Sacramento A’s Wed game wrap: Bullpen Caps Another A’s Escape Act Against the Cubs 5-4

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Photo: Colby Thomas 8th inning Pinch-Hitting Home Run
Image By: The Golden Bay Times Graphics Dept.

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s spent most of this one getting knocked backward by Chicago’s extra-base hits, then turned the final innings into a nerve test that ended with Nick Kurtz doing exactly what a Player of the Month is supposed to do. Down two runs in the eighth, tied in the 10th, and one swing from trouble in the bottom half, the Athletics beat the Cubs 5-4 Wednesday by stitching together just enough offense and a whole lot of bullpen spine.

Sacramento got moving right away. Carlos Cortes opened the game with a single, Kurtz drew a free pass, and Tyler Soderstrom brought Cortes home with a grounder that gave the A’s a 1-0 lead. Zack Gelof doubled in the second and scored when Alika Williams sent a ball into center, giving Jeffrey Springs a 2-0 cushion before the Cubs had fully settled in.

That cushion did not last. Seiya Suzuki opened the second with a solo homer, and Chicago jumped ahead in the third when Nico Hoerner doubled and Pete Crow-Armstrong launched a two-run homer to right center. Springs did help himself by picking Alex Bregman off first after Bregman singled, but the Cubs kept leaning on extra bases. Ian Happ doubled in the fourth, then Michael Busch tripled him home for a 4-2 Chicago lead. Springs exited after 3 2/3 innings, and the game was suddenly asking Sacramento’s bullpen to carry the load.

The relievers answered. Joel Kuhnel ended the fourth by getting Hoerner to pop out, José Suarez worked a scoreless sixth, Mark Leiter Jr. helped settle the seventh, Luis Medina erased a leadoff free pass in the eighth with a double play, Hogan Harris handled the ninth, and Justin Sterner took care of the tenth. From the fourth inning on, the Cubs had chances, but Sacramento’s relievers kept turning them into stranded traffic.

The A’s offense finally stirred in the eighth against Caleb Thielbar. Colby Thomas, pinch-hitting for Cortes, crushed a solo homer to left center, cutting the deficit to one. That swing had extra bite because Thomas had been scuffling, yet he entered with a useful pinch-hitting track record and a strong résumé with runners in scoring position.

Then Shea Langeliers doubled to center, and Soderstrom, who entered riding an eight-game hitting streak and had been swinging one of the hottest bats on the club, tied it with a single to right. Langeliers scored, but Soderstrom was thrown out trying for second after the Athletics challenged and the call stood.

The ninth gave neither side anything. Daniel Palencia retired Gelof, Jeff McNeil, and Williams in order. Harris responded by getting Busch, Pedro Ramírez, and Miguel Amaya without a run, sending the game to the 10th and giving the A’s one more chance to turn a tense game their way.

Williams began the tenth at second and moved to third on Jonah Heim’s groundout. That brought up Kurtz, who had just been named American League Player of the Month after a huge May. He did not need a grand gesture. He lined a single to left, Williams scored, and Sacramento had the lead back at 5-4.

Sterner took it from there, with Henry Bolte entering in center and Lawrence Butler shifting to right. Kevin Alcántara started the bottom of the tenth at second as Chicago’s automatic runner and moved to third on Hoerner’s liner to center. Sterner then struck out Crow-Armstrong on a foul tip before Bregman lined out to Butler in right, ending a game the A’s had to wrestle away one inning at a time.

For the A’s, it was not perfect, but it was enough. They gave up power, lost the lead, fought back late, and still found a way to leave Chicago with the kind of win that can steady a team during a difficult stretch.

Game 3 will feature J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.87 ERA, 52 K) on the mound for Sacramento against Shota Imanaga (4-6, 4.37 ERA, 69 K) for the Cubs. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. Pacific atWrigley.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

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. 

Webb and Bericoto Get Win For Giants Beating Milwaukee In a Shutout 1-0

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Logan Webb pitching into the seventh inning before being relieved against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Wed Jun 3, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

San Francisco Giant (24-38) pitcher Logan Webb set the tone for Wednesday night’s win over the Milwaukee Brewers (37-22) in a shutout 1-0. This game was vintage Logan Webb; he was red-hot pounding the strike zone inning after inning. This was exactly what this team needed.

