San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Rockies-Giants conclude 3 game set at Oracle Park Sunday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants starter Blade Tidwell (46) gets the nod against the Colorado Rockies Sun Aug 16, 2026 (photo from Yahoo Sports)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen if the San Francisco Giants win this game against the Colorado Rockies that would make them .500 at 8-8 in rubber game for the 2026 season.

#2 The Giants in their season series with the Rockies are 6-6 in their 12 match ups San Francisco are 4-2 at Oracle Park and 2-4 at Coors Field in Denver.

#3 The Giants lead the Rockies with five straight series wins going back to 2021. The last time the Giants lost a series to the Rocks was going back to 2020. The Giants going back to 2019 have won six of the seven completed season series vs. the Rockies.

#4 Drew Gilbert connected for three hits including a home run on Saturday. For the season Gilbert is hitting .319, 11 runs scored, seven RBIs over the last 18 games since July 24.

#5 Starting pitchers for Sunday’s contest for Coloardo RHP Gabe Hughes (0-4 ERA 5.61) and for San Francisco RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 2.78)

San Francisco Giants podcasts with Stephen Ruderman are heard at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Becher’s brace powers St. Louis CITY to a 3-1 win over Earthquakes

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

St. Louis CITY striker Simon Becher battles for the ball against the San Jose Earthquakes during his team’s 3-1 victory at PayPal Park on Saturday AUG 15, 2026. (St. Louis City)

by Marko Ukalovic

SAN JOSE — Simon Becher had only scored two goals throughout the 2026 season.

Becher doubled his goal total with a brace as St. Louis CITY defeated the San Jose Earthquakes 3-1 on Saturday evening at PayPal Park.

San Jose has lost three out of its last four matches and has only earned one point since coming out of the World Cup break. St. Louis CITY has won five of its past six matches and have earned points in 10 consecutive matches.

St. Louis CITY (8-6-5-29 points) drew first blood in the eighth minute. Sang Bin Jeong found Conrad Wallem inside the box. Wallem centered the ball into the middle where Daniel Edleman beat Quakes goalie Angus Gunn with a one-timer to the right corner for his third goal of the season.

It was another slow start for San Jose (10-6-3-33 points) as they found themselves chasing the game early in the match. They have conceded the first goal in three of its past four matches.

CITY doubled its lead off of a set piece in the 27th minute. Eduard Löwen sent in a corner kick perfectly to an unmarked Simon Becher who headed the ball past Gunn for his second goal of the season. San Jose was caught flat footed as Becher was able to get behind Quakes fullback Daniel Munie for the easy goal.

The Earthquakes had an uninspiring first half as they played on the heels defending St. Louis’ attack in the opening 45 minutes.

San Jose responded right away to start the second half by cutting their deficit in half. Timo Werner’s free kick into the box was headed out by CITY defender Timo Baumgarti. Quakes midfielder Beau Leroux one-timed the ball out of midair and past CITY goalkeeper Roman Burki for his third goal of the season in the 47th minute.

St. Louis regained its two-goal lead in the 55th minute. A long ball was chased down by Tomas Totland down the left wing. Totland calmly centered the ball into the middle of the box where a crashing Becher one-timed the ball into the back of the net with a high right footed shot to record his brace and fourth goal of the season.

Tempers flared late in the match when Wellem made a hard foul against Werner as he pushed him out of bounds along the sideline in the 78th minute. A skirmish ensued with players pushing and shoving. Wellem was issued a yellow card.

The Quakes weren’t able to muster any more offense the rest of the match as St. Louis controlled the possession and the scoring chances in the final 10 minutes of the match.

Burki finished with one save on the two shots on target to earn the victory. Gunn had four saves on seven shots in the losing effort.

GAME NOTES: San Jose finished with four corner kicks. St. Louis had five.

UP NEXT: San Jose travels down to Los Angeles for the 106th California Classico on Wednesday August 19th at 7:30pm Dignity Health Sports Park.

Bolte Homers, but A’s Can’t Hold Off Rangers in 5-3 Loss

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

J.T. Ginn #35 of the Athletics pitches during the top of the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 15, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Coming off a sweep at the hands of the Rays in their last series, the A’s bounced back on Friday against the Rangers as they took game one of the three-game series, 8-3. On Saturday, the A’s and Rangers faced off in game two of the series at 6:41 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park.

