Tag: mlb

Astros Rout Athletics 11-0 as Morales, Bullpen Falter

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Luis Morales #19 of the Athletics pitches against the Houston Astros in the top of the first inning at Sutter Health Park on April 04, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics were back in action on Saturday afternoon for game two of a three-game series against the Houston Astros. The Athletics, who famously snubbed the city of Sacramento last season by not wearing the name on their uniforms, debuted a new “Sacramento” gold jersey on Saturday for their matinee affair with the Astros.

Poor pitching, poor defense and a lackluster offensive performance doomed the A’s as they fell to the Astros 11-0.

Luis Morales took the hill for the A’s in his second start of the 2026 campaign after a rough outing in Atlanta to open his season, where he gave up five runs and three home runs in four and a third innings of work.

On Saturday, Morales didn’t fare much better, going only 3+ innings while giving up five runs on eight hits and striking out none. However, it wasn’t just the Astros hitting Morales around. Luis did himself no favors, giving up six walks during his outing, where command was clearly an issue.

The rest of the A’s staff didn’t perform much better.

Elvis Alvarado came on to relieve Morales and struggled. Elvis gave up two runs on three hits while walking two and striking out none.

Hogan Harris was next out of the pen for the A’s as he pitched the sixth inning. Harris gave up three runs while allowing four hits and two walks in his one inning of work.

Luis Medina came on to pitch the seventh and eighth innings, in which he allowed one run on two hits while walking two and striking out four in his two innings of work.

Michael Kelly was last out of the bullpen for the A’s as he worked the ninth inning and surrendered no runs while giving up a walk and a hit.

The A’s committed some costly defensive miscues in the game, but none counted as errors. Max Muncy missed two ground balls at third base that Mark Kotsay described after the game as, “I thought there were plays at third base we could have made today.”

Tyler Soderstrom also lost a ball in the high sky and sun that ended up costing the A’s a run. “Obviously he did everything you could right up until the last second,” Kotsay said after the game. “Obviously day games, sun, tough situation, ended up costing us a run. Not lack of effort.”

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s struggled all game as they managed only eight baserunners. The A’s tallied five hits and walked three times while failing to score any runs against the Astros staff.

Max Muncy managed two more hits to follow up his three-hit performance on Friday night.

The A’s will stay home to take on the Astros in the rubber game of the three-game series on Sunday at 1:05 p.m. PST. Jacob Lopez (0-1, 6.75 ERA) will go for the A’s, while the Astros will send Lance McCullers Jr. (1-0, 1.29 ERA) to the mound looking for the series win.

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

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

By Jeremiah Salmonson

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.

Mets get Revenge on Giants, Tying the Series, Final Score: 10-3

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San Francisco Giants RHP Tyler Mahle throws a strike at 91.9 mph Four-Seam Fastball on New York Met (#7) Brett Baty on Friday, April 3rd, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo Credit by the author Michael Villanueva)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – Following San Francisco’s first home win Friday, the team hoped to extend its winning streak to two on Good Friday and San Jose State Night. However, the New York Mets had other plans as it was their turn to make it a big hitting night here in Oracle Park. The Mets would bring in 15 hits Friday night and get the win. The final score would be 10-3.

The winning pitcher would be the New York Mets pitcher Nolan McLean, who almost got himself a perfect game through six innings. San Francisco Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle would take the loss in this game, as he gave up five runs and eight hits for the night.

Both of these teams had different direction performances. The Giants had a great hitting sequence yesterday, but struggled tonight and only got five hits. While on the other side, the Mets’ offense struggled yesterday but prospered overnight and came out swinging. The Mets would tally up 15 hits tonight.

The New York Mets strike first in the first inning with a couple of runs scored by Mets Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette, making the score 2-0. Giants pitcher Tyler Mahle was having some early struggles, and the Giants’ defense was letting line drives in, getting players on the bases. Also, the Giants had a quick 1-2-3 batting order and weren’t able to respond to the Mets’ hot start.

