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That’s Amaury News and Commentary: How strong is the Giants vs. Dodgers rivalry?

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Juan Marichal (27) swings a bat at Los Angeles Dodgers catcher John Roseboro in the third inning at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Aug. 22, 1965 when Marichal apparently felt Roseboro had thrown too close to his head. Los Angeles pitcher Sandy Koufax, rear, tries to break up the fight. Marichal was ejected and Roseboro was treated for facial cuts after the incident. This photo is included in “Giants Past & Present” by Dan Fost, published in 2010 by MVP Books.Robert H. Houston/AP

That’s Amaury News and Commentary:

How strong is the Giants vs. Dodgers rivalry?

SAN FRANCISCO–A rivalry is when two teams compete for the same goal.  Baseball’s great rivalries include Yankees vs. Red Sox, Cubs vs. Cardinals, and Dodgers vs. Giants.  During the remainder of the 2026 season, the Giants and Dodgers will play five (5) more times in the final days.

The Dodgers already won their 13th NL West Division title in the last 14 years; the Giants, who had great hopes of contending this year against their eternal rival, crashed and were never really in contention. For the Giants, it is now “wait ’til next year’ if there is a season. For the Dodgers, they are going for the glory of a three-peat, trying to become the first National League team to win three consecutive World Series.

The only two teams that have won three (3) or more consecutive World Series are: the New York Yankees, who had dynasties of as many as five (5) consecutive World Series titles, and once where they won four (4) consecutive, and twice they have won it 3 times in a row. The other team is the Oakland A’s, who won three consecutive titles in 1972-1973-1974, but the Oakland A’s they will never have another shot at history, since they abandoned Oakland a couple of years ago.

‘Giants and Dodgers: The last time the Giants and Dodgers finished the regular season tied for first place was in 1962; the Giants eliminated the Dodgers. The New York Yankees won the 1962 World Series 4 games to 3 against San Francisco. 4 games to 3.

These years in the 1960s were the real rivalry between Koufax and Marichal. In my opinion, great rivalries are decided by great players; this so-called rivalry today between these two teams doesn’t have the same taste as in the past. If you are of age, you remember those years, and my friend, it was a rivalry to be remembered.

‘Today, as much as fans want to keep it a rivalry, in recent years the Dodgers have continued to dominate the Giants with better pitching, better hitting, better everything. Last night the Dodgers hit five home-runs and beat the Giants 8-2. Today is another day at Dodger Stadium for the “rivalry”

Quote: “As a player, to me the Dodgers were the Yankees of the National League because… you either loved them or you hated them.” — Joe Torre

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.

‘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

Gelof Launches Early but Cleveland Takes Over in 5-2 win; Win puts Guardians first in AL Central

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Cleveland Guardians Brayan Rocchio (right) hits a two run double off A’s pitcher Mason Barnett as A’s catcher Jonah Heim watches at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Fri Sep 19, 2026 (AP News photo)

Gelof Launches Early but Cleveland Takes Over in 5-2 win

By Mauricio Segura

Zack Gelof gave the Sacramento Athletics a three-run lead, but the advantage vanished by the fourth inning and never returned in a 5-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians. Henry Bolte opened with a walk and Lawrence Butler drew another two batters later, putting two aboard for Gelof. The left fielder sent a fly ball over the center-field wall for his 19th home run of the season, extending the career high he had already set. It was also all the scoring the A’s would produce.

Mason Barnett made that lead stand for three innings while working around steady traffic. Cleveland loaded the bases in the first after walks to Steven Kwan and Chase DeLauter and a Jo Adell single, but Travis Bazzana grounded into a double play.

The Guardians threatened again in the second when Nathaniel Lowe and Brayan Rocchio singled and Kwan drew another walk, yet Barnett struck out José Ramírez to leave the bases full. Barnett had just returned from Triple-A Las Vegas after throwing his first professional complete game, a six-hitter in a 3-2 victory, and followed that outing with three scoreless innings against Cleveland.

The fourth finally broke his grip. Patrick Bailey and Petey Halpin opened with singles, then Rocchio doubled to right to score both runners and cut the A’s lead to 3-2. Barnett struck out Kwan, but Ramírez followed with a ground-ball single to center that brought Rocchio home with the tying run. Barnett’s outing ended there after 3 1/3 innings, seven hits, three earned runs, four walks and four strikeouts.

