Sacramento A’s starter Jefferey Springs who get lit up by the Cleveland Guardians on Sun Jul 20, 2025 is hoping for a better outcome as the A’s face the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field for a three game series against the Rangers on Mon Jul 21, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 The A’s ran into a hot hitting of the Cleveland Guardians David Fry and Angel Martinez who were too much for the A’s and the A’s also ran into some good pitching and never catch up getting defeated on Sunday 8-2.
#2 The A’s Nick Kurtz hit a couple of doubles. Kurtz has been seeing the ball rather well for the A’s in the lineup.
#3 Tough skid for Sacramento they have now lost nine of their last ten games when playing in Cleveland.
#4 Cleveland pitcher Gavin Williams improved his record to 6-4 and went seven innings to pick up his first win since June 1st. Williams has gone 2-1 in his last nine starts.
#5 The A’s open up a three game series in Texas Monday night and will start LHP Jacob Lopez (3-5 ERA 4.20) for the RHP Rangers Jack Lieter (5-6 ERA 4.37) first pitch 5:00pm PT.
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 Francisco Giants pitcher Hayden Birdsong (60) pitches against the Kansas City Royals on Tue May 20, 2025 at Oracle Park in San Francisco and will start against the Atlanta Braves Mon Jul 21, 2025 at Truist Field in Cumberland Cobb County GA (AP file photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:
#1 Addison Barger of the Toronto Blue Jays hit a two run homer and Vladimir Guerrero Jr and George Springer slugged home runs as the Jays beat the Giants in a two run decision 8-6 last Sunday.
#2 The Giants were swept in the three game set with the Jays and the sweep for the Jays matches a franchise record for their tenth straight home win.
#3 The Giants starter Robbie Ray struggled in this one allowing five hits, five earned runs, five walks and three strike outs in 4.1 innings of work.
#4 The Giants Justin Verlander didn’t last long on Friday night he got shelled by the Jays line up with nine hits and four earned runs in 2.2 innings of work. Verlander dropped his record to 0-8. Marko do you think Verlander should move to middle relief from the starting role?
#5 Staring pitchers for Monday’s game in Atlanta for the Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (4-3, ERA 4.11) for the Braves RHP Bryce Elder (3-6, ERA 5.65) first pitch is 4:00pm PT at Truist Field in Cobb County.
#6 The White House said they want the Washington Football Team to immediately return the name to Redskins and their is talk that the Cleveland Indians name will be ordered to return. The Braves name has been offensive for some Native American tribes do you see the Redskins and Indians returning back to their old names by order of the White House which many find offensive?
Cleveland Guardians David Fry (left) claps his hands after hitting a three RBI double in the fourth inning as the Sacramento A’s infielder Max Schuemann (12) looks away at Progressive Field in Cleveland on Sun Jul 20, 2025 (AP News photo)
Guardians Tame the Green and Gold 8-2 in Cleveland Clunker
By Mauricio Segura
The Sacramento Athletics arrived at Progressive Field looking to build momentum, but they left shaking their heads after a frustrating 8-2 loss to the Cleveland Guardians Sunday. A red-hot David Fry and the bat of Angel Martínez proved too much to handle, while the A’s offense sputtered early and never found enough rhythm to mount a comeback.
Gavin Williams set the tone for Cleveland from the first pitch, silencing the top of the A’s order with two strikeouts in the first frame. The Guardians wasted no time grabbing the lead in the bottom half, as Angel Martínez lined a double into left, then came home on a sharp RBI single from Fry. It was the beginning of a very long day for the Green and Gold.
Lawrence Butler, Nick Kurtz, and Brent Rooker, a trio the A’s have leaned on this season for run production, couldn’t solve Williams. Each struck out multiple times as Williams racked up nine K’s through seven innings. The A’s struck out 15 times overall, and through the first four innings, they looked overmatched.
Meanwhile, the Guardians were putting on a clinic in timely hitting. After adding a second run in the second on Austin Hedges’ RBI single, the game quickly slipped away in the fourth. Sacramento starter Jeffrey Springs was trying to grind through his outing when Cleveland strung together three hits and a critical fielder’s choice to load the bases. David Fry stepped up and delivered again, clearing the bags with a bases-clearing double that made it 5-0.
