Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s can’t hold a lead; Sox Abreau and Contreras homer in 5-4 Bosox win

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Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler slides in ahead of the throw as Boston Red Sox catcher Connor Wong waits for the throw in the bottom eighth inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Thu Jul 30, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Boston Red Sox sluggers Wilyer Abreau and Wilson Contreras hit back to back home runs in the top of the eighth inning to help the Sox edge the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park on Thursday night 5-4.

#2 The Sox Ceddanne Rafaela had two hits for two RBIS and the Sox came back from behind in the top of the eighth for the comeback victory.

#3 The win for the Sox was their eighth in their last 12 games. The A’s lose the four game set to Boston losing three out four.

#4 For the A’s Lawrence Butler whose bat has come alive again got two hits and scored two runs. Jacob Wilson contributed with two hits and an RBI.

#5 The A’s open up a three game set against the Detroit Tigers at Sutter Health RHP Casey Mize (4-6 ERA 2.70) make the start for Detroit for Sacramento LHP Jefferey Springs (3-10 ERA 6.23) first pitch 6:40pm PDT.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

NHL podcast Len Shapiro: Sharks Celebrini’s five yr $94 million deal; Hughes-Wild talk contract worth $47.1 million

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San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini celebrates after scoring a goal against the Nashville Predators during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)

NHL podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 Len, talk about the San Jose Sharks Macklin Celebrini’s recent contract extension worth $94 million for five years worth $18 million which is a signing bonus?

#2 The Minnesota Wild met with Quinn Hughes on Tuesday. Hughes still has a year left on his $47.1 million contract with annual pay out of $7.85 million that contract ends July 1st 2027. He will finish his last year with the Wild of his contract that he signed with the Vancouver Canucks.

#3 Len, talk about the two year contract that goaltender Stuart Skinner signed on Jul 1st after spliting last year with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers. Skinner joins the Winnipeg Jets and will be a back up goaltender for Connor Hellebuyck. Skinner was 23-17-9 with a 2.92 goals against average.

#4 The Columbus Blue Jackets Cole Sillinger said that the players are obligated to get the Jackets to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Sillinger signed with the Jackets for $13.875 million, $4.625 million annual, for three years. Sillinger said he was ready to help lead the Jackets to the post season.

#5 Former Detroit Red Wing Patrick Kane said he was glad to play for the Red Wings and made friends with former teammate Alex DeBrincat and said that he would like have been a part in helping the Wings get to the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Some of the reasons why Kane left Detroit might have been that Dylan Larkin requested a trade, Steve Yzerman as GM, and Chicago Blackhawks owner Danny Wirtz called Kane as soon as his free agency became available.

Join Len Shapiro for the NHL podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Aces Get Past New York In a Wild Game With An Even Wilder Finish 104-99

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Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives on the New York Liberty’s center Jonquel Jones (left) and guard Sabrina Ionescu (20) in the first half at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Thu Jul 30,2026 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

The Las Vegas Aces (20-8) took on the New York Liberty (16-13) in was a highly competitive game between the two rivals. The Aces got a grip on Liberty with a 104-99 win at Michelob ULTRA Arena.

The Aces came out on fire with Jackie Young leading the charge hitting 22 points in the first half.

They took a 52-44 lead into the half and would need more of the same in the third quarter. The Liberty made some needed adjustments in the second half still unable to take the lead but getting to within a single point.

When it got so very close, the Aces pushed back taking a 70-61 lead with 3:25 left in the third. With a lot of time left on the clock this game was still up for grabs. A’Ja Wilson came alive in the third quarter scoring 18 points finishing with 28 through three quarters giving Las Vegas a 79-71 lead going into the fourth.

The final quarter was a wild one with the Aces coming out on top 104-99. There were some key plays down the stretch for Las Vegas and a little bit of luck thrown in as well.

GAME RECAP

The Liberty got off to a great start in the early minutes of the first quarter but the Aces came roaring back with Jackie Young taking charge. After less than four minutes into the quarter Young was on a heater leading the comeback rally giving the Aces a 14-12 lead. She demonstrated her ability to hit three-point shots going 3 of 3.

