A’s Bullpen Implodes in Eighth Inning as Rays Rally for 10-6 Win

Jacob Lopez #57 of the Sacramento Athletics pitches during the game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics at Sutter Health Park on Monday, August 10, 2026 in West Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Jacob Soriano/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Fresh off their first series win since June, as they beat the Boston Red Sox in two out of three games this past weekend in Boston, the Sacramento A’s welcomed the Tampa Bay Rays to Sacramento for a three-game series beginning on Monday night. The Rays have been having a great season so far (71-46 entering Monday’s game) compared to the A’s (47-71 entering Monday’s game).

The A’s were able to flip the script early as they jumped out to the early lead, but as the late innings approached, the bullpen gave away yet another winnable game for the A’s as they fell to the Rays 10-6.

Jacob Lopez started the ballgame for the A’s as he was making his 19th appearance and 16th start for them. Lopez, with the exception of a home run in the first inning and some bad luck in the seventh inning, pitched exceptionally well for Mark Kotsay and the A’s. Lopez was sharp, allowing just one walk in his outing and striking out five. All in, Lopez went seven innings of two-run, five-hit baseball while needing 93 pitches to get through his outing.

“I think Jacob was excellent tonight,” Kotsay said after the game. “This is an outing where we talk about Jacob taking the next step since he’s been back. He’s been really effective, really good. Tonight was probably the best.”

A much more mature Jacob Lopez from last season echoed those thoughts after the game.

“Overall, being able to get past six innings finally and give the team a good chance to win a ballgame felt good,” Lopez said. “…the ending was kind of tough, but I think it was a good game overall.”

The A’s bullpen immediately imploded when it came in to relieve starter Jacob Lopez.

Seth Johnson, who Mark Kotsay turned to in the eighth inning, couldn’t record an out as he faced four batters who all reached base. Johnson gave up three hits and four runs while walking one during his four-batter appearance.

Mark Kotsay elected to go with Jose Suarez to try to stop the bleeding, but Suarez wasn’t much better. Suarez was only able to get one out while giving up a near-identical line to Johnson. Suarez gave up four runs on three hits while striking out one and walking one during his stint in the game during the eighth-inning meltdown.

Last out of the bullpen for the A’s was Scott Blewett, who the A’s turned to for the final two outs in the eighth and the ninth inning. Blewett allowed one single in the eighth, but that was his only blemish in his outing as he tossed a scoreless ninth inning. Overall, Blewett allowed one hit and no runs across his inning and two-thirds of relief for the A’s.

However, even with Blewett’s solid outing, the damage was already done as the A’s bullpen gave up two walks, six hits and eight runs, all in the eighth inning.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s totaled six runs on 10 hits while collecting two walks.

The A’s scored two runs in the first inning to get right back at the Rays, who homered in the first inning.

Tyler Soderstrom got the A’s on the board with their first run of the game as he drilled an RBI double to center field to score Jeff McNeil, who was on first base. It was Soderstrom’s 56th RBI of the season.

The A’s second run of the inning came courtesy of a steal of home by Tyler Soderstrom. The A’s put the runner in motion from first base, and that led Soderstrom to break for the plate from third. Soderstrom slid into home safely as the Rays threw down to second base. It was Soderstrom’s second stolen base of the season.

In the fifth inning, the A’s scored their third run of the game as Zack Gelof sent a booming home run over the left-center-field wall to give the A’s a 3-1 lead at the time. The home run left the bat of Gelof at a scorching 109 mph and traveled 456 feet. It was Gelof’s 12th home run of the season and his 30th RBI.

The A’s added on again in the seventh inning when they scored three runs.

Zack Gelof led the attack in the seventh as he knocked an RBI double into center field to extend the lead for the A’s at the time. It was Gelof’s 12th double of the season and 31st RBI.

Jeff McNeil followed shortly after with his 36th RBI of the season on an RBI sacrifice fly for the A’s that gave them a 5-2 lead at the time.

The final run the A’s would score came on a Jacob Wilson RBI double in the seventh in what was his 16th double and 37th RBI of the season.

With the loss, the Rays improved to 72-46 as the A’s fell to 47-72.

The A’s will take on the Rays in game two of their three-game series at Sutter Health Park on Tuesday at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s have not announced their starter for Tuesday, but the Rays will send Nick Martinez (11-3, 2.65 ERA) to the hill.

