Tag: Sports Radio Service

MLB podcast Charlie O Sun May 4, 2025: Red Sox Casas out for season with left knee injury; Rangers Seagar returns after hamstring injury; plus more MLB news

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Boston Red Sox Triston Casas is carted off the field after clipping his foot with Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, Casas went down and injured his left knee on Fri May 2, 2025 at Fenway Forcing Casas to miss the rest of the 2025 season.

Headline Sports podcast Charlie O Sun May 4, 2025:

#1 Boston Red Sox first baseman Triston Casas will be out for the rest of the season due to a ruptured left patellar tendon Saturday. On Friday night Casas was safe on a check swing that Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan miscued for an error. Casas stomped hard on the first base bag. Casas’ left foot hit Twins first baseman Ty France’s foot and fell down on his left knee. Casas had to leave the game on a stretcher.

#2 The Texas Rangers activated All Star shortstop Corey Seagar. Seagar had been on the ten day IL and returned on Saturday. The Rangers sent infielder Jonathan Orenelas was optioned to Triple A Round Rock. The Rangers missed Seagar who had been out with a right hamstring strain against the Sacramento A’s on April 22.

#3  San Diego Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis who was hit with a pitch on Friday in the left forearm by Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Mitch Keller. Keller hit Tatis with a 93 mph sinker pitch. Padres manager Mike Shildt said x-rays proved negative. Tatis has been suffering with swelling, soreness but the contusion has improved and the medical staff cleared him to play on Saturday.

#4 Right hand pitcher Craig Yoho was sent down the minor leagues Triple A Nashville on Saturday. On Thursday Yoho walked four batters and gave up five runs in one inning of relief. In return the Brewers brought up right hand pitcher Elvin Rodriguez before their game against the Chicago Cubs.

#5 The Sacramento A’s had a successful road trip that puts the A’s over .500 at 12-7. The A’s have the winningest road record in baseball surpassing the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants who are second and third respectively for winning road records. One of the keys to success in a season is winning on the road.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum: Schools over Stadiums looking to a put measure on Nevada ballot to stop public funding for A’s ballpark in 2026

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Alexander Marks spokesman for Schools over Stadiums as he appeared at the Las Vegas Stadium Authority hearing on Feb 27, 2025  to argue that $400 million of public money from SB238 to funding Hollywood Studios should go to education and schools. Marks says Schools over Stadiums intends to revisit putting a 2026 initiative on the Nevada ballot to block the public funding for the A’s Las Vegas ballpark. Marks said the A’s have not even broke ground yet for the project. (file photo from google)

Sacramento A’s Relocation podcast Daniel Dullum:

#1 Daniel, according to Schools over Stadiums spokesperson Alexander Marks the tax payers of Nevada are already paying over $36 million and there isn’t even shovel in the ground to start the Las Vegas A’s stadium build over at the Tropicana on the Las Vegas strip.

#2 The construction funding share from the A’s was due last December and Marks is questioning how this plan will fall into place with the deadlines already passed?

#3 The Las Vegas Stadium Authority and the A’s were expected to get shovels in the ground by now and criticism of the money already spent by the state tax payers to get the project going has ran up to $36 million Marks says for next year.

#4 Marks was talking about the transferrable $36 million tax credit that’s being built into the state budget for 2026 which State of Nevada lawmakers are writing up this month. The $36 million is just the first installment of the $380 million that will go towards building the A’s Las Vegas park from public tax dollars that Marks said should be going towards education and schools in Nevada.

#5 The $380 million is tax money that will allocated towards the ballpark but the total price tag to pay for the entire project is $1.75 billion that amount is what the A’s need to come up with to pay for the park. Marks says the A’s are getting F’s because the schools need that budget and that public money should not be going towards financing the ballpark.

#6 After trying to get a ballot initiative back in November in front of the Nevada voters to stop funding the project a judge stopped the question from going forward in last year’s state election which was during the general election. Marks says Schools over Stadiums are considering making another try at it again for 2026 to get the question on the ballot to stop public monies towards the A’s ballpark.

