Tag: mlb

A’s Shut Out 9-0 by Astros in Season Finale as Houston Clinches AL West

Published on by Jeremiah SalmonsonLeave a comment

Mandatory photo credit: Mauricio Segura (Golden Bay Times)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — 162 starting pitchers, 162 lineup cards, 162 first pitches, it all came to a close on Sunday afternoon as the A’s hosted the Astros for the final game of the 2026 regular season. The A’s had one last chance to play spoiler on Sunday as the Astros needed a win or a Rangers loss to clinch the AL West.

In the end, it didn’t matter if the Astros won or lost as the Rangers were unable to defeat the Twins. However, the Astros defeated the A’s 9-0 to claim the AL West crown.

The A’s went with a bullpen game for the final game of the season. Mark Kotsay elected to go with the right-hander Seth Johnson for the shortened start. Johnson breezed through the first inning but ran into issues trying to get out of the second inning as two walks would ultimately finish his outing. Brady Basso came in with two outs in the second inning to try and clean things up with the bases loaded, which he did, striking out the only batter he faced. Johnson’s final line was one and two-thirds innings while giving up no runs on one hit while walking two and striking out two.

Basso went back out to pitch the third inning for the A’s and struggled. Basso was only able to get two outs in the inning before being lifted. Similarly to Basso, Elvis Alvarado came on and cleaned up the inning, striking out the only batter he faced. However, the damage was already done against Basso. All in, Basso tossed one inning of relief while giving up four runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one.

Alvarado, having finished the third inning, came back out to pitch the fourth for the A’s. Alvarado pitched a clean fourth inning where he struck out two of the three batters he faced and didn’t allow a hit or a walk. All in, Alvarado struck out three of the four hitters he faced and didn’t allow any baserunners in his one and a third innings of work.

In the fifth inning, it was Scott Blewett who came in to pitch. Blewett pitched a strong fifth inning, retiring all three of the batters he faced by way of the groundball. However, he was only able to record one out in the sixth before being lifted. All in, Blewett tossed one and a third innings and gave up two runs on two hits while issuing no walks and not recording any strikeouts.

Chris Roycroft came in to pitch the rest of the sixth and part of the seventh inning. Roycroft also struggled for the A’s as he pitched one inning total and gave up two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out two.

The sixth pitcher of the day for the A’s was Geoff Hartlieb. Hartlieb came in to finish the seventh and also pitched the eighth inning. Hartlieb, like most of the bullpen, struggled to get outs. Hartlieb was able to finish the eighth inning, but he gave up one run on three hits while issuing one free pass and striking out one.

In the ninth, Mark Kotsay turned to Drew Rom. Rom came in and pitched a three-up-three-down ninth inning, allowing no baserunners.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s really struggled against the Astros pitching. The A’s weren’t able to score any runs as they were shut out in the game. The A’s hitters managed only five hits and three walks in the game to finish off the season.

The A’s missed out on their goals in the 2026 season, which is something A’s manager Mark Kotsay has reiterated many times over the past few seasons here in Sacramento.

“A tough season,” the A’s manager said after the game. “There’s no way around that. As a group, we feel obviously very disappointed in the results. As I talked about, the greatest lessons of learning are failures, and this season was one of those that I think we have a lot to learn from.”

Injuries didn’t do the A’s any favors in 2026. On the final day of the season, the likes of Tyler Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Luis Severino and others were all hurt.

Shea Langeliers, who himself spent time on the injured list during the 2026 season before coming back a couple of weeks before the end of the season, spoke to the media about how injuries impacted the season.

“I think all encompassing, just kind of a crazy year, the injuries we had to deal with as a team, just kind of battling through that,” Langeliers said after the game.

There’s certainly going to be even more change around the Athletics organization in 2027. Kotsay himself acknowledged that after the game.

“There’s been a lot of change. There’s going to be more change. It’s been a really tough year for everyone in the organization.”

Giants end season in loss to Dodgers, 5-1; SF finishes fourth in NL West at 65-97 on Mike Krukow day

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San Francisco Giants manager Tony Vitello, right, argues with umpire Marvin Hudson (51) as he is thrown out of the during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

By Maggie Akins

San Francisco — You could feel the energy of Mike Krukow throughout Oracle Park Sunday afternoon through all the “Atta Babe, Kruk” signage. Today was his day. 

