Tag: Cincinnati Reds

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

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

San Francisco Giants game wrap:

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cincinnati Reds 10 (63-71)

San Francisco Giants 9 (54-79)

Win: Tony Santillan (2-4)

Loss: Dylan Smith (0-5)

Save: Emilio Pagan (17)

Time: 3:15

Attendance: 24,130

By Stephen Ruderman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anthony Molina

Giants lose another pitcher but still beat Reds 3-1

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

By Vince Cestone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Rafael Devers

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

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

By Vince Cestone

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

San Francisco Giants podcast Ryan Hannagan: Giants Wisenhunt gets the call against Reds Monday to open series

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San Francisco Giants starter Carson Wisenhunt will face the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon Aug 24, 2026 (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Ryan Hannagan:

#1 How did Jonah Cox contribute offensively for the San Francisco Giants against the Boston Red Sox, and what milestone did he reach with his home run?

#2 What impact did Bryce Eldridge have at the plate after collecting two hits and an RBI Eldridge is out due to the passing of his grandfather?

#3 How did Victor Bericoto’s RBI single help the Giants establish an early lead, and what happened to him later in the game?

#4 How did Christian Koss’s seventh-inning inside-the-park-style home run briefly give the Giants momentum, and why couldn’t San Francisco hold on?

#5 The Giants open up a three game set with the Cincinnati Reds at Oracle Park on Monday night going for Cincinnati RHP Chase Burns (14-2 ERA 2.51) for San Francisco LHP Carson Wisenhunt (3-4, ERA 7.03) first pitch 6:45pm PDT

Ryan Hannagan filled in for Marko Ukalovic for the San Francisco Giants podcasts heard each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Giants Get Swept By Red Sox After Taking Early Lead 5-4

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The bat of the Boston Red Sox Wilson Contreas (right) just misses San Francisco Giants catcher Andrew Knizner (left) in the bottom of the third inning at Fenway Park in Boston (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Sunday afternoon the San Francisco Giants (52-77) finished up their series with the Boston Red Sox (70-59) looking to avoid being swept. Once again the Giants took an early lead scoring two runs in the first inning.

They would score another run in the top of the second taking a 3-0 lead when Jonah Cox hit a solo homer. The Red Sox began to make their move in the bottom of the second inning scoring a run off a Nick Sogard long ball and the score was 3-1.

Boston struck again in the third inning scoring another run and the San Francisco lead was in jeopardy the score now 3-2. The fourth inning was disastrous for Giants starting pitcher Matt Wilkinson who had already given up three runs and now giving another couple of doubles and the tying run in the game.

With the score tied at three JT Brubaker relieved Wilkinson only to allow two more Red Sox runs. Boston took the 5-3 lead into the seventh inning. San Francisco scored a run in the seventh inning and trailed by a single run 5-4 but did not threaten again.

They were unable to tie up this game in the eighth inning. They went three and out in the ninth inning. Aroldis Chapman who is having an excellent season had yet another win under his belt with Sunday’s save in the top of the ninth inning. With the 5-4 win, the Red Sox had swept the series. Boston now trails the Yankees by three games in the American League East.

GAME RECAP

The San Giants got another nice start in game three of their series with the Boston Red Sox. Rafael Devers walked and advanced to third on a Willy Adames single. Bryce Eldridge also singled and drove Devers home for the first run of the game.

Victor Bericoto singled and the Giants were having a very productive first inning. The Bericoto single drove in Adames and San Francisco had a 2-0 lead. Matt Wilkinson got his second start in this game after a great start last week. He struggled to start giving up two singles but Boston was unable to score leaving the two runners stranded.

The Giants Jonah Cox homered to start the second inning and San Francisco had a 3-0 lead going into the bottom of the third. The Red Sox forged their comeback starting in the bottom of the inning with a Nick Sogard home run cutting the Giants lead to 3-1.

San Francisco got very little offense in the top of the third inning. Boston continued their rally in the bottom of the inning. Jahmai Jones tripled and a Ceddanne Rafaela single drove Jones home for a second run and with the score 3-2 things got a bit uncomfortable for the Giants. Giants starting pitcher Wilkinson started to struggle giving up three runs, a triple and a home run through three innings.