It was ninth place batter Victor Bericoto who set up this win with a solo home run. What is even more impressive is that San Francisco protected that slim lead through nine innings. Besides the great pitching the Giants defense was also solid. They kept the Brewers off base holding them to only three hits.

Game recap: The first four innings of this game was all pitching. Neither team had scored a single run. The first two innings were three and outs for both teams. San Francisco got going in the top of the third inning hitting three singles but coming away empty something they can ill afford to do right now. Logan Webb had more three and outs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings. He was red-hot from the get-go.

Through four innings both teams were looking for their first run of the game. San Francisco struck first when Victor Bericoto hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning taking the 1-0 lead. Now they would need some insurance runs because keeping the Brewers at bay could prove to be very tough.

Logan Webb would pitch through seven innings getting the job done in a big way. Now it was up to the team to hang onto the lead for the win. Webb allowed only one hit and one ball with four strikeouts. He had a tremendous showing and was relieved in the eighth inning by Erik Miller

Relief pitcher Erik Miller got into a bit of trouble putting two runners on base in the bottom of the eighth and was relieved by Keaton Winn after 1/3 of an inning. Winn got out of the eighth when the Brewers Gary Sanchez grounded into a double play with one out.

It all came down to the bottom of the ninth inning with the Giants still leading 1-0. It was up to Keaton Winn to close out this game and he got the job done. It got a bit shaky to leadoff the ninth inning when Christian Yelich doubled with no outs. A couple of ground outs, a strike out later and the Giants had hung on for the shut-out win 1-0. They finished the game with eight hits; the Brewers only had three hits.

Game notes: Wednesday evening the Giants took on the Brewers desperate to come out of this game with a win. They are already trailing in the series 2-0 after losing last night’s game 8-3. Tuesday night’s game was close going into the bottom of the eighth inning. That is when most of the damage was done, the Brewers scoring four runs.

This season has gone completely sideways for San Francisco. It seems that the team has tried to re-arrange the starting lineup numerous times but it has not helped. They go cold at the plate more often than not and it continues to happen over and over. The defense has been really good at times but there have been those games giving up steals and some really puzzling errors. The Giants got back in the win column be it as close as it was 1-0 it was their second win in their last four games.

Thursday San Francisco will be gunning to tie up the series in game four against one of the best teams in baseball. It will an afternoon game with first pitch scheduled for 11:10 AM. Adrian Houser will take the mound for the Giants with a 2-5 win/loss record and a 5.59 ERA. The Brewers will be looking to win the series and they will be looking to Coleman Crow to get the job done. Crow has an 0-0 3.14 ERA record.

In the vibrant center of downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko offers a serene retreat defined by calm, understated luxury and the thoughtful precision of Japanese-inspired service. Each detail is designed to create a restorative experience where modern comfort and wellness come together effortlessly.

Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.

At the top of the hotel, a glass-enclosed indoor pool offers a peaceful escape above the city an inviting space to unwind or, during the summer months, transform into a lively “dive-in” movie experience. Every Friday and Saturday night, families can enjoy classic kids’ films poolside, creating memorable moments in a truly unique setting.

Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,

Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.

For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.

Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson: Knicks take game 1 in the Alamo 105-95 beating Spurs

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New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson makes a point after scoring two points against the San Antonio Spurs in game 1 of the NBA Finals in San Antionio on Wed Jun 3, 2026 (AP News photo)

NBA Finals podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Which player had the biggest impact on the game’s outcome, and what specific plays made the difference?

#2 What adjustments should the Spurs make before Game 2 to counter the Knicks’ strengths?

#3 How did the battle in the paint compare to the perimeter shooting performance for both teams?

#4 Which coaching decisions by Mike Brown and Mitch Johnson had the greatest influence on the game?

#5 Based on Game 1, which team appears better positioned to win the 2026 NBA Finals series, and why?

Michael Roberson is NBA Finals contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Jump Gives the Green and Gold a Lift in Chicago 2-1 at Wrigley

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Sacramento A’s starter Gage Jump (61) was dealing against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chcago on Tue Jun 2, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics did not need a big scoreboard avalanche to shake loose a badly needed win. They needed a rookie left-hander to grow up fast, a catcher to control the running game, a first baseman to remind everyone why his bat has become such a problem, and a bullpen to hold its nerve when the whole thing started wobbling late. That is exactly what they got in a 2-1 win Tuesday over the Cubs, a tight low-scoring game that often felt like a schoolyard staring contest.

