Sacramento A’s game wrap: Royals Witt Runs Wild as Three Homers Go to Waste in A’s 9-5 loss

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Kansas City Royals Bobby Witt Jr hits a two run home run in the bottom of the second inning against the Sacramento A’s at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Mon Aug 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics scored first, but Kansas City Royals ensurerd the early lead did not last coming back later to defeat the A’s 9-5 at Kaufman Stadium Monday night. Jeff McNeil opened the game with a solo home run to right, continuing a second-half surge that had him batting .380 since the All-Star break. Henry Bolte and Zack Gelof followed with singles, giving the A’s a chance to build something bigger, but Carlos Cortes grounded into a double play to end the inning.

Kansas City answered with three runs in the bottom half. Bobby Witt Jr. drew a walk, Jac Caglianone singled, and a Mason Barnett wild pitch moved both runners up. Maikel Garcia tied the game with an RBI single before Salvador Perez brought home two more with a two-run single to center. The Royals were ahead 3-1, and they never trailed again.

Barnett’s trouble continued in the second. Kyle Isbel drew a walk, advanced on another wild pitch, and scored when Witt launched a two-run homer to left-center. In the third, Michael Massey singled, Isaac Collins drew a walk, and Isbel drove in Massey with a single for a 6-1 lead. Hayden Juenger replaced Barnett after 2 2/3 innings. Barnett allowed six runs on seven hits and four walks, striking out two. He had entered the game with an 8.78 ERA in his first three starts of the season after beginning the year as a reliever.

There was a little baseball symmetry in Barnett’s assignment. Kansas City originally drafted him in 2022 before trading him to the A’s with Will Klein and Jared Dick for Lucas Erceg in 2024. Erceg would later pitch the ninth inning for the Royals against the team that acquired Barnett.

The A’s finally broke through against Michael Wacha in the fifth. Tommy White led off with a solo homer, his second major league home run and his second in as many games after hitting the first of his career a day earlier. Donovan Walton followed with a double, moved to third on Alika Williams’ flyout, and scored when Brian Serven hit a two-run homer to left. In a span of four batters, the Athletics had cut a five-run deficit to 6-4.

Kansas City answered again in the sixth. Witt singled, stole second and scored on Caglianone’s RBI single against Scott Blewett, pushing the lead to 7-4. The Royals added two more in the eighth against Seth Johnson. Carter Jensen doubled, Witt doubled him home, and Caglianone followed with another RBI single. Witt finished 3-for-4 with a home run, a double, three RBI, four runs scored, a walk and a stolen base. Caglianone added three hits and two RBI.

The A’s had one last opening in the ninth. Cortes singled, moved to second on a wild pitch, and White and Walton drew walks to load the bases with nobody out. Steven Cruz replaced Erceg and got pinch-hitter Jonah Heim to ground into a double play. Cortes scored, but White was left at third with two outs. Serven then grounded out to finish the 9-5 loss.

Those double plays were more than a one-game annoyance. The Athletics entered the game fourth in the majors with 95 grounded-into double plays, then added three more against Kansas City. The first erased a promising opening inning, the second wiped out Butler’s leadoff single in the sixth, and the third turned a bases-loaded ninth into a single run.

The Green and Gold will try to square the series Tuesday as Jack Perkins (2-9, 7.27 ERA, 94 strikeouts) faces left-hander Daniel Lynch IV (4-4, 2.88 ERA, 40 strikeouts), with first pitch scheduled for 4:40 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 clinch the Playoffs on their 25th win of the season against the Dallas Wings, 78-70

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Golden State Valkyries’ Tiffany Hayes (15) celebrates a 3-point basket by Golden State Valkyries’ Veronica Burton (22) against the Dallas Wings in the second quarter at the Chase Center in San Francisco, Calif., on Monday, Aug. 17, 2026. (Photot credits to Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Area News Group)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The Golden State Valkyries started the week off with a win, and clinched their spot in the playoffs for the second time in the team’s second year in the WNBA. On Monday night, the Valkyries knew that with a win tonight, they could clinch a spot for the postseason, and they did. The team hosted and defeated the Dallas Wings in front of another sellout crowd with the final score of 78-70. The Valkyries are also now on a 6-game winning streak that will slowly secure their spot for the second seed in the playoff bracket.

