Tag: San Diego Padres

Padres Offense Too Hot To Handle for Giants – SF Loses In a Shutout 7-0; Giants Bader suspended without pay for bike accident

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Wisenhunt works on the San Diego Padres line up in the bottom of the second inning at Petco Park in San Diego on Fri Jul 31, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (47-63) got a great start in their series with the San Diego Padres (56-54) taking a 4-1 win Thursday night and Friday night the Giants failed to extend a win in the second game getting shutout 7-0.

The Padres have decided on a starting pitcher. Bradgley Rodriguez, relief pitcher, will start this game. He has an ERA of 2.33. The Giants wil go with Carson Whisenhunt. He comes into the game with a 2-1 win/loss record and a 4.60 ERA.

Thursday the Giants got an early lead but Friday’s the top of the Padre’s lineup gave San Diego an early lead 2-0. It was the San Diego big guns Fernando Tatis Jr, Manny Machado and Luis Rengifo getting the job done.

The Padres continued to extend their lead scoring runs in the third and fourth innings taking a 6-0 lead half way through the game. San Francisco only had one hit through four innings, the Padres had eight hits.

GAME RECAP

San Diego starting pitcher Bradgley Rodriguez had a one two three first inning. Giants starting pitcher Carson Whisenhunt struggled in the bottom of the inning. Tatis Jr. doubled followed by a Luiz Rengifo single and the Padres had runners at first and third with one out.

Machado sacrificed Tatis Jr. home for the first run of the game. Ty France walked and San Diego now with two outs had runners on first and second. Luis Campusano singled Rengifo home and the Padres had a 2-0 lead. Whisenhunt finally got out of the inning but it had been a tough start.

Yuki Matsui relieved Rodriguez in the top of the second inning. He dismissed the Giants one two three; a nice start for both of the San Diego pitchers. The Giants got out of the bottom of the second inning although Whisenhunt did give up a single and a walk.

Matsui got the job done in the top of the third inning only giving up a single. The Padres got to work in the bottom of the third scoring another run now leading 3-0. France got the inning going with a single.

France was thrown out at second when Merrill grounded into a fielders choice. Campusano singled and Merrill advanced to third scoring when Xander Bogaerts grounded into a double play. San Diego had now taken a 3-0 lead.

Matsui had another solid inning in the fourth going three and out and the Giants offense was having a rough day at the plate with only one hit through four innings. There was no stopping the Padre offense in Friday’s game.

Jase Bowen (bottom of the batting order) had a monster hit in the bottom of the fourth hitting the ball into the third deck. It was his first big league home run and it gave the Padres a 4-0 lead.

After two walks and the home run there was a change on the mound for the Giants. Adrian Houser relieved Whisenhunt facing Machado with only one out. Machado flied out but Tatis Jr and Rengifo both advanced stealing second and third base.

This was Tatis Jr’s 26th steal of the season and Rengifo’s fifth. France singled both Tatis Jr. and Rengifo home and the Padres were cruising leading 6-0 going into the fifth inning.

German Marquez relieved Matsui in the fifth inning. He was also outstanding dismissing the Giants going three and out. Houser gave up a couple of singles in the bottom of the fifth but kept the Padres from scoring.

Luis Arraez got the Giants second hit of the game but that was the only offensive action in the sixth inning for San Francisco. In the bottom of the sixth Machado just missed hitting a home run hitting a double off the wall.

San Diego had two runners on base, Rengifo on third and Machado at second. France sacrificed Rengifo home and the hit parade continued for San Diego. With a 7-0 lead the Padres put this game on ice.

The game went into the top of the eighth inning and the Giants were six outs away from losing the second game of the series. It was also a quick bottom of the eighth.

German Marquez closed out the game shutting out the Giants 7-0. They did it with excellent offense and timely hitting and their pitching was outstanding. The Giants just could not get going coming away with only two hits in this game.