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

Stowers Steals the Spotlight as A’s Fall to Marlins 9-6 in Walk-Off Slam

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Sacramento A’s manager Mark Kotsay (right) argues with umpires over calling Lawrence Butler out at home plate in the top of the fifth inning at Loan Depot in Miami on Sat Apr 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

Stowers Steals the Spotlight as A’s Fall to Marlins 9-6 in Walk-Off Slam

By Mauricio Segura

The green and gold had this one…until they didn’t.

On a sweltering 81 degree Saturday in Miami, the Athletics were three outs from securing another road win when the roof caved in, courtesy of Kyle Stowers’ thundering grand slam in the bottom of the ninth. What had been a seesaw affair turned suddenly, painfully, into a 9-6 Marlins victory, capped by Stowers’ second home run of the game.

It was the second walk-off grand slam surrendered by the A’s in just over a week, a gut punch delivered by a player who’s starting to make a habit of haunting pitchers late in games.

The drama spoiled a solid offensive showing by the A’s, who launched three homers and led 6-4 heading into the final frame. Brent Rooker got the party started with his ninth big fly of the year, a first-inning solo shot to dead center. JJ Bleday followed suit an inning later, and Luis Urías continued his tear with a two-run blast in the fourth.

Urías, who entered the game on a modest hot streak, is now up to five homers on the year and was one of three Athletics to reach base twice in the game. Gio Urshela also contributed with an eighth-inning RBI double that extended the lead to 6-4, setting the stage for what looked like a tidy bullpen finish.

But the late innings unraveled.

After a clean eighth from Justin Sterner, flame-throwing closer Mason Miller took over for the ninth. A hit-by-pitch, a walk, and a wild pitch trimmed the lead to one. With two outs and the bases juiced, Stowers jumped on a 1-0 pitch and sent it soaring into the seats in left-center.

It was Miller’s first blown save of the season and a rare blemish for a bullpen that had been quietly effective over the past week.

There were bright spots despite the loss. Jacob Wilson had two hits and scored twice, while Nick Kurtz added a sacrifice fly in the sixth to give the A’s a lead they held until the very end. Grant Holman and T.J. McFarland also chipped in with scoreless relief.

Still, the loss drops the Athletics to 18-16 on the season and highlights the volatility of late-inning leads. This one will sting, not just because of how it ended, but because of how close the A’s came to sealing it with power, patience, and just enough pitching.

They’ll look to regroup in Sunday’s finale before heading back home to face the Mariners.

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.

151st Kentucky Derby: Sovereignty wins 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs

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Sovereignty ridden by jockey Junior Alvarado crosses the finish line to win the 151st Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Sat May 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Jessica Kwong

Sovereignty reigned supreme as the winner of the 151st Kentucky Derby on a muddy and chilly day at Churchill Downs in Louisville on Saturday evening.

The three-year-old colt pulled ahead of Journalism, who was the favorite, in the final stretch of the first leg of the Triple Crown and crossed the finish line in 2:02.31. Journalism started off smoothly but soon fell 10 lengths off the lead, and regained the spot at the head of the pack in the last stretch only to be overtaken by Sovereignty.

Sovereignty, who entered with 7-1 odds, left Journalism in second place, followed by Baeza in third, on the running that had unfavorable conditions with showers all day. It was not raining during the race. Sovereignty netted $17.96 for the victory, $7.50 for place and $5.58 for show.

It was the second victory for trainer Bill Mott, who won in 2019 with Country Horse. The colt came in second but was crowned after Maximum Security was disqualified due to interference.

“This one got there the right way,” Mott said of Sovereignty. “He’s done well; he’s a great horse. He comes from a great organization.”

Mott added that the Derby wins “were both exciting” and “we were thrilled with the last one and this one was equally or more special”.

Jockey Junior Alvarado notched his first win and took home $3.1 million. He and Sovereignty received a standing ovation from spectators in the grandstands.

“It’s more than even a dream come true,” he said. “It means the world to me. My family’s here. I thought I had a great chance. I’m pretty sure they’re way over the moon right now.”

Alvarado praised Sovereignty’s loyalty to him, mentioning that the colt stuck with him even though he was injured for five weeks and could not ride. The injury set Alvarado back three weeks.

