Tag: Sacramento A’s

A’s Bring the Heat and Silence the Bats in Houston 5-2

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Athletics’ Luis Urías hits home run against the Houston Astros during the sixth inning of a baseball game Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A’s Bring the Heat and Silence the Bats in Houston 5-2

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics didn’t play around Thursday night. With the season slipping into its second half, the Green and Gold made a loud statement in Houston, riding a polished outing from Luis Severino and just enough timely hitting to beat the Houston Astros 5-2 at Daikin Park.

From the very first pitch at 7:10 PM, it was clear the A’s came ready to win with sharp defense, aggressive baserunning, and a cool, collected mound presence. That energy paid off quickly, and this time, the box score tells the story just as much as the vibes.

It all started with Max Schuemann slicing a leadoff single in the top of the first, but the A’s weren’t able to cash in. No matter, Luis Severino came out in the bottom half and matched that energy by silencing the Astros’ top of the order. Taylor Trammell did manage a single and a stolen base, but Severino struck out two and got Christian Walker to bounce back to the mound, keeping things scoreless.

Sacramento found its breakthrough in the second. Lawrence Butler worked a walk and quickly swiped second, his 17th stolen base of the year, then advanced to third on a bad throw. Carlos Cortes did his job with a sacrifice fly to center, and just like that, the A’s were on the board.

They didn’t stop there. After a clean bottom of the second from Severino, his A’s strung together a sequence of smart, situational baseball in the fourth. Cortes singled, Gio Urshela followed with another hit, and Luis Urías kept the line moving with a single of his own to load the bases.

A forceout off Schuemann’s bat plated Cortes, and then Nick Kurtz drilled a double to right to bring in Urshela. Schuemann got thrown out at the plate trying to score from first, but by then the damage was done. The A’s were up 3-0, and confidence was mounting.

The fifth brought more of the same. After Brent Rooker drew a leadoff walk, Tyler Soderstrom smacked a double to left, setting up a sac fly from Shea Langeliers to make it 4-0. The Green and Gold weren’t lighting up the scoreboard with home runs, but they were executing small-ball perfectly, and the Astros had no answer.

The only real power moment for Sacramento came in the sixth, when Luis Urías launched a solo homer to left center, his eighth of the season. That stretched the lead to 5-0, and it would prove to be all they needed.

Severino was in full control throughout his six shutout innings. Houston’s hitters couldn’t get into any kind of rhythm. In fact, by the time the Astros finally showed life in the seventh, on a Victor Caratini double and a pair of sacrifice plays, it was already too little, too late. They did scratch across two runs to make it 5-2, but Sacramento’s bullpen slammed the door shut after that.

Michael Kelly took over in the eighth and got two outs before Mason Miller entered and cleaned up the inning. In the ninth, Steven Okert closed it out with flair. He walked one but didn’t flinch, striking out Christian Walker and inducing a final flyout to center from Jon Singleton to end it.

It wasn’t the flashiest win of the year, but it might have been one of the smartest. Seven different A’s recorded hits, four of them had RBIs, and the team swiped three bases while making zero errors. Kurtz was a standout, going 3-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI, while Urshela also had a multi-hit game and scored once.

Starting pitchers for Friday night in Houston: For the A’s  LHP Jeffery Springs (8-7 ERA 4.18) for the Astros RHP Ryan Gusto (9-3 ERA 4.46) first pitch at Daiken Park 5:10pm 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

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 podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Will A’s trade Sears before deadline?; A’s in Houston for 4 game set

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JP Sears seen here pitching against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri Jul 4, 2025 is being sought by different clubs for his services from the Sacramento A’s. Will he be dealt before the July trade deadline? (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast with Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Once again the Sacramento A’s get fine pitching but cannot get run support in their 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Wednesday. The Rangers starter Patrick Corbin with the support of three relievers kept the A’s hitters at bay.

#2 A’s starter JP Sears pitching five innings allowing three hits, allowing one earned run and seven strikeouts. Sears has been lights out this season didn’t get the decision and is 7-8.

