A’s Shut Out 9-0 by Astros in Season Finale as Houston Clinches AL West

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Mandatory photo credit: Mauricio Segura (Golden Bay Times)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — 162 starting pitchers, 162 lineup cards, 162 first pitches, it all came to a close on Sunday afternoon as the A’s hosted the Astros for the final game of the 2026 regular season. The A’s had one last chance to play spoiler on Sunday as the Astros needed a win or a Rangers loss to clinch the AL West.

In the end, it didn’t matter if the Astros won or lost as the Rangers were unable to defeat the Twins. However, the Astros defeated the A’s 9-0 to claim the AL West crown.

The A’s went with a bullpen game for the final game of the season. Mark Kotsay elected to go with the right-hander Seth Johnson for the shortened start. Johnson breezed through the first inning but ran into issues trying to get out of the second inning as two walks would ultimately finish his outing. Brady Basso came in with two outs in the second inning to try and clean things up with the bases loaded, which he did, striking out the only batter he faced. Johnson’s final line was one and two-thirds innings while giving up no runs on one hit while walking two and striking out two.

Basso went back out to pitch the third inning for the A’s and struggled. Basso was only able to get two outs in the inning before being lifted. Similarly to Basso, Elvis Alvarado came on and cleaned up the inning, striking out the only batter he faced. However, the damage was already done against Basso. All in, Basso tossed one inning of relief while giving up four runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one.

Alvarado, having finished the third inning, came back out to pitch the fourth for the A’s. Alvarado pitched a clean fourth inning where he struck out two of the three batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit or a walk. All in, Alvarado struck out three of the four hitters he faced and didn’t allow any baserunners in his one and a third innings of work.

In the fifth inning, it was Scott Blewett who came in to pitch. Blewett pitched a strong fifth inning, retiring all three of the batters he faced by way of the groundball. However, he was only able to record one out in the sixth before being lifted. All in, Blewett tossed one and a third innings and gave up two runs on two hits while issuing no walks and not recording any strikeouts.

Chris Roycroft came in to pitch the rest of the sixth and part of the seventh inning. Roycroft also struggled for the A’s as he pitched one inning total and gave up two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out two.

The sixth pitcher of the day for the A’s was Geoff Hartlieb. Hartlieb came in to finish the seventh and also pitched the eighth inning. Hartlieb, like most of the bullpen, struggled to get outs. Hartlieb was able to finish the eighth inning, but he gave up one run on three hits while issuing one free pass and striking out one.

In the ninth, Mark Kotsay turned to Drew Rom. Rom came in and pitched a three-up-three-down ninth inning, allowing no baserunners.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s really struggled against the Astros pitching. The A’s weren’t able to score any runs as they were shut out in the game. The A’s hitters managed only five hits and three walks in the game to finish off the season.

The A’s missed out on their goals in the 2026 season, which is something A’s manager Mark Kotsay has reiterated many times over the past few seasons here in Sacramento.

“A tough season,” the A’s manager said after the game. “There’s no way around that. As a group, we feel obviously very disappointed in the results. As I talked about, the greatest lessons of learning are failures, and this season was one of those that I think we have a lot to learn from.”

Injuries didn’t do the A’s any favors in 2026. On the final day of the season, the likes of Tyler Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Luis Severino and others were all hurt.

Shea Langeliers, who himself spent time on the injured list during the 2026 season before coming back a couple of weeks before the end of the season, spoke to the media about how injuries impacted the season.

“I think all encompassing, just kind of a crazy year, the injuries we had to deal with as a team, just kind of battling through that,” Langeliers said after the game.

There’s certainly going to be even more change around the Athletics organization in 2027. Kotsay himself acknowledged that after the game.

“There’s been a lot of change. There’s going to be more change. It’s been a really tough year for everyone in the organization.”

WNBA Playoffs/ Las Vegas Aces game wrap: Aces Blow-Out Fever In Game One 102-85

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Indiana Fever center Aliayah Boston (7) goes to the basket against Las Vegas center A’ja Wilson (22) in the first half of game 1 of the WNBA playoffs at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sun Sep 27, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (31-13) finished off their regular season Thursday night beating the Phoenix Mercury 100-82 and now enter the most important stretch of their 2026 season.

