Tag: mlb

Giants lose 6-3 to Nationals; SF pitching cant stop Nats hitting in late innings

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The Washington Nationals’ Luis Garcia Jr. watches his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Tuesday, June 9, 2026 (AP Photo/ Jed Jacobson)

By Ryan Hannagan

San Francisco — The San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals faced off for game-two of a three-game series Tuesday night at Oracle Park. Following a loss off a 9th inning comeback by the Nationals in game one, the Giants looked to even up the series and get back in the win column.

Right-hander Adrian Houser was given the nod on the mound for the Giants. Houser came in with a 2-5 record and a 5.49 ERA through 13 games. On the other end, the Nationals went with rookie left-handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez. The 26 year old came into Tuesday’s contest with a 1-0 record and 3.54 ERA through seven games played on the season.  

The Nationals wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Luis García Jr. launched a two-run homer to right field just two batters into the game, bringing home Wood and giving Washington an early lead. After the home run, Houser would exit the inning unharmed, but the Giants had to start their first at-bats behind. 

After a scoreless first inning from the Giants, the score remained 2-0 through the second, third and fourth. Although San Francisco was held scoreless in the third, outfielder Jung Hoo Lee extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a two-out single. The 17-game streak is a career high for Lee and currently stands as the longest active hitting streak in the majors.

Houser was back out to start the fifth, but after recording one out and allowing a Jacob Young triple, manager Tony Vitello went to the bullpen. Vitello resorted to 29-year-old left-hander Sam Hentegs. James Wood faced Hentegs out of the bullpen and immediately split a single through Chapman and Adames to score Young from third. Hentegs was able to hold the Nationals from further offense, keeping the score 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.

The Giants answered with offense of their own in the bottom half. After walking Devers and allowing a single off the bat of Luis Arraez, Alvarez’s night was over. Going to the bullpen, Nationals manager Blake Butera turned to lefty reliever Brad Lord. The first batter Lord faced, Jung Hoo Lee, knocked home Devers and Arraez with a double. The score was 3-2. Devers and Arraez were the only Giants runs to score in the fifth, as Lord finished the rest of the inning unharmed. 

The sixth inning went by quietly, both teams going down scoreless. The Nationals added two more runs in the top of the seventh. Jacob Young scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch, and with the bases still loaded, Daylen Lile drew a walk to force in James Wood. The score had moved to 5-2 Nationals.

The eighth featured no offense on either side. Come the ninth, both teams added a run to their total. For the Nationals, CJ Abrams reached on a throwing error by third-baseman Matt Chapman, to then be brought home by a Daylen Lile triple. The Giants third run was a solo shot by rookie Bryce Eldrige with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Final score, Nationals win 6-3.

The Giants left 13 runners on base. This comes the night after leaving 12 on. The Nationals are heading into game three Wednesday up two games to zero looking to close out the sweep. As for the Giants, damage control will be the goal as they try to avoid being swept. Following Tuesday’s loss, the Giants moved to 27-41 on the season, losing seven of their last nine. Game three from Oracle Park is set for a 12:45 p.m first pitch Wednesday afternoon. 

Starting pitchers for Washington LHP Foster Griffin (7-2 ERA 3.63) for San Francisco LHP Robbie Ray (4-6, ERA 4.12).

In the vibrant center of downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko offers a serene retreat defined by calm, understated luxury and the thoughtful precision of Japanese-inspired service. Each detail is designed to create a restorative experience where modern comfort and wellness come together effortlessly.

Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.

At the top of the hotel, a glass-enclosed indoor pool offers a peaceful escape above the city an inviting space to unwind or, during the summer months, transform into a lively “dive-in” movie experience. Every Friday and Saturday night, families can enjoy classic kids’ films poolside, creating memorable moments in a truly unique setting.

Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,

Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.

For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.

Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.

Las Vegas A’s game wrap: Homer happy A’s blast past the Brewers for 7-5 win in Vegas

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Las Vegas A’s Henry Bolte rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the bottom of the second inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin, NV on Tue Jun 9, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Lincoln Juarez

SUMMERLIN, NV – The Las Vegas A’s won their first regular season game in Las Vegas since 1996 backed by the long ball as all seven of their runs came thanks to the home run. J.T. Ginn recorded his fourth win of the season at Las Vegas Ballpark in front of 8,422.