Thanks to a big sixth inning, the Rangers managed to just edge the A’s in a 5-3 tilt on Saturday night.

J.T. Ginn got the start for the A’s, which was his 22nd start in 25 appearances with the club this year. Ginn has made big strides over what he was a year ago for the A’s, proving more mature and able to work himself deep into games. On Saturday, Ginn ran into a bit of trouble immediately in the first inning, but he managed to work out of it and cruised through the fourth inning of the game. However, it was the fifth and sixth innings that did Ginn in as he gave up four runs across those two innings. All in, Ginn managed to get through six innings of work while surrendering four runs on eight hits while walking none and striking out seven.

“J.T. obviously has been our best this year,” Mark Kotsay said after the game. “So overall, a line like this in this ballpark, four runs, six innings, you don’t walk off here saying it’s not a battle. He had seven punchouts, I think one walk. So maybe not his best night, but he gave us a chance to win the game.”

First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Brady Basso as he came on to relieve Ginn in the seventh inning. Basso pitched well in his outing as he went one and two-thirds innings of work while allowing no runs on one hit and striking out two.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Scott Blewett to wrap up the eighth inning, but Blewett didn’t throw any pitches in the eighth as the A’s executed a pickoff at first base to record the last out of the inning. It was Blewett back out to finish the game in the ninth inning. Scott wasn’t able to pitch a clean ninth as the Rangers got to him for a run to extend their lead to 5-3 heading into the bottom half. Blewett was able to get out of the ninth, limiting the damage as the Rangers scored one run on two hits while striking out once and walking one time against Blewett in his inning and a third of work.

The A’s offense appeared to be hot early, but they finished the game scoring just three runs on eight hits and walking three times.

The A’s recorded their first runs of the game in the second inning when Henry Bolte came up with the clutch two-out knock. Bolte, with two outs and two on, drove a ball just over the wall in left field that clanked off the outside of the foul pole.

The call was ruled foul after a quick meeting of the umpires, and Mark Kotsay asked for a crew chief review, a request the umpires granted. The review ultimately showed the ball hit the pole, and they correctly ruled it a home run. It was Bolte’s sixth home run of the season and gave him RBIs 23, 24 and 25 on the season. The ball traveled 341 feet and left Bolte’s bat at 102.1 mph and at a 22-degree launch angle to give the A’s the 3-0 lead at the time.

That was all the offense the A’s could muster as they went out in the ninth inning unable to mount a sufficient offensive comeback, or really any offense since the second inning.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 48-75 on the season as the Rangers improved to 61-63.

The A’s and Rangers will play the rubber game of their three-game series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PDT. The A’s are scheduled to send Jacob Lopez (5-4, 5.38 ERA) to the hill to start for them as the Rangers will counter with Cody Bradford (0-1, 2.38 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

Aces Come Close But Fall to the Lynx 92-87

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) blocks a shot on the Minnesota Lynx forward Napheesa Collier (24) in the first half at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Sat Aug 15, 2026 (AP News photo)

By. Rich Perez

Saturday night the Las Vegas Aces (24-12) lost to the Number one Minnesota Lynx (29-7) at Michelob ULTRA Arena 92-87. The Aces couldn’t knock off the best in the WNBA.

The first two quarters were played on an equal playing floor. The Lynx outscored the Aces in the first quarter 23-19 taking a four-point lead going into the second quarter. The Aces came right back outscoring the Lynx in the second 29-25 and going into the half this game was tied at 48.

It was anyone’s game going into the third quarter. The tide began to change in the third quarter as the Lynx began to distance themselves from the Aces. Las Vegas got sloppy mid-way through the quarter with far too many turnovers and as the quarter came to an end they trailed by 12 points 74-66.

The Aces pushed back in the fourth quarter and at 7:27 trailed by a single point 74-73. The Lynx put an end to the Aces’s push taking a 80-73 lead. Las Vegas had not shot well from beyond the arc which had been a part of the struggles shooting at only 31%.. Minnesota picked up their 15th straight road win.

GAME RECAP

The first quarter of this game could not have been closer with both teams battling for an early lead. The Aces had a very competitive first quarter but were not particularly efficient.

