San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants blow 9-3 lead on verge of first sweep, and Reds score 7 in 9th inning to top Giants 10-9

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San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers (right) watches his two run home run leave Oracle Park in the bottom of the fifth inning against Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino (left) at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants game wrap:

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cincinnati Reds 10 (63-71)

San Francisco Giants 9 (54-79)

Win: Tony Santillan (2-4)

Loss: Dylan Smith (0-5)

Save: Emilio Pagan (17)

Time: 3:15

Attendance: 24,130

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–A lead in an article can’t generally be more than two sentences, so my lead Wednesday is to let you all know that, because this game was that heartbreaking and chaotic.

The Giants were finally going to do it. Logan Webb bounced back from his disastrous start in Boston with a solid six-inning performance, and the Giants’ offense came alive in the latter part of the game. The Giants went to the ninth inning up 9-3, and three outs away from their long-awaited first sweep of the season, but the Reds scored seven runs in the ninth to beat the Giants 10-9.

With the fact that the Giants had a chance to sweep their first series all year, Tony Vitello decided to have his ace, Logan Webb, who was originally supposed to go Thursday, start Wednesday. Webb was coming off a very-uncharacteristic start at Fenway Park last Friday, in which he hit two guys, and allowed seven-straight baserunners in the bottom of the third inning.

With Webb, you would have to imagine that something like this would not happen again any time soon. The Giants would certainly need Webb to be his usual self if they wanted to pick up that coveted first sweep of the season.

The top of the first inning Wednesday was a bit interesting to say the least. Hector Rodriguez reached on an error by second-baseman Shay Whitcomb on the first pitch of the game. Ely De La Cruz reached on a fielder’s choice, and stole second base.

The Reds had runners at first and second with two outs, when First Base Umpire Ben May ruled that Eugenio Suarez had checked his swing. Tony Vitello let May and Home Plate Umpire Ryan Blakney have it. It would be Blakney who would throw Vitello out.

It was Tony’s fourth ejection of the year. I gotta say that for a manager to have four ejections through the end of August with ABS around, that’s pretty encouraging. We got some early entertainment, and better yet, Webb got out of the jam unscathed.

Left-hander Nick Lodolo took the ball for the Reds. The Giants loaded the bases, but were unable to come through against him in the bottom of the first.

Jose Trevino lined a single the other way to right, just out of the reach of Rafael Devers at first base, to put the Reds on the board in the top of the second. Ke’Bryan Hayes then grounded into an inning-ending double play, and the damage was limited to just the run.

The Giants had a little two-out magic go for them in the bottom of the second. Shea Whitcomb doubled with two outs, and Jonah Cox hit a two-run home run to center field to put the Giants ahead.

Unfortunately, the Giants’ lead was short lived, as Hector Rodriguez led off the top of the third with a home run to left-center, which tied it up. Webb survived runners in scoring position in the third and fourth, and then he finally threw his first 1-2-3 inning of the day in the top of the fifth.

Lodolo threw his first—and what would turn out to be his only—one, two, three inning in the bottom of the fourth. Cox walked to start the bottom of the fifth, and Devers hit one into the water to put the Giants back ahead. It was the 111th splash hit by a Giant in the 27-year history of Oracle Park, and the third for Devers.

Osleivis Basabe then grounded a base-hit to left, and that did it for Lodolo. Terry Francona brought in Julian Garcia, who got through the rest of the inning without any trouble.

Webb finished his day with a scoreless top of the sixth. His outing was a bit shaky at times, but he managed to give up just two runs over six solid innings.

Shay Whitcomb hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to extend the Giants’ lead to 6-2.

Jason Foley came in for the seventh, and things got a bit scary. Hayes, Rodriguez and De La Cruz all singled with one out to load the bases.

Jayce Tingler, who was managing in place of the ejected Tony Vitello, brought in Ryan Walker. Sal Stewart knocked in a run with a sacrifice fly to make it 6-3. JJ Bleday then challenged a called third strike, and turned it into ball four to load the bases. However, the crisis was averted when Eugenio Suarez popped out to end the inning.

Spencer Bivens threw a scoreless top of the eighth. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth Drew Gilbert pinch-hit, and hit a three-run double out to right-center to open it up to 9-3.

So, there we were. The Giants were three outs away from finally sweeping a three-game series for the first time all season. However, we had to remember that this was the Giants’ bullpen we were talking about. We also had to remember that the Giants had already lost nine times this season when leading in the ninth inning.

But they weren’t going to blow this big of a lead in the ninth? Were they?

Well, I’ll try and make this as quick as I can to save you all some time. Rodriguez led off the top of the ninth with his second home run of the game. Four batters later, right after Dylan Smith was brought in, Suarez hit a grand slam to make it 9-8.

Now, you all know where this is going. Two bunt singles, an error and a stolen base put runners at second and third. By the way, in case anyone is wondering, there were still no outs at this point. Anyway, Jose Trevino tied the game with a sacrifice fly, and Tyler Stephenson gave the Reds the lead with a base-hit to left.

