Tag: Houston Astros

A’s Power Past Astros 11-4 in Home Opener Behind Springs’ Strong Start

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Lawrence Butler #4 of the Athletics rounds the bases after hitting a three-run home in in the bottom of the fourth inning during the game between the Houston Astros and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Sacramento Athletics played their home opener on Friday night at Sutter Health Park. The A’s came home to the friendly confines after a brutal 1-5 road trip to start the season that saw them make stops in Toronto and Atlanta. The A’s were swept in Toronto to open the year before losing 3-2 to the Braves in their second series of the season. The A’s bullpen and a myriad of other shortcomings were to blame for their slow start on the road, where the A’s would play three of their first four series of the year. However, the A’s traveled to Sacramento on Thursday in hopes of turning the tide of the early season at home.

On Friday, behind a terrific outing from Jeffrey Springs, an offensive outburst, and the energy of a sold-out crowd, the A’s defeated the Houston Astros 11-4 on a crisp 73-degree night.

Jeffrey Springs led the way and set the tempo for the A’s as he tossed six innings of two-hit, one-run baseball en route to the victory, his first win of the young season.

“I think working between outings, fastball, command at the top, moving it around. I felt like I did well in Toronto by getting to two strikes but not being able to put guys away. And today I feel like I did a better job of it,” Jeffrey Springs said after the game. “Obviously another really good lineup over there, but just game planning with Shay, I felt like we were on the same page. Just being able to make some moves, trying to keep ’em off balance as much as possible.”

It was an impressive outing from Springs, who lowered his season ERA to 2.38 with the win.

The rest of the A’s pitching staff struggled, but it proved to be a moot point as the A’s lead was large enough to withstand those struggles.

Michael Kelly came in following Springs to pitch the seventh inning for the A’s. Kelly wasn’t his sharpest self, as the right-hander gave up three walks, a hit, and one run while throwing 32 pitches in the inning.

In the eighth and ninth innings, Mark Kotsay gave the ball to J.T. Ginn to finish out the A’s win over the Astros. Ginn was not sharp as he surrendered a walk and three hits while giving up two runs in his two innings of work. Ginn was obviously laboring, but he managed to limit the damage and allowed Mark Kotsay to keep the rest of the bullpen rested.

The Athletics offense did the heavy lifting on Friday as they broke out for 11 runs on 13 hits while walking seven times.

The A’s production at the plate was highlighted by Lawrence Butler, who had three hits and four RBIs. Butler had two singles and a three-run homer on the day.

Max Muncy was close on Butler’s heels as he recorded a home run of his own while tallying three hits and three RBIs.

Tyler Soderstrom and Jacob Wilson also each recorded two hits, and Soderstrom drove in a pair of runs in the game.

Jacob Wilson was also responsible for an outstanding Jeter-esque jump throw from the hole to retire Jake Meyers in the top of the fifth inning. The play showed signs of Wilson’s improved speed and defense this season, which is a welcome sight for the A’s.

The A’s stay home to take on the Astros in game two of their three-game series in a matinee affair at 1:05 p.m. PST. Luis Morales (0-1, 10.38 ERA) is slated to go for the A’s, while the Astros will counter with Tatsuya Imai (0-0, 13.50 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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Mauricio Segura: A’s looking for that second win in home opener at Sutter Health Park

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s catcher Shea Langeliers (23) was the only A’s run against the Atlanta Braves on Wed Apr 1, 2026 at Truist Park in Cobb County GA (AP file photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Mauricio Segura:

#1 Brent Rooker didn’t get a hit Wednesday in the Athletics game against the Braves but he’s a hitter who can break out at anytime?

#2 Talk about Zack Gelof’s being sent down to Las Vegas until his hitting improves?

#3 Luis Severino got touched up for four runs, four hits, five walks, and seven strike outs.

#4 On Wednesday Shea Langeliers got two hits and a run scored with one RBI despite the A’s 5-1 loss Langeliers can break out the bats at anytime.

