May 28, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) dribbles past Golden State Valkyries guard Veronica Burton (22) and is defended by center Kiah Stokes (41) in the first quarter at Chase Center. (Photo Credits to David Gonzales-Imagn Images)
By Michael Villanueva
SAN FRANCISCO – After just six days ago, in Indiana, the Indiana Fever would take the win against the Valkyries in their first matchup against each other of the season. Indiana’s guard Caitlin Clark would drop 22 points on the Valkyrie, as she now saw herself playing against the Valkyries, but this time in “Ballhalla”.
Thursday night was meaningful for Golden State, as they celebrated another sell out, their 28th out of 28 games at Chase Center. That means every game the Valkyries played at home, was a sell out. So it was right the Valkyries showed out for their fans, and they did as they got the win, 90-88. Golden State is now 5-2, through their first seven games of the season.
The Golden State Valkyries went with Kayla Thornton, Gabby Williams, Kiah Stokes, Kaila Charles, and Veronica Burton as their starting five for this game. Gabby Williams in the last home game would lead the team with 15 points, on 3-of-5 from three point shooting. Overall, that win was a confidence booster for Golden State as they were preparing for their rematch with Indiana Thursday night.
Indiana hoping to make this their fourth straight win. They sent out Aliyah Boston, Kelsey Mitchell, Caitlin Clark, Lexie Hull, and former Valkyrie Monique Billings. With both teams holding a 4-2 record at the moment, this win could be their fifth win of the season through the first seven games. This is the second game held at Chase Center in the week, after on Mondays win for Valkyries, who took down the Connecticut Sun, 97-70.
Golden States Veronica Burton would get the game going, and the home crowd energy as well on a tough and-1 layup she made to get herself a three point play. She would give the Valkyries a quick, 5-2 lead at the start. Burton was just feeling herself and loving the home court energy, as she was knocking down deep three pointers and increasing the lead to seven points, 14-7.
However, the Indiana Fever were quick to reestablish themselves out there, and get back in the game. With her third assist in the second quarter, Indiana Caitlin Clark becomes the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 points and 500+ assists, in just 59 games. So with that, at halftime we would have ourselves a tied game at 44-44 in San Francisco. Caitlin Clark and Veronica Burton both reach double-digit scoring points for their teams.
At the start of the third quarter, Indiana’s Aliyah Boston would get the third quarter going with a quick floater in the paint, and also give the Fever the lead, 46-44. The second half intensity would pick up drastically, after both teams would lock in and do their best to score and get the lead. Golden State Valkyries Veronica Burton impact would be crucial for Golden State’s success. Burton would also have herself a career high in blocks this game (5).
Heading into the final quarter, Indiana would hold on to the lead by just four points. However with eight minutes and 45 seconds left in the game. Valkyries Gabby Williams ties the ball game at 69-69 with a fast drive into the paint for a layup. Then, again, Golden States Veronica Burton would get another tuff and one play and lead her team with 23, and now at 25 points.
16.3 seconds left on the clock, Indiana is down two points, 90-88. Golden State Valkyries are rushing back down the court to play defense as they held their own and stop the Fever. With 1.9 seconds left, they call a jump ball, however Indiana isn’t done as they win the jump ball and get one more chance. Although, they now have 0.6 seconds left, but the Valkyries defense comes up big and stops the Fever from scoring. The Valkyries would take the win on this thrilling, Thursday evening, 90-88.
Golden State would get the next couple of days to rest before their next matchup. They will stay at home and host the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, May 31st, at 12:30 p.m. on NBC/Peacock right back here in Chase Center. The Valkyries are hoping to continue their winning streak now and make it to three straight wins on Sunday.
Seattle Mariners Juilo Rodriguez (44) hits a home run in the top of the eighth inning against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Wed May 27, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 How did Seattle Mariners capitalize on early scoring opportunities against Sacramento Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs in the May 27, 2026 game?
#2 What impact did Logan Gilbert’s pitching performance have on the Mariners’ 9–1 victory over the Athletics at Sutter Health Park?
#3 Which offensive players were key contributors for the Mariners during their series-clinching win over the Athletics on Wednesday, May 27, 2026?
