Tag: mlb

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey: A’s Perkins gets the start against O’s in game 2 of series

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Jack Perkins gets the call against the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park at West Sacramento on Sat Aug 29, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 How important was the Sacramento A’s Jonah Heim’s seventh-inning solo home run in starting the A’s comeback, and what did his at-bat show about his approach against the Baltimore Orioles Brandon Young?

#2 What did Lawrence Butler’s eighth-inning RBI single do to change the momentum of the game, and how has his recent hitting helped the A’s offense?

#3 How did Zack Gelof keep the A’s alive with his RBI single in the 10th inning, and what more could have been needed from the A’s lineup in that situation?

#4 How would you evaluate Jacob Lopez’s five-inning start, considering that he allowed two runs but only one was earned?

#5 Saturday for game two of the three game set starting pitcher for Baltimore RHP Shane Baz (4-14 ERA 4.04) for Sacramento RHP Jack Perkins (3-9 ERA 6.68) first pitch 7:05 pm at Sutter Health Park.

Tony Harvey is a news correspondant for NBC Radio and 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. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Eldridge’s homer and offense key in SF line up

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San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge gives thanks to the Almighty after connecting for a home run in the bottom of the first innng at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Aug 28, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 How did Bryce Eldridge and Christian Koss contribute offensively for the Giants, and how important were their home runs in keeping San Francisco competitive?

#2 What went wrong for Giants starting pitcher Blade Tidwell, particularly during Arizona’s five-run third inning?

#3How did Jung Hoo Lee, Bryce Eldridge, and Christian Koss help the Giants build an early lead despite Arizona’s eventual comeback?

#4 What impact did Logan Webb’s ejection have on the Giants, and what circumstances led to manager Tony Vitello and Webb being ejected?

#5 With the Giants scoring six runs and hitting home runs through Bryce Eldridge and Christian Koss, what prevented San Francisco from overcoming Arizona’s pitching and offensive surge?

Join Stephen Ruderman for the San Francisco Giants podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: O’s Mayo and Encarnacion-Strand both with two run RBIs gets by Sac 4-3

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Kiss it goodbye as the Sacramento A’s Jonah Heim heads home after hitting a seventh inning home run against the Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Aug 28, 2026 (AP News photo)

A’s Rally Falls One Run Short in Ten 4-3

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO- The Athletics found themselves in a two-run hole for most of the game, tied it in the eighth, then watched Baltimore build another two-run lead in the tenth. Coby Mayo and Christian Encarnacion-Strand delivered consecutive two-out RBI singles off Brady Basso, and the Orioles held off the A’s 4-3 in ten innings. Sacramento still had life in the bottom half when Zack Gelof singled home automatic runner Alika Williams with two outs, but Alex Hoppe retired Lawrence Butler to finish the game. The loss dropped the Athletics to 53-82 and clinched a fifth consecutive losing season.

Baltimore built its first advantage against Jacob Lopez in the second. Coby Mayo was hit by a pitch, Leody Taveras drew a one-out walk, and Dylan Beavers brought Mayo home with a two-out single to right. Taveras then scored when Carlos Narváez reached on Lopez’s fielding error.

Lopez prevented the inning from getting worse when Blaze Alexander’s infield single sent Beavers toward the plate and the left-hander threw home to Jonah Heim for the out. Lopez recovered, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits and three walks over five innings while striking out six. The outing extended his run to nine straight starts allowing two runs or fewer, continuing the longest such stretch by an Athletics traditional starter since Justin Duchscherer went 11 straight in 2008.

The A’s had chances against Brandon Young but struggled to turn baserunners into runs. Tommy White and Max Muncy singled in the second, only for Carlos Cortes to strike out and Heim to ground out. Muncy added another single in the fifth, while Gelof singled, stole second and watched Butler draw a walk in the sixth. Young escaped all of it. He carried the 2-0 lead into the seventh before Heim finally broke through, driving a two-out solo homer to right for his 12th of the season. Young finished seven innings with five hits, one run, one walk and four strikeouts.