Gage Jump, making only his second Major League start, gave the A’s a strong and confident outing. The A’s had been dragging through a rough stretch, losing five of their previous six games and seven of nine, while their starting pitching has been weaving through poisonous darts ala Indiana Jones.

Jump gave them seven innings of one-run baseball, allowing only three hits and one walk while striking out five. Chicago scratched first in the opening inning when Nico Hoerner singled, stole second, moved to third on Pete Crow-Armstrong’s single, and scored on Alex Bregman’s grounder. It looked like the Cubs might be ready to make the young lefty work uphill all evening.

Instead, Jump settled in. Shea Langeliers helped him escape further trouble by cutting down Crow-Armstrong trying for third, then later erased Kevin Alcántara trying to steal second after Chicago put two aboard in the second. Those throws saved the game. In a one-run game, they made the difference. Jump answered the early push by retiring Chicago with weak contact, trusting his defense, and keeping the Cubs from turning base traffic into a pileup.

The Athletics’ offense did just enough against Jameson Taillon. Tyler Soderstrom, who had been one of the club’s hottest bats, singled in the second and moved up on a wild pitch, but the A’s stranded him after Jeff McNeil’s infield hit put runners at the corners. In the third, Nick Kurtz created one swing’s worth of thunder by sending a fly ball over the wall in left-center, tying the game at 1-1. The A’s needed a jolt, and he supplied it.

The winning run took a more old-fashioned route in the fourth. Brent Rooker singled to center, Henry Bolte followed with a single to left, and after McNeil flied out, Zack Gelof lined a single into center to score Rooker for a 2-1 lead. Gelof’s hit continued his recent turnaround and gave the Athletics the narrow edge they would protect the rest of the way. The A’s finished with only six hits, but they clustered three of them in the inning that decided the game.

From there, Jump protected the lead like it belonged in a museum case. He retired the side in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh, and by the time Justin Sterner took over in the eighth, the A’s had received far more than a promising start. Sterner kept it moving with a perfect inning, getting Michael Busch on a grounder before retiring pinch-hitters Michael Conforto and Moisés Ballesteros.

The ninth, naturally for the green and gold, refused to go down easily. Scott Barlow opened the inning by issuing a confirmed walk to Hoerner, and Crow-Armstrong followed with a single to right, putting the tying run at second with nobody out. The whole game suddenly leaned toward panic. Barlow struck out Bregman and retired Seiya Suzuki on a fly ball to right before Hogan Harris replaced him to face Ian Happ. Harris needed one out and got it, sending Happ’s fly ball to Henry Bolte in center to finish it.

The A’s played efficiently, and kept the game held together by pitching, defense, and two timely swings. Jump gave the Athletics length, Langeliers stole bases back with his arm, Kurtz supplied the spark, Gelof produced the difference, and Harris handled the final breathless moment.

Game 2 Wednesday will feature Jeffrey Springs (3-6, 4.07 ERA, 57 K) on the mound for Sacramento against Colin Rea (5-3, 4.70 ERA, 49 K) for the Cubs. First pitch at Wrigley Field is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. Pacific.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

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. 

Valkyries Unphased by Fire, & get 1st Win in Commissioner’s Cup, 95-77

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Janelle Salaun #13 of the Golden State Valkyries reacts after making a three-point shot over Frieda Buhner #20 of the Portland Fire in the first half during a WNBA Commissioner’s Cup game at Chase Center on June 2, 2026, in San Francisco, California .(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – This Tuesday evening, the WNBA tipped off the Commissioner’s Cup at Ballhalla with the Golden State Valkyries defeating the Portland Fire, 92-23. This was Portland’s first time ever playing here at Chase Center, as they were set to join the WNBA this year as the league’s 15th team. After the Valkyries’ last home game loss to Las Vegas, Golden State bounced back at home and got their first win for the Cup against Portland. Golden State is now 6-3 in its first nine games of the season. Portland Fire drops to 6-5 for the season so far.

The WNBA Commissioner’s Cup is an annual in-season competition that links top competition to community impact is the Commissioner’s Cup, sponsored by Coinbase. From June 1–17, there will be 49 games in the event. A $500,000 prize pool and the Commissioner’s Cup Championship Game will be contested by the team from each conference with the best record in Commissioner’s Cup games. The team with the highest winning percentage in regular-season games through June 17 will host the championship game on Tuesday, June 30.

