Tag: mlb

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Green and Gold Fly Home With a 2-1 One-Run Nerve Test

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Justin Sterner pitches to the Texas Rangers line up in releif in the sixth inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sun Apr 26, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Green and Gold Fly Home With a 2-1 One-Run Nerve Test

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s did not exactly storm out of Texas on Sunday afternoon. They tiptoed through traffic, ducked a few falling anvils, and still somehow walked away with a 2-1 win over the Rangers. In a game that began with a first-place tie in the American League West, the Green and Gold grabbed two runs in the first inning, then spent the next eight innings protecting them like a man carrying soup across a trampoline to retain sole poscession of the top spot.

The biggest swing came early. After Nick Kurtz struck out and Shea Langeliers grounded out, Tyler Soderstrom and Brent Rooker worked back-to-back walks against Kumar Rocker. That brought up Carlos Cortes, who has been one of the hottest bats on the roster during this road trip. Cortes turned on a line drive to center field, racing all the way to third as Soderstrom and Rooker scored. Just like that, the A’s had a 2-0 lead before Texas could settle into the day.

That triple fit right into Cortes’ recent surge. Entering the game, he had gone 10-for-20 on the road trip with three homers, two doubles and five RBIs, and he kept applying pressure Sunday. He added singles in the fourth and eighth, finishing with three hits and both Athletics RBIs. For a lineup that stranded chances later, Cortes’ first-inning swing became the whole offensive meal, not just the appetizer.

J.T. Ginn did his part before leaving after an injury delay in the fourth. He opened with a ground-ball single to Brandon Nimmo, then immediately erased it with a double play off Joc Pederson’s bat. Texas threatened in the second when Josh Jung doubled, Josh Smith walked, and a balk moved both runners into scoring position. Ginn responded by striking out Danny Jansen to keep the Rangers empty-handed. He worked around another single in the third and left with a 2-0 lead after Evan Carter was hit by a pitch and stole second in the fourth.

From there, the bullpen turned the game into a long, sweaty trust exercise. Joel Kuhnel escaped the fourth. Jacob Lopez worked a clean fifth but ran into trouble in the sixth when Jung doubled and Carter’s sacrifice bunt turned into a throwing error, allowing Jung to score and cutting the lead to 2-1. When Jake Burger walked and Josh Smith reached on a bunt single, Texas had the bases loaded with nobody out and every reason to believe the game was about to flip.

Justin Sterner refused to let it happen. He struck out Jansen, struck out Sam Haggerty, and got Nimmo to line out to center. That was the game’s hinge, the moment when the Rangers had the door open and the Athletics slammed it shut with both hands. It also continued a strong bullpen stretch for the A’s, who entered the day having allowed just four runs over their previous seven games from the relief corps.

The A’s offense had chances to breathe easier but could not cash in. Langeliers doubled in the fifth and singled in the seventh. Nick Kurtz singled in the seventh, and Zack Gelof stole second as a pinch-runner in the eighth. In the ninth, Lawrence Butler singled, Darell Hernaiz moved him over with a sacrifice bunt, Kurtz was intentionally walked, and Soderstrom walked to load the bases. But Brent Rooker struck out, leaving the lead stuck at one run.

That made Jack Perkins’ finish even bigger. After Hogan Harris handled the seventh and Perkins struck out two in the eighth, the right-hander returned for the ninth with no margin for foolishness. Nimmo lined out sharply to left. Andrew McCutchen struck out swinging. Corey Seager then grounded out to Kurtz, who flipped to Perkins covering first, ending a tight win that felt more like a street fight than a clean baseball game.

Side note: Kurtz also made a little franchise history with his ninth-inning intentional walk, extending his walk streak to 16 straight games and breaking the all-time Athletics record he had shared with Topsy Hartsel, Max Bishop and Rickey Henderson.

This win did not come with fanfare, but it came with grit, bullpen nerve, and and a sprinkle of Cortes thunder. Sometimes that is all a club needs. The Green and Gold did not bury Texas. They simply outlasted them on their own turf.