Boots were on the ground at the site of the A’s future home on the Las Vegas strip Tuesday morning prior to game two of the Brewers and Athletics about 17 miles west in Downtown Summerlin. Athletics manager Mark Kotsay was part of a group of A’s personnel that toured the $2-plus billion construction site. “You know, the ballpark in totality is there now. You can really see the future of an incredible stadium that fans are going to completely have the opportunity to be as close as they’ve ever been…but also being able to have an incredible view from everywhere in the building” Kotsay said, describing his perspective of the progress. The A’s 33,000 seat stadium won’t be complete and ready for use until the 2028 season and while the excitement builds the organization continues to give fans in Southern Nevada a preview of their young, eye-catching talent.

The Athletics opened up their Las Vegas Series homestand Monday night in the first of a three game set with the Milwaukee Brewers in what was an offensive showcase with 29 total runs, 34 total hits including 11 home runs. Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin sits just past 3,000 feet above sea level making for a hitter’s dream ballpark and it showed Monday night. It was the fifth game in A’s history where they hit seven or more home runs.

Acknowledging the elements that played a role in Monday’s 15-14 slugfest, Mark Kotsay said, “The biggest thing you don’t want to do in a hitter’s park is give away free bases and you also don’t want to make outs on the bases. Every chance you get to get an extra at-bat in a ballpark where it seems to be favoring the offense, those are things that can help lead to wins on both sides”. In the first inning it wasn’t a free base that Athletics’ starter J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74 ERA) allowed, but a leadoff single by Christian Yelich to pick up right where these teams left off the previous night. Five pitches later, Jackson Chourio hit a line drive to right field that the warm, windy Southern Nevada sky carried over the fence for a 2-0 Brewer lead.

Brewers’ starter Robert Gasser, who was making just his 11th big-league start, got the same nuclear welcome to Las Vegas his fellow starter Kyle Harrison did 24 hours before. Nick Kurtz, fresh off a two-homer game Monday, blasted his 15th home run of the season over the Milwaukee bullpen to put the A’s within one.

The big fly stayed contagious Tuesday night and found Henry Bolte for his first big-league home run. Bolte’s blast scored two to put the A’s ahead 3-2 after two full. Every run scored before the fourth inning came via the long ball and at the rate these teams were mashing, the baseball fans in Las Vegas who saw the first two games of the week might be disappointed when the A’s move into their climate-controlled stadium on the strip.

J.T. Ginn’s outing looked promising after setting down eight Brewers in a row from the end of the first to the top of the fourth, and only allowing one run from the second through the fifth inning. Sal Frelick tied the game for Milwaukee with an RBI-single in the visiting fourth, the first run of the game driven in by a hit, not a home run.

It took the A’s until the bottom of the fifth to respond with yes, you guessed it, two more home runs to regain the lead. Tyler Soderstrom with a two-run blast and Jonah Heim with his second homer in as many days to make it 6-3 Athletics. The next inning, Zack Gelof joined the party and homered to center field for the final A’s run of the night, all via the long ball.

With the offensive explosion Monday night and another home run fest Tuesday, it was easy to forget about the pitching. Ginn finally ran into trouble in the sixth inning where the Brewers forced two runs across and the right-hander out of the game. However, Ginn picked up the win, his fourth of the season with a line of 5.2 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.

Seven runs were all the A’s needed for their first regular season win in Las Vegas since April 7, 1996 when they beat the Detroit Tigers 7-6 at Cashman Field. The 8,422 in attendance celebrated the green and gold with much anticipation for the day they get to celebrate an A’s win 17 miles east on the Las Vegas strip in 2028.

The rubber match of the three game set is Wednesday evening at Las Vegas Ballpark with first pitch scheduled for 6:05pm. A starter has not been named for the Brewers to face RHP Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.19 ERA) for the A’s.

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. 

He Was A Giant? Mike Sadek: A Tony the Tiger Hayes Giants feature article

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Former San Francisco Giant catcher Mike Sadek (right) puts a wet one on teammate Willie McCovey’s (44) cheek (photo from the SF Giants archives)

By Tony the Tiger Hayes

Mike Sadek wasn’t  physically imposing, nor  did he produce gigantic statistics, but the venerable 8-year big leaguer unequivocally had a #ForeverGiant heart. 