As the opening quarter wore on this game was off the charts competitive with the lead changing back and forth throughout. After the first ten minutes of play Las Vegas was hanging onto a 27-26 lead.

Las Vegas continued to fight back in an effort to push out their lead in the second quarter. Jackie Young had an incredible quarter scoring 22 points in the first half. She was on fire and the Liberty were unable to extinguish that fire.

A’Ja Wilson also had double digits in the first half but it was Young who had the hot hand. At the half the Aces had created a 52-44 lead. It was Las Vegas who was dictating the pace taking more and more control of this game throughout the second quarter.

The Aces hit 8 shots from downtown in the first half while the Liberty only hit four. Las Vegas had put themselves in a strong position although an eight point lead is not a safe lead against a team with the likes of Breanna Steward and Sabrina Ionescu aboard. Second-chance points could swing this game in the second half.

New York could not afford to give the Aces extra possessions. If Steward and Ionescu really get going attacking the paint then the Aces would have to work a lot harder getting open shots and they cannot have any sort of breakdown. We will for sure see some major adjustments from the Liberty and how the Aces handle that could very well determine the winner of this game.

There were fireworks in the first half of this game and the third quarter displayed more fireworks. After the Aces had pushed their lead out to 54-44, the Liberty pushed back and two minutes into the quarter New York was trailing by only four points 58-54.

The Liberty had even more energy than in the first half and they were making a real push in a one-possession ball-game four minutes into the quarter. Las Vegas needed to regain the energy they had in the first half.

The Aces were in foul trouble with Chelsea Gray and Nalyssa Smith both with four personals. A’Ja Wilson had hit 18 points in the quarter with 30 seconds left in the clock. Going into the fourth quarter Las Vegas had a 79-71 lead and they would need to continue to elevate their play to finish off this game.

The Aces started off the fourth quarter stripping the ball from Breanna Stewart and the race was on. After taking a ten-point lead the Liberty cut the Aces lead in half. They were not going down without a fight.

Despite getting close the Liberty had still been unable to take the lead although threatening throughout the fourth quarter. Both teams were coming away with empty possessions with 3:36 remaining in the game.

Las Vegas was still clinging to a 92-87 lead. It was crunch time in the final two minutes of the game with Las Vegas taking a 98-93 lead with 55 ticks left on the clock. Chelsea Gray fouled out with 20 seconds left in the game giving Ionescu a couple of free throws.

She made both but the Aces got a huge break when the officials missed a call that would have given the Liberty the ball trailing by 3 points with ample time to tie up this game. Las Vegas went on to win the game 104-99.

GAME NOTES

It was a wild game for Las Vegas. Both teams played their hearts out this game going down to the wire. An unfortunate break late in the fourth quarter for New York occurred when the officials missed a call that solidified the 104-99 win for the Aces.

A’Ja Wilson found her groove in the second half finishing with 33 points and 10 rebounds, a double double. Jackie Young had 29 points and Chelsea Gray finished with 16 points before fouling out.

This was an outstanding game for both teams and it was unfortunate when the officials, all three of them, missed a critical call that hurt the Liberty when they would have had then opportunity to at least tie up this game.

Not to diminish the Las Vegas effort but the bottom line is that these officials really blew it in the closing seconds something that cannot happen in a game the caliber of this one.

Brenna Ionescu had the high for the Liberty with 26 points and 11 rebounds also with a double double and Pauline Astier chipping in 19 points.

The Aces will now head out on the road; their first stop in Chicago taking on the Sky. They will face some challenges on this road trip with stops in Atlanta, Indiana, Minnesota and finally finishing off the trip taking on the Liberty once again. They will take it one game at a time with their first road matchup Saturday in Chicago with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 AM.

A’s Drop Series Finale to Red Sox 5-4 Despite Strong Start From Barnett

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Mason Barnett #63 Athletics pitches against the Boston Red Sox in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on July 30, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After dropping game three on Wednesday to the Red Sox, the A’s tried to split the series with Boston on Thursday in the final game of the four-game series.