The Kansas City Royals are scheduled to visit the A’s and West Sacramento on Tuesday night at Sutter Health Park starting pitcher for the Royals LHP Kris Bubic (2-1 ERA 4.80) the A’s have not announced a starter for Tuesday night yet first pitch 6:40pm PDT.

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: Oh So Close in Texas, but Sactown Falls by One 4-3

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Sacramento A’s catcher Austin Winns (right) puts the late tag on Texas Rangers Danny Jansen (left) who scores on an RBI fly out hit by Brandon Nimmo in the last of the third inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Sat Apr 25, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

For five innings Saturday night, the Sacramento Athletics looked like a team ready to grab the wheel once again, and drive off with a clean road win. They struck first, built a three-run lead, and got a strong early outing from Jeffrey Springs. Then baseball did what baseball loves to do. It got weird, turned sideways, and reminded everyone that a lead in the third inning is not a savings account. The Texas Rangers rallied back, Josh Jung delivered the biggest swing of the night, and the A’s fell 4-3 after a game that started with promise and ended with a quiet ninth inning.

The first inning gave no hint of the early offense to come. Shea Langeliers, Nick Kurtz, and Colby Thomas all struck out in the top half, while Springs answered with a clean bottom half, retiring Brandon Nimmo, Andrew McCutchen, and Corey Seager in order. The A’s broke through in the second when Jacob Wilson ripped a sharp double to left. After Max Muncy struck out, Darell Hernaiz shot a ground-ball single into left field, bringing Wilson home for a 1-0 lead. Austin Wynns reached on Corey Seager’s fielding error, but the Athletics could not add more.

They did not wait long to stretch the lead. In the third, Langeliers opened with a sharp single to left, and Kurtz followed with a walk. Thomas then lined a single into center, scoring Langeliers and moving Kurtz to second. Tyler Soderstrom’s groundout pushed both runners up, and Wilson added a sacrifice fly to right to score Kurtz. Just like that, the Green and Gold had a 3-0 lead and looked sharp enough to make Texas pay for every extra base.

But the Rangers answered in the bottom of the third with a rally that was less thunderstorm and more slow leak. Danny Jansen was hit by a pitch, Evan Carter walked, and Sam Haggerty dropped down a soft bunt single to load the bases. Nimmo lifted a sacrifice fly to left to score Jansen. After Springs struck out McCutchen, Seager lined a single to center, bringing home Carter and cutting the Athletics’ lead to 3-2. Springs escaped by striking out Jake Burger, but Texas had shoved itself right back into the game.

From there, the middle innings became a wrestling match. Langeliers singled again in the fourth, Wilson added another single in the fifth, and Springs settled down after the shaky third. He worked through a one-out single by Jansen in the fourth and retired the Rangers in order in the fifth, including a nice first-to-pitcher groundout that saw Kurtz and Springs handle Nimmo cleanly. For a while, it felt like the A’s might survive the earlier scare.

The turning point came in the sixth. Seager opened with a single to right, and after Burger flew out sharply to left, Jung changed the entire night with one swing. He launched his fourth home run of the season to right-center field, scoring Seager and flipping a 3-2 Athletics lead into a 4-3 Rangers advantage. It was the kind of swing that does not just change the scoreboard. It changes the temperature in the building. Springs got through the rest of the inning, but the damage was done.

The Athletics had chances, though not many clean ones. In the eighth, Carlos Cortes came off the bench for Muncy and drilled a sharp double to right with one out. That put the tying run in scoring position, but Jeff McNeil, also entering as a pinch-hitter, flew out to left, and Wynns followed with a flyout to center. Texas had opened the door just enough for trouble, but the A’s could not kick it in.

Mark Leiter Jr. gave the Athletics a flawless bottom of the eighth, retiring Seager, Burger, and Jung in order, which kept the deficit at one. That gave the top of the order one last chance in the ninth against Jacob Latz. But the inning disappeared quickly. Zack Gelof grounded out to short, Langeliers was called out on strikes, and Kurtz grounded out to third to end it.