#5 A’s and Houston Astros open three game series on the A’s home opener. It’s a brief homestand before Sacramento heads out to play six games at Yankee Stadium and Citi Park in New York.

Mauricio Segura is a Sacramento A’s beat writers a 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 Athletics game wrap:Baldwin Breaks It Open as Braves Ground the Green and Gold 5-1

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale delivers a pitch to the Sacramento A’s in the first inning at Truist Park in Atlanta on Wed Apr 1, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento Athletics game wrap:

Baldwin Breaks It Open as Braves Ground the Green and Gold 5-1

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics walked into Truist Park early this morning looking for a second straight win and a little early-season traction, but instead ran into a familiar problem: too many quiet at-bats and one Atlanta Braves swing of momentum that turned a close game into a stubborn one. It all began like a typical tightrope game, but the rope snapped in the fourth plunging the A’s into an abyss of a 5-1 loss.

Luis Severino actually gave the Athletics a fighting chance early, even though his outing came with traffic and a few white-knuckle moments. In the first inning, he wriggled out of trouble after issuing three walks, and he helped himself by picking off Ronald Acuña Jr. at first base. That was one of the sharper moments of the day for the Green and Gold, because it briefly looked like Severino might be able to dance around the danger. Unfortunately, He could not keep doing it throughout.

Atlanta pushed forward first in the second, and the damage came from patience followed by a clean hit. Ozzie Albies walked, Dominic Smith lined a single, Acuña drew another free pass, and Drake Baldwin delivered the big blow with a two-run single to left. That gave the Braves a 2-0 lead and put the Athletics right back in the position they have worn too often in the season’s opening week, trying to create offense after falling behind.

For a moment, Shea Langeliers gave them life. In the top of the fourth, with the Athletics still stuck in neutral against Chris Sale, Langeliers turned on a pitch and launched his fifth league-leading home run of the season to left. Suddenly it was 2-1, and the Athletics had something real to chase. Langeliers has been the club’s loudest bat out of the gate, and once again he was the one dragging some thunder into an otherwise cloudy afternoon.

But whatever spark that homer created did not last long. The bottom of the fourth became the inning that buried the boys from West Sacramento. Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubón opened with back-to-back singles, and after Severino was lifted, the Braves wasted little time making Elvis Alvarado pay. Acuña hit a sharp fly ball that advanced the runners, Baldwin ripped a two-run double to center, and Matt Olson followed with an RBI single to right. Just like that, a one-run game had become a 5-1 deficit, and that was more than enough cushion for Atlanta’s arms.

Sale looked every bit like a veteran who knew he had the game under control. He worked six innings and allowed just one run, the Langeliers homer, while the Athletics kept making soft contact or no contact at all. He struck out Max Muncy and Tyler Soderstrom in the second, fanned Brent Rooker after the homer in the fourth, and never let the Athletics string together the kind of rally that makes a starter sweat. The A’s managed only a few scattered threats, and even those vanished quickly. Their best late chance came in the ninth when Jacob Wilson doubled with one out, but Raisel Iglesias shut the door by striking out Jeff McNeil and getting Langeliers to pop out.

Wilson’s double was one of the few bright spots in a lineup that again spent too much of the day walking back to the dugout. Langeliers had two hits, including the lone run, while Austin Wynns added a single and Wilson’s late double gave the Athletics just enough to avoid disappearing entirely. But there was not much depth to the attack. Brent Rooker went hitless, Muncy struck out twice, Soderstrom was quiet, and the club never put together the kind of sustained pressure needed to bother Atlanta’s staff.

The larger issue is starting to look less like a hiccup and more like the team’s first real bad habit for the 2026 campaign. The Athletics opened this road-heavy stretch with one of the lowest batting averages and on-base percentages in the majors, and Wednesday did not do much to clean that up. Langeliers has provided the muscle, but too much of the offense has arrived one swing at a time, and that is a lousy way to live against good pitching. There is also an irony here. This team showed big power during the spring, but once the games started counting, the strikeouts piled up and the rallies thinned out.