The Athletics couldn’t salvage the series split on Thursday as they fell to the Red Sox 5-4 in nine innings.

Mason Barnett got the spot start for the A’s, who had floated the idea of going with an opener on Thursday. Barnett, who made his 15th appearance and first start for the A’s on Thursday, pitched well. Barnett breezed through the first four innings before running into trouble in the fifth inning. Barnett gave up three runs in the fifth that would ultimately lead to the end of his outing. All in, Barnett gave up three runs on four hits while striking out six and walking just one Red Sox hitter.

Mark Kotsay was pleased with Barnett’s outing and felt it was something he could continue to build on moving forward.

“I thought Barnett did a great job… the goal was to get through five innings tonight, keep building him,” Mark Kotsay said after the game. “… Ultimately thought he executed his pitches tonight… so we’re going to keep building with him, keep putting him out there.”

Mason Barnett was also pleased with his outing, albeit with the caveat of the fifth inning.

“I felt good,” Barnett said after the game. “Stuff felt great, especially early on. Glad I was able to get four strong ones out there. The last one, that last inning, started off with a fastball getting away from me. And then after that I was trying to get the ball on the ground and did that, but they just put it in places where it’s tough to make plays. Sometimes that’s just how baseball goes, but overall I felt good and think I can build off it.”

In the sixth inning, the A’s went to the bullpen for the first time in the game in relief of starter Mason Barnett. Scott Blewett was the first out of the bullpen for the A’s, and he impressed in his two innings of work. He immediately got himself into a jam in the sixth inning but managed to get out of it without allowing a run. Blewett allowed no runs on two hits across his two innings of work while walking none and striking out one.

In the eighth inning, Mark Kotsay went with Luis Medina, who had pitched well over his last five appearances, allowing just two runs. However, the Red Sox weren’t kind to Medina, greeting him with back-to-back home runs to open the eighth inning. However, that would be all the damage done to Medina as he finished the frame allowing just those two hits while striking out one in his one inning of work.

In the ninth inning, now down by a run, the A’s turned to Elvis Alvarado to keep the game within one run. Alvarado turned in a solid performance as he faced the minimum in the ninth thanks to a 1-6-3 double play to end the inning after issuing a leadoff walk. Alvarado allowed one walk and no hits across his one inning of relief while striking out one.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s kept a steady diet of offense going throughout the game, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Red Sox. The A’s finished with nine hits and two walks while scoring four runs.

The A’s first run of the game came in the third inning when Jacob Wilson hit an RBI single to center field that scored Carlos Cortes. It was Wilson’s 33rd RBI of the season.

In the fourth inning, it was Lawrence Butler, who has been heating up as of late, who recorded an RBI double to score Jonah Heim. It was Butler’s 27th RBI of the year.

Later in the inning, it was Donovan Walton who hit an RBI single that scored Lawrence Butler to give the A’s their third run of the game and make it a 3-0 game at the time.

In the sixth inning, the A’s scored their final run of the game on a Carlos Cortes sacrifice fly that scored Lawrence Butler from third base. It was a close play at the plate as Butler scored on a shallow fly ball to left field.

The A’s will stay home to take on the Detroit Tigers in game one of a three-game series on Friday at Sutter Health Park. The Tigers plan to start Casey Mize (2-6, 2.70 ERA), while the A’s will counter with Jeffrey Springs (3-10, 6.23 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: Welcome to Baseball Trading Season

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Detroit Tigers Tarik Skubal tips his cap to the crowd after striking out his 1000th career batter against the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wed Jul 29, 2026 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

According to history, the first baseball trade took place on August 29, 1885, when the Louisville Colonels of the American Association traded John Connor and $750 to the minor leagues for pitcher Toad Ramsey of the Chattanooga Lookouts.

The most famous deal: owner of the Boston Red Sox Harry Frazee sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000 plus a $300,000 loan because Frazee needed money to finance a Broadway musical called My Lady Friends.  This created the “Curse of the Bambino” keeping the Red Sox from winning the World Series for 86 years, and the start of the New York Yankees dynasty.

