Pittsburgh Pirates – Sports Radio Service

Rodriguez walks off massive 7-6 12-inning gut-check win for Giants over Pirates

Published on May 10, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Willy Adames hits a two run single in the tenth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 10, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sunday, May 10, 2026

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Pittsburgh Pirates 6 (22-19)

San Francisco Giants 7 (16-24)

Win: Ryan Borucki (1-1)

Loss: Justin Lawrence (0-2)

Time: 3:51

Attendance: 41,085

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–What a massive gut-check win for the Giants, who showed real resilience Sunday, as they came back from down two runs three times, and the youngster, Jesus Rodriguez, came up with the walk-off base-hit to beat the Pirates 7-6 in 12 innings here on Mother’s Day.

Fittingly, the Giants couldn’t make it two in a row after their win on Friday. Not just that, but they had their brains bashed in by the Pirates in a 13-3 shellacking Saturday night.

Prior to the game, the Giants made a series of roster moves. Ryan Walker, who came into the season as the closer, was sent down to Triple-A Sacramento. Gregory Santos was sent down to Sacramento as well. Sam Hentges was activated off the 15-day Injured List. Dylan Smith, whom the Giants acquired from the Tigers on March 30, was called up.

The Giants had their hopes in Tyler Mahle. Mahler of course has been off to a rough start this season, but he was solid in his last outing, when he threw five and third shutout innings against the Rays at the Trop last Sunday.

The Pirates got to Mahle for runs in each of the first two innings. Pirates’ starter Bubba Chandler, in turn, threw a pair of scoreless innings innings to start his day.

Jung Hoo Lee lined a double down the right field line with two outs in the bottom of the third. Honestly, I thought it wouldn’t amount to anything, but Luis Arraez lined a base-hit to left to get Lee in, and the Giants were on the board.

Heliot Ramos tied the game with a bomb half-way up into the bleachers in left with one out in the bottom of the fourth. Unfortunately, Oneil Cruz responded with a home run of his own to put the Pirates back ahead in the top of the fifth.

The Pirates got to Mahle for another run in the top of the sixth to make it 4-2, and Keaton Winn finished the inning. Mahler gave up four runs and five hits over five and two thirds innings. He walked two, and struck out eight. It was not the worst day for Mahle, and he gave the start the Giants needed from him..

Isaac Mattson came in for Chandler to start the bottom of the sixth, and the Giants would tie the game with three doubles. Rafael Devers led off the inning with a double. Ramos followed that up with a double of his own to make it 4-3, and Matt Chapman then doubled to tie it.

Winn and Sam Hentges—the latter making his Giants debut—combined for a scoreless top of the seventh. Caleb Kilian then got away with a pair of walks in the top of the eighth.

Dennis Santana came in for Pittsburgh in the bottom of the eighth. Devers led off with a towering shot that almost hit the green tin atop the Willie Mays Wall in right. He had a shot at a triple, but he watched his shot from the right-handed batter’s box, and selfishly cost his team a crucial 90 feet.

Tony Vitello asked the umpires to review it, and the call was confirmed. It would not have mattered had the call been overturned. It is never acceptable for a player to watch his shot if it is not a no-doubter than everyone in the ballpark knows his gone. Devers’ selfish act cost his team a run, as the Giants unsurprisingly wasted the opportunity.

Devers’ selfishness was not the only controversy in the bottom of the eighth. Don Kelly brought in the lefty, Gregory Soto, to face Drew Gilbert with two outs. Gilbert came into the at-bat 2-for-30 in his career against lefties, but Tony did not pinch-hit for him. Gilbert grounded out to first to end the inning.

Joel Peguero threw a scoreless top of the ninth, and Soto threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth.

Peguero was back out for the top of the tenth, with Nick Gonzalez as the Manfred runner at second. O’Hearn grounded out, but Puguero hit Marcell Ozuna. Spencer Horwitz then came up, and shot a double into the gap in right-center. Dylan Smith finished off the top of the 10th, and prevented any further damage in his Giants debut.

The Pirates had their third two-run lead of the game, and the Giants were three outs away from falling to 10 games under .500.