Wilson was one of the bright spots for the Athletics, finishing with a double, a single, a run scored, and a sacrifice fly. Langeliers collected two hits, Hernaiz drove in the first run, and Thomas added an RBI single. But the A’s also struck out ten times and managed only one run after the third inning. Texas did not pile up offense all night, but it did enough, and Jung’s two-run homer was the difference between a clean Athletics win and a frustrating one-run loss.

Sunday the rubber game series tied 1-1 starting pitchers for Sacramento RHP JT Ginn (0-0 ERA 3.74) for Texas RHP Kumar Rocker (1-1 ERA 3.48) first pitch 11:35am PDT.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Giants move out of cellar with win over Marlins

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San Francisco Giants Helliot Ramos gives thanks to the Almighty after hitting an eighth inning home run against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat Apr 25, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 How did Robbie Ray perform as the starting pitcher against the Marlins lineup led by Eury Pérez, and what impact did his outing have on the game’s momentum?

#2 What role did Casey Schmitt play offensively, particularly with his key home run, in helping the Giants secure the win?

#3 How did contributions from Drew Gilbert and Heliot Ramos shape the Giants’ scoring, especially with their home run power?

#4 In what ways did Patrick Bailey influence the game both offensively (with RBIs) and defensively behind the plate?

#5 How did Jung Hoo Lee contribute at the plate during the game, and how important were his extra-base hits in the Giants’ overall offensive performance?

Lincoln Juarez is a San Francisco Giants reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants post game wrap: Giants honor Belt, and then slug three home runs en route to 6-2 win over Marlins

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Casey Schmitt (10) of the San Francisco Giants gets the Gatorade can treatment after defeating the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco while being interviewed by NBC Bay Area Sports on Sat Apr 25, 2026 (AP News photo)

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Miami Marlins 2 (13-14)

San Francisco Giants 6 (12-15)

Win: Matt Gage (2-0)

Loss: Eury Perez (2-2)

Time: 2:06

Attendance: 38,589

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants bounced back nicely from a pair of losses with a 6-2 win over the Marlins Saturday. Giants pitcher Robbie Ray went five innings, and the offense came to life in the latter half of the game, with home runs by Drew Gilbert, Casey Schmitt and Heliot Ramos, as the bullpen held down the fort.

The fact that the Giants had lost two straight after their two wins against the Dodgers was a buzzkill. Friday night, Adrian Houser was shallacked for eight runs over four innings in a tough 9-4 loss in the series opener. Saturday, they needed something to get them back on track.

Before Saturday’s game started, the Giants honored one of the best first-basemen in their 68-plus years in San Francisco, Brandon Belt. Belt made the Opening Day roster in 2011, and we all remember Bruce Bochy telling him the news, and then offering the then-young kid a beer. It was on that Showtime show that featured the Giants that year.

So, of course we saw that memorable clip, as well as his first big league hit, which came against Clayton Kershaw in the Giants’ 2011 season opener at Dodger Stadium on March 31. Belt was yo-yo’d throughout the 2011 season, but he established himself as an everyday player in 2012, and was a big part of the 2012 and 2014 world championship teams.

Several of Belt’s former teammates were here in Buster Posey, Hunter Pence, Sergio Romo, George Kontos, Nate Schierholtz and Charlie Culberson. So were his two Giants managers, Bruce Bochy and Gabe Kapler, the latter of whom is in town as the General Manager of the Marlins.

Duane Kuiper and Mike Krukow emceed the ceremony, and Posey, Kontos and Bochy spoke about Belt’s humor and his work ethic. Most importantly, they talked about Belt’s baseball intellect.

Belt then gave his address. He thanked his family, former teammates and his two Giants managers. He also paid homage to his late father, who passed away last July.