The Lynx were making the Aces work really hard for their shots. Las Vegas had some trouble generating some consistent offense. Despite trailing by four points after the first ten minutes of play this was very manageable.

Of the utmost importance to the Aces going into the second quarter was taking care of the ball and especially getting A’Ja Wilson more involved offensively. They would need to disrupt the Lynx’s offense.

Las Vegas did outscore the Lynx in the second quarter 29-25 which tied up the game going into the half 48-48, It was anyone’s game with Las Vegas remaining extremely competitive.

Mid-way through the third quarter the Aces played a sloppy stretch turning the ball over six times although the Aces had forced 13 Minnesota turnovers. As the quarter came to an end Minnesota had estalished a ten-point lead 74-64. Las Vegas had some work to do and only a single quarter to do it.

The Aces threatened in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter. Two minutes into the quarter Las Vegas had rallied cutting the Minnesota ten-point lead down to three points trailing 74-71.

The Aces continued to threaten but were missing a lot of open shots. Minnesota already had six players in double digits while Las Vegas had only two. They desperatly needed Jackie Young to step up in the final four minutes of the game.

The Aces continued to trail by five points but not make much more headway. The Lynx were relentless answering every Las Vegas basket with one of their own. With two minutes left on the clock the Lynx were clinging onto a 88-82 lead.

Down the stretch the Aces missed some critical shots spelling the difference in this game. A’Ja Wilson would hit two free throws but the 88-84 score with 1:09 left in the game was just enough to seal the deal for Minnesota. The final was 92-87 and the Lynx had won their 15th straight road win.

GAME NOTES

What was so frustrating for Las Vegas was the third quarter struggles. This game had been extremely competitive. The game was tied at the half 48-48, but the struggles in the third quarter were really hard to overcome.

Las Vegas tried to rally in the fourth coming as close as a single point but only won the quarter by four points 20-16, The Lynx’s defense had really tightened up in the third quarter which may have had a lot to do with some of the Las Vegas struggles.

The Aces could not turn their fourth quarter push into a complete comeback. Las Vegas got close in this game but Minnesota made some key defensive plays and free throws down the stretch to secure the win. The Aces were playing well enough to win this game at the half but but lost the game in the third quarter.

The high score in this game was the Aces A’Ja Wilson finishing with 32 points. Nalyssa Smith had a double double with 17 points and 12 rebounds. She played a great game. Chelsea Gray finished with12 points and Jewell Loyd had ten off the bench.

One of the big pluses for the Lynx was the consistent scoring from their starters. Every one of them had double digits with Olivia Miles’s 23 points the team high. Natasha Howard had a double double, 13 points with 11 rebounds.

It was a tough loss for Las Vegas coming so close but falling short. This will sting for awhile but throughout the game they had opportunities proving that they can hang with the best. They will be back on the court this coming Tuesday matching up with the Atlanta Dream. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Giants explode for six-run fourth inning to back solid start from Webb in 7-1 win over Rockies

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Saturday, Aug. 15, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 1 (49-74)

San Francisco Giants 7 (51-72)

Win: Logan Webb (8-7)

Loss: Michael Lorenzen (3-11)

Time: 2:26

Attendance: 35,069

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO– San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb was solid, as he gave up a run, and struck out seven over six innings. He was backed up by the Giants’ offense, which exploded for six runs off of Colorado Rockies starter Michael Lorenzen in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Giants won 7-1 Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park.

Webb was once again the stopper, following a lifeless performance by the Giants’ offense in a 5-2 loss Friday night. If you want to know honesty, it was possibly the worst overall-played game in baseball this season.

Turner Hill was in the lineup and left field to make his major league debut Saturday, and he got to catch the first out of the game. Welcome to the big leagues, kid!

Webb threw a one two three top of the first inning to open things up, and the Giants would come up against Lorenzen in the bottom of the first. Like Kyle Freeland Friday night, Lorenzen came into today’s game 3-10.

Webb threw a scoreless top of the second, which included his100th-career strikeout. Webb struck out the side, and it was a good thing his strikeout of Zac Veen for the second out was his100th K. He struck out TJ Rumfield on, get this, a pitch clock violation for the first out of the inning.