Yohan Ramirez was in for the Pirates, and Luis Arraez was the Manfred runner at second. Tony sent up Bryce Eldridge to pinch-hit for Casey Schmitt to start the bottom of the tenth. Eldridge struck out on three pitches.

The Giants were down to their final out, but Willy Adames found it in him to shorten his swing, and line a base-hit to left-center to tie it. The throw from Pirates’ left-fielder Nick Yorke was spiked into the ground, and for the third time Sunday, the Giants had come back from a two-run deficit to tie the game. Jesus Rodriguez then chased two pitches in the dirt, as he struck out to end the inning.

I was certain the game was over when Tony brought in Ryan Borucki in for the 11th. With runners at first and second with one out, and Brandon Lowe at the plate, Kelly put on the hit and run, just as Tony did each of the last two nights. This proved to be a massive break for the Giants, as Lowe lined one right to where Adames was going, and he casually threw to first to turn the inning-ending 5-3 double play.

The Giants were unable to score against Ramirez in the bottom of the 11th, and Borucki’s first pitch in the top of the 12th was a wild pitch. The Pirates once again seemed to have the momentum, but Borucki worked another houdini act to get out of it.

Justin Lawrence was in for the Pirates in the bottom of the 12th, and Ramos was the Manfred runner. Let’s get right to it. Jesus Rodriguez was up with the bases loaded and one out. Rodriguez was 0-for-5, but he lined a base-hit the other way to right, or so we thought. Ramos completely misread the ball, and went back to third to tag up. Thankfully, O’Hearn didn’t see it, and Ramos scored the winning run to mercifully end this absolute cluster you know what of a game.

For his effort, Ryan Borucki got his first win of the season. Justin Lawrence took the loss.

The Giants got a much-needed win to improve to 16-24, and give them a little momentum into what is going to be a brutal four-game series at Dodger Stadium starting Monday night.

Trevor McDonald (1-0, 1.29 ERA) will make his second start of the season, and the Dodgers will counter with Roki Sasaki (1-3, 5.97 ERA).

Just win one in LA, and I can accept that for the time being.

First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m.

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic: Giants take two of three from Bucs in 12 innings 7-6

Published on May 10, 2026May 10, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Christian Koss (center) scores on Willy Adames’ single in the bottom of the tenth inning against the Pittsbugh Pirates at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sun May 10, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:

#1 The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates battled it out in a 7-6 duel that saw the Giants win it in 12 innings to take two out of three from the Bucs at Oracle Park on Sunday.

#2 The Giants Jesus Rodriguez hit an RBI single in the bottom of the 12th inning that helped the Giants come back from two two run deficits.

#3 The had the bases loaded against Pirates pitcher Justin Lawrence and Matt Chapman at the plate who hit a double that moved ghost runner Heliot Ramos to third base and Drew Gilbert drew an intentional walk. Rodriguez followed up and got a base hit to score Ramos for the Giants extra innings win. The fought and clawed in this one to get in win column.

#4 Giant reliever Ryan Boruki just got by with runners at first and third in the 11th and got out of the 12th with the bases loaded.

#5 It’s off to Dodger Stadium in the Southland for a huge series with the Dodgers starting on Monday night. Starters for Monday night Trevor McDonald (1-0, 1.29 ERA) will make his second start of the season, and the Dodgers will counter with Roki Sasaki (1-3, 5.97 ERA).

Tuesday starting pitchers for the Giants RHP Adrian Houser (0-4 ERA 6.19) for the Dodgers LHP Yoshnunobu Yamamoto (3-2 ERA 3.09) first pitch for both games 7:10pm PDT at Chavez Ravine.

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

Pirates stomp Giants, 13-3; Bailey dealt to Cleveland trade might have impacted team

Published on May 9, 2026May 10, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants’ Christian Koss is hit by a pitch during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Saturday, May 9, 2026 in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

By Ryan Hannagan

San Francisco — The Giants and Pirates faced off for game two of a three game series Saturday night. The Giants were hoping to maintain their momentum and win the series in game two after their 5-2 victory on Friday night but it was all for not as the Pirates won in a 13-3 laugher at Oracle Park on Saturday night.

