Tag: Sports Radio Service

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Detroit slams the door on the Green and Gold 8-0

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Detroit Tigers Zack McKinstry (39) slid safely into second base under Sacramento A’s second baseman Luis Urias (17) in the bottom of the sixth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Thu Jun 26, 2025 (AP News photo)

Detroit Slams the Door on the Green and Gold
By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics trudged through a long, lifeless afternoon at Comerica Park, managing just four hits and zero runs in a shutout loss to the Detroit Tigers, who capitalized on timely hits and crisp execution to walk away with an 8-0 victory on Thursday.

From the opening pitch, Detroit’s approach was surgical, while Sacramento’s lineup never found a pulse. The Tigers didn’t waste time either. Spencer Torkelson launched a solo homer in the second inning to open the scoring, and that early shot would hold up as the winning run in what quickly became a lopsided affair.

The Athletics’ best shot at producing offense came in the third, when Max Schuemann singled and swiped second before advancing to third on a deep flyout. But Brent Rooker followed that by grounding into an inning-ending double play, a cruel turning point that deflated any early momentum.

That twin killing wasn’t an outlier either. Rooker hit into another double play in the sixth, one of three the A’s grounded into on the day. Sacramento simply could not string together anything remotely threatening, and that futility was stacked up by nine quick outs from their top three hitters, who went a combined 0 for 12.

On the flip side, Detroit’s bats came alive in key spots. Jahmai Jones delivered the knockout punch early with a two-run double in the third. Later, Gleyber Torres continued the Tigers’ damage parade with a two-run homer in the seventh that pushed the lead to five to zero.

By the time Zach McKinstry tripled in two more in the eighth and Jake Rogers tacked on a sac fly, the damage was beyond repair. McKinstry was a thorn in the A’s side all day, racking up three hits, driving in two, and adding a stolen base just for good measure.

Defensively, the Green and Gold added to their own misery with an error in the sixth that nearly allowed another run to score before a strong relay nailed the runner at home.

But the lone highlight of the day for Sacramento may have been that single defensive stand because there was nothing else worth circling. Even the pinch-hitters offered no spark. Lawrence Butler and Tyler Soderstrom, sent up late in the game to inject life into a stagnant offense, went down quietly like the rest of the lineup.

On the mound, the A’s staff wasn’t particularly poor, but the Tigers were opportunistic. Starter Jeffrey Springs allowed three runs across three innings, and J.T. Ginn gave up Torres’ home run in relief. T.J. McFarland, tasked with mopping up, was shelled in the eighth as the Tigers broke the game wide open.

The A’s have once again dropped a game in which their game of play has looked more like a ghost than a threat. Even while showing signs of life here and there, they go cold quickly, a trend that has defined much of their season. 

If there’s a silver lining, it’s that the team’s young core continues to get big-league reps, needless to say, in frustrating fashion. But moral victories don’t show up in the standings, and on this afternoon, the Athletics were simply overmatched and outplayed in every phase. 

Now it’s a quick flight up the coast to take on the Bronx Bombers Friday at 4:05pm. Starting pitcher for Sacramento RHP Mitch Spence (2-2 ERA 3.84) for New York RHP Will Warren (4-4 ERA 4.56) first pitch 4:05pm PDT.

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. 

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman: Marlins rally for four runs in 10th to defeat Giants 8-5; Miami can sweep in Thursday matinee at Oracle Park

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San Francisco Giants starter Logan Webb rubs up the baseball in the top of the fifth inning against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Stephen, tough finish for the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night bowing to the Miami Marlins in extra innings 8-5. It was San Francisco’s fourth loss in extra innings this season.

#2 The Giants have been involved in a number of one run games this season. In this one the 49 runs in the ninth inning or later is tied for fifth most in MLB.

#3 The Giants are getting assists from the outfield the were able to cut down the Miami run game it was San Francisco’s 17th assist from the outfield which ranks them third in the Majors. It’s the first time since May 11, 2024 against Cincinnati that the Giants had three outfield assists.

#4 The flood gates were opened up when closer Camilo Doval came in for relief in the top of the tenth inning allowing four runs and the Marlins surpassed the Giants 4-4 score for a 8-5 three run win. Doval took the loss and the blown save and is now 3-2, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing two hits, four runs, two walks, and no strikeouts.