So the Athletics left Atlanta having taken one in the series but still searching for a more reliable offensive identity. There were moments worth noting, like Severino’s pickoff, Langeliers’ continued power surge, and another errorless day from Wilson at shortstop. But the day belonged to Baldwin and the Braves, who were more advantageous and far less forgiving. In the end, the Athletics were not blown out by chaos. They were beaten by something simpler and more annoying: Atlanta waited for its openings, and Sacramento never created enough of its own.

Next up for the A’s the Houston Astros with starting pitcher RHP Cristian Javier (0-0 ERA 11.57) for Sacramento starter LHP Jeffrey Springs (0-0 ERA 3.38) first pitch 6:40 pm PDT. It’ll be the A’s home opener on Fri Apr 3 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

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: Nick Kurtz to Win the American League Rookie of the Year Award 

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s slugger Nick Kurtz rounds the bases after hitting one of his four home runs against the Houston Astros at Daiken Field in Houston on Jul 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Nick Kurtz to Win the American League Rookie of the Year Award

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The 2025 American League Rookie of the Year will be officially announced this Monday, the 10th of November. It will be Nick Kurtz. It is a ‘fait accomply’ Nick Kurtz is the only MLB rookie in history to hit four home runs in a single game, achieving this feat on July 25, 2025, against the Houston Astros.

Had a marvelous rookie season. He hit .290, with 36 home runs and drove in 86 runs. The young first baseman for the A’s was one of just three players with at least 400 plate appearances and an OPS over 1,000, along with Silver Sluggers Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.

Kurtz gave the A’s their second straight season with a Silver Slugger Award, after Brent Rooker won at DH in 2024. Before that, it was Eric Chávez in 2002. The potential for this 22-year-old, 6’5″, 240 lbs left-handed hitter is as high as the sky, as well as the odds for Nick to win the American League Rookie of the Year.

Kurtz’ chances of winning the Rookie of the Year are very close to 100% chance. I will say it is inevitable; there are no other rookies in 2025 in the American League with the impact of Kurtz. The largest salary given to an Athletics player is $67 million, for pitcher Luis Severino, a three-year deal in 2024.

In the case of Kurtz, A’s owner Mr. Fisher might need another loan to pay the star if Kurtz continues to be the player he seems to be. However, the good news for the A’s, Kurtz is projected to become a free agent after 2031, heading into age 29.

His contract with this A’s will not expire until then. He also received a $7 million signing bonus when he was drafted in 2024. His salary is part of his pre-arbitration contract with the Oakland Athletics. He also received a $7 million singing bonus.

Oakland Athletics to win the Rookie of the Year Award. José Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), Ben Grieve (1992), Bobby Crosby (2004), Huston Street (2005), Andrew Bailey (2009)

Note: 21 players in Major League Baseball history have hit four home runs in a single game. Kurtz will join the group alongside some of the game’s luminaries, including these two: Lou Gehrig and Willie Mays.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Macgowan: BoSox finally get in playoff in walk off clincher; Can Astros get the Wild Card wrapped up Sunday?

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Boston Red Sox clubhouse was spraying the bubbly after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park in Boston on Fri Sep 26, 2025 to advance to the playoffs. (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Bruce Magowan:

# 1 Did the Red Sox’s walk‑off clincher on Friday finally end their postseason drought?

#2 Can the Astros still salvage a wild‑card spot after their gut‑punch loss to the Angels?

#3 Will Shohei Ohtani’s jersey stay at No. 1 in MLB sales—for a 4th straight year?

#4 Is Aaron Judge being shortchanged in AL MVP debates?

#5 How many more teams will the Red Sox or Yankees displace in the AL wild‑card race today?”

Bruce Magowan filled in for Charlie O on MLB The Show podcasts heard each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Lincoln Juarez: A’s open up 3 game set in final home series at Sutter Health

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

The Houston Astros Carlos Correa swings for a double in the top of the seventh inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park on Thu Sep 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast with Lincoln Juarez:

#1 How did Framber Valdez’s pitching performance on Thursday compare to his recent outings — in terms of innings, strikeouts, and earned runs?