In other news, the Giants traded two-time Gold Glove catcher Patrick Bailey to the Cleveland Guardians in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Matt “Steamboat” Wilkinson and their CBA Round A pick (29th overall) in the morning before the game.

Landen Roupp was given the nod for the Giants. Roupp had a 3.18 ERA and a 5-2 W/L record going into Saturday’s game. The Pirates went with Braxton Ashcraft, also a right-handed pitcher. Ashcraft, a second-year pitcher, had a 3.02 ERA and a 1-2 W/L record going into Saturday’s game.

The first four innings of the game were scoreless. There was an eye opening difference between the two pitchers despite the scoreless tie. While Roupp struggled to complete his innings at a productive pace, Ashcraft was dominating the Giants lineup.

Roupp’s pitch count surged to 91 after four innings pitched. Despite only giving up one earned run, a sacrifice fly off the bat of Brandon Lowe shortly after he was pulled (Bart was the run that scored, Bart singled to begin the fifth when Roupp was still in) Roupp was only able to go 4 ⅓ innings due to his high pitch count. Replacing Roupp was relief pitcher Ryan Borucki.

The fifth inning was really where the flood gates slowly began to open for the Pirates. Borucki didn’t make it far in Saturday night’s affair, only facing four Pirates, retiring two and leaving the mound with an earned run of his own, an RBI single off the bat of Bryan Reynolds. Following Borucki’s departure, Ryan Walker came in with an attempt to stop the bleeding with the score sitting at 2-0.

Walker allowed an infield single to Nick Gonzales, but shortly after during the next AB, Gonzales was thrown out trying to steal 2nd effectively ending the inning.

A positive came out of the Giants half of inning five. Rookie DH Bryce Eldrige hit his first career home run to open the bottom half of the inning, moving the score back within one, a 2-1 Pirates lead. A high soaring moonshot just short of a splash hit. That would be the only run the Giants scored in the bottom of the 5th.

Walker returned to the mound in the sixth, where the Pirates offense added two more insurance runs giving themselves a 4-1 lead, forcing manager Tony Vitello to pull Walker after only recording two outs, a recurring theme amongst the Giants pitching staff. Matt Gage was the fourth pitcher of the night to take the mound for the Giants, he went ⅔ IP just as Borucki and Walker did, though without an earned run allowed.

On offense, the Giants had another scoreless inning, quickly allowing the hot Pirate bats back out on offense. The seventh inning is where the score began to get out of hand. Vitello had JT Brubaker out to start the seventh. There was a lot of Pirate offense during Brubaker’s appearance.

By the time Brubaker got the hook, the Pirates had increased their lead to 7-1. Gregory Santos came in relief of Brubaker, and the Pirates didn’t let up. Another three runs allowed, this time by Santos, moved the score to 10-1 Pirates by the end of the inning.

No further offense came until the ninth inning when the Giants sent infielder Christian Koss to pitch. Koss allowed three more runs making the score 13-1.

The Giant’s offense did respond in the bottom of the ninth, but the hole was too deep to dig out of. Two Giants runs and three outs later the game was over with a 13-3 final.

With Saturday’s loss, the Giants have lost nine of their last 11 games.

Sunday is the series finale, 1:05 first pitch. Starting pitchers for Pittsburgh RHP Buba Chandler (1-4 ERA 4.76) for San Francisco RHP Tyler Mahle (1-4 ERA 5.00) first pitch at 1:05pm PDT.

Giants back in win column with 5-2 victory over Pirates

Published on May 9, 2026May 9, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants Rafael Devers went 2-4 with a home run Friday May 8, 2026 against the Pittsburgh Pirates (photo by Jay Choi SF Bay News)

By Ryan Hannagan

San Francisco — The San Francisco Giants took on the Pittsburgh Pirates in game one of a three game series Friday night at Oracle Park. The 14-23 Giants came into Friday’s contest on a bad cold spell, dropping eight of their last nine, as well as their last three series.