#3 Sears is a trade block prospect. Sears has pitched consistently in spite of his eight loses and some team no doubt would like to pick him up before this month’s trade deadline someone who he could help in the post season.

#4 The A’s only run came when Nick Kurtz hit a double that scored Brent Rooker in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at 1-1. The A’s badly need to wake up their bats they were also beat by scores of 7-2 and 6-2 Friday and Saturday respectively by the Rangers.

#5 A’s open up a four game series on Thursday night at Daikin Park with the Houston Astros. Starter for the A’s RHP Luis Severino (3-11 ERA 5.10) and for the Astros RHP Jason Alexander (1-0 ERA 8.40) first pitch in Houston 5:10pm PT.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts Thursday 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 podcast with Michael Roberson: A’s hoping to end 4 game skid Thursday against Astros

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Sacramento A’s right hand pitcher Luis Severino is looking for his fourth win against the Houston Astros at Denkin Park in Houston on Thu Jul 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast with Michael Roberson:

#1 Once again the Sacramento A’s get fine pitching but cannot get run support in their 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Wednesday. The Rangers starter Patrick Corbin with the support of three relievers kept the A’s hitters at bay.

#2 A’s starter JP Sears pitching five innings allowing three hits, allowing one earned run and seven strikeouts. Sears has been lights out this season didn’t get the decision and is 7-8.

#3 Sears is a trade block prospect. Sears has pitched consistently in spite of his eight loses and some team no doubt would like to pick him up before this month’s trade deadline someone who he could help in the post season.

#4 The A’s only run came when Nick Kurtz hit a double that scored Brent Rooker in the top of the sixth inning to tie the game at 1-1. The A’s badly need to wake up their bats they were also beat by scores of 7-2 and 6-2 Friday and Saturday respectively by the Rangers.

#5 A’s open up a four game series on Thursday night at Daikin Park with the Houston Astros. Starter for the A’s RHP Luis Severino (3-11 ERA 5.10) and for the Astros RHP Jason Alexander (1-0 ERA 8.40) first pitch in Houston 5:10pm PT.

Michael Roberson does the A’s podcasts Wednesday nights 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. 

Kurtz Comes Through but A’s Can’t Close That Lonestar Gap in 2-1 loss

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Texas Rangers centerfielder Michael Helman makes a leaping catch on a fly out by the Sacramento A’s Tyler Soderstrom in the top of the sixth inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Wed Jul 23, 2025 (AP News photo)

Kurtz Comes Through but A’s Can’t Close That Lonestar Gap

By Mauricio Segura

In a game that often felt like a pitcher’s duel wrapped in a chess match, the Sacramento Athletics were edged out 2-1 by the Texas Rangers on Wednesday night at Globe Life Field. Despite flashes of promise and a gutsy rally in the sixth, the Green and Gold couldn’t quite crack the code against a sharp Rangers pitching staff.

Both teams came out swinging, or at least attempting to. The first inning was a quick snapshot of what would become a recurring theme: early contact, solid defense, and outs stacking up like dominoes. The Athletics’ top three, Jacob Wilson, Brent Rooker, and Nick Kurtz, were retired in order, all on fly balls and liners that found gloves instead of grass.

The Rangers, on the other hand, managed a bit of noise thanks to a Corey Seager double, but he was ultimately stranded at third after Marcus Semien’s flyout and an Adolis García strikeout.

By the second inning, it was clear: if anyone wanted to score Wednesday night, they’d have to fight for it. The A’s struck out three times in a row, victims of Patrick Corbin’s sharp control. Corbin, making one of his strongest starts of the season, carved up the Sacramento lineup like a man with a plan.

The breakthrough didn’t come until the bottom of the third, when Corey Seager connected with a pitch and sent it flying over the center field wall. It was Seager’s 15th homer of the season, a solo shot that gave Texas the narrowest of leads. For a while, it looked like that might be all the Rangers needed.

But the sixth inning changed the tone.