Scott Blewett got the final two outs of the fourth, but Bazzana put Cleveland ahead in the fifth with a solo homer to center. An inning later, Ramírez added another solo shot, this one to right off Seth Johnson, stretching the Guardians’ lead to 5-3. Luis Medina and Elvis Alvarado kept Cleveland scoreless over the final two innings, but the Athletics’ bats never found a second burst.

Joey Cantillo was the reason. After Daniel Espino allowed Gelof’s homer in the first, Cantillo took over in the second and held the A’s scoreless for six innings. The Athletics managed only two hits against him, singles by Jeff McNeil and Alika Williams, while Cantillo struck out five. Hunter Gaddis handled the eighth, and Cade Smith finished the ninth by striking out Butler and Gelof before McNeil grounded out.

The A’s finished with only three hits, and two potential rallies disappeared on double plays. Tommy White grounded into one after McNeil singled in the fourth, and Shea Langeliers did the same after Bolte was hit by a pitch in the eighth. Butler also was caught stealing in the sixth.

Bolte still reached base twice, extending his September run of reaching safely to 16 games, while Langeliers went hitless and saw his career-best 12-game hitting streak end. The A’s began the game leading the majors with 26 September home runs, and Gelof quickly added another, but Cleveland answered with ten hits and enough power of its own to send the Green and Gold to a fourth straight loss on their final road trip.

The A’s get another crack at Cleveland Saturday behind A’s starter Jacob Lopez (6-4, 5.02 ERA, 107 K) against Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (6-15, 4.16 ERA, 140 K), with first pitch set for 3:10 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.

Four Dodger Home Runs In Eighth Inning Destroys Giants in Game One 8-2

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Los Angeles Dodgers Mookie Betts (right) slugs a bottom of the first inning solo home run off San Francisco pitcher Cesar Perdomo (left) as Giants catcher Drew Cavanaugh and plate umpire Louie Krupa watch at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on Fri Sep 18, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Friday night the San Francisco Giants (64-90) traveled to the west coast for their final road series of the 2026 season taking on their rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers (94-60) the Giants came away getting clobbered 8-2 at Dodger Stadium in the first of a three game set.

The two teams will meet again at Oracle Park for a final three game series to finish off the season next weekend in San Francisco.

In front of a packed crowd, the Dodgers got a great start in this game taking a 1-0 lead in the first inning, a solo home run off the bat of leadoff hitter Mookie Betts. Jung Hoo Lee would tie up the game 1-1 in the second inning with a solo home run of his own.

In the top of the third inning, the Giants would break the tie and take the lead 2-1. The Dodgers tied up the game in the bottom of the fifth inning and it was a new ball game. It didn’t take Los Angeles long to take back the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning 3-2 in this see-saw battle.

The Dodgers had a huge eighth inning busting this game wide open hitting back-to-back home runs taking a 5-2 lead. They would hit two more home runs in the inning taking an 8-2 lead into the bottom of the ninth inning.

GAME RECAP

Los Angeles starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow struck out a couple of batters on his way to a three and out in the first inning of tonight’s game. Dodger leadoff batter Mookie Betts hit a solo home run (his 53rd leadoff home run) and it was a nice start for the Dodgers taking the early 1-0 lead.

The Dodger lead didn’t last very long. In the second inning of the game it was all tied up when Jung Hoo Lee hit a solo home run to right. After that run Glasnow would strike out the next three at bats, five strikeouts so far in this game. Giants starting pitcher Cesar Perdomo gave up a walk but breezed through the inning.

Glasnow gave up his second hit of the game to Scott Bandura, a single in the top of the third inning. Bandura had made his MLB debut back on September 13 getting his first major league hit that day. This is his sixth day on the Giants’ roster.

With one out, Brantley Gilbert walked and the Giants had two runners on base. Not to be denied, San Francisco took advantage of the opportunity scoring a run when Jonah Cox singled Bandura home taking the lead 2-1. Los Angeles had some work to do.

Dodger starting pitcher Glasnow went three and out in the top of the fourth inning clocking a couple more strikeouts nine in total through four innings. While not throwing many strikes, Giants starter Perdomo was so far getting the job done and keeping Los Angeles from crossing home plate as this game went into the fifth inning.