Looking to turn things around, manager Tony Vitello went with the former Cy Young winning, left-handed pitcher Robbie Ray (2-4, 2.95). On the other end, the 21-17 Pirates came in hot, winning four of their prior five. Pirates manager Don Kelly went with the fourth year right-handed pitcher Carmen Mlodzinski (2-2, 4.50) in an attempt to keep the success rolling.

After a quick first inning for both teams, the Pirates opened the scoring in the top of the second thanks to a solo shot from veteran Marcel Ozuna. The 1-0 lead was short lived for the Pirates, as in the bottom of the second, Giants first Baseman Rafael Devers hit a response solo shot of his own, tying the score.

The third inning went by with no damage done by either team. In the bottom of the fourth the tie score moved to 2-1 Giants after Heliot Ramos knocked in Casey Schmitt with a two out single to center. This RBI single came right after Willy Adames was robbed of a three run homer by Pirates left fielder and former Giants prospect Bryan Reynolds.

The score stayed at 2-1 until the bottom of the seventh, when the Giants offense broke things open with a three-RBI inning. After Pittsburgh starter Carmen Mlodzinski exited following six innings, San Francisco quickly got to reliever Justin Lawrence, collecting four baserunners on three hits. Willy Adames led off the inning with a single before Heliot Ramos followed with a double, putting both runners in scoring position. Drew Gilbert then delivered an RBI single that brought Adames home for the Giants’ third run of the night. Lawrence was pulled without recording an out.

With Evan Sisk taking over on the mound, the Giants continued to add on. Following a Jung Hoo Lee lineout, Luis Arraez ripped a two-run single that scored Ramos and Gilbert, extending the lead to 5-1. No more runs crossed in the inning, but the four-run advantage put San Francisco in firm control late in the game.

The eighth inning went by with no offense for either side, leaving the Pirates a final chance to tie it up in the top of the ninth.

Tasked with closing out the game cleanly, Caleb Kilian entered in the ninth and quickly recorded the first out on a Marcell Ozuna flyout. The Pirates then threatened after back-to-back walks to Oneil Cruz and Konnor Griffin put two runners on base. With runners at first and second, Spencer Horwitz lined a single into right field that scored Cruz and cut the deficit to 5-2.

After the RBI hit, Brandon Lowe popped out to Willy Adames in shallow center, leaving the Giants one out away from victory. Looking for a late rally, Pirates manager Don Kelly sent Ryan O’Hearn to pinch hit for Billy Cook, but O’Hearn grounded out to end the game as the Giants secured the 5-2 win.

Robby Ray took home the victory after 6.0 IP, 4 Hits, 1 Earned Run, 4 BB, and 7 strikeouts. The win moves Ray to 4-3 on the year with a 2.76 ERA. The Giants record now sits at 15-23.

The next game of the series is Sat May 9th at 6:05 PM PST. Starting pitchers for Pittsburgh RHP Braxton Ashcraft (1-2 ERA 3.02) for San Francisco RHP Landen Roupp (5-2 ERA 3.18)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Giants open 3 game set with Pirates; Odds are against Giants in series

Published on May 8, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Francisco Giants pitcher Robbie Ray has been dealing but not getting in the win column due to a lack of run support. He faces the Pittsburgh Pirates Fri May 8, 2026 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 The San Francisco Giants are stuck in nuetral losing eight of their last nine games losing two of three in their last series to the San Diego Padres.

#2 The Giants in addition to losing the series to the Padres have lost their last three series in total while it’s early in the season how concerning is it?

#3 The Giants enter Friday night’s game nine games under .500 for the first time since July 5, 2019 it’s been a while but there only one way to go when your at the bottom?

#4 Lincoln talk about some of the things the Giants were missing, what went wrong, lack of hitting, bull pen problems in these last three seasons?

#5 The trotted out pitcher Trevor McDonald from triple A Sacramento Mon May 4th during the San Diego series and McDonald kept the Padres off balance all game long. He look good enough to complete the game.

