Tag: Sacramento A’s

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Green and Gold Silence; Royals Behind Long Ball and Stellar Pitching in 4-0 win

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Jacob Lopez delivers to the Kansas City Royals line up in the bottom first inning at Kaufman Stadium at Kansas City on Sat Jun 14, 2025 (AP News photo)

Green and Gold Silence Royals Behind Long Ball and Stellar Pitching

By Mauricio Segura

In a sharp and steady Saturday matinee showing at Kauffman Stadium, the Sacramento Athletics rode a power surge and airtight pitching to a 4-0 victory over the Kansas City Royals, shutting down Kansas City with clinical precision and just enough flash to keep things interesting.

The green and gold wasted little time getting on the board. After Tyler Soderstrom drew a walk to open the second inning, Max Muncy launched a two-run shot to left field, his fifth of the year, putting the Athletics up 2-0. It was a no-doubt line drive that never considered staying in the park.

Soderstrom later proved his value again in the fourth, working another walk, swiping second base, and scoring on a Luis Urías double to left. That made it 3-0, giving the A’s just enough cushion to settle into cruise control.

Lawrence Butler added an exclamation mark in the seventh with a solo blast to dead center, his tenth of the season. It was the only hit the Athletics managed off Kansas City reliever Daniel Lynch IV, who had just replaced starter Michael Lorenzen. The green and gold didn’t do much else after that, but they didn’t need to.

The Royals, meanwhile, could barely touch A’s pitching. They scattered just five hits and never advanced a runner past third. A disengagement violation in the third gave Kansas City its only brief spark when Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr. advanced into scoring position with two outs. But Vinnie Pasquantino flew out to right, ending the threat.

Pasquantino, in fact, struck out three times, part of a larger struggle for Kansas City’s offense. Athletics pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts, and no Royal reached base more than once except for Garcia, who doubled and singled.

Athletics starter Jacob Lopez kept the Royals guessing with four crisp innings. Michael Kelly took over in the fifth and was equally effective, getting help from center fielder Denzel Clarke, who chased down deep flies from Jac Caglianone and Freddy Fermin in the seventh to maintain the shutout. Hogan Harris closed the door in the ninth, striking out Pasquantino once more and stranding a Mark Canha single that barely broke the infield.

On a day where offensive action was sporadic, Soderstrom quietly put together a strong performance: two walks, a stolen base, a run scored, and solid defense in left. Denzel Clarke also contributed on both sides of the ball, reaching base and covering serious ground in center.

The Athletics, who entered the series looking to shake off recent inconsistencies, now have their 28th win of the season and will look to build on this momentum to go back home with a sweep tomorrow afternoon.

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.

A’s Ride Rookie Bats and Road Warrior Severino to 6-4 Victory in Kansas City

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Luis Severino delivers against the Kansas City Royals line up in the bottom of the second inning at Kaufman Stadium in Kansas City on Fri Jun 13, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Ride Rookie Bats and Road Warrior Severino to Victory in Kansas City

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s rolled into Kansas City with the worst ERA in baseball, a battered bullpen, and a streak of futility that stretched across thousands of first-class travel miles. By the time Mason Miller squeezed the final out, they had a win that felt both rare and resilient, a 6-4 triumph over the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium Friday night.

Luis Severino, who has quietly been a different pitcher away from home, turned in another solid road outing. The right-hander extended his dominant away split to 1-0 with a minuscule 0.87 ERA across five road starts. Friday night, he allowed just one run over five innings, putting the A’s in position to win, something they’ve rarely done for their starters this year, who’ve gone 3-16 since May 3.

Offensively, the green and gold leaned heavily on their young core. Rookie standout Jacob Wilson, who entered the game leading all MLB rookies in average, hits, and OPS, added two more hits and a walk, scoring twice. His performance helped extend a torrid stretch during which he’s hit safely in nine of his last ten games.

Austin Wynns opened the A’s scoring in the second with a solo home run, his fourth of the year, tying the game at 1-1. Then came a decisive rally in the third. After loading the bases, Nick Kurtz, another A’s rookie, delivered a go-ahead RBI single. In the fourth, Luis Urías added insurance with a solo blast, his seventh of the season, pushing the lead to 3-1.

The biggest blow came in the sixth. With the bases loaded, Tyler Soderstrom, who’s tied for eighth in the majors in go-ahead homers, drew a walk to force in a run. Max Muncy then followed with a two-run single to center, giving the A’s a commanding 6-1 lead.

