Sacramento A’s starter Jeffery Springs delivers a pitch agianst the Chicago White Sox in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Apr 19, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 The A’s went into Sunday’s game with the series tied looking to beat a young but very capable Chicago White Sox team.
2. It was a tough outing for Jeffrey Springs pitching through five innings but giving up nine hits and a whole lot more setting up the White Sox nicely.
3.Once Springs was relieved the A’s relief pitching really stepped up keeping the White Sox off the scoreboard.
4.Sacramento made a game of it in the seventh inning when they had not only some great offense but took advantage of walks and wild pitches.
5. Next up for the A’s a three game series with the Seattle Mariners starting Monday night at T Mobile Field in Seattle. In the past the Mariners have had the A’s number but they have at times turned that around. How do you see the A’s fare in this series.
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 pitcher JT Ginn will get the start against the Seattle Mariners Mon Apr 20, 2026 to open the first of a three game series (AP file)
Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:
#1 Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Varga both launched a home run a piece as the Sox hit four home runs off Sacramento A’s pitching at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sunday.
#2 Sox pitcher Noah Schultz pitched five plus innings and allowed just one hit to pick up his first big league win against the A’s.
#3 Schultz struck out six hitters and walked just one batter to help the Sox take the three game series. Schultz had his stuff working for him keeping the A’s off balance just enough to help Chicago beat the A’s by three runs.
#4 The A’s Zach Gelof got a two out two run double in the bottom of the seventh off White Sox reliver Grant Taylor. Jordan Leasure came into relieve Taylor and threw a wild pitch that allowed Gelof to score to make it 7-4 that would be all the runs the A’s would get for the rest of the game.
#5 The A’s open up a three game series in Seattle against the Mariners. The Mariners will be another test for Sacramento the A’s are hoping to win a series after some of their struggles at Sutter Health Park. The A’s open up a road trip in Seattle and on Monday night will start RHP JT Ginn (0-0 ERA 3.31) the M’s will start RHP Emerson Hancock (2-1 ERA 2.28) with a first pitch 6:40pm PDT.
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.
Jose Soriano pitcher of the Los Angeles Angels with a 0.28 ERA fires a pitch to the San Diego Padres line up at the Big A in Anaheim on Fri Apr 17, 2026 (AP News photo)
MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:
#1 How significant is José Soriano’s early dominance (0.28 ERA) for the Los Angeles Angels, and is he a legitimate AL Cy Young frontrunner this early in the season?
#2 What does the New York Mets’ 11-game losing streak reveal about their roster construction and what happens to manager Carlos Mendoza at this point? Francisco Lindor: “He’s done a fantastic job. This is not on him… It comes down on us. Mendy’s our guy… He’s done a tremendous job, we just haven’t executed.”
#3 How impactful is the reported $3.9 billion potential sale of the San Diego Padres on MLB’s financial landscape and franchise valuations?
#4 In what ways could the Kansas City Royals’ proposed $1.9 billion downtown stadium reshape the team’s future and its relationship with the city?
#5 What does the breakout performance of top prospect George Lombard Jr. suggest about the New York Yankees’ long-term infield plans?
Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the top of the second inning at Sutter Health Park on April 19, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Athletics and White Sox scrapped in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Sutter Health Park. It was another sold-out crowd, the fourth of the season for the A’s, as 12,070 patrons took in the action on a perfect 74-degree day at the ballpark.
The White Sox pounced on the A’s early and prevented a late push as they defeated the A’s 7-4.
Jeffrey Springs got the ball for the A’s to make his fourth start of the season on Sunday. The game didn’t go according to plan for Springs as he labored through five tumultuous innings before being lifted after throwing 85 pitches. Springs gave up seven runs on nine hits while walking one and striking out seven in his outing. Springs suffered from the long ball all game as he gave up four home runs in his five innings of work.
“…Overall, it looked like the ball was just up in the zone,” Mark Kotsay said after the game about Springs. “This is an aggressive free-swinging team and I think today we just couldn’t execute down below and get that chase that we needed and get it off the barrel.”