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

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Bucs set MLB record 7 batters in a row walk in one inning; How Mattingly has turned the Phils around; plus more news

Published on May 3, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Pittsburgh Pirates Connor Griffin slides into third base after hitting a triple against the Cincinnati Reds pitcher Brock Burke at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sat May 2, 2026 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 How significant is the Pittsburgh Pirates tying an MLB record with seven consecutive walks in one inning, and what does it reveal about both their offensive patience and the Cincinnati Reds pitching struggles?

#2 What has fueled the early success of the Philadelphia Phillies under interim manager Don Mattingly, and can this momentum be sustained over a longer stretch of the season?

#3 With Boston Red Sox fans publicly protesting ownership and leadership decisions, how much influence can fan sentiment realistically have on organizational change in MLB?

#4 Why are big-spending teams like the New York Mets struggling so heavily early in the season, and what factors separate them from division leaders like the Atlanta Braves?

#5 What do recent standout performances—like Shōta Imanaga’s dominant pitching and Ian Happ’s offensive surge—suggest about the Chicago Cubs’ chances of maintaining their strong run?

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

MLB The Show podcast Lincoln Juarez: What Mets must do to snap 12 game skid?; Bucs bullpen struggling could be factor in their run; plus more news

Published on April 21, 2026April 21, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza walks in the dugout before the Mets meeting with the Chicago Cubs on Sun Apr 19, 2026 at Wrigley Field in Chicago (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 What factors have contributed to the New York Mets’ 12-game losing streak, and what changes might be necessary to turn their season around?

#2 How could the inconsistency of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen impact their chances of competing in a tight NL Central race this season?

#3 What are the potential economic and competitive implications of the Kansas City Royals’ proposed $1.9 billion ballpark project and public funding approval?

#4 Which standout individual performances from April 20 (such as multi-home run games or breakout hitting performances) could signal emerging stars or lineup changes?

#5 How might key pitching matchups and scheduled games (like Yankees vs. Red Sox or Dodgers vs. Giants) shape early-season momentum for contending teams?

Lincoln Juarez is a San Francisco Giants reporter for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.

We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Pads on hot streak face Bucs; Nats struggling for pitching battle Cards; plus more news

Published on April 7, 2026 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

San Diego Padres pitcher German Marquez was dealing against the Pittsburgh Pirates pitching six and striking out four at PNC Park in Pittsburgh in the Padres 5-0 win on Mon Apr 6, 2026 (AP News photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Can the San Diego Padres carry their momentum into Pittsburgh? After an emotional series win over Boston, highlighted by late-game heroics, the Padres cooled off a hot Pirates team shutting them out 5-0 on Monday.

#2 Will the Washington Nationals’ pitching struggles continue against the Cardinals? With one of the worst ERAs in baseball early on, this series could reveal whether Washington can stabilize or spiral further.

#3 How will the Dodgers vs. Blue Jays matchup play out with star power on both sides? With hitters like Freddie Freeman heating up and strong pitching matchups, this game was one of the day’s marquee contests as the Dodger squashed the Jays on Monday night baseball 14-2.

#4 Can the Tampa Bay Rays build momentum after returning to Tropicana Field? After a long absence due to stadium damage, their home opener brings both emotional energy and long-term franchise questions.

#5 Which teams will maintain early-season momentum—or collapse—after a wild weekend of results? With surprising sweeps, extra-inning thrillers, and tight games across the league, Monday’s slate will test which trends are real.

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

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874

LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s back in Sac close out final homestand against Astros and Royals

Published on September 22, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Sacramento A’s starter Jeffery Springs will make the start against the Houston Astros on Tue Sep 23, 2025 at Sutter Health Field in West Sacramento (AP file photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento A’s on Sunday were trounced in the last leg of their road trip against the Pittsburgh Pirates 11-0 at PNC Park. The Pirates Jared Triolo and Joey Bart both hit a home run and got four hits in the slugfest.

#2 For Triolo it was his seventh homer of the season and it landed in the left center field bleachers off A’s pitcher Mitch Spence.

#3 To add insult upon injury the Pirates Joey Bart slugged a three run home run off A’s reliever Osvaldo Bido to make it 10-0 in the bottom of the fifth.