Controversial trainer Bob Baffert returned to the Derby after a three-year suspension and had Citizen Bull in the running, but his best chance, Rodriguez, scratched.

The crowd numbered 147,406, which was just short of the record that was set in 2015.

A total of $5 million was shared among the winners.

The next leg of the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes on May 17 at Pimlico Race Course.

Here are the top five finishers of the Kentucky Derby 2025:

1. Sovereignty (7-1)

2. Journalism (3-1)

3. Baeza (13-1)

4. Final Gambit (17-1)

5. Owen Almighty (40-1)

Jessica Kwong is covering the Triple Crown Horse races for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Hicks hangs in there, and Chapman’s grand salami carries Giants to 6-3 win over Rockies

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San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman (26) rounds the first base after hitting a sixth inning grand slam is congratulated by first base coach Mark Hallberg in the bottom of the sixth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Sat May 3, 2025 (AP News photo)

Saturday, May 3, 2025

Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 3 (6-27)

San Francisco Giants 6 (21-13)

Win: Randy Rodriguez (2-0)

Loss: Jake Bird (0-1)

Save: Ryan Walker (6)

Time: 2:21

Attendance: 40,049

By Stephen Ruderman

The Giants appear to be back on track, as Jordan Hicks hung in there for five innings, and Matt Chapman hit a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth inning to propel the Giants to a 6-3 win over the Rockies.

The Giants snapped their first three-game winning streak of the year with a 4-0 win Friday night, as Robbie Ray struck out eight over seven shutout innings.

Saturday, Jordan Hicks looked to follow that up with a strong outing of his own. Following three-consecutive rough starts, Hicks had a much better outing against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, when he gave up two runs over five innings.

Hicks got off to a solid start Saturday, as he opened the game with three scoreless innings. So did Rockies’ starter Bradley Blalock, who retired the first seven men he faced.

The Giants struck first when Luis Matos hit a solo home run to left field in the bottom of the third. Other than that, Blalock kept dealing, and the Giants struggled to mount any sort of rally against him.

As for Hicks, he cruised through five shutout innings, but he ran into trouble in the top of the sixth. Brenton Doyle walked to start the inning, and after back-to-back base-hits by Jordan Beck and Ryan McMahon tied the game, Hicks was done.

Randy Rodriguez came in, as he has many times for Giants’ starters so far this season. Hunter Goodman greeted Rodriguez with a base-hit to left to give the Rockies the lead. Rodriguez retired the next two, but Kyle Farmer chopped a base-hit off Rodriguez’s ankle that scored McMahon to make it 3-1.

It was an unfortunate end to what was a solid outing for Hicks, who got charged for three runs over five-plus innings, but struck out seven.

10 of the Giants’ 20 wins had come with them trailing by two or more runs, and here they were again trailing by two.

Blalock walked Matos to start the bottom of the sixth, and then he walked Mike Yastrzemski with one out. Rockies Manager Bud Black brought in Jake Bird, who walked Willy Adames to load the bases. Jung Hoo Lee then lined a base-hit up the middle into center field to make it 3-2.

Up came Matt Chapman. Chapman fouled off the first pitch, and then he hit a grand slam to right-center to give the Giants a 6-3 lead.

The Giants’ bullpen then handled the rest. Camilo Doval threw a one, two, three inning in the top of the seventh, and Erik Miller threw a scoreless top of the eighth. Ryan Walker, who last picked up a save exactly two weeks ago on April 19 in Anaheim, came in for the ninth, and he threw a one, two, three inning to get his sixth save of the year.

Randy Rodriguez, who came in for Hicks in the top of the sixth, picked up the win. Jake Bird was saddled with the loss, and Ryan Walker got the save.

The Giants picked up their 11th win when trailing by two or more runs, as they improve to 21-13.

The series finale will be Sunday, and the Giants will look to win the series with their ace, Logan Webb (3-2, 2.83 ERA), on the mound. Countering Webb for the Rockies will be the veteran, German Marquez (0-5, 9.82 ERA).