The Valkyries started guards Veronica Burton, Cecilia Zandalasini, forwards Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, and center Kiah Stokes as their five. In Golden State’s last game, they hosted the Las Vegas Aces, but lost, 91-81, just two days ago. They were led by forward Gabby Williams, 20 points, on her 4-of-6 shooting from three pointers. So the Valkyries were determined to make this home game a win and start the Commissioners Cup with a win in the tournament bracket.

Portland went with gaurds Carla Leite (former Valkyrie player), Bridget Carleton, forwards Nyadiew Puoch, Emily Engstler, and center Megan Gustafson as their starting five. Portland, in their last game, hosted and defeated the Indiana Fever, 100-84, just three days ago. Fires center Megan Gustafson led Portland with her 22 points, and went perfect from the floor, 8-of-8 on field goals. Portland is hoping to make this game their second win in a row.

Valkyries forward Kayla Thornton would hit a corner three to start the game off, here, in San Francisco. Then, in the next possession, Portland would respond with their forward Emily Engstler knocking down a 26-foot three-point jumper to get Fire on the board for the night.

However, Valkyrie Kayla Thornton was feeling herself from the start, as she made the first three 3-pointers for Golden State. Thornton would end with 11 points by herself in the first quarter, and give help the Valkyries the lead, 21-20.

At halftime, Golden State had a 20-point lead over Portland, 56-36. The Valkyries’ shooting in the first half is what gave them the control the whole night. Even though Portland was dominated in the paint, Fire had scored 22 of their points in the paint. Golden State was shooting above the 50% almost the entire second quarter. In fact, the Valkyries set a team record, making 12 three-pointers in the first half.

At the start of the third quarter, Fire would go on a quick 4-0 scoring run, and would cut the lead to 14 points. Then Golden State’s Veronica Burton would hit a 24-foot three-pointer to extend the team’s lead. Then, right in the next possession, Valkyrie Kiah Stokes joins the party and knocks down a three-pointer of her own. By the end of the quarter, Golden State had an 18-point lead, 74-56, going into the final quarter.

In the final quarter, Portland would get as close as eight points from the lead. Halfway through the fourth quarter, the score was 75-67. However, Golden State just never let up from their shooting and would knock down multiple three-pointers that led them to a win in Ballhalla. In fact, the Valkyires have set a new single-game franchise record with 18 three-point field goals made.

The Valkyries win this one, due from an explosive second quarter performance. The Valkyries would drop 35 points, just in the second quarter. Their shooting ability really showed off for the home crowd as Golden State starts this month off with a win. Golden State was led in this game by Kayla Thornton’s 19 points, eight rebounds, and her 5-of-10 shooting from deep.

The Golden State Valkyries will head on the road to Minnesota, to face off against the Lynx, who are currently 1st in the West (7-2) at the Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx are being led by Courtney Williams, who averages 17.8 points per game. The tip-off will be at 6:00 p.m., Thursday evening, broadcast on Prime Video.

In the vibrant center of downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko offers a serene retreat defined by calm, understated luxury and the thoughtful precision of Japanese-inspired service. Each detail is designed to create a restorative experience where modern comfort and wellness come together effortlessly.

Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.

At the top of the hotel, a glass-enclosed indoor pool offers a peaceful escape above the city an inviting space to unwind or, during the summer months, transform into a lively “dive-in” movie experience. Every Friday and Saturday night, families can enjoy classic kids’ films poolside, creating memorable moments in a truly unique setting.

Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,

Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.

For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.

Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.

San Francisco Giants game recap: Brewers Rally In Eighth Wins Game Two Over San Francisco 8-3; Loss is eight of last nine for SF

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Milwaukee Brewers Jake Bauers hit a three run home run in the bottom of the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Tue Jun 2, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (23-38) trailed for seven innings but pulled to within one run in the top of the eighth inning of their series with the Milwaukee Brewers (37-21). With two outs San Francisco had a great opportunity to at least tie Milwaukee or even take the lead. It was then that Milwaukee went on a hitting frenzy scoring four runs and taking a 8-3 lead which was the final. It was just a horrible loss for San Francisco dropping 15 games under .500.