#5 The Giants who have lost the first two games of the series will try to get at least a win before the Marlins leave town. The Marlins on Thursday afternoon will start RHP Janson Junk (2-0 ERA 2.60) he’ll be opposed by the Giants RHP Hayden Birdsong (3-1 ERA 3.25) first pitch 12:45pm PDT.

Stephen Ruderman is filling in for Morris Phillips for the Giants podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Marlins score four in 10th after spirited Giants’ comeback for 8-5 win

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San Francisco Giants manager Bob Melvin (left in black jacket) relieves closer Camilo Doval (right) in the top of the tenth against the Miami Marlins at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 25, 2025 (photo by Jay Choi-SF Bay News)

Wednesday, June 25, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Miami Marlins 8 (33-45)

San Francisco Giants 5 (44-36)

Win: Calvin Faucher (3-2)

Loss: Camilo Doval (3-2)

Time: 2:57

Attendance: 31,712

By Stephen Ruderman

SAN FRANCISCO–Despite a spirited comeback by the Giants in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, the Marlins scored four runs off Camilo Doval in the top of the tenth to win it by a final of 8-5 on Wednesday night at Oracle Park.

The Giants were riding high coming off a big 9-5 win on Sunday when their offense finally woke up and played good fundamental baseball. They would then get a treat on the schedule, as they would host the Miami Marlins for three. However, after a day off on Monday, the Giants’ offense went cold again last night, and the Marlins grinded their way to a 4-2 win in the series opener.

That meant that Logan Webb once again had to be the stopper, and he and the Giants would get off to a good start Wednesday night. Webb got his night started with a one, two, three, top of the first inning. Mike Yastrzemski then led off the bottom of the first against Marlins’ starter Edward Cabrera, and tucked a home run just fair down the right field line.

Webb worked his way out of a jam in the top of the second, and then settled back down for a one, two, three, top of the third. However, Webb would find himself in trouble again in the top of the fourth.

Agustin Ramirez led off the top of the fourth with a base-hit to center-field. With one out, Kyle Stowers worked out a great at-bat and lined a double to right to put runners at second and third. Up came Otto Lopez, who doubled in both runs to give the Marlins a 2-1 lead.

Cabrera pitched through the second, third and fourth, but the Giants would mount a rally in the bottom of the fifth. Jung Hoo Lee walked to lead off the inning, and Willy Adames singled him over to second. Bob Melvin put on the bunt for Patrick Bailey, who sacrificed the runners over to second and third. Christian Koss came up, and he tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center.

Webb survived a two-out jam in the top of the sixth, and that ended his night. Webb went six innings, and gave up two runs and six hits. He walked three, and struck out six. However, as has been the case throughout Webb’s career, he’s a Matt Cain clone with a sinker, so that meant that he got very little run support.

Cabrera went five and a third innings for the Marlins. Like Webb, Cabrera walked three, and struck out six.

Randy Rodriguez threw a scoreless top of the seventh, and then Melvin turned to his reliable setup man, Tyler Rogers, in the top of the eighth. Unfortunately, this would be a rare off-night for Rogers.

Ramirez led off the top of the eighth with a base-hit, and Liam Hicks doubled him over to third. Rogers gained a bit of momentum when he struck Stowers out on three pitches and got Lopez to pop out.

Rogers was an out away from getting out of it unscathed with the game still tied. Up came Heriberto Hernandez, and he lined a base-hit to left-center field, which scored a pair to put the Marlins back ahead 4-2.

After going down one, two, three, in the bottom of the eighth, the Giants were up against Marlins’ closer Calvin Faucher in the bottom of the ninth. Dominic Smith led off the inning for the Giants, and he immediately fell behind 0-2. However, after taking a curveball in the dirt, he was hit on the foot by another curve.

Casey Schmitt was also hit, but he took a fastball to his left hand. Schmitt slammed his bat to the ground with his right hand, and was in obvious pain. Schmitt was the third Giant hit by a pitch tonight, but he truly took one for the team.

The Giants had runners at first and second with nobody out, and despite the pain Schmitt felt in his left hand, the Giants had the momentum. Lee then walked, and the bases were loaded for Adames.

Adames hit a high drive deep to left field that he thought was going to go out for a walk-off grand slam. Adames was watching his shot and preparing to celebrate, but he ended up flying out to the wall. Not the end of the world, though. Smith scored to make it 4-3, and the back runners moved up to second and third.