The Rockies manufactured a run with three-straight singles on three-straight pitches with one out in the top of the third. Drew Gilbert responded, and tied the game with a home run to right with one out in the bottom of the third.

Webb settled back down for a one two three top of the fourth. As for Lorenzen, the Giants would have their way with him in the bottom of the fourth.

Jung Hoo Lee and Oseleivis Basabe opened the bottom of the fourth with base-hits. Drew Cavanaugh then walked to load the bases for the kid, Turner Hill. Hill wouldn’t have his Brian Dallimore moment with a grand slam, but he would give the Giants the lead with a sacrifice fly to left field to knock in Lee.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Drew Gilbert grounded a base-hit up the middle, and into center field to knock in a pair of runs. That made it 4-1, and the beat went on.

Parker Mushinski replaced Lorenzen, and Rafael Devers hit a ground rule double that bounced off the left field foul pole to make it 5-1. Gilbert then scored on a wild pitch to make it 6-1.

Bryce Eldridge topped it off when he poked a base-hit to center. That gave Eldridge a six-game hitting streak, and it capped off a six-run inning for the Giants.

Webb threw a shutdown one two three top of the fifth. There was a bit of a scary moment when Brett Sullivan led off the inning line drive off Webb’s pitching arm, which ricocheted to Christian Koss for a 1-6-3 putout. It was a painful assist for Webb, but he stayed in the game, and went back out to throw a one two three top of the sixth.

Webb was done after six. He gave up just the run on four hits, and he struck out seven.

With the Giants up 7-1, it was smooth sailing for the Giants’ bullpen. Carson Seymour threw a scoreless top of the seventh, and a one two three top of the eighth. Dylan Smith ended it with a one two three top of the ninth.

Logan Webb got the win. Unlike Kyle Freeland last night, Michael Lorenzen did not get his fourth win of the season. Instead, he took the loss.

The Giants improve to 51-72.

RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 2.78) will take the mound, as the Giants will try to take the series in the rubber match Sunday. RHP Gabriel Hughes (0-4 ERA 5.61) will go for the Rockies.

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Eldrige home run could have motivated SF against Rockies

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Bryce Eldridge (8) seen here running the bases after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning against the Houston Astros on Aug 11, 2026. Eldridge hit another home run against the Colorado Rockies on Fri Aug 14, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Bryce Eldridge hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. How important was his homer in giving the Giants an early offensive spark?

#2 Landen Roupp allowed four runs in 5⅔ innings. What were the biggest challenges he faced against Colorado’s lineup?

#3 Rafael Devers drove in the Giants’ second run with a ninth-inning double. What did his late hit reveal about the Giants’ ability to mount a comeback?

#4 Jonah Cox tripled in the ninth inning before scoring on Devers’ double. How did Cox help create the Giants’ final scoring opportunity?

#5 Jung Hoo Lee was one of the Giants’ key hitters in the lineup. What could San Francisco have done differently offensively to generate more runs against Kyle Freeland, who allowed only one run over eight innings?

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer and does Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Caitlin Clark The Savior of the WNBA 

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Caitlin Clark guard (22) of the Indiana Fever drives on the Chicago Sky forward Isabelle Harrison (20) at the United Center on Jun 23, 2024. Clark is looked at as the savior of the WNBA who struggled before she joined the league (AP News photo)

Caitlin Clark: The Savior of the WNBA

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Historically, the WNBA was an obscure basketball league; it received little media coverage, few people attended its games, and even the Poker championship on ESPN had higher TV ratings; in other words, nobody followed the WNBA. Compared to the NBA, the WNBA was like an “afterthought”. By the way, Australia and China also have similar leagues of lesser caliber; nonetheless, they are professional women’s leagues.

If you are of age, you can remember Cassius Clay (later Muhammad Ali), who brought boxing back from the dark days of obscurity, making professional boxing a huge mainstream sport with multi-million-dollar fights/contracts and television like never before. I am not comparing Caitlin Clark to Muhammad Ali, who became a world figure, an iconic cultural figure who, during his boxing years, was much more recognized worldwide than U.S. presidents.  Ali definitely changed boxing; he was the main promoter. The “Thrilla in Manila” Ali vs Frazier fight in 1975 had a global audience estimated at up to 1 billion.