The Dallas Wings came into this game holding on to the last spot of the playoffs, and trying to get as many wins as they can so they can hold on to it. However, Dallas just came back from a loss while on the first stop of their two-game road trip back in Indiana, and is so far 10-9 on the road. Also, in their last 10 games, they have gone 3-7. So they started guards Paige Bueckers, Arike Ogunbowale, forwards Jessica Shepard, Alysha Clark, and center Alanna Smith.

Valkyries have been shocking the league and showing the WNBA world that they are ready and want to play in the postseason. Golden State was on a 5-game winning streak, now on a 6-game winning streak, and have gone 8-2 in their last 10 games. They also hold the second-place seed in the WNBA. So they went with guards Veronica Burton, Gabby Williams, forwards Kayla Thornton, Cecilia Zandalasini, and center Kiah Stokes.

The game would get going with some hot shooting from both teams. This game has so much meaning for both of these teams’ playoff hopes, so the Valkyries and Wings were locked in. Wings Alanna Smith and Valkyries Kayla Thornton start it off with 3-pointers for each other. After that, Dallas and Golden State’s defense picked up. However, Golden State would end the first on a 12-4 scoring run, and hold a 1-point lead at the end. That 1-point lead would come from Valkyries’ Tiffany Hayes by hitting a deep 3-pointer (33-foot) for Golden State.

In the 2nd quarter, the Valkyries and Wings didn’t slow down on their defensive plan. Both teams were starting to make every shot more difficult and contested each other. Especially Golden State started to take advantage of Dallas turnovers by stealing their passes and making it difficult for Dallas to spread the ball. With that, the Valkyries were able to find some momentum and go on an 11-2 scoring run halfway through the 2nd quarter.

At halftime, Golden State would extend their lead to 16 points over Dallas with the score at 44-28. Dallas’s second quarter performance was very poor, and they were able to score only 9-points in the second alone. While Golden State would go on and drop 24 points altogether, the Valkyries had already made eight 3-pointers so far.

At the start of the 3rd quarter, Dallas would come in with some energy, especially from Wings Alysha Clark, who would make a 25-foot three pointer jumper. After that, the Wings found a little offensive rhythm and would get the lead to 10-points from Golden State, 39-49. Then shortly, the Wings were able to cut it as low as 8 points, 46-54.

Though the Valkyries were not gonna let up, and kept giving the Wings no more optimism. Golden State would hit some tough shots and not slow down on their drives to the paint on transition breaks. At the start of the 4th quarter, the lead would jump to its largest of the night for Golden State with a 18-point lead over Dallas, 46-64.

All of the 4th quarter was Dallas’ last efforts to try and come back and win this game. The Wings would drop 24 points in the 4th, but it still wasn’t enough. Valkyries guard Gabby Williams would lead Golden State to a win with her 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists. She got lots of help from her teammate Veronica Burton, who would drop 16 points, 4 rebounds, 5 assists, and 4 steals. Golden State has now gone 3-0 in the season series against Dallas.

Golden State will get a short rest, but have some comfort in their mind knowing they have clinched a spot in the postseason. The Valkyries return to Ballhalla on Wednesday, August 19th, to host the 1st place team in the WNBA, the Minnesota Lynx. The Lynx are coming off a win just two days ago against the Las Vegas Aces, 92-87. The game will be broadcast live on USA Network at 7 p.m.

Sushi Paradise Sacramento/Sportstalk podcast Mon Aug 17, 2026:

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Sushi Paradise 1200 K St downtown Sacramento podcast cast left going up Stephen Ruderman (SF Giants beat writer), Amaury Pi Gonzalez (That’s Amaury News and Commentary), Mauricio Segura (host/ Sacramento A’s beat writer), Lee Leonard (producer), right side going up: Lilly (friend of Steve Sax), Steve Sax (A’s TV analyst), Vince Cestone (SF Giants beat writer), Paul Malolot (IT technican).

Sushi Paradise Sacramento/ Sportstalk podcast Monday Aug 17, 2026:

Welcome to another edition of Sportstalk I’m your host Mauricio Segura (Golden Bay Times/host) with my co hosts, Steve Sax (Sacramento A’s TV analyst), Vince Cestone (SF Giants reporter) Stephen Ruderman (SF Giants beat writer), Amaury Pi Gonzalez (That’s Amaury News and Commentary), my producer Lee Leonard. Our special guest for tonight’s program is the former great second baseman of the Los Angeles Dodgers and Sacramento A’s TV and radio color analyst Steve Sax.