Mason Miller, flashing his signature triple-digit heat, came on in the ninth to close it out. It wasn’t clean. A walk, another walk, and then a two-run triple by Nick Loftin suddenly made it 6-3. A sacrifice fly cut it to 6-4 before Miller slammed the door with a strikeout and a popup.

The win snaps the A’s 13-game road losing streak, their second longest in 29 years, and gives them a much-needed boost heading into Saturday’s matchup. Though they’ve still lost 24 of their last 29, they’ve now taken three of their last eight, and they’re finally showing signs of offensive life. Over their last 13 games, they’re averaging nearly five runs per contest and are batting .258 as a team.

Brent Rooker, who reached base again Friday night, has quietly reached in 19 of his last 21 games and is hitting .380 over that span. Meanwhile, Lawrence Butler extended his doubles lead (tied with Witt Jr.) and made things happen on the basepaths with his 11th stolen base of the season.

Even with the league’s worst bullpen ERA and the most home runs allowed, the A’s found a way to piece it together. For a team that’s cycled through 46 players, including 10 major league debuts, every win like this matters.

They’ll look to build on it Saturday with A’s starter LHP Jacob Lopez (0-4 ERA 6.00) on the mound, still chasing his first win of the year. For the Royals RHP Hunter Brown (8-3 ERA 1.82) first pitch 1:10pm 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.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The Saga of the A’s at Sutter Health Park — You don’t know what you have until you lose it

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Aerial look at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (CBS still photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

The Saga of the A’s at Sutter Health Park — You don’t know what you have until you lose it

By Amaury Pi-González

After 70 games into the 2025 season, things continue to go poorly for the ATH playing at Sutter Health Park, while the team is buried in the cellar. Despite Mark Kotsay’s (a good manager) best efforts as skipper, the park itself has not helped the team, at least not psychologically.

Not one player yet on the A’s or any team that visited Sutter Health Park said publicly anything positive about that minor league facility. The comments have not been complimentary at all from players, A’s fans, or visiting fans, at least the ones I know who are honest fans.

Much honest than people I know there. For the Oakland A’s, who played at the Oakland Coliseum, it’s like living in an old spacious house that still features all the necessary conveniences, and realizing that while you thought you needed a new home, the current “new house” is not what you expected. This old saying applies: “You don’t know what you have until you lose it.”

Many people take things for granted, thinking they will always be there. This can lead to neglect and a lack of appreciation. That was the case with the Oakland Coliseum. Yes, it was dated and not particularly attractive to look at, but it worked; it was a major league park with impeccably kept field conditions.

Throughout the years, I spoke to numerous players who loved that field, and usually, A’s players and visiting players enjoyed playing there. This ‘old park new park’ situation for the team reminds me of an old Volvo 740 Turbo I used to own, some of the “luxuries” were gone, broken like the sun roof, the air conditioner, windows, it did not look pretty, but it ran, it took me where I needed to go, it was a strong car and highly efficient.

When Volvo was famous. Although I do not miss it today, on the other hand, I do not denigrate that Volvo, and yes, I, who spent thousands of hours broadcasting thousands of games at the Oakland Coliseum, do not denigrate that old historic Coliseum.

The best opportunity for a good owner who put his money on the field and in the community, to buy the A’s has gone away. Joe Lacob, the Warriors’ owner, had a deal in place to buy and keep the A’s in Oakland, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, just a couple of years ago.

One of the excuses for poor attendance at Sutter Health Park includes “wait until the school summer vacations” (thinking that kids will pack the park). However, it remains very challenging for this team to surpass the 10,000 attendance mark (done it only once) in a 14,000-capacity park, especially during the current school vacation period.

Enrique Oliu, my good friend and Spanish broadcaster for the Tampa Bay Rays in a recent telephone conversation told me that George M.Steinbrenner Park where the Rays are playing this year (while repairs are made at Tropicana Field because of the Hurricane) is a beautifully keep minor league park with capacity for 11,026 fans which also serves as the Spring Training Home of the New York Yankees.

According to Oliu, most comments by Rays players and visiting players have been on the positive side of things. So, at least we know that the other team, aside from the A’s, playing this year in a minor league park, the Tampa Bay Rays, are enjoying a better experience than the A’s in Sacramento.