Before Caitlin Clark played in the WNBA, the average player salary was around $60,000; today, it’s around $600,000. A’.Ja Wilson of the Las Vegas Aces earns $1,400,000, and she is not alone; other players have similar contracts in a league that was once barely mentioned, -if at all- in sports newsrooms across the country. I know because I was there.

Some WNBA teams are owned by high-profile owners, like the Golden State Valkyries, owned by Joe Lacob and Peter Guber (co-owners of the NBA Golden State Warriors), and the Las Vegas Aces, owned by Mark Davis, owner of the NFL Las Vegas Raiders, and partial owner Tom Brady. The Aces won the championship last season.

Players’ unions do not build statues for their players; that is left to team management to do for their biggest stars, who are their employees, but a case could be made that a statue would someday be built for Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever because she made this league what it is today.

I know the “Savior” label isn’t popular with existing players, because some veterans feel they aren’t recognized for the work and talent they also brought to the league, and let’s face it, jealousy exists.  But considering where the WNBA was when they were founded in 1996 and where it is today, in my opinion, Caitlin Clark saved this league because it is true, like it or not.

Quote: “Go after things people say you can’t do because more times than not, you can.” -Caitlin Clark

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 Tony Harvey: McNeil and Butler do some home run damage beating Rangers 8-3

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Jeff McNeil (22) high fives Lawrence Butler (4) after hitting a home run in the bottom of the sixth inning off the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 Sacramento A’s right hander Justin Sterner had right knee surgery in Los Angeles on Thursday. Sterner will miss the remaining of the 2026 season. Sterner came to Sacramento on Friday for rehabilitation process. Sterner had been out since July 17th going 2-3 with a 6.12 ERA over 42.2 innings.

#2 The A’s upended the Texas Rangers on Friday night 8-3 after getting swept by the Tampa Bay Rays in three games.

#3 The A’s opened up the contest scoring three runs in the bottom of the third inning off Rangers starter Kumar Rocker when Carlos Cortez hit a three run double to right field making it 3-0.

#4 The A’s Jeff McNeil homered in the sixth inning and Lawrence Butler homered in the seventh inning. making it 5-3. In the bottom eighth inning Henry Bolte hit an infield ground out to score Tommy White making it 6-3 and McNeil hit a two run double to make it 8-3.

#5 Starting pitchers Saturday for the Texas Rangers LHP MacKenzie Gore (6-9 ERA 4.43) for Sacramento RHP JT Ginn (8-6 ERA 3.41) first pitch 1:05pm PDT at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

Tony Harvey does the A’s podcasts each Saturday 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. 

Weird weather combo leads to weird game combo of boring and entertaining, as Rockies score four off Roupp for 5-2 win over Giants

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Colorado Rockies Zac Veen flips his bat after connecting for a sixth inning two run home run against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco Fri Aug 14, 2026 (AP News photo)

Friday, Aug. 14, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 5 (49-73)

San Francisco Giants 2 (50-72)

Win: Kyle Freeland (4-10)

Loss: Landen Roupp (7-12)

Time: 2:28

Attendance: 38,258

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Colorado Rockies got to Landed Roupp for four runs, and the San Francisco Giants’ offense sputtered against Kyle Freeland, as the Rockies took what may have been the worst overall game played in baseball this season 5-2.

The Giants were hoisting the Rockies, who came into Friday night two games behind the Giants for fourth place. Or shall, I say the Giants were two games up on the Rockies in terms of avoiding last place.

It was a cold and foggy night, but also a humid and monsoonal night here at Oracle Park. With the super El Nino taking shape across the Pacific Ocean, the monsoonal moisture from the desert has been pushed northwards into the mediterranean climate of Northern California. Combine the marine layer with that monsoonal moisture, and you have yourself an interesting night of weather.

Anyway, Landen Roupp took the ball for the Giants, and opened the game with a one two three top of the first inning. Granted, it helped that Jonah Cox, who was just called back up from Triple-A Sacramento, made a spectacular leaping catch at the track in left-center field to take away at least extra bases from Mickey Moniak.

The Giants would be up against the left-hander, Kyle Freeland, who came into Friday night’s game at 3-10 with a 6.63 ERA. Friday night, Freeland would look like Sandy Koufax against this listless Giants’ offense. In case anyone is wondering, Freeland, too, started his night with a one two three first inning.