GAME NOTES

This game got away from the Giants quickly. Starting pitcher Whisenhunt couldn’t keep the Padres’ lineup in check. San Diego scored runs in the first, third, fourth and sixth innings.

The Giants offense was almost non-existent . They only managed a couple of hits through six innings. They were unable to put sustained pressure on the Padres’ pitchers. The Padres on the other hand consistently hitting with runners on base and preventing San Francisco from getting any momentum. The Giants just could not make adjuistments against the San Diego pitching.

The Padres got production throughout the lineup. Tatis Jr. set the tone at the top of the lineup by getting on base and helping create scoring opportunities. Machado came through with key hits that drove in runs and kept the pressure on San Francisco.

Bogaerts added timely RBI hits to extend their lead and Merrill was also good with run-producing at-bats as the Padres continued to pile on the offense all night. It was a memorable night for Jase Bowen hitting his first big league home run, a dandy flying into the third deck of the stadium.

It was a rough night for Whisenhunt. He pitched through 3 1/3 innings allowing seven hits, six earned runs, four walks with three strikeouts. Houser went 4 2/3 innings allowing five hits, one earned run, one walk with three strikeouts. The entire game was a one-sided affair.

Giants team president Buster Posey has suspended outfielder Harrison Bader’s salary while the Giants investigate a scooter crash that further injured Bader’s previous injured left foot. Sources said that Bader hit the back of a Fire Truck in downtown San Francisco on Sunday. The accident happened before the Giants hosted the Los Angeles Angels at Oracle Park last Sun Jul 26th. The source said that Bader was drunk at the time. The Giants are investigating if that is true or not.

“Over the weekend, Harrison Bader was involved in an accident that has delayed Harrison’s prior treatment timeline for plantar fasciitis and, unfortunately, his return to the field,” Posey said in a statement. “We are still investigating the circumstances of the accident but will be suspending payment to Harrison until he is able to resume performing services for the Club.”

Game three in this series will get underway Friday with first pitch scheduled for 5:40 PM. Tyler Mahle will take the mound for the Giants. He has a 3-9 win/loss record and a 4.96 ERA. The Padres will start Walker Buehler. His win/loss record is 6-5 and he has an ERA of 5.13.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Susac home run key in Giants win to open series in San Diego

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Rafeal Devers slides in scoring on a San Francisco Giants Daniel Susac’s sacrifice fly as San Diego Padres catcher Luis Campusano is late with the tag in the top of the fifth inning at Petco Park in San Diego on Thu Jul 30, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1How important was Daniel Susac’s two-run home run in helping the Giants secure their 4-1 victory over the Padres?

#2What stood out about Robbie Ray’s six-inning performance, and how did he keep the Padres’ lineup under control?

#3How did Rafael Devers contribute offensively, and what impact did his three-hit game have on the Giants’ attack?

#4What role did Christian Koss play defensively, including his impressive barehanded play against Jake Cronenworth?

#5How effective was the Giants’ bullpen, particularly Erik Miller, in preserving the 4-1 lead and closing out the win?

Join Lincoln Juarez for the Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Giants Cruise Past Padres In Series Opener 4-1

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San Francisco Giants second baseman Luis Arraez (left), first baseman Rafael Devers (center), and third baseman Christian Koss (right) celebrate their win against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Thu Jul 30, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The San Francisco Giants (47-62) took on the San Diego Padres (55-54) Thursday night in the first game of their four-game series winning at Petco Park in San Deigo. The Giants have been on a roll lately taking a series off the first place Milwaukee Brewers earlier this week.

San Francisco continues to amaze at times losing to underperforming teams and going on to beat some pretty darn good ones. It certainly is puzzling, the ebb and flow of the team this season.

Thursday night they took on another very good team the Padres although they have struggled off and on lately. They did come into this game on a 5-game winning streak that the Giants put an end to.

San Francisco did score early, three runs in the first two innings something that they have struggled with for much of the season. Starting pitcher for San Francisco Robbie Ray was outstanding through six innings setting the stage for the win. The relief pitching for the Giants was equally solid in an impressive offensive and defensive game for San Francisco winning the opener 4-1.