#4 How did the result of the Mariners vs. Athletics game affect the American League West standings and momentum for both teams?
#5 What concerns did Athletics fans express after the team was swept by the Mariners in Sacramento?
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.
Oakland Ballers Cam Buford tunes up before a game at Raimondi Park in West Oakland (photo by Oakland Ballers X)
Monday, May 25, 2026
Oakland, CA
By Lewis Rubman
OAKLAND–The first week of the 2026 Pioneer Baseball League was an inauspicious one for the defending champion Oakland Ballers, who managed nothing better than a 3-3 record, losing two out of three games against last year’s Mountain Division champs, the Missoula Paddle Heads and just squeaking by the Long Beach Coast, newcomers to the South Division and the league, also three games to two.
Both the league and the Ballers faced challenges before play began, but we’ll get to that after a brief review of the on-field action.
The Padddleheads demolished the B’s, 11-2 on opening night, Tuesday, the 19th, going ahead when Michael Koszewski blasted a one and two pitch over the left field wall to give the Montanans a lead they never would lose.
Jake Tirk was the only hometown hurler to blank the invaders, whoops: visitors, holding the seven batters he faced in the eighth and ninth frames to a couple of hits and a walk. Starting pitcher Gabe Tanner, who allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits and three free passes, took the loss.
Shortstop Tremayne Cobb and catcher Jarden’ Collura were the only Ballers with multiple hits, neither for extra bases. The defense committed three errors, to none for the Paddleheads, but only one of the Missoula tallies was earned.
The Ballers evened the series the next night with a convincing, but not overwhelming, victory, seesawing through four and a half innings before breaking three with a five run
bottom of the fifth and then scamper home with a 13-8 triumph. Cobb got three hits, all singles, as did centerfielder T.J. McKenzie, whose three for three night included a round tripper and half a dozen RBI. I’ll have more to say about manager Aaron Miles’ use of McKenzie when we get to the challenges and solutions section of this column.
Switch hitting Jake Allgeyer was the remaining B’s batter to log a mult-hit performance. First baseman Jeter Ybarra had a bad night, going 0-5 at the plate and committing the Ballers’ only error. Liam Rocha, who relieved Aidan Risse in the fourth and surrendered two runs, one of them earned, on two hits, while walking another pair of batters, in his three innings on the mound, got the win.
Missoula mauled their hosts in the series finale on Thursday, the 21st almost as badly as they had in the opener. The PaddleHeads crossed the plate twice in first and were ahead, 8-0, by the time the Oaklanders managed their first tally, a sole run, in the bottom of the seven. The final score was 12-4. The visitors score their dozen runs with a baker’s dozen of hits and made three errors. Oakland their quartet of tallies on an octet hits while committing a duet of errors. Esai Santos drove in half of Oakland’s runs with a two homer with Cobb on base in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Bautista, who lasted only 2-2/3 innings, took the loss.
The worm began to turn for the West Oakland Wonders when the Long Beach Coast,
AKA Regulators, sporting their teal jerseys and pinstriped black pants, came to town on Friday, the 22nd. It took an anxiety ridden three hours and thirty-two minutes before McKenzie’s sacrifice fly to center brough Jake Allgeyer home with the tie breaking winning run in the bottom of the ninth, giving us a line score that looked like this:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Long Beach Coast
2
4
0
4
0
0
0
0
1
11
10
1
Oakland Ballers
0
3
0
0
1
4
1
0
3
12
9
1
Santos, Ybarra, and left fielder Damian Stone went yard, and Jaden Sheppard, the DH, Stone, right fielder Noah ‘Blythe lifted the fans’ spirits with a run batted in apiece, Santos drove in threeand Ybarra five. Santos, Ybarra, and McKenzie were the only Ballers to get more than one hit, with two each; Sheppard, Stone, and Nick Poss, Friday night’s catcher, accounted for the remainder. Braydon Nelson was credited with the win, in spite of giving up a leadoff four bagger that put Long Beach ahead 11-8 in the top of the ninth.