With about 60 games left this 2026 season, buyers and sellers are poised to begin dealing as soon as August 3 at 6 pm ET.

For the Giants: They are legitimate sellers. Their biggest and most impactful trade in their history took place in November 1996, bringing Jeff Kent, along with José Vizcaino, Julián Tavarez, and José Roa, to San Francisco from the Cleveland Indians; in return, the Giants sent one of their fan-favorite players, Matt Williams, to Cleveland.

But the most recent deal for the Giants that made big baseball news was when they acquired Boston Red Sox Rafael Devers, taking on the remainder of his very nice (for Devers) 10-year, $313 million contract. This deal took place June 15, 2025, just over a year ago. In return, the Giants sent left-handed pitcher Kyle Harrison, right-handed pitcher Jordan Hicks, outfield prospect James Tibbs III, and minor-league right-hander José Bello.

Many players will change uniforms over the next few days/weeks, but the most coveted player is Tarik Skubal, currently pitching (maybe for the last time with the Detroit Tigers. Tarik Skubal was born in Hayward, California, a Bay Area kid, but the Giants will not trade for Skubal.

Quote on trades: Joe Garagiola,Baseball Broadcaster  “Is like your 100th birthday. not ideal, but  it beats the alternative”

For the young readers: Garagiola lived to be 90 years young, broadcasted for 58 years. I met him in 1986 during the World Series for NBC Sports. while Juan Vené and yours truly called the 1986 World Series betwen the Mets and the Red Sox on the old CBS Hispanic Radio Network, under great producer Armando Talavera.

Saludos to Cooperstown! Congratulations to the Baseball Hall of Fame: Great inductiong ceremony forJeff Kent, Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.

Bay FC match wrap: Purce long goal stands up for Gotham FC in 1-0 shutout

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Bay FC forward Alex Pfeiffer winds up to kick the ball during a match against Gotham FC on Wednesday, July 29, 2026 at PayPal Park in San Jose. (Courtesy of Bay Area News Group)

By William Espy

SAN JOSE–Bay FC was back on the pitch at PayPal Park on Wednesday night for a midweek matchup against Gotham FC, and Bay brought some reinforcements. Taylor Huff and Abby Dahlkemper were both available for Wednesday’s game, but started the night on the substitute bench. Gotham also has some new weapons, though, as they reunited the former Chelsea pairing of Guro Reiten and Sam Kerr, both of whom were in their starting lineup.

Off of a corner in the third minute, Gotham took a 1-0 lead as Midge Purce was able to get the ball past Jordan Silkowitz and into the back of the net. Purce’s goal stood up for the Gotham win.

Moments after a run by Karlie Lema that drew out the keeper but failed to result in a scoring chance, Bay FC were seemingly able to tie things up with a goal by Kennedy Fuller in the eighth minute as the ball slowly trickled across the goal line. After a lengthy discussion with the VAR, Joshua Encarnacion, referee Servando Berna initiated a review for a possible offside. Eventually, Berna ruled that the play was offside and Gotham kept their 1-0 lead. 

Alex Pfieffer challenged Shelby Hogan in the 15th minute, but the Gotham goalkeeper was able to make the save. 

After having the goal called back, Bay FC had a few noticeably sloppy plays that resulted in losing possession, even in the defensive third of the pitch. Around the half-hour mark of the match, Gotham started playing very physical, resulting in multiple Bay players getting taken down in dangerous fashion. In the 30th minute, Pfieffer got another shot on target, but Hogan made the save with no problems.

In the 41st minute, Pfieffer was able to earn a corner after a great run up the right side of the pitch, kicking the ball off of a closing defender. Nothing came of the corner besides a bit of pinball in front of the goal and another corner chance that Gotham would ultimately clear. 

In the 50th minute, Jordan Silkowitz made a big fingertip save to deny Gotham’s second goal of the night, but she landed awkwardly due to a collision with teammate Joelle Anderson and went down, taking all energy out of PayPal Park momentarily. She appeared to be holding her back, and the trainers took the field to attend to her. She returned to her feet moments later and remained in the game. 