Up came Patrick Bailey, and he lined a base-hit off the end of the bat to left. Schmitt scored to tie the game, but despite the fact that the Marlins were playing their outfield in, Giants Third Base Coach Matt Williams sent Lee home. The throw from left-fielder Kyle Stowers was off-line, but catcher Nick Fortes had plenty of time to regroup and apply the tag to get Lee at the plate.

It was the second night in a row that Matt Williams made a questionable send, but this one made absolutely no sense. The game was tied, and Bailey was able to get into scoring position at second. However, Koss hit a bullet right into the glove of third-baseman Connor Norby, and we were headed for some Manfredball (ghost runners).

Camilo Doval came in for the tenth, and Fortes was the Manfred runner at second. Liam Hicks led off the inning and fell behind 0-2, but he turned the 0-2 count into a walk, and from there, things fell apart for the Giants.

Stowers flew out, which moved Fortes over to third, and Lopez lined a base-hit to center, which gave the Marlins a 5-4 lead. Miami wasn’t done. Hernandez doubled to left-center to knock in a pair, and advanced to third when the Giants tried to cut down Lopez at the plate. Norby got Hernandez in with a sacrifice fly, just like that, the Marlins had put up a big fat four-spot.

Tyler Phillips came in for the bottom of the 10th. Koss was the Giants’ ghost runner, and Heliot Ramos got him in on a base-hit to right with two outs. However, that would be it, and the Marlins won it 8-5.

Despite giving up two runs and blowing the save in the bottom of the ninth, Calvin Faucher got the win. Camilo Doval was tagged with the loss.

The Giants fall to 44-36, and they have now lost the first two games of a series to a team they should have beaten. Thursday afternoon, the Giants risk the embarrassment of being swept by a team that was swept by the Rockies just three weeks ago.

The Giants will turn to Hayden Birdsong (3-1, 3.25 ERA) as they look to avoid the sweep tomorrow afternoon. Janson Junk (2-0, 2.60 ERA) will go for Miami.

First pitch will be at 12:45 p.m.

Giants News and Notes:

After getting hit, Casey Schmitt kept nursing his left hand while he was standing at third base in the top of the tenth, and while he was in the dugout in the bottom of the tenth.

Schmitt’s condition is not yet known, but I imagine the Giants will have his hand x-rayed.

Late Rally Falls Short as Valkyries Drop Thriller to Liberty, 81–78

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New York Liberty’s Sabrina Ionescu is defended by Golden State Valkyrie’s Veronica Burton during the second quarter of a WNBA game at Chase Center in San Francisco, Wednesday, June 25, 2025. (Scott Strazzante/ San Francisco Chronicle)

By: Michael Villanueva

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.- The opening quarter of the Golden State Valkyries vs. New York Liberty game was hard-fought, with Breanna Stewart and Tiffany Hayes putting up the most impressive performances. With 12 points on 5 of 9 field goals, including 1 of 2 from beyond the arc, Stewart developed as an aggressive player for New York. Although she didn’t have much help from her teammates in the first stretch, her early rhythm kept the Liberty offensively going. Yet Kennedy Burke, who came off the bench, provided New York with much-needed energy by scoring 8 points on a flawless 3-for-3 shooting effort, including 2 of 2 from deep range

On the other hand, Hayes went 3-of-6 from the field and made 2-of-4 from beyond the arc to match Stewart’s effort with 12 of her own. Her choice of shots and ability to create space during transitions provided the Valkyries with a much-needed attacking lift. Hayes taking it to the rack is how the team’s effort got going. 

However, Hayes wasn’t the only one who had an effect. The defensive tone was set by her and Kayla Thornton, who put constant pressure that made New York appear tough and stopped their rhythm. The Liberty shot just 11 of 23 overall and a poor 4-of-13 from three-point range in the first quarter, as they struggled to keep up with Golden State’s tenacity and pace early in the game.

Even as Breanna Stewart started to establish her dominance, the Valkyries relied on their aggressive defense to break Liberty’s rhythm in the second quarter. Despite their difficulties from beyond the arc, Stewart kept New York within striking distance by scoring nine more points in the quarter, increasing her first-half total to 21 on 8 of 14 shooting.