Sadek, who passed at age 73 in 2021, would have turned 80 last week. 

The feisty backstop, played  for San Francisco in 1973 and from 1975-81. 

A tightly coiled 5’9, 165 pounder, Sadek or “Sheik” to his teammates – was typically the backup to the backup receiver in San Francisco – averaging 50 contests per campaign. 

Not much of threat at the plate, Sadek batted a modest .226, with 5HR and 75 RBI in 383 career contests. 

But Sadek’s value to #SFGiants was never based on slugging percentage. 

Sadek was a big leaguer  for as long as he was, because of his catch & throw abilities and an innate ability to relate to pitchers. 

“His skills were extraordinary,” former Giants pitcher John D’Acquisto told Sadek’s hometown paper The Calaveras Enterprise at the time of his  passing. “His arm was above average. He had a really strong throwing arm. The ball never dipped down; it was always a straight shot from home to second. He had a very quick release. He blocked balls like there was no tomorrow.” 

So when managers Wes Westrum  or Joe Altobelli decided, say, to pinch hit for frontline receiver Marc Hill or spell regular Dave Rader, the club was in the capable hands of Sadek. 

Sadek – who rocked uniform # 3 to match his position on the backstop roster – also played a vital role in maintaining  a loose clubhouse culture. 

The eternal ice breaker, Sadek was like the last piece of a jigsaw puzzle. Without him the team was incomplete. 

“It was mostly not about baseball, that’s for darn sure,”  D’Acquisto, said recalling the topics of conversations the pair would have on the sidelines. “We would just talk about life in general.”

Sadek was also a quite the lighthearted character – once riding the conveyor belt onto the baggage carousal at Montreal airport for laughs and a collective pot from his teammates. 

In 1975,  when the TV cop show “Kojak” was at the height of it’s popularity, Sadek, fellow catcher Rader and reliever Dave Heaverlo all shaved their to heads to ape the show’s red hot star Telly Savalas. 

Needless to say, they didn’t quite pull off the look. In a clubhouse full of mod Giants sporting blowout Afros and corkscrew perms, the ragged trio looked more like devotees to “Synanon” the 1970s Marin County based cult populated by shaven headed devotees. 

In 1966, San Francisco originally drafted Sadek out of his home state of Minnesota, but he opted to return to college. The Twins drafted him next, but San Francisco finally got their man in the 1969 Rule 5 draft. 

As the Giants reserve catcher, Sadek was often asked to do the unglamorous duties of a bench player, warming up pitchers between innings, catching ceremonial first pitches or taking the blame when the ace has a sour outing. 

The one place Sadek did receive preferential treatment was when verbose star pitcher John Montefusco was pitching. 

Not matter what. The “Count” wanted his beloved Sadek as his personal catcher. 

Montefusco bluntly stated Sadek was the best catcher he ever threw to because of his low target and great pitch- selection. 

Sadek was Montefusco’s caddy on most of the Count’s personal best performances, save his 1976 No-Hitter (Gary Alexander). 

In just over 10 days in 1975, “Shiek” was in the squat for Montefusco’s  top three career strikeout games. (Fanning totals of 14, 13 & 12 in three consecutive starts)

The brilliant back-to-back-to back performances were likely the reason Montefusco was unanimously voted NL Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association in ‘75. 

Sadek also caught a pair of 10 & 11 strikeout games by Montefusco in 1978 and produced with the bat. 

In the former, a 10-7 win at Dodger Stadium, Sadek batted 3-for-5 with a career topping 3 RBI (5/19/78). 

In the latter, a 9-3 win at Atlanta,  in the matinee of a doubleheader, Sadek flogged a solo HR off Jamie Easterly (6/25/78). 

After career highs in just about every offensive category in 1980, including batting (.254) Sadek just didn’t gel with new manager Frank Robinson. After the 1981 players strike was settled mid-season, Sadek was replaced on the roster by Triple-A catcher Bob Brenly. 

But Sadek did not leave the Orange & Black fold, immediately joining the club’s community relations department. 

His last day was in 1999 after the final Giants game played at Candlestick Park. 