Reiver Sanmartin had to finish off the top of the ninth, and the Giants were up against the veteran, Emilio Pagan, in the bottom of the ninth. To give credit to the Giants, they had some fight in them, but Pagan pitched a scoreless inning nevertheless.

To put all of this in layman’s terms: the Giants were three outs away from their first sweep of the season, but the bullpen blew a 9-3 lead in the ninth inning.

Tony Vitello had even sacrificed himself to get the sweep, but to no avail.

Through the chaos and heartbreak, Tony Santillan got the win; Dylan Smith took the loss; and Emilio Pagan picked up the save.

Yes, this was heartbreaking. As much of a nightmare as this season has been, the Giants were finally going to sweep a three-game series. That would have been a nice little accomplishment. It would have been Tony’s first three-game sweep as a big league manager. Then they blew it.

The Giants fall to 54-79. They have also lost their 10th game when leading in the ninth inning this season.

Maybe, some people can point to Wednesday’s game as the true rock bottom for the Giants. However, as I have said over the last three months, this entire season has been rock bottom for the Giants. Wednesday’s heartbreaker was just another episode.

Now, the Arizona Diamondbacks will come in for four starting Thursday night. There will be games Thursday night and Friday night, followed by a day-night doubleheader on Saturday.

The Diamondbacks are just a game back of the San Diego Padres for the third wild card spot in the National League, so the Giants will have a chance to play spoilers. Unfortunately, the Giants are 1-8 against the Diamondbacks this season.

Starting pitchers for Arizona RHP Jose Cabrera (0-2 ERA 5.60) for San Francisco RHP (7-13 ERA 4.34) on Thursday Night Baseball

First pitch will be at 6:45 p.m.

Golden State Valkyrie podcast Michael Roberson: Gabby leads Valkyrie with 15 pts in 80-66 win over Minnesota

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Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier, center front, controls the ball as Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton, center top, defends during the first half of a WNBA basketball game Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

Golden State Valkyrie podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 What was the biggest reason the Valkyries were able to defeat the Lynx 80–66 and finally end their losing streak against Minnesota?

#2 How did Cecilia Zandalasini’s fourth-quarter scoring and Gabby Williams’ overall performance help Golden State pull away?

#3 What defensive strategies did the Valkyries use to limit Minnesota’s offense, particularly rookie Olivia Miles, who finished with just 8 points?

#4 How important were Minnesota’s 18 turnovers and Golden State’s ability to turn those mistakes into points in determining the outcome?

#5 What does this victory suggest about the Valkyries’ potential heading into the playoffs, especially after beating one of the WNBA’s top teams on the road?

#6 The Valkyrie now face the Connectcuit Sun who have been struggling losing seven of their last 12 games.

Michael Roberson is a WNBA reporter and podcasts the Golden State Valkyries each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Anthony Molina

Giants lose another pitcher but still beat Reds 3-1

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Photo: Anthony Molina, who was traded from the Atlanta Braves to the San Francisco Giants for Tyler Mahle, made his Giants debut against the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif. (Jay Choi/SF Bay News Lab).

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants churned another impressive pitching performance on Tuesday night but lost yet another arm to the injured list.

After losing starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt to a torn UCL on Monday night, the Giants lost Adrian Houser to an apparent right arm injury after he was taken out of the game in the top of the second inning. There is no word yet on the extent of Houser’s injury.

But despite the injured pitchers, the Giants marched on to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night. The bullpen picked up the slack, just like on Monday night, and was superb for 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball.

The Giants started the scoring yet again in the first inning. After Drew Gilbert was hit by a pitch, first baseman Rafael Devers walked. Designated hitter Jung Hoo Lee then walked to load the bases for rookie left fielder Turner Hill who flew out to shallow left field. With the bases still loaded and one out, catcher Drew Cavanaugh singled on a ground ball up the middle, bringing in two runs and giving the Giants a 2-0 lead. Cavanaugh ended up going 3-for-3 on the day. The 2-0 lead would prove to be enough to lead the Giants to victory.

San Francisco tacked on another run on a Devers home run, his 28th of the year, to give the Giants a 3-0 lead.

The Reds scored their lone run of the series in the top of the ninth inning against Carson Seymour. Seymour gave up the home run to Sal Stewart, an opposite field shot over the 24-foot-high right-field wall.

On the pitching side for the Giants, Anthony Molina relieved Houser and threw 4 1/3 innings of scoreless ball. He gave up just one hit and one walk, while striking out one. Molina was acquired from the Braves for Tyler Mahle.

For the Reds, Brady Singer had a solid start, but it wasn’t enough to beat the Giants. Singer went 5 2/3 innings, giving up three runs on six hits, while walking two and striking out five. Singer now has a 4.72 ERA on the year.

Up next, the Giants will go for their first series sweep of the year. Landen Roupp (7-13, 4.34 ERA) will take on Nick Lodolo (3-3, 5.04 ERA). Game time is at 12:45 p.m. at Oracle Park on Wednesday afternoon.