While the A’s showed small signs of life in the middle innings, including a pair of hits in the fifth and a run scored by Tyler Soderstrom on a wild pitch, they never seriously threatened the Guardians’ control of the game. Soderstrom and Schuemann each tallied two hits, but the damage was minimal and sporadic.
The lone bright spot in the lineup was Nick Kurtz. The rookie first baseman doubled twice and drove in a run in the eighth, providing a small glimmer of fight. Denzel Clarke also contributed a double and a run scored, but the team’s inability to string together consecutive productive at-bats kept them chasing shadows all afternoon.
On the pitching side, Sacramento’s bullpen fared no better than its starter. After Springs departed following four innings, Michael Kelly and Osvaldo Bido were tasked with holding the line. They gave up three additional runs, including a solo shot from Angel Martínez in the seventh and an RBI single from the same bat in the eighth. Martínez finished a triple shy of the cycle and was a headache from the leadoff spot all game long.
Defensively, the A’s were steady but not spectacular. There were no errors, but Cleveland’s sharp contact exposed the gaps. Tyler Soderstrom, despite a multi-hit game, was targeted in left field where several crucial hits landed. Denzel Clarke and Lawrence Butler made routine plays in the outfield but weren’t tested with anything exceptional.
By the time Shea Langeliers ripped a double in the ninth, the game was all but over. Jakob Junis closed the door on Sacramento without incident. The Athletics never quite looked synced up, and the lack of offensive urgency gave the feeling of inevitability.
The Guardians, on the other hand, played like a team ready for October baseball. Their pitching was dominant, their bats timely, and their approach disciplined. For the A’s, the loss drops them further into the abyss of a development-heavy season, where flashes of talent continue to be overshadowed by inconsistency.
The good news for Sacramento? There are still games left to iron out the kinks and give younger players experience. The bad news? Games like today make it clear just how wide the gap still is between the A’s and the league’s top-tier clubs.
Sacramento A’s open up a series with the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington Monday night the A’s will start LHP Jacob Lopez (3-5 ERA 4.20) the Rangers have not determined a starter yet.
Costa Rican-born Mauricio Segura has been covering sports in the Bay Area since 2001 for a variety of magazines and newspapers, as well as his own publication, Golden Bay Times
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Toronto Blue Jays Addison Barger watches his two run home run sail in the fifth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sun Jul 20, 2025 (Canadian Press via AP photo)
By Barbara Mason
This was another tough loss for the San Francisco Giants (52-48) getting swept by the hottest team in baseball right now the Toronto Blue Jays (58-41). The final score was 8-6. San Francisco made it close in the sixth inning pulling to within one run in the top of inning.
The Giants did have 12 hits in the game outhitting the Blue Jays who had nine. Robbie Ray had a rough outing only going 4 1/3 innings so it is back to the drawing board for the team as they continue their road trip.
Game recap: The Giants got a good start in the first inning taking a 1-0 lead. Heliot Ramos singled Jung Hoo Lee home but as we have seen all week, the Blue Jays came surging back tying up the game 1-1 off a Vladimir Guerrero Jr. solo home run.
The Blue Jays continued their surge scoring two runs in the third inning extending their lead 3-1. Bo Bichette doubled driving both Vladimir Guerrero and Ernie Clement home. There was no holding the red-hot Blue Jays down. They are on a mission right now whether it be pitching, defense or offense It is pure magic in Toronto right now.
In the fifth inning the Giants did score a run when Andrew Knizner singled Matt Chapman home. Every time the Giants challenged Toronto came roaring back and the fifth inning was no exception scoring four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning taking a 7-2 lead.
George Springer had a solo home run, Alejandro Kirk singled Bo Bichette home and they finished off the inning with a two run home run courtesy of Addison Barger with Bichette on base.
San Francisco was behind the eight ball going into the sixth inning. The Giants had a very productive inning scoring four runs and they were right back in this ball game trailing by a single run 7-6.
Matt Chapman got the rally going with a two run home run. Brett Wisely came to the plate singling Dominic Smith home followed by a Jung Hoo Lee single driving Wisely home. Unfortunately Lee was thrown out trying to reach second base.
With this game being so very close, Toronto was looking for some insurance runs and they did get one in the bottom of the sixth inning. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singled George Springer home and they had an 8-6 lead which they took into the top of the ninth inning.
The Giants were three outs away from being swept in this series. Casey Schmitt and Jung Hoo Lee both grounded out, and Heliot Ramos lined out and that was the ball game and the hottest team in the American League had won the game 8-6 and swept the San Francisco Giants in their tenth win in a row at home.