Tonight were podcasting from Sacramento’s favorite Japanese Restaurant for Sushi, Teriyaki and many other fine Japanese dishes Sushi Paradise at 1200 K Street in downtown Sacramento call 916-329-8281. Our thanks to Sushi Paradise owner Anson and manager Ray for their kind invitations to have Sportstalk here to do this podcast remote at the wonderful Sushi Paradise in downtown Sacramento.

Sushi Paradise stands out as a premier destination for sushi lovers, combining exceptional culinary artistry with a welcoming atmosphere. With a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients sourced from local markets and beyond, this establishment offers an impressive selection of sushi rolls that are as visually stunning as they are delicious.

Customers have praised the vibrant presentation of dishes, highlighting the meticulous attention to detail that defines the brand’s culinary philosophy. The menu features a harmonious blend of traditional sushi offerings alongside creative twists, ensuring there is something for everyone, from classic favorites to unique specialty rolls. The inviting ambiance and friendly, attentive staff contribute to an enjoyable dining experience, making each visit feel special.

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: Giants basically running a triple A line up; A’s Soderstrom out on 10 day IL nursing hip injury; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Buddy Kennedy is hitting .091 but has started the last three games (photo from Field Level Media)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

#1 The SF Giants are bascially using a triple A line up and even have a third baseman Buddy Kennedy who hitting .038 starting in the line up.

#2 The Giants had used Matt Chapman and Casey Schmitt as starting third basemen and both are on the IL around the time of the trade deadline and had to look to Kennedy for third base help.

#3 The Sacramento A’s are also having injury problems most recently Tyler Soderstrom suffered a hip inpingement and went on the 10 day IL, how much of an impact is it having Soderstrom out of the line up?

#4 Reggie Jackson recently said that at one time he attempted to purchase the Oakland A’s when former A’s owner Ken Hoffman and Steve Schott owned the team but Reggie said he was denied by MLB Commissioner at the time Bud Selig. The purchase as the team was sold to Lew Wolf. Reggie felt that was his best opportunity to own the A’s but was denied because Selig helped his fellow sority brother Wolf.

#5 The A’s have recently fell into last place in the AL West after being in first place earlier in the season. During the period when they were a first place team there was optimism and even some hope that they can hold on and get to the post season.

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. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s open up six game road trip in Kansas City Monday night

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Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler (4) celebrates his home run with Tommy White (47) In the bottom of the second inning against the Texas Rangers on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Sacramento A’s Zack Gelof and Lawrence Butler both hit two run home runs and Tommy White had his first MLB home run as the A’s defeated the Texas Rangers 5-2 Sunday at Sutter Health Park.

#2 This was the first time the A’s won a home series since Jun 12-14 against the Colorado Rockies at Las Vegas Ballpark and they won their first series at Sutter Health Park bac on Apr 28-30 against the Kansas City Royals.

#3 A’s starter Jacob Lopez struck out six hitter and allowed two runs on five hits to get his first win after making four starts.

#4 A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson is walking a tight rope after mishanding a ground ball in the top of the fourth it was ruled a hit and kept his 114 game errorless streak alive.

#5 The A’s travel to Kansas City to face the Royals Monday night starting pitchers for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (1-3 ERA 6.16) for Kansas City RHP Michael Wacha (5-8 ERA 3.46) first pitch 4:40pm PDT.

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Sunday 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

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Tiedemann debut significant for Blue Jays; Cards Baez first player to hit 3 HRs in MLB debut; plus more news

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Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Ricky Tiedemann pitching against the New York Yankees at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Aug 15, 2026 (Canadian Presse via AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 How significant could Ricky Tiedemann’s MLB debut be for the Blue Jays’ rotation, considering the long injury-plagued path that preceded his promotion. Tiedemann pitched on Saturday going 1.2 allowing two hits and one earned run with two strikeouts.

#2 What does Joshua Báez becoming the first player to hit three home runs in his MLB debut mean for the Cardinals and his prospects as a young star?

#3 How important is Aaron Judge’s return to baseball activities for the Yankees, and can he realistically make an impact before the end of the 2026 season?