Happy Father’s Day!

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.

@Central Park Fremont – Fremont CA

http://goaquaadventure.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s lose tough luck game 6-5 for third straight loss

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Sacramento A’s shortstop Max Schuemann (left) and second baseman Luis Urias (right) couldn’t field the ball that got through that was hit by the Los Angeles Angels Jorge Soler for an RBI single as the Angels Taylor Ward runs for second base in the bottom of the sixth inning at Angels Stadium on Wed Jun 11, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The A’s did all they can to try and win this game but once again suffered their third loss in row. This time to the Los Angles Angels getting swept in a three game series at the Big A in Anaheim in a close game 6-5.

#2 The A’s would score a run in each of the first, third, fourth innings and picked up two runs in the top of the seventh inning for five runs. The Angels would score six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning and that’s all the runs they would need on Wednesday afternoon to defeat Sacramento 6-5.

#3 The A’s got offensive help from Brent Rooker who homered twice once in the third inning and again in the top of the seventh inning but once again too little too late for Sacramento who were shortchanged by one run.

#4 JP Sears started for the A’s pitching 5.1 innings, allowed four hits, two earned, struck out nine pitched well enough but couldn’t get enough run support.

#5 A’s head out to Kansas City to open up a three game set with the Royals. The A’s will start Luis Severino (1-6 ERA 4.77) Royals will start RHP Michael Wacha (3-5 ERA 3.01). First pitch is slated for 5:10pm PDT at Kaufman Stadium.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each 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 game wrap: Rooker’s Firepower Not Enough as A’s Collapse in Wild Sixth Inning 6-5

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Sacramento A’s Luis Urias (left) scored on a sacrifice fly by Max Schuemann as Los Angeles Angels catcher Travis d’Arnaud takes the throw late in the top of the fourth inning on Wed Jun 11, 2025 at Angels Stadium (AP News photo)

Rooker’s Firepower Not Enough as A’s Collapse in Wild Sixth Inning 6-5

By Mauricio Segura

The green and gold wasted no time getting on the board Wednesday afternoon, but in true 2025 Athletics fashion, their early surge was undone by a bullpen implosion and a momentum-crushing sixth inning meltdown. Despite Brent Rooker’s two-homer afternoon and a promising start from JP Sears, the A’s fell 6-5 to the Angels, extending their losing streak to three games and cementing a winless season series against Los Angeles.

Rooker drove in three runs and continued to punish opposing pitchers, going 3-for-5 with a double and two home runs, his 14th and 15th of the year. His solo shot in the third and a clutch two-run blast in the seventh pulled the A’s within one, but the damage had already been done.

A strong offensive start saw the A’s jump ahead in the first inning. Max Muncy’s RBI single plated Rooker, who had doubled earlier in the frame. Rooker struck again with a solo homer in the third, giving the Athletics a 2-0 cushion. A fourth-inning sacrifice fly from Max Schuemann pushed the lead to 3-0, and with Sears in control early, things looked promising.

Sears, however, faced trouble in the sixth. After cruising through five innings with a two-hit shutout, he was pulled in favor of Grant Holman after issuing a walk to Mike Trout. That’s when the unraveling began. Holman loaded the bases, then plunked Taylor Ward to force in a run.

The bullpen carousel spun quickly, Osvaldo Bido came in and surrendered a game-tying single to Jorge Soler, and then gave up a go-ahead sacrifice fly and a two-run homer to Jo Adell. By the time the dust settled, the Angels had exploded for six runs in the inning, erasing the Athletics’ lead.

The chaos also saw an ejection; starter JP Sears was tossed by home plate umpire Gabe Morales from the dugout, presumably for voicing displeasure at the zone or the unraveling performance that followed his exit.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay rolled the dice with a quick hook for Sears, who had a rocky history at Angel Stadium (0-2, 9.72 ERA entering the day) but was showing signs of control. In five day-game starts this season, Sears held a 2.17 ERA , a bright spot in an otherwise forgettable campaign. Still, his early removal added to the chorus of second-guessing that’s followed this bullpen all season.

The Athletics’ relievers entered the day with a major-league worst 5.96 ERA and had only two saves in their last 29 games. On cue, they coughed up another one.

Rooker’s heroics in the seventh made things interesting. After Schuemann drew a walk, Rooker crushed a 2-run homer to center, bringing the A’s within one. But with the tying run on base later in the inning, Max Muncy struck out to end the threat.