It was a most disappointing game for San Francisco pitcher Robbie Ray. He did not have his best appearance allowing five hits, five runs, five walks with three strikeouts. He only lasted four 1/3 innings and Toronto had beaten two of the Giants best pitchers in Ray and yesterday Logan Webb.
Game notes: The Giants were swept on Sunday in game three of this series. San Francisco lost game one despite having 11 hits and their offense really stalled out in game two with only four hits. They did lead in game two going into the bottom of the sixth inning but the Blue Jays took the lead in that inning and never looked back. The Jays on Sunday scored four runs in the fifth inning that helped in their two run 8-6 win over the Giants.
The Giants will continue their road trip tomorrow heading into Atlanta for a three-game series with the Braves. Hayden Birdsong will take the mound for the Giants while the Braves will start Bryce Elder. First pitch for that game is scheduled for 4:15 PM.
San Francisco starter Justin Verlander who lost Fri Jul 18, 2025’s ball game dropping his record to 0-8 to the Toronto Blue Jays at the Rogers Centre in Toronto is part of the talk show discussion with Stephen Ruderman (Canadian Press via AP photo)
Stephen Ruderman at sportsradioservice.com is a talk show host with his post game show following the San Francisco Giants and Toronto Blues from Fri Jul 18, 2025. This show is pre recorded.
David Wright waves to the New York Mets fans after his jersey number 5 was retired by the club at Citi Field in New York on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (AP News photo)
MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:
#1 The New York Mets have inducted David Wright into the Mets Hall of Fame on Saturday. Wright broke in in the Majors 21 years ago and the Mets retired his number 5. Wright recalled saying he was excited to get to the big league and after getting off the plane arriving at the Grapefruit League he was curious what number he was going to wear and was happy to see he was going to sport number 72.
#2 New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone was keeping a close eye on on right hand pitcher Luis Gil who was working in his second rehab assignment on video and Boone said he was happy with what he saw on the tape. “Stuff was good, decent command,” said Boone, who watched a recording of Friday’s game Saturday morning. “More importantly, another step and kind of building that pitch count into 57 pitches.” Gil had been rehabbing with the Yankees double A affiliate. Boone said his fast ball was playing and that Gil had suffered a sprained lat.
#3 Former Philadelphia Phillies pitcher and former Sacramento A’s scout Jeff Bittiger has passed away at age 63 the A’s announced Sunday. Bittiger was a scout for the last 22 years and all with the A’s organization. Bittiger broke in in the bigs on Sept 2, 1986 he also pitched for the Minnesota Twins and Chicago White Sox.
#4 Houston Astros second baseman Brendan Rodgers collided with a teammate in a triple A minor league assignment for Sugar Land on Friday night. It was Rodgers first game of his assignment as he was recovering from an left oblique strain. Rodgers in the collision broke his nose and suffered a concussion. The Astros say the will evaluate Rodgers condition over the next few days.
#5 Charlie since starting the second half of the season the Sacramento A’s have won three of their last five games. The two games they did lose were close games in efforts to try and come back. They are having a strong showing to start the second half and are seven games behind the LA Angels to climb out of the cellar so still a lot of work for the A’s
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 Shea Langeliers (right) is congratulated by Jacob Wilson (left) after hitting a two run home run off Cleveland Guardians pitcher Nic Enright in the top of the eighth inning at Progressive Field on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (AP News photo)
Kurtz, Clarke and Langeliers Spark Sacramento’s Electric 8-2 Comeback in Cleveland
By Mauricio Segura
It was a quiet beginning that gave way to a symphony of power as the Sacramento Athletics staged a thrilling turnaround in Cleveland, turning an early deficit into an 8-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Saturday night at Progressive Field.
The night started unassumingly for the Green and Gold, with the top of the order going down in order in the first inning. By the bottom of the third, Cleveland had taken a 2-0 lead thanks to José Ramírez’s two-run blast into the right field seats.
Sacramento’s bats woke up with a vengeance in the top of the fourth. Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz each smacked sharp doubles to bring in a run, and catcher Shea Langeliers followed with another RBI double to even the score.
Miguel Andujar added the go-ahead blow with a line drive RBI single to center, giving the A’s a 3-2 lead. The three-run outburst was as sudden as it was efficient, a masterclass in execution against Guardians starter Logan Allen.