#4 After Houston’s dramatic 10th-inning comeback Friday, can the Mariners respond and gain ground in the AL West race?

#5 MLB rule changes: Could MLB’s experimental check-swing challenge system eventually become a permanent part of the game, and would it improve consistency for hitters and umpires?

Join Charlie O for the MLB The Show podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Bolte Sets the Table and Gelof Clears It; A’s take 3 game set from Rangers with 5-2 win

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Sacramento A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) attempts to bare hand the ball and was not called for an error as Wilson’t 114 consecutive errorless streak stays alive against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Athletics were in a 2-2 tie with Texas when Zack Gelof’s single swing turned the game in the A’s favor. With Henry Bolte aboard after his third single of the game, Gelof drove Jakob Junis’ pitch over the wall in right-center for a two-run homer in the seventh, giving the A’s a 4-2 lead they never relinquished. Tommy White added the finishing touch an inning later with the first home run of his Major League career, and the Athletics beat the Rangers 5-2 to take the three-game series Sunday.

All five Athletics runs scored on home runs, but the offense was hardly all-or-nothing. The A’s collected 13 hits, with Bolte going 3-for-5 and Gelof, White, Lawrence Butler and Max Muncy each producing two hits. Butler supplied the first big swing in the second.

After White singled, Butler drove Cody Bradford deep to right for a two-run homer that turned a 1-0 Texas lead into a 2-1 Athletics advantage. It was Butler’s 11th homer of the season and continued a productive stretch after he had already homered in three straight games earlier in the week.

Texas answered in the third. Wyatt Langford drew a leadoff walk, advanced on a wild pitch and reached third on Brandon Nimmo’s single. Jake Burger then grounded into a force play that brought Langford home and tied the game. Burger was responsible for both Rangers runs. He had opened the scoring with a solo homer in the second and finished 3-for-4.

The Athletics had opportunities to move ahead earlier, but their baserunning created some trouble. Bolte was caught stealing in the first, and Gelof was thrown out trying to take third in the third after an Athletics challenge failed to overturn the call. The A’s also left runners at the corners in the fourth. Bradford and the Texas bullpen kept the score even until Gelof finally broke through in the seventh.

That swing carried extra weight for Gelof, who had been reinstated from the injured list less than a week earlier after a right knee laceration sidelined him for a month. He entered the game with two home runs in five starts since returning, then added another at the most important moment of the series. His return has provided a boost for a roster that has spent much of the season dealing with injuries.

Jacob Lopez gave the Athletics exactly what they needed on the mound. The left-hander worked six innings, allowing two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out six. He settled down after Burger’s homer and the tying run in the third, holding Texas scoreless over his final three innings. Lopez also continued a much better run since returning from Triple-A, where he had posted a 3.16 ERA over his previous seven appearances entering the game.

Luis Medina handled the seventh and struck out two around an Evan Carter double. Elvis Alvarado and Drew Rom combined for a scoreless eighth, and Hogan Harris retired the Rangers in order in the ninth, striking out Cody Freeman and Joc Pederson around an Elias Díaz groundout to finish it.

White’s milestone provided the final exclamation point. The rookie had built his early Major League résumé mostly with singles after being promoted from Triple-A last month. Leading off the eighth, he drove a 2-0 fastball from Peyton Gray 413 feet to center for his first big-league homer. White finished 2-for-4, and the blast gave the Athletics a three-run cushion. MLB reported that 22 of White’s first 24 Major League hits had been singles before his breakthrough homer.

The victory also ended a long home-series drought. The A’s had not won a series in Sacramento since taking two of three from Kansas City in late April and had gone 0-12-1 in their previous 13 series there. They also entered the finale having lost nine consecutive home day games. This time, three home runs, a steady starter and three scoreless bullpen innings were enough to change both streaks.

Next up, the Athletics open a four-game series in Kansas City with Mason Barnett (1-3, 6.16 ERA, 36 K) facing Michael Wacha (5-8, 3.46 ERA, 117 K), with first pitch scheduled Monday for 4:40 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. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Rockies score ten runs in three innings to top Giants 13-7 at Oracle

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Sam Hentges (31) yells into his glove at the end of the top of the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Oracle Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026 (Bay Area News Group photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalvoic:

#1 Rafael Devers hit a three-run home run for the Giants. How important was his homer in helping San Francisco build its early 7–6 lead?