Belt’s kids threw out the first pitches. Belt and his family were then taken around the field on a boat being pulled by a truck.

I spent so much time on Belt’s ceremony that you probably forgot there was a game today. Perhaps the Belt ceremony, and the reminder of the winning culture that has long defined this organization would be a spark of motivation.

Anyway, Robbie Ray took the ball on this cold and tranquil Saturday afternoon at Oracle Park. Ray and Marlins’ starter Eury Perez both threw scoreless innings in the first.

Ray threw another scoreless inning in the top of the second, and the Giants wasted an opportunity in the bottom of the second. Well, Casey Schmitt led off the inning with a double, but was thrown out when he rounded second, and slipped and fell.

The Marlins added insult to injury by getting on the board in the top of the third on a two-out RBI base-hit by Xavier Edwards. Perez threw a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the third, and the Giants were unable to do anything with a two-out double by Jung Hoo Lee in the bottom of the fourth.

By the way, that was Lee’s second double of the game. He also doubled after Casey Schmitt’s little gaffe.

Ray threw his first 1-2-3 inning of the day in the top of the fourth, and then he threw another scoreless inning in the top of the fifth. Unfortunately, Ray threw 97 pitches, so he was done after five. It still was not a bad outing, as he gave up a run and four hits. He walked three, and struck out four

The Giants finally got on the board when Drew Gilbert led off the bottom of the fifth with a home run to the green tin atop the 24-foot-high Willie Mays Wall out in right field.

Matt Gage came in, and got out of a jam unscathed in the top of the sixth. Matt Chapman then led off the bottom of the sixth with a double. Two batters later, Schmitt hit a two-run shot to left to put the Giants ahead.

Lee drew a walk, which forced Perez out of the game for Anthony Bender. Heliot Ramos singled Lee over to second, but Gilbert lined out. Patrick Bailey then came through with a base-hit to right that made it 4-1.

Keaton Winn threw a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and Erik Miller, a scoreless eighth. Heliot Ramos led off the bottom of the eighth with a home run to make it 5-1. The Giants then manufactured another run later in the inning, as Luis Arraez knocked in Patrick Bailey with a two-out double.

Despite the Giants holding a five-run lead at 6-1, Tony Vitello decided to go with his closer, Ryan Walker, anyway for the top of the ninth. The Marlins plated a run, but that’s all the drama there would be, and the Giants won 6-2.

I had mentioned earlier that Jung Hoo Lee hit two doubles today. Matt Chapman, Casey Schmitt and Heliot Ramos also had two-hit games. Drew Gilbert went 1-for-4, but all three of his outs were loud. Gilbert lined out twice, and then he had what would have at least been a double taken away on a great running catch by Heriberto Hernandez in the bottom of the eighth.

Matt Gage got the win, and Eury Perez took the loss.

The Giants improve to 12-15.

Landen Roupp (4-1, 2.28 ERA) will go for the Giants, as they try to take the series in the rubber match Sunday Max Meyer (1-0, 3.96 ERA) will go for Miami.

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


San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Houser suffers multi run game against Marlins can he get back on track?

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Adrian Houser (12) struggled in his last outing against the Miami Marlins on Fri Arpr 26, 2026 (Bay Area News Group photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 How did Adrian Houser’s struggles on the mound—giving up multiple runs early—impact the Giants’ ability to stay competitive against the Marlins’ offense?

#2 What adjustments could Jung Hoo Lee have made at the plate to build on his late-game home run and help spark a comeback earlier in the game?

#3 In what ways did Heliot Ramos contribute offensively, and how might his performance influence his role in the lineup going forward?

#4 How did the addition of Eric Haase—who recorded an RBI double—affect the Giants’ offensive depth in this matchup?

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey: A’s move one game in front of Rangers for first place with win

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Sacramento A’s slugger Carlos Cortes is thrilled after hitting a solo home run off Texas Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi in the top of the first inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Fri Apr 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 How did Luis Severino perform as the starting pitcher for the A’s against the Rangers, and what adjustments did he make after his recent struggles?