#4 For the A’s Spence went 3.1 innings allowing seven runs, nine hits and reliever Bido allowed three runs, four hits in 2.2 innings of work.

#5 The A’s return back to Sacramento and this will be their final homestand for the 2025 season. The A’s will be hosting the Houston Astros starting Tuesday night. Starting pitchers for the Astros RHP Cristian Javier (2-3 ERA 4.45) for the A’s LHP Jefferey Springs (10-11 ERA 4.17) first pitch 7:05pm PT

Barbara Mason did the A’s podcasts each Monday during the 2025 season 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 Silenced in Pittsburgh as Pirates Dominate 11-0

Published on September 21, 2025September 22, 2025 by Sports Radio ServiceLeave a comment

Pittsburgh Pirates Joey Bart circles the bases after hitting a three run bottom of the fifth inning home run against the Sacramento A’s at PNC Park in Pittsburgh on Sun Sep 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s Silenced in Pittsburgh as Pirates Dominate 11-0

By Mauricio Segura

The A’s had a dismal Saturday afternoon running headfirst into a Pittsburgh Pirates buzzsaw that chewed them up and spit them out in an 11-0 loss. From the very first inning, it was clear this one was not going to go the Green and Gold’s way.

Mitch Spence got the start for Sacramento and had trouble from the jump. After quickly collecting two outs in the bottom of the first, he gave up a single to Bryan Reynolds, walked Spencer Horwitz, and then watched Andrew McCutchen slap an RBI single to right.

Nick Gonzales followed with a double, and suddenly the A’s were in a 2-0 hole. Still manageable, but a negative vibe could be detected at this point as it lowered like a mist over the visiting dugout.

The A’s bats made contact but had nothing to show for it. Lawrence Butler flied out to start the game, but Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz responded with back-to-back singles, hinting at a rally. Tyler Soderstrom’s strikeout and Jacob Wilson’s routine flyout ended that early threat. That sequence would pretty much sum up the day, squandered chances and little to no pressure on the Pirates’ pitching staff.

Pittsburgh kept adding on. In the second inning, Jared Triolo launched a two-run homer after Nick Yorke reached on a fielder’s choice. That made it 4-0, and the A’s offense continued to look like it had left its bats back in Sacramento.

By the time the fourth inning rolled around, the Pirates put the game on ice. Joey Bart singled, Yorke doubled, and Oneil Cruz ripped a two-run single to right. Another RBI hit from Triolo pushed the score to 7-0, and Spence’s day was done. He was lifted after just 3.2 innings, tagged for seven runs on 10 hits.

Osvaldo Bido tried to steady the ship out of the bullpen, but the Pirates were not slowing down. In the fifth, McCutchen drew a walk, Jack Suwinski doubled, and then Bart struck again, this time with a three-run homer that stretched the lead to 10-0. Bart, who entered the game with just three home runs on the season, looked like an All-Star against Sacramento pitching, finishing with a homer, a double, and three runs scored.

The A’s, on the other hand, went down meekly inning after inning. They scattered a handful of singles, Rooker had two, MacIver chipped in one late, and Schuemann reached in the seventh, but never advanced a runner past second base.

By the eighth, the Pirates tacked on one more for good measure when Jared Triolo doubled and later scored on a groundout. It was insult on top of injury for Sacramento, like waiting in line for a nice five-star restaurant, but having the maître d not let you in because he doesn’t like your new tie.

In total, the Athletics managed seven hits, all singles except for Brett Harris’s eighth-inning double, but not a single one came through in the clutch. They struck out 11 times and left eight runners stranded. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff, led by starter Mike Burrows and relievers Carmen Mlodzinski, Yohan Ramírez, and Dauri Moreta, completely shut down the lineup.

It’s back to Sacramento now for a three-game stint against the Astros beginning Tuesday, then the final three-game weekend series with the Royals. It’s been a fun season for sure.

Starting pitchers for the Astros RHP Cristian Javier (2-3 ERA 4.45) for the A’s LHP Jefferey Springs (10-11 ERA 4.17) first pitch 7:05pm PT

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.