GAME RECAP

The San Francisco Giants have struggled lately getting early leads but that was not the case tonight. They took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Rafael Devers sacrificed Heliot Ramos home.

They went on to score a couple more runs in the second inning with a great offensive at bat from Daniel Susac. Susac homered with Willy Adames on base giving the Giants a 3-0 lead.

The Padres would answer scoring a run in the bottom of the inning but that would be the only time they would score for the rest of the game. Xander Bogaerts singled Ty France home for a 3-1 deficit.

Starting for the Giants Robbie Ray would weave his magic through the next six innings winning his seventh straight start. He was impresssive snapping the Padres five-game winning streak. Ray gave up a few hits through the first three innings but pretty much breezed through the fourth, fifth and sixth innings when he was relieved by Caleb Kilian.

The Giants would tack on one more run in the fifth inning for the final 4-1 win.Susac who was instrumental in this win sacrificed Rafael Devers home for the final run and the Giants had won the first game of the four-game series.

GAME NOTES

San Francisco played an impressive game Thursday night. They jumped ahead early scoring in the first and second innings. Defensively they controlled the strike zone and the Giant’s pitching shut down San Diego’s middle of the lineup.

The Padres only got six hits in this game and the one run and their big bats were really absent, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. were unable to create any sort of rally. Something that has hurt the Giants this season has been big mistake innings and that was not the case Thursday night. They played some really clean baseball.

A huge reason for this win was the outstanding performance on the mound from Robbie Ray. He pitched six innings allowing the one run keeping the San Diego lineup off balance all night.

Ray’s command was excellent attacking the strike zone giving very few free baserunners. He did not overly rely on his fast ball but mixed it up. He got a lot of swings and misses as well as weak contact.

It is not a secret that San Diego has some dangerous hitters like Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr but Ray kept them at bay all night. This is just another example of why Ray has been one of the Giant’s most valuable pitchers this season.

He entered this game with a 3.16 ERA. In this outing Ray exposed one of the Padres biggest weakness. When San Diego falls behind early they have a lot of trouble stringing together enough quality at-bats making comebacks very difficult.

San Francisco finished the game with 11 hits. Rafael Devers had three hits with one run and one RBI. Susac was also impressive hitting the two run homer and had 3 RBIs. Nearly every player on the Giants roster had a hit in the game.

The Giants will be looking to win game two of the series continuing to score early with more solid offensive play. Their defense was solid today and they will need more of the same in game two looking to play an errorless game on Friday night.

Carson Whisenhunt will take the mound for San Francisco. He comes into the game with a 2-1 win/loss record and a 4.60 ERA. The Padres are still undecided as to who will take the mound Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:45 PM.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Giants Chapman gets social media hate mail “I hope your family dies”; Reds De La Cruz on the IL with hamstring strain; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman (26) wears a hat as part of Armed Forces Day before the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. photo Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images | Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 San Francisco Giants third baseman Matt Chapman is foregoing social media after receiving hate mail one of the worst ones a fan who wrote “I hope your family dies.” Chapman said “People always threaten us. I just block and move on. I don’t make a big deal out of it, but it’s definitely not a good thing. I would never do such a thing to anyone.” Chapman added.

#2 The Cincinnati Reds have placed star shortstop Elly De La Cruz on the injured list with a hamstring strain. Can Cincinnati remain competitive during his absence, and what impact will the call-up of top prospect Edwin Arroyo have on the club?

#3 The NL West race is heating up. Are the Los Angeles Dodgers still clear favorites despite pitching concerns, or do the San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks have a realistic path to overtaking them?

#4 Major League Baseball’s labor negotiations are becoming a major off-field story. How concerned should fans be about the possibility of a work stoppage in 2027, and what would a salary cap proposal mean for the sport’s competitive balance?