While it was the Giants’ final game of the season, it was Krukow’s last broadcast as the Giants’ broadcaster alongside his partner, Duane Kuiper. Krukow has been behind the microphone since 1990 and is a Giants legend, known as a forever Giant. Manager Tony Vitello spoke of Krukow pregame, referring to him as the ultimate teammate. 

The classic chant, “Beat LA,” roared through the stands, but it did not come true for the Giants in the final game of a three-game series, losing 5-1 to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Giants close out the season with another sweep. 

Many Giants fans will recall this season as one of the worst in history, and the rest will wipe it from their memory. The Giants posted a 65-97 record overall, barely scraping by a 100-loss season. 

Sunday’s game was like a rotating pizza of pitchers. Each inning was a different piece of the bullpen, despite no change in the fifth inning and two changes in the third inning. 

It then became a pitchers’ bout with not much offensive showing until the 10th inning. Alex Call hit a double that allowed Miguel Rojas to score, making it a 2-1 ballgame after it was tied 1-1 through six innings. Andy Pages joined the party and hit a three-run homer to shoot the Dodgers’ lead up to 5-1. That sealed it, and now the Dodgers are preparing for the postseason. 

Now that the season has come to an end, Vitello referenced how fast the season went by, but said that it felt like there have been a lot of chapters. 

“The final chapter has been fun,” Vitello said. 

Vitello was ejected in the third inning after arguing about a pitch to Mookie Betts with plate umpire Ryan Blakney and getting in the face of crew chief Marvin Hudson. This is the most ejections by any manager in the 2026 regular season. It has been a year of learning for Vitello after he got hired with zero professional baseball experience after winning a national championship with the University of Tennessee. 

The Giants have a lot to look forward to, however. Rookie Bryce Eldridge brought out the majority of the positives for the Giants, and his development during the offseason is something Giants fans can anticipate in spring training. Eldridge has the ability to be a strong performer and leader for this squad in the future. Rookie Matt Wilkinson and the development of Jackson Flora will be something to follow

Even though the Giants did not win, it felt like there was a win already for Krukow and his career.

A’s Fall to Astros 13-2 as AL West Race Heads to Game 162

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Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches against the Houston Astros during the first inning at Sutter Health Park on September 26, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Athletics were back in action on Saturday night for their final night game of the 2026 season as they faced off against the Houston Astros at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s tried to play spoiler again as the Astros and Rangers were tied at the top of the division. Whoever lost the division would miss out on the 2026 MLB postseason.

The A’s weren’t able to spoil the Astros’ hopes as they wanted, as Houston had its way with them, defeating them 13-2.

The A’s sent Jack Perkins to the hill to start Game 161 for the team as he was making his 37th appearance of the year and his 17th start. Perkins pitched OK, but the fifth inning unraveled for the right-hander to tank his outing. Perkins was pitching to a 3-1 deficit as he came out for the fifth inning, and it was a three-run home run that ultimately did him in. Perkins finished the fifth inning, but his outing was over after he gave up six runs on five hits while walking three and striking out nine (ties a season high).

First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Scott Blewett, who came in to pitch the sixth inning. Blewett struggled, but he managed to bear down and leave without allowing a run. Blewett gave up two hits followed by two strikeouts before being lifted with two outs in favor of Drew Rom. Rom got the final out of the inning on one pitch to give Blewett a final line of two-thirds of an inning, allowing no runs and two hits while striking out two.

For Rom, he got that final out of the sixth inning before coming back out to pitch the seventh inning. Rom struggled mightily in the seventh as he was only able to record two outs before being lifted. Rom tossed a total of one inning during his outing and gave up three runs on five hits while walking none and striking out none.

It was Yunior Tur who came in to finish off the seventh inning as he recorded a strikeout against the only batter he faced. Like Rom, Tur came out again in the eighth inning. In the eighth, Tur struggled to throw strikes, and it cost him as he gave up three runs on three hits while walking one and striking out one. Tur also pitched the ninth inning, where he gave up a solo home run but nothing more. Yunior’s final line was two and a third innings of four-run, four-hit baseball while walking one and striking out two.

On the offensive side of things, the A’s managed only two runs on six hits while walking twice.

The A’s got their first run of the game in the fourth inning on an odd play. Zack Gelof grounded a ball to shortstop, where Jeremy Peña stepped on second for the out before making an errant throw to first base. Gelof performed some shape-shifting acrobatics to avoid the tag and was safe at first. Gelof was credited with his 55th RBI of the year on the play as Lawrence Butler crossed home and scored from third base.

