown Sacramento call 916-476-6075 for reservations.

A little about Cafecito A casual Mexican restaurant comes to downtown’s Cesar Chavez Plaza.

You’d think by now Sacramento would have had its fill of tacos. But that didn’t stop the city from signing a lease with Ernesto Delgado to open a fast-casual Mexican restaurant in Cesar Chavez Plaza downtown.

La Cosecha debuted this year on Cinco de Mayo, taking over a small, city-owned building on the park’s west side. Delgado, the owner of Tequila Museo Mayahuel on nearby K Street, hired a pair of restaurant veterans—chef Adam Pechal and bartender Chris Sinclair—to create the food and cocktail menus.

La Cosecha isn’t strictly Mexican; Sacra-Mexican is more like it. Pechal’s fusion menu marries Mexican cuisine with Sacramento ingredients.

The emphasis is on fresh, seasonal and local. (La Cosecha is Spanish for “the harvest.”) On Wednesdays, Pechal ducks out of the restaurant and heads to the farmers market in the plaza for inspiration and a bit of shopping.

A case of strawberries might end up in that week’s aqua fresca; sunburst squash will make an appearance in quesadillas and ceviche.

If peaches are in season, they’ll wind up in the salsa. And when corn is at its peak, Pechal will add elote—grilled Mexican street corn—to the menu. Even the beans in the Mission-style burrito are local: heirloom Eye of the Goat beans from Elegant Beans in Lodi.

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.