#5 Former Boston Red Sox and Hall of Famer David Big Pappi Ortiz says that Sox owner John Henry is concerned about the way the Sox are heading who are in last place. “He’s worried. We had a conversation. I can see. I’ve known John a long time, him and the whole team — him and (chairman) Tom Werner, the whole group, they’re working on figuring things out to get this ride better,” Ortiz said Monday morning in an interview with The Associated Press.

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

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.

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason: A’s worked hard to get win on Sunday to avoid a sweep

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Aaron Civale will get the start against the Seattle Mariners at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Mon May 25, 2026 (photo by MLB file)

Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:

1.After losing the first two games of the series, the Sacramento Athletics were looking for a win in game three on Sunday to not only avoid the sweep but also remain in first place in the American League West.

2.There were some real offensive standouts in Sunday’s game starting with Carlos Cortez leadoff batter and it didn’t stop there, this roster had a great game from Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom and Jonah Heim.

3. The A’s not only got great offensive work from Tyler Soderstrom but he was outstanding defensively. Rookie Henry Bolte continues to deliver after being brought up along with Alika Wiliams who came onboard a little over a week ago from Pittsburgh.

4. The A’s opening pitching strategy worked great for the A’s. Luis Medina did open the game but came out early. He has recently come off Tommy John surgery and has been working stricktly out of the bullpen.

5. The A’s will now open a series with the Seattle Mariners with the first game Monday night. This will be a series between the top two teams in the American League West.

Barbara Mason does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum: A’s Cortes and Kurtz home runs put the final touches on Pads to avoid sweep

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Sacramento A’s Carlos Cortes circles the bases after hitting in the first inning against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Sun May 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 No doubt about it Daniel good pitching defeats good hitting every time as the Sacramento A’s held the San Diego Padres to just two runs for the win?

#2 A’s sluggers Carlos Cortes and Nick Kurtz helped spark the Athletics’ 5–2 victory with home runs at Petco Park how important are they to the A’s line up?

#3 What was notable about Nick Kurtz’s performance and on-base streak during the Athletics vs. Padres game?

#4 Starting pitchers for Monday night as the second place Seattle Mariners come calling in Sacramento. Starter for Seattle RHP Luis Castillo (1-5 ERA 6.41) for Sacramento RHP Aaron Civale (5-1 ERA 3.31) first pitch at Sutter Health Park 6:40pm PDT.

#5 How did fans and commentators react to the Athletics’ offensive struggles earlier in the series before their Game 3 win over San Diego?

Daniel Dullum does the Sacramento A’s podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

Sacramento A’s game wrap: A’s Find Their Missing Bite and Take the Finale 5-2

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Sacramento A’s Carlos Cortes (2) gives thanks to the Almighty after hitting a top fo the first inning home run against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park in San Diego on Sun May 24, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The boys from Sactown had spent the first two games of the series staring at chances that slipped away. This time, they did not wait around for permission. Carlos Cortes opened the game by lifting a home run to right center, giving the Green and Gold the surge they had been lacking as of late.

It was one swing, one run, and one early reminder that Cortes has been one of the hottest bats in the lineup, hitting .381 over his previous 23 games and carrying the best batting average in the majors among players with at least 100 plate appearances.The Cortes led A’s got the three run win 5-2 at Petco Park in San Diego.

The first inning also gave the Athletics something just as valuable as the lead: a calm defensive start. Fernando Tatis Jr. singled to begin the bottom half, but Miguel Andujar rolled into a smooth 6-4-3 double play started by Alika Williams. Gavin Sheets then took a called third strike, and the A’s were back in the dugout with momentum still in their hands.

They added on in the second with the lower part of the order doing the damage. Zack Gelof drew a walk, and Henry Bolte ripped a double to left to bring him home. Bolte has brought speed, energy, and a little electricity to the lineup since his call-up, and he kept showing why the A’s were willing to give the 22-year-old center fielder meaningful starts so quickly. Williams followed with a single to left that scored Bolte, stretching the lead to 3-0 before the Padres could fully settle in.