The A’s second run came in the seventh inning when Tommy White singled home Zack Gelof from second base, who reached earlier on a single of his own. It was the 10th RBI of the season for White with the A’s and made it a 9-2 game at the time.

That was all the A’s could muster on the offensive end as they couldn’t mount any late-game comeback.

With the win, the Astros set up a Game 162 showdown with the Rangers on Sunday. Since Houston holds the tiebreaker over Texas, an Astros win would secure the AL West. The Rangers would need a win of their own, coupled with an Astros loss, to claim the division.

The A’s and Astros will play the final game of the regular season on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. Neither team has announced a starting pitcher for the game. However, A’s manager Mark Kotsay did confirm it will be a bullpen game for the series finale.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Friends in the Business

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The author Amaury Pi Gonzalez (left) and Los Angeles Dodgers broadcaster Jose Mota (right) are photographed in the Dodgers Spanish radio booth at Oracle Park on Sat Sep 26, 2026 (photo from the author Amaury Pi Gonzalez)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary Friends in the Business

By Amaury Pi-González

SAN FRANCISCO–It was September 26, 2026, at Oracle Park, and the Los Angeles Dodgers were playing the second of a 3-game series (the last 3 games of the season for each team: the Dodgers and the Giants). One of my best friends in broadcasting is José Mota, son of the legendary Manny Mota of the LA Dodgers. José is a Spanish-language broadcaster for the World Champion LA Dodgers.

José and I worked together on the radio and television for the LA Angels of Anaheim. Saturday I was welcomed into the Spanish broadcast booth for the visiting Dodgers at Oracle Park in San Francisco. I was surprised that José called his father, Manny Mota. he did, and we spoke for a few minutes; he is fine and in good spirits following his beloved Dodgers.

Manny Mota is 88 years young, retired, and living in Los Angeles. In years past, I had the chance to interview Manny Mota on many occasions during his days as a player and later as a coach with the LA Dodgers, under skipper Tommy LaSorda. I also interviewed him when he joined his son José and yours truly in commentary in Anaheim.

Manny played 20 years in the Major Leagues with the Giants, Pirates, Expos, and Dodgers, finishing with1,149 hits, which was the MLB record when he retired. His pinch-hit average was .300; he drove in 115 runs (the current MLB record); he also hit four home runs as a pinch hitter. I always asked Manny if he wanted to manage; he always told me no, that he wanted to teach the game and coach.

Born in the Dominican Republic, Manuel (Manny) Mota is baseball royalty from an era when pinch hitters were essential to winning teams. His son José is one of the most talented MLB broadcasters in both English and Spanish and a good friend, currently working for a team going to the postseason with the goal of winning their third consecutive World Series, something no National League team has ever done. Manny is very proud of his son José and his work as a broadcaster, as he should; José is knowledgeable and well-liked in our business.

Quote: “There is only one legitimate trick to pinch hitting, and that’s knowing the pitcher’s best pitch when the count is 3-and-2. All the rest is a crapshoot.” Earl Weaver, manager of the Baltimore Orioles.

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. 

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Kiké Hernández spoils Giants comeback with ninth inning homer, Dodgers win second straight 4-3

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Camilo Doval throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Francisco Giants game wrap:

By Lincoln Juarez

SAN FRANCISCO – The final Saturday afternoon of the Giants’ 2026 season saw LHP Matt Wilkinson make his final appearance in his debut season. Wilkinson entered Saturday 1-3 with a 3.65 ERA through 24.2 innings pitched, coming off a stellar performance last weekend at Dodger Stadium where he held the Dodgers scoreless on just three hits through 5.0 innings.

The young left-hander set down Betts, Ohtani and Will Smith in order in the first and got through the first two frames in just seven batters. Dodgers starter Blake Snell (4-1, 1.86) and old friend of the Giants gave up a double to Victor Bericoto and a single to Bo Davidson in the first that amounted to nothing for the Giants. In the second inning Snell stranded Shay Whitcomb at second base after a single and stolen base keeping the game scoreless.

Wilkinson was one out away from getting through three innings without allowing a hit when Mookie Betts stepped in and knocked an 86mph cutter into the third row of the left field bleachers.

The Giants had a chance to counter against Blake Snell in the home third with Jonah Cox reaching third with a double and stolen base. Turner Hill put the ball in play with nobody out and brought Cox home on a sacrifice fly to center.