Before they closed the home clubhouse doors for good, Mike Sadek was the last man to leave.. 

Las Vegas A’s game wrap: Brewers, A’s put on show in Las Vegas in record-setting 15-14 12 inning thriller

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The field of the Las Vegas Ballpark in Summerlin NV hosts the Milwaukee Brewers and the Las Vegas A’s on Mon Jun 9, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Lincoln Juarez

SUMMERLIN, NV – The Milwaukee Brewers topped the Las Vegas A’s 15-14 in 12 innings in an offensive clash to open up the three game series. Tyler Soderstrom and Nick Kurtz both hit two home runs with a combined seven RBI and still came up short after multiple comebacks.

For the first time since 1996, regular season baseball was played in Las Vegas, Nevada. The classic white “Athletics” scripted jersey giveaway filled Las Vegas Ballpark for game one of six and the start of a monumental week for the Athletics and their move to the desert.

The Athletics put on a Las Vegas show for the 8,519 attendees with a military flyover at the conclusion of the National Anthem and the legendary UFC host, Bruce Buffer announcing the A’s starting lineup in true Vegas fashion. Through the green and gold smoke that filled the air, the Athletics took the field on a beautiful 87 degree desert night.

Jeffrey Springs (3-6, 4.37 ERA) coming off a no-decision in his last outing at Wrigley Field, struggled to get out of the first inning after recording two outs through his first three batters faced. The Brewers scratched a two-out run across courtesy of Jake Bauers driving in Jackson Chourio with an RBI-single to left.

Shea Langeliers answered right back for the A’s, sending a towering shot over the left-center field scoreboard to tie the game on the first pitch the A’s saw. This would be the subtle foreshadowing of the night to come. It was Langeliers’ 17th home run of the season, tying him for sixth most across MLB, and only the fifth home run given up by Brewers’ starter Kyle Harrison. Harrison has been stellar for the Brew Crew since being acquired via trade from the Boston Red Sox prior to the 2026 season with a 7-1 record and 1.57 ERA through 11 starts before Monday night.

The long-ball struggles continued for Harrison on an uncharacteristic night, only making it through 2.1 innings while allowing three home runs and eight runs to cross the plate. The A’s six-run third inning gave Jeffrey Springs a comfortable 8-4 lead, however he was only able to last two more innings.

Springs had struggles of his own, giving up three more runs in the visiting half of the third including two big-flies off the bats of Brice Turang (10) and Andrew Vaughn (2). Milwaukee clawed one more across in the fifth which wound up as Springs’ final inning of the night. He finished with a final line of 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K.

The home run derby continued for the swingin’ A’s in the home sixth with Nick Kurtz rounding the bases to make it 9-5 Athletics on his 13th homer of the season.

The scoring lasted all night as the two lineups dueled it out like the main event of a UFC Fight Night on the Strip. Milwaukee wouldn’t go away en route to a ninth inning comeback to tie the game at 10, officially making it the highest scoring regular season game the A’s have played in Vegas. The Brewers drove in two in the seventh on Jake Bauers’ 12th home run of the year, one in the eighth on a wild pitch, and two in the ninth on Andrew Vaughn’s ninth double of the season.

The A’s were held scoreless in the home ninth and the Brewers kept the scoring going in the 10th, taking a 14-10 lead on a Jackson Chourio sac-fly and William Contreras three-run homer to deaden the Las Vegas crowd.

With two out in the home 10th the green and gold brought three across, including Nick Kurtz’ second homer of the night, to make it a one-run game. Still down to their final out, pinch-hitter Jonah Heim fisted a ball out to right field that received a groan from the home crowd thinking the night was over. Brewers’ right fielder Blake Perkins ran out of room at the wall and the game was tied yet again.

The most dominant inning on the mound came in the top of the 11th as left-hander Jose Suarez took the rubber for the A’s and struck out the side in order giving the A’s a chance to win it the next half.

Flame-throwing Abner Uribe shut down the A’s in the home half, sending the game to the 12th inning where defensive replacement Jeff McNeil’s throw couldn’t beat Christian Yelich to the plate. Milwaukee had another extra inning lead and this time they were able to hold on. Right-hander Chad Patrick got the save for the Brewers’ fourth consecutive win in an absolute offensive thriller to open up the Las Vegas Series.