Roupp pitched scoreless innings in the second and third. Freeland threw a scoreless bottom of the second.

The Giants had a shot against Freeland in the bottom of the third. They wouldn’t score, but we did get a little bit of entertainment. With Christian Koss at second base and one out, Cox hit a ground ball to short. Koss made a classic rookie mistake, and started to take off for third on a ground ball to the shortstop, but Ezequial Tovar’s throw to third was dropped by Willi Castro. Despite that, Koss went back to second. Hey, that’s what you get in a game between the Giants and the Rockies.

Roupp set down the first two men he faced in the top of the fourth. However, the Rockies manufactured a two-out run.

Bryce Eldridge responded with a home run to center to lead off the bottom of the fourth. For Eldridge, it was his 13th home run of the season.

The Rockies retook the lead in the top of the fifth, and added two more on a bomb and water shot by Zac Veen in the top of the sixth. Jung Hoo Lee just turned around, and didn’t even move. As for Veen, he has hit two home runs in six big league at-bats this season.

Roupp ended up going five and two thirds. As for Freeland, he went eight innings. Freeland only struck out two, which kept his pitch count to 95.

The Rockies scored a run in the top of the ninth. The Giants would get one in the bottom of the ninth against Brennan Bernardino on an RBI double by Rafael Devers. 

Then, we would have some more entertainment. With nobody out, and Devers at second, Rockies’ center-fielder Cole Cerrig made a spectacular diving catch on a blooper off the bat of Bryce Eldridge. Devers just kept going to third, and was easily doubled off at second. Tony Vitello challenged the play, but well, to no avail.

Just as it was both cold and humid here at Oracle Park Friday night, this game was both boring and entertaining. It was just a weird night here at Oracle Park.

Kyle Freeland got his fourth win of the season, and Landen Roupp took the loss. Roupp is 2-9 since June 10.

The Giants fall to 22 games under .500 at 50-72, and are just a game up on the Rockies. This is only the second season since 1996 that the Giants have been 22 games under .500. The other season, of course, was 2017.

The good news is that there will be a quick turnaround Saturday. For San Francisco Logan Webb (7-7 ERA 3.59) will be the starter, and he will be opposed by Colorado’s Michael Lorenzen (3-10 ERA 6.83).

First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

Busy day of moves:

Friday, the Giants made a flurry of roster moves in addition to Jonah Cox being called back up. Grant McCray and Nate Furman were sent back down to Triple-A Sacramento. 

Most importantly, outfielder Turner Hill was called up. Hill was too good for Double-A, and thus only lasted a couple of weeks in Richmond. He hit .353 in Sacramento, and was riding a 26-game hitting streak when he was called up. 

I say Hill’s callup was the most important, because he had 40 friends and family on hand here at Oracle Park Friday night. 

Matt Chapman was moved to the 60-day Injured List to make room on the 40-man roster for Hill.

All-Star Game returns to San Francisco:

Friday, Major League Baseball announced that the 2028 All-Star Game will be played at Oracle Park. 

It was generally understood that for the All-Star Game to come back to San Francisco in 2028, major league players would participate in a six-day tournament as part of the 2028 Summer Olympics at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

The Giants last hosted the All-Star Game in 2007. Barry Bonds and Willie Mays came out from center field during an emotional pregame ceremony. Bonds started that game, and hit second in Tony LaRussa’s National League lineup. 

Ichiro hit his famous inside-the-park home run, and Eric Byrnes’ dog jumped into McCovey Cove. Aaron Rowand got his first taste of the home clubhouse and dugout here at then-AT&T Park, where he would spend the next four seasons. Best of all, the late, great Bruce Froemming was the home plate umpire.

The American League won 5-4.

A’s Bounce Back With 8-3 Win Over Rangers Behind McNeil’s Four-Hit Night

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Gage Jump #61 of the Sacramento Athletics pitches during the top of the second inning against the Texas Rangers at Sutter Health Park on August 14, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Photo by Scott Marshall/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — After a rough three-game series for the Sacramento A’s against the Tampa Bay Rays in Sacramento, where they were swept and outscored 30-14, the A’s welcomed the Rangers to Sutter Health Park for a three-game series on Friday night. After the day game on Wednesday followed by the off day on Thursday, the A’s and Rangers kicked off at 6:40 p.m. PDT under clear skies at a perfect 77 degrees.