There was more trouble awaiting Matt Wilkinson giving up two doubles to start the fourth inning and would be relieved by JT Brubaker. Nick Sogard doubled and drove Connor Wong home and this game was tied at three apiece. Brubaker gave up a Mickey Gasper double and with Wong on base another run came home and the Red Sox had taken the lead 4-3. A Rafaela single drove Gasper home and Boston went into the fifth inning now leading 5-3

Boston took the 5-3 lead into the seventh inning. San Francisco finally had their first base runner in the top of the seventh since the fourth inning their offense becoming very quiet Christian Koss had reached first base on an infield single and scored on a throwing error by Wilyer Abreu.

The Giants now trailed by a single run 5-4. The Red Sox went three and out with Sam Hentges on the mound. Hentges had relieved Brubaker since the middle of the sixth inning.

San Francisco struggled in the eighth inning unable to get that tying run and this game went into the top of the ninth inning with the Red Sox still leading 5-4. The Giants were down to their last three outs.

Aroldis Chapman would try to close out this game for the Red Sox and finish the series with a sweep. Jung Hoo Lee grounded out for the first out. Andrew Knizner ground out and Jonah Cox struck out and that was the ball game with the Red Sox sweeping this series and winning game three 5-4. Despite trailing at times during this series Boston continued to find a way to win and the Giants continue to try and weather some serious struggles.

GAME NOTES

The bottom of the fourth inning was the turning point of this game. The Giants looked excellent early in the game but it turned around quickly. They scored the two early runs and added another in the top of the third but their offense went pretty cold for the rest of the game.

Boston began to chip away with runs in the second and third innings. Then it all came apart in the fourth inning when Boston scored three runs taking a 5-3 lead. All the momentum swung in favor of the Red Sox at that point.

The Giants did fight back scoring a run in the seventh inning but just couldn’t get that tying run. San Francisco couldn’t stop Boston’s middle-inning comeback. Once the Red Sox took that 5-3 lead the Giants were playing catch-up for the rest of the game. The Giants were in position to avoid getting swept but a stalled out offense put that to rest.

San Francisco starting pitcher Matt Wilkinson had a bit of a mixed but encouraging outing today. He pitched 3 2/3 innings. He was able to give the Giants nearly four innings in only his second major-league start.

He gave up seven hits, four earned runs with two strikeouts and now has a 6.35 ERA. He was able to keep Boston from immediately blowing the game wide open after the Giants took their early lead. Most importantly, he was not the reason that San Francisco lost. The biggest issue was what happened after he left and Boston was able to turn the game around.

Monday San Francisco will take on the Cincinnati Reds in a three game series back home at Oracle Park. Carson Whisenhunt will take the mound for the Giants with a 3-4 win/loss record and a 7.03 ERA. The Reds plan on starting Chase Burns. He has a 14-2 win/loss record and a 2.51 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:45 PM.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Serven’s Ninth-Inning Shot Comes Up One Run Short; A’s get swept by Reds in 6-5 contest Thursday

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Sacramento A’s starter Mason Barnett pitches to the Cincinnati Reds in the bottom of the first inning at Great American Park in Cincinnati on Thu Aug 6, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s game wrap:

By Mauicio Segura

Brian Serven gave the Athletics one final surge, but Cincinnati had already built just enough room to survive. After Lawrence Butler reached on an infield single and advanced on Elly De La Cruz’s throwing error, Serven sent a two-run homer to left-center, trimming a three-run deficit to one.

The rally ended there, however, as Alika Williams grounded out and Jonathan Ornelas struck out, sealing a 6-5 Reds victory and the Athletics’ eighth consecutive loss. The A’s were swept in the three-game series and dropped to 45-70.

Cincinnati wasted little time taking the lead. De La Cruz opened the bottom of the first with a home run to left-center, giving the Reds a 1-0 advantage before Mason Barnett had recorded an out. Barnett recovered well enough to avoid further damage, helped by one of the game’s strangest sequences.

Serven successfully challenged a call involving Tyler Stephenson, who was ruled out on strikes, while JJ Bleday was also caught stealing for an inning-ending double play.

The Athletics broke through in the fourth. Henry Bolte and Tommy White opened the inning with singles, and Jonah Heim drew a walk to load the bases. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a two-run single through the middle, scoring Bolte and White for a 2-1 advantage. Max Muncy added another single to reload the bases, and Butler’s ground-ball double play brought Heim home for a 3-1 lead.

That inning also showed the cost of giving away outs. Heim had already grounded into a double play in the first, and Butler’s fourth-inning twin killing limited what might have become a much larger rally. The A’s entered the game tied for second in the majors with 88 ground-ball double plays, and two more proved especially costly.