A combined 29 runs on 34 hits set the record for most combined hits and runs in a game this season. Each club used seven pitchers across 12 innings in the longest game of the pitch-clock era at four hours and 14 minutes which also set the record for most ABS challenges in a single game at 16 total. Fans got just about everything they could’ve asked for in game one of the Las Vegas series, except an A’s win. However, this will go down as one of the most absurd, memorable games of the 2026 season that gave fans in Southern Nevada plenty of reason to return to the ballpark the rest of the week.

Game two in Las Vegas is set for 7:05pm Tuesday night.

Starting pitchers for Milwaukee LHP Robert Gasser (0-2 ERA 4.73) for Las Vegas RHP JT Ginn (3-3 ERA 2.74)

San Francisco Giants game wrap: Winn and Giants blow eight-inning gem by Webb in another brutal loss; Nationals win 4-3; Lee goes on 17 game hit streak

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Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (right) steals second base as San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames leaps to field the ball in the top of the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon Jun 8, 2026 (AP News photo)

Monday, June 8, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Washington Nationals 4 (34-33)

San Francisco Giants 2 (27-40)

Win: Clayton Beeter (2-1)

Loss: Keaton Winn (2-2)

Save: Gus Varland (5)

Time: 2:31

Attendance: 35,432

By Stephen Ruderman

A great start by Logan Webb was wasted, and for the sixth time this season, the Giants led in the ninth inning only to lose, as the Nationals tagged Keaton Winn for three runs in the top of the ninth en route to a 4-3 win Monday night.

The Giants looked to build on their momentum after winning four of their final five on their roadtrip, which ended with a nice series win in Chicago.

Logan Webb was lights out, and Tony Vitello let him go eight innings. Webb gave up just a run on five hits. He didn’t walk anyone, and he struck out seven. Webb has been nails in his last two starts, and it really does appear that his right knee bursitis was the main cause of his rough start to the season.

The Giants wasted a big opportunity off Nationals’ opener Richard Lovelady in the bottom of the first, and the offense was stymied for most of the night. However, after the Nationals got on the board against Webb in the top of the sixth, the Giants responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth.

The Giants then played the way they were built to in the bottom of the eighth. Jung Hoo Lee led off the inning with a base-hit, and got to second on an errant pickoff throw by Clayton Beeter. Bryce Eldridge then doubled to give the Giants the lead.

With runners at second and third with two outs, Tony sent Jonah Cox to the plate, and put on the squeeze. Cox laid down a perfect bunt along the first base line, and Eldridge scored to make it 3-1. Eldridge and Cox shared an emotional hug in the dugout, and it really felt like this was going to be the Giants’ night.

Well, as good of a season as Keaton Winn has had, he has not been particularly great in the ninth. Winn blew the save in Denver on May 29, and then gave up the game-tying home run to Pete Crow-Armstrong at Wrigley on Saturday.

The Nationals got to Winn for three runs. Dylan Smith, who got the save Sunday night, then finished the inning.

The Giants had one more wasted opportunity in them for the bottom of the ninth. Rafael Devers worked a 1-2 count into a walk against Gus Varland to start the inning, but Luis Arraez suffered a rare strikeout. Willy Adames tried to hit a walk-off home run, but flew out to center. Lee just had to tease us with a base-hit to right to put runners at the corners for Eldridge. Eldridge struck out, and that was all she wrote.

There were some positives in this game. Logan Webb seems to be back, as he has given up just one run and six hits in his last two starts. Remember his last start came against the best and peskiest offenses in the Brewers in Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Jung Hoo Lee not only extended his hitting streak to 16 games, but he went 4-for-5 to up his average to .333. Matt Chapman went 2-for-3, and is swinging the bat like his old self again. I also can’t forget Bryce Eldridge’s 2-for-5 night. It would have been 3-for-5 had it not been for a great catch by Dylan Crews in the bottom of the fourth.

Unfortunately, the bullpen once again blew a late lead. As I said in the lead, the Giants have now lost six games this season in which they led in the ninth inning.

I also can’t leave out the missed challenge two strikes to James Wood and two outs in the top of the sixth. Had the pitch been challenged, it would have been strike three to end the inning. However, Eric Haase was loath to challenge after the Giants lost a challenge in the bottom of the first. Well, Wood ended up scoring, and that proved to be the difference in the game.