Game recap: San Francisco had a couple of runners on base in the first inning. Luis Arraez tripled and the Giants had a runner in scoring position. San Francisco really challenged Milwaukee starter Kyle Harrison in the opening inning. When he finally got out of the inning he had thrown over 25 pitches but kept the Giants off the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the first, Giant starter Trevor McDonald walked the first two batters Christian Yelich and Jackson Chourio. With two outs and two strikes he almost got out of the inning but gave up a three run home run to Jake Bauers and the Brewers had an early 3-0 lead.

The 3-0 Milwaukee lead persisted into the top of the fourth inning. The highlight of the game so far was the ten strikeouts we saw from Harrison through four innings. He had been amazing giving the Giants all kinds of problems The Brewers threatened in the bottom of the fourth but left Garrett Mitchell stranded on third base so there was no further damage and San Francisco continued to trail 3-0.

If the Giants could stretch out the fifth inning to the point that Harrison who had been dominant could possibly comes out of the game San Francisco may have a better chance at the plate. His pitch count was already 88 through five innings. Despite the high pitch count however, Harrison was still looking good with 11 strikeouts. He was one strikeout away from his career high and there was little doubt that we would see him in the sixth inning.

As expected Harrison took the mound in the top of the sixth inning matching his career high for strikeouts with 12 and looking for more. Harrison however gave up his fourth hit, a home run off the bat of Willy Adames and the Giants were on the scoreboard.

Following that home run, Harrison walked Rafael Devers and that was it for Harrison who had been dynamic finishing with four hits, one earned run, two walks and 12 strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings. He was relieved by Aaron Ashby.

With the home run the Giants were back in the game. Erik Miller would relieve McDonald in the bottom of the sixth inning. McDonald went five innings allowing five hits, three earned runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Miller got out of the inning and this game went onto the seventh.

The Giants got something going in the top of the seventh. Daniel Susac knocked the first pitch for a single followed by a Victor Berocoto single the potential tying run. San Francisco came away empty with the next three at bats unable to get hits. The Brewers scored another run in the bottom of the seventh taking a 4-1 lead.

Going into the top fo the eighth San Francisco had a lot of work to do and they did not disappoint. Luis Arraez doubled and Bryce Eldridge singled Arraez home. The Giants had a nice rally going with Daniel Susac hitting another single followed by a Jung Hoo Lee single and Bryce Eldridge scored. The Giants were now only trailing by one run 4-3.

The relentless Brewers offense extended their lead scoring four runs in the bottom of the eighth taking a 8-3 lead. Just when San Francisco saw a bit of light at the end of the tunnel Milwaukee extinguished it, in fact the Brewers went on a scoring frenzy. Christian Yelich singled Garrett Mitchell and Sal Frelick home for two runs. Jackson Chourio doubled and Yelich scored for another run and finally Bryce Turang singled Churio home for the fourth run. All the runs scored with two outs.

After San Francisco had rallied in the top of the eighth the Milwaukee rally in the bottom of the eighth really took the air out of the Giants sails as they headed into the top of the ninth inning three outs away from a second loss in the series. Casey Schmitt flied out, Rafael Devers struck out and they were down to their last out. Luis Arraez would fly out and that was the ball game 8-3 in favor of the Brewers taking a 2-0 series lead.

Game notes: Tuesday evening the Giants faced former teammate Kyle Harrison and the Brewers in game two of their series. Monday night the Giants got pretty badly beaten up in game one losing 16-2. So going into game two, San Francisco is not only hurting from the rout Monday night but on top of that they will also face a red-hot Harrison who has been pitching lights out. Harrison on Tuesday night pitched 5.2 innings, allowing four hits, one earned run, two walks and the key part of his performance he struck out 12 Giant hitters.

The Giants started Trevor McDonald who pitched five innings allowed five hits, three runs, three walks and four strike outs. San Francisco tried to get out of the funk that they currently find themselves in but couldn’t losing their eighth game in nine tries. They have been struggling for far too long and still haven’t found any answers as to how they can turn this season around. The Giants had their hands full with Harrison as the Giants found out.

The Giants hired Gary Pettis as third base coach after reassigning former third base coach Hector Borg. Ron Wotus filled in until Pettis had arrived in Chicago to coach third base for Wednesday’s game at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

Wednesday the Giants will have another opportunity to try and at least salvage this series as they are 0-2 against the Brew Crew. Giant starter RHP Logan Webb will take the mound for San Francisco. He enters the game with a 2-4 win/loss record and 4.82 ERA. The Brewers right now are undecided as to who will start in Wednesday’s game. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:40 PM.