However, the Mets would go down a man in this game as Juan Soto was removed from Friday night’s game with right calf tightness. Soto will be replaced by left outfielder Tyrone Taylor. Soto went 1-1 in just playing the 1st inning. Though that wasn’t slowing down the Met’s defense, especially thanks to their starting pitcher, Nolan McLean.

The Mets were feeling determined to bounce back after that Game 1 loss to the Giants yesterday. So starting McLean was their clear choice, espcially that Nolan McLean, through his first 9 MLB starts: 2.21 ERA, 65 Ks. The only other pitchers to reach those marks since ER became an official statistic in 1913: Paul Skenes (2024), Orel Hershiser (1984), Jose DeLeon (1983), and Fernando Valenzuela (1981). Elite company to be in for McLean. Just after the first two innings, he would make the Giants go back-to-back, on a 1-2-3 batting order.

Top of the fourth, the Mets would see some success on their offense. As Mets Marcus Semien would get himself a homer and an RBI. The score would now be 4-0. Then Mets Francisco Alvarez would join the party, as he would get himself a solo homerun, making the score 5-0. Finally, once the Giants got the bleeding stopped, it was their turn at bat. Nothing much has changed, though, as the Mets’ defense and Nolan McLean have been a problem all night for the Giants.

By the top of the sixth, the Giants called it a night for their pitcher, Tyler Mahle. Mahle went four strikeouts, two HR, five Runs, and five hits. San Francisco would bring in RHP JT Brubaker. With that, the Giants’ offense was still not scoring. After a great hitting sequence last night, the Giants were struggling to make some contact with the ball. McLean is still in the game, pitching; he has four strikeouts, and is at 78 pitches.

San Francisco would finally get a hit, and it was a big one. Coming from the Giants, Willy Adames, who would hit a ground-rule double to right-center field. He would bring in a run, with Patrick Bailey scoring and Harrison Bader on third base. A much-needed turnaround is needed for the Giants, but the Mets would make the call to end McLean’s night after that hit from them. Nolan McLean was so close to giving him a perfect game. The Mets would bring in LHP Brooks Raley with just one out in the bottom of the sixth.

Mets pitcher Brooks Raley’s fastball would get by his catcher, Francisco Alvarez, which would bring in a run for the Giants. The score would now be 5-2, but the Mets’ defense would kick in and end that stretch for the Giants. So, top of the seventh comes, and Mets Francisco Alvarez made up for his mistake on letting the fastball get by him, and got a run in for San Francisco. So Alvarez decided and wanted to get his second homer of the night at 401ft distance, pushing the Mets’ lead, 6-2.

Still in the top of the seventh, the Mets just kept coming at the Giants. They were able to get two hits, dropping them right in front of the outfielders. So with the Mets’ smart placement hitting, they would get a couple of runs, making the score 8-2. So San Francisco responded by pulling out JT Brubaker, ending him at two strikeouts, one HR, and three hits. The Giants would put in LHP Matt Gage with one out, but he goes to work and gets his first strikeout on his first batter and stops the inning.

After the eighth inning, and going into the final inning of the game. The Giants got a run in to be down just five runs; the score was 8-3. However, that wasn’t enough to start the ninth inning. Mets Brett Baty would get a double down leftfield and an RBI, making the score 9-3. The Giants made one last pitcher change, so the Mets decided to get one last run in as well. By the bottom of the ninth, it was 10-3. So with the Giants one last time at bat, nothing came out of it as the New York Mets would win and tie the series this season, 1-1.

Once more, for the third time this week, the San Francisco Giants will host the New York Mets Saturday night at 6:05 p.m. back in Oracle Park. The Mets will send out RHP Clay Holmes (1-0) as their starting pitcher. The Giants will counter with RHP Landen Roupp, also (1-0), as their starting pitcher. This game again will be broadcasted on NBCS BA.