From that point forward, Sacramento’s pitching staff made sure the lead would never be threatened. Severino delivered a strong six-inning performance, allowing just two runs on four hits and striking out six.
Jack Perkins came in for relief and slammed the door over two scoreless frames, showing maturity beyond his years by inducing ground balls and staying ahead in counts. By the time Justin Sterner took over in the ninth, it was just a matter of wrapping up a win.
The real action came in the eighth and ninth innings, courtesy of some of the A’s brightest young talents. Nick Kurtz led off the eighth with his second double of the night, a rocket into the right-center field gap. Langeliers, fresh off an earlier RBI, stepped up and launched his 14th homer of the season over the right-field wall to give the A’s breathing room at 5-2.
Not to be outdone, rookie Denzel Clarke showcased his speed and flair in the ninth with a blistering triple to center. Jacob Wilson followed by unloading on a hanging pitch for a two-run homer, extending the lead to 7-2.
Kurtz capped off his monster night with a solo shot of his own, a majestic fly ball to left-center that put the exclamation point on Sacramento’s offensive explosion. With two doubles, a homer, and three RBIs, the first baseman gave a performance that not only boosted his rising profile but also proved why the A’s view him as a cornerstone of their future.
Defensively, the A’s were crisp and well-positioned throughout. Jacob Wilson turned a pair of slick double plays, Max Muncy showcased his versatility by shifting between third and second base without missing a beat, and Clarke’s glove in center saved extra bases more than once.
Even when Cleveland tried to apply pressure with aggressive baserunning, Sacramento countered with calm execution, like catcher Austin Wynns gunning down Angel Martínez in the fifth to kill a budding rally.
Manager Mark Kotsay’s decision-making was on point, from the timely pinch-hitting move to bring in Tyler Soderstrom to the defensive switches that solidified the infield late. Soderstrom made the most of his appearance, swiping second base and adding another spark to the team’s aggressive tone on the basepaths.
The Guardians, meanwhile, never found their rhythm after Ramírez’s early homer. Carlos Santana walked twice but couldn’t produce a hit, and Daniel Schneemann was struck out twice by Severino in key spots. Cleveland’s bullpen didn’t fare much better, as both Matt Festa and Nic Enright were tagged in Sacramento’s scoring surges.
While the Athletics still sit in the thick of a long road to .500, Saturday’s game offered a tantalizing glimpse into a promising future if they remain consistent enough. Power from the corner spots, speed in the outfield, timely hitting from the middle of the order, and a bullpen that locks things down, all the elements of a competitive club were on display.
The A’s conclude the three game series Sunday at Progressive Field against the Guardians. Starting pitcher for the A’s LHP Jeffrey Springs (8-6 ERA 3.93) for Guardians RHP Gavin Williams (5-4 ERA 3.70) first pitch 10:40AM 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.
Bay FC midfielder Catherine Paulson (17) takes the ball down the field against the Angel FC defender Sophia Mattice (25) during their exhibition match at Pay Pal Park in San Jose on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (Bay Area News Group photo)
By William Espy
SAN JOSE–Bay FC got the 2025 Summer Series underway with an exhibition match against state rivals Angel City FC on Saturday afternoon that finished in a 1-1 draw at Pay Pal Park in San Jose.
Both sides had quite a few players unavailable, as many of the top talents are off representing their country in various international tournaments taking place this summer. As a result, quite a few players got opportunities to show what they can do and how they can make an impact.
Angel City opened the scoring in the 27th minute, when Jun Endo, who has yet to play in a regular season game this season due to injury, beat Emmie Allen and made it 1-0 in favor of the visitors. Catherine Paulson was taken down inside of the box late in the half, but there was no foul called.
Coach Albertin Montoya was livid, and after a conversation with the referee he was shown a yellow card. Kiki Pickett would also be shown a yellow herself in the 43rd minute.
Catherine Paulson was having a strong performance for Bay FC, however her aggression did lead to some mistakes. She was clearly hungry to show what she can bring to the table.
Bay FC would get an equalizer in the second half, when Penelope Hocking had a phenomenal one-touch finish off of a cross from Maddie Moreau, who entered the match after halftime.
Bay would carry a lot of pressure late in the match, with Kiki Pickett, Hocking and Jamie Shepherd all having chances in the final ten minutes of the match to give Bay FC the lead, but none of them found their way into the net.