The Giants are now 27-40. Going back to the Giants’ six losses after leading in the ninth, there is a massive difference between 33-34 and 27-40. Buster Posey’s failure to sign relief help has haunted the Giants yet again. Unfortunately, this will likely not be the final time this happens.

If anyone is interested, Clayton Beeter got the win, and Keaton Winn took his second loss in three games. Gus Varland picked up the save.

Adrian Houser (2-5 ERA 5.49) for San Francisco will go against Andrew Alvarez (1-0 ERA 3.54) for Washington Tuesday night. First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants open up three game set with Nationals at Oracle Park Monday night

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San Francisco Giants Rafeal Devers (right) scores on a Jung Hoo Lee single in the top of the first inning as the Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (left) looks on at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 7, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 How important was the pitching matchup between the San Francisco Giants Trevor McDonald and the Chicago Cubs Jameson Taillon in determining the outcome of the game?

#2 After splitting the first two games of the series, which team had more momentum entering the Sunday night rubber match at Wrigley Field?

#3 Which player was most likely to provide the game’s biggest offensive impact, and why?

#4 Consider recent performances from players such as the Giants Matt Chapman or the Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong. How did playing on national television as part of Sunday Night Baseball affect the atmosphere and pressure for both teams?

#5 Giants open a three game series against the Washington Nationals Monday night at Oracle Park. Nats have been getting some good offense but struggling a bit on the pitching how do you see this series.

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

In the vibrant center of downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko offers a serene retreat defined by calm, understated luxury and the thoughtful precision of Japanese-inspired service. Each detail is designed to create a restorative experience where modern comfort and wellness come together effortlessly.

Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.

At the top of the hotel, a glass-enclosed indoor pool offers a peaceful escape above the city an inviting space to unwind or, during the summer months, transform into a lively “dive-in” movie experience. Every Friday and Saturday night, families can enjoy classic kids’ films poolside, creating memorable moments in a truly unique setting.

Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,

Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.

For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.

Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.

Las Vegas A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s to face Brewers and Rockies in Las Vegas starting Monday night

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Las Vegas A’s starter Gage Jump was dealing against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Sun Jun 7, 2026 (AP News photo)

Las Vegas A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 Las Vegas A’s leadoff hitter and first baseman Nick Kurtz had an afternoon against the Houston Astros with home run and two RBIs.

#2 How did A’s rookie left-hander Gage Jump pitched in the A’s 5-0 shutout going 6.1 allowing three hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.

#3 Astros starter Mike Burrows went five innings allowing eight hits and four runs got into trouble in third inning allowing three runs.

#4 The Astros were shut out despite playing at home. Which aspects of Houston’s offense struggled most in this matchup?

#5 The A’s head to Las Vegas to play in their triple A affiliate minor league park home of the Las Vegas Aviators. The A’s will play host to the Milwaukee Brewers the first of six games for the A’s in Vegas. It’ll be a warm temps will get into the 90s and later in the week 100s. Talk about how special it will be for the A’s to play in front of their future fans.

Barbara Mason does the A’s podcasts each Monday 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. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Jump Gives A’s Their Getaway Gift with 5-0 shutout over Astros; A’s open up homestand in Vegas Monday

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz (right) celebrates his two run home run with third base coach Bobby Crosby (left) against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field in Houston Sun Jun 7, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Maurcio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics needed a reset button, a deep breath, and maybe somebody to hide Houston’s bats for a few hours. To the A’s fans relief, Gage Jump handled all three.

After getting dismantled the day before, the Green and Gold turned the final game of the series into a much different kind of afternoon, beating the Astros 5-0 Sunday behind 6 1/3 scoreless innings from their rookie left-hander and a pair of big swings from Nick Kurtz and Brent Rooker.

Jump was making only his third major league start, but he did not pitch like a kid borrowing the keys. Houston put two runners on in the first when Yordan Alvarez singled and Christian Walker reached on Zack Gelof’s throwing error, but Gelof helped erase the mistake almost immediately. Isaac Paredes bounced into a 5-4-3 double play, and Jump escaped before the inning could turn crooked.