Luis Medina worked through early traffic and was helped by his defense before Jacob Lopez took over in the second. Lopez had never faced the Padres before, and his outing became a test of patience. He did not dominate, but he didn’t allow the game to unravel either.

The Padres put runners on, but the A’s kept finding ways to cut off rallies, including a huge relay in the fifth when Tatis doubled to left and Ty France tried to score from first. Tyler Soderstrom fired to Williams, Williams relayed home, and Jonah Heim finished the play at the plate. It was a sequence of baseball reel highlight finesse. “How about that”, I could almost hear Mel Allen say from his heavenly pressbox stool.

The A’s pushed the lead to 4-0 in the fourth without a hit doing the final damage. Heim doubled, Jeff McNeil and Bolte drew walks, and after Michael King’s wild pitch, Heim scored from third. The inning could have been bigger, especially with the bases loaded, but even one run mattered in a series where every missed chance had felt expensive.

San Diego finally broke through in the sixth when Andujar doubled, moved to third, and scored on Manny Machado’s sacrifice fly. Ty France then tightened the game in the seventh with a solo homer to right off Justin Sterner, trimming the lead to 4-2. Suddenly, the finale had the familiar feel of a game ready to test the A’s bullpen again.

The ninth inning gave the Athletics breathing room, and it started with Cortes again. He singled to left, Lawrence Butler pinch-ran, and Nick Kurtz dropped a bunt single toward third. Kurtz had already extended his remarkable on-base streak to 47 games, moving past Rickey Henderson and into third place alone in Athletics history. That is not a footnote anymore. That is franchise royalty territory. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a ground-ball single to right, scoring Butler and giving the A’s a 5-2 lead.

The bottom of the ninth still had some drama. Hogan Harris issued two walks, including one after Jackson Merrill’s challenged plate appearance was overturned. With two on and one out, Scott Barlow was asked to settle the whole thing down. He did exactly that, striking out Nick Castellanos before getting Tatis to fly out to right, where Butler handled the final out.

After dropping the first two games, the Athletics needed more than a decent effort. They needed a response. They got one from Cortes, Bolte, Williams, Soderstrom, Kurtz, and a bullpen that held firm when the Padres tried to make the game uncomfortable. It was tough, timely, and exactly the win a first-place team needs before heading into a crucial series tomorrow in Sacramento.

Speaking of that series, Memorial Day Monday brings a big one to Sacramento, as the A’s open a three-game set against their West Coast rivals and the team currently chasing them in second place, the Seattle Mariners. Aaron Civale gets the opening-night ball for the A’s, bringing a 5-1 record, 3.31 ERA, and 37 strikeouts into the matchup. Seattle will counter with Luis Castillo, who enters at 1-5 with a 6.41 ERA and 47 strikeouts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Pacific.

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 game wrap: The A’s Played Well, but Failed to Follow Through; Pads Giolito blanks Sac 2-0

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San Diego Padres starter Luis Giolito was dealing against the Sacramento A’s at Petco Park in San Diego on Sat May 23, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics had enough baserunners to have made Saturday night a clear win, but the absolute lack of finishing touches failed to get any of them across the plate. A 2-0 loss to the Padres became a lesson in missed chances, survival pitching, and how a game with only two runs can still feel like it had a dozen turning points hiding in the San Diego the dirt.

Sacramento opened with immediate pressure against Lucas Giolito. Carlos Cortes started the game with a hard line-drive single to right, and Nick Kurtz followed with a base hit to move Cortes to third. Two powerful statements right off the bat (pun intended), especially with the heart of the order due. But Shea Langeliers then lifted a ball to right, Brent Rooker struck out, and Tyler Soderstrom’s easy fly was shut down as the inning slipped away without a run. The A’s had Giolito wobbling, but they never made him pay.