The matchup is obvious on paper, but it’s baseball, and the game still has to be played before we know for sure what happens and who will win. First pitch will be at 1:05 p.m at Oracle.

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson Sat May 3, 2025: A’s get after it move into second in AL West and best road record in baseball

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Sacramento A’s pitcher Gunnar Hoglund was dealing going six innings allowing six hits and one run against the Miami Marlins at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Fri May 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 The Sacramento A’s (18-15) continue to roll winning their fifth of out their last six games, their eighth out of their last ten games and moving into second place with a 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins (12-19).

#2 The started Gunnar Hoglund who made his big league start and surrendered only one run in six innings pitched on Friday night in Miami.

#3 From watching Hoglund on Friday Jeremiah he really had his mix of pitches working for him and had great control. Was there also an advantage for Hoglund that the Marlins had never seen him before.

#4 Going back to Thursday night to start the series A’s starter Jefferey Springs threw for six innings of shutout ball as the A’s won that series opener 3-0.

#5 The A’s have the best road record in baseball right now at 12-6 and have moved into second place in the AL West and they’ve got a lot of confidence behind them.

Join Jeremiah for the Sacramento A’s podcasts Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: ATH and LAD to meet in the 2025 World Series 

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Pennants from the 1988 World Series that featured the Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Dodgers that were on bid. Can the A’s and Dodgers meet again in another World Series sometime in the future? (photo from eBay)

ATH and LAD meet in the 2025 World Series

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

The Athletics of Sacramento overachieved this season, winning the American League West Division, beating the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series, and heading to the World Series in Los Angeles after the Dodgers won 120 games for a new MLB season record.

The most games won in an MLB regular season is 116, a record shared by the 1906 Chicago Cubs and the 2001 Seattle Mariners. The first game of the World Series begins on Friday, October 25, at the remodeled (Looking like new) Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.

With the help of AI, the first pitch is thrown by the one and only Frank Sinatra, who was a Brooklyn Dodgers fan since his childhood in New York. For the young kids, who have no idea who this Sinatra guy is, he is probably the greatest singer in American pop history: a Grammy and Oscar winner. Born and raised in Hoboken, New Jersey, there is a statue of the iconic singer, actor, producer, and entrepreneur on the streets of Hoboken.

AT Dodgers Stadium, all 56,000 fans, plus some 5,000 extra standing room only, look at the scoreboard to see the legendary Sinatra throw the first pitch. For the record, Frank Sinatra was good friends with iconic Brooklyn Dodger Manager, Leo Durocher, and later with his Italiano Compagno, Tommy LaSorda. Frequently, after an afternoon game at Dodger Stadium, Frank and Tommy will drop by ‘La Dolce Vita’ in Beverly Hills, the place for celebrities.

I interviewed LaSorda many times, and inside his office were photos with Sinatra and a “Who’s Who in Showbiz. Tommy spoke conversational Español, The aerial Gondola connecting Union Station to the Dodger Stadium property is now completed (a project that took years), the same project which was imitated by then A’s President Dave Kaval during his proposal for the new A’s park at Jack London Square.

That was a failure due to the lack of leadership by the City of Oakland and the Oakland A’s organization; it was ‘the perfect storm’. These Gondolas going up from Union Station to Elysian Park at Dodger Stadium are packed with fans, not to mention the large parking lot.

Over 30 million cars are registered in the State of California, more than half in the LA area, but that parking lot is not that big. Those who cannot attend in person can watch on television, but watching all the games will be complicated.

The games will air on ESPN, FOX, Apple TV+ (for exclusive streaming games), the Roku Channel, and a wide range of games on RSN(Regional Sports Networks). Good luck finding your favorite. \ IMPORTANT: The home games for the ATH for this World Series, will have to be played at another stadium, not Sutter Health Park, because playing a World Series at a minor league park is not acceptable to standards of Major League Baseball.

So, although the Dodgers were not scheduled to play the A’s this year during the regular season in Sacramento, in this imaginary World Series the A’s would have to find a Major League park to play their “home”games.

The Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Dodgers last met in the World Series in 1988. The Dodgers won the series in five games, defeating the Athletics. I broadcast that series in Spanish. Unfortunately, I will not be in the 2025 World Series. “Set your dreams high, and don’t stop till you get there.” – Bo Jackson

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.

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NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa: Jets can’t stop Blues 2nd period 4 goal barrage in 5-2 loss; St Louis forces a game 7 Sunday in Winnipeg

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St Louis center Brayden Schenn (third from right #10) celebrates with teammates after scoring a second period goal against the Winnipeg Jets in game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Enterprise Center in St Louis on Fri May 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 Cam Fowler, Brayden Schenn and Nathan Walker all scored goals in 2:13 in the second period for the St Louis Blues. The effort pushed the Winnipeg Jets out of the game 6 picture as the Blues force a game 7 as both teams will meet in Winnipeg on Sunday for the deciding game.

#2 The Blues Phillip Broberg scored a goal and got an assist teammate Alexy Toropchenko got a goal and the Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington stopped 21 shots.

#3 Jet’s goaltender Connor Hellebuyck stopped 18 shots but allowed the four goals of that second period and was pulled out of the game for Eric Comrie who saved four shots. Hellebuyck is struggling he has allowed four goals in road games in seven games. If the Jets plan to advance Hellebuyck needs to gear up for Sunday’s game.

#4 The Jets could only muster two goals one by Cole Perfetti in the second period and Nino Niderreiter in the third period. The Jets just couldn’t get any offense going enough to keep up with the Blues.

#5 The Blues head to Winnipeg for game 7 how much momentum do you see the Blues coming off their game 6 win and how much of an advantage does the Jets have having home ice in game 7?

Mary Lisa does the NHL Stanley Cup Playoff analysis Saturdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Ray shines with eight strikeouts over seven shutout innings, as Giants snap skid with 4-0 win over Rockies

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Oracle Park

San Francisco, California

Colorado Rockies 0 (6-26)

San Francisco Giants 4 (20-13)

Win: Robbie Ray (4-0)

Loss: Antonio Senzatela (1-5)

Time: 2:02

Attendance: 35,036

San Francisco Giants starter Robbie Ray pitches to the Colorado Rockies line up in the top of the first inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Fri May 2, 2025

By Stephen Ruderman

Robbie Ray struck out eight and gave up just two hits over seven strong shutout innings, which is exactly what the Giants needed to snap their first three-game losing streak of the year with a 4-0 win over the Rockies Friday night.

Every team goes through their struggles, and that is what the Giants have somewhat gone through this week. They were swept by the Padres in a short two-game set down in San Diego, and it was only the third time this season that they had lost consecutive games. The Giants then lost the series opener to the Colorado Rockies, the worst team in Baseball, Thursday night.

The Giants had lost three in a row for the first time all year, and Friday night they looked to snap their skid. They had the perfect man on the mound in Robbie Ray, who came into Friday night’s game 3-0. The Giants also came in 6-0 in Ray’s starts this season.

Ray walked Brenton Doyle to start the game, which I’m sure got some Giants’ fans nervous. Not to worry, Doyle was thrown out trying to steal second base, and Ray set down the next two men he faced.

Rockies’ starter Antonio Senzatela threw a scoreless bottom of the first inning. Ray followed that up with a one, two, three inning in the top of the second.

With this somewhat slump the Giants have been in, they needed a big inning, and they got that in the bottom of the second.

Wilmer Flores led off the frame with a double to center field, and then he got to third on an infield hit by Heliot Ramos. LaMonte Wade came up to the plate. Wade, now one of the longest-tenured Giants, came into Friday night’s game hitting .123. The Giants needed a big inning, and Wade really needed a big hit.

Wade got that hit, as he pulled a pee-rod off the glove of Rockies’ first-baseman Michael Toglia that ricocheted into foul territory in right field. Wilmer Scored; Ramos went down to third; and the Giants had a 1-0 lead.

Sam Huff tacked on another run with a sacrifice fly to right that knocked in Ramos to make it 2-0. Christian Koss came to the plate, and Senzatela threw a wild pitch, which allowed Wade to come in from third to make it 3-0.