If the Giants were ever going to get a series sweep in 2026, Wednesday afternoon’s game will be their best chance.

Gage Jump Shines as A’s Take Down Twins 4-2

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Gage Jump #61 of the Athletics pitches against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning at Sutter Health Park on August 25, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento A’s and Minnesota Twins played game two of their three-game series on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park. The A’s, who have struggled mightily against the AL Central division this year (5-21 entering Tuesday’s action), tried to get back on track against a team vying for a wild-card spot.

The A’s evened the series with the Twins as they defeated them 4-2. With the win, the A’s improved to 52-81 as the Twins fell to 64-68. Gage Jump got the win and is now 6-8 on the season.

It was Gage Jump who took the ball for the A’s on Tuesday in what was his 17th appearance of the season (all starts). Jump was really solid for the A’s in a game that they desperately needed some length from their starter. Jump cruised through six innings for the A’s before running into some trouble in the seventh inning, where he gave up two runs. All in, Jump gave up just two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out nine Twins hitters across his outing. He left with the lead and turned the ball over to the bullpen with one out in the seventh inning after throwing 94 pitches.

“His mechanics looked great,” Mark Kotsay said about Gage Jump after the game. “He made a conscious effort to stay in line and pound the zone. Probably I would say, I don’t want to say it was his best outing, but it was definitely one of the top for him to get into the seventh inning…”

“Frustrated with how it finished, but I think overall compared to my last couple of outings, the efficiency was better,” Jump said after the game. “[I was] landing breaking balls in zone early, landing the changeup in zone early. So all that stuff, the execution was much better. So that’s what I was happy about.”

First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Hogan Harris, pitching in what is probably not his normal inning, but a high-leverage situation Mark Kotsay wanted one of his best relievers for. Harris got the final two outs of the seventh inning, albeit allowing one inherited runner to score. Harris was charged with one hit and a walk with one strikeout across his two-thirds of an inning of work.

In the eighth inning, it was Luis Medina on for the A’s. Medina was sharp as he allowed nothing in his one inning of relief while striking out one in what was a stress-free affair for the young right-hander.

In the ninth inning, the A’s went to Elvis Alvarado to close things out. Alvarado had a flawless ninth inning to record the save for the A’s and wrap up what was a pretty clean pitching game for the A’s.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s managed four runs on just seven hits and one walk in the ballgame.

The A’s first two runs came in the second inning courtesy of Carlos Cortes. Cortes blasted a two-run home run over the wall in right field to give the A’s the early 2-0 lead. It was the eighth home run for Cortes and RBIs 36 and 37 for the outfielder. The home run left the bat at 100.5 mph and landed 391 feet from home plate.

The rest of the A’s scoring came in the sixth inning when the A’s scored two more runs. The first of the two runs came when Tommy White doubled home Lawrence Butler for his eighth RBI of the season and his fourth double. Later that inning, it was Donovan Walton who hit an RBI single to give the A’s their fourth and final run of the game. It was the 19th RBI for Walton and gave the A’s the 4-0 lead at the time.

The A’s and Twins will play the rubber game of the three-game series on Wednesday at 6:40 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. J.T. Ginn (8-8, 3.60 ERA) will take the ball for the A’s on Wednesday as the Twins will counter with Connor Prielipp (3-7, 5.57 ERA).

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. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Rangers take it to ChiSox 11-2, Cubs get the pitching shutout D-Backs 7-0; plus more news

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Texas Rangers Cory Seager connects for third inning two run double in the top of the third inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field in Chicago on Mon Aug 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Rangers vs. White Sox: The Rangers shallacked the Chicago White Sox 11-2, and the Rangers produced the stronger offensive performance.

#2 Cubs vs. Diamondbacks: What was notable about Chicago’s pitching performance in its 7-0 shutout victory?

#3 Red Sox vs. Marlins: Boston rallied for two runs in the ninth to defeat the Miami Marlins, for a 4-2 win at LoanDepot Park in Miami Monday.

#4 Guardians vs. Angels: The Cleveland Guardians got a 4-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim, and how did the Guardians complete their sweep of Colorado and continue their momentum?

#5 Phillies vs. Mariners: The Seattle Mariners scored five runs and later defeated the Philadelphia Phillies who have been going good were beaten 9-2 at T Mobile Field in Seattle

#6 How tough has it got to be for the Sacramento A’s starter Jeffrey Springs who got touched up by the Minnestoa Twins for seven hits, four earned runs, striking out three batters and getting lifted after 4.2 innings in a 9-6 loss. Springs is still on just three wins for the season against 12 loses.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Rich Perez: Raiders breath easier after Jeanty comes out of leg injury just fine; Taking a look at special teams; plus more news

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Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) hands off the football to running back Ashtin Jeanty (left) during practice camp in Henderson NV on Thu Jul 30, 2026 (AP News photo)

Las Vegas Raiders podcast Rich Perez:

#1 Ashton Jeanty suffers a major injury scare at practice Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty left Sunday’s practice after an awkward landing while diving for a pass. He initially could not put weight on his right leg and had to be helped off the field. Update: Reports on Monday indicated Jeanty is believed to have suffered a sprained ankle and is not expected to face a long-term absence.