Golden State responded with tough defense and well-balanced team play. Backcourt pressure from Kayla Thornton and Tiffany Hayes continued to push the Liberty into hurried shots and disrupted plays. Despite only shooting 15 of 37 from the field in the first half, the Valkyries made up for it with hustling plays and hard work on the glass, grabbing 19 rebounds and grabbing crucial second-chance shots.

However, by halftime, the Liberty were only 5 of 18 from three-point range and 18 of 46 from the field. Their interior presence kept them in the game, as they scored 26 of their first-half points in the paint despite their poor outside shooting. Even though their perimeter threats struggled to convert, they were able to effectively crash the lane due to their size and length across the lineup.

The Valkyries had a certain change of mind when they left halftime: defensive energy. In order to add more hustle and intensity to the perimeter, head coach Natalie Nakase started guard Kate Martin, and it paid off right away. With players continuously switching positions, getting hands in passing lanes, and running back in transition, Golden State’s defense was notably more active. Four steals during the quarter were the product of their effort, which created fast-break possibilities and held the Liberty attack.

Laeticia Amihere, Kayla Thornton, and Kate Martin all took advantage of those momentum plays, combining to make several crucial baskets that resulted from transition and second-effort hustling. The Valkyries played with a feeling of urgency that allowed them to momentarily recover control of the game, whether it was diving for loose balls or finishing through contact on the break.

However, New York’s Marine Johannès turned the tide just as Golden State appeared to take the lead. The shooter stunned the crowd by making three straight three-pointers in the third quarter, giving the Liberty a late-quarter lead. Johannès’ quick release and off-ball movement proved too much to contain during that stretch, reminding everyone that occasionally excellent offense wins over outstanding defense, even if the Valkyries’ defense had played strong defense the whole quarter.

With both teams exchanging big shots and changes in momentum, the fourth quarter was a back-and-forth contest. In the last period, Golden State Kate Martin made three critical three-pointers to get the Valkyries within striking distance, continuing her second-half surge. Martin finished with a career-high 21 points, going 4-of-10 from beyond the arc and showing composure in crucial situations after only scoring 7 points in the first three quarters.

Her late actions, however, were unable to lift the Valkyries to a higher level.

Kennedy Burke, who stepped up when it mattered most, responded for New York with a consistent scoring effort. Burke finished with 20 points, shooting 6-of-14 from the field and 4-of-9 from three, after scoring 11 points early in the game. Her poise and well-timed buckets allowed the Liberty to withstand the Valkyries’ charge. Also, Sabrina Ionescu converted seven free throws in the final two minutes and made a key steal with 26 seconds left, even though she was shut down by Valkyrie’s defense going 1-11 on the floor, and 1-7 shooting threes. Lastly, Breanna Stewart also finished with a double-double, 23 points and 10 rebounds.

Golden State had late-game opportunities, but the 81-78 defeat was sealed by a few missed shots and New York’s dominance of the last possessions. After another tough and competitive performance, the loss puts the Valkyries at 0-3 in the season series against the Liberty.

The Valkyries will look to bounce back quickly as they return to action on Friday night when they host the Chicago Sky at 7 p.m. Still searching for consistency and a breakthrough win in close matchups, Golden State will aim to turn lessons from this hard-fought loss into momentum heading into the weekend.

Aces Crush Connecticut For Second Win In a Row 85-59; Wilson reaches 5000th career point plateau

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The Las Vegas Aces center A’Ja Wilson (22) celebrates scoring her 5000th career point against the Connecticut Sun center Tina Charles (left) at Michelob ULTRA Arena in Las Vegas on Wed June 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Rich Perez

LAS VEGAS–Wednesday night the Las Vegas Aces (7-7) won their second game in a row beating the struggling Connecticut Suns (2-13) 85-59 . A’Ja Wilson reached yet another milestone reaching 5000 career points in the second quarter.

Game recap: Wilson finished with 22 points and Jackie Young chipped in another 20 points. Chelsea Gray and Jewell Loyd both had double digits. The Aces hit 11 three’s and completely dominated in the second half of play. Despite having 15 turnovers in the game they breezed through this one.

Las Vegas got the perfect start going on a 19-0 run. The first basket the Sun scored was at less than two minutes left in the first quarter. Connecticut went on a 6-0 run to end the first ten minutes of play. The Aces won the opening quarter 21-6.