The Ballers’ half of the inning is worth telling in some detail. Right hander Zach Voelker left the bull pen to replace fellow righty Mason Bryant, who had pitched a scoreless eighth. Ybarra greeted him with an 0-1 fence clearer to right, That cut LB’s lead to 11-9. Collura. the B’s usual catcher, pinch hit for Sheppard and walk on a full count. Exit Voelker, enter Steven Odorica, another righty. He threw a wild pitch to Stone, both runners moving up 90 feet. Stone then walked on a 3-1 count, clogging the base paths. Blythe received another 3-2 passport, tying the score at 11.
We were all set for a repeat performance in Saturday’s mid-afternoon showdown. We got one, but with a painful variation. Take a look at the first eight innings of theline score, then look at the ninth and weep. The only detail I have to add—and it nearly breaks my heart to do so—is that Oakland was ahead, 12-11, with two down and two on in the top of the ninth. David Clarke had an 0-2 count pitching to Cooper Vest. The crowd stood up, ready to celebrate another nerve shattering victory. Then Vest cleared the left field fence with a blast that put his team ahead. There really was nothing left in the Ballers’ tank. It had been an exciting game until then, but not a well played one; AI had labeled my notes as “misplay x misplay.”
But the indominatable Ballers snapped back on Sunday, the 24th
It wasn’t pretty, but it was satisfying. Oakland jumped to a 2-0 lead in the initial frame but quickly fell behind 4-2 in the second. They knotted the score at four in their half of the inning and went ahead, 5-4 in the third. Long Beach knotted it up again in the top of the fourth but didn’t score again all afternoon. Gene Tanner held on through six to even his record at 1-1, and the Ballers took the series, two games to one to even their season mark at 3-3.Damian Stone broke the tie with a two run dinger over the left center field fence in the home fifth. McKenzie’s two bagger in the same episode brought Blythe home to give the B’s a lead they never relinquished. He went home with a BA of .391 and 10 RBI over the season’s half dozen games. One inning later, Alleger smacked a three run four bagger, and the game was as good as over. And when it was over, the B’s had won,11-5, and had evened their season’s mark at 3-3.
The Ballers ended the 2025 post season with the best won and lost record in the history of the history of the Pioneer Baseball League or its predecessor, the rookie level Pioneer League, a member of Minor League Baseball (MiLB), a subsidiary of the tolerated monopoly, Major League Baseball (MLAB). An MiLB team can retain a player as long as he wants to if the team’s parent club in the MLB doesn’t object. Under the byzantine eligibility rules of the PBL, it’s a whole new ball game. Here’s how the PBL’s website summarizes it:
The players on a Member Club’s Active Roster shall have completed no more than two (2) prior years of professional baseball experience (as defined below) as of January 1st in a season’s calendar year.
Any player who is within four (4) years of their high school graduation class year shall not have any professional service time count against their eligibility. Professional service time accrued during this initial four (4) year period is exempt and shall not be applied retroactively once the player passes the four-year mark. Only service time earned after the four (4) year anniversary of the player’s high school graduation class year shall be calculated toward the two-year limit of prior professional experience. For purposes of calculating prior seasons of professional baseball experience, after the four (4) year mark of their high school graduation class year, a year of professional experience is defined as follows:
POSITION PLAYERS – 30 games played STARTING PITCHERS – 7 games started PITCHERS – 18 games played
Professional experience includes previous play in all professional leagues, domestic or international, but does not include the MLB draft league, Arizona Complex League (ACL), Florida Complex League (FCL), the United Shore Professional Baseball League, the Mavericks Independent Baseball League, nor leagues in the Caribbean Federation, the Australian Baseball League or any other leagues that might become “winter ball” leagues. FRANCHISE PLAYERS
Clubs may designate one Franchise Position Player and one Franchise Pitcher per season, subject to the following requirements:
Player must have completed at least one (1) prior year in the PBL. A “year” is defined in accordance with the then applicable service time definitions of the PBL rules. If a Club loses a Franchise Player to injury or transfer to an MLB club, the Club may request permission from the League President to replace such player with another qualified Franchise Position Player or Franchise Pitcher. Such a request shall be made to the President in writing setting forth the circumstances involved. The President shall promptly decide, in his sole discretion, whether to approve or disapprove the request after considering the circumstances. ROSTER LIMITS
No member Club shall have more than 24 players on their Active Roster at any time, nor less than 22, except that a club may add a 25th player who (i) has been drafted at the conclusion of any PBL Tryout Camp, over whom the drafting team has exclusive signing rights from the draft until 21 days after opening day; or (ii) has registered and attended any PBL Tryout Camp occurring in a current league year, including: the previous season’s midseason and post-season drafts, and the current season’s pre-season and midseason draft.