#2 Raiders focus on fixing defensive and special-teams problems Sunday’s padded practice emphasized tackling, technique and self-correction after the Raiders’ preseason game against Houston exposed issues on defense and special teams. The team’s official training-camp report highlighted the need for rapid improvement with the regular season approaching.#1

#3 Mike Washington Jr. emerges as the potential next man up With Jeanty’s injury creating uncertainty, rookie RB Mike Washington Jr. is suddenly in the spotlight. He has impressed during camp and the preseason, making him the obvious candidate for an increased workload if Jeanty misses time.

#4 Raiders’ roster decisions become increasingly urgent The club is entering the final stretch before the Aug. 30 deadline to reach a 53-man roster. Competition is particularly intense among young defensive backs and other bubble players, making the final preseason game especially important.

#5 Fernando Mendoza’s preseason performance remains a major storyline The No. 1 overall pick had an uneven showing in the Raiders’ 22–20 comeback win over Houston, including a pick-six, but the team’s response afterward has kept the rookie QB’s development firmly in the spotlight. Meanwhile, Kirk Cousins took the first-team reps in Sunday’s practice, reinforcing his status as the expected Week 1 starter.

Rich Perez filled in for Tony Renteria who does the Las Vegas Raiders podcast each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

He was a Giant? series: Heavy Hitters & Plump Pitchers Weighing in on the All-Time Gargantuan Giants 

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Former New York Giants manager John McGraw who has the most wins of any manager in MLB history (photo from facebook)

 Hitters & Plump Pitchers:  Weighing in on the All-Time Gargantuan Giants::

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

Just as there is no “crying in baseball”, there’s no place for “fat shaming”  either. Not only is mocking someone’s weight mean-spirited and cruel, in baseball, a wispy waistline, six-pack abs and  sculpted biceps and thighs don’t necessarily guarantee success. 

Chunky former All-Star John Kruk nailed it when he responded to a rude question regarding his weight, retorting: 

“Lady, I’m not an athlete, I’m a professional baseball player.”

The baseball Hall of Fame – from Babe Ruth and Hack Wilson to C.C. Sabathia and Tony Gwynn  – is filled with many jumbo sized legends. 

The Giants recently debuted husky 23-year-old LHP Matt “Tugboat” Wilkinson. The chunky 6’1, 270 pound Canadian kid has a vast midriff rivaling the Great White North in expanse. 

In his MLB debut, “Tugboat” tossed two scoreless innings. His future is bright in San Francisco. 

So we decided there’s no better time than to take to a look at the Top 10 New York/San Francisco Giants all-time players with BMI’s that might give members of the World Health Organization heart palpitations.

  • John McGraw. We start with the O.G.: Obese Giant. The pudgy legendary manager helmed the Giants for 30 years during the franchise’s height of popularity in New York City, winning World Series titles in 1905 and 1921-22. Though he was sinewy during his playing days, McGraw developed an impressive boiler as Giants field general from 1902-32. 
  • Tom Sheehan. When Bill Rigney was abruptly dismissed as manager in mid-1960. Giants president Horace Stoneham seeming gave the interim skipper job to the first person he turned to at the saloon, team adviser and drinking buddy Sheehan.

At that point the portly  Sheehan  was 66 and had not worn a big league uniform in more than  three decades. 

 Sheehan, was so roly-poly, the Giants didn’t immediately have a uniform large enough to fit him. So Sheehan managed his first few games in an Orange & Black satin wind breaker and his own gaberdine slacks. 

  • Herman Franks. Unlike “Ballpark Franks” that “plump when you cook them” former New York Giants catcher Franks was already plump when he took over the Giants managerial reins in 1965. 
  • John Pregenzer. For a period from 1963 to 1964, Pregenzer – a gargantuan 6-foot-5, 250 pounder – made headlines when a 30-something year-old San Francisco Chronicle newsroom employee named Novella O’Hara started the “John Pregenzer Fan Club” upon hearing the Giants had acquired the unestablished spectacles-sporting pitcher from Pittsburgh for the low, low price of $100. 
  • Rick Reuschel. “Big Daddy” came as advertised. A behemoth 6’3, 260 pounder, Rick resembled a beefy tuba player in a polka band. But the comically large right-hander was deceiving with his athleticism. A  fantastic pitcher, Reuschel significantly helped the Giants to division title in 1987 and the division and NL crowns in 1989 while never missing a meal in North Beach. 
  • Livan Hernandez. After defecting from his native Cuba in the mid-1990s it was rumored that the once angular RHP ate nothing but Big Macs for a solid year. By the time he arrived in San Francisco, livin’ large Livo was a plus-sized pitcher. Though he is probably best known for losing game 7 of the 2002 World Series, Hernandez posted a winning ledger in his five seasons with the club.  
  • Juan Uribe. Unlike the slight Jose Uribe who held down the Giants shortstop job in their late ‘80s glory days, cousin Juan was burly  and thickset, but also a winning player and a major component of the Giants 2010 world championship club, smoking a career high 24 home runs and contributing many key hits in the postseason. 
  • Sidney Ponson. After his first game with the Giants – after being acquired from Baltimore in mid-2003 – the bloated Sir Sidney was spotted  on Fisherman’s Wharf chowing down on a plate of Hooters chicken wings. The beer and fried food aficionado wasn’t asked back in 2004.   
  • Gene Machi. There are well-rounded athletes and then there are simply round athletes like 6’0, 260 pound relief pitcher Machi who helped the 2014 Giants to a third World Series title in five years, posting a 7-1 record in a team high 71 games. 
  • Rod Beck. This easy to love stout closer was a beer guzzling, cigarette smoking regular dude. With his ample belly, trailer trash  mullet  and a fu Manchu  ‘stache Beck was was one of most original looking Giants ever. 