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

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

Sacramento A’s podcast Mauricio Segura:

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

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

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

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

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

Mauricio Segura is a Sacramento A’s beat writers a http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Giants get 1st Home Win of Season on Sac State Night, taking Game 1 on the New York Mets, 7-2

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San Francisco Giants Luis Arraez (#1) singles on a ground ball to New York Mets right fielder Tyrone Taylor in the bottom of the 3rd inning on April 2nd, 2026, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo Credits to Jae SF Bay News Lab)

By Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO – The Giants get their first home win of the season Thursday night as they beat the New York Mets in the first game of their series 7-2. After just getting one run in their entire season home-opener against the New York Yankees, and losing their first three home games. San Francisco would put up 13 hits and seven runs in Thursday evening’s game on Sacramento State Night. The Giants would start off the month with a win.

The San Francisco Giants returned home Wednesday after a four-day trip to San Diego. The Giants would take the first two games against the Padres, but fell to them Wednesday, finishing the series 2-1. The Giants were hoping to take some of their best moments from San Diego and bring them to their home ballpark to get a win for the fans on Thursday evening.

After getting his first loss from the New York Yankees in the team’s season home-opener series. Giants pitcher Robbie Ray would start for the team again, this time, against the New York Mets. Robbie Ray has gone 4-2 with a 3.11 ERA and 46 strikeouts against the Mets. His last matchup against the Mets was dated back in August 1st, 2025. He pitched seven innings, six of those were scoreless, and striking gout six.

Giants left-hand pitcher Robbie Ray goes up against Mets Francisco Lindor and walks him to get the ball game going. Then, just two batters later, Mets Bo Bichette helps put New York on the board first with a double to left field, bringing in Mets Juan Soto to score. Just 26 pitches later, the Mets’ Luis Robert Jr. flies out, ending the top of the first.

With the Giants’ turn at bat, shortstop Willy Adames starts San Francisco off, but gets caught on a slider and strikes out. Left-hand Mets pitcher David Peterson starts off his first batter with a strikeout. Next in-fielder Rafael Devers, who has three career homers against the Mets, sneaks a single for himself. Setting up Luis Arraez to hit a triple, bringing in Devers to tie the game. Next, Matt Chapman would join the party with a double, bringing in Arraez to take back an early lead, 2-1. Matt Chapman would also score when Jung Hoo Lee reached on pitcher David Peterson’s failed catch error on trying to get an assist from first baseman Mark Vientos. After that, the Giants would reach 3 outs, ending their hot start with the score, 3-1, San Francisco leading.

Mets Mark Vientos took the Giants’ hot start personally and got under a slider from Ray and got himself a solo homerun at 406 FT. The score is now 2-3, top of the second at this time. However, Ray and the Giants would be able to hold the Mets off and end the top of the second. So Giants catcher, Daniel Susac, starts the batting order and gets himself a single. Daniel’s hit was his first in the MLB. With the Mets having some early catching errors, the Giants were able to get their batters on the bases. However, a double play and a strikeout later would end the Giants’ second inning stretch.

At the top of the third, Mets Francisco Lindor is back and starting it off once again in the game, and once again was walked for the second time. Once again, Ray’s slider and changeup would get him a couple of strikeouts and great outfield coverage from Harrison Bader. The Giants stand tall on their defense. The momentum shifted to the Giants when it was their turn at bat.

The Giants would be able to put up two runs in their third inning stretch. No outs, runners on all bases, so Jung Hoo Lee understood the assignment. He would do a sacrifice fly out, and bring in Heliot Ramos. Then Harrison Bader would do another sacrifice play to bring in Luis Arraez to get them that second run in to score. However, the Mets’ defense would kick in and get their third outs. By then, the score was 5-2.

At the bottom of the fifth, New York would shut down David Peterson for the night. The Mets would bring out left hand pitcher Sean Manaea, on his first batter up with Daniel Susac, he would walk Susac. Runners on first and second, Mets Manaea was in an awkward position, and Giants Casey Schmitt gets his cutter for a single line drive, and Schmitt gets an RBI Thursday night. The score is now 6-2, with Manaea able to get a strikeout as their 3rdout.

96 pitchers, seven strikeouts, 2 ER’s, and a 3.38 ERA, Giants pitcher Robbie Ray would be shut down at the top of the sixth for the team. Oracle Park would send off Robbie Ray with a standing ovation. San Francisco would bring in Ryan Walker with having one out to his count from ray. Walker, on his first batter, is a strikeout, followed by a pop-up to center field.