That early twin killing set the tone. The Astros would get traffic here and there, but never enough to make the Athletics sweat through their lineup. Jump gave up a single to Nick Allen in the third, then watched another double play wipe out the threat. Alvarez later drew a base on balls and moved to second on a wild pitch, but Walker grounded out to end it.

The A’s offense took its first real bite in the third. Alika Williams singled to left, and Kurtz followed by sending a line drive over the wall in right-center. For Kurtz, it continued a special connection with Houston pitching. He entered the day with a career .421 average against the Astros, along with nine home runs and 18 RBI in 15 games, and then added another blast to the pile. Houston probably would not mind if he misplaced his bat whenever these clubs meet.

Shea Langeliers kept the inning going with a single, stole second, and scored when Rooker ripped a double to left. That made it 3-0, and it gave Jump something more comfortable than a one-run cushion.

The Athletics added another run in the fourth without needing a hit after Gelof doubled to left. With two outs, Kurtz reached when Jeremy Peña mishandled a grounder, allowing Gelof to score. Kurtz then stole second, a small detail in the box score but a useful reminder that he is more than a first baseman with power. The A’s did not cash in further, but the lead had grown to four.

Rooker then supplied the final run in the fifth, lifting a solo homer to left-center off Mike Burrows. The blast was Rooker’s second major blow of the game after his RBI double and gave the Athletics a 5-0 lead. Burrows lasted five innings, and the damage against him was direct enough to tell the story: Kurtz with the two-run homer, Rooker with the double, Rooker again with the homer.

Meanwhile, Jump kept working. Cam Smith drew a base on balls in the second, Alvarez did the same in the third, and Smith singled in the seventh. Jake Meyers followed with another base on balls, finally ending Jump’s outing after 6 1/3 innings. Justin Sterner entered and protected the lead, striking out Christian Vázquez before LaMonte Wade Jr. lined out to Lawrence Butler in right.

From there, the bullpen finished the job with little drama. Mark Leiter Jr., who had already been riding the best scoreless run of his career, handled the eighth by striking out Jose Altuve and Peña before retiring Alvarez on a grounder. Hogan Harris took the ninth, and after Smith’s two-out single, Meyers popped up to Williams to end it.

For an Athletics team that had been fighting uneven starting pitching over the last few outings, Jump’s performance mattered beyond the standings. He had earned his first major league win in his previous start by holding the Cubs to one run over seven innings. Against Houston, he backed it up. That is how a young pitcher begins turning an opportunity into a rotation claim.

The defense helped, too. Gelof made the early error, but his glove was also part of both double plays and several steady throws across the diamond. Williams started the third-inning rally and later sealed the final out. Langeliers added a hit, a stolen base, and a run. Butler had two hits and shifted from center to right after Henry Bolte entered the game.

The Athletics did not bury Houston under a mountain of hits, but a win is a win, and that’s wat the A’s needed leaving Houston.

Game 1 of the next series has the A’s playing home games in Las Vegas with a lefty-on-lefty test, as Jeffrey Springs (3-6, 4.37 ERA, 60 K) faces off against Milwaukee’s Kyle Harrison (7-1, 1.57 ERA, 73 K). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Pacific Monday night.

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.

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Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

SF Giants game wrap: One Run in the First, One Run in the Tenth = San Francisco Win Over Cubs 2-1, Winning Series

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San Francisco Giants Jung Hoo Lee (right) is congratulated by Luis Arraez (1) in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 7, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (27-39) were first up on the scoreboard in the opening inning and did not score again until the tenth inning in game three of their series with the Chicago Cubs (34-32) winning the game 2-1 as well as the series. Matt Chapman had the winning hit in this game.

Game recap: San Francisco was first up on the scoreboard taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning. Rafael Devers walked followed by a couple of singles hit the first single and the Giants had runners at first and second. Chung Hoo Lee hit the second single and Devers scored the first run of the game. Trevor McDonald had a great start sending the Cubs out in order.

Chapman walked to start the second inning and that would be it for Taillon. He was relieved by Javier Assad. Taillon allowed two hits, one run and two walks in his brief one inning appearance. The Giants got oh so close to scoring a second run in the inning but the play at home was challenged by San Francisco and it was confirmed Chapman was out at home.