The Aces enter the playoffs as the number three seed taking on the number six seed the Indiana Fever (28-16) at Michelob ULTRA Arena today. The final was 102-85 and the defending champs had taken the first step toward another title.

The Aces led for most of the opening quarter and at the 2:18 mark had gone on a 8-0 run. When the clock ran out on the first quarter, Las Vegas was holding onto a 27-23 lead. The second quarter got very tight in the early minutes but the Aces took back control leading at the half by a generous margin 62-47 their largest lead of the game.

The defending champs broke this game wide-open in the third quarter taking as much as a 27 point lead. When the quarter came to an end Las Vegas had an 86-65 lead. A’Ja Wilson after three quarters had shot for 30 points.

Las Vegas continued to hang onto the lead although the Fever did cut the lead somewhat. Indiana had created a deep deficit in the third quarter and could not recover.

The WNBA playoffs got underway Sunday with the third seeded Las Vegas Aces taking on the sixth seed, the Indiana Fever in game one of this three-game series. This could prove to be a very tough game for Las Vegas.

The Fever have a 2-1 win/loss record during the regular season and the Aces will be looking to turn that around. Las Vegas led for most of the first quarter and at 2:18 left on the clock went on a 8-0 run. When the quarter came to an end, the Aces had a 27-23 lead. The largest lead of the game for Las Vegas so far in this game was 8 points.

This game got uncomfortably close as the second quarter got underway. The Fever continued to threaten the Las Vegas lead and at 7:47 Indiana took a 34-33 lead. Jackie Young had been unusually quiet with only three points mid-way through the second quarter.

At 5:23 Young did indeed get going hitting a field goal giving the Aces a 42-38 lead. The Aces really got going in the second half of the quarter. Jackie Young made her second three of the day and Las Vegas had a 49-40 lead with 4:05 on the clock.

Young continued to hit three’s another one at 2:57 her third and the Aces had a 54-42 lead. Las Vegas was shooting 67% in the first half. As the clock ran out on the half Jewell Loyd hit the teams seventh three of the day and Las Vegas took a 62-47 lead into the locker room.

The Aces outscored the Fever in the second quarter 35-24. A’Ja Wilson was on fire shooting at 80% finishing the half with 22 points and six rebounds. Chelsea Gray had 12 points and Jackie Young was heating up in the second quarter with 11 points.

The Fever had two of their starters Aliyah Boston and Lexie Hull already with 3 personals and they had contained Caitlin Clark very well. The Aces would need more of the same energy in the second half.

It all seemed to come unglued for Indiana mid-way through the third quarter as the Aces took their largest lead of the game 74-52 going on a 9-0 run. With 1:32 left in the quarter, the defending champs had broken this game wide-open leading by 27 points 85-58. Las Vegas took an 86-65 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Fever began to chip away at the Las Vegas lead in the fourth quarter. The Aces 27 point lead had been cut to fifteen as Indiana controlled the early minutes of the final quarter.

Both teams were out of challenges in the second half both of them losing challenges. Las Vegas got back on track building their lead back up to twenty 93-73. With under five minutes left on the clock Clark and Boston each had five personal fouls. The Fever continued to fight cutting a 23 point lead to 17 with under 2 1/2 minutes left in the game.

GAME NOTES

It was yet another amazing game from A’Ja Wilson. When you think that she cannot get any better, guess what, she does. She blew this game out of the water finishing with a double double, 38 points and 16 rebounds. She was 2 of 2 from beyond the arc and 15 of 19 from the field. Jackie Young did heat up after a slow start finishing with 21 points and 10 assists.

A’Ja Wilson started off this game efficiently inside. She forced Indiana to deal with her near the basket early where she is a major threat. They really made Caitlin Clark work defensively. Early on Clark was only 1-for-6 with two turnovers.

Indiana couldn’t get it’s transition offense going in this game. The Aces shooting efficiency was improved shooting at 67.9% compared to the Fever’s 40.9%, a huge desparity.