Giants were able to put up a run with Rafael Devers getting a homer in for the home crowd. That homer was his first one of the season as he pushed the score to 7-2. After that, the Giants weren’t able to get back on base as the inning closed out. Top of the seventh, the Giants would change pitchers again, this time to right-hand pitcher Blade Tidwell. Giants’ defense would get a double play then a ground out to end the top of the seventh.

In the last three innings of the game, both teams’ defense was able to put up easy three outs in that stretch. Ultimately sealing the Giants’ dub for the home crowd. Giants pitcher Robbie Ray would get his first win of the season Thursday night, and also Giants Blade Tidwell would get his first-ever career save. Also, Giants Casey Schmitt and Daniel Susac would go perfectly at bat, going 4-4 in the box. This was Daniel Susac’s first-ever MLB career start, a homecoming victory for San Francisco.

The San Francisco Giants and New York Mets will continue where they left off, Friday (4/3/26), right back in Oracle Park at 7:15 p.m. The Giants will send out RHP Tyler Mahle, who is 1-0, to go up against the Mets’ RHP Nolan Mclean, who is 0-0. The game will be televised on NBCS BA.

San Francisco Loses to San Diego 7-1 As Offense Sputters

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Adrian Houser (12) pitched 5.1 innings gave up seven hits and one earned run in the Giants loss to the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Wed Apr 1, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

After yesterday’s impressive win the San Francisco Giants fell to the San Diego Padres in Game Three 7-1. In yesterday’s game the team had 16 hits a stark contrast to the four hits in todays game. They had a couple of ugly errors and couldn’t seem to get much going at all.

The Padres came into the game looking to avoid a sweep at their home park and they got started early. San Francisco went three and out in the top of the first inning setting the stage for the first San Diego run. With two outs Jackson Merrill singled followed by a Manny Machado infield single reaching third base. Giant first baseman Casey Schmitt made a fielding error as Merrill crossed home plate for the first run of the game giving the Padres a 1-0 lead.

Game recap: The Giants Luis Arraez singled in the second inning but that would be all for San Francisco. The Padres went three and out in the bottom of the second and it was on to the third inning. There was nothing going for the Giants in the third inning with another three and out. Pivetta struck out Devers, Adames and Schmitt. San Diego was unable to add to their score in the bottom of the third inning.

The fourth inning show-cased both pitchers Houser and Pivetta with both teams going three and out. There was not much going on for either team offensively, the pitching having so much to do with it.

In the fifth inning Jung Hoo Lee walked to start the inning but he would be the only Giant to reach base in the inning. The Padres extended their lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Gavin Sheets doubled, Fernando Tatis Jr walked and with two outs, the Padres were able to score on more San Francisco defensive mistakes.

Sheets scored on an error and Bogaerts was safe at second on error and Tatis Jr. was safe at third on error. Merrill lined out for the third Padre out but it quite the inning for the Giants. San Diego had taken a 2-0 lead.

More disappointment for San Francisco in the sixth inning going three and out. San Diego pitcher Pivetta had struck out eight batters and given up only one hit. He was relieved after five innings by Jeremiah Estrada who went right to work closing out the sixth inning. The bottom of the sixth inning delivered for San Diego.

Ramon Laureano and Jake Cronenworth both singled and with one out, Gavin Sheets doubled driving Laureano home for a 3-0 Padre lead. Cronenworth attempted to score but was thrown out at the plate for the third out.

San Francisco had a couple of hits in the top of the seventh inning, an Arraez double and a Harrison Bader single that drove Arraez home for San Francisco’s first run of the afternoon. The Padres took a 3-1 lead into the bottom of the inning. After seven innings the Giants still had a shot at this game.

Caleb Kilian relieved Houser in the sixth inning. Houser pitched 5 1/3 innings allowing seven hits, three runs and fouor strikeouts. Kilian pitched 1 2/3 innings with no runs, no hits and two strikeouts, a nice showing. He got the Giants out of the seventh inning on a three and out.