The bullpen put up a solid effort in the loss as A’s manager Mark Kotsay used three arms in his pen to finish out the game.
The first out of the bullpen was Mason Barnett, who was recently promoted from Triple-A when Elvis Alvarado was sent down. The idea is that Barnett can serve as a long man for the time being until the A’s brutal stretch of 16 straight days without an off day ends this upcoming Thursday. On Sunday, Barnett came in and tossed two solid innings of one-hit, no-run baseball while he walked two batters. It was a great first effort out of the pen and set the A’s up with an opportunity at a comeback effort.
Luis Medina was next up for the A’s as he tossed a scoreless eighth inning after Barnett walked the first batter and allowed a single to the second. Medina worked out of it and put up a scoreless frame and needed just eight pitches to do it.
In the ninth inning, the A’s turned to Scott Barlow and he delivered. Barlow finished the top of the ninth with ease, allowing nothing while striking out two on just 15 pitches.
On offense, it was too few and far between for the A’s, who attempted some rallies, but none that came up large enough. In total, the A’s only managed five hits and three walks in the game.
The A’s first run came in the second inning when Darell Hernaiz hit a high, towering solo home run to left field. Hernaiz’s homer was lifted at a 35-degree launch angle and traveled 396 feet.
The A’s second and final scoring came in the seventh inning when Zack Gelof hit a two-run double down the right-field line to score Tyler Soderstrom and Darell Hernaiz to get the A’s to within three. After Gelof advanced to third on the throw following his double, he then came in to score on a wild pitch a few pitches later for the A’s fourth run of the game. That would be the last run the A’s scored as they fell to the White Sox, 7-4.
It was a tough series for the A’s against an opponent that, on paper going into the series, the A’s should have won.
Mark Kotsay discussed the difficult series after the game, saying, “Tough series. We talked about it. A young aggressive team… overall tough loss.”
With the loss, the A’s fell back to the .500 mark and are 11-11 on the young season.
The A’s will fly to Seattle to take on the Mariners in a three-game series beginning Monday at 6:40 p.m. PST. It is the A’s final series before their 16 games in 16 days finally ends. J.T. Ginn (0-0, 3.31 ERA) is slated to start for the A’s as the Mariners plan to turn to Emerson Hancock (2-1, 2.28 ERA) for Monday’s affair.
San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (26) beats out a throw at first base as the Washington Nationals first baseman Curtis Mead (center) waits for the late throw in the top of the third inning at Nationals Park in DC on Sun Apr 19, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The San Francisco Giants fell short in their bid for their first sweep of the season losing Sunday in game three 3-0. They did finish the game with eight hits but both teams at times looked sluggish after the marathon 12 inning game Saturday. The Nationals had seven hits in the game most of them in the seventh inning resulting in the three runs that won this ball game at Nationals Park.
Game wrap: It was a very shaky start for the Nationals in the opening inning. Luis Arraez reached first base on a fielding error. Rafael Devers hit a single and with two runners on base and two outs that was it for National’s pitcher PJ Poulin. After only 2/3 of an inning he was relieved by Miles Mikolas who got out of the inning. The Nationals got a hit in the bottom of the inning but that would be it going into the second inning.
Each team got a hit in the second inning but no runs through two innings. It was much the same in the third inning with each team having one hit, a lot of singles, but no runs. The Giants had a a couple of hits in the fourth inning with two runners on base but again no runs.
The Nationals went three and out in the bottom of the fourth. Washington had a couple of long balls that were just foul but the game remained scoreless. Perhaps the temperature and the winds had something to do with the decline in offense for both teams or possibly fatigue after Saturday’s game but these guys looked tired.
Andrew Alvarez would relieve Miles Mikolas mid-way through the fifth inning. He pitched through four innings allowing four hits, one walk with four strikeouts and no runs.
It was just a matter of time before one of these teams would get up on the scoreboard. Unfortunately for San Francisco it was the Nationals who took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning.
San Francisco had gone three and out in the top of the inning. The Nationals were about to turn this game around. Nasim Nunez bunted a single to start the bottom of the inning. Keibert Ruiz doubled Nunez home for a 1-0 game and Curtis Mead finished off the inning with a two run home run with Ruiz on base for a 3-0 lead.