Pablo Sandoval. Early on in his Giants career, team officials tried like hell to keep the rotund Sandoval’s weight down. But at a certain point they just gave up and it really didn’t seem to make a difference. The “Kung Fu Panda” hit whether he was in shape or not. Pablo was a major contributor to three Giants World Series winning clubs, taking home MVP honors in the 2012 Fall Classic sweep of Detroit.  

Oakland Ballers weekly report: Follow the Bouncing Ballers, August 17-23, The End of a Cycle

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The Oakland Ballers have been taking their swings against the Modesto Roadsters at Raimondi Park in Oakland on Wed Aug 19, 2026 (photo by the Oakland Baller’s)


  (IT’S ROUND AND COMES IN A SQUARE BOX)




Monday, August 24, 2026

By Lewis Rubman


OAKLAND–The Ballers bused north from Long Beach, where they finally had won a second half game and series, against the first half champion Coast, no less. But this successful leap from the frying pan took them to the fire that is—or was—Modesto, both for its torrid temperatures and the Roadsters 27-3 second half record, which had earned them the top spot in the new half season.


Who’d a thunk it? On Tuesday the 18th, the Ballers held the nearly invincible Roadsters scoreless for 7-2/3 innings. Starting pitcher Hunter Day allowed five hits and a walk to the 25 batters he faced and punched out a half a dozen of them.  His successor, Nathan Darden, took over with one man down and two on base and preserved the shut out. But a lead off full count walk to Lucas Terilli, followed by Max Handron’s ground out to second and Osiris Johnson’s fly out to deep center put Terilli 90 feet from home with two outs. Darden got ahead of Tyler Williams with two straight strikes, but his third offering went into the dirt and got by Jared Collura, a wild pitch that brought Terilli home with the game’s only tally. The B’s outhit their hosts, six to five, but only one Oaklander advanced beyond second base, leaving the team winless against Modesto in the second half of the season.




Oakland Ballers (18-15,37-42)   000 000 000    0 6 0
Modesto Roadsters (28-3,55-24) 000 000 010    1 5 0


Winning pitcher: Johan Castillo (1-0)   Losing pitcher: Nathan Darden (0-1)
Save: Bridger Holmes (1)
Time: 2:22   Attendance: 823


The next day, in a game of reversal, the Ballers damn near pulled defeat out of the jaws of victory. What could go wrong? After all, Esai Santos broke his 0-20 with a 416 foot homer in the fifth, T.J. Rogers went yard with a 422 foot four bagger in the fourth, and Tristan Moore out slugged both of them with a 440 foot fence clearer in the seventh. New Woodmen Field might be pitcher friendly, but the Bs’ batters weren’t, even though the league’s home run leader, Jeter Ibarra, still hadn’t hit one since August 6. It was thanks to Modesto’s resurgence from a 9-1 deficit in the bottom of the eighth (and 10-4 in the bottom of the ninth) that Oakland’s 10-7 win felt more like a loss. Let’s take a look at the line score before speculating a bit more on that feeling of disappointment.


Oakland Ballers (19-16,38-42) 400 120 111   10   14   0
Modesto Roadsters (28-4,55-25) 010 000 033 7    8    0


Winning pitcher: Christian Díaz (1-0)   Losing pitcher: Ethan Rake (0-1) Save: Julio Rosario (1)
Time: 3:10  Attendance:  1,236


Another reason for the bad taste this win left in Ballerdom’s collective mouth was Reed Butz’s performance. It was the southpaw’s scheduled bull pen day, and it seemed an elegant way to combine his routine  with a win preserving cameo appearance. It was an ugly cameo, lasting 2/3 of an inning in which he allowed  three runs, all earned, on a pair of hits and another pair of walks. His pitch count reached 42, 25 of which counted as strikes, which doesn’t mean real life strikes but called and swinging strikes plus the number of times the batter makes contact. Entering the game with a six run lead, he bequeathed his replacement, the off again, on again, off again Julio Rosario, a save situation, which he successfully converted for the first time this season. Butz would get tagged for eight earned runs in three innings by Modesto when, four days later, he next started for Oakland.