The Sun had a much improved second quarter outscoring the Aces 23-19 in quite a turnaround. At the half Las Vegas had a 40-29 lead. Connecticut was struggling from beyond the arc not able to hit one in the half. In the second quarter Wilson hit her 5000th career point. There is not a whole lot that Wilson cannot do, she is the epitome of skill and professionalism.

In the third quarter, the Aces had the upper hand in this game controlling the flow of the game. Each team had 9 turnovers but the Aces dominated in the field, beyond the arc, and defensively with 35 rebounds to the Suns 21. After three quarters the Aces had taken their largest lead of the game 68-46 crushing Connecticut.

Going into the fourth quarter, the Sun were looking at a close to impossible task; catching up with Las Vegas. The Aces continued to extend their lead taking a 24-point lead 70-46 in the opening minutes of the final quarter.

Las Vegas had hit 11 shots from downtown while the Sun only had two. Despite the significant lead, the Aces had a frustrating start to the fourth quarter with turnovers and missed shots. They did maintain at least a 20 point lead throughout the quarter and with under four minutes left in the game had a 77-55 lead.

The Las Vegas bench would finish off this game with Kierstan Bell hitting eight points. The final was 85-59 in a really lop-sided game. The Aces had won their second win in a row in a complete rout.

Game notes: After fighting their through the Indiana Fever Sunday, the Aces handled the Sun without much trouble at Michelob ULTRA Arena Wednesday night. The Aces beat the Fever in the fourth quarter of the game after trailing for much of it in the first half. A’Ja Wilson was back in form scoring 24 points in that game; the win breaking a 3-game skid.

Wednesday night they started a winning streak against the Sun picking up their second win in a row. Connecticut had been struggling but Las Vegas took nothing for granted and put out their best effort giving the home crowd another win. The win Wednesday night will put them at .500.

The Aces will not have much time to celebrate this win taking the court Thursday night against the Washington Mystics looking for their third win in a row. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM at Michelob ULTRA .

Kurtz Blasts Tigers as A’s Put the Brake on Skid in 3-0 shutout

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Willie MacIver (65) congratulates Sacramento A’s pitcher Jacob Lopez (57) after the last out of the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Wed Jun 25, 2025 (AP News photo)

Kurtz Blasts Tigers as A’s Put the Brake on Skid in 3-0 shutout
By Mauricio Segura

Nick Kurtz’s power surge couldn’t have come at a better time for the Athletics. The 22-year-old slugger jolted Comerica Park with a three-run homer in the third inning Wednesday night, sending the Green and Gold to a 3-0 victory over the Tigers and snapping a three-game losing streak.

It was Kurtz’s 11th home run of the season, and perhaps his most impactful yet, handing Sacramento their first win on this nine-game road trip and some desperately needed momentum at the season’s halfway mark.

Kurtz’s blast wasn’t just timely, it was efficient. Following back-to-back walks to Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker, he launched a 2-0 fastball to straightaway center, leaving no doubt as it cleared the wall and put the A’s on top. That single swing accounted for all the offense in a game that otherwise showcased crisp defense and some much-needed stinginess from the A’s bullpen.

Starter Jacob Lopez continued his quiet rise, blanking Detroit across five innings and scattering just four hits while notching five K’s. Lopez has now allowed just two earned runs in his last 18 innings, extending his most consistent stretch since joining the rotation. The bullpen held strong behind him for once, capped off by Mason Miller’s electric ninth for his 15th save, retiring the side in order with two strikeouts and touching 102 mph on the radar gun.

The A’s, now 33-49, still sit at the bottom of the AL West, but Wednesday’s win offered a reminder of the young talent percolating through the roster. Kurtz has now homered in five of his last ten games, and Rooker’s on-base streak reached 14. Lawrence Butler added his 12th stolen base and contributed a walk in a performance that highlighted the green and gold’s patience at the plate.

The victory also helped stop a troubling trend. Entering Wednesday, the A’s had dropped five of their last seven games. But the combination of selective hitting, clutch power, and bullpen shutdown work offered a rare clean performance. In fact, this marked only the fourth time all year the A’s shut out an opponent. Knock on wood it continues.