The Giants Casey Schmitt doubled in the top of the sixth inning but did not score. The Nationals Joey Weimer also doubled but the Nats did not score and the game remained 3-0.
San Francisco had some work to do. In the early innings the Giants had some scoring opportunities but were unable to cash in. They were down to three innings left in the game to make a move.
Not much was going on for San Francisco in the top of the seventh inning. Patrick Bailey grounded out and Willy Adames struck out for the third time today and Luis Arraez ground out for a three and out going into the bottom of the seventh.
The Giants Robbie Ray was relieved after 93 pitches by Keaton Winn after going six innings. Ray finished allowing 7 hits, 3 runs, 1 walk and 7 strikeouts.
The Giants got something going in the eighth inning with two runners on base, Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers with no outs. Schmitt hit into a double play and Chapman moved on to third now with two outs. Jerar Encarnacion struck out for the third out and San Francisco missed a great scoring opportunity and now had a single inning left in the game. The Giant’s JT Brubaker would relieve Winn in the eighth inning. Winn had one strikeout easily getting out of the eighth inning.
San Francisco was now down to their last three outs going into the top of the ninth inning. Ramos had a monster hit to start the inning, deep to center for a double. Drew Gilbert popped out with Daniel Susac at the plate. Susac struck out and San Francisco was down to their last out. Adames was the Giants last hope to keep this game going. The Giants were 10-0 with runners on base. Adames grounded out and that was the ball game 3-0 in favor of the Nationals.
Game notes: The Giants took on the Nationals Sunday in game three of their series after an exciting marathon yesterday that went 12 innings on Saturday. The extra innings were full of drama with the Nationals loading the bases in the tenth with a chance to win the game but coming away empty in a 7-6 loss.
Both teams fought hard in this game Saturday with San Francisco coming away with the win. This has been a great series for Matt Chapman coming through with some key hits in the first two games. Heliot Ramos has also been a highlight going 3-5 Saturday.
For Sunday a threatening front passed over the field before the game and it turned into a beautiful yet very chilly Sunday. The temperature at first pitch was 54 degrees but felt more like 44 so fans and some of the players were bundled up for this one. As this game wore on the wind really became a factor as well.
The Giants finished this road trip 4-5 and now will head back to Oracle Park in San Francisco for a series with the Los Angeles that gets underway Tuesday.
The Dodgers come into this three game series the best team in baseball 15-6 despite loosing to the Colorado Rockies on Sunday 9-6. The Dodgers will start ace pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto in game one, he has a 2-1 win/loss record and a 2.10 ERA.
The Giants will feature Tyler Mahle on the hill. Mahle has a 0-3 win/loss record and a 7.23 ERA. First pitch for the opener in this series is scheduled for 6:45 PM PDT.
San Francisco Giant Jung Hoo Lee (51) is tagged out by Washington Nationals catcher Drew Mills in the top of the second inning at Nationals Park in DC on Sat Apr 18, 2026. The Giants would end up as eventual winners in 12 innings edging the Nats 7-6. (AP News photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:
#1 San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman hit an RBI single in the 12th inning for a 7-6 win over the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park in DC Saturday.
#2 With the bases loaded the Giants got out of a jam in the bottom of the tenth and prevented the Nationals from scoring a game winning run.
#3 In the top of the 12th the Giants Matt Chapman hit an RBI single to give the Giants the eventual game winning hit and break a 6-6 deadlock off Nat reliever Cionel Perez.
#4 Lincoln talk about Rafael Devers whose helping his own cause with an RBI single in the top of the seventh in a tight ball game.
#5 Talk about reliever Jose Butto who will miss five to six months due to arm surgery?
#6 Game three of this series continues Sunday. The Giants have won three straight games going into game three and have a shot at sweeping the series. For San Francisco on Sunday LHP Robbie Ray (2-2 ERA 2.42) for Washington RHP Miles Mikolas (0-3 ERA 11.49) first pitch at Nats Park 10:35am PDT Sunday.