Matt Wilkinson was pulled after his three innings of work, he gave up one earned on one hit, which was a home run, while striking out two. Following the game, it was revealed by manager Tony Vitello that a lower-back injury is what forced Wilkinson out of the game early. “He had a lower-back issue that started in the bullpen before the game so based off his warmups…we didn’t know if we’d get one inning.” Wilkinson described that he tried to fight through it the best he could but it didn’t last him very deep into the game.

He was replaced with RHP Duncan Davitt who got the first two outs of the fourth but also gave up two earned runs on three hits.

Snell finished after four complete, allowing one run on five hits and striking out three, and left the game with the Dodgers ahead 3-1.

Right-handers Tristan Beck and Carson Seymour got the Giants to the seventh inning, when Camilo Doval made his return to the Giants after being claimed off waivers from the Pirates Thursday night. Doval started the season in New York as a Yankee posting a 3-1 record with a 4.54 ERA, a save and 39 strikeouts. After being traded to the Pirates on August first, he was 0-1 with a 3.79 ERA, 23 strikeouts in 20 games.

“Well nothing like being back home… I’m super happy and super thrilled to be back and just to get on that mound” Doval exclaimed, also adding “I’m back at home, let me be who I am, and let me do what I know I can do.”

Doval faced Betts, Ohtani and Dalton Rushing, who pinch-hit for Will Smith in the seventh inning and struck them out in order during his Giants return. With that Doval became the 71st player used by the Giants this season, tying the 2025 Atlanta Braves for the most players used by a team in Major League history.

Safe to say Doval was thrilled to be back in a Giants uniform and hoping he can stick around to play a role in the bullpen in 2027. Tony Vitello mentioned “If you’re asking me, I’m all for anybody that can help us win and he looked like he can help us win” on the thought of hopefully locking up Doval for next season.

In the home seventh, the Giants got within a run as Drew Cavanaugh tripled home Drew Gilbert to make it 3-2. In the eighth, Turner Hill doubled and advanced to third base on a wild pitch. Bo Davidson drove him home on a sacrifice fly to center to tie the game at three.

Just when the Giants got almost all of the momentum on their side, Kiké Hernández led off the ninth and batted a 1-0 pitch into the left field bleachers to a roar of Dodger fans at Oracle Park. Tanner Scott took the mound in the bottom of the ninth and recorded his second straight and his 25th save of the season.

The Dodgers spoiled the first two games of Mike Krukow’s retirement weekend celebration at Oracle Park but the Giants have one more opportunity to send Kruk off with the ultimate “Atta Babe”. A win on Sunday over LA would be the ultimate send off for the legend himself.

Giants fans come together once more in 2026 Sunday afternoon for the final game of the season and to celebrate Mike Krukow in his final game in the booth. No starting pitchers have been announced on either side but first pitch is at 12:05pm.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey: A’s Bolte continues to rip edge Astros 6-5

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Henry Bolte (33) is congratulated by Sacramento A’s third base coach Bobby Crosby(8) after hitting a bottom of the sixth inning two run triple against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Sep 26, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:

#1 Can Henry Bolte build on his two-RBI triple Friday night and provide another big offensive performance against the Astros?

#2 After Michael Stefanic delivered a two-run pinch-hit single Friday, can he continue to make an impact for the A’s against Houston?

#3 Can Lawrence Butler carry the momentum from his RBI performance Friday into Saturday’s matchup?

#4 With Jack Perkins listed as the A’s probable starter, can he keep Houston’s powerful lineup—including Yordan Alvarez—under control?

#5 Can Shea Langeliers provide the power the A’s need against the Astros after returning from the injured list earlier this month?

Tony Harvey podcasted the Sacramento A’s Saturdays and will return next Saturday with the Sacramento Kings podcasts 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 Play Spoiler, Stun Astros 6-5 With Six-Run Sixth Inning

Published on by Jeremiah SalmonsonLeave a comment

Jacob Lopez #57 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the first inning against the Houston Astros at Sutter Health Park on September 25, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The A’s and Astros were back in action on the final Friday night of the regular season at 6:40 p.m. PDT at Sutter Health Park. After the Astros’ win over the A’s on Thursday night, Houston was tied for the AL West lead with the Texas Rangers entering play on Friday and desperately needing a win.

The A’s continued to play spoiler in the American League on Friday as they defeated the Astros, 6-5.