The comeback reached even in the eighth. Henry Bolte was hit by a pitch from Rico Garcia, Jeff McNeil singled to left, and Gelof moved both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Butler followed with a single to left that scored Bolte, tying the game 2-2. The same play also kept the Athletics from taking the lead, as Beavers threw McNeil out at home. Butler entered the game riding a five-game hitting streak and batting .362 over his previous 16 games, and his tying single pushed that streak to six.

From there, neither side gave much away. Luis Medina retired the Orioles in order in the eighth. Hogan Harris worked around a Colton Cowser walk in the ninth with help from Heim, who threw Cowser out trying to steal second. Baltimore’s Andrew Kittredge answered with a scoreless bottom of the ninth despite Cortes’ one-out single, sending the game to extras.

That put Basso in a difficult spot with Narváez beginning the 10th at second. After Alexander lined out, Basso intentionally put Pete Alonso on first. Gunnar Henderson ran for Alonso, Jackson Holliday struck out, and Baltimore was down to its final out of the inning. Mayo then singled Narváez home, and Encarnacion-Strand followed with another single to score Henderson for a 4-2 lead. It was a rough turn for Basso, who had posted a 1.74 ERA and allowed no run in 11 of 13 appearances since his July recall before this game.

The Athletics made one final push. With Williams starting at second, Hoppe struck out Bolte and retired McNeil before Gelof lined a single to center to make it 4-3. Butler then grounded out to end it. Gelof finished 2-for-4 with a stolen base, a sacrifice bunt and an RBI, while Muncy also had two hits. The A’s collected nine hits to Baltimore’s six, but the Orioles made their six count just enough.

Game 2 is set for 7:05 p.m. Pacific Saturday night, with Baltimore sending Shane Baz (4-14, 4.04 ERA, 135 strikeouts) to the mound, and Jack Perkins (3-9, 6.68 ERA, 104 strikeouts) for the Athletics according to Manager Kotsay Friday night in his post game presser.

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. 

Diamondbacks roll past the Giants, 10-6, on the team’s Native American Heritage Night

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San Francisco Giants (#0) Drew Gilbert at-bat against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher (#68) Gerardo Carrillo in the bottom of the fifth inning of an MLB game at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Friday, August 28th, 2026. (Photo credit to editor Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – After winning Thursday night’s game over Arizona, the Giants now have won three of their last four games. The San Francisco Giants (55-80) failed to secure a split series against the Arizona Diamondbacks (72-64), losing Friday night’s game, 10-6. This is the Giants’ ninth loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks, their most in a single season against the Diamondbacks since 2022.

The winning pitcher would go to Arizona Diamondback Gerardo Carrillo, his third of the season. The losing pitcher would go to San Francisco Giants Blade Tidwell, his first loss of the season. Tidwell finished the night with seven hits, six runs, four strikeouts, and three home runs.

First pitch of the game and Arizona was not playing around and taking last night’s loss easy. Arizona’s Lars Nootbaar gets his fifth homer of the season on a fly ball to center field. San Francisco Giants pitcher Blade Tidwell’s first pitch of his first start of the season was not what he expected, but he was able to shake it off and strike out the next two batters.

However, San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge took Nootbaar’s homer personally, so at his first at-bat of the game, Eldridge brings in his 15th homer of the season out to right field, and tying the ball game at 1-1 after the bottom of the first inning. Going into the second inning, Giants pitcher Blade Tidwell was able to shake off his first-inning performance and get the next three outs with ease.

The Giants were able to get a run in at the bottom of the second inning. Giants Jung Hoo Lee got himself a single, and then after that was able to get in scoring position for himself. Setting up his teammate, Giants Turner Hill, on a sacrifice out, and bringing in Lee to score, and taking the lead, 2-1. After that, going into the third inning, Arizona took over the game from here.

Arizona’s Lars Nootbaar strikes again and gets himself a double, his eleventh of the season. Then Arizona Corbin Carroll got himself his 19th homer of the season, to center field, and bringing in two runs and taking the lead at, 3-2. The Diamondbacks were not done with their hitting as Geraldo Perdomo gets a single. Next, Arizona’s Nolan Arenado gets his twenty-first double of the season. Setting up his teammate, Tim Tawa, to get his ninth homer of the season and bring in three runs, making the score 6-2.