The A’s had another chance in the eighth when JJ Bleday doubled to lead off the inning, but three consecutive outs stranded him at second. Reid Detmers closed the door in the ninth, fanning Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom to seal it.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 26-44 and remain firmly in last place in the AL West. They’ve now dropped all six matchups to the Angels this season, and are 4-22 when out-homered by opponents.

The Athletics’ road losing streak sits at 13, the second longest for the franchise in nearly three decades. Their bullpen has now blown 11 saves in their last 34 games, and their 103 home runs allowed leads all of Major League Baseball.

Brent Rooker, meanwhile, continues to shine. He has reached base in 18 of his last 20 games and now sits tied for seventh in the majors in homers with runners on base. But even his bat can’t patch the holes left by a bullpen that can’t seem to hold a lead.

Next up: a much-needed off day Thursday before the A’s head to Kansas City, where they’ll hope that right-hander Luis Severino (1-6 ERA 4.77) can stop the bleeding Friday night. The Royals have not decided on a starting pitcher for Friday night 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.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Chapman’s absence how it will impact Giants lineup; A’s get shot in arm from Clarke and Wilson; plus more news

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That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

San Francisco Giant Matt Chapman (26) comes up injured after diving into first base as he’s checked on by manager Bob Melvin (black hoodie), team trainer Anthony Reyes, first base coach Mark Hallberg (91), and Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson (28) on Sun Jun 8, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)

#1 Amaury, San Francisco Giant third baseman Matt Chapman has gone on the ten day IL due to a hand injury after diving hard into first base at Oracle Park against the Atlanta Braves on Sunday. Chapman said he was hopeful that he could return before the All Star break. Chapman was hitting .243, 12 home runs, 30 RBIs, in 65 games.

#2 San Francisco Giants have named Camilo Doval as their closer after Doval had been replaced by Ryan Walker as the closer. Doval has a respectable record of 3-1 ERA 1.50 with 30 strikeouts to his credit. Doval had struggled in closing some games but has shown his confidence has returned.

#3 The Sacramento A’s have developed some good young talent who are in their line up the A’s centerfielder Denzel Clarke who made a spectacular back handed catch landing on top of the fence and the landing feet first in front on the track and showing some excited emotion last Monday night in Anaheim.

#4 The A’s are getting great hitting out of young Jacob Wilson. Wilson has been key in two of the A’s wins against the Baltimore Orioles last weekend in Sacramento and is hitting .366, eight home runs and 38 RBIs. Wilson is currently out of the A’s line up missing games on Monday and Tuesday nights due to hamstring tightness.

#5 For the first time since 2013 the Detroit Tigers are 20 games over .500 thanks to Spencer Torkelson who hit a two run home run to put the Tigers over the Baltimore Orioles 5-3 on Tuesday night. The Tigers are now 44-24. The Tigers in former manager Jim Leyland’s final year as manager finished the 2013 season at 93-69.

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.

While in the Bay Area, great food and great prices. 998cuba.com

Late Angels Rally Sinks A’s in Extras 2-1

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Late Angels Rally Sinks A’s in Extras

The Angels’ Nolan Schanuel, center, celebrates with teammates after his walk-off single gave them a 2-1 victory over the Athletics in the 10th inning on Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics took an early lead and held it until late, but the Los Angeles Angels fought back and snatched a 2-1 walk-off victory in the bottom of the tenth at Angel Stadium on Tuesday night.

The game began quietly, with both sides trading quick outs and strong defensive plays. A’s starter Mitch Spence, making his second start of the season, delivered five scoreless innings, a bright spot for a rotation that has struggled mightily of late. Spence kept the Angels off balance, scattering three hits and a walk while striking out four. The Athletics’ bullpen, which came in with the highest ERA in the majors at 6.03, initially picked up where Spence left off, preserving a slim lead into the late innings.

The A’s offense was kept mostly silent by Angels starter José Soriano through the first five innings, but finally broke through in the top of the sixth. Max Schuemann drew a walk and advanced to third on Brent Rooker’s sharp double down the left field line. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a groundout that scored Schuemann, giving the green and gold a 1-0 lead.

However, the A’s bats were otherwise quiet, recording just six hits all night. Rooker’s double was the only extra-base hit outside of Nick Kurtz’s seventh-inning double, but the rookie was left stranded as the A’s failed to capitalize on a potential insurance run.