Jacob Lopez took the ball for the A’s in his final start of the 2026 season. It was Lopez’s 27th appearance for the A’s and his 24th start of the 2026 season. Lopez pitched masterfully as he turned in one of his best starts of the year. Lopez went six innings of one-run baseball as he allowed only two hits and walked two while striking out four. The only real blemish for Lopez was a fourth-inning solo home run he gave up to Christian Walker. Otherwise, Lopez turned in an outing he would certainly be happy to end the season with.

In the seventh inning, the A’s went with right-hander Seth Johnson to be first out of the bullpen in relief of Lopez. Johnson pitched a solid inning, but he was bitten by the home run bug as he gave up a solo home run to Cam Smith with two outs. However, that was all he gave up in an otherwise clean inning in which he struck out one.

In the eighth inning, it was Geoff Hartlieb who came in for the A’s in hopes of keeping the game where it was. Hartlieb ran into trouble in the eighth as he gave up two hits to the first three batters he faced, followed by a walk. That was all Mark Kotsay needed to see as he went to his bullpen again with the bases loaded.

Luis Medina was next out of the A’s bullpen, hoping to come in and clean up Hartlieb’s mess. Medina couldn’t get that job done as he allowed all three of his inherited runners to score before getting out of the inning. So, Medina’s line looks okay, but it doesn’t tell the whole story. Medina went two-thirds of an inning and gave up one hit, one walk, and struck out one. No runs were charged to Medina. Hartlieb’s final line wasn’t so kind as he went one-third of an inning while allowing three runs on one hit, walking two and striking out one.

With the A’s lead down to one run, Mark Kotsay called on Hogan Harris for the save in the ninth inning. Harris gave up a one-out walk, but faced the minimum as he induced a double play and struck out the only other batter he faced. With the save, Harris recorded his 17th save of the season, which marked only the second time a left-handed pitcher has recorded 17 saves for the A’s.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s scored a total of six runs on eight hits while being gifted four free passes from the Astros’ pitching.

The A’s scored their first runs of the game in the sixth inning as pinch hitter Michael Stefanic came up big with a two-run single. The single drove in Jeff McNeil and Zack Gelof, who reached base prior, and gave the A’s their first lead of the ballgame.

Two batters later, it was Jonah Heim who added to the lead with an RBI single to left field. Heim’s single scored pinch runner Denzel Clarke and gave Heim his 43rd RBI of the year.

As the sixth inning continued, the A’s offense also continued to damage the Astros and their playoff chances. Henry Bolte laced a two-RBI triple to right field to pile on and give the A’s their fourth and fifth runs of the inning. It was the second triple of the year for Bolte and RBIs 37 and 38.

Lawrence Butler decided to get in on the action next as he drove in Henry Bolte from third on a fielder’s choice that Bolte beat out at the plate. It was the 62nd RBI of the year for Butler and the A’s sixth run of the inning.

The A’s and Astros will play game three of their four-game series on Saturday at 6:40 p.m. PDT. The A’s will send Jack Perkins (3-12, 5.90 ERA) to the mound to start the game as the Astros will counter with Hayden Wesneski (5-2, 3.50 ERA). The Astros and Rangers remain tied for the AL West crown with just two games remaining for both teams.

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Doval returns to SF; Tidwell goes on 60 day IL;

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Camilo Doval has returned to the San Francisco Giants on Thu Sep 24, 2026 after a hiatus with the New York Yankees (2025) and Pittsburgh Pirates (2026). San Francisco Chronicle file photo

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 Camilo Doval who the Giants traded to the New York Yankees last season has returned to San Franisco after pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Doval was 3.79 with 14 walks in 19 innings in 20 outings Doval is under club control and is making $6.1 million for this season and is eligible for arbitration after this season. The Giants could offer Doval a contract in the winter.

#1 Can Drew Gilbert provide a spark for the Giants’ offense against the Dodgers?

#2 How will Yunior Marté handle the Dodgers’ lineup as the Giants’ scheduled starting pitcher?

#3 Can Christian Koss contribute offensively and defensively for San Francisco against Los Angeles?

#4 What kind of impact could Jonah Cox have for the Giants in this matchup?

#5 Can Andrew Knizner give the Giants an advantage behind the plate against the Dodgers?