The Ballers’ ambiguous win ended with some angry words from one-time Baller fan favorite and current Roadster manager J.T. Snow. Seemingly as a result of those remarks, he did not manage the game on Thursday the twentieth. There was no official announcement of disciplinary action.


 Oakland’s Thursday triumph was unambiguous.


Oakland Ballers (17-16,39-42) 100 060 150     14  15  1
Modesto Roadsters (28-5,55-26) 000 100 010   2   6   2


Winning pitcher: David Thomas (1-0)   Losing pitcher: Jonah Jenkins (0-1)
Time: 2:58   Attendance: 1,161


It was a tight 1-1 contest for four innings until the top of the fifth, when the Ballers jumped all  over Jonah Jenkins, who had held the Yuba-Sutter Freebirds scoreless over six innings in his last start six days earlier. It also had been a while—five days, to be specific— since Jeter Ybarra had hit his team record tying thirty-first dinger. This evening, his fence clearing bullet to right was the blow in the top of the fifth that broke a 1-1 tie and sparked the Bs’ six run outburst, sending Modesto on the road to ruin. 


The slugging first sacker wasn’t the only Baller to put dents in the Roadsters’s bodywork. Mitchell Sanford went three for five with a double and two RBI; Logan Johnstone, two for six with a double and a homer, each of which drove in a run; Jaden Collura went two for three, including a solo home run. One of Jake Allgeyer’s two hits  went for two bases. This night’s performance was to be Allgeyer’s last as a Baller; the next day he was traded to the Lake County DockHounds of the American Association to enable him to be closer to his family. 


David Thomas threw 90 pitches over seven innings of five hit, one run baseball. The run was earned. He struck out nine and issued one free pass. The Roadsters’ other tally came off of Valek Cisneros in his one inning, the eighth, stint on the mound. James Pazdera, making his Ballers debut, closed the game with a three up, three down, ninth.


The mystery of Snow’s status was somewhat resolved when the teams resumed play in Oakland on Friday the twenty-first. The PA speaker boomed that the Modesto lineup  was “as announced by manager J.T. Snow.”


Modesto Roadsters (28-6,55-27) 000 204 000    6   7  1
Oakland Ballers (18-16,40-42) 001 152 00x   10 14  3


Winning pitcher: Ren Abe Arias (2-3)   Losing pitcher: Devyn Hernández (6-2)


For once,  Oakland’s starting pitcher, Ren Abe Arias, didn’t come close to hurling a complete game. He lasted only 5-2/3 innings, and in them he allowed six runs. Five of them were unearned. That and the 3 in the line score’s E column will give you an idea of the shoddiness of the Ballers’ defense. 


The most costly of these fielding flaws came in the the top of the fourth. With one out and runners on first and second, Modesto catcher Hayden Dunhurst hit a sharp grounder to second. 
Esai Santos’s errant toss to shortstop T.J. Rogers turned a tailor made inning ending twin killing into an unearned run as the runner on third crossed the plate. Kingston Liniak’s sacrifice fly brought in another misbegotten tally..


The afternoon encounter on Saturday August 22 was topsy turvy, oxymoronic, overload loaded with peripeteia—you name it, high brow, low brow, intermediate—everything was its own mirror image. Even the Ballers’ slugging first baseman, Jeter Ibarra, in a move designed to find a defensive replacement for Allgeyer,  played third base; rookie Joey Winters took over Ibarra’s usual spot at first. Both hit home runs. For Ibarra, it was his thirty-third; for Winters, his first. He was, after all, making his professional baseball debut.


The raw numbers of the line score illustrate the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune that some of the sellout crowd enjoyed, while others would have seen if they hadn’t given up in despair and left some time around the singing of  “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.:


Modesto Roadsters (28-7,55-28) 017 301 000   12  15  2
Oakland Ballers (19-16,41-42) 021 100 063   13  11  1


Winning pitcher: Tyler Bates (2-0)   Losing pitcher: Bridger Holmes (0-1)
Time: 3:24   Attendance: 4,135 


In a final reversal, J.T. Snow, who had been suspended for arguing at the end of Wednesday’s game, served his suspension on Thursday, and returned to work on Friday, was ejected in the bottom of the ninth on this Saturday, for arguing. I think he had good reason to be incensed. Home plate umpire Memo Rodríguez’s call of catcher’s interference on Dunhurst with Johnstone at bat and first base ump Robert Headley’s safe call on  O’Sullivan looked at least dubious to me. Let’s review the events of he Ballers’ bizarre and exhilarating finale in an attempt to understand the context and significance of those decisions.