After Arizona’s five runs scoring inning, the Giants were frustration was showing, especially from the bullpen. Giants manager Tony Vitello and RHP Logan Webb were both ejected from the ballgame in the bottom of the third. San Francisco was able to bounce back after losing their manager and get a run in from Bryce Eldridge on his 17th double of the season, which that had brought in Giants Rafael Devers to score, 6-3.

San Francisco was able to at least get a run in the first four innings of the game. At the bottom of the fourth, Giants Christian Koss joins the homerun party, as he would get himself his first of the season and bringing in a run as well. The Giants would be down by one run, 6-5. With Koss’s homer, the Giants were ready to do whatever it takes to get this home win. However, the Giants would mentally fall apart after San Francisco changed pitchers. The Giants would end Blade Tidwell’s night and bring in RHP Spencer Bivens.

With the Giants changing pitchers, that still didn’t stop Arizona from bringing in more runs. Spencer’s first batter was Arizona’s Tim Tawa; Tawa would get himself on base with a single, and then the next batter, James McCann, would hit a ground-rule double to left field, his sixth of the season. Ultimately setting up their teammate Lldemaro Vargas for a single and bringing in his teammates for two more runs. The score was now 8-5. Then, Vargas would score from Corbin Carroll’s sacrifice fly to left field, making the score 9-5.

Heading into the top of the seventh inning, Arizona was able to get one more run for the night from Geraldo Perdomo, who got walked and then was able to get himself into scoring position from James McCann’s single to left field. Arizona would now hold a five run lead over San Francisco, 10-5.

Arizona’s last run was ultimately the dagger in this ball game as the Giants were unable to get a comeback going in front of the home crowd. At most, San Francisco would be able to get one run in at the bottom of the eighth, and then after that it became a smooth night for the Diamondbacks as they would get the win.

The San Francisco Giants are gonna have themselves a long day Saturday as the team prepares for a doubleheader with the Arizona Diamondbacks. The first game will have the first pitch at 1:05 p.m., and the second game’s first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m.

Both of these games will be broadcast live on NBCS BA. Starting pitchers for the front game Arizona RHP Merrill Kelly (8-12 ERA 5.35) for San Francisco TBA. In the night cap for Arizona LHP Mitch Bratt (1-2 ERA 4.54) for San Francisco TBA.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Gilbert slugs first career leadoff home run in Giants 6-1 win

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San Francisco Giants Drew Gilbert (0) slugs a home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the bottom of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Thu Aug 27, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 The San Francisco Giants win over the Arizona Diamondbacks 6-1 snaps the Giants four game home losing streak to the Arizona that goes back to Sep 10, 2025.

#2 The Giants Drew Gilbert slugged a leadoff home run his first leadoff home run of his career.

#3 Gilbert is now hitting .288, with nine runs, with seven extra base hits, with three home runs, 13 RBIs and has made a difference in the lineup.

#4 Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp held the Diamondbacks off going five innings, allowing four hits, walked two, and struck out three hitters.

#5 D-Backs-Giants match up for game two of the series Friday at 7:15pm PDT. Starters for Arizona LHP Kohl Drake (0-1 ERA 5.40) and for San Francisco RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 3.58).

Join Lincoln Juarez for the SF Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Bounce Back Behind Roupp, Four-Run Eighth to Beat Diamondbacks 6-1

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Landen Roupp #65 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Oracle Park on August 27, 2026 in San Francisco, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif. — The Giants suffered maybe their most brutal loss of the year on Wednesday during the getaway day game against the Cincinnati Reds. Leading 9-3 heading into the ninth inning, the Giants coughed up the lead and lost the game 10-9 in what was a disastrous bullpen performance. On Thursday, the Giants looked to get back on track as they welcomed the Arizona Diamondbacks to town at 6:45 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park for an NL West showdown.

The Giants defeated the Diamondbacks behind a strong offensive showing in the eighth inning, 6-1. Landen Roupp got the win, and he is now 8-13 on the season.