Brent Rooker broke through with a two-out single, and Nick Kurtz followed with a line-drive double to right that brought Rooker home, tying the game at 1-1. It was Kurtz’s 15th double of the year, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Shea Langeliers kept things moving with a soft infield single, putting runners on the corners and forcing Texas to pull Corbin in favor of Jon Gray. With a chance to take the lead, the A’s sent up Tyler Soderstrom as a pinch hitter, but his sharp fly ball landed in center fielder Michael Helman’s glove to end the threat.

The Rangers weren’t done. In the bottom of the seventh, a two-out rally sparked by Wyatt Langford’s walk and Jonah Heim’s fly-ball double gave Texas the lead once again. Heim’s shot to short left was just enough to score Langford and give the home team a 2-1 edge.

The Athletics had chances late but couldn’t capitalize. In the eighth, Rooker collected his third hit of the game, but Kurtz struck out to end the frame. And in the ninth, Langeliers gave the A’s a flicker of hope with a leadoff single, but a flyout and two strikeouts, the final one on Gio Urshela, snuffed out the comeback bid.

It was a game that could’ve gone either way, but in this latest chapter of a developing Sacramento season, the story ended with a familiar note: close, but not quite.

A’s open up a four game series on Thursday night at Denkin Park with the Houston Astros. Starter for the A’s RHP Luis Severino (3-11 ERA 5.10) and for the Astros RHP Jason Alexander (1-0 ERA 8.40) first pitch in Houston 5:10pm 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.

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. 

Butler’s Blast Fizzles as A’s Fall to The Rangers 6-2

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The Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler rounds the bases after hitting a first inning home run against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Tue Jul 22, 2025 (AP News photo)

Butler’s Blast Fizzles as A’s Fall to The Rangers 6-2

By Mauricio Segura

The Athletics wasted no time setting the tone in Arlington Tuesday night, but the early sparks quickly gave way to a slow burn as the Texas Rangers rode a powerful seventh inning to a 6-2 victory at Globe Life Field.

Lawrence Butler stepped into the box for the A’s and promptly crushed the very first pitch of the game deep to right field. His 14th home run of the season landed with a thud of authority and gave the Green and Gold an early 1-0 lead. It was a tone-setting blast, a moment of optimism. But as the game unfolded, Butler’s solo shot stood as one of the few bright spots in an otherwise frustrating night for the Sactown squad.

What followed in the top half of the first was less explosive. Jacob Wilson and Nick Kurtz both struck out swinging, and Brent Rooker grounded out to short. The A’s offense would struggle to find its rhythm for most of the night, plagued by missed opportunities and a barrage of strikeouts.

Sacramento starter J.T. Ginn held the Rangers scoreless through the first three innings with the help of sharp defense, including two double plays turned behind him. Jacob Wilson’s smooth hands at shortstop and Luis Urías’s steady presence at second were key in squashing Texas rallies before they got started.

But the Rangers began to claw back in the fourth, when Adolis García tied the game with a solo homer to center. It was a classic García swing—short, powerful, and gone in a heartbeat. Suddenly, Butler’s early blast felt distant, and the momentum had quietly shifted.

Still, there was hope. In the fifth, Tyler Soderstrom roped a double to right to lead off the inning, but the middle of the A’s order couldn’t cash in. Three straight strikeouts stranded Soderstrom, and a growing pattern of futility with runners on base emerged.

Then came the sixth. After Ginn handed things off to Sean Newcomb, Marcus Semien launched a go-ahead solo home run to left, making it 2-1 Rangers. The home crowd erupted, and the A’s found themselves trailing for the first time all night.

But the real damage came in the bottom of the seventh, a frame that turned a close game into a lopsided one. With two outs and two on, Sacramento reliever Hogan Harris served up a crusher to Corey Seager, who sent a three-run shot soaring into the Texas night. Just like that, it was 6-1, and the game slipped firmly out of reach.

Sacramento did show some life in the eighth. After an error and a walk, Shea Langeliers delivered a line-drive single to left, scoring Jacob Wilson and giving the A’s a flicker of hope. But a groundout from Soderstrom ended the rally with runners still aboard. It was the type of night where the green lights were few and far between.