J.T. Ginn, making his first start since taking a no-hit bid into the ninth inning against the Angels, had to work through speeding traffic right away. Fernando Tatis Jr. drew a walk to begin the Padres’ first, and Manny Machado later reached as well, but Ginn struck out Gavin Sheets and Nick Castellanos to keep San Diego off the board. Considering Ginn had been riding one of the more dramatic recent starts by an A’s pitcher, his early command issues made this outing feel like a very different test. This one was not about chasing history. It was about escaping a pileup.

The escape act finally cracked in the second. Jackson Merrill reached, stole second, and the Padres loaded the bases after Freddy Fermin and Sung-Mun Song reached. Tatis was hit by a pitch, forcing in Merrill for the game’s first run. Ginn still avoided major damage when Miguel Andujar grounded into a force at the plate and Sheets flew out, but San Diego had taken the lead without needing a big swing.

The Padres added their second run in the third after Castellanos reached and Merrill doubled to right. Ty France grounded out to short, scoring Castellanos, and that was enough breathing room for San Diego’s staff. José Suarez replaced Ginn in the inning and limited the damage, while the A’s bullpen later gave the lineup a real chance. Joel Kuhnel delivered two perfect innings with three strikeouts, and Scott Barlow worked around a France walk in the eighth to keep it at 2-0.

The issue was the offense kept stepping into traps. In the third, Cortes drew a walk before Kurtz hit into an unassisted double play. In the fourth, the A’s had their best chance after Rooker and Soderstrom reached, Giolito uncorked a wild pitch, and Henry Bolte reached to load the bases. Jeff McNeil then hit into a double play, ending the threat and turning a possible turning point into another stranded opportunity.

Kurtz still gave the A’s one of their better storylines by reaching again with his second hit of the game, extending a streak that had already placed him among the longest in Athletics history. Big Amish’s ability to keep reaching base has become less of a hot streak and more of a nightly expectation, which is absurd in the best baseball way. Langeliers also nearly sparked something in the eighth with a double to left, but Jason Adam struck out Rooker and Soderstrom to end that threat.

By the ninth, Mason Miller finished it with force. Zack Gelof and Bolte struck out before McNeil grounded out, leaving the A’s with five hits, several chances, and no runs. The Padres did not win the game with any heroics. They simply cashed in once with a hit batter, once with a groundout, and let their pitching do the rest.

For the Athletics, the loss was frustrating because it was so reachable. Their pitching staff allowed only two runs, the bullpen settled the game beautifully, and the lineup had the right names at the plate in the right spots. But baseball being baseball, unpredictable, sometimes the whole night is not decided by who creates the most noise. Sometimes it is decided by who does the smallest thing at the exact right moment.

Game 3 starters for Sunday’s series closer will be Luis Medina (1-1 / 2.41 ERA / 18 k) for the A’s, and Michael King (4-2 / 2.31 ERA / 59 K) for the Padres at 4:10pm

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 Mauricio Segura: Pads come out with the big flies to bury A’s 7-3 in series opener Friday

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Former Oakland A and current San Diego Padre Ramon Laureano watches his home run in the bottom of the seventh inning against the Sacramento A’s at Petco Park in San Diego on Fri May 22, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Mauricio Segura:

#1 Mauricio, Talk about A’s pitchers Jeffrey Springs and Jack Perkins who both got touched up by the San Diego Padres early in the game.

#2 The Padres got home run help from Ramon Laureano, Manny Machado, and Nick Castellanos the long ball put the A’s out of business early.

#3 Which Athletics hitters were expected to be key offensive contributors entering the series against San Diego?

#4 In spite of the loss the A’s still maintain a 1.5 game lead on the second place Seattle Mariners in the AL West

#5 How important will this Memorial Day weekend series for the Athletics’ be in the standings in the AL West race?