Landen Roupp took the mound for the Giants to open the four-game series against the Snakes as he made his 26th appearance this season (all starts). Roupp, who entered play on Thursday as the league’s losingest pitcher, cruised through the first three innings of the game before running into some trouble in the fourth inning. Roupp gave up a solo home run to start the inning before the Diamondbacks loaded the bases with just one out. Landen worked out of that jam to limit the damage to just the home run. All in, Roupp went five innings of one-run, four-hit baseball while walking two and striking out three. It was a solid outing for Roupp, who has averaged about five and a third innings this year in his starts.

Trent Harris was first out of the bullpen for Tony Vitello and the Giants as he came in to relieve Roupp and pitched the sixth and seventh innings. Harris was fantastic as he didn’t allow a hit or a walk in his two innings while striking out three Diamondbacks hitters.

Carson Seymour was next out of the arm barn for the Giants as he came on to pitch the eighth inning. Seymour did his best to match Harris as he threw a scoreless inning, allowing no runs or hits while walking one.

In the ninth inning and with the lead, the Giants turned to Ryan Walker to try and get the final three outs. It wasn’t as clean as the Giants would have liked it, but Walker recorded the final three outs of the game without giving up a run. Walker tossed a scoreless ninth while giving up two hits and striking out one.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Giants scored six runs on seven hits while walking two times.

The Giants’ first run of the game came with their first batter of the game as Drew Gilbert drilled a solo home run over the wall in right-center field. Gilbert knew he got it when he hit it as he stood and admired the shot at home plate for a moment before commencing his jog around the bases. It was Gilbert’s eighth home run of the season and his 35th RBI as it also marked the third time this season the Giants have opened a game with a home run.

The Giants’ second run of the game also came courtesy of Drew Gilbert as he drove home Christian Koss with an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning. It was Gilbert’s second RBI of the game and his 36th of the season.

In the eighth inning, the Giants exploded for four runs behind Jung Hoo Lee, Rafael Devers and Bryce Eldridge, starting a rally.

Bryce Eldridge doubled home Jung Hoo Lee, who reached with a pinch-hit walk two batters earlier, to give the Giants their third run of the game. It was the 16th double for Bryce and his 36th RBI of the year.

Jonah Cox gave the Giants their fourth run of the game on an RBI single to center field that scored Rafael Devers from third base, his seventh RBI of the year.

Turner Hill was next to get in on the action as he drove in his fourth run of the year as Bryce Eldridge scored on his RBI single.

Lastly, the Giants scored their sixth run of the game on an RBI sacrifice bunt from Shay Whitcomb, who drove in Jonah Cox. It was the eighth RBI of the year for Shay.

The Giants and Diamondbacks will play game two of their four-game series on Friday at 7:15 p.m. PDT at Oracle Park. Blake Tidwell (0-0, 3.58 ERA) is slated to start for the Giants while Arizona has yet to announce a starter.

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s open up three game set with Orioles Friday night

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Sacramento A’s Alika Willians (12) reacts to hitting a two run RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 26, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler contributed to the offense with a home run and Alika Williams hit a two run triple as the A’s took two of three games from the Minnesota Twins in a 7-4 Wednesday win.

#2 The Twins with the two loses to the A’s have now dropped two games back of the Cleveland Guardians for the last and final AL playoff spot.

#3 The A’s Tommy White got three hits and helped the A’s win their fourth game in their last five games helping the A’s to end a five game losing steak.

#4 Further the win also improves JT Ginn’s win loss record to 9-8 allowing six hits and four runs against the Twins for the win on Wednesday.

#5 The Baltimore Orioles who have won five of their last ten games and the A’s who have won four of their last five games open their series Friday. RHP starting pitcher for the Orioles Brandon Young (9-3 ERA 3.50) the A’s have not announced a starter for Friday yet.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the A’s podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy: Butler homers and Williams triples as A’s take series from Twins on Wednesday 7-4

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Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler hit a seventh inning home run against the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Aug 26, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 How did A’s starter J.T. Ginn respond after giving up three home runs in the first two innings?

#2 What key contribution did Lawrence Butler make to the A’s victory?