#2 What impact did Carlos Cortes have batting in the third spot of the lineup, and how did his role influence the A’s offensive production?

#3 How did Zack Gelof perform while playing in center field, and what does his usage there suggest about the team’s roster flexibility?

#4 In what ways did Shea Langeliers contribute offensively or defensively in the game, particularly in helping the A’s secure their 8–1 win?

#5 How did the overall performance of key A’s players like Luis Severino, Carlos Cortes, and Zack Gelof contribute to the team taking sole possession of first place after the game?

Tony Harvey of NBC Radio does the Sacramento A’s podcasts Saturdays 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: The A’s Go Deep in the Heart of Texas 8-1

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Tyler Soderstrom (21) is greeeted by Sacramento A’s teammate Carlos Cortes (26) after hitting a solo home run in the top of the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington on Fri Apr 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s game wrap: The A’s Go Deep in the Heart of Texas 8-1

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics arrived in Arlington Friday night tied with Texas in the American League West, and then spent the first inning acting like they were trying to settle the matter Like Santa Ana at the Alamo. On a night that began at 7:09 p.m. local time at Globe Life Field, the Green and Gold jumped on Nathan Eovaldi immediately, rode the surf of a sharp Luis Severino start, and powered their way to an 8-1 win over the Rangers.

Nick Kurtz opened the game with a home run to right field, his fifth of the season, giving the A’s a 1-0 lead before vendors could sell their first hot dogs. Two batters later, Carlos Cortes sent another ball over the wall, this one to right center. Then Tyler Soderstrom followed with a blast to center, turning the first inning into a three-homer ambush and giving the Athletics a 3-0 lead. For a club that entered the night with only four first-inning runs all season, this was not so much a fast start as a rude awakening.

Severino took that cushion and treated it like good leather, preserving it with care. He worked around a Joc Pederson single in the first by getting Corey Seager to roll into a double play, then kept the Rangers quiet through three innings. Texas finally scratched him in the fourth when Seager doubled and Josh Jung drove him in with a ground-rule double to left. Jung even stole third, but Severino shut the inning down by striking out Evan Carter, keeping the A’s in firm control at 3-1.

The real hammer fell in the fifth. Zack Gelof singled, Kurtz worked a walk after a successful challenge overturned the original pitch call, and Shea Langeliers popped out on the infield fly rule. That brought up Cortes, who had already homered once. He did it again, lifting a three-run shot to right field that stretched the lead to 6-1 and gave the A’s breathing room big enough to rent out.

Cortes finished with two home runs and four RBI, continuing a strong run after stepping into a larger role with Brent Rooker on the injured list. The switch has not looked like a patch job; it has looked like an opportunity being grabbed with both hands.

Kurtz also kept building his own strange and impressive brand of chaos. His leadoff homer, fifth-inning walk, and seventh-inning single gave him three trips on base, and the walk extended a stretch that had already placed him near historic Athletics territory.

He entered the game having walked in 13 straight games, the longest such run by an Athletic since Rickey Henderson’s 15-game streak in 1993. Kurtz is not merely swinging for damage. He is forcing pitchers into uncomfortable conversations, and lately, he has been winning most of them.

Severino’s night was exactly what the A’s needed. He gave them 6.2 innings of one-run baseball, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out five. That was especially important because he entered the game with better road numbers than home numbers and with a history of early-inning trouble this season. Instead of wobbling early, he steadied the whole game. Hogan Harris replaced him in the seventh with two Rangers aboard and struck out pinch-hitter Sam Haggerty to end the threat.

The A’s bullpen kept the door shut from there. Harris handled part of the eighth before Justin Sterner came in after singles by Andrew McCutchen and Seager. Sterner got Jake Burger on a forceout and Josh Jung on a flyout to escape the inning. Luis Medina finished the ninth with a clean frame, getting Carter, Kyle Higashioka, and Josh Smith in order.