The Angels tied it up in the bottom of the eighth with a pinch-hit solo home run from Travis d’Arnaud off T.J. McFarland. That blast was the 103rd home run allowed by A’s pitching this season, a pace that threatens to break the club’s dubious 1964 record of 220.

After a scoreless ninth, the game went to extras with the Athletics placing Luis Urías at second. Reid Detmers retired the side with two strikeouts and a groundout, stranding Urías and keeping the game tied. In the bottom of the tenth, the Angels’ Jo Adell started at second and was pushed to third by a Kevin Newman groundout. With two outs, the A’s intentionally walked Zach Neto, but Nolan Schanuel ended it with a single to center, driving in Adell and handing the Athletics their 43rd loss of the year.

The defeat dropped the A’s to 26-43 and extended their losing streak against the Angels to seven games. They also remained in last place in the American League West, now 12 games behind first-place Houston. The loss wasted a quality start from Spence and underscored the A’s recent struggles to generate offense. While the A’s have been hitting .269 as a team over the past 11 games, fifth in the majors, the bats were mostly missing on Tuesday night.

The bullpen’s woes continued, with McFarland surrendering the game-tying home run and Tyler Ferguson (0-1) taking the loss after giving up the winning run in the 10th. Oakland’s relievers have just two wins in their last 32 games and continue to lead the majors in walks issued, a trend that proved costly once again.

There were a few bright spots for the A’s despite the loss. Lawrence Butler extended his streak of reaching base safely to 21 of his last 23 games, and rookie Max Schuemann scored the Athletics’ lone run, showing his knack for getting on base. But in a game where both teams combined for just one walk each over the first five innings, the difference came down to one clutch hit in extra innings.

The Athletics will try to avoid a sweep when they wrap up the series on Wednesday afternoon. Left-hander JP Sears (5-5, 5.21 ERA) will take the mound against Angels righty Kyle Hendricks (2-6, 5.34 ERA). With the A’s bullpen in need of a reset, another strong start will be crucial if the green and gold hope to snap their current losing skid.

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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria: A’s hope to get some early scoring tonight against Angels

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Sacramento A’s Tyler Soderstrom is none too happy after hitting into a ground out in the top of the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Jun 9, 2025 (AP News photo)

On the Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Renteria:

#1 Los Angeles pitcher Yusei Kikuchi pitched a one hit shutout going into the eighth inning and the Angels Jo Adell hit a home run for three RBIs and the Angels beat the Sacramento A’s 7-4 on Monday night at the Big A in Anaheim.

#2 The Angels Mike Trout got two RBIs and has been showing great signs of his comeback after a long absence and recent knee injuries.

#3 Kikuchi allowed just one hit to the A’s Max Muncy in the top of the fifth inning and left after striking out Nick Kurtz. Kikuchi on his 104th pitch when got into the eighth inning. Kikuchi struck out five and walked one in a quality outing.

#4 The A’s Denzel Clarke made a back handed catch over the centerfield fence reaching back landing on top of the fence and then landed on his feet and was pumped after making the catch.

#5 A’s and Angels at it again first pitch at 6:38pm tonight at the Big A in Anaheim. Starting pitcher for the A’s Mitch Spence (2-1 ERA 4.09) for the Angels Jose Soriano (4-5 ERA 4.11).

Tony Renteria does the A’s podcasts each Tuesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Rally Falls Short in 7-4 Loss to Angels

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Sacramento A’s Nick Kurtz swings and loses his helmet in the top of the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at the Big A in Anaheim on Mon Jun 9, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s Rally Falls Short in 7-4 Loss to Angels

By Mauricio Segura

In a game that unfolded like a script familiar to fans of the green and gold, the A’s showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell to the Angels 7-4 on Monday night at Angel Stadium.

The Athletics’ night began with promise as they sent promising young starter Grant Holman to the mound, but after a quick opening inning, the Angels pounced in the third, capitalizing on a defensive miscue and a flurry of hits.

Scott Kingery laid down a bunt single, advanced to second on an error, and was promptly driven home by a Zach Neto single. From there, the Angels’ bats refused to stay quiet, with Nolan Schanuel and Mike Trout following with RBI singles that put the Angels up 3-0.