#3 How did Jeff McNeil, Alika Williams, and Darell Hernaiz help the A’s take the lead during the sixth inning?

#4 What happened when Alika Williams hit a fly ball to center field, and how did it affect the A’s four-run sixth inning?

#5 Which A’s players provided the key late-game pitching, and how did Brady Basso and Elvis Alvarado help preserve the 7–4 win?

Sacramento A’s podcasts with Bridget Mulcahy are heard every Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

A’s Take Rubber Game Against Twins 7-4 to Secure Series Win

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Mandatory Photo Credit: Mauricio Segura – The Athletics take on the Twins on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park.

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento A’s and Minnesota Twins wrapped up their three-game series on Wednesday night at Sutter Health Park as the A’s came away with a 7-4 win to take the series. It was the rubber game of the series, as both teams had won one of the previous two games, with the A’s looking to take their second series of the year from the AL Central (the first was against the Kansas City Royals earlier this season).

J.T. Ginn took home the win as he improved to 9-8 on the season. The A’s improved to 53-81 as the Twins fell to 64-70 on the year.

J.T. Ginn took the ball for the A’s to close out the series and the homestand for what was his 27th appearance and 24th start for the club this season. Ginn, who has been arguably the A’s best starter this season, came into the game on Wednesday with an 8-8 record and 3.60 ERA. He struggled early in the game but managed to settle in for a solid outing. Ginn tossed six full innings while giving up four runs (three home runs) on six hits while walking two and striking out three. Ginn gave up a solo home run in the first inning, followed by two solo home runs in the second inning that did the bulk of the damage against him. Otherwise, Ginn only allowed one other run and three hits aside from those first two frames.

“For him to go out and give us six innings tonight, I thought was exceptional,” Mark Kotsay said of Ginn after the game.

The A’s first turned to the bullpen in the seventh inning in relief of Ginn, who went the first six innings of the game.

Brady Basso was first out of the pen for the A’s as he pitched both the seventh and eighth innings. Basso was lights out for the A’s as he gave up one hit and nothing else during his two innings of relief. Basso needed only 15 pitches to get through his outing and created a nice bridge for the back end of the A’s pen.

In the ninth inning, it was Elvis Alvarado who came in to try and record the save for the A’s after getting the save one night earlier. It wasn’t easy for Alvarado as he gave up a hit and a walk in the ninth, but ultimately, Elvis didn’t allow any runs and shut the door on the Twins.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s scored seven runs off 12 hits and a walk to drum up enough offense to defeat the Twins.

The A’s first run came in the fourth inning when Michael Stefanic doubled home Lawrence Butler to pull the A’s to within two and make it a 3-1 ballgame. It was the first double and RBI for Stefanic this season with the A’s.

The A’s second run came later that same inning as [PLAYER] grounded out and scored Lawrence Butler from third base for the A’s second run.

The A’s had to wait until the sixth inning for their next runs as they would score four in the inning.

Jeff McNeil hit a pinch-hit RBI double for the A’s in the sixth that scored one run and put runners at second and third. It was the 18th double for McNeil so far this season.

One batter later, it was Alika Williams who cleared the bases with a two-RBI triple for the A’s to give them the 5-4 lead at the time. It was the first triple for Williams this season and RBIs 11 and 12 for the shortstop.

The last run for the A’s in the sixth inning came courtesy of Darell Hernaiz, who singled home Williams for the A’s sixth run of the game.

To cap the A’s scoring, it was Lawrence Butler in the seventh inning who drilled a solo home run over the wall in left-center field. It was the 12th homer for Butler and traveled 425 feet while leaving the bat at 104.3 mph.

The A’s will have an off day on Thursday prior to welcoming the Baltimore Orioles to Sacramento for a three-game series on Friday at 6:40 p.m. 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. 

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

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

San Francisco Giants game wrap:

Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Cincinnati Reds 10 (63-71)

San Francisco Giants 9 (54-79)

Win: Tony Santillan (2-4)

Loss: Dylan Smith (0-5)

Save: Emilio Pagan (17)

Time: 3:15

Attendance: 24,130

By Stephen Ruderman

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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