#2 Which offensive contributions (home runs, RBIs, multi-hit games) from Astros or A’s hitters had the biggest impact on the final 11–5 score?

#3 The Astros’ 11-5 win prevented a series sweep by the Athletics, and what was the series outcome?

#4 How did the result affect Houston’s position in the AL Wild Card race (especially vis‑à‑vis Detroit or Cleveland)?

#5 Talk about tonight’s starting pitchers for the Kansas City Royals LHP Noah Cameron (9-7 ERA 2.90) the A’s starter for tonight is RHP Mason Barnett (1-1 ERA 7.56) at Sutter Health Park.

Lincoln Juarez did the A’s podcasts during the 2025 season 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 podcast Barbara Mason: A’s back in Sac close out final homestand against Astros and Royals

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s starter Jeffery Springs will make the start against the Houston Astros on Tue Sep 23, 2025 at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento (AP file photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento A’s on Sunday were trounced in the last leg of their road trip against the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-0 at PNC Park. The Pirates Jared Triolo and Joey Bart both hit a home run and got four hits in the slugfest.

#2 For Triolo it was his seventh homer of the season and it landed in the left center field bleachers off A’s pitcher Mitch Spence.

#3 To add insult upon injury the Pirates Joey Bart slugged a three run home run off A’s reliever Osvaldo Bido to make it 10-0 in the bottom of the fifth.

#4 For the A’s Spence went 3.1 innings allowing seven runs, nine hits and reliever Bido allowed three runs, four hits in 2.2 innings of work.

#5 The A’s return back to Sacramento and this will be their final homestand for the 2025 season. The A’s will be hosting the Houston Astros starting Tuesday night. Starting pitchers for the Astros RHP Cristian Javier (2-3 ERA 4.45) for the A’s LHP Jefferey Springs (10-11 ERA 4.17) first pitch 7:05pm PT

Barbara Mason did the A’s podcasts each Monday during the 2025 season 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 Silenced in Pittsburgh as Pirates Dominate 11-0

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Pittsburgh Pirates Joey Bart circles the bases after hitting a three run bottom of the fifth inning home run against the Sacramento A’s at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sun Sep 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s Silenced in Pittsburgh as Pirates Dominate 11-0

By Mauricio Segura

The A’s had a dismal Saturday afternoon running headfirst into a Pittsburgh Pirates buzzsaw that chewed them up and spit them out in an 11-0 loss. From the very first inning, it was clear this one was not going to go the Green and Gold’s way.

Mitch Spence got the start for Sacramento and had trouble from the jump. After quickly collecting two outs in the bottom of the first, he gave up a single to Bryan Reynolds, walked Spencer Horwitz, and then watched Andrew McCutchen slap an RBI single to right.

Nick Gonzales followed with a double, and suddenly the A’s were in a 2-0 hole. Still manageable, but a negative vibe could be detected at this point as it lowered like a mist over the visiting dugout.

The A’s bats made contact but had nothing to show for it. Lawrence Butler flied out to start the game, but Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz responded with back-to-back singles, hinting at a rally. Tyler Soderstrom’s strikeout and Jacob Wilson’s routine flyout ended that early threat. That sequence would pretty much sum up the day, squandered chances and little to no pressure on the Pirates’ pitching staff.

Pittsburgh kept adding on. In the second inning, Jared Triolo launched a two-run homer after Nick Yorke reached on a fielder’s choice. That made it 4-0, and the A’s offense continued to look like it had left its bats back in Sacramento.

By the time the fourth inning rolled around, the Pirates put the game on ice. Joey Bart singled, Yorke doubled, and Oneil Cruz ripped a two-run single to right. Another RBI hit from Triolo pushed the score to 7-0, and Spence’s day was done. He was lifted after just 3.2 innings, tagged for seven runs on 10 hits.