With the Roadsters leading  12-10,  Bridger Holmes came in to relieve Aaron Moreno. Holmes was Modesto’s fifth pitcher of the evening. Collura led off with a walk. Winters pushed him up 90 feet with a single to right and then gave way to T.J. Rogers, who pinch ran for the debutant. Brendan O’Sullivan attempted to drop a sacrifice bunt.  Dunhurst fielded the ball and threw to firs.O’Sullivan was ruled safe, incendiary event # 1.  Rogers, meanwhile hustled over to third; Bryce Cannon threw across the diamond to Max Hadron at the hot corner. His throw seemed to beat Rogers to the bag, but Hadron dropped the ball. Rogers ran home, and the Ballers now trailed by one. Immediately following this, Rodríguez awarded Johnstone first by virtue of catcher’s interference, incendiary event #2. Santos walked on an eight pitch full count, enabling Rogers to trot home and keeping the bases loaded. Then the mighty Ybarra struck out looking. The count on Blythe went to 0-2 before he took four consecutive balls to force in O’Sullivan with the winning run. Holmes was charged with the loss.


That made it five straight wins over the Roadsters.


The surrealists had a slogan that went “A throw of the dice won’t abolish chance.” I don’t know what that means, but I’m fairly sure that it applies to the series’ grand finale at Raimondi Field on Sunday the twenty fourth.

This time it was the visitors who won with late action heroics, specifically three-run round trippers by Tyler Williams and Bryce Canon, both off the problematic Julio Rosario.


If you don’t suffer from vertigo, cast an eye on this line score:


Modesto Roadsters (29-7,56-28) 450 030 006     18  16  2
Oakland Ballmers (19-17,41-43) 203 023 211 14  13  0


Winning pitcher: Johan Castillo (6-1)    Losing pitcher: Julio Rosario (0-1)
Time: 3:45   Attendance: 2,667


Miles’ Militia has six challenging games scheduled for the coming week. The first three, August 25-27 are against the Missoula PaddleHeads (currently 25-11, four games behind Modesto in the second half standings, and 49-34 overall, good for fourth place but trailing the Billings Mustangs by a full ten games). All of those games are scheduled to start at 6:35.  Long Beach will coast into the East Bay on Friday,  August 28. The games against them will start at 6:35, 4:35, and 1:05, the usual for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at 20th and Wood.


There will be some enticing giveaways and pregame attractions.


—August 25 (vs. Missoula PaddleHeads): Possum Power Play theme, celebrating the Bay Area’s new hockey team, the Possums, with squeezeable pucks for the first 750 attendees.


—August 26 (vs. Missoula PaddleHeads): Oakland School for the Arts Night featuring an Aaron Miles Bobblehead giveaway for the first 750 fans;


—August 27 (vs. Missoula PaddleHeads): Too $hort Takeover theme with a Too $hort pin. giveaway for the customary 750 people through the gate.


—August 28 (vs. Long Beach Coast): Island Night, honoring island culture from Hawaii to Alameda. 


—August 29 (vs. Long Beach Coast): Car Show pregame event and album release concert;


—August 30 (vs. Long Beach Coast): Fan Appreciation Day. 


After that, Ballers fans will have to find some distraction in Major League Baseball. Just as long as it doesn’t take place in West Sacramento …



A’s Late Comeback Falls Short in 9-6 Loss to Twins

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Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Minnesota Twins in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on August 24, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO–Returning home to Sutter Health Park after a rough 2-5 road trip last week, the Sacramento A’s welcomed the Minnesota Twins to Sacramento on Monday night at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s, who are well past the point of saving their season, looked to play spoiler to the Twins. The Twins entered play on Monday only two games out of a wild-card spot in the AL, albeit with a record substantially under the .500 mark, at 63-68. 

The Twins defeated the A’s in game one of the series, 9-6, as Jeffrey Springs took the loss in the game (his 12th of the season). The Twins improved to 64-68 as the A’s fell to 51-81.

A’s workhorse Jeffrey Springs got the nod on Monday to begin the series with the Twins. It was the 24th appearance for Springs this season (all starts), as he has had a rough go of it, allowing league-high totals in earned runs (76) and home runs (29) entering Monday’s action. Springs pitched OK for the A’s on Monday, some would say a solid outing for the way his 2026 has gone, but he was only able to get through four and two-thirds innings. Springs ran into immediate trouble in the first inning when he gave up a run, but he managed to limit the damage in the hopes of going deep in the game. Overall, Springs gave up four runs on seven hits while walking two, striking out three and giving up a home run, which has been his nemesis all season.

“A couple mistakes that obviously got hit, but overall a few ground balls that found holes,” Mark Kotsay said of Springs after the game. “I felt like there was a lot of soft contact. He obviously probably would feel like he didn’t execute as well as he needs to with some mislocation on the balls that got hit.”

The A’s bullpen had to put in major work on Monday with the early exit of an A’s starter, yet again.

Mark Kotsay elected to go to Hayden Juenger first out of the bullpen. Juenger finished the fifth inning in place of Springs and only got one out in the sixth inning. Across his two-thirds of an inning of relief, Juenger gave up three runs on three hits while walking one and striking out none.