Both Young and Chelsea Gray had a hand in creating offense. Young had ten assistss and Gray eight so Indiana had to defend multiple playmakers and could not concentrate solely on Wilson. The one thing that the Aces were looking to improve upon was defensive plays. They were far improved in this aspect not giving up many second chances.

It will be a quick turn-around for both teams in game two. That game will get underway at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on Tuesday with an early 3:30 tipoff.

Giants end season in loss to Dodgers, 5-1; SF finishes fourth in NL West at 65-97 on Mike Krukow day

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San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello, right, argues with umpire Marvin Hudson (51) as he is thrown out of the during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Maggie Akins

San Francisco — You could feel the energy of Mike Krukow throughout Oracle Park Sunday afternoon through all the “Atta Babe, Kruk” signage. Today was his day. 

While it was the Giants’ final game of the season, it was Krukow’s last broadcast as the Giants’ broadcaster alongside his partner, Duane Kuiper. Krukow has been behind the microphone since 1990 and is a Giants legend, known as a forever Giant. Manager Tony Vitello spoke of Krukow pregame, referring to him as the ultimate teammate. 

The classic chant, “Beat LA,” roared through the stands, but it did not come true for the Giants in the final game of a three-game series, losing 5-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants close out the season with another sweep. 

Many Giants fans will recall this season as one of the worst in history, and the rest will wipe it from their memory. The Giants posted a 65-97 record overall, barely scraping by a 100-loss season. 

Sunday’s game was like a rotating pizza of pitchers. Each inning was a different piece of the bullpen, despite no change in the fifth inning and two changes in the third inning. 

It then became a pitchers’ bout with not much offensive showing until the 10th inning. Alex Call hit a double that allowed Miguel Rojas to score, making it a 2-1 ballgame after it was tied 1-1 through six innings. Andy Pages joined the party and hit a three-run homer to shoot the Dodgers’ lead up to 5-1. That sealed it, and now the Dodgers are preparing for the postseason. 

Now that the season has come to an end, Vitello referenced how fast the season went by, but said that it felt like there have been a lot of chapters. 

“The final chapter has been fun,” Vitello said. 

Vitello was ejected in the third inning after arguing about a pitch to Mookie Betts with plate umpire Ryan Blakney and getting in the face of crew chief Marvin Hudson. This is the most ejections by any manager in the 2026 regular season. It has been a year of learning for Vitello after he got hired with zero professional baseball experience after winning a national championship with the University of Tennessee. 

The Giants have a lot to look forward to, however. Rookie Bryce Eldridge brought out the majority of the positives for the Giants, and his development during the offseason is something Giants fans can anticipate in spring training. Eldridge has the ability to be a strong performer and leader for this squad in the future. Rookie Matt Wilkinson and the development of Jackson Flora will be something to follow

Even though the Giants did not win, it felt like there was a win already for Krukow and his career.

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukavlovic: Barracuda open regular season at home against San Diego Sat Oct 3

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San Jose Barracuda defenseman Libor Hajek (24) skates against the Bakersfield Condors in AHL exhibition action at Tech CU Arena in San Jose Sat Sep 26, 2026 (San Jose Barracua X file)

San Jose Barracuda podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 Can Wade Murphy build on his shootout-winning performance against Bakersfield from Friday night?

#2 Will Matt Davis continue his strong preseason goaltending after stopping 33 of 34 shots against the Condors?

#3 Can Tristan Sarsland follow up his first preseason goal with another strong performance against Bakersfield?

#4 Will Carson Wetsch continue to make an impact after recording an assist on Sarsland’s goal Friday?

#4 How will Ryley Appelt perform after his physical game Friday, including a third-period fighting major against Riley Wallack?

#6 Talk about opening night Sat Oct 3 in San Jose as the Barracuda host the San Diego Gulls. Gulls always give the Barrracuda fits how do you see this match up for opening night.