This has made the Ballers’ goal of repeating their breath taking achievement of 2025 much more difficult than if they had been in an MLB affiliated league, as opposed to a not so distant partner league. Only seven players who were with the B’s in 2025 opened 2026 on the team’s roster. They include T.J. McKenzie, whom manager Aaron Miles has placed in the ninth spot in the batting order. This fairly unusual alignment makes a lot of sense. It’s reasonable to assume that at least eight batters will have made a plate appearance in the first three innings, especially in a league not noted for its pitching strength. This makes it highly likely that the number nine hitter will make his first plate appearance with at least one runner on base. In effect, the Ballers could have an extra cleanup batter.
Other goals for the B’s include breaking even financially. To do this, they have enhanced and expanded the stadium giveaway and promotion schedules. They’re too long to list here, but you can find them on http://www.oaklandballers.com.
The PBL itself is facing financial challenges. Economic uncertainty has cut into attendance, and inflation has made the cost of travel prohibitive. The league is dealing with this by realigning its divisions, adding new franchises and dropping old ones, and limiting interdivisional travel.
I, too, am facing challenges. Health and mobility problems prevent me from frequent coverage of Giants and Ballers home games. I have had to stop reporting on the Giants’ home games and will reduce my coverage of the Ballers to a weekly or semi-weekly column. I believe that a weekly column is the better option. What it sacrifices in freshness and detail, it recoups in addition context. It will be learning experience.
Nick Kurtz charges in on Josh Naylor’s soft grounder as J.P. Crawford breaks for second base during the top of the third inning.(photo by Golden Bay Times)
By Mauricio Segura
WEST SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Athletics started the day still clinging to first place in the American League West, but Seattle spent the afternoon tugging at every loose thread until the whole thing looked frayed. The Mariners turned an early Sacramento mistake into a three-run first inning, kept adding pressure in the middle innings, and rode Logan Gilbert’s firm six-inning start to a 9-1 win that made the division race feel a lot tighter than it did when the first pitch was thrown.
The trouble began almost immediately. J.P. Crawford opened the game with a single, and Jeffrey Springs seemed close to escaping after two quick outs. Then Josh Naylor reached on Jeff McNeil’s throwing error, putting two aboard for Rob Refsnyder. That mistake became expensive in a hurry. Refsnyder sent a three-run homer to left, giving Seattle a 3-0 lead before the Athletics had even taken their first swings. It was the kind of inning that has followed the A’s all series, as their defense leaked error on top of error.
Sacramento did get a first-inning single from Carlos Cortes, who entered as one of the best hitters in the majors by batting average, but Gilbert never let the A’s turn a small spark into a real rally. He retired Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, and Tyler Soderstrom in order after Cortes reached, then continued to keep the Green and Gold searching. Darell Hernaiz singled in the third. Langeliers and Soderstrom reached to start the fourth. Zack Gelof doubled in the fifth, and Cortes drew a free pass behind him. Each time, Seattle found the answer before the Athletics could bend the game back toward them.
The fourth inning hurt almost as much as the first. Springs again got the first two outs, but Cole Young singled, Jhonny Pereda drew a free pass, and Colt Emerson ripped a two-run triple to right. That stretched Seattle’s lead to 5-0 and spoiled what had been a strong historical matchup for Springs, who had handled the Mariners well over his career. Instead, the left-hander’s recent slide continued, and the Athletics were chasing a game that kept getting farther away.
Gilbert, meanwhile, gave Seattle exactly what they needed. He worked six scoreless innings, allowed five hits, struck out six, and handled Sacramento’s best chance in the fourth when Langeliers singled and Soderstrom drew a free pass with nobody out. Jonah Heim lifted a ball to center, but Henry Bolte followed by grounding into a double play that erased the inning. For a team that had been struggling to score over the previous week, that missed chance felt heavy.