Glasnow again went three and out in the top of the inning. San Francisco’s Perdomo got into a jam in the bottom of the fifth. He gave up a Josue De Paula single, followed by a Mookie Betts single and with one out he gave up a Teoscar Hernandez single driving in De Paula and tying up this game 2-2.

That tying run would finish Perdomo and he was relieved by Jason Foley. With two outs, Max Muncy came to the plate and grounded out and that would close out the inning. Foley closed out the fifth inning.

With the exception of an opening walk in the top of the sixth inning, Glasnow closed out the inning. The Dodgers took back the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning. Kyle Tucker walked and with two outs De Paula doubled Tucker home breaking the tie 3-2. De Paula was having a solid game already with two hits and one RBI.

After closing out the sixth inning Tyler Glasnow was relieved by Kris Bubic to start the top of the seventh inning. Glasnow finished the game with ten strikeouts. Bubic gave up a single but finished off the inning. The bottom of the seventh saw Carson Seymour take over on the mound going three and out. This game was still up for grabs going into the eighth inning.

Philip Abner took the mound for the Giants in the bottom of the eighth inning. It was a tough one for Abner giving up a solo home run to Max Muncy and the Dodgers had extended their lead to 4-2.

It went from bad to worse for Abner when the very next batter Kyle Tucker knocked one out of the park, back-to-back homers giving Los Angeles a 5-2 lead. Mookie Betts hit the third home run of the inning with De Paula on base giving the Dodgers a 7-2 lead.

This was his second home run of the game. The unbelievable happened when Will Smith hit the fourth home run of the inning. With two outs Abner was struggling to get out of the inning but finally got Hernandez out and the nightmarish inning had come to an end with Los Angeles breaking this game wide open by an 8-2 score.

Edwin Diaz closed out this game for the Dodgers. He gave up a single had a couple of strikeouts and Jung Hoo Lee fouled out and that was the ball game. Los Angeles had absolutely crushed the Giants 8-2.

GAME RECAP

Friday night’s game was of major importance to the Los Angeles Dodgers even though they have already clinched the NL West as of Thursday. The big issue right now is playoff seeding.

The Dodgers are trying to finish among the top two NL division winners which would earn them a first-round bye. This would send them directily into the NL Division Series. They currently have an advantage over Atlanta but they do need to keep on winning since Atlanta is still close behind.

Their magic number is six with nine games left to play. While San Francisco will not be playoff bound, they would have absolutely loved to play spoiler in this series.

Dodger starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow went six innings giving up only three hits, two runs, two walks with ten strikeouts. The Giants starter Cesar Perdomo went 4 2/3 innings allowing six hits, two earned runs, three walks and only one strikeout.

The turning point in this game was obviously the disastrous eighth inning. The Giants had played a pretty competitive game up until that point. They had led for some the game in the early innings but it was the four home runs in the eighth inning that turned the tide for Los Angeles breaking this game wide open.

There was not much going on offensively for the Giants coming away with only five hits while Los Angeles had 11, five of them home runs. This was a really frustrating game for San Francisco since they were competitive through the top of the eighth inning.

Saturday the Giants will be looking to bounce back. Probable starting pitcher for San Francisco will be Logan Webb. He has an 8-9 win/loss record and a 4.31 ERA. The Dodgers will start lefty Tarik Skubal. He has a 10-7 ERA 2.70. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:10 PM.

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez: Perdomo looking to rebound after last outing; Can SF pitching shutdown Dodgers Muncy?

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St Louis Cardinal Thomas Saggese (left) reaches base safely after San Francisco Giants pitcher Carson Seymour drops the ball and was charged with the error in the bottom of the seventh inning at Busch Memorial Stadium in St Louis on Thu Sep 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Lincoln Juarez:

#1 Can Giants left-hander César Perdomo rebound after allowing five runs over 4⅔ innings in his most recent start and keep the Dodgers’ lineup under control?

#2 How will the Giants attack Max Muncy, who has hit more home runs at Dodger Stadium than any other player in franchise history?

#3 Can Jung Hoo Lee provide enough offense for San Francisco against a Dodgers pitching staff that has been among the National League’s strongest?

#4 With Shohei Ohtani sidelined for Friday’s opener, how much will his absence affect the Dodgers’ lineup, and could San Francisco take advantage?

#5 Ohtani is eligible to return September 23 at the earliest. Can the Giants’ bullpen keep the games close late, particularly against a Dodgers club that enters the series with a 92-60 record compared with San Francisco’s 64-89 mark?