The Giants had their big inning. They put a big fat three spot on the board, and Ray was in complete control.

Matt Chapman added a run with a home run to left-center with one out in the bottom of the third to make it 4-0

Ray ended up retiring ten straight after Doyle was caught stealing in the top of the first, and the only real jam he found himself in was when the Rockies had a pair of runners on in the top of the sixth. Ray got out of that, and capped off his night with a one, two, three top of the seventh.

Ray really shined tonight, as he gave up just two hits over his seven shutout innings. He struck out eight, and walked two.

Bob Melvin brought in Hayden Birdsong, who has very-quietly gotten off to a superb start this season. Birdsong threw a scoreless top of the eighth, and a one, two, three, top of the ninth to end it.

Robbie Ray got his fourth win of the season, and Antonio Senzatela took the loss.

Oh yeah, the Giants got their 20th win, and improve to 20-13.

The Giants can make it two in a row Saturday afternoon. Jordan Hicks (1-3, 6.12 ERA), who has been off to a bumpy start in his return to the rotation, will take the ball. He will be opposed by Bradley Blalock (0-1, 10.29 ERA), who will make the start for Colorado.

As I said, it will be afternoon baseball at Oracle Park, as first pitch will be at 1:05 p.m.

A’s Arms A Blazing & Bats A Booming In Florida for 6-1 win; Sac winners 5 of last 6 games

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Sacramento A’s starter Gunnar Hoglund pitches to the Miami Marlins line up in the bottom of the first inning at Loan Depot Park in Miami on Fri May 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

A’s A Arms Blazing & Bats A Booming In Florida

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s (18-15) cruised to a 6-1 win over the Miami Marlins (12-19) on Friday night at Loan Depot Park, but this was far from just another tally in the win column. This one had flair, confidence, and a possible changing of the guard.

Making his Major League debut, Gunnar Hoglund made a loud first impression on the mound. The former first-round pick delivered five dazzling innings, allowing just one run while striking out seven, including three different Marlins on swinging third strikes to end innings. It was the Marlins sixth loss in a row.

With a cool demeanor and a biting fastball-slider combo, Hoglund looked more like a seasoned veteran than a rookie testing big league waters. His first MLB strikeout came against Agustín Ramírez in the bottom of the first, and from there he never looked back.

Backing Hoglund was a lineup that showed both patience and power. After a scoreless first, the green and gold got cooking in the second thanks to a bases-loaded RBI single from Nick Kurtz. A walk from Jacob Wilson plated another, giving the A’s an early two-run edge.

The fireworks continued in the third with JJ Bleday, a former Marlin himself, launching his third homer of the year into the Miami night. Bleday would finish with two extra-base hits and a walk, wreaking havoc at the plate and in center field. By the fifth, the A’s poured it on with a sac fly from Shea Langeliers, followed by back-to-back RBI plays from Seth Brown and Luis Urías, one a clean single, the other an error capitalized with hustle and heads-up baserunning.

Seth Brown, who went 3 for 5 and stole his first base of the season, continued to prove why he’s one of the most underrated power threats in the American League. Urías chipped in with two runs scored and reached base twice, quietly serving as the glue in the middle of the order.

Defensively, the A’s were as sharp as they were opportunistic. Tyler Soderstrom made an acrobatic sliding catch in left field in the eighth that robbed Liam Hicks of extra bases and kept the momentum squarely in Athletics hands. Nick Kurtz, who earlier knocked in a run and reached base twice, handled first base like a seasoned pro.

Even as Miami managed a solo homer from Dane Myers in the sixth, it was little more than a blip. The Marlins simply couldn’t string together enough offense, despite singles from Eric Wagaman, who had three on the night, and a double from Ramírez.

Hogan Harris and Noah Murdock handled the final four innings with efficiency and power, combining for four strikeouts and no walks. Murdock sealed the win with a swinging strikeout of Connor Norby, slamming the door on any late hopes of a Marlins comeback.

With the win, the Athletics are beginning to resemble a team not just rebuilding, but retooling with intent. Gunnar Hoglund’s debut might just be the spark that ignites a new era for the green and gold.

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.