The A’s beat the Rangers in game one of the series, 8-3.

Gage Jump took the mound for the A’s in the first game of the series in what was his 14th appearance this year for the A’s (all starts). Jump tried to build off his last outing, which was a six-inning, two-run performance, and he largely did that. Jump cruised through the first five innings on Friday as he faced only four over the minimum (including a fielding error).

However, it was the sixth inning that Jump found himself in trouble. Jump got the first man in the sixth but followed that up with a walk, single and then a three-run, game-tying home run. Kotsay pulled Jump after the home run that spoiled his outing, albeit still leaving with the game tied. Overall, Jump managed five and a third innings, giving up three runs on three hits while walking four and striking out one.

Mark Kotsay thought Jump pitched well, albeit without having his best command.

“Yeah, overall I thought it was a solid outing,” Kotsay said of Jump. “He probably didn’t have the best command of everything tonight, but I thought he worked that lineup really well.”

First out of the bullpen to finish the sixth inning in relief of Jump was Luis Medina. Medina managed to strike out two and get out of the sixth inning with relative ease. Medina again went back out for the seventh inning and was able to record two groundouts before being lifted by Mark Kotsay. Medina finished with a line of one and a third innings of work while allowing no runs and no hits and walking just one batter. Medina struck out two of the five batters he faced.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Drew Rom next out of the bullpen for the A’s. Drew recorded the final out of the seventh and the first out of the eighth before giving up a double and being pulled by the A’s. Overall, Rom faced three hitters and retired two of them in his two-thirds of an inning scoreless.

Elvis Alvarado came on next for the A’s and managed to get the final two outs of the eighth inning without allowing the runner from second (that he inherited) to score. A pumped Elvis walked off the mound after finishing off the Rangers in the eighth with a strikeout and a flyout. Elvis allowed nothing but a walk while striking out one in his two-thirds of an inning of work.

Hogan Harris was the last man out of the bullpen for the A’s as he pitched the ninth inning. Harris pitched a clean ninth inning other than an E5 that caused a runner to reach base.

The A’s offense took advantage of all their opportunities on Friday as they managed eight runs while gathering nine hits and seven walks.

The A’s first runs came in the first inning of the game thanks to some Carlos Cortes heroics. Cortes, with the bases loaded and two outs, drilled a three-RBI double to the right-center field gap to clear the bases in the first inning. It was the 15th double of the year for Cortes and RBIs 33, 34 and 35 for the left-handed outfielder.

The A’s next run came in the sixth inning thanks to Jeff McNeil. McNeil connected on just his fifth home run of the season on a low rope over the bullpen in right-center field. It was RBI No. 37 for McNeil as he gave the A’s back the lead at the time, 4-3. The home run left Jeff’s bat at 101.5 mph and traveled 400 feet with a 26-degree launch angle.

The A’s got back on the board with another run, this time in the seventh inning and courtesy of Lawrence Butler. Butler drove a solo home run over the wall in center field to give the A’s, at the time, the 5-3 lead. It was Butler’s 10th homer of the season and was good for his 34th RBI of the campaign. The ball left Butler’s bat at 103.4 mph and landed 411 feet away from home plate beyond the wall in center field just left of the grass berm.

In the eighth inning, the A’s put a crooked number up to seal the deal against the Rangers. Henry Bolte hit into a fielder’s choice to the catcher, who then threw the ball away down the left-field line. The throwing error by the catcher allowed Tommy White to score and extended the A’s lead to 6-3.

Jeff McNeil, who already had a single, double and home run in the game, stepped up next and ripped a two-RBI double down the right-field line to put the A’s up 8-3. McNeil rounded the corner at second hard but slammed on the brakes as he thought about going for the cycle. It was McNeil’s fourth hit of the game and RBIs 38 and 39 on the season.

With the win, the A’s improved to 48-74 as the Rangers fell to 60-63.

The A’s and Rangers will play game two of the three-game series on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.41 ERA) is scheduled to start for the A’s as the Rangers will send MacKenzie Gore (6-9, 4.43 ERA) to the hill.

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