Gelof added one last thump in the ninth, launching a two-run homer to left after Jeff McNeil singled. It was Gelof’s first homer of the season and the sixth Athletics home run of the night, a tidy final insult in a game Texas had spent most of the evening chasing.

The A’s also played clean defense behind their pitchers, with Jacob Wilson helping turn the first-inning double play and continuing to look steady at shortstop. That fits a larger season theme, as the club entered the night with the fewest errors in the majors and Wilson carrying the longest errorless streak by a shortstop in Athletics history.

For one night in Texas, the Athletics did not need late drama, bullpen roulette, or a comeback script. They brought the thunder early, added more in the middle, and walked out with an 8-1 win that felt every bit as loud as the scoreboard suggested.

Saturday starting pitchers for Sacramento LHP Jefferey Springs (3-1 ERA 3.34) for Texas LHP MacKenzie Gore (2-2 ERA 4.15) first pitch 4:05pm PDT.

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Ryan Hannagan: Giants looking for hits face Marlins Alcantara Friday

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Miami Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara gets the call to face the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Apr 24, 2026 to open a three game series (AP News photo)

SF Giants podcast Ryan Hannagan:

#1 How will the pitching matchup between Sandy Alcantara and Adrian Houser influence the outcome of the game? (Alcantara enters as a strong starter with a low ERA, while Houser has struggled early in the season.)

#2 Can the Giants carry momentum from their recent series win over the Dodgers into this game? (They’ve won 5 of their last 7 and showed strong pitching in that series.)

#3 Why have the Marlins historically had success against the Giants, and will that trend continue in this matchup? (San Francisco has struggled to win season series vs. Miami in recent years.)

#4 Which team’s offense is more likely to break through in a pitcher-friendly park like Oracle Park? (Both teams have had inconsistent offensive production, and betting trends suggest a low-scoring game.)

#5 Which players—such as Xavier Edwards or Otto Lopez—could be key difference-makers in this game? (Several Marlins hitters are off to strong starts and could impact the result.)

Ryan Hannagan is a San Francisco Giants reporter at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:Yasiel Puig signs contract in Canada while awaiting sentence in the US

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Yasiel Puig of Team Venezuela heads to first base after being walked against Curacao in the third inning of the Caribbean Series on Feb 2, 2024. (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

Yasiel Puig signs contract in Canada while awaiting sentence in the US

By Amaury Pi Gonzalez

Cuban-born ex-Major League star recently signed a contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs of the CBL (Canadian Baseball League).

Puig is currently awaiting sentencing following his February 2026 conviction on federal charges. On February 6, he was found guilty by a Federal Grand Jury of obstruction of justice and making false statements to federal investigators. These charges stem from a 2019 investigation into an illegal sports gambling operation run by Wayne Nix, where Puig placed over 900 bets on sports, including tennis, football, and Basketball.

Yasiel Puig finds himself in quite a conundrum

The 2026 season for the Canadian Baseball League (CBL)—formerly the Intercounty Baseball League (IBL)—opens on Sunday, May 10, 2026, Mother’s Day.

The inaugural season as the rebranded, fully professional CBL begins with a matchup between the Kitchener Panthers and the Toronto Maple Leafs (where Yasiel Puig is expected to play) at Christie Pts in Toronto.

The situation, Puig is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2026, which is a couple of weeks after he begins playing in Canada with the Maple Leafs. Those might be the last games of professional baseball that the talented Cuban player will see for a while, since he faces up to 15 years in Federal Prison

The sentencing is set to take place in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California in Los Angeles.

Unfortunate story for a baseball player who came into the major leagues with great talent and a lot of promise

MLB career. Puig played in 861 regular-season games with the LA Dodgers (2013-2018) and the Cleveland Indians, where he played his final game on September 27, 2019. 