Despite the late push, Texas bullpen arms Robert Garcia and Shawn Armstrong shut the door with authority. Armstrong struck out two in the ninth, and when Lawrence Butler, who began the game with a bang, went down swinging for the final out, the A’s were left to wonder what might have been.

In total, Sacramento struck out 14 times and left eight runners on base. They had their chances, especially in the seventh and eighth, but couldn’t deliver the big hit when it mattered most.

Series concludes Wednesday night at Globe Life at 5:05pm PT with the A’s starting RHP JP Sears (7-8 ERA 5.13) for the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (6-7 ERA 3.91).

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Michael Roberson: A’s struggle against Rangers to start series Monday

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Sacramento A’s pitcher JT Ginn gives praise to the good Lord after getting out of the sixth inning against the New York Mets on Sat Apr 12, 2025 at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento. Gin will make the start against the Texas Rangers on Tue Jul 22, 2025 at Globe Life Field in Arlington. (AP News file photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Jacob Lopez got the nod for Sacramento and looked sharp early, working around a walk and fanning two in the opening frame. But despite his best efforts, the Green and Gold bats were just as cold as the air-conditioned stadium they played in dropping the contest to the Texas Rangers 7-2. 

#2 Despite a solo shot from rookie phenom Nick Kurtz and a few glimmers of offensive life, the A’s couldn’t overcome a middle-innings surge by the Texas Rangers, falling 7-2 at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

#3  Through the first three innings, the Athletics managed just one baserunner, a walk by Kurtz, and didn’t register a hit until his double in the fourth.

#4 Despite some bullpen stability from the Rangers Elvis Alvarado and Sean Newcomb, who each pitched scoreless innings, Texas kept applying pressure. A sac bunt and a pair of timely singles in the seventh and eighth innings added two more runs for the Rangers, stretching their lead to 7-2 and putting the game out of reach.

#5 For Tuesday the A’s will start RHP JT Ginn (1-2 ERA 4.91) for the Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (9-2 ERA 2.32) first pitch 5:05pm PT

Michael Roberson filled in for Tony Renteria who does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportradioservice.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. 

Rangers Spoil Kurtz’s Blast as Green and Gold Falter 7-2 in Arlington

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz (16) scores against the Texas Rangers catcher Kyle Higashioka (right) on a single in the top of the fourth inning at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Mon Jul 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

Rangers Spoil Kurtz’s Blast as Green and Gold Falter in Arlington

By Mauricio Segura

It was a night that began with promise and power, but for the Sacramento Athletics, it ended with another frustrating loss deep in the heart of Texas, clap! Clap! Clap! Not! Despite a solo shot from rookie phenom Nick Kurtz and a few glimmers of offensive life, the A’s couldn’t overcome a middle-innings surge by the Texas Rangers, falling 7-2 at Globe Life Field in Arlington.

Jacob Lopez got the nod for Sacramento and looked sharp early, working around a walk and fanning two in the opening frame. But despite his best efforts, the Green and Gold bats were just as cold as the air-conditioned stadium they played in. Through the first three innings, the Athletics managed just one baserunner, a walk by Kurtz, and didn’t register a hit until his double in the fourth.

That double nearly turned the tide. Following a walk by Shea Langeliers and a two-out single from Tyler Soderstrom, Kurtz came around to score and evened things up at 1-1. It was a brief jolt of energy in what had been a sleepy offensive night. The Rangers had taken an early lead in the bottom of the third thanks to a solo homer from Josh Jung.

But that fourth inning RBI was the high-water mark for the A’s. The bottom of the fifth brought a collapse that Sacramento simply couldn’t recover from. After surrendering a leadoff single to Josh Smith, Lopez gave way to Elvis Alvarado, and the wheels came off. A walk, a double, and then a three-run homer from Michael Helman blew the game open and gave Texas a 5-1 lead.