Lincoln does the San Francisco Giants podcasts Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Gelof Homers Twice as A’s Fall to Astros 7-5 in Series Opener

Published on by Jeremiah SalmonsonLeave a comment

Mason Barnett #63 of the Athletics pitches against the Houston Astros in the top of the second inning at Sutter Health Park on September 24, 2026 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory photo credit: Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The A’s welcomed the Houston Astros to Sacramento on Thursday for the first of a four-game series to wrap up the 2026 season. For the A’s, there’s very little to play for as they have been firmly out of the playoff picture for months. On the other hand, the Astros are fighting for their playoff lives as they must win the AL West to make it in, as they entered play a half-game back of the Texas Rangers on Thursday.

The A’s fell to the Astros in game one, 7-5.

Mason Barnett got the ball for the A’s on Thursday in what was his 20th appearance and sixth start for the club in 2026. Barnett held his own in the game and was able to provide some length for the A’s, but he didn’t pitch well enough to be in line for the win. The home run proved to be the main struggle for Barnett on Thursday, as he gave up a three-run home run in the second inning and a solo shot in the sixth. All in, Barnett tossed six innings of four-run, four-hit baseball while striking out eight (a career high) and walking two hitters.

First out of the bullpen for the A’s was Scott Blewett as he came in to pitch the seventh inning for Mark Kotsay in relief of Mason Barnett. Blewett struggled in his inning, giving up a home run and two other hits, but he managed to limit the damage and keep the Astros to just one run during his inning.

In the eighth inning, the A’s turned to Chris Roycroft to keep the game where it was as they trailed 5-4. Unfortunately for the A’s, Roycroft, like Barnett and Blewett before him, was also bitten by the home run bug. Roycroft gave up a solo home run but nothing more in his inning of work while also striking out two.

In the ninth inning, it was Elvis Alvarado for the second night in a row to finish things off for the A’s on the pitching side. Like all the A’s pitchers in the game, Elvis also gave up a home run. Alvarado started his appearance by giving up a solo home run, but was effective after as he didn’t give up anything else in his outing, other than one more inconsequential hit.

At the plate, the A’s picked up where they left off against the Angels early in the game. In total, the A’s had five runs, 11 hits and walked three times.

Jeff McNeil got the scoring going for the A’s in the third inning when he launched a game-tying three-run home run over the wall in right-center field. It was McNeil’s ninth home run of the season and RBIs 53, 54 and 55. The momentum-shifting home run left the bat at 98.4 MPH and landed 379 feet away in the visitors’ bullpen.

Keeping the party going, Zack Gelof decided to get in on the action as he launched a back-to-back home run with McNeil, which was the 21st of the season for him. Gelof’s home run left the bat at 101.8 MPH and came to rest 413 feet away in straightaway center field to give the A’s the 4-3 lead. It was Gelof’s 53rd RBI of the season.

The A’s didn’t score again until the eighth inning, but it was Gelof again for the A’s. Zack Gelof made it a 6-5 game and got the A’s to within one run as he sent his second home run of the game over the left-center-field wall. It was Gelof’s 22nd of the season and gave him his 54th RBI of the campaign.

That would be all the A’s could get on the offensive end as they fell to the Astros 7-5 on Thursday.

The A’s and Astros will play game two of the four-game series on Friday at 6:40 p.m. PDT. As of this writing, the Astros have not announced a starter while the A’s will go with Jacob Lopez (6-5, 5.68 ERA).

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s open up four game set with Astros Thursday night

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Sacramento A’s Donavon Walton runs the bases after hitting a three run home run in the top of the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed Sep 23, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Jeremiah, the A’s jumped on the Los Angeles Angels in the bottom of the first inning scoring four runs to take a 4-0 lead.The win helps the A’s avoid losing 100 games for the season.

#2 In the first the A’s got hitting with a Lawrence Butler RBI scoring Henry Bolte making 1-0. Donavon Walton hit a three home run making it 4-0.

#3 In the second inning Bolte slugged a right field double that scored Malika Williams A’s take a 5-0. The A’s get a leg up scoring early in the ball game.Bolte had a big night with two singles and two doubles Wednesday.

#4 The A’s picked up two more runs when Shea Langeliers hit a two run double in the bottom of the sixth inning that scored Bolte and Williams for a 7-3 lead and the eventual win.

#5 A’s closer Elvis Alvarado closed the door on the Angels in the top of the ninth striking out two batters and a ground out for a one, two, three innings.

#6 A’s open up a four game set with the Houston Astros after concluding their brief two game set with the Angels. Starting pitchers for Thursday for Houston RHP Peter Lambert ((8-10 ERA 3.70) for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (1-4 ERA 7.16) fiist pitch 6:40pm PDT.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the Sacramento A’s podcasts Thursdays 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.