San Francisco Giants hitter Drew Gilbert swings for a single off Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli (not shown) for an RBI that scored Helliot Ramos (not shown) at Nationals Park in DC on Sat Apr 18, 2026 (AP news photo)
By Barbara Mason
It took the San Francisco Giants (9-12) 12 innings to win game two of their series with the Washington Nationals (9-12) by a 7-6 score. Each team had opportunities in the extra innings to win but it was the Giants who prevailed.Heliot Ramos had another amazing game as did the entire roster with nearly every player in the lineup with at least one hit, some of them with multiple hits. The Giants struggled to start the game but they fought back and finished the game with a win.
Game recap: Lead-off batter James Wood got the game going in favor of the Nationals hitting a solo home run in the first inning for the early 1-0 lead. That hit preempted an explosive second inning for both teams. San Francisco tied up the game in the top of the second inning coming away with three hits and one run.
Jung Hoo Lee singled, Heliot Ramos doubled, Gilbert singled Ramos home and we had a tie ball game. The Nationals had a crazy bottom of the second inning scoring four runs off of three hits taking a 5-1 lead. It was a rough inning for Giant starter Adrian Houser who not only gave up three hits but also a walk. He hit James Wood with the bases loaded so it was not his best outing so far in this game.
San Francisco had some catching up to do and they did just that in the top of the third inning scoring two runs on two hits . Luis Arraez singled and Casey Schmitt doubled driving in Matt Chapman who scored on a fielding error and Arraez. The Giants had cut the Nationals lead to 5-3. Washington came up empty in the bottom of the third inning.
Each team had a hit in the fifth inning but neither were able to score. With a bit of ground to make up, San Francisco made it happen scoring two runs in the top of the sixth tying up the game 5-5.
Ramos who hit a three run home run in Friday’s game came up huge hitting a two run home run with Lee on second base. San Francisco had new life after having trailed by four runs.
Going into the seventh inning San Francisco was looking to break the 5-5 tie. Willy Adames got the inning going with a single moving onto second base on a wild pitch. Rafal Devers singled driving Adames home and the Giants had the lead for the first time in the game 6-5. The Nationals had no hits, no runs in the bottom of the seventh.
Going into the bottom of the ninth inning the score remained 6-5 in favor of the Giants. San Francisco was one out away from winning this game. With two outs, Brady House singled Wood, (who had been intentionally walked) home and this game was again tied at 6-6.
Neither team was able to finish this game in the tenth inning, the Giants with no hits, no runs and the Nationals with one hit but no runs in the bottom of the inning. This game would go on into the 11th inning yielding nothing for either team, no runs and no hits.
San Francisco took the lead in the top of the 12th inning 7-6 in a marathon. Matt Chapman singled Arraez home from second base. Now the Giants would be looking for three outs and the win in game two.
The Nationals were threatening in the bottom of the inning with two runners on base but two outs. Abrams flied out, Young lined out and for a third time the Giants were one out away from the win. Could the third time be a charm for San Francisco?
Closer Caleb Killian struck out Daylen Lile for the third out and that was the ball game. The Giants had won the second game of the series and their third game in a row.
San Francisco’s Adrian Houser went 5 2/3 innings allowing seven hits, five runs, two walks and one strike out. Relief pitchers Ryan Borucki finished the sixth inning. Erik Miller finished the seventh, Matt Gage the eighth, Ryan Walker the ninth and tenth.
It was a great game for closer Caleb Kilian who pitched the 11th and 12th innings and came away with the victory. After the game he did say that he was still shaking. The bottom line is that he didn’t show his nerves, he got the job done and got the win for San Francisco.
Game notes: Friday the Giants won their series opener beating the Nationals. The Giants had an outstanding second inning scoring six runs setting the stage for the eventual win. Saturday San Francisco won game two of the series and their third game in a row.
It’s difficult to say who the player of the game was. Every player on the roster contributed to the win with Matt Chapman leading the pack with three hits and three RBIs. Heliot Ramos hit a three run homer along with Casey Schmitt and Drew Gilbert each hitting solo home runs on Friday night.