Detroit, meanwhile, wasted a solid start from Jack Flaherty, who struck out six across six innings but paid dearly for his one mistake to Kurtz. The Tigers managed just six baserunners all night, and none of them got past second base. Comerica Park fell quiet as A’s defenders made quick work of routine fly balls and grounders, helping the A’s log their 56th all-time win in Comerica Park.

As the A’s prepare to face Detroit again Thursday, LHP Jeffrey Springs (6-5 ERA 6.24) is slated to take the mound against Tigers starter Dietrich Ennis (0-0 ERA 0.00) first pitch 1:10pm PDT.

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

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

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

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

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

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

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Dominican Republic is solid #1 in Talent

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Three of the most famous players in San Francisco Giants history from left to right Willie Mays, Juan Marichal and Willie McCovey. Marichal is the most famous player to come out of the Dominican Republic and is known as the Dominican Dandy. (AP file photo)

Dominican Republic is solid #1 in Talent

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

When it comes to talent from Latin America, our friends in the Dominican Republic are leading the way. According to all available data, the country of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, had 100 players on opening day rosters for the 2025 season.

Since Major League began collecting this data in 1995, the Dominicanos have led the way. From Juan Marichal and Pedro Martínez to Albert Pujols, David Ortíz, Vladimir Guerrero, and Adrián Beltré, Dominicans are on top.

Some of today’s biggest stars, are Dominican stars, and names (if you follow the game) that you recognize right away; Ronald Acuña, Juan Soto, Fernando Tatis Jr, Julio Rodríguez, José Ramírez, Rafael Devers, Wander Franco, Oneil Cruz, Elly De La Cruz, Luis Castillo, Eury Pérez, Emmanuel Clase, Framber Valder and more. Internationally, the Dominicans remain a constant in the game.

The Leones del Escogido (Dominican Republic) were this year’s champions of the Caribbean Series, beating the Charros de Jalisco (México), for their fifth title of the Caribbean Series. When the Caribbean Series first began in 1949, Cuba was the dominant force.

The Caribbean Series was an annual event that ran from 1949 to 1960. During this period, Cuba won the title seven times, including five consecutive championships from 1956 to 1960. Not a coincidence that things changed in Cuba regarding baseball.

Why? Notable: Cuba’s dominance stopped in 1960 when Fidel Castro declared Cuba a communist country. Since then, some of the best talent from the largest island in the Caribbean defected from the island to play in the best league in the World, the Major Leagues.

But that talent has dried up now for decades; the Cuban government has destroyed just about everything that was a tradition in Cuba, like baseball. As a Cuban-born person who loved baseball since I could walk, it is sad what happened to baseball in Cuba.

Cuba was a pioneer for baseball in Latin America. Baseball arrived in Cuba in the 1860s, brought by students returning from the United States and American sailors. But today the Dominicans rule. Not only in the Major League, they lead the Caribbean Series with 22 championships (you can say they are similar to the NY Yankees), in MLB with 27 titles, and World Series Championships.

To date, the Caribbean series has seen the Dominican Republic win 22 championships, followed by Puerto Rico with 16, Mexico with 9, Cuba with 8, Venezuela with 8, Panama with 2, and Colombia with 1.

Quote: In the 1980’s when Billy Martin arrived from New York to Oakland to manage the A’s I spoke with Billy, many times prior and sometimes after games, one thing he told me always stuck with me, when I asked him why he likes Latino players so much, he told me: “Because Latinos play with the same passion I had for the game as a player” As volatile he was as a manager, I loved his aggressive style and his drive to win each game home or away. Billy Martin was one of my favorite managers. Good thing he did not live to see the instant replay system–we have today- or he would have killed an umpire.

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

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

Athletics podcast Michael Roberson: A’s get clobbered by Tigers 11-4 at Comerica

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Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay heads back to the dugout in the eighth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tue Jun 24, 2025 (AP News photo)

Athletics podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 Detroit Tigers Dilon Dingler hit a three run home run and got help from Kerry Carpenter who also belted a two home run as the Tigers handled the Sacramento A’s 11-4 at Comerica Park in Detroit on Tuesday night.

#2 The Tigers Riley Greene had a big night with four hits, a double, two RBIs and scored two runs. Wenceel Perez got two hits for two RBIs.

#3 The Tigers starter Tarik Skubal improved his record to 9-2 allowing four runs, six hits, and eight strikeouts in six innings pitched and he got lots of run support and has the longest win streak for pitchers in MLB.