Join Marko Ukalovic for the San Jose Barracuda podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Stanford Cardinal game wrap: Cardinal swatted the Yellow Jackets 34-27, on a cool Saturday Evening on the Farm

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Stanford Cardinal quarterback Davis Warren (8) led with three downs and threw for 396 yards for Stanford’s win over the Georgia Tech Bulldogs at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto on Sat Sep 26, 2026 (Stanford Cardinal photo)

By Michael Roberson

STANFORD, Calif.. — Led by senior quarterback Davis Warren’s 396 passing yards and three touchdowns, the Stanford Cardinal (2-2, 1-2 ACC) garnered their first conference win and chased the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (1-3, 0-1 ACC) out of the Bay Area 34-27, in front of 23,422 fans inside of Stanford Stadium.

Stanford won the coin toss, but deferred their possession until their second half. That decision could have been gracious, or very strategic for the home team. Initially it resulted in the team from the Peach State scoring first with their precious gift.

Georgia Tech’s senior kicker Aidan Birr booted a 33-yard FG to put his team up 3-0 in just under the first six minutes of the game.Less than four minutes later, Stanford would respond, during their first possession of the ball. That time with the ball did also put them into the lead.

Junior running back Micah Ford crossed the goal line after a seven yards scamper. However, this lead-taking score was aided by a crucial roughing the passer penalty against the Yellow Jackets. Their defense could have been off the field and the team maintained their three points lead, but instead they were down by four points due to their error.

Despite that, Georgia Tech did respond a few minutes later with their own scoring drive. Junior quarterback Alberto Mendoza threw a 9-yard TD pass to junior running back Trelain Maddox, to put the guests up by three points again, 10-7. After the first 15 minutes elapsed, that score prevailed.

In the second quarter, the swarming Yellow Jackets exposed their nature on defense, as they forged an impressive fourth down stance. The offense parlayed that turnover of the ball into another score, which extended their small lead. After Birr converted another field goal ((23), the lead doubled to six, 13-7.

Midway through the second stanza, Stanford decided to score via their special teams. Senior kicker Emmett Kenney converted a 29-yard FG, to get back within three points of the lead. However, they settled for that amount of points, as a rushing touchdown was called back due to a holding penalty. They were down three instead of up by one point.

Later in the first half, Georgia Tech was on the attack once more. The aforementioned Maddox reached paydirt on a 20-yard sprint from scrimmage. Minutes before recess, the Atlanta based school was up by 10 points, 20-10. That score held up until the halftime whistle.

In the second half the choice of the deferment really came into fruition. In the third quarter alone, Stanford out scord Georgia Tech 17-0. They went from being down 10 points at the half to being up by seven after three quarters. That big momentum shift took 15 minutes of regulation game time.

The scoring barrage included, Kenney kicking another FG (24) and Davis Warren launching two (49) & (33) bomb touchdown strikes. After 45 minutes of ACC action, the Cardinal led 27-20, and Warren was just under 400 yards passing. The Yellow Jackets were stunned, as well as their loyal fans throughout the stadium.

In the final quarter, turnabout’s fair play, as the Cardinal performed their own fourth down stance. Less than two minutes in, Stanford stopped Georgia Tech in their tracks and gave their offence an opportune positioning on the field. More than a minute later, Warren tossed his third TD (7) of the evening. That one landed in the hands of senior wide receiver Caden High, At that point, Stanford had scored 24 straight points on the southern opponents., 34-20.

Although being down by 14 points, the Yellow Jackets did put up a valiant fight and attempted a comeback. Mendoza threw a 23-yard TD pass to senior WR Jaiven Plummer, bringing them within one score, 34-27. After Stanford did nothing with the ball, he had a chance to tie the game at 34. Unfortunately for him and his team, the drive ended with an interception.

That actually was not the end. Mendoza had one last chance to tie the game or even win on a two-point conversion. One again, the drive stalled and the Cardinal was able to capture the victory on guile and pride, Final score after an adventurous 60 minutes, 34-27 Stanford.

The Cardinal will next be in action Saturday, October 3, in Winston-Salem, NC to take on Wake Forest at ( AM PT/Noon ET on the ACC Network. Georgia Tech heads back to Atlanta and hosts Duke on Saturday, October 10. Time and channel are yet to be determined.