Maddie Moreau was shown a yellow card, the first of the night, in the 60th minute. 

In the 76th minute, Bay FC made their first substitution of the night as Taylor Huff entered the match for Cristiana Girelli. 

Rose Lavelle was shown a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Hannah Bebar in the 81st minute. Caroline Conti and the returning Abby Dahlkemper entered the match in the 83rd minute, looking to spark Bay FC and salvage a point. Unfortunately, that plan wouldn’t come to fruition, as Gotham held on to win 1-0.

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy: Monasterio’s homer is the difference as Sox defeat A’s at Sutter Health 4-2 Wednesday

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Boston Red Sox Andruw Monasterio (right) celebrates with teammate Romy Gonzalez (23) after hitting a two run home run in the top of the tenth against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Jul 29, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 The Sacramento A’s Jonah Heim got the game’s first run in the bottom of the second inning with a 418 foot centerfield home run to get the A’s on the scoreboard with a 1-0 lead.

#2 Jahmal Jones evened up the ball game with a 375 foot centerfield home run in the top of the fifth inning to tie it up 1-1 for the Red Sox.

#3 In the bottom of the fifth inning the A’s Lawrence Butler got the A’s their lead back with a 375 foot home run making 2-1.

#4 The Red Sox Nick Sogard hit a top the sixth inning RBI single to tie the game up for the second time making it 2-2.

#5 In the top of the tenth inning with a ghost runner Romy Gonzalez on board Andruw Monasterio slugged a 428 foot centerfield home run that put the Sox in front by two runs 4-2 as the Sox now take a 2-1 series lead with game four on Thursday night.

Join Bridget Mulcahy for the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Wednesday night at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Red Sox Outlast A’s in 10 Innings 4-2 as Kurtz Exits Early With Injury

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Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics is looked over by trainer Jeff Collins and manager Mark Kotsay #7 after being hit in the arm with a pitch against the Boston Red Sox in the bottom of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on July 29, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The A’s played game three of a four-game series against the Red Sox on Wednesday night inside the friendly confines of Sutter Health Park. The A’s had evened the series at a game apiece on Tuesday as they looked to win two in a row against the Red Sox.

The Red Sox took the lead in the series again as they defeated the A’s 4-2 in 10 innings.

Jacob Lopez took the ball for the A’s at 6:41 p.m. as he made his 17th appearance for the A’s this season and his 14th start. Lopez didn’t have a particularly clean outing, but he pitched reasonably well for the A’s as he went five and one-third innings. Lopez allowed two runs (one earned) on seven hits while scattering two walks and striking out eight in his outing. It was another strong performance from Lopez, who built on his previous scoreless outing last week in Minnesota.

“I thought Jacob did a good job tonight,” Kotsay said after the game. “Obviously he took us into the sixth inning again, which is a good sign for these young starters just continuing to give us these efforts, getting them deep into their games. Eight strikeouts tonight, which might be a season high for him.”

It indeed was a season high for Lopez, who looks to continue to build on this recent momentum to solidify himself as a big league starter.

Mark Kotsay turned to Hayden Juenger first out of the bullpen in relief of Lopez with one out in the sixth inning. Juenger tossed one and one-third innings in relief, giving up two hits and no runs while striking out one in his outing that saw him get the final two outs in the seventh inning.

With two outs in the seventh, it was Kotsay back to the bullpen as he called on Elvis Alvarado. Alvarado got the final out in the seventh and the first two outs in the eighth while giving up nothing but a walk and striking out two. It was an impressive performance from Alvarado, who has had a very up-and-down season.

Mark Kotsay turned the ball over to Brady Basso with two outs in the eighth inning. Basso finished the eighth and pitched the ninth inning, giving up two hits but no runs during his one and one-third innings of work.

Since the A’s couldn’t get it done in regulation, Mark Kotsay went with José Suarez in the 10th inning. It was a disaster immediately for Suarez, who promptly gave up a two-run home run to the first batter he faced in the inning. Suarez managed to complete the 10th inning, giving up two runs (one earned) on one hit while walking none and striking out none.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s couldn’t get much going other than the long ball. Unfortunately for them, both home runs they hit were solo shots. The A’s finished with eight hits and two walks in the game while striking out 14 times against the Red Sox pitching staff.