#2 Blade Tidwell struggled with his command, issuing five walks. How did his control problems contribute to the Giants losing their lead?

#3 Despite the loss, the Giants collected 11 hits. How would you evaluate the offensive performances of Rafael Devers, Jung Hoo Lee, and Willy Adames?

#4 Giants reliever Sam Hentges took the loss after Colorado’s sixth-inning rally. What went wrong for San Francisco’s pitching staff during the Rockies’ seven-run comeback?

#5 After allowing seven unanswered runs, what should Rafael Devers, Jung Hoo Lee, and the rest of the Giants do differently to prevent a similar late-game collapse?

Marko Ukalovic does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s come back from behind score two runs in eighth beat Rangers 5-2

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Sacramento A’s Zack Gelof runs the bases after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

Barbara Mason on the Sacramento A’s podcast:

1.The game between the Texas Rangers and the Sacramento A’s was tied 2-2 going into the bottom of the seventh inning when this game completely turned around in favor of the Green and Gold.

2.It was an outstanding offensive effort for the Athletics in the later innings after a rather ugly game in the earlier innings.

3. Athletics Pitching could not have done any better from the starting pitcher to the four relievers that got the job done Sunday.

4.This was a great game and a great series win and a chance to see the future of the Athletics on the field in these young guys that are loaded with talent and only getting better.

5.Next up for the Athletics will be another cellar team the Kansas City Royals Monday late afternoon at Kaufmann Stadium.

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Tidwell wild, and Rockies take season series with wild 13-7 win over Giants

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Colorado Rockies Zac Veen (center) celebrates after scoring on a wild pitch in the top of the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Aug 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 16, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 13 (50-74)

San Francisco Giants 7 (51-73)

Win: Nick Frasso (1-1)

Loss: Sam Hentges (1-5)

Time: 3:08

Attendance: 32,063

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–It was a wild one Sunday at Oracle Park, as Blade Tidwell gave up six runs on five walks, and the Rockies ended up pulling away late to take this series, and the season series, with a 13-7 win.

Sunday was an important day. The Giants came into today 6-6 against the Rockies, and they needed a win to take the season series. Hey, the Giants have not lost a season series to the Rockies since 2020. The last thing this team needs is another symbolic reminder of what a nightmare this season has been.

Blade Tidwell would take the ball in his third start of the season. Tidwell had solid starts against the Rangers and Astros, and hoped for another one against the Rockies today.

Tidwell got Jake McCarthy to ground out to start things off. Cole Carrigg drew a one-out walk. and Drew Cavanaugh wasted one of the Giants’ two challenges trying to overturn it. Micky Moniak then pulled a p-rod right into the glove of Bryce Eldridge over at first base, and Eldridge promptly tagged Carrigg out for the double play,

Now, the Giants were up against Gabriel Hughes in the bottom of the first inning. Rafael Devers slashed a double down the left field line with one out in the bottom of the first inning. Though, it was a little close at second. Eldridge fisted a broken-bat base-hit to center field to knock in Devers, who scored without a throw.

The Giants had struck first, but the top of the second wouldn’t be pretty for Tidwell. Willi Castro walked to start the inning. Troy Johnston and Zac Veen both got base-hits, and Castro scored on Veen’s base-hit to tie the game.

We then had a bit of a weird play. Jordan Beck hit a liner to short that was dropped by Christian Koss. However, Koss flipped the ball to second to retire Veen, and then Osleivis Basabe threw the ball to third to retire the lead runner, Johnston. I’m not sure Buddy Kennedy was aware that he needed to tag Johnston, but he did after a slight delay. It was a 6-4-5 double play. You don’t see those every day.

It seemed as if that would help limit the damage for Tidwell in the top of the second, or so we thought. Brett Sullivan walked, and Adael Amador hit a three-run home run to right, in what was just his second big league at-bat of the season, to give the Rockies a 4-1 lead.

Believe it or not, the Giants would have a response in the bottom of the second. Cavanaugh led off the inning with a beautifully-placed—and beautiful all around—bunt single along the third base line. We don’t see that enough in our great game today. Something like that is always a good omen for an inning.