In the vibrant center of downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko offers a serene retreat defined by calm, understated luxury and the thoughtful precision of Japanese-inspired service. Each detail is designed to create a restorative experience where modern comfort and wellness come together effortlessly.

Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.

At the top of the hotel, a glass-enclosed indoor pool offers a peaceful escape above the city an inviting space to unwind or, during the summer months, transform into a lively “dive-in” movie experience. Every Friday and Saturday night, families can enjoy classic kids’ films poolside, creating memorable moments in a truly unique setting.

Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,

Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.

For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.

Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Giants Chapman gets social media hate mail “I hope your family dies”; Reds De La Cruz on the IL with hamstring strain; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) wears a hat as part of Armed Forces Day before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is foregoing social media after receiving hate mail one of the worst ones a fan who wrote “I hope your family dies.” Chapman said “People always threaten us. I just block and move on. I don’t make a big deal out of it, but it’s definitely not a good thing. I would never do such a thing to anyone.” Chapman added.

#2 The Cincinnati Reds have placed star shortstop Elly De La Cruz on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Can Cincinnati remain competitive during his absence, and what impact will the call-up of top prospect Edwin Arroyo have on the club?

#3 The NL West race is heating up. Are the Los Angeles Dodgers still clear favorites despite pitching concerns, or do the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks have a realistic path to overtaking them?

#4 Major League Baseball’s labor negotiations are becoming a major off-field story. How concerned should fans be about the possibility of a work stoppage in 2027, and what would a salary cap proposal mean for the sport’s competitive balance?

#5 Former Boston Red Sox and Hall of Famer David Big Pappi Ortiz says that Sox owner John Henry is concerned about the way the Sox are heading who are in last place. “He’s worried. We had a conversation. I can see. I’ve known John a long time, him and the whole team — him and (chairman) Tom Werner, the whole group, they’re working on figuring things out to get this ride better,” Ortiz said Monday morning in an interview with The Associated Press.

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.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

NBA Finals podcast Tony Renteria: Knicks open Finals in the heart of Texas against Spurs Wednesday night

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New York Knicks center Karl Anthony Towns (32) shoots in the second half in game 4 of the Eastern Conference Finals at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Mon May 25, 2026 (AP News photo)

NBA Finals podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Which team will set the tempo in Game 1—the New York Knicks’ defense-first approach or the San Antonio Spurs’ offensive style?

#2 What adjustment will the Spurs make after a grueling seven-game Western Conference Finals series to handle the Knicks’ pressure defense?

#3 Which player is most likely to be the X-factor in Game 1 and swing the outcome beyond the star players?

#4 How important is home-court advantage for San Antonio in the opening game of the NBA Finals?

#5 What statistical category (rebounds, turnovers, three-point shooting, or points in the paint) will most strongly determine the winner of Game 1?

Tony Renteria is an NBA podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Oakland Ballers game recap: Follow the Bouncing Ballers

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Oakland Ballers pitcher Aidan Risse (1-1) delivers a pitch against the Red Rocket Mobiles at Raimondi Field in West Oakland Sun May 31, 2026 (Oakland Ballers photo)

Monday, June 1

Oakland, CA

By Lewis Rubman

OAKLAND–In last week’s column, I discussed some of the challenges the Oakland Ballers and the Pioneer Baseball League as a whole were facing. The last week has thrown those challenges into sharper relief.

The league’s decision to save on travel expenses resulted in scheduling anomalies. Instead of playing a set of six game against each visitor, with night games Tuesday through Friday, a mid-afternoon game on Saturday, and an early afternoon contest on Sunday, the Ballers opened the season with a three game series against the Missoula PaddleHeads, the team they had defeated for last year’s championship, three games to two, by sweeping the final three games, all at home, of the five game series.. This year, Missoula took the series, 2-1, which began on Tuesday Mayo 19

On Frida the 22nd, some of the new kids on the block, the Long Beach Coast, came to West Oakland. The B’s came from behind with a 12-11 victory after having trialed 10-9 going into the eighth. Jeter Ybarra’s leadoff blast over the left field fence in the bottom of the ninth tied it up, and T.J. McKenzie’s sacrifice fly to center gave Oakland the win, evening their record at 2-2.

The teams split the last two games of the week. The Coast beat them, 15-12 on a four run top of the ninth in a seesaw battle on Saturday the 23rd, and the Ballers finished the week at 3-3 with a solid 11-5 triumph the next afternoon.