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 blow another 9th-inning lead, lose 6-3 in extras

Houston Astros’ Cam Smith, right, hits an RBI single in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh, left, during the ninth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Monday, Aug 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

By Vince Cestone

SAN FRANCISCO — The San Francisco Giants lost on Monday night in a familiar way, blowing a 3-2 ninth-inning lead and ultimately losing the game 6-3 at Oracle Park.

As was the case many times in 2026, they were one-out away from securing a one-run win at Oracle Park in front of 28,070 fans. But acting closer Dylan Smith could not secure the save in the ninth, as Houston Astros right fielder Cam’s Smith seeing-eye single rolled into right field for an RBI hit that tied the game at three. The inning could’ve gone on, but Smith was thrown out at second trying to stretch the single into a double. Before Smith had the big hit, Christian Walker coaxed a one-out walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch, a wild pitch that proved costly when Smith singled two batters later.

After the Giants went down in order in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Astros went to work in the 10th against reliever Jason Foley. With the placed runner at second base, Catcher Christian Vasquez led off the inning with a walk. The next batter Jeremy Pena singled in the ghost runner, making the score 4-3 Houston. The Astros then piled on with a 2-RBI double by third baseman Isaac Paredes, making the score 6-3. That would end up being the final score, as the Giants went down in order in their half of the tenth inning.

A game that started out with such high hopes, turned into another nightmare for San Francisco. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning on an RBI single by Parades following a Yordan Alvarez double, the Giants tied the score in the bottom of the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Drew Gilbert. Before that, Bryce Eldridge hit a one-out double, Rafael Devers then walked, and then Eldridge advanced to third on an infield hit by Osleivis Basabe.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Giants took a 2-1 lead on a two-out Jung Hoo Lee home run to right field. That was Lee’s ninth home run of the year.

The Astros knotted the score at two in the top of the seventh inning. After center fielder Daulton Varsho grounded out to second, Smith hit a solo home run to match Lee’s homer.

The Giants and Astros exchanged solo home runs yet again in the bottom of the seventh inning as Gilbert blasted one to right-center field to give San Francisco a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately for the Giants, that was the last run they would score in the game.

Once again, familiar sight. Familiar sound. The Giants had a lead late and blew it. If the Giants are to compete in 2027–if there is a season–they will have to address the bullpen and get a bona fide closer. Smith will try to compete for a bullpen spot next year, but by no means is he meant to be a closer on a big-league team. Middle relief may be what he’s destined for.

On the positive side for the Giants, Blade Tidwell pitched well on Monday night. He threw 5 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on four hits. He struck out six Astros batters and walked just one. His ERA is now down to 2.78 on the year, and he could be a candidate for the rotation in 2027–or quite possibly 2028 if there’s no season next year due to the impending lockout.

For the Astros, starting pitcher Hayden Wesneski pitched seven strong innings, giving up three runs on five hits. He struck out four batters and walked two. The Astros bullpen took it from there, throwing three innings of one-hit ball.

Up next in this now meaningless 2027 Giants season, Hunter Brown (3-1, 3.53 ERA) will pitch for the Astros on Tuesday against San Francisco. The Giants have not yet announced a starter.

Only 45 more painful Giants games to go in 2026.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s return to Sacramento open 3 game set with Tampa Bay Monday

Sacramento A’s Jeff McNeil (22) is greeted at the plate by Tommy White (47) after scoring in the top of the eighth inning at Fenway Park in Boston on Sun Aug 9, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento A’s down a run 3-2 going into the top of the eighth inning at Fenway Park against a rugged Boston Red Sox team ended up tying up the ball game and picked up a go ahead run in the top of the ninth inning to take a 4-3 lead and win their second straight game over one of baseball’s toughest’s clubs.

#2 Barbara after beating the Red Sox on Saturday 7-3 and snapping their nine game win streak how much confiendce does that do for a club going into the rubber game and to take a series like that for the A’s?

#3 The A’s who allowed two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning got some relief pitching that held the Red Sox to no runs until the end of the game getting releif help from Brady Basso, Elvis Alvarado, and Hogan Harris.

#4 The A’s just got by the Sox Sunday but the Red Sox are no laughing matter they took out the A’s on Friday night 13-1 but the A’s regrouped and came back to the ballpark and won it Sunday 7-3 and squeaked by Sunday the Sox are a force to reckon with.