The Giants had no runs, no hits and no errors in the top of the eighth, however the bottom of the eighth was a scoring frenzy for the Padres. Manny Machado doubled and Ramon Laureano homered to left center giving the Padres a 5-1 lead. Cronenworth, Sheets and Bryce Johnson all walked setting up another run for the Padres.

Tatis Jr., singled Cronenworth home then another walk from San Francisco’s relief pitcher Jose Butto that scored another San Diego run and when the dust had settled the Padres were cruising with a 7-1 lead. It was a terrible inning for Butto.

Closer Mason Miller came into the top of the ninth inning. He struck out three hitters and allowed a single doing what the Padres have become accustomed to seeing this guy do. He takes care of business and wastes no time doing it. The Padres had avoided the sweep winning the game 7-1.

Game notes: After a rocky start to the season the Giants really turned up the volume in their series with the San Diego Padres winning games 1 and 2 but couldn’t get the sweep at Petco Park Wednesday. The team seems to be more relaxed especially offensively.

In Tuesday’s lineup the Giants finished with 16 hits and two home runs. Nine players on the roster got a hit and it could not have gone any better for the team. Willy Adames was the standout in the game with four hits and Jung Hoo Lee had three, Matt Chapman and Rafael Devers with two.

It was indeed a team effort. After what the Giants saw Wednesday and the day before the Giants went with the same lineup as the two previous games. Despite a bit of a rocky third inning Tuesday, Webb pitched very well. Relief pitching was great and Jose Butto closed out the game giving up only one hit.

San Francisco lost a tough one to the Padres on Wednesday. Adrian Houser took the loss on Wedneday losing to the Padres 7-1. He has one of the best sinkers in the game today and he has been itching to get back on the mound. The Padres started big man 6’5″ Nick Pivetta who pitched five innings, one hit, walked two batters and struck out.

San Francisco will happily put this game behind them as they head back home to Oracle Park to take on the New York Mets in a four-game series. First pitch for this game will be on Thursday at 6:45PM. Robbie Ray will take the mound for San Francisco with a 3.38 ERA and a 0-1 win/loss record. David Peterson will be on the hill for the Mets. 6:40pm PDT first pitch.

Sacramento Athletics game wrap:Baldwin Breaks It Open as Braves Ground the Green and Gold 5-1

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

Sacramento Athletics game wrap:

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

By Mauricio Segura

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Opinion: Vitello’s Willingness to Experiment May Be Giants’ Biggest Strength

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Manager Tony Vitello #23 of the San Francisco Giants looks on before the game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on March 30, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Orlando Ramirez/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

San Francisco — The San Francisco Giants have had a tumultuous first week of the 2026 campaign, and we aren’t even two full series into the season.

After being swept at home by the New York Yankees to open the season at Oracle Park in San Francisco, the Giants went into Petco Park in San Diego and took the first two games of a three-game series against the Padres. Game three is scheduled for Wednesday, and as of this writing, that game is yet to take place. The Giants are now 2-3 on the season, and I have a few takeaways after being in attendance for the Giants’ home series and from my early observations in San Diego.

So, Giants fans, don’t panic. We have no idea what the 2026 Giants are yet.

Of course, following the sweep of the Giants at the hands of the Yankees, the city of San Francisco fell to its proverbial knees in agony as the team scored only one run over three games. The offense appeared to pick up right where it left off last season with a deep inability to perform situational hitting and score runs.

However, three games is, of course, not nearly enough of a sample size to understand what the Giants offense will be in the 2026 campaign, and the following two games proved just that.

Let Vitello Cook: Five Games, Three Different Lineups

While the Giants only scored one run against the Yankees in their three-game series, Tony Vitello tweaked his lineup for game three and again for game four.

The game three tweaks were highlighted by elevating Jung Hoo Lee to the leadoff spot and dropping Luis Arraez and Rafael Devers to the third and fourth positions in the order, respectively. Heliot Ramos was moved to the fifth spot, and Willy Adames was dropped to sixth on the card while Patrick Bailey remained at eight. Vitello’s final change was that Harrison Bader was elevated to seventh and Casey Schmitt dropped to ninth in the order.