The Giants offense is cranking and they got more scoring seven runs just enough to edge the Nationals at Nationals Park in DC. San Francisco starter Adrian Houser went 5.2 innings giving up seven hits and four earned runs. For Washington’s starter Cade Cavalli four innings of work, seven hits and one earned run allowed and struck out five batters.
Sunday San Francisco will be going for the sweep in game three. Both teams could be emotionally and physically drained after Saturday’s game but they will be on an equal playing field. The only difference will be that it was the Giants who came away with the win in game two. Robbie Ray will take the mound for the Giants with a 2-2 win/loss record and a 2.42 ERA. Miles Mikolas has struggled with a 0-3 win/loss record and a 11.49 ERA. First pitch Sunday is scheduled for 10:35 AM PDT.
(L-R) Max Muncy #3, Lawrence Butler #4 and Jacob Wilson #5 of the Athletics celebrate after Muncy hit a walk-off sacrifice fly scoring Wilson to defeat the Chicago White Sox 7-6 in the bottom of the 11th inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Athletics and the White Sox engaged in game two of their three-game series on Saturday afternoon at 1:05 p.m. PST.
After Friday night’s tough loss, the A’s bounced back to defeat the White Sox 7-6 in 11 innings.
Luis Severino got the ball for the A’s to start the game on Saturday, and he struggled in his outing. Severino ground through five and a third innings of work and gave up five runs (all earned) on five hits while walking four and striking out three. Severino needed 96 pitches to get through his outing while suffering from a three-run homer and a lack of command.
However, the A’s bullpen did its job in relief of Severino to keep the game close and the A’s in it.
Hogan Harris was first out of the pen for the A’s, and he tossed one and a third innings with his only blemish being a Munetaka Murakami solo home run. Other than that, he allowed no other hits.
Next out of the bullpen for the A’s was Joel Kuhnel. Kuhnel came on and pitched a scoreless inning and a third for the A’s. He allowed nothing more than a hit amid an otherwise perfect outing.
Mark Leiter Jr. was the third man out of the bullpen for Mark Kotsay and struggled. Leiter tossed just two-thirds of an inning, allowing two walks and striking out one prior to being lifted for Jack Perkins.
Perkins, who has been serving as a bit of a longman for the A’s, came in and got the last out of the ninth inning to keep the game tied. Perkins also tossed the 10th inning without allowing much other than a hit by pitch to keep the game tied and strand the designated runner who started the inning at second base. With the A’s unable to score in the 10th, Perkins was back out for the 11th inning, where he got into a bases-loaded jam early, but escaped without allowing a run.
On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s impressed, coming all the way back from 5-0 down to tie the game at six in the bottom of the seventh.
The A’s first scoring came in the second inning when Jacob Wilson hit a solo home run to left field to get the A’s on the board.
In the third inning, the A’s got their second run of the game courtesy of a Jeff McNeil sacrifice fly to score Lawrence Butler.
In the fifth inning, the A’s continued to claw back with an RBI single from Tyler Soderstrom to make it a 5-3 game.
In the sixth, Lawrence Butler reached on a fielder’s choice, driving home Max Muncy to get the A’s to within one, 5-4.
In the seventh inning, the A’s climb up the mountain was completed as Nick Kurtz launched a two-run homer to right field to tie the game at six apiece and give the A’s new life.
However, the rest of the action would take much longer before the A’s could truly celebrate.
The game presented numerous chances the rest of the way for either team to seize the win, but it wasn’t until the bottom of the 11th inning, when Max Muncy hit a sacrifice fly to left field, that either team would. Jacob Wilson would score from third base on the play, and the A’s would score their seventh run to walk off the White Sox 7-6.
After the game, A’s manager Mark Kotsay summed up what pretty much everyone was thinking.
“There was a lot to unpack from this game,” Kotsay said. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to unpack it all, but like I said to start this conversation, it was a pretty emotional rollercoaster.”
With the win, the A’s improved to 11-10 on the season to even the series with the White Sox at a game apiece. The rubber game of the series will take place on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PST. The A’s will send Jeffrey Springs (3-0, 1.46 ERA) to the mound, while the White Sox will counter with Noah Schultz (0-1, 6.23 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.