  • Over seven seasons, he batted .277 with 132 home runs, 415 RBI, and 441 runs scored.
  • Position: Primarily played right field, but also saw time in center and left field.
  • Debut/Last Game: He debuted on June 3, 2013, and played his final MLB game on September 27, 2019.
  • As a braodcaster with the LA Angels for FOX SPORT LA,  I interviewed Yasiel in one ocassion,and for our pregame show when the Dodgers were visiting Angel Stadium at the time Yasiel Puig was the player everybody was talking about.
  • Teams: Los Angeles Dodgers (2013–2018), Cincinnati Reds (2019), and Cleveland Indians (2019).
  • Career Stats: Over seven seasons, he batted .277 with 132 home runs, 415 RBI, and 441 runs scored.
  • Position: Primarily played right field, but also saw time in center and left field.
  • Debut/Last Game: He debuted on June 3, 2013, and played his final MLB game on September 27, 2019.  

“Wild Horse” -Legendary Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully nicknamed Yasiel Puig the “Wild Horse” shortly after his 2013 debut to describe his fearless, energetic, and often undisciplined style of play.

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.

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Sweep would have been too good, as Glasnow strikes out nine and dominates Giants over eight in 1-hitter 3-0 LA win

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Los Angeles Dodgers starter Tyler Glasnow was a mystery for San Francisco Giants hitters at Oracle Park pitching a one hitter on Thu Apr 23, 2026 (AP News photo)

Thursday, April 23, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Los Angeles Dodgers 3 (17-8)

San Francisco Giants 0 (11-14)

Win: Tyler Glasnow (3-0)

Loss: Logan Webb (2-3)

Save: Tanner Scott (1)

Time: 2:06

Attendance: 38,619

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–It felt too good to be true for the Giants to take the first two games of this three-game series against the mighty Dodgers. Of course, Tyler Glasnow dominated the Giants with nine strikeouts, and gave up no runs and just one hit over eight shutout innings, as the Dodgers salvaged a game in this series with a 3-0 win. 

Thursday, the Giants actually had a chance to actually sweep the closest thing Baseball has ever had to the 1992 USA Men’s Olympic Basketball team. The weather was perfect. It was a spectacular day at Oracle Park, as small puffy clouds helped the sun glisten the crystal-clear hills across the day. It was one of the most beautiful days at Oracle Park in a long time. Of course it was too good to be true.

Logan Webb, who has been off to a rocky start this season, got the start for the Giants. Over the years, it has not been too common for Webb to take the ball after a Giants’ win. However, despite the Giants’ sluggish start this year, Thursday was Webb’s fourth start following a Giants’ win. The problem was that the Giants lost two of those previous particular three starts.

Webb started off nicely with a 1-2-3 top of the first inning. However, the Dodgers got on the board in the top of the second when Dalton Rushing, the new favorite guy for Giants’ fans to hate, knocked in a run with a two-out base-hit. 

The Dodgers scored two more in the top of the fourth to make it 3-0. Despite a couple of rough innings, Webb ended up turning in his first quality start of the season, as he threw seven innings.

As I said in my lead, Tyler Glasnow struck out nine, and gave up just one hit over eight lights-out innings for the Dodgers. All the Giants can do is tip their cap.

Blade Tidwell threw two scoreless innings, so no one else in the Giants’ bullpen had to be used. Tanner Scott, meanwhile, picked up his first save of the season with a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth. With Edwin Diaz out until around the All-Star Break, there is a good chance Scott will be the Dodgers’ closer for the foreseeable future.

If anyone is interested, Webb did hit Dalton Rushing. Whether it was intentional or not, you can say the Giants got even for Rushing’s classless response to Jung Hoo Lee’s injury the other night. Just for the record, kids, there are things that you only do on the baseball field, and NOT in real life.

The Giants will be back at it Friday night against the Miami Marlins. Adrian Houser (0-2, 5.40 ERA), who got through a rough start in Washington last Saturday, will take the ball for the Giants. Marlins’ ace Sandy Alcantara (2-2, 3.06 ERA) will oppose him.

First pitch at 7:15 p.m.