This initial pivot from Vitello paid immediate dividends as the Giants went from tallying just four hits in the first two games to nine hits in the third game of the season alone. However, the Giants still only mustered one run with the new-look lineup and fell to 0-3 on the season.

So, Vitello pivoted again after the Giants’ off day on Sunday for their first game against the Padres on Monday. With Bader, Bailey, and Schmitt anchoring the seven-through-nine slots in the order, Vitello switched up his top six in hopes of finding something. Vitello elected to go with Willy Adames in the leadoff spot while also moving Rafael Devers up to the second spot and Heliot Ramos to the three-hole. By necessity, that meant Jung Hoo Lee fell to sixth and Luis Arraez and Matt Chapman slotted down to fourth and fifth, respectively. The offense didn’t erupt, but Willy Adames and Matt Chapman each recorded hits while the bottom three in the Giants’ lineup (Bader, Bailey, and Schmitt) each recorded an RBI and were responsible for the team’s runs. It was a sign of life for the club.

On Tuesday, Tony Vitello elected to go with the same lineup that netted him his first win as a big league manager, and it paid off big time in game two of the series.

The Giants secured their first series win of the season, defeating the Padres 9-3 behind a 16-hit performance from a lineup of Willy Adames leading off, followed by Rafael Devers, Heliot Ramos, Luis Arraez, Matt Chapman, Jung Hoo Lee, Harrison Bader, Patrick Bailey, and Casey Schmitt.

The Giants go for the sweep of the Padres on Wednesday, and you may already know the outcome when you read this.

Was it the lineup construction that clicked? Was it simply a team that was due to break out? Who knows. I’m not here to act like I or anyone else has a crystal ball to know exactly what or why it worked. However, you have to give the young manager credit for being willing to make drastic tweaks to his lineup so early in the season to do his best to spark the team. The inverse has been a complaint of recent Giants managers and their slow pace to change things up when it wasn’t working.

It’s obviously much too small of a sample size to tell anything significant, but Vitello appears up for the task, and his recent lineup tweak appears to have his guys in a better spot than even just a week ago. Will the Giants be 16-hit and nine-run scorers every game? Probably not. Will the Giants be a team that is one-hit and routinely shut out this season? Again, probably not. The team is too talented for that to become the norm on a daily basis. The Giants will inevitably fall somewhere in between those points, and it’s incumbent on the fans and the media to give them the chance to figure it out.

After the conclusion of the series in San Diego, the Giants will return home for a four-game series against the Mets and three games against the Phillies. That will be a big test to see what the 2026 Giants are made of.

Finally a Pulse in Atlanta A’s break through for season’s first win 5-2 at Truist Park

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Sacramento A’s Denzel Clarke (1) rounds third base scoring a run in the top of the second inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta on Tue Mar 31, 2026 (AP News photo)

Finally a Pulse in Atlanta A’s break through for season’s first win 5-2 at Truist Park

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s finally gave their early season a heartbeat Tuesday night at Atlanta’s Truist Park. After opening the year with four straight losses and carrying the weight of a winless start into Atlanta, the green and gold answered with a crisp 5-2 victory over the Atlanta Braves.

Unlike the previous four games, the A’s showed patience and timely hitting, steadier pitching, and just enough late-game authority to keep the door shut. It was not flawless baseball, they still collected strikeouts like a kid collects rookie cards, but this time the Athletics made their best swings count and backed them with clean defense when it mattered most.

Atlanta landed the first punch in the opening inning when Drake Baldwin drove a solo home run to center, giving the Braves a quick 1-0 lead and A’s fans an already familiar lump in their throats. For a team that had already been shut out the night before and had looked stuck in mud for much of the opening road trip, that could have been the start of another long evening. Instead, the Athletics pushed back in the second with their best inning of the young season.

Brent Rooker opened with a single, and although the Braves turned a double play behind José Suarez, the inning did not die there. Max Muncy worked a walk, moved to second on a balk, and scored when Andy Ibáñez lined a single to left.