Turner Hill grounded into a fielder’s choice, and Kennedy lined a base-hit to left. Drew Gilbert, who was fresh off a three-hit and three-RBI game yesterday, shot a base-hit to center to knock in Hill, and cut it to 4-2.

Devers was up, and pulled an inside slider that went just foul down the right field line, and into the water. It flipped a guy’s kayak out there, and they showed it on the scoreboard for all of us to see. It may have been the most eventful foul splash hit in history, and thankfully ended with the guy being able to come up with the ball.

Devers then took a curve down and in, and hit a real splash hit to put the Giants back ahead. The same fan would not get it, which was unfortunate, because they would have been a storybook ending to a memorable at-bat. It was also the 110th splash hit here at Oracle Park.

Tidwell bounced back for a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third. The Giants would add a run in the bottom of the third, when Hill would knock in Basabe with his first big league hit.

Tidwell threw another one two three inning in the top of the fourth. Hughes didn’t throw a one two three bottom of the fourth, but it was rather quick, thanks to Gilbert getting picked off at first base.

Tidwell retired Sullivan to start the top of the fifth. However, after Tidwell walked Amador and McCarthy his day was done after just 63 pitches. Tidwell threw 100 and 96 pitches in his first two starts respectively, but his five walks got to him Sunday.

Sam Hentges was brought in, and Carrigg greeted him with a double down the left field line, which scored Amador, and made it a one-run game at 6-5. Moniak then got McCarthy in with a sacrifice fly, and that tied the game at 6-6.

All in all, Tidwell gave up six runs on just three hits. However, as I mentioned above, the five walks are what really got to Tidwell.

Hughes walked Eldridge to start the bottom of the fifth, and Nick Frasso was brought in. Frasso retired Jung Hoo Lee, but hit Basabe on the left hand. Cavanaugh then singled to left to load the bases, but Hill struck out for the second out.

Kennedy was up with two outs, the bases loaded and a full count. He took a fastball inside to put the Giants back ahead. However, Koss struck out, and that’s all the Giants would get.

The top of the sixth would not be pretty either. Hentegs was back out, and issued a pair of walks.

JT Brubaker came in with runners at second and third and two outs. With Amador at the plate, Brubaker threw one in the dirt that Cavanaugh could not find, and Veen came in to score to tie it at 7-7.

Amador and McCarthy both walked. Brubaker got ahead of Carrigg 0-2, but that was before Brubaker hit him on the foot. The Rockies retook the lead, and it was 8-7.

Reiver Sanmartin then came in, and Moniak lined a base-hit to left to knock in a pair. While it didn’t lead to any more runs scoring, Hill overran the ball in left, which allowed Moniak to reach second. It was just a brutal exclamation point, as the score was now 10-7.

Parker Mushinski threw a scoreless bottom of the sixth. Brett Sullivan then hit a three-run home run off Keaton Winn in the top of the seventh to open it up to 13-7, and put the game away.

As for the Giants’ bullpen the rest of the way, Trent Harris threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and Jason Foley threw a one two three top of the ninth.

Despite his shaky bottom of the fifth, Nick Frasso got the win. Sam Hentges took the loss.

The Rockies have indeed won the season series against the Giants 7-6. The Giants fall to 51-73 on the season.

Now, it’s back on the road for the Giants. They will play three in Cleveland against the Guardians starting on Tuesday, followed by three at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox starting Friday.

The series in Cleveland will be a reunion with catcher Patrick Bailey, whom the Giants traded to the Guardians on May 9. How well he does in this series, and how many walk-off home runs he hits, remain to be seen.

Starting pitchers for San Francisco LHP Carson Whisenhunt (3-3 ERA 6.11) will take the ball in what will be a matchup of lefties in the series opener on Tuesday for Cleveland LHP.Foster Griffin (13-4 ERA 3.25).

First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m. EDT in Cleveland, 3:40 p.m. PDT back home in San Francisco.

Buster gives Tony his confidence:

President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey made it clear that Tony Vitello will return as the Giants’ skipper next season.

With the Giants’ brutal 51-73 season to this point under the rookie big league manager, there had been speculation about Vitello’s future. That is despite the fact that there are two years remaining on his contract, and despite the fact that moving on from Vitello would mean the Giants bringing in their fourth manager in five years.

Posey dispelled any rumors about Vitello’s future with a blunt “he’s coming back.”