This raised an interesting question. The Coast (who also go by the moniker  “Regulators”) and the Ballers had another three games between them scheduled for the following week. Would this be part of the original series or a new one? This is not an idle question, and one  reason it was a new series shows how significant the question was.

The Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday contests had a different umpire crew from the three preceding game. Another reason to consider the trio of set-to’s a group of its own is the headline the Coast published in its May 28 recap. Read it and weep.

                      Grand Beginning Leads Coast to Series Sweep

                     The Long Beach Coast (6-3) blasted the OaklandBallers (3-6) 9-5

                     on Thursday night in the Bay Area to secure their first ever series

                     sweep                           .


The situation was made more unsettling by scheduling the Wednesday game, usually played at 6:35), for a 1:05 start to accommodate an Oakland Public Schools field trip.

Hardly a student was at sight among the intimate gathering of 1,122 attendees.

Thursday, the 29th, brought in another innovation: the RedPocket Mobiles, owned by the PBL’s cel phone provider. They’re a barnstorming team with no home stadium and, I assume a miniscule fan base. They also have a miniscule won-lost record. They were 1-8 when they hit town and 1-11 when the Ballers, now 6-6, got through with them.

This happy outcome for Ballers’ fans wasn’t just the result of the Mobiles weakness. Please bear with me while I try to relate the Ballers’ current situation to the challenges and shortcomings of the Pioneer League.

The circuit’s  labyrinthine  eligibility rules not only penalize successful teams by limiting the amount of time they can keep any given player (which is consistent with the PBL’s purpose, which is to develop players), but also fail to provide compensation to those teams that lose players who are—for want of a better expression—termed out. Each year is, as it were, a whole new ball game.  This may mean that the Ballers’ marketing plan. which includes merited bragging rights about the team’s championship status, may be misplaced.

There’s much to be enjoyed about Ballersball, but winning isn’t everything. It’s not even not caring if you won or lost but how you played the game; it’s about community, fun, and watching the players mature and improve. And don’t forget the innate beauty of the game, no matter on what level it’s played. And a whole lot more.The Ballers and their followers may have to learn to live with defeat. Remember, I said “may.”

The team’s management has made some moves to improve its personnel. They obtained  Cam Bufford, a mainstay of the ’25 Ballers is heading back to his championship roots. Just six days into the Pioneer League season, the Sioux City Explorers have traded 1B/DH Cam Bufford to Oakland in exchange for players to be named later.

Pitchers Matt Lozovoy and UC Berkeley’s Michael Riley, as well as center fielder and third baseman Davis Drewek made their professional debuts on Sunday afternoon. Drewek took fa called third strike as a pinch hitter in the ninth. Lozovoy surrendered two hits but no runs in the eighth, and Riley gave up one hit, a home run, in the ninth.

The Ballers have improved the ballyard’s physical plant. The scoreboard has been improved; it’s now bigger and brighter,  but often is too far behind action, and some of its fonts are too small to be read, especially through the protective screens in front of all but the cheapest seats.

The B’s currently are building higher fence in left center and the outfield lighting could be improved. Permit issues have delayed an important improvement, the installation of real toilets to replace the port-a-potties, which will come as a much needed relief.

Here’s a brief rundown of the scores of the Ballers first sweep of the season:

5/29123456789RHE
RedPocket Mobiles010100000262
Oakland Ballers01100010X35

Winning pitcher: Langston Burkett (1-0) Save: Braydon Nelson (1)

Losing pitcher: Billy Rozakis (0-1)

The team will be on the road for the next two weeks, visiting the Glacier Range Riders,

Great Falls Voyagers, and Missoula PaddleHeads, before returning on Tuesday, June 16th, to the friendly confines of Raimondi Park, to try to wreck some vengeance on the Long Beach Coast.

5/30

    
RedPocket Mobiles020100120690
Oakland Ballers11202110X8130

Winning pitcher: Gabe Tanner (2-1) Save: Langston Burkett (1)

Losing pitcher: Matt Lauria (0-2)

Tanner lasted 7-2/3 innings and threw 111 pitches. It was, alas!, the best outing of a Ballers hurler so far this season. 

5/31123456789RHE
RedPocket Mobiles000000001190
Oakland Ballers10011400X780
             
             

Winning pitcher: Aidan Risse (1-1)

Losing pitcher: Charlie Adamson (0-3)

You can find the Ballers latest individual offensive statistics at https://www.oaklandballers.com/sports/bsb/2026/teams/oaklandballers?view=lineup

I haven’t been able to find all their pitching stats in one place.