The Cubs had a huge opportunity in the third inning and they cashed in tying up the game. They hit three singles back-to-back-to-back and Carson Kelly scored. The score remained 1-1 going into the bottom of the eighth inning.

Despite giving up two walks and a triple in the bottom of the fourth inning, Trevor McDonald pitched into the fifth inning. He was relieved in the bottom of the sixth by JT Brubaker. Caleb Kilian would take the mound for the seventh inning. McDonald pitched four innings allowing four hits, one run, three walks and six strikeouts.

The biggest opportunity for the Cubs came in the bottom of the eighth inning. Erik Miller had taken the mound for the Giants. Chicago had runners at first and third with not outs due to a throwing error by Giants pitcher Miller. Alex Bregman lined into a double play and Ian Happ struck out swinging. San Francisco had avoided a disaster and going into the top of the ninth inning the game remaining tied.

The Giants went three and out in the top of the ninth inning. The Cubs would be looking for the walk-off. Keaton Winn came in to try and send this game into extra innings. Seiya Suzuki struck out for the first out.

Nico Hoerner singled and Keaton went to work on Pedro Ramirez walking him. The Cubs had runners at first and second with Carson Kelly at the plate looking for his second hit of the game. Kelly popped out and leadoff batter Pete Crow-Armstrong grounded out for the third out and we had extra innings.

San Francisco broke through in the top of the tenth inning. Chapman singled Jonah Cox home from second and the Giants had taken the lead 2-1. With Chapman at first and only one out San Francisco was looking for more.

Drew Gilbert walked and the Giants had runners on first and second with the top of the batting order Casey Schmitt at the plate. Schmitt grounded into a double play and the game went into the bottom of the tenth.

Dylan Smith relieved Winn on the mound looking to end the game. Michael Conforto struck out for the first out but unfortunately Crow-Armstrong was able to steal third. Michael Busch and Bregman both popped out and the Giants had won the game and the series. San Francisco scored one run in the first and one run in the tenth for the 2-1 win.

Game notes: The Giants took on the Cubs which featured on Sunday Night Baseball at the storied Wrigley Field. The Cubs will gave it another shot against the Giants but lost a one run game. At Wrigley Field last week the Cubs were the Sunday night game of the week on NBC against the Cardinals and it didn’t go so well losing the game 5-1.

Sunday night Chicago will give it a go once again. Friday night the Giants blew out the Cubs to the tune of 18-3. The Giants finished the game with 19 hits and hit seven home runs. That certainly would have been a historic game had it been game three although so very lopsided.

The Cubs won game two, a hard fought victory in ten innings. Sunday the Giants scored once in the first and again in the tenth good enough to get by the Cubs 2-1.

The Giants will now hop on a plane and head back home to San Francisco and try to grab some shut-eye before getting ready for a three-game series with the Washington Nationals Monday night.

First pitch for that game is scheduled for 6:45 PM. Logan Webb will take the mound for the Giants with a 3-4 win/loss record and a 4.25 ERA. The Nationals will start Miles Mikolas who has been struggling with a 1-5 win/loss record and a 6.39 ERA.

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Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.

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Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.

For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.

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Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum: Jump to it, A’s get shutout over Astros; Sac to host Milwaukee in Vegas Monday

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Sacramento A’s designated hitter Brent Rooker (25) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Field on Sun Jun 7, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Sacramento A’s leadoff hitter and first baseman Nick Kurtz had an afternoon against the Houston Astros with home run and two RBIs.

#2 How did A’s rookie left-hander Gage Jump pitched in the A’s 5-0 shutout going 6.1 allowing three hits, three walks, and three strikeouts.

#3 Astros starter Mike Burrows went five innings allowing eight hits and four runs got into trouble in third inning allowing three runs.

#4 The Astros were shut out despite playing at home. Which aspects of Houston’s offense struggled most in this matchup?

#5 The A’s head to Las Vegas to play in their triple A affiliate minor league park home of the Las Vegas Aviators. The A’s will play host to the Milwaukee Brewers the first of six games for the A’s in Vegas. It’ll be a warm temps will get into the 90s and later in the week 100s. Talk about how special it will be for the A’s to play in front of their future fans.

Daniel Dullum does 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