The baseball is at Chicago White Sox runner Luisangel Acua (0) has the baseball at his back and A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz (left) won’t get it in time for the putout at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento
Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 The Chicago White Sox Munetaka Murakami’s first career grand slam launched the White Sox into the win column with a 9-2 win over the Sacramento Athletics on Friday night at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.
#2 The Sox also got good pitching from Davis Martin who gave up three hits over seven innings pitch surrendering three hits and one earned run. No doubt Martin had his stuff working for him.
#3 Sacramento pitcher Aaron Civale struggled pitching 4.2 innings he got racked up by Sox hitting for 11 hits and five earned runs.
#4 A’s Nick Kurtz slugged a RBI single in the last of the fourth that sent A’s Shea Langeliers home and the A’s Andy Ibanez hit for an RBI scoring Max Muncy and that was all the damage the A’s could muster on Friday night.
#5 Match ups for Saturday at Sutter Health Park for the White Sox RHP Erick Fedde (0-3 ERA 3.38) for the A’s RHP Luis Severino (0-2 ERA 5.59) first pitch 1:05pm PDT.
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.
Aaron Civale #45 of the Athletics pitches against the Chicago White Sox in the third inning at Sutter Health Park on April 17, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
By Jeremiah Salmonson
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Athletics welcomed Munetaka Murakami and the Chicago White Sox to Sacramento on Friday night for the beginning of a three-game series.
The White Sox handled business behind a powerful offensive performance, defeating the Athletics 9-2 in front of a sold-out crowd of 12,027.
Aaron Civale started the game for the A’s and was immediately in trouble as he gave up a leadoff double, and the White Sox never looked back. Civale struggled locating his pitches, which led to hits and not walks on this particular occasion. Civale managed to go four and two-thirds innings while allowing five runs on 11 hits while walking one and striking out four. Civale needed 103 pitches to get through his laborious outing.
“I think there’s probably a lot of balls left in the middle of the plate tonight…he grinded…I thought he gave us everything he had tonight,” Mark Kotsay said after the game.
In the clubhouse, Aaron Civale was doing his best to move on from the draining outing in which he threw 103 pitches.
“I felt like we were doing a good job out there, competing,” Civale said after the game to reporters. “From what I can tell, it’s just kind of one of those days you gotta flush it and move forward.”
The A’s bullpen came in and looked to keep the game within striking distance, but they weren’t able to do that.
Elvis Alvarado came on in relief and tossed two innings of his own. Elvis gave up four runs on a mammoth grand slam to Munetaka Murakami that cleared the batter’s eye in center field. All in, Elvis tossed 45 pitches in his two innings of work while giving up three hits and walking three batters while striking out three.
The A’s finished the game with Justin Sterner, who was on the mound for the A’s late collapse on Thursday. Sterner tossed an impressive two and a third innings of one-hit, no-run baseball while striking out four batters and not allowing a walk. It was a nice bounce-back for the right-hander, who needed 46 pitches to get it done.
On the offensive side, the Athletics couldn’t get much going against the White Sox. Starter Davis Martin for Chicago was dealing early and took a no-hitter into the fourth inning. In total, the A’s managed two runs while collecting four hits and walking four times against the White Sox staff.
The A’s scored two runs, with one coming in the fourth inning and the other in the eighth inning.
In the fourth, Nick Kurtz had an RBI single into right field that scored Shea Langeliers from second base.
In the eighth, Andy Ibáñez collected an RBI when he grounded out to score Max Muncy from third base.
Other than that, the A’s were blanked by the White Sox staff on a brisk West Sacramento night, falling by the final score of 9-2.
With the loss, the A’s fell to 10-10 on the season and will take on the White Sox in Game 2 of the three-game series on Saturday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. PST. Luis Severino (0-2, 5.59 ERA) will take the mound for the A’s, while the White Sox will send Erick Fedde (0-3, 3.38 ERA) to the bump.
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.
Sports Radio Service 