Mauricio Segura filled in for Tony Harvey who does A’s podcasts each Saturday 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: A’s Early Edge Vanishes in San Diego Power Show 7-3

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San Diego Padres base runner Fernando Tatis (left) is tagged out by Sacramento A’s first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) in the bottom of the fifth inning at Petco Park in San Diego on Fri May 22, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s game wrap:

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s just couldn’t hold the lead and later faltered to the San Diego Padres 7-3 at Petco Park in San Diego on Friday night. In the first inning was one that usually gives the dugout a false sense of ease. Carlos Cortes started it with a single to center, and Nick Kurtz followed by driving a double to center that brought Cortes home and extended his already impressive run of reaching base.

Kurtz entered this matchup carrying a 44-game on-base streak, the fourth longest in Athletics history, and he wasted no time adding another note to that growing file. Shea Langeliers moved him to third with a grounder, and Brent Rooker’s groundout scored him for a quick 2-0 lead.

The Padres answered with less traffic but more force. Fernando Tatis Jr. drew a free pass in the bottom half, and after Jeffrey Springs retired Miguel Andujar and Gavin Sheets, Manny Machado turned the game with one swing, sending a two-run homer to left center. Just like that, the Athletics’ early cushion was gone, and the game settled into a tug-of-war between Springs trying to keep the Padres quiet and the A’s trying to rebuild pressure against Walker Buehler.

The Green and Gold had chances, but the small details kept getting expensive. Henry Bolte drew a free pass and Jeff McNeil singled in the second, only for Darell Hernaiz and Cortes to leave both stranded. Kurtz reached again in the third, but the middle of the order could not cash him in. In the fourth, Zack Gelof opened with a double to left, and Bolte followed with a single to center that scored Gelof, giving the A’s a 3-2 lead. Bolte’s speed created the run, but his attempt to take second was cut down by Rodolfo Durán and Xander Bogaerts, trimming a possible larger inning into something much smaller.

Springs did his best to make that lead hold. He got a double play in the third, worked a steady fourth, and handled the sixth with three groundouts. That mattered because Springs had been trying to shake a rough stretch that included four straight losses entering the game, and for much of the night he looked ready to bend the trend back in the right direction.

The problem was that San Diego did not need many openings. Nick Castellanos tied the game in the fifth with a homer to left, and Ramón Laureano gave the Padres the lead in the seventh with another solo shot. Springs allowed only three hits, but all three left the yard, a cruel little baseball math problem with no friendly answer.

The sixth inning may haunt the Athletics more than any other. Bolte and McNeil singled with two outs, Hernaiz loaded the bases with a free pass, and the Padres had to bring in Adrian Morejon to face pinch-hitter Colby Thomas. With the game still tied and one swing able to change everything, Thomas struck out, leaving a bitter taste that continued to squirm on the palate throughout the rest of the game.

San Diego finally broke it open in the eighth. Durán, Tatis, Andujar, and Sheets opened the inning with four straight singles off Jack Perkins, with Sheets bringing home two runs. Machado struck out, but Bogaerts added a sacrifice fly to score Andujar, pushing the Padres ahead 7-3. José Suarez stopped the inning from stretching further by getting Sung-Mun Song to pop out, but the damage had already turned a tense game into a virtual unreachable summit.

The Athletics went quietly in the ninth against Jeremiah Estrada, with McNeil striking out, Lawrence Butler grounding out as a pinch-hitter, and Thomas flying out to center. The final score told one story, but the innings told a fuller one: the A’s started fast, Springs competed, Kurtz kept reaching, Bolte supplied a run, and San Diego’s power plus one late rally made the difference.

For a team that had just won back-to-back extra-inning games and remained in first place in the American League West, this was not a collapse so much as a reminder. In the majors, being close for seven innings only matters if the eighth does not bite you.

Game two Saturday will feature J.T. Ginn (2-2, 2.98 ERA, 44 K) back on the mound after his devastating near no-hitter loss in Anaheim a few nights ago. He’ll face Lucas Giolito (1-0, 5.40 ERA, 3 K), who will be making just his second appearance for San Diego. First pitch is scheduled for 6:40 p.m.

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.

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

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