#5 A’s return back to West Sacramento for a three game series with the first place Tampa Bay Rays at Sutter Health Park. The Rays are no slouches and could be a handful for the A’s pitching staff but after taking two in Boston the A’s might have some momentum goimg into this series on Monday night. Starting pitchers for Tampa Bay RHP Freddy Peralta (5-9 ERA 5.37) and for Sacramento LHP Jacob Lopez (5-4 ERA 5.64) first pitch 6:40pm PDT.

Join Barbara Mason for the A’s podcasts each Sunday 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 Marko Ukalovic: Adames puts in the work but admits doesn’t have the results

Willy Adames (2) of the San Francisco Giants leaps for joy after hitting a bottom of the fifth inning home run against the Detroit Tigers on Fri Aug 7, 2026. Adames has gotten lots of attention after Apple TV analyst Wayne Randazzo questioned Adames’ work ethic (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 San Francisco Giants infielder Willy Adames called BS on Apple TV broadcaster’s Wayne Randazzo’s commentary saying that Adames was not putting in the work. Adames was very much bothered by the Randazzo commentary questioning his work ethic.

#2 Adames admits anyone could questions his fielding or hitting, batting just .222, 19 home runs, 48 RBIs, and 97 hits Adames said “obviously I’m not happy with the way I’ve played this year. This has to be the worst year of my career on both sides of the ball.”

#3 Giants fell to the Detroit Tigers on Saturday 8-0 and on Sunday after trying the Tigers 1-1 coughed up two runs in the top of the tenth inning for a 3-1 loss tough series for San Francisco.

#4 The Giants who got two hit on Saturday and scored only a run on Sunday have been absent on offense getting seven hits but stranding a lot of runners on the pond.

#5 The Giants open a three game series with the Houton Astros Monday night. Starting pitchers for Houston RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-0 ERA 3.86) for San Francisco RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 3.18) with a 6:45pm PDT first pitch.

Marko Ukalovic does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Dodgers finally end losing streak; Jays Scherzer moves up to 10th place for all time strikeouts; plus more news

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal fist pumps pitching the the Chicago Cubs after making a play at home plate against the Chicago Cubs on Tue Aug 4, 2026 at Wrigley Field in Chicago (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 The Los Angeles Dodgers have pitcher Tarik Skubal but they also had a seven game losing streak which they snapped Saturday by defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1 in ten innings. Was this just a hic up for the Dodgers?

#2 Toronto Blue Jays right hander Max Scherzer became the 10th all time pitcher in strikeouts moving past Hall of Famer Walter Johnson as the Blue Jays beat the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday 7-5.

#3 Detroit Tigers RHP Jackson Jobe made his first start in almost 14 months after coming back from Tommy John surgery limted the San Francisco Giants to just one hit and threw five shutouot innings in a 8-0.

#4 Former New York Yankees pitcher Tommy John who is battling bladder cancer sent a farewell to the Yankees saying as he missed Old Timers day at Yankee Stadium on Saturday. John is 83 years old he said that he is greatful for the surgery named after him and that it saved a great number of arms and players careers.

#5 The Sacramento A’s handed the Boston Red Sox their fourth loss in 31 games with a 7-3 win Saturday. The Sox became the seventh team since 1920 to win 27 games in just 30 games with their win on Friday against the A’s.

Join Charlie O for MLB The Show podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s shock baseball world make that two straight over mighty Red Sox

Donavon Walton is congratulated by the Sacramento A’s dugout after scoring the go ahead run in the top of the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park in Boston on Sun Aug 9, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Sacramento A’s down a run 3-2 going into the top of the eighth inning at Fenway Park against a rugged Boston Red Sox team ended up tying up the ball game and picked up a go ahead run in the top of the ninth inning to take a 4-3 lead and win their second straight game over one of baseball’s toughest’s clubs.

#2 Daniel after beating the Red Sox on Saturday 7-3 and snapping their nine game win streak how much confiendce does that do for a club going into the rubber game and to take a series like that for the A’s?

#3 The A’s who allowed two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning got some relief pitching that held the Red Sox to no runs until the end of the game getting releif help from Brady Basso, Elvis Alvarado, and Hogan Harris.

#4 The A’s just got by the Sox Sunday but the Red Sox are no laughing matter they took out the A’s on Friday night 13-1 but the A’s regrouped and came back to the ballpark and won it Sunday 7-3 and squeaked by Sunday the Sox are a force to reckon with.