Seattle added another run in the sixth when Young scored on Emerson’s forceout, helped along by a throwing error from Hernaiz. Then Julio Rodríguez made sure there would be no late suspense. After Young drew a free pass and Emerson singled in the eighth, Rodríguez launched a three-run homer to left-center after an ABS challenge overturned a ball call. That blast pushed the Mariners ahead 9-0 and turned the final innings into a formality.
The Athletics finally got on the board in the ninth. Heim drew a free pass, Bolte singled him to third, and McNeil’s double-play grounder brought Heim home. Gelof followed with a single, but Hernaiz grounded into a forceout to end it.
There were a few small positives. Cortes reached twice, Soderstrom doubled, Gelof had two hits, and Bolte added a late single. But this was mostly a reminder that the A’s margin for error is thinner as the season progresses in tight a West coast competition .
They entered the day with a half-game lead over Seattle and a losing record despite holding the top spot in the West. By the end, Seattle had turned up the heat in the standings, while the Athletics were left with a lopsided loss, a quiet lineup, and another afternoon where early mistakes had loud repercussions.
The Athletics get a day off Thursday before the Bronx Bombers roll into West Sacramento for a weekend series beginning Friday night. Former Yankee Luis Severino gets the start for the A’s,carrying a 2-5 record, 4.23 ERA, and 64 strikeouts into a matchup against Carlos Rodón, who enters at 0-2 with a 4.15 ERA and 17 strikeouts. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. at Sutter Health Park.
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.
Arizona Diamondbacks catcher Aramis Garcia (middle right) holds up the baseball after tagging out San Francisco Giants baserunner Willy Adames (2) in the bottom of the eighth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco (AP News photo)
Oracle Park
San Francisco, California
Arizona Diamondbacks 3 (26-26)
San Francisco Giants 2 (22-34)
Win: Michael Soroka (7-2)
Loss: Trevor McDonald (2-2)
Save: Paul Sewald (14)
Time: 2:21
Attendance: 33,258
By Stephen Ruderman
SAN FRANCISCO–The Giants have once again hit a new rock bottom this season, as they blew a 2-0 lead, and single-handedly took themselves out of a rally in the bottom of the eighth with two bone-headed base-running blunders. The Giants lost 3-2, and have suffered another sweep at the hands of the Diamondbacks on Wednesday afternoon..
There has been a real resurgence of small ball and bunting throughout Baseball this season. Teams like the Diamondbacks, Rays, Guardians and Brewers have consistently put the ball in play, and have not struck out much. As a result, they have been very fun to watch, and have been winning games.
The Rays dead-last in barrel percentage and other useless analytical stats that mean absolutely nothing. They are hitting the ball on the ground, and legging out infield hits. They’re stealing bases. They’re coming through with the big RBI base-hits. As a result, they are 11th in runs scored with 244; third in batting average at .260; and third in on-base percentage at .333. The Rays also lead the American League East with the best record in the American League, and the second-best record in Baseball at 36-20.
The Giants have been in a great position all season to be amongst those teams. Wednesday, on what was probably the most beautiful day for a baseball game at Oracle Park all season with puffy cumulous clouds from thunderstorms in the hills in Central Valley, the Giants showed that they can get in on this beautiful trend.
Luis Arraez lined a base-hit, and stole second in the bottom of the first. Unfortunately, Casey Schmitt and Rafael Devers both popped out.
Drew Gilbert led off the bottom of the third with a base-hit to right. Willy Adames then lined a double down the left field line, two batters later, to put runners at second and third for the Giants with one out. Arraez came up, and he hit a little roller up the middle that trickled its way into center field for a base-hit. Gilbert and Adames both scored, and the Giants had a 2-0 lead. Schmitt stole second—after he was originally called out, and the call was over-turned—but Rafael Devers once again looked at strike three, just as he did with the bases loaded last night.
Nevertheless, it was a beautiful rally. It was the kind of rally this Giants’ team was built to execute. It was the kind of rally that if the Giants can start having more of, they can truly turn things around this season.