The Reds erased the lead almost immediately. Sal Stewart and Stephenson hit solo homers in the bottom of the fourth, tying the game at 3-3. Barnett returned for the fifth but hit Matt McLain, allowed a single to Stewart and issued a walk to Bleday, loading the bases with one out. Elvis Alvarado replaced him and struck out Stephenson, but consecutive bases-loaded walks to Eugenio Suárez and Dane Myers pushed Cincinnati ahead 5-3.

Barnett was charged with five runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings. He struck out seven, but three of Cincinnati’s hits against him cleared the fence. Andrew Abbott, meanwhile, settled after the fourth and completed 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with four strikeouts. Bleday gave the Reds their final run in the seventh, driving a Seth Johnson pitch over the wall in right-center for a 6-3 lead.

The Green and Gold entered the game with a seven-game skid and only four victories in their previous 27 contests. The defeat made it eight straight and dropped them to 4-24 since July 3. Serven’s late homer at least offered another encouraging moment since his July 26 recall. His previous homer, hit July 28, had been his first in the majors since August 2022.

The A’s will try to stop the slide in Boston, where Sacramento’s Jack Perkins (2-7, 6.72 ERA, 89 strikeouts) is scheduled to face Boston left-hander Payton Tolle (6-6, 3.30 ERA, 110 strikeouts), with first pitch set for 4:10 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. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy: A’s and Reds conclude 3 game series Thursday

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Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly Del La Cruz (left) gets the throw too late as the Sacramento A’s Henry Bolte (right) slides in safely into second base in the top of the seventh inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Wed Aug 5, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 Lawrence Butler is back in the lead off spot for the Sacramento A’s at the plate, and was able to provide the A’s with some offensive spark against the Reds with a RBI and a run scored?

#2 A’s starter Jacob Lopez kept the Cincinnati Reds to just two runs pitching five innings allowing four hits and a walk.

#3 The A’s Tyler Soderstrom continues to hit consistently with two at bats a run scored, one hits, two walks and he was able to successfully reach base twice.

#4 Catcher Jonah Heim called a good game for the A’s also had a hit and an RBI. and caught all four pitchers despite losing the game by a run.

#5 A’s and Reds conclude this three game series Thursday at Great American Park for a 9:40AM PDT first pitch. Starting pitchers for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (1-1 ERA 4.85) for Cincinnati LHP Andrew Abbott (5-7 ERA 3.91).

Join Bridget Mulcahy for the A’s podcasts each Wednesday 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. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Butler’s Opening Shot Isn’t Enough; Reds edge out A’s 3-2

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Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson and Lawrence Butler (4) celebrate Butler’s home run in the top of the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark on Wed Aug 5, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

Lawrence Butler opened the game with a home run to right-center, but the Sacramento Athletics could not build around it as the Cincinnati Reds earned a 3-2 victory. The loss stretched the A’s skid to seven games and guaranteed their 12th consecutive series defeat. Butler’s homer was his seventh of the season and his first away from home, adding another chapter to his unusual success against the Reds. He entered the game with six homers in only seven career meetings with Cincinnati.

Rhett Lowder recovered quickly after Butler’s swing. Tyler Soderstrom drew a one-out walk in the first, but Lowder struck out Jonah Heim and Jeff McNeil to end the inning. He then retired the Athletics in order in the second and third. Soderstrom drew another walk in the fourth, and Tommy White added a two-out single, but Donovan Walton grounded out to leave both runners aboard.

Jacob Lopez gave the A’s one of his strongest strikeout performances of the season. He struck out Elly De La Cruz, Sal Stewart and Dane Myers in order in the first, then recorded three more strikeouts in the second. Cincinnati still found a way to score. Noelvi Marte singled, stole second and scored when Jose Trevino sent a two-out grounder into left field.

Lopez kept the Reds from adding another run until the fifth. Matt McLain broke the tie with a solo home run to right-center, giving Cincinnati a 2-1 advantage. De La Cruz followed with a single, but Butler prevented further trouble by throwing him out at second base. Lopez finished with nine strikeouts over five innings, setting a new season high and finishing one short of his career best. He allowed two runs on four hits and one walk.

The Athletics answered in the sixth. Soderstrom singled to center and Heim drove a double into right, bringing Soderstrom home with the tying run. The hit was the 100th double of Heim’s career. Lowder prevented the inning from growing by retiring McNeil and White, completing six innings with two runs allowed on four hits, two walks and three strikeouts.