Lincoln Juarez does the San Francisco Giants podcasts each Friday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Six-Run Fourth Buries A’s 10-1 in Tampa Bay

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Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero celebrates after the Rays defeated the Sacramento A’s at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on Thu Sep 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

Six-Run Fourth Buries A’s 10-1 in Tampa Bay

By Mauricio Segura

The Tampa Bay Rays turned the fourth inning into a runaway train and finished off a 10-1 win. The loss completed a three-game sweep and dropped the Sacramento A’s to 61-92, while Tampa Bay took all six meetings in the season series. The A’s had been 0-5 against the Rays with one game remaining before the finale.

For three innings, Jeffrey Springs matched Drew Rasmussen zero for zero. Sacramento even put pressure on the Rays in the third when Denzel Clarke singled with two outs, stole second, and then took third as Henry Bolte stole second behind him. Jeff McNeil grounded out to end the threat, leaving two runners in scoring position. Bolte had been tied for the Major League lead in September stolen bases before the game, and the A’s showed early that their speed could create trouble.

The game broke apart in the fourth. Jonathan Aranda opened the inning with a double, Junior Caminero drew a walk, and Liam Hicks followed with another. Springs got Jonny DeLuca on a force play at the plate, but Chandler Simpson lined a two-run single to center for a 2-0 lead. Ryan Vilade was then hit by a pitch, loading the bases again.

Richie Palacios followed with the swing that turned the inning from damage into disaster. His double to right brought home DeLuca and Simpson, and Vilade also scored after the throw got away from catcher Jonah Heim. Palacios advanced to third on the error and scored when Taylor Walls dropped a bunt single toward third. By the time Geoff Hartlieb replaced Springs, Tampa Bay had scored six times.

It was a rough ending for Springs in a familiar place. Before joining the Athletics, the left-hander pitched for Tampa Bay from 2021 through 2024, going 18-8 with a 2.63 ERA in 86 games, including 35 starts. He allowed six runs on five hits and two walks over 3 1/3 innings, striking out four. Rasmussen went the other direction, holding the A’s scoreless over five innings while giving up four hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Lawrence Butler finally gave the Green and Gold something to celebrate in the sixth. Casey Legumina replaced Rasmussen, and Butler greeted him with a solo homer to right, his 17th of the season. Butler also had a fourth-inning single, finishing with two of Sacramento’s five hits. The A’s began the day with a Major League-best 25 home runs in September, but Butler’s blast was all the power they could produce.

Tampa Bay answered before the A’s could build anything around Butler’s homer. Simpson singled, stole second, and then stole third as pinch-runner Cedric Mullins took second. Richie Palacios walked to load the bases, and Chris Roycroft issued bases-loaded walks to Walls and Aranda, pushing the score to 8-1.

The Rays added two more in the eighth after an error by Bolte helped extend the inning. With the bases loaded, Hicks hit a two-run infield single that scored Walls and Aranda. Drew Rom got the final out, but the damage had already pushed Tampa Bay into double digits.

Sacramento never found another answer. Alex Cook retired Tommy White, Alika Williams and Jonah Heim in order in the ninth, ending an afternoon in which the A’s managed five hits and left seven runners on base. The first two games of the series were decided by one run, but the finale offered no such suspense.

The road trip now shifts to Cleveland, where the A’s Mason Barnett (1-4, 7.08 ERA, 38 strikeouts) is set to face the Guardians Daniel Espino (0-0, 2.92 ERA, 21 strikeouts), with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 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. 

NHL podcast Len Shapiro: Hellebuyck is a no show suspended insists on trade from Jets; How Doughty’s captaincy impacts Kings; plus more news

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Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has been suspended by the Jets for failing to report to the Jets pre season camp. Hellebuyck has asked for a trade he’s still under contract with the Jets and wants out. (AP file photo)

NHL podcast Len Shapiro:

#1 How will the Winnipeg Jets handle Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension after he failed to report to training camp, and what could it mean for his trade situation?

#2 What impact could Drew Doughty have as the Los Angeles Kings’ new captain following Anže Kopitar’s retirement?

#3 How significant is Chris Tanev’s return to training camp for the Toronto Maple Leafs after his core-muscle surgery?

#4 Which players and roster battles should NHL fans watch as teams begin training camp, including Detroit’s 49-player camp?