#5 A’s return back to West Sacramento for a three game series with the first place Tampa Bay Rays at Sutter Health Park. The Rays are no slouches and could be a handful for the A’s pitching staff but after taking two in Boston the A’s might have some momentum goimg into this series on Monday night. Starting pitchers for Tampa Bay RHP Freddy Peralta (5-9 ERA 5.37) and for Sacramento LHP Jacob Lopez (5-4 ERA 5.64) first pitch 6:40pm PDT.

Join Daniel Dullum for the A’s podcasts each Sunday 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. 

Webb goes eight in pitcher’s duel, but Tigers score two in 10th to take series over Giants with 3-1 win

Detroit Tigers Hao Yu Lee (right) hits an RBI single in front of San Francisco Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh (left) in the top of the tenth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun Aug 10, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Detroit Tigers 3 (67-41)

San Francisco Giants 1 (49-69)

Win: Kenley Jensen (3-4)

Loss: Sam Hentges (1-4)

Save: Tyler Holton (2)

Time: 2:46

Attendance: 32,200

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Logan Webb and Troy Melton duked it out in a good old-fashioned pitcher’s duel; each team scored a run; but the Tigers scored two off of Sam Hentges in the top of the 10th inning to take the rubber match of this three-game series 3-1 Sunday.

It was a hazy, but nice day for baseball at Oracle Park. Logan Webb would be doing what he has seemed to do far too many times, and that is take the ball after a Giants’ loss. It wasn’t any Giants’ loss; it was an 8-0 shellacking, in which the Giants only got two hits.

Things did not look that much more promising for the Giants’ offense today. Why, you ask? Opposing Webb would be right-hander Troy Melton. Melton, in his second year in the big leagues—his first as a fulltime starter—came into Sunday’s game 7-1 with a 1.58 ERA. It was not good news for the Giants’ offense, but it was great news for any true baseball fan, who enjoys a pitcher’s duel.

This turned out to be the pitcher’s duel we all expected. Webb and Melton both opened up with one, two, three, first innings, and then pitched through two-out hits in the second. The Giants’ two-out hit in the bottom of the second was a triple off the bat of Drew Gilbert. However, Daniel Susac was unable to get him in.

Both pitchers cruised along nicely through the middle innings. Though, the funny thing was that neither pitcher would throw another one, two, three inning until they both threw 1-2-3 innings in the fifth.

The Tigers would strike in the top of the sixth. Zach McKinstry and Kevin McGonicle both singled to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Tony Vitello moved the infield in, and up came Gleyber Torres. Torres hit a ground ball towards third to Willy Adames, who was playing closer to third than second. Adames knew he didn’t have a play at the plate, so he turned a 6-4-3 double play. The Tigers were on the board, but it was pretty impressive that Adames and the Giants were able to turn a double play with the drawn-in infield.

The Tigers were up 1-0, and Melton responded with a one,two, three bottom of the sixth. Webb then followed suit in the top of the seventh. A. J. Hinch brought in Kyle Finnegan. 

Rafael Devers led off the bottom of the seventh with a base-hit to left, and that would do it for Melton. Osleivis Basabe grounded into a fielder’s choice. He then stole second base, and then took third when the throw from catcher Eduarco Valencia tipped off the top of the glove of second-baseman Gleyber Torres, into center field.

Drew Gilbert hit a little squibber off the end of the bat towards third. Colt Keith had no play, and the game was tied.

It was a new game at 1-1, and Webb was back out for the eighth. Webb pitched through a one-out double by Valencia to cap off his day. 

After Tony Vitello had to use four relievers yesterday, Webb gave the Giants the outing they needed. Webb gave up just one run on four hits. He only struck out two, but that helped keep his pitch count down, and allowed him to pitch eight innings.

The Giants wasted an opportunity against Drew Sommers in the bottom of the eighth, which sent the game to the ninth still tied. Dylan Smith came in, and threw a 1-2-3 top of the ninth.

Hinch summoned our old friend, Kenley Jansen, for the bottom of the ninth. Jansen struck out the side in a one, two, three inning.

It was off to extras. Sam Hentges was brought in for the top of the tenth. Riley Greene was the Manfred runner at second base, and Hao-Yu Lee led off the inning with an RBI single to right to put the Tigers back ahead at 2-1. 

Spencer Torkelson then poked a base-hit to left-center, which moved Lee over to third. Max Clark grounded into a fielder’s choice, and the Tigers tacked on a valuable insurance run to make it 3-1.