Ultimately, the not-so-friendly, exhibition match would end in a 1-1 draw. Bay FC will have one more friendly before getting back to regular season action, as they’ll host Urawa Red Diamonds of the Japanese WE league on Sunday.
Instagram photos of umpires who worked the 2025 All Star Game which used the Auto Ball Strike system (photo MLB Instagram)
Discussion on the San Francisco Giants with guests Bruce MacGowan SRS podcast contributor and 95.7 The Game Sam Lubman join Stephen.
Stephen says that he really misses the days when the MLB All Star Game was a game. Guys were playing to win like the 2018 All Star Game. One of the worst decisions that was made was MLB used ABS at the All Star Game. Now booing umpires and disliking umpires is a tradition as old as time itself.
The umpires were respected and you had fun booing them. I used to boo umpires before I became one. Kyle is in the comments and said that the swing off and the derby was awesome. MLB is using the ABS challenge and it’s looking more and more like this ABS is going to be implemented next season.
The San Francisco Giants Luis Matos (29) slide in safely under Toronto Blue Jays catcher Tyler Heineman (55) in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Jul 19, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The San Francisco Giants (52-47) lost game two to the Toronto Blue Jays (57-41) now trailing in the series 2-0. The Blue Jays had four run innings in both games to win the second of this series 6-3.
Toronto was offensively on fire with every player in their lineup coming away with at least one hit and Addison Barger did a whole lot of damage with four hits.
It was a tough pill to swallow for San Francisco with only four hit in the game. The Giants had their ace Logan Webb on the mound but he all fell apart in the sixth inning when the Blue Jays scored the four runs.
Game recap: Both pitchers breezed through the first four innings. The Giants went three and out in the first four innings. The Blue Jays also struggled but they did manage three hits, a walk and Tyler Heineman was hit by a pitch. They did have a great opportunity in the second inning with a couple of singles and a walk but came up empty.
The Giants were first up on the scoreboard in the fifth inning. Willy Adames hit a home run to center, a solo shot for a 1-0 lead. San Francisco would score again in the sixth inning to extend their lead to 2-0. A Heliot Ramos sacrifice drove Luis Ruiz home and the Giants with only three hits in this game had taken full advantage of the few runners reaching base in the game.
The sixth inning was another good one for the Blue Jays. Yesterday they had a four-run second inning and today another four-run inning in the sixth. taking a 4-2 lead. A couple of singles and three doubles later Toronto had put away a great inning. Addison Barger, Will Wagner and Tyler Heineman all hit doubles and Bo Bichette and Ernie Clement had singles in a huge inning for the Blue Jays.
San Francisco pushed back scoring a run in the seventh inning making this game closer trailing 3-4. Willie Adames hit a solo home run, his second of the game. With only four hits in this game San Francisco needed runners on base and while home runs are great, solo home runs only bring in a single score home. With hits few and far between for San Francisco, coming from behind is not easy with the absence of multiple runs.
Toronto capped this game off with a Tyler Heineman home run with Myles Straw on base for a 6-3 lead and that would be the final.
The Giants now trail in this series losing the first two games. They had 11 hits Friday and couldn’t even score a single run and Saturday finished with only four hits and managed three runs but it was just not enough.
The Giants have had trouble this year hitting off lefties. San Francisco allowed four run innings in both games and could not respond with runs of their own. The good start in this game for the Giants paled as the game went on.
Game notes: It was a new day for the Giants and San Francisco was looking to make it a good day but once again couldn’t overcome. Friday they suffered a disappointing loss against the Jays in game one despite having 11 hits but they just could not manufacture any runs.
San Francisco pitcher Justin Verlander who has had an awful time this season was pulled after 2 2/3 innings and dropped is win loss record to 0-8 Friday night. The Giants struggled at the plate Saturday scoring only three runs on only four hits.
The Giants sure had enough hits (11) in Friday’s game to have won the game but didn’t. Webb on Saturday gave up 11 hits and four runs. The Giants offense could only produce three runs and San Francisco fell three run short of the Blue Jays.
Sunday the Giants will be looking to avoid a sweep. They will be counting on Robbie Ray to be a part of a win in the third game of this series. He has a 9-3 win/loss record and a 2.65 ERA, The Blue Jays will start Jose Berrios who has a 5-4 win/loss record and a 3.75 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 9:05 AM PT.
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