Osvaldo Bido tried to steady the ship out of the bullpen, but the Pirates were not slowing down. In the fifth, McCutchen drew a walk, Jack Suwinski doubled, and then Bart struck again, this time with a three-run homer that stretched the lead to 10-0. Bart, who entered the game with just three home runs on the season, looked like an All-Star against Sacramento pitching, finishing with a homer, a double, and three runs scored.

The A’s, on the other hand, went down meekly inning after inning. They scattered a handful of singles, Rooker had two, MacIver chipped in one late, and Schuemann reached in the seventh, but never advanced a runner past second base.

By the eighth, the Pirates tacked on one more for good measure when Jared Triolo doubled and later scored on a groundout. It was insult on top of injury for Sacramento, like waiting in line for a nice five-star restaurant, but having the maître d not let you in because he doesn’t like your new tie.

In total, the Athletics managed seven hits, all singles except for Brett Harris’s eighth-inning double, but not a single one came through in the clutch. They struck out 11 times and left eight runners stranded. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff, led by starter Mike Burrows and relievers Carmen Mlodzinski, Yohan Ramírez, and Dauri Moreta, completely shut down the lineup.

It’s back to Sacramento now for a three-game stint against the Astros beginning Tuesday, then the final three-game weekend series with the Royals. It’s been a fun season for sure.

Starting pitchers for the Astros RHP Cristian Javier (2-3 ERA 4.45) for the A’s LHP Jefferey Springs (10-11 ERA 4.17) first pitch 7:05pm PT

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. 

A’s 7-1 Power Surge Under the “Roofed” Texas Sun; Sac sweeps Houston in 4 games at Daiken

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s starter JP Sears throws against the Houston Astros in the bottom first inning at Daiken Park in Houston Sun Jul 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s 7-1 Power Surge Under the “Roofed” Texas Sun; A’s sweep Astros in 4 games at Daiken

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics brought thunder and precision to Daikin Park on Sunday afternoon, lighting up the scoreboard and shutting down the Houston offense with a 7–1 victory that was every bit as lopsided as the box score suggests.

From the moment Miguel Andujar deposited the first pitch he saw into the right-field seats, it was clear the A’s came to play. And for nine innings, they played with the kind of crisp execution and timely power that every manager dreams of.

Andujar’s solo shot to open the game wasn’t just a strong start, it was a tone-setter. The very next inning, Shea Langeliers joined the party with a solo blast of his own, this one heading out to left and giving the Athletics a 2–0 lead before Houston had even touched a base. That early firepower would’ve been enough on its own, considering the dominance of starter J.T. Ginn, but the A’s weren’t done.

Ginn, who’s been gradually carving out a solid role in the A’s rotation, looked completely unbothered by Houston’s lineup. He worked quickly, attacked the strike zone, and kept hitters guessing with a mix of breaking balls and sneaky heat.

Through six innings, he didn’t allow a single run, and at one point retired seven straight batters with the kind of confidence that says, I’ve got this! He ended his afternoon by handing off a shutout that the bullpen preserved, mostly with ease.

The Green and Gold offense went a little quiet after the early surge, but in the fourth, they manufactured runs with savvy baserunning and smart situational hitting. Brent Rooker led off with a single and advanced on a single by Austin Wynns, both of whom took extra bags on a wild pitch. Gio Urshela then drove in Rooker with a textbook sacrifice fly, and Colby Thomas followed with a clutch RBI double to stretch the lead to 4–0.

Houston, meanwhile, struggled to generate anything remotely resembling a rally. The heart of their order, Jose Altuve, Victor Caratini, and Christian Walker, was mostly silenced by Ginn and later relievers Jack Perkins and Ben Bowden. Even when they had a chance to chip away in the seventh, a costly error by shortstop Max Schuemann was quickly erased by solid defense and more empty swings from the Astros.

By the time the ninth inning rolled around, the A’s bats woke up again like they had unfinished business. Langeliers and Wynns opened with back-to-back singles, and Carlos Cortes, who stayed in the game after pinch-hitting in the seventh, roped a single to load the bases.