Kurtz wasn’t finished. The 22-year-old continued to make his case for AL Rookie of the Year, launching his 19th home run of the season to lead off the sixth. No one else in the Sacramento lineup has hit more long balls, and Kurtz is now the MLB rookie leader in both homers and RBIs. With the swing of the bat, he trimmed the lead to 5-2 and injected a spark of hope.

But that hope, like the game, fizzled fast.

Despite some bullpen stability from Alvarado and Sean Newcomb, who each pitched scoreless innings, Texas kept applying pressure. A sac bunt and a pair of timely singles in the seventh and eighth innings added two more runs for the Rangers, stretching their lead to 7-2 and putting the game out of reach.

The Athletics threatened again in the top of the seventh when Gio Urshela led off with a double and Urías followed with a walk. But a failed bunt attempt from Lawrence Butler, a flyout from Jacob Wilson, and a groundout from Kurtz stranded both runners and killed the rally. The A’s never threatened again.

The A’s have now dropped three of their last four games and remain in last place in the AL West. Tuesday’s probable starter still to be announced. They’ll face off against Jacob deGrom, who enters with a 9-2 record and a sparkling 2.32 ERA.

For Tuesday the A’s will start RHP JT Ginn (1-2 ERA 4.91) for the Rangers RHP Jacob deGrom (9-2 ERA 2.32) first pitch 5:05pm 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

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 podcast Barbara Mason: A’s open 3 game set with Rangers Monday night in Arlington

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Sacramento A’s starter Jefferey Springs who get lit up by the Cleveland Guardians on Sun Jul 20, 2025 is hoping for a better outcome as the A’s face the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field for a three game series against the Rangers on Mon Jul 21, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

#1 The A’s ran into a hot hitting of the Cleveland Guardians David Fry and Angel Martinez who were too much for the A’s and the A’s also ran into some good pitching and never catch up getting defeated on Sunday 8-2.

#2 The A’s Nick Kurtz hit a couple of doubles. Kurtz has been seeing the ball rather well for the A’s in the lineup.

#3 Tough skid for Sacramento they have now lost nine of their last ten games when playing in Cleveland.

#4 Cleveland pitcher Gavin Williams improved his record to 6-4 and went seven innings to pick up his first win since June 1st. Williams has gone 2-1 in his last nine starts.

#5 The A’s open up a three game series in Texas Monday night and will start LHP Jacob Lopez (3-5 ERA 4.20) for the RHP Rangers Jack Lieter (5-6 ERA 4.37) first pitch 5:00pm PT.

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. 

Guardians Tame the Green and Gold 8-2 in Cleveland Clunker

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Cleveland Guardians David Fry (left) claps his hands after hitting a three RBI double in the fourth inning as the Sacramento A’s infielder Max Schuemann (12) looks away at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Sun Jul 20, 2025 (AP News photo)

Guardians Tame the Green and Gold 8-2 in Cleveland Clunker

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics arrived at Progressive Field looking to build momentum, but they left shaking their heads after a frustrating 8-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians Sunday. A red-hot David Fry and the bat of Angel Martínez proved too much to handle, while the A’s offense sputtered early and never found enough rhythm to mount a comeback.

Gavin Williams set the tone for Cleveland from the first pitch, silencing the top of the A’s order with two strikeouts in the first frame. The Guardians wasted no time grabbing the lead in the bottom half, as Angel Martínez lined a double into left, then came home on a sharp RBI single from Fry. It was the beginning of a very long day for the Green and Gold.

Lawrence Butler, Nick Kurtz, and Brent Rooker, a trio the A’s have leaned on this season for run production, couldn’t solve Williams. Each struck out multiple times as Williams racked up nine K’s through seven innings. The A’s struck out 15 times overall, and through the first four innings, they looked overmatched.

Meanwhile, the Guardians were putting on a clinic in timely hitting. After adding a second run in the second on Austin Hedges’ RBI single, the game quickly slipped away in the fourth. Sacramento starter Jeffrey Springs was trying to grind through his outing when Cleveland strung together three hits and a critical fielder’s choice to load the bases. David Fry stepped up and delivered again, clearing the bags with a bases-clearing double that made it 5-0.