The day was off to a great start. Trevor McDonald looked to bounce back after getting bombed for seven runs by the White Sox on Friday night. Like his start Friday, McDonald cruised through the first time through the order, but also like his start last Friday, he was allowing solid contact. However, McDonald kept it going the second time through the Diamondbacks’ lineup.
Michael Soroka, who made the start for the Diamondbacks today, settled down, and threw a pair of 1-2-3 innings in the fourth and fifth. The Diamondbacks then got to McDonald for a pair of runs to tie the game in the top of the sixth. In the top of the seventh, Arizona manufactured a run, and took the lead on a sacrifice fly to left by Geraldo Perdomo.
The Giants had blown the lead, and trailed 3-2, as they stared down the barrel of another sweep by the Diamondbacks. Bryce Eldridge drew a walk off Ryan Thompson with one out in the bottom of the seventh. Sadly, the Giants couldn’t do anything, as Brandyn Garcia came in, and struck out pinch-hitter Harrison Bader to end the inning.
Caleb Kilian threw a 1-2-3 top of the eighth, and then came the bottom of the eighth. By this point, the pretty much every-single Giants’ hitter was trying to hit one out to tie the game. Willy Adames has really only been able to hit home runs in meaningless situations this year, and he predictably hit a high fly ball to left off Kevin Ginkel with one out in the bottom of the eighth.
However, Adames got away with it with it when left-fielder Ryan Waldschmidt. The tying run was in scoring position for Arraez, who shot a base-hit to left-center. However, it wasn’t quite clear whether Waldschmidt was going to catch it or not, so Adames had absolutely no chance to score. That didn’t stop Third Base Coach Hector Borg from waving Adames in, and getting him thrown out by a mile at the plate. It was a devastating play, but hey, at least Arraez went to second on the throw. Unfortunately, he was then picked off at second to end the inning.
Schmitt, Devers and Chapman were due up against Diamondbacks’ closer Paul Sewald in the bottom of the ninth. Predictably, all three of them tried to tie the game on one swing, and popped out, struck out and flied out respectively.
Sure, there have been plenty of rock-bottoms for the Giants this season, but Wednesday was definitely a new one. In the grand scheme of things, we probably have a lot more rock-bottoms beneath us to come.
The Giants are now 12 games under .500 at 32-24. The Giants either need to make massive changes—and by that, I mean firing Hector Bord, and designating Harrison Bader and Tyler Mahle for assignment—or they need to just kick the tires on this season. I highly doubt they are going to do the latter. After all, it is only May 27, but if Buster Posey and the powers that be in the front office don’t stage a real intervention soon, we may hit rock-bottom for the Giants’ 69 years in San Francisco at some point later this season.
The Giants will hit the road for their third and final three-city roadtrip of the season. It will take them to Colorado for three; Milwaukee for four; and Chicago for three against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.
The Giants will have a day off Thursday in Denver to think about Wednesday’s new rock-bottom for the season. However, Logan Webb (2-4 ERA 5.06) will make his return from the Injured List for the series opener on Friday. Jung-Hoo Lee will also be eligible to come off the Injured List. Hey, now’s the perfect time to designate Bader and Mahle for assignment.
The longtime veteran, Michael Lorenzen (2-7 ERA 7.21), will go for the Rockies on Friday night.
First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m CDT. at Coors Field, 5:40 p.m PDT.
Vegas Golden Knights right wing Mitch Marner (93) takes the puck as Colorado Avalanche right wing Logan Connor (25) in the second period of game four of the Stanley Cup Western Conference Finals at T Mobile Center in Las Vegas (AP News photo)
NHL Stanley Cup Playoff podcast Jessica Kwong:
#1 What happened to the Colorado Avalanche who just couldn’t keep up with Vegas getting swept in the Western Conference Final?
#2 Is Vegas currently the most complete team left in the Stanley Cup Playoffs?
#3 How much did Nathan MacKinnon’s injury affect Colorado’s offense?
#4 What happened to Mackenzie Blackwood in goal for the Avalanche in Game 4?
#5 What was the biggest difference in the series: goaltending, depth, or special teams?