That was the crack in the wall. Lawrence Butler and Denzel Clarke followed with walks, and then Jacob Wilson ripped a ground-rule double down the left-field line to bring home Ibáñez and Butler. Just like that, the Athletics had turned a one-run deficit into a 3-1 lead, and for the first time in several days, they looked like a club playing with desire.

Ibáñez was right in the middle of it all, and his night kept getting better. In the fourth inning, Muncy drilled a sharp double to left and came home when Ibáñez punched another single into left field. It was simple 101 baseball, but often times, that’s the type that wins most games. Ibáñez finished with two hits and two RBI, and both swings came at moments when the Athletics badly needed someone to settle the game down.

Then came Langeliers, who has been swinging like he showed up to March without ever putting his bat down all winter. After entering the night with three home runs in the season’s first four games, the Athletics catcher added another in the fifth, launching a solo shot to left that stretched the lead to 5-1. His home run gave the Athletics breathing room, and against a Braves happy bat lineup, that extra cushion mattered.

Aaron Civale, making his first start for the Athletics, deserved a large share of the credit. Aside from Baldwin’s first-inning homer, he kept Atlanta from stacking anything dangerous together for most of his five innings. He allowed four hits, walked one, struck out three, and gave up just two runs. The second Braves run came in the fifth after singles by Dominic Smith and Mauricio Dubón, a wild pitch, and Ronald Acuña Jr.’s sacrifice fly. Even then, Civale avoided the big inning and kept the game from tilting back toward Atlanta.

From there, the bullpen did the job. Hogan Harris worked around two walks in the sixth. Justin Sterner handled trouble in the seventh and struck out Acuña and Matt Olson in a tense stretch that felt bigger than the inning number suggested. Scott Barlow breezed through the eighth. Mark Leiter Jr. gave up a pair of singles in the ninth, which made things slightly more uncomfortable than the Athletics would have preferred, but he got Acuña to strike out and Baldwin to pop out, ending the game with the tying run nowhere close to the plate.

Despite the much needed win, the Athletics still struck out 11 times. Nick Kurtz fanned three times, Rooker struck out three times, and the lineup also hit into two double plays. There is still work to do, plain and simple. But Tuesday night was a reminder that a season does not ask for perfection, just persistence and grit that will hopefully carry on over.

The A’s take on Atlanta for Game 3 of the series Wednesday at 9:15am PDT. Starting pitcher for Sacramento RHP Luis Severino (0-0 ERA 3.60) for Atlanta LHP Chris Sale (1-0 ERA 0.00).

Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has covered sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for various magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, The Golden Bay Times. 2026 marks his 15th season covering Athletics baseball.

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. 

Adames Paves Way For Giants Win Over Padres 9-3; Giants have shot at a sweep Wednesday

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San Francisco Giants Willy Adames runs the bases after hitting a first inning home run against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Tue Mar 31, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (2-3) won game two in their series with the San Diego Padres (1-4) 9-3 on Tuesday after winning game one Monday night. They now have the opportunity to sweep the series Wednesday in game three.

Willy Adames was on fire with four hits, two runs and two RBIs. Rafael Devers, Matt Chapman and Jung Hoo Lee each had two hits. Adames and Chapman each had a home run. The Giants offense was fired up having 16 hits in this game.

Game wrap: The Giants went with the same starting lineup they had Monday night with Willy Adames lead-off batter. It worked last night so it was a go in this one. It was certainly a great call when Adames hit the second pitch of the game out of the park, his first home run of the year, 335 feet, giving San Francisco the early lead 1-0.

With two outs Matt Chapman doubled and San Francisco had runners on second and third with Jung Hoo Lee at the plate. Lee hit a double driving Heliot Ramos and Matt Chapman home and just like that the Giants had taken a 3-0 lead.

Marquez got the third out but the Giants had three hits and a nice lead after the first inning, a great way to start the ball game. Logan Webb would take the mound in the bottom of the inning. The Padres also went with last night’s lineup. With two outs the Padres had Fernando Tatis and Jackson Merrill on base but Xander Bogaerts flied out and Webb got out of the inning.