The Ballers are averaging a respectable  2,295 attendance in their 12 games.

And that’s how the ball’s been bouncing so far.

Giants Get Shellacked by Brewers 16-2 to open series Monday

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Milwaukee Brewers Brice Turang watches his two run triple in the bottom of the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at American Family Field in Milwaukee on Mon Jun 1, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After the amazing game the San Francisco Giants (23-38) played in Sunday’s game three with the Colorado Rockies there were high expectations that they would continue with solid production at the plate as they took on the Milwaukee Brewers (36-21) in game one Monday.

It didn’t turn out to be anything close to what the Giants saw Sunday. The bats had gone silent finishing the game with only five hits and two runs losing 16-2. It just seems to be the ebb and flow of this year’s season for San Francisco.

Unfortunately more ebb than flow, a real decline in strength and power. The answers are slow in coming if anyone can figure out what those answers are.

Game recap: The Giants started off in the first inning with a Casey Schmitt strike out and Luis Arraez grounded into a double play and that was how this game got started for San Francisco. There was not much going on for the Brewers either in the first inning.

The Giants did have a productive second inning with three hits and scoring two runs taking a 2-0 lead. Chung Hoo Lee continued the amazing production at the plate that the Giants have all seen since his return hitting a single.

Matt Chapman followed Lee with a home run to center and the Giants scored the two runs. The 2-0 lead did not last too long however. The Brewers had five hits and seven runs taking a 7-2 lead in the bottom of the second inning.

It was rough going for San Francisco pitcher Landon Roupp. He gave up a walk, two singles, two doubles and a triple. Roupp gave up three more walks before he was finally relieved in the fifth inning.

He was relieved by Wilkin Ramos. Roupp had allowed eight hits, eight runs, five walks with four strikeouts through four innings. The Brewers starting pitcher Shane Drohan also went four innings and allowed four hits, two runs, two walks with five strikeouts. He was relieved by Chad Patrick.

It was pretty quiet for the Giants for the rest of the game. They had a number of walks but only one single off the bat of Luis Arraez. They finished the game with only five hits. The Brewers had literally blown San Francisco away.

The Giants had given up 11 walks to go along with the 16 runs and 18 hits. After Sunday’s blow-out win over the Rockies Monday’s game was pure frustration, nothing was working. This was the Giants sixth loss in their last seven games.

It was just an awful outing for Roupp. He allowed a career high eight runs scored and his five walks in four innings was also a career high. This was a miserable way for San Francisco to get the series underway.

The Brewers continued to extend their lead scoring a run in the fourth inning, two in the sixth and two in the seventh finishing off the game with four runs in the eighth for a final score of 16-2. They finished the game with 18 hits and very nearly every player in their lineup had a hit.

Game notes: For the Giants it seems to be all or nothing. In Sunday’s game three with the Colorado Rockies they were hitting lights out; just couldn’t miss. Nothing could stop them; they probably could have knocked the ball out of the park blindfolded.

Monday San Francisco remained on the road opening a series with the Brewers for a four-game series. There is of course a vast difference between the Rockies and the Brewers but the hope was that the Giants would take Sunday’s momentum into the start of Monday’s series but it didn’t last long as San Francisco pitching allowed seven runs in the bottom of the second inning.

Every player in the San Francisco lineup had at least one hit in Sunday’s game. One could argue that at least a good number of that lineup would have a productive game Monday but the Giants scored twice in the top of the second inning and that’s all the runs they would get in this one.

Chapman said that his family was threatened on line on social media when a fan wrote that he hoped his family would die. Chapman said that he is longer on social media and will no longer respond to fans on line or on social media.

The Giants placed pitcher Jose Pegurero on the 60 day IL Monday due to a left hamstring strain and replaced him with right hand pitcher Wilkin Ramos and infielder Buddy Kennedy from triple A Sacramento. Pegurero went 0-0 ERA 2.38 and appeared in 11 games.

Tuesday the Giants will be looking to try and get something going in game two of the series. They plan on starting Trevor McDonald who comes into the game with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 4.34 ERA. The Brewers will start Kyle Harrison, a good one, with a 6-1 win/loss record and a 1.57 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 4:40 PM.

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