Cincinnati reclaimed the lead against Hayden Juenger in the bottom half. Stewart reached on a ground ball to the mound, Myers singled him to third and Marte lifted a sacrifice fly to right. Butler made the catch, but Stewart scored easily for a 3-2 Reds lead. José Suarez ended the inning without further damage, and Scott Blewett followed with two scoreless innings to keep the Athletics within one.

The A’s offense never produced another baserunner. Lowder retired the final two hitters he faced, and Cincinnati’s bullpen set down all nine batters after that. Brock Burke handled the seventh and began the eighth, Tejay Antone completed that inning, and Emilio Pagán finished the ninth for the save. In all, the final 11 Athletics hitters were retired.

McNeil’s pursuit of 1,000 career hits will continue after an 0-for-4 game left him at 999. The Athletics finished with four hits, and only Soderstrom reached base more than once. Butler supplied the first run, Heim supplied the second, and the rest of the lineup went 2-for-23.

The series finale Thursday will put Mason Barnett (1-1, 4.85 ERA, 29 strikeouts) opposite Hunter Greene (2-2, 6.83 ERA, 33 strikeouts), with the A’s trying to avoid a sweep when the first pitch is thrown at 9:40 a.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. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Three Wild Pitches Unravel the A’s 5-4 to Reds

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Cincinnati Reds Sal Stewart (left) doesn’t need to take off any more after sprouting wings and scoring against the Sacramento A’s and pitcher Hogan Harris (right) in the bottom of the eighth inning at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati on Tue Aug 4, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics carried a 4-3 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning and were six outs from ending a miserable five game skid Tuesday night at Great American Ballpark. Cincinnati never needed a hit to take it away. Two leadoff walks and three wild pitches unraveled the A’s bullpen, allowing the Reds to score twice and escape with a 5-4 victory. The loss extended the Athletics’ losing streak to six games after they had entered the series with five consecutive defeats.

J.T. Ginn gave the A’s exactly what they needed in his return from the injured list. Making his first start since recovering from a blister on his right middle finger, Ginn held Cincinnati scoreless through four innings and finished with six innings, five hits, three earned runs, two walks and five strikeouts over 91 pitches. His return followed a season in which he had already carried two no-hit bids through at least six innings, making him the first Athletics pitcher to do that twice in one year since Mark Mulder in 2001.

The Green and Gold gave Ginn the lead in the fourth. Tyler Soderstrom opened the inning with a double and scored when Jeff McNeil lined a single into right field. McNeil had also singled in the second, giving him 999 career hits after beginning the game three shy of 1,000. He now stands one hit away from a milestone that has been building across nine major league seasons.

The A’s doubled down in the fifth. Donovan Walton drew a leadoff walk, Henry Bolte singled and Lawrence Butler reached on a force play. Butler then stole second, placing two runners in scoring position for Jacob Wilson. The shortstop delivered a two-run double to left, scoring Walton and Butler for a 3-0 advantage.

Cincinnati erased it in the bottom half. Héctor Rodríguez drew a walk, Matt McLain doubled and Elly De La Cruz sent a two-run single into left. A wild pitch moved De La Cruz to third, and Sal Stewart’s sacrifice fly tied the game. Ginn recovered to finish the inning, then retired the Reds in order in the sixth.

Bolte helped the Athletics move back in front in the seventh while celebrating his 23rd birthday. He collected his second single, stole second and scored when De La Cruz’s throw to first sailed off target on Butler’s grounder. Bolte later added another single in the ninth, completing a three-hit birthday performance after entering the game batting .191 on the road.

Brady Basso protected the 4-3 lead with a perfect seventh, but the eighth became the turning point. Hogan Harris issued consecutive walks to De La Cruz and Stewart before striking out former Athletic JJ Bleday. Tyler Stephenson’s fly ball moved both runners ahead, and Harris bounced a pitch that allowed De La Cruz to score. Another slippery offering during Eugenio Suárez’s plate appearance brought Stewart home with the deciding run. Elvis Alvarado replaced Harris and threw a third wild pitch, though Cincinnati could not add to the lead.

The A’s still had a final chance against Emilio Pagán. Alika Williams beat out an infield single with one out, and Bolte’s two-out single moved him to second. Butler represented the go-ahead run, but Pagán struck him out to end it. The Athletics finished with eight hits and two stolen bases, yet another promising start disappeared before the final out.

Game 2 Wednesday brings Athletics left-hander Jacob Lopez, who is 5-4 with a 5.79 ERA and 61 strikeouts, against Reds right-hander Rhett Lowder, who is 3-7 with a 5.42 ERA and 70 strikeouts. First pitch is set for 3:40 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. 

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

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

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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