That set the stage for Schuemann’s redemption: a two-run single that made it 6–0 and turned a solid win into a decisive one. Luis Urías tacked on another RBI single, and just like that, the A’s had dropped a three-spot in the ninth for good measure.

Though Houston finally pushed across a run in the bottom of the ninth, courtesy of a Chas McCormick double and Mauricio Dubón’s RBI two-bagger, it was far too little, far too late. Ben Bowden calmly induced a flyout from Yainer Diaz to close the door and end what was, for all intents and purposes, a thorough and complete win by the visiting club.

A’s are back in Sacramento Monday night against the Seattle Mariners. Starting pitcher for the M’s RHP Luis Castillo (7-6 ERA 3.30) for the A’s LHP JP Sears (7-8 ERA 4.98) first pitch 7:05pm PT.

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. 

Atrium Hospitality Logo

Hope Fuerniss, HMCC | Area Director of Sales and Marketing

916.384.0140 (o)| 901.3

Butler Blasts the Door Open as A’s Outmuscle Houston Late 5-1; A’s go for 4 game sweep Sunday

Published on by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler runs the bases after hitting a ninth inning three run home run against the Houston Astros at Daikin Park in Houston on Sat Jul 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Butler Blasts the Door Open as A’s Outmuscle Houston Late 5-1 For 3 Game Sweep

By Mauricio Segura

Them Sactown boys rolled into Daikin Park with an underdog’s swagger and walked away with a statement win Saturday, thanks in large part to a ninth-inning bomb from Lawrence Butler that put an exclamation point on a 5-1 victory over the Houston Astros.

It wasn’t always pretty, but the Sacramento A’s pieced together just enough early offense, held their nerve through a tense middle stretch, and then erupted late to seal the deal. On a night where both teams leaned heavily on their bullpens, the Green and Gold had the final word.

The game started with Brent Rooker doing what he’s been doing all year, making pitchers pay for mistakes. His two-out double in the top of the first drove in Nick Kurtz and gave the Athletics a quick 1-0 lead. That early run looked like it might be enough for a while, as starter Jacob Lopez and reliever Justin Sterner danced through danger against a Houston lineup that couldn’t quite cash in on their opportunities.

The Astros had their chances. In the first inning, Jose Altuve and Christian Walker both drew walks, putting traffic on the bases with just one out. But Yainer Diaz’s fielder’s choice and a bunt attempt from Chas McCormick that didn’t fool anyone killed the rally. That kind of frustrating inning would become a theme for Houston.

Lopez pitched with poise until the fifth, when Sterner took over. The A’s bullpen was tight, giving up just one run the rest of the way. The lone misstep came in the bottom of the sixth, when the Astros finally broke through. Christian Walker doubled, Yainer Diaz singled him to third, and Chas McCormick lifted a sacrifice fly to center that tied things at 1-1. But the tying run felt more like a temporary pause than a momentum shift.

Just one half-inning earlier, Shea Langeliers had launched his 16th homer of the season, an absolute rope into the left-center seats, to put the A’s up 2-0. Even though the Astros had responded, the A’s weren’t rattled.

Then came the ninth inning, where things got a little loud.

After two quick outs, it looked like Houston’s Héctor Neris might escape unscathed. But then shortstop Zack Short mishandled what should’ve been the third out, allowing Max Schuemann to reach.

A walk to Luis Urías followed, setting the table for Lawrence Butler. Neris tried to sneak a fastball by him, but Butler was ready and demolished it over the right-field wall for a three-run shot. In the blink of an eye, what had been a nail-biter turned into a comfortable 5-1 lead.

Houston, meanwhile, couldn’t figure out Miller, who entered in the ninth and slammed the door with a strikeout, a lineout, and a weak groundout to end it. The Astros struck out 14 times in total and were held to just five hits, a stat line that underscored their inability to mount any sustained offensive threat.

As the A’s continue to navigate life on the road and the trials of a franchise in transition, games like this offer a glimpse of what could be. If the kids keep hitting and the arms hold up, they’ll be more than just spoilers down the stretch. They’ll be a problem to the other contenders.

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