Holman’s night ended early, as the A’s called on reliever Jeffrey Springs, whose sparkling 1.65 ERA in his last eight starts against AL West opponents could not stymie the Angels this time. Jo Adell, who had already made his presence felt with a home run in the fourth, added the knockout punch in the eighth with a two-run single that put the game out of reach.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the Athletics, though. In the top of the eighth, JJ Bleday provided a bright spot with a two-run, pinch-hit home run that gave the A’s a jolt of life and cut the Angels’ lead to 4-2.

Bleday’s blast was his seventh of the season, and it snapped a 0-for-22 career pinch-hit streak. Max Muncy, who has been swinging a hot bat since his recall from Triple-A, added a two-run shot in the ninth, his fourth of the season, but the rally fell just short.

The A’s bats managed seven hits on the night, including Tyler Soderstrom’s two singles and Muncy’s home run, but were ultimately overshadowed by the Angels’ aggressive approach. The green and gold’s offensive surge in recent games has seen them hit .279 over their last ten games, ranking fifth in the majors for the season at .257, but Monday’s showing proved that getting runners home is still an uphill battle.

Defensively, the Athletics’ issues persisted, with a critical fielding error by Max Muncy in the third setting the table for the Angels’ early outburst. It was the sixth straight game with an error for the A’s, bringing their season total to 41, tied for the fourth most in the majors.

A’s Centerfielder Denzel “Hurricane” Clarke, The Canadian Spiderman, whatever you want to call him, continues to fascinate the entire league with his prowess in the outfield. He robbed Nolan Schanuel of a first-inning shot headed out to Pilgram’s Rocks by tracking it down and almost hopping over the wall with his glove outstretched, snatching it out of the sky.

An amazing catch, sure to make the highlight reels of the best in 2025. Jacob Wilson, the standout rookie who has been leading all first-year players in batting average and hits, went hitless for the first time in his last nine games, cooling off after a red-hot stretch that saw him bat .492 over his previous 14 games. Brent Rooker, though, continued to be a steady presence in the lineup, reaching base safely for the 17th straight game.

On the mound, the A’s bullpen was tested yet again. After Springs’ strong three innings, the pen faltered late, with Tyler Ferguson and Ryan Zeferjahn combining to allow three runs in the eighth. This has become a troubling trend for the A’s relief corps, which carries a league-worst 5.99 ERA and has managed just two saves in the last 27 games.

The Athletics, now 26-42, will look to regroup on Tuesday with Mitch Spence taking the mound. The young right-hander will face off against Angels starter José Soriano in an attempt to halt the A’s five-game losing skid and start to claw back in the AL West standings.

The A’s and Angels battle again at the Big A in Anaheim on Tuesday night at 6:38pm PDT. Starting pitcher for the A’s RHP Mitch Spence 2-1 ERA 4.09 for the Angels RHP Jose Soriano 4-5 ERA 4.11.

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.

Athletics podcast with Barbara Mason: This is what not giving up looks like; A’s taking small steps to win again

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Sacramento A’s reliver Jacob Lopez was one of the key relievers in helping the A’s shutdown the visiting Baltimore Orioles at Sutter Health Park on Sun Jun 8, 2025 (AP News photo)

Athletics podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The Sacramento A’s Max Muncy hit a home run. Jacob Wilson and Tyler Soderstrom had two hits a piece and an RBI. The A’s beat the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 at Sutter Health as the A’s won their first series in over 30 days.

#2 The A’s pitcher Sean Newcomb in relief threw three shutout innings after starter Jacob Lopez picked up his win. Grant Holman in relief threw a scoreless eighth inning and closer Mason Miller threw a 1-2-3 ninth to shut the door on the Orioles.

#3 May 2-4 was the last time the A’s won a series taking two out of three from the Miami Marlins. The A’s haven’t won a series at home since they took two out of three from the Chicago White Sox April 25-27.

#4 Wilson continues to have a great season. Wilson went 2 for 4 and picked up his fifth multiple hit game and went 20-40 in his nine game winning streak. Wilson also improved his hitting average to .372 is behind New York Yankee superstar Aaron Judge whose hitting .390.

#5 The A’s head to Anaheim to open a three game series with the Los Angeles Angels starting on Monday night. The A’s have not decided on a starting pitcher and the Angels will start RHP Merrill Kelly who been having a lot of success at 6-2 ERA 3.43. First pitch 6:38pm PDT.

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