Hinch brought in Tyler Holton for the bottom of the tenth. Drew Cavanaugh was the Manfred runner at second, but it wouldn’t matter. Just as Jansen did an inning prior, Holton struck out the side in a one, two, three inning, and the Tigers won it 3-1.

Kenley Jansen got the win; Sam Hentges took the loss; and Tyler Holton picked up his second save of the season.

The Giants are now 20 games under .500 at 49-69.

The Houston Astros will come in for the second leg of this three-team homestand for a three-game series starting Monday night. The Giants will be somewhat dragged into the pennant race, and get to play spoilers, as the Astros currently stand atop the American League West by a game. The Astros are currently playing on NBC Sunday Night Baseball in San Diego.

RHP Blade Tidwell (0-0 ERA 3.18) will go for the Giants. He will be opposed by RHP Hayden Wesneski (2-0 ERA 3.86) for the Astros.

First pitch will be at 6:45 pm PDT.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Giants looking for more offense out of the line up Sunday

Detroit Tigers pitcher Jackson Jobe was in command of the San Francisco Giants line up on Sat Aug 9, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 Detroit Tigers starter Jackson Jobe held the San Francisco Giants just to one hit through five innings pitched. It was Jackson’s first appearance in more than a year. Jobe ended up striking out four Giants hitters.

#2 Jobe had all his pitches working for him a great mix of pitches and considering he rehabbed from Tommy John surgery from 2025 it looked like he didn’t miss a step agianst the Giants line up.

#3 The only Giants who got hits against Detroit pitching Saturday were Willy Adames and Eddys Leonard as the Giants were shutout 8-0 on a two hitter facing a combinaiton of three Tiger pitchers.

#4 It’s back to the drawing board for the Giants in game 3 of this three game set in the rubber game match for Detroit RHP Troy Melton (7-1 ERA 1.58) and for San Francisco RHP Logan Webb (7-7 ERA 3.74) first pitch 1:05pm PDT.

#5 Lastly we talked about this on Saturday the loss of the late great AP reporter Michael Wags Wagaman who we got to speak with whether it was at the Sacramento A’s, San Francisco Giants, Cal Bears, or San Jose Sharks hockey, Wags was full of life and always fired up and excited to be at a sporting event his passing on Friday certainly leaves a huge void in the media community and his friends will deeply miss him.

Lincoln Juarez is a San Francisco Giants podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Triple Crown – The Forgotten Award

Houston Astros Jordan Alvarez (right) slugs a two run double in front of Texas Rangers catch Austin Wynns (left) at Minute Maid Field in Houston on Sun Aug 2, 2026 (AP News photo)

The Triple Crown – The Forgotten Award

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The last American League player to win the batting Triple Crown was Venezuelan Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers in 2022. This season, Jordan Álvarez of the Houston Astros could become the first to win a Triple Crown since Cabrera. When Jordan Álvarez visited Oakland for the last time, he was fresh off signing a six-year, $115 million contract extension with the Houston Astros; it was in June of 2022.

I spoke with Alvarez in the Astros clubhouse before the game; he was quiet but happy when I congratulated him for his new contract. His home run power is well documented, but he doesn’t want to be called a slugger because he believes he is a hitter.  Yes, and he is a great hitter with power, lots of power; there is no stadium in MLB that can hold him when he lifts the ball. As of Sun Aug 9 Alvarez is hitting .320, with 35 home runs, 86 RBIs, and 137 hits.

Although no Cuban-born player in Major League Baseball has won a Triple Crown, there is a Cuban-born player by the name of Martín Dihigo, who was a pitcher registered in official Major League history. I remember how revered Dihigo was in Cuba. His name in Cuba was El Inmortal” “El Maestro”. He won the Triple Crown in 1938 playing in the Mexican League, also in the Negro Leagues, which includes various stellar achievements. However, no Cuban-born player has won the Triple Crown in the American or National League.