#5 How will Carolina navigate Alexander Nikishin’s absence from training camp and Seth Jarvis’ expected early-season absence as the defending Stanley Cup champions prepare for the new season?

Len Shapiro does the NHL podcast Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: Rays blitz A’s 10-1 in Thursday matinee at Tropicana

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Tampa Rays Chandler Simpson (right) scores ahead of the throw as Sacramento A’s catcher Jonah Heim waits for the ball on a three run double by Richie Palacios in the last of the fourth inning at Tropicana Field in Tampa Bay on Thu Sep 17, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Can’t put out a team that’s on fire like the Tampa Bay R as the Sacramento A’s were landslided 10-1 at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on Thursday afternoon.

#2 Once again A’s starter Jeffrey Springs got lit up pitching 3.1 innings, allowing five hits and six earned runs. Springs picks up his 15th loss against only four wins for the season.

#3 Springs pitched shutout ball until the bottom of the fourth inning and that’s when the Rays let into him with a six run rally and it was difficult to stop the bleeding.

#4 The A’s couldn’t get any offense going just picking up one run in the top of the sixth by Lawrence Butler whose been swinging a hot bat of late hit a solo shot for the A’s only run.

#5 The A’s will try and turn the page after getting swept in Tampa Bay this time in Cleveland on Friday night against former A Stephen Vogt and the Guardians at Progressive Field. Starting pitchers for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (1-4 ERA 7.08) for Cleveland RHP Daniel Espino (0-0 ERA 2.92) first pitch 4:10pm PDT.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the 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. 

San Jose Spartans report: Spartans host Bulldogs in “Battle of the Valley” in week 2 of the NCAA season at Spartan Stadium Saturday

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San Jose State Spartans running back Jaberi Bates (6) runs the ball up field against Cal Poly Mustangs defesive back RL Miller (4) at Spartan Stadium in San Jose on Sat Sep 12, 2026. The Spartans host the Fresno State Bulldogs this Sat Sep 19, 2026 (San Jose State Spartans photo)

By Lucas Quick

SAN JOSE–Another chapter of “The Battle of the Valley” between San Jose State (2-1, 0-0 MW) and Fresno State (1-1, 0-0 MW) begins on Saturday, but there are some new changes in a lengthy rivalry.

With the conference shift from the Mountain West to the PAC-12 for the Bulldogs, this marks the first time both teams will face off in a nonconference matchup since 1994 and the earliest matchup in a season since that same year.

Both teams come out of Week 1 with wins in their home openers, with Fresno State’s dismantling of Sacramento State, 49-3, and SJSU holding onto a 30-20 win over Cal Poly.

A matchup so early into the season brings a lot of questions and uncertainty surrounding both teams. Both offenses have had their fair share of bright spots and weaknesses.

The first quarter of this matchup will be crucial for both teams, as neither team has scored in the first quarter this season. Getting off to a good start early can be a potential deciding factor in who comes out on top.

“You always want to get off to a fast start,” SJSU head coach Ken Niumatalolo said. “So we’re doing all we can, I’m sure they [Fresno State] are too. Nobody wants to start scoreless.”

The Spartans will need to play more disciplined football and avoid making as many mental mistakes as they committed in their previous two matchups. While starting on a better note than last season, the product isn’t close to perfection, and Niumatalolo has emphasized that this week.

“Obviously, winning is big for our school and our friends but if we don’t play well, it doesn’t matter,” Niumatalolo said. “So the big thing is just preparing so we can play well and execute.”

The line of scrimmage battle is another key factor to keep an eye on. SJSU’s offense has opened up its rushing attack at a level that hasn’t been seen often under offensive coordinator Craig Stutzmann’s system. In all three games, they have eclipsed 100 yards rushing, putting less weight on senior quarterback Luke Weaver’s shoulders.

One of the Bulldogs’ biggest strengths comes on their defensive line and their “front seven,” with nickelback Simeon Harris being named to the Jim Thorpe watch list heading into this season. Running back Jabari Bates has had a career year early on, but this is the biggest task he and this offense have faced since USC.

In what could be a tight game or a game where the Spartans might have to play behind, Weaver is going to need to lead his offense to a consistent, turnover-free game in order to go 3-1 heading into their bye week.