#4 Keys for the A’s Brent Rooker and Denzel Clarke both slugged two run home runs in the first and second innings respectively. It wasn’t enough as the A’s needed a lot more offense than that to get back into this game losing by eight runs.

#5 A’s and Tigers get after it Wednesday night at Comerica. Starting pitcher for Sacramento LHP Jacob Lopez (1-4 ERA 4.25) for Detroit RHP Jack Flaherty (5-8 ERA 4.83) first pitch 3:40pm PDT

Michael Roberson is a MLB podcast contributor 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. 

Giants can’t overcome Verlander’s early-game struggles, fall 4-2 to Marlins

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SAN FRANCISCO – Justin Verlander was hopeful for his first win as a Giant, just coming off the paternity list on Tuesday night, but the San Francisco Giants offense couldn’t support his early-game struggles.

The last time the Giants faced Marlins starter Cal Quantrill (3-7, 5.56), they went 8-for-22, mashing two doubles, a triple, and a homerun off him at LoanDepot Park on May 30. In the series opener against Miami, the Giants offense only managed to score two runs, after exploding for nine runs on Sunday against the Boston Red Sox.

The orange and black came into Tuesday with a 44-34 record, 3.5 games behind the Dodgers in the National League West. Riding high off a series win over the Red Sox, the Giants dropped another game in the standings.

Verlander just returned from the paternity list on Tuesday after welcoming a baby boy to the world, Bellamy Brooks Verlander. In just his second start in the last month, it was the same old story–hard contact against the future Hall-of-Famer.

Although pitching well enough to keep the Giants in the game, Verlander has fallen to an 0-5 start through his first 12 starts, joining Ross Stripling (2023) and Slick Castleman (1936) as the only Giants pitchers to not win any of his first 11 or more starts of a season. 

It was a quick start for Verlander and the Giants defense in the top of the first inning as the Marlins went down in order. Giants second baseman Christian Koss made quite the play to end the inning, sliding into shallow center field with his back to the infield to rob Otto Lopez of the game’s first hit. 

After a quick first out in the top of the second inning, the marlins rallied for two runs. Kyle Stowers started the surge with a line-drive base hit to right field and eventually came around to score the game’s first run on an Eric Wagaman RBI-double. Two batters later, Connor Norby’s single to left brought home Wagaman to make it 2-0 Miami. The frame finally came to an end as Verlander struck out Dane Myers for his third K of the inning. 

The Giants looked to answer in the home fourth. Heliot Ramos became a lead-off base runner by getting plunked in the left bicep by a 92 mph Cal Quantrill heater. On the next pitch, Wilmer Flores grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to erase the progress.

A few pitches later, Jung Hoo Lee sent a hard groundball off the left ankle of Quantrill, who remained in the game, and reached base safely. He later advanced to second base after a failed pickoff attempt got by first baseman Eric Wagaman, however, the Giants bats with RISP continued to struggle. Willy Adames flew out to center field to put an end to the threat. 

Verlander set the Marlins down efficiently in the top of the fifth which allowed the offense to get right back up to the plate. Casey Schmitt got the fun started with a leadoff single to left. After a Patrick Bailey lineout, Christian Koss homered to left to bring the Giants to within one, 3-2. 

Koss got the start at second base following the demotion of Tyler Fitzgerald who had hit .128 in his last 15 games and struggled overall offensively the last month. Manager Bob Melvin mentioned pregame that the Giants were by no means giving up on Fitzgerald but wanted him to regain some confidence by taking some at bats with AAA Sacramento. There is currently no time table on his return to the big league club. 

The energy continued to build in the Oracle Park crowd as Mike Yastrzemski walked after the homerun. The next batter, Rafael Devers grounded to Miami second baseman Xavier Edwards but beat out the throw to first base to prevent the double play.

That was enough to send Marlins starter Cal Quantrill to the showers earlier than he would’ve liked, as he left the field visibly frustrated he couldn’t finish the inning. The Marlins new pitcher Anthony Bender was welcomed to the game with a Heliot Ramos double but the relay from left field was in time to nail Devers at the plate, keeping the Miami lead intact. 

Sean Hjelle replaced Verlander in the next inning as relief pitchers for both teams traded off scoreless halves in the sixth. Verlander finished with 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, and 5 K. He’ll have to wait at least another five days for his next start in Chicago to try and earn his first win as a Giant. 