Judd’s brace powers Earthquakes in 3-1 win over Timbers

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San Jose Earthquakes forward Preston Judd celebrates his second goal of the match against the Portland Timbers among the fans at PayPal Park on Saturday SEP 26, 2026 (San Jose Earthquakes)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Preston Judd is becoming a scoring machine for the San Jose Earthquakes at the right time of the year.

Judd scored two goals in the first half as San Jose dominated the Portland Timbers in a convincing 3-1 victory on Saturday evening at PayPal Park.

San Jose has won two of its past three matches which includes a six-match point streak. Portland has lost three matches in a row.

San Jose (13-8-6-45 points) drew first blood early in the match. In the fourth minute, Eduard Lowen chipped over a high cross from right to left over to Judd inside the box. Judd headed over the outstretched reach of Timbers goalkeeper James Pantemis for his team leading 14th goal of the season. Daniel Munie received a secondary assist, his fifth of the season.

For Lowen it was his first helper in a Quakes kit and first goal contribution.

Portland (9-13-5-32) created the next three scoring chances in the 11th, 12th and 13th minutes. Quakes goalkeeper Earl Edwards Jr. denied all three chances with saves on shots by Ariel Lassiter, Kristoffer Velde and Vincent Janssen.

The Earthquakes doubled its lead in the 24th minute with Lowen scoring his first goal in a Quakes kit. A nice give and go between Beau Leroux and Timo Werner led to Leroux finding Lowen inside the box. Lowen dribbled down to the end line before roofing a shot into the middle of the net for his fourth overall goal of the season.

Judd recorded his brace five minutes later in the 29th minute. Paul Marie received the ball inside the box. He pirouetted around before sending a quick cross into the middle where Judd propped up his leg and knocked the ball out of mid-air past Pantemis for his 15th goal of the season. Lowen was on all three goal contributions with the secondary assist.

Judd has recorded a brace in back-to-back games.

Portland broke through the seal in the 86th minute to spoil Gunn’s clean sheet. Eric Izoita found David Da Costa down low on the right side of the box. Da Costa made a move around a Quakes defender before depositing the ball into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season.

Edwards Jr. finished the match stopping seven out of eight shots on target to earn the victory. Pantemis made five saves on eight shots on target in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with five corner kicks. Portland had nine.

Tonight’s match was scheduled to be the 9,000th match in the history of MLS, the New York Red Bulls-St. Louis CITY match that was scheduled earlier in the day was postponed due to inclement weather. Instead, it was the 8,999th match.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels out to the Rockies to take on the Colorado Rapids on Saturday October 10 at 6:30pm at DICK’s Sporting Goods Park.

Sharks Beat Golden Knights 4-2, Askarov Shines

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San Jose Sharks Will Smith (2) had an assist and a point agianst the Vegas Golden Knights the T Mobile Center in Las Vegas on Sat Sep 26, 2026 (San Jose Sharks X photo)

By Mary Walsh

The San Jose Sharks defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2 in their final pre-season game. Dmitry Orlov, Macklin Celebrini, Mason Marchment and Michael Misa scored for the Sharks. Yaroslav Askarov made 27 saves for the win. Tomas Hertl and Nic Dowd scored for the Golden Knoghts. Carter Hart made 12 saves in the loss.

The first period looked like it would end scoreless until the Sharks went on the power play at 18:20. Even then, with the shots 13-1 for Vegas, it didn’t look good for the Sharks. Macklin Celebrini carried the puck in, then passed it back up to Dmitry Orlov on the blue line. Orlov moved below the blue line and shot the puck in, bar down. Alexander Wennberg got the secondary assist.

The period ended with the shots 13-2. The Sharks killed two penalties (to Tyler Toffoli and Zack Ostapchuk) and converted on their one power play.

Celebrini made it 2-0 at 6:45 of the second period. Will Smith and Celebrini interrupted a Vegas rush in the Sharks zone and turned play the other way. Celebrini took his shot from above the left faceoff circle. Smith and Mason Marchment got the assists.