Lucas Quick is a San Jose Spartans football beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s game wrap: A’s four runs down and one run short in loss to Rays 4-3

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Sacramento A’s Henry Bolte is congratulated by third base coach Bobby Crosby before heading home after hitting his 11th home run of the season against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on Wed Sep 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

The Tampa Bay Rays did all of its scoring before the Sacramento Athletics could answer on Wednesday night, then protected a one-run lead the rest of the way. The Rays scored twice in each of the first two innings against Brady Basso and held off Sacramento for a 4-3 win, handing the A’s their second straight loss in the series.

Basso was two outs into the first before Tampa Bay strung together three consecutive doubles. Junior Caminero started the run with a drive to center, Jonny DeLuca followed with an RBI double to left, and Chandler Simpson sent another double into right to score DeLuca. The Rays went right back to work in the second. Jorge Mateo singled, stole second and scored on Nick Fortes’ double. Ryan Vilade later singled home Fortes for a 4-0 lead.

Basso never found room to settle. He allowed four runs on seven hits in 2 2/3 innings, with no walks and no strikeouts, and took the loss to fall to 1-3. The left-hander had thrown seven scoreless innings across his previous two starts, but Tampa Bay broke that stretch quickly.

The Athletics answered in the third, and two young hitters supplied the power. Tommy White opened the inning with a solo homer to left, his third of the season. After Carlos Cortes and Brian Serven were retired, Henry Bolte drove a solo shot to center for his 11th homer, trimming the deficit to 4-2. White’s homer carried a little extra meaning after he spoke about the memories he shared with his father at that ballpark and how he fell in love with baseball there.

Bolte’s blast continued a strong September. He began the game batting .313 for the month with four home runs, six stolen bases and a .450 on-base percentage. He also had already reached 20 steals for the season, the most by an Athletics player age 22 or younger since Rickey Henderson stole 56 at age 22 in 1981.

Once Basso left, Sacramento’s bullpen gave the offense every chance to finish the comeback. Seth Johnson retired all seven batters he faced and struck out four over 2 1/3 innings. Drew Rom, Scott Blewett and Hogan Harris followed, and the four relievers combined for 5 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing only two hits, issuing no walks and striking out six.

The A’s moved within one in the sixth. Jeff McNeil doubled off Kevin Kelly and Shea Langeliers followed with a single through the middle to score him. The hit extended Langeliers’ career-best hitting streak to 12 games. The catcher had only recently returned after surgery on a torn right meniscus, making his continued production one of the brighter parts of the late-season stretch.

Sacramento had chances to find the tying run but could not produce another hit when it mattered most. Tommy White singled in the fifth and again in the seventh, finishing 3-for-4 with the homer. McNeil went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Lawrence Butler singled in the fourth, but Donovan Walton grounded into a double play to end that inning.

Tampa Bay starter Nick Martinez worked five innings, allowing two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks to earn his 15th victory. The Rays then used Kevin Kelly, Cam Booser and Cole Sulser to cover the final four innings. Sulser retired Zack Gelof, Walton and White in order in the ninth for his third save.

The series wraps Thursday with Jeffrey Springs (4-13, 5.93 ERA, 105 K) starting for the Athletics against Drew Rasmussen (14-5, 2.81 ERA, 160 K) for Tampa Bay, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 a.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 podcast Bridget Mulcahy: Rays beat A’s 4-3; Tampa’s Martinez gets 15th win in 5 innings of work

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Sacramento A’s Lawrence Butler (right) is tagged out by the Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Jorge Mateo (left) i the bottom of the fourth inning at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg on Wed Sep 16, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 It was the Tampa Bay Rays Nick Martinez who pitched five innings for his 15th win over the Sacramento A’s for a 4-3 win

#2 The Rays Jonny DeLuca helped the offense with and RBI double going 2 for 4 Wednesday night in Tampa for the Rays fifth straight win in a row.

#3 The A’s Tommy “Tanks” White homered in the top of the third inning for a 347 foot home run in left field and Henry Bolte clubbed his 11th home run of the season.

#4 The A’s Shea Langeliers got a RBI single in the sixth inning and extended his hit streak to 12 games.

#5 The A’s conclude this three game series with the Rays Thursday with LHP Jeffrey Springs (4-13 ERA 5.93) and for the Rays RHP Drew Rasmussen (14-5 ERA 2.81) first pitch is 10:10AM PDT at Tropicana Field in St Petersburg.

Bridget Mulcahy does the A’s podcasts each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

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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.