Not easy to win a Triple Crown; you need to win the batting title, the home run title, and the RBI title, which has only been done by a handful of players, and they are all in the Hall of Fame

         American League

  • 1967: Carl Yastrzemski
  • 1966: Frank Robinson (Baltimore Orioles)
  • 1956: Mickey Mantle
  • 1947 & 1942: Ted Williams
  • 1934: Lou Gehrig
  • 1933: Jimmie Foxx (Philadelphia Athletics)
  • 1909: Ty Cobb
  • 1901: Nap Lajoie

       ]

   National League

  • 1937: Joe Medwick (St. Louis Cardinals) – .374 BA, 31 HR, 154 RBI
  • 1933: Chuck Klein (Philadelphia Phillies) – .368 BA, 28 HR, 120 RBI
  • 1925: Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) – .403 BA, 39 HR, 143 RBI
  • 1922: Rogers Hornsby (St. Louis Cardinals) – .401 BA, 42 HR, 152 RBI
  • 1912: Heinie Zimmerman (Chicago Cubs) – .372 BA, 14 HR, 104 RBI
  • 1894: Hugh Duffy (Boston Beaneaters) – .440 BA, 18 HR, 145 RBI
  • 1887: Tip O’Neill (St. Louis Browns — then an NL/AA major league) – .435 BA, 14 HR, 123 RBI
  • 1878: Paul Hines (Providence Grays) – .358 BA, 4 HR, 50 RBI [1, 2]

  Quote: “Never swing at a ball you’re fooled on or have trouble hitting.” — Ted Williams, two-time batting Triple Crown winner (1942, 1947)

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Jump Starts the Turnaround as A’s End Nine-Game Skid; Sac 7-3 win ends Sox Nine Game Win Streak

Sacramento A’s starter Gage Jump (61) rears back to pitch to the Boston Red Sox line up at Fenway Park in the first inning on Sat Aug 8, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

Gage Jump came through as the Sacramento A’s savior in the Boston sun this afternoon. The rookie left-hander struck out a career-high 11 over six innings, and the A’s rallied from an early two-run deficit to beat the Boston Red Sox 7-3. The victory ended the Athletics’ nine-game losing streak and stopped Boston’s own nine-game winning run, giving the Green and Gold a chance to win after woe after woe of gut wrenching baseball.

Boston struck first in the opening inning. Jahmai Jones singled, stole second and then took third as Caleb Durbin stole second. Andruw Monasterio followed with a two-run single to right, putting the Red Sox ahead 2-0. That was all Boston managed against Jump. He scattered six hits and two walks, striking out 11 while keeping the Athletics within range. The outing was a major rebound after he allowed six runs in 3 2/3 innings against Detroit in his previous start.

The A’s began their comeback in the fourth. Jacob Wilson doubled to left, Tommy White kept the inning moving with a two-out single, and Brian Serven beat out a soft grounder that brought Wilson home. One inning later, the Athletics moved ahead for good. Alika Williams was hit by a pitch, Wilson doubled again, and Jonah Heim lined a two-run single to left that scored both runners for a 3-2 advantage.

The sixth inning turned a narrow lead into breathing room, and it came from the bench. Lawrence Butler drew a walk, stole second, then moved to third as Jeff McNeil drew another walk and later stole second. Pinch-hitter Donovan Walton followed with a ground-rule double into right-center, scoring both runners and pushing the lead to 5-2. It was exactly the kind of inning the Athletics had struggled to produce during their skid: traffic on the bases, aggressive running and a hit that cashed in both runners.

Tyler Soderstrom added a solo homer in the seventh, and Henry Bolte added another in the ninth to make it 7-2. The two long balls gave Jump and the bullpen some extra room before Boston mounted one last threat. McNeil, meanwhile, remained stuck on 999 career hits after drawing a walk and later flying out. He entered the game needing just one more to become the latest player to reach 1,000 while wearing an A’s uniform.

The final inning carried some tension. Jones doubled and scored on Durbin’s single. Willson Contreras then singled, Monasterio drew a walk, and the bases were loaded with two outs. Hogan Harris, who had entered in the eighth, got Eli White to line out to center and finished the 7-3 win for his tenth save. The Athletics’ bullpen allowed only one run over the final three innings after entering the game with the highest ERA in the majors.

There was also a piece of history at shortstop. Wilson entered the game with a 109-game errorless streak, one shy of the Major League record for a shortstop. He handled the position without a miscue and reached 110 straight games, tying the mark set by Baltimore’s Mike Bordick in 2002. For a team that had spent more than a week stacking losses, the afternoon finally delivered something worth carrying forward.

Sunday’s series decider will send J.T. Ginn (8-6, 3.51 ERA, 105 strikeouts) to the mound for the Athletics at 10:35 a.m. Pacific, while Boston had still not announced its starter as of publication.

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.