San Francisco loaded the bases in the second inning with only one out. Casey Schmitt singled, Adames singled as did Rafael Devers but Ramos and Luis Arraez both flied out leaving them all stranded missing a great opportunity to extend their lead. The Padres stranded one runner in the bottom of the second. Webb struck out two hitters in the inning.

Chapman got the third inning going with the second home run of the game a solo shot and San Francisco had a 4-0 lead with 8 hits through three innings. San Diego would be looking to do some damage in the bottom of the third and that is exactly what they did. Both Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado walked and a Merrill single drove Tatis Jr. home. Bogaerts grounded out and Machado was able to score and the Padres had cut the Giants lead in half 4-2. Miguel Andujar singled Merrill home and as the inning came to an end the Padres trailed by a single run 4-3.

After pitching through three innings for San Diego Marquez was relieved by Kyle Hart. Marquez went three innings allowing eight hits four runs,(two home runs) and only one strikeout. Hart was perfect in the fourth inning going three and out. After four innings the score remained 4-3 in favor of the Giants.

With two outs in the top of the fifth inning Lee attempted to reach third base after doubling. A replay confirmed Lee was out and the game went into the bottom of the inning. The Giants had a solid fifth inning going three and out.

With two on and no outs in the sixth inning the Giants were again threatening. With a one-run ball game San Francisco needed to pump their lead back up. The Giants added another run when Adames singled Harrison Bader home from second and Patrick Bailey advanced to second.

Devers reached first base on an infield hit and San Francisco had the bases loaded and the opportunity to get more with only one out. Heliot Ramos singled Bailey and Adames home giving San Francisco a 7-3 lead. A sacrifice drove Devers home extending the Giant’s lead 8-3. As the top of the inning ended the Giants had put 4 more on the board and had 13 hits through six innings. It was a three and out bottom of the sixth.

It was a bit rocky in the third inning for Webb but that aside he pitched a pretty good game. He was relieved by JT Brubaker in the seventh inning. Webb finished the game going six innings allowing three hits, three earned runs, three walks and five strikeouts. He was behind in the count at times but figured it out and finished really strong. Brubaker got out of the inning only giving up a double and it was onto the eighth inning.

The Giants would add one more run in the top of the ninth when Lee singled pinch runner Jared Oliva home for the final score of 9-3 in favor of San Francisco.

The Giants offense was on fire in this game. Adames had four hits, Lee three hits, Chapman and Devers each had two hits. The team had 16 total hits a great night of offense for the team. Webb had a very good game despite struggling in the third inning. He found a way to finish off the last ten hitters he faced.

Game notes: Monday night the Giants won their first game of the season beating the Padres 3-2 in the first game of their three-game series at Petco Park. After a rough start to the season, the Giants turned up their offensive effort taking a 3-0 lead through eight innings. There was a bit of drama in the ninth inning when San Diego’s Jackson Merrill hit a home run with Jake Cronenworth on base cutting the San Francisco lead to one run 3-2.

Giant’s closing pitcher Ryan Walker held it together to get the third out and the Giants held on for the 3-2 win. Relief pitcher Keaton Winn was terrific in the eighth inning allowing no hits, no runs with three strikeouts. You just cannot ask for more.

Tuesday night the Giant’s starter Logan Webb got a far different result than the team’s first game of the season against the New York Yankees last Wednesday. Last Wednesday was a rough one for Webb who finished that game going five innings allowing 9 hits, 7 runs (6 earned) and 7 strikeouts.

In Monday night’s game the Giants not only got a number of runs up on the board but they put a number of players in scoring position. It was a relief to get that first win under their belt and Tuesday night they took game 2. German Marquez for the Padres on Tuesday pitched three innings giving up eight hits, four earned runs, one walk, one strike out.

The Giants head into game three Wednesday looking for a sweep. Starters Adrian Houser (0-0 ERA 0.00) will be on the hill for San Francisco. The Padres will start Nick Pivetta who comes into this game at (0-1 ERA 18.00). First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 PM.