Vegas got one back at 17:24, on the power play. Tomas Hertl carried it in, the passed it back up to Shea Theodore. When Askarov stopped Theodore’s shot, Hertl backhanded the rebound in. An assist also went to Carter Hart.

The shots for the second were 12-3 Vegas. The Knights took one penalty and killed it. The Sharks took two penalties (to Dmitry Orlov and Mason Marchment) and killed one.

Nic Dowd tied the game for Vegas at 3:18 of the third period. Skaters entered the zone with speed and a lot of puck movement. Ivan Barbashev passed to his right, Brett Howden passed it to his left and Dowd took the shot.

Mason Marchment broke that tie at 9:47. Darnell Nurse sent a pass to Will Smith but the Golden Knights blocked it. They did not get control of the the puck and it bounced to Marchment on his way into the zone. He had time and he took his shot. Nurse got the only assist.

Michael Misa scored an insurance goal at 14:54. Misa got control of the puck at the blue line, carried the puck in and shot from the right faceoff circle. Assists went to Igor Chernyshov and Tyler Toffoli.

The Sharks did turn the shot clock around in the third, 11-4.

The Sharks next play on Thursday at 7:00 PM PT in San Jose against the visiting Florida Panthers.

A’s Fall to Astros 13-2 as AL West Race Heads to Game 162

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Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Athletics were back in action on Saturday night for their final night game of the 2026 season as they faced off against the Houston Astros at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s tried to play spoiler again as the Astros and Rangers were tied at the top of the division. Whoever lost the division would miss out on the 2026 MLB postseason.

The A’s weren’t able to spoil the Astros’ hopes as they wanted, as Houston had its way with them, defeating them 13-2.

The A’s sent Jack Perkins to the hill to start Game 161 for the team as he was making his 37th appearance of the year and his 17th start. Perkins pitched OK, but the fifth inning unraveled for the right-hander to tank his outing. Perkins was pitching to a 3-1 deficit as he came out for the fifth inning, and it was a three-run home run that ultimately did him in. Perkins finished the fifth inning, but his outing was over after he gave up six runs on five hits while walking three and striking out nine (ties a season high).

First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Scott Blewett, who came in to pitch the sixth inning. Blewett struggled, but he managed to bear down and leave without allowing a run. Blewett gave up two hits followed by two strikeouts before being lifted with two outs in favor of Drew Rom. Rom got the final out of the inning on one pitch to give Blewett a final line of two-thirds of an inning, allowing no runs and two hits while striking out two.

For Rom, he got that final out of the sixth inning before coming back out to pitch the seventh inning. Rom struggled mightily in the seventh as he was only able to record two outs before being lifted. Rom tossed a total of one inning during his outing and gave up three runs on five hits while walking none and striking out none.

It was Yunior Tur who came in to finish off the seventh inning as he recorded a strikeout against the only batter he faced. Like Rom, Tur came out again in the eighth inning. In the eighth, Tur struggled to throw strikes, and it cost him as he gave up three runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one. Tur also pitched the ninth inning, where he gave up a solo home run but nothing more. Yunior’s final line was two and a third innings of four-run, four-hit baseball while walking one and striking out two.

On the offensive side of things, the A’s managed only two runs on six hits while walking twice.

The A’s got their first run of the game in the fourth inning on an odd play. Zack Gelof grounded a ball to shortstop, where Jeremy Peña stepped on second for the out before making an errant throw to first base. Gelof performed some shape-shifting acrobatics to avoid the tag and was safe at first. Gelof was credited with his 55th RBI of the year on the play as Lawrence Butler crossed home and scored from third base.

The A’s second run came in the seventh inning when Tommy White singled home Zack Gelof from second base, who reached earlier on a single of his own. It was the 10th RBI of the season for White with the A’s and made it a 9-2 game at the time.

That was all the A’s could muster on the offensive end as they couldn’t mount any late-game comeback.

With the win, the Astros set up a Game 162 showdown with the Rangers on Sunday. Since Houston holds the tiebreaker over Texas, an Astros win would secure the AL West. The Rangers would need a win of their own, coupled with an Astros loss, to claim the division.