Next up, Kade Morris came on in relief in the sixth inning. Morris pitched the rest of the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Across his two and two-thirds innings of relief, Morris allowed two runs on five hits while walking no one and striking out two Twins hitters. It was a solid outing for Morris, who gave the A’s the length they needed after the abbreviated start from Springs.

Last out of the bullpen for the A’s was Drew Rom, who pitched the top of the ninth inning to close things out on the pitching side for the A’s. Rom managed to throw a scoreless inning where he allowed just one hit in the frame.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s had their opportunities, but they only managed six runs against the Twins pitching staff on 12 hits and three walks.

The A’s first run came in the third inning when Lawrence Butler brought home Henry Bolte with an RBI single up the middle of the field. The RBI was the 39th of the season for the right fielder, who has played much better since the All-Star break in July.

The A’s second run of the game came in the eighth inning when Tommy White hit an RBI sacrifice fly to bring home Henry Bolte. It was White’s seventh RBI of the year and Bolte’s second run of the game. Bolte also had three hits in the game (all singles) to bring his hit total in August to 30.

The A’s next two runs came in the ninth inning as Jeff McNeil hit a two-RBI double to score Jonah Heim and Henry Bolte to give the A’s their third and fourth runs of the game. They were RBIs 44 and 45 for the A’s current first baseman in Nick Kurtz’s absence due to injury.

The A’s fifth run of the game came a batter later as Zack Gelof hit an RBI double of his own that scored Jeff McNeil. It was Gelof’s 13th double of the year and his 37th RBI of the campaign.

However, the A’s weren’t done yet. Lawrence Butler came up and hit the third straight RBI double for the A’s as he drove home Zack Gelof and ended up at second base. It was Butler’s 40th RBI of the season and his 15th double.

That was all the A’s offense could muster as they mounted a late comeback that fell just short of what they needed.

The A’s will stay home to take on the Twins in game two of the three-game series on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. PDT. Gage Jump (5-8, 4.83 ERA) is slated to take the ball for the A’s as the Twins will counter with Taj Bradley (9-5, 3.90 ERA).

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. 

Rafael Devers

Giants get back on track at home, cruise to 5-0 victory over Reds

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Photo: San Francisco Giants’ Rafael Devers, right, watches his three-run home run in front of Cincinnati Reds catcher Jose Trevino, left, during the second inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug. 24, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — After a disastrous 1-5 road trip through Cleveland and Boston, the San Francisco Giants just needed some home cooking to get back on track, as they defeated the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park on Monday night 5-0.

The Giants got on the board early and never looked back. In the bottom of the first inning, center fielder Drew Gilbert hit a ground-rule double to right-center field to get the Giants going. Then, first baseman Rafael Devers singled to advance Gilbert to third. Gilbert was then singled home by Jung Hoo Lee, and the Giants were off to a quick 1-0 lead. With Devers advancing to third on Lee’s single, rookie outfielder Turner Hill doubled to right field, scoring Devers and giving San Francisco an early 2-0 lead. The Giants could’ve been up 3-0, but Lee was thrown out trying to score on Hill’s double. The next two batters struck out, and the Giants settled for just two runs in the inning.

San Francisco got back to work in the very next inning. After two quick outs in the bottom of the second inning, Christian Koss singled to start the rally. Gilbert then doubled to left field, advancing Koss to third. That set it up for Devers, who then hit a long home run to right-center field, past the 415-foot marker in Triple’s Alley. The Giants were then up 5-0, which was more than enough for the Giants to cruise to victory. The home run was Devers’ 27th of the year.

Gilbert and Devers each ended up going 2-for-4 on the night. Koss went 2-for-3.

On the pitching side, the Giants were superb, a rarity for the struggling Giants’ pitching staff. But after starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings, he had to leave the game with an injury. He had struck out three batters on two hits and one walk. It’s a shame for Whisenhunt because he could’ve been on his way to his best start of the year. Whisenhunt left the game with an apparent left arm injury. Jason Foley relieved Whisenhunt with 1 1/3 perfect innings, with three strikeouts. The rest of the bullpen didn’t give up a run for the rest of the game.

For the Reds, the pitching wasn’t so good. In 3 2/3 innings, starting pitcher Chase Burns surrendered five runs on nine hits, while walking one and striking out five. But the Reds bullpen did not allow a hit or run in the game.

Giants designated hitter and first baseman Bryce Eldridge was not in the lineup on Monday night because he was on the bereavement list. He is attending his grandfather’s funeral in Virginia and is expected to be back later this homestand against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Up next, the Giants will go for the series win on Tuesday night against the Reds. Adrian Houser (4-7, 4.08 ERA) will take on Brady Singer (5-11, 4.72 ERA). Game time is at 6:45 p.m. at Oracle Park.

If the Giants want to avoid losing 100 games, they may want to start winning some games now–at least until they play more games against the Los Angeles Dodgers.