Jonah Heim got the A’s on the board first and gave them the 1-0 lead in the second inning when he drilled a solo home run to center field. It was Heim’s 500th career hit, 11th home run of the season, and 34th RBI for the switch-hitting catcher. Heim’s home run left the bat at 104.2 mph and landed 418 feet away from home plate as it clanked off the brick building beyond the wall.

The A’s continued their offense by the long ball as they scored their second run of the game on a Lawrence Butler solo home run to center field in the fifth inning. It was Butler’s sixth homer of the year and his 27th RBI as the ball left the bat at 103.4 mph and traveled 422 feet.

That would be all the A’s could muster on offense as they fell 4-2 to the Red Sox in 10 innings.

Nick Kurtz, who left the game after the first inning with a forearm contusion, was evaluated after the game by the A’s staff.

“We’re going to have an MRI done in the morning, so we’ll have a better idea of what exactly is going on,” Mark Kotsay told the media after the game. “The x-rays were kind of unclear right now. So we’re hoping for the best.”

The A’s will take on the Red Sox in the final game of the four-game series on Thursday at 6:40 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. The Red Sox are scheduled to start Sonny Gray (12-2, 2.78 ERA), while Mason Barnett (1-1, 4.74 ERA) will start for the A’s. 

MLB The Show podcast Jessica Kwong: Can Ohtani help Dodgers get that final push to post season; Trade deadline coming can Tigers move Skubal?; plus more news

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Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani (17) hits a solo home run against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the first inning at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Tue Jul 28, 2026 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Jessica Kwong:

#1 Can Shohei Ohtani carry the Dodgers through another postseason push while remaining in the National League MVP race?

#2 Will Tarik Skubal be the biggest name moved before the MLB trade deadline, and which contender lands the ace?

#3 Is Aaron Judge’s absence reshaping the American League MVP race, and who benefits the most?

#4 Can Gleyber Torres’ recent offensive surge spark a second-half turnaround for the Tigers after his five-RBI performance?

#5 Will Sandy Alcantara or C.J. Abrams become the next blockbuster trade as the deadline approaches?

Jessica Kwong does MLB The Show podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Webb pitches six solid; Arraez and Ramos go 4-for-5 in possible final home game in SF, and Giants rout Brewers 16-3 for series win

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San Francisco Giants Luis Arraez had a day at the plate going 4-5, with a run scored and one RBI against the Milwaukee Brewers at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jul 29, 2026 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, July 29, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Milwaukee Brewers 3 (67-41)

San Francisco Giants 16 (46-62)

Win: Logan Webb (6-7)

Loss: Thomas Pannone (0-1)

Time: 3:03

Attendance: 35,399

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–As bad this season has been for the Giants, they have still had their moments, and Wednesday was one of them. They exploded for 16 runs behind a solid outing by Logan Webb, and ended up taking the series from one of the best teams in Baseball with a 16-3 rout over the Brewers.

Today was likely to be the last hoorah here at Oracle Park for a few Giants. Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos were both in the lineup for what was quite possibly going to be their final home game as a Giant here at Oracle.

Logan Webb made the start, and he would look to close out a rocky July on a good note. Webb started off nicely with a scoreless top of the first inning, and a one, two, three top of the second.

Left-hander Thomas Pannone, who has not pitched in the big league in three years, made the start for the Brewers Wednesday. Pannone last pitched in the big leagues on June 30, 2023 as a Brewer. He went to the Kio Tigers of the KBO League in South Korea to finish the 2023 season. He then bounced around the Cubs’ Yankees’ and Brewers’ minor league systems over the last two and a half years.

Here on July 29, 2026, Thomas Pannone was a big leaguer again. He started off his day well with a scoreless bottom of the first.

Jung Hoo Lee reached on a dropped fly ball by center-fielder Garrett Mitchell to start the bottom of the second. Willy Adames then worked a 1-3 count into a walk. Daniel Susac came up, and hit his first major league home run, a three-run home run that just kept carrying to straightaway center.