The A’s and Astros will play the final game of the regular season on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. Neither team has announced a starting pitcher for the game. However, A’s manager Mark Kotsay did confirm it will be a bullpen game for the series finale.

San Jose Barracuda shutout 3-0 by Condors in second preseason matchup

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San Jose Barracuda vs Bakersfield Condors on Saturday September 26th at Tech CU Arena (via sjbarracuda)

By Madison Montez

SAN JOSE–Hockey is back at Tech CU Arena! After a scoreless first period and a scorless second period, Bakersfield was the first on the board. After Bakersfield forced a turnover, Connor Clattenburg scored his 1st of the preseason.

Jake Suede recorded the only assist. Keeping the scoring going, Bakersfield’s Ethan Keppen scored his 1st of the preseason. Beau Acky recorded the primary assist while Jack Kopacka recorded the secondary assist. Bakersfield kept the foot on the gas making it 3-0 when Mitch Hults scored his first of the preseason. Jack Kopacka recorded his second assist of the night while Tomas Cibulka recorded his first.

After the first period, San Jose was a shots machine, outshooting Bakersfield 14 to 6. After the second period, San Jose outshot Bakersfield again, this time twelve to five. After the third period, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 17 to 7. Ultimately, San Jose outshot Bakersfield 43 to 18.

Both teams, again, were given a good amount of powerplay opportunities. San Jose went 0/6 while Bakersfield took advantage and went 2/4.

The starting goaltender for San Jose Saturday night was Eric Comrie, who cleared waivers early Friday morning. Making 15 saves on 18 shots, Comrie recorded Saturday nght’s loss. For Bakersfield, their starting goaltender was Nathaniel Day. Halfway through the second period, goaltender Samuel Jonsson came in for relief. Making 16 saves on 16 shots, Jonsson recorded Saturday night’s win.

The Barracuda will be back in action on October 3rd for the season and home opener against the San Diego Gulls. It will be the first of a two game series.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Friends in the Business

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) and Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Jose Mota (right) are photographed in the Dodgers Spanish radio booth at Oracle Park on Sat Sep 26, 2026 (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary Friends in the Business

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–It was September 26, 2026, at Oracle Park, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing the second of a 3-game series (the last 3 games of the season for each team: the Dodgers and the Giants). One of my best friends in broadcasting is José Mota, son of the legendary Manny Mota of the LA Dodgers. José is a Spanish-language broadcaster for the World Champion LA Dodgers.

José and I worked together on the radio and television for the LA Angels of Anaheim. Saturday I was welcomed into the Spanish broadcast booth for the visiting Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco. I was surprised that José called his father, Manny Mota. he did, and we spoke for a few minutes; he is fine and in good spirits following his beloved Dodgers.

Manny Mota is 88 years young, retired, and living in Los Angeles. In years past, I had the chance to interview Manny Mota on many occasions during his days as a player and later as a coach with the LA Dodgers, under skipper Tommy LaSorda. I also interviewed him when he joined his son José and yours truly in commentary in Anaheim.

Manny played 20 years in the Major Leagues with the Giants, Pirates, Expos, and Dodgers, finishing with1,149 hits, which was the MLB record when he retired. His pinch-hit average was .300; he drove in 115 runs (the current MLB record); he also hit four home runs as a pinch hitter. I always asked Manny if he wanted to manage; he always told me no, that he wanted to teach the game and coach.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Manuel (Manny) Mota is baseball royalty from an era when pinch hitters were essential to winning teams. His son José is one of the most talented MLB broadcasters in both English and Spanish and a good friend, currently working for a team going to the postseason with the goal of winning their third consecutive World Series, something no National League team has ever done. Manny is very proud of his son José and his work as a broadcaster, as he should; José is knowledgeable and well-liked in our business.

Quote: “There is only one legitimate trick to pinch hitting, and that’s knowing the pitcher’s best pitch when the count is 3-and-2. All the rest is a crapshoot.” Earl Weaver, manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

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.

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.