The Marlins added one more to their total to extend their lead to two runs in the seventh and that would be all they needed to secure the win in game one. The Miami offense exploded for 11 hits while the Giants could only get five in the hit column, getting outhit by an opponent for the 45th time this season, going 0-for-4 with RISP. They are 6-for-50 (.120) with RISP thus far on the homestand. 

The Giants look to turn the page with ace Logan Webb taking the mound sporting a (7-5, 2.49 ERA) and two straight wins Wednesday night against the Marlins Edward Cabrera (2-2 ERA 3.81). 

First pitch for game two at 6:45 Wednesday night at Oracle Park.

Sacramento A’s game wrap: Rooker’s Firepower Fizzles as A’s Bullpen Gets Burned Again in Detroit 11-4

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Detroit Tigers’ Gleyber Torres, left, scores around Athletics catcher Austin Wynns, right, in the eighth inning during a baseball game, Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Rooker’s Firepower Fizzles as A’s Bullpen Gets Burned Again in Detroit 11-4

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics came out swinging Tuesday night, blasting two home runs in the first two innings and chasing Tarik Skubal from the game after six. But once the Detroit Tigers got into the A’s bullpen, it was lights out for the A’s in an 11–4 loss at Comerica Park, their third straight defeat.

Things started with a bang. After a weather delay, Jacob Wilson drew a leadoff walk and Brent Rooker wasted no time launching his 16th homer of the year, a two-run shot to left that put the A’s up early.

Rooker has been red hot, slashing .345 over his last 30 games, and continued to show why he’s been the engine of Sactown’s offense.

In the second, Tyler Soderstrom singled, and Denzel Clarke followed with a towering two-run blast to center, the second homer of his young career. That made it 4-2, reclaiming the lead after Kerry Carpenter had tied it with a two-run homer in the bottom of the first off Luis Severino.

Severino was looking to improve his impressive road ERA, a sparkling 0.93 entering the game, and for a few innings, he was in control. But the third inning unraveled quickly. Gleyber Torres singled, Riley Greene doubled, and Wenceel Pérez cashed them both in with a two-run double to tie the game at four.

After a hit-by-pitch and a popout, Dillon Dingler unloaded on a three-run homer to left center, flipping the game on its head. The Tigers led 7-4, and Severino’s night was done after five innings and 97 pitches. It marked the eighth time in 17 starts he had surrendered at least four earned runs.

The A’s offense had chances, stringing together ten hits overall, but couldn’t find the knock needed to capitalize. They were thrown out on the bases twice in the seventh, first Soderstrom, then Wilson, each erased trying to stretch singles into doubles thanks to pinpoint throws from Pérez and Javier Báez. Sacramento’s last real threat came and went without a run.

Detroit, on the other hand, didn’t slow down. After knocking Severino out, they took full advantage of the green and gold’s weary bullpen. Hogan Harris gave up two in the seventh, aided by a throwing error from Soderstrom, and then T.J. McFarland gave up two more in the eighth as the Tigers padded their lead to 11-4.

Riley Greene had a big night, going 4-for-5 with a pair of RBI and raising his average to .321. Pérez, Dingler, and McKinstry each drove in multiple runs in a Tigers lineup that punished every A’s mistake.

The A’s bullpen ERA ticked up yet again. After briefly stabilizing last week, they now own a 5.94 ERA, second worst in the majors, and are on pace to set franchise records for both home runs allowed and blown saves.

The A’s are now 4-24 when out-homered, and with Tuesday’s long ball tally at three for Detroit and two for Sac, that trend continued. The loss drops the A’s to 32–49, firmly in last place in the AL West. Despite a strong June from their starters, the team’s Achilles heel remains their bullpen.

They have imploded way too often, and the defense, which committed its 50th error of the season tonight, continues to drop the ball (pun intended) in key moments.

Tuesday night was almost rained out, but unfortunately, the Sacramento bullpen was the one responsible for the deluge that followed. The A’s will try to regroup Wednesday with lefty Jacob Lopez (1-4 ERA 4.25) on the mound. The rookie has posted a 0.56 ERA over his last three starts and will face off against Jack Flaherty (5-8 ERA 4.83). First pitch is set for 3:40 PM 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

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