Webb and the Giants had a 3-0 lead. The Brewers scored runs in the third and the fourth to cut it to 3-2. Webb settled back down for a one, two, three top of the fifth, and a scoreless top of the sixth.

That was it for Webb, who threw 96 pitches over six innings. He gave up two runs, and five hits. He walked just one, and struck out four.

Pannone was done after three. He was replaced by Chad Patrick, who threw one, two, three innings in the fourth and fifth. The Giants would then explode in the bottom of the sixth.

Patrick hit Adames to start the bottom of the sixth, and Adames immediately stole second base. He then walked Susac, and Pat Murphy brought in Aaron Ashby. Tony Vitello countered by sending Jesus Rodriguez to pinch-hit for Grant McCray. Rodriguez walked to load the bases, and up came Christian Koss.

The Brewers played the infield in, and Koss grounded a base-hit through the drawn-in infield to left. Adames scored to make it 4-2. Luis Arraez followed that up by lining a base-hit up the middle into center, and Susac walked to make it 5-2.

Up came Heliot Ramos, who was looking for perhaps one final memorable moment in front of his loyal fans here in San Francisco. 

Ramos was brought up for cups of coffee in 2022 and 2023, but burst onto the scene, and went to the All-Star Game in 2024. He has never gone to the postseason with the Giants, but fans and everyone alike have always appreciated the effort and heart he has shown over the last two and a half years.

Ramos lined one the other way to right with two outs to knock in a pair, and open it up to 7-2. It was a big hit for Ramos, and if this was indeed his final home game as a Giant, it was not a bad way to go out.

Rafael Devers grounded into a fielder’s choice to make it 8-2. Jung Hoo Lee then capped it off with a two-run double down the right field line to make it 10-2. All in all, it was a seven-run inning for the Giants.

If there was a team that could come back from a 10-2 deficit with three innings to go, it was the Brewers. If there was a bullpen that could blow a 10-2 lead with three innings to go, it was the Giants’ bullpen. 

Sam Hentges came into the game for the top of the seventh, and indeed the Brewers scored a run. However, Jackson Chourio grounded into an inning-ending double play, and that quashed any fears of the Brewers coming back.

The Giants scored three runs off Bryse Wilson in the bottom of the seventh to make it 13-3. Caleb Kilian then threw a scoreless top of the eighth.

Andrew Vaughn pinch-hit, came into play third, and then came in to pitch the bottom of the eighth. On his second pitch, which was a 60-mile-per-hour something ball, Susac hit his second home run of the game. This one would barely clear the wall in left. 

I would say not a bad way to get your first two big league home runs if you’re Susac. However, considering he hit his second one off a position player….. 

The Giants would score two more runs off Vaughn, who was basically out there throwing batting practice, to make it 16-3. It got so bad that Home Plate Umpire Emil Jimenez lost track of the count, and didn’t realize that Bryce Eldridge had drawn a walk.

To add injury to insult, Vaughn was beaned by Keaton Winn to start the ninth. Fortunately, Vaughn stayed in the game, as Winn threw a scoreless inning to end it.

Despite how poorly this season has gone for the Giants, their 16 runs today is their third-highest total of the year. They scored 19 runs against the Rockies at Coors Field on May 31. Just five days later, on June 5, they scored 18 runs against the Cubs with the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field. What are we going to do with this team?

Logan Webb got the win, and Thomas Pannone took his first loss of the season. The Giants go 4-2 on the homestand, and improved to 46-62 on the season.

By the way, Luis Arraez and Heliot Ramos, who both very well may have just played their final home game as a Giant, went 4-for-5. 

The Giants will now head out for what will be a very-dramatic next week on the road, as there are trades to be made. The Giants will be in San Diego for a four-game series against the Padres starting Thursday night. The Trade Deadline will be this upcoming Monday. That night, the Giants will begin a three game set against the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas.

The pitching matchup is still to be determined for the series opener at Petco Park Thursday night. First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.