While the A’s showed small signs of life in the middle innings, including a pair of hits in the fifth and a run scored by Tyler Soderstrom on a wild pitch, they never seriously threatened the Guardians’ control of the game. Soderstrom and Schuemann each tallied two hits, but the damage was minimal and sporadic.

The lone bright spot in the lineup was Nick Kurtz. The rookie first baseman doubled twice and drove in a run in the eighth, providing a small glimmer of fight. Denzel Clarke also contributed a double and a run scored, but the team’s inability to string together consecutive productive at-bats kept them chasing shadows all afternoon.

On the pitching side, Sacramento’s bullpen fared no better than its starter. After Springs departed following four innings, Michael Kelly and Osvaldo Bido were tasked with holding the line. They gave up three additional runs, including a solo shot from Angel Martínez in the seventh and an RBI single from the same bat in the eighth. Martínez finished a triple shy of the cycle and was a headache from the leadoff spot all game long.

Defensively, the A’s were steady but not spectacular. There were no errors, but Cleveland’s sharp contact exposed the gaps. Tyler Soderstrom, despite a multi-hit game, was targeted in left field where several crucial hits landed. Denzel Clarke and Lawrence Butler made routine plays in the outfield but weren’t tested with anything exceptional.

By the time Shea Langeliers ripped a double in the ninth, the game was all but over. Jakob Junis closed the door on Sacramento without incident. The Athletics never quite looked synced up, and the lack of offensive urgency gave the feeling of inevitability.

The Guardians, on the other hand, played like a team ready for October baseball. Their pitching was dominant, their bats timely, and their approach disciplined. For the A’s, the loss drops them further into the abyss of a development-heavy season, where flashes of talent continue to be overshadowed by inconsistency.

The good news for Sacramento? There are still games left to iron out the kinks and give younger players experience. The bad news? Games like today make it clear just how wide the gap still is between the A’s and the league’s top-tier clubs.

Sacramento A’s open up a series with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington Monday night the A’s will start LHP Jacob Lopez (3-5 ERA 4.20) the Rangers have not determined a starter yet.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O: Mets retire Wright’s No.5; Yankees Gil looking good in rehab; plus more MLB news

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David Wright waves to the New York Mets fans after his jersey number 5 was retired by the club at Citi Field in New York on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (AP News photo)

MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:

#1 The New York Mets have inducted David Wright into the Mets Hall of Fame on Saturday. Wright broke in in the Majors 21 years ago and the Mets retired his number 5. Wright recalled saying he was excited to get to the big league and after getting off the plane arriving at the Grapefruit League he was curious what number he was going to wear and was happy to see he was going to sport number 72.

#2 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone was keeping a close eye on on right hand pitcher Luis Gil who was working in his second rehab assignment on video and Boone said he was happy with what he saw on the tape. “Stuff was good, decent command,” said Boone, who watched a recording of Friday’s game Saturday morning. “More importantly, another step and kind of building that pitch count into 57 pitches.” Gil had been rehabbing with the Yankees double A affiliate. Boone said his fast ball was playing and that Gil had suffered a sprained lat.

#3 Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and former Sacramento A’s scout Jeff Bittiger has passed away at age 63 the A’s announced Sunday. Bittiger was a scout for the last 22 years and all with the A’s organization. Bittiger broke in in the bigs on Sept 2, 1986 he also pitched for the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox.

#4 Houston Astros second baseman Brendan Rodgers collided with a teammate in a triple A minor league assignment for Sugar Land on Friday night. It was Rodgers first game of his assignment as he was recovering from an left oblique strain. Rodgers in the collision broke his nose and suffered a concussion. The Astros say the will evaluate Rodgers condition over the next few days.

#5 Charlie since starting the second half of the season the Sacramento A’s have won three of their last five games. The two games they did lose were close games in efforts to try and come back. They are having a strong showing to start the second half and are seven games behind the LA Angels to climb out of the cellar so still a lot of work for the A’s

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

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