San Antonio Spurs Victor Wembayama (1) and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) battle for the loose ball in game 5 of the third round of the NBA Western Conference Finals at Paycom Arena in Oklahoma City on Tue May 26, 2026 (AP News photo)
NBA Playoff podcast David Zizmor:
#1 Once again David the work of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander leads the OKC Thunder with 30 points and powered his way to the hoop with little San Antonio Spurs resistence in game five of the NBA Playoff 127-114.
#2 With the win the Thunder take a 3-2 lead in the best of seven series. The Spurs Stephen Castle can only carry the team so far with his 24 points.
#3 The Western Conference Title moves back to San Antonio who would have a chance to tie it up with a game six win on Thursday night. On the other hand the Thunder would have something to say about that. Your saying this one could go seven games.
New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti dunks in the second half of game 4 of the third round of the NBA Playoffs at Rocket Arena in Cleveland on Mon May 25, 2026 (AP News photo)
NBA Playoffs podcast Tony Renteria:
#1 How did the New York Knicks manage to dominate the Cleveland Cavaliers 130–93 in Game 4?
#2 Which Knicks player had the biggest impact in completing the Eastern Conference Finals sweep?
#3 What went wrong defensively for the Cavaliers during the series-ending loss?
#4 How does this sweep affect the Knicks’ chances heading into the NBA Finals?
#5 Was Game 4 more about the Knicks’ elite performance or the Cavaliers collapsing under pressure?
Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) faces the Milwaukee Brewers line up on Sun May 24, 2026 at American Family Ballpark in Milwaukee Sun May 24, 2026 (AP News photo)
That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:
#1 How are the Los Angeles Dodgers balancing their massive payroll expectations with early-season performance concerns?
#2 What impact has Aaron Judge had on the New York Yankees playoff outlook through the first part of the season?
#3 Are the recent pitching injuries across Major League Baseball changing how teams manage starting rotations and bullpen usage?
#4 Can the surprising start by the Baltimore Orioles be sustained over a full 162-game season?
#5 What are the biggest storylines surrounding the upcoming MLB trade deadline, and which contenders are most likely to make aggressive moves?
Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.
LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874
From the second you step in the front door, the sounds of Latin America will gently seduce your ears and continue as you relax outdoors with your favorite cocktail enjoying the view. The wonderful flavors and aromas of our cuisine will not disappoint.
We use only the finest, freshest, local ingredients in every dish and every dish is prepared to order. Enjoy live mariachi music weekly and on special occasions, catch balet folklorico dance performances among other live entertainment. Come visit us and have a great time! Enjoy fast, friendly service, fantastic food & cocktails, music and allow us to share our beautiful Mexican heritage with you.
LaTerraza Mexican Restaurant at 1027 2nd Street in Old Sacramento give them a call at 916-440-0874.
Oakland Ballers Cam Buford tunes up before a game at Raimondi Park in West Oakland (photo by Oakland Ballers X)
Monday, May 25, 2026
Oakland, CA
By Lewis Rubman
OAKLAND–The first week of the 2026 Pioneer Baseball League was an inauspicious one for the defending champion Oakland Ballers, who managed nothing better than a 3-3 record, losing two out of three games against last year’s Mountain Division champs, the Missoula Paddle Heads and just squeaking by the Long Beach Coast, newcomers to the South Division and the league, also three games to two.
Both the league and the Ballers faced challenges before play began, but we’ll get to that after a brief review of the on-field action.
The Padddleheads demolished the B’s, 11-2 on opening night, Tuesday, the 19th, going ahead when Michael Koszewski blasted a one and two pitch over the left field wall to give the Montanans a lead they never would lose.
Jake Tirk was the only hometown hurler to blank the invaders, whoops: visitors, holding the seven batters he faced in the eighth and ninth frames to a couple of hits and a walk. Starting pitcher Gabe Tanner, who allowed six runs, five earned, on nine hits and three free passes, took the loss.
Shortstop Tremayne Cobb and catcher Jarden’ Collura were the only Ballers with multiple hits, neither for extra bases. The defense committed three errors, to none for the Paddleheads, but only one of the Missoula tallies was earned.
The Ballers evened the series the next night with a convincing, but not overwhelming, victory, seesawing through four and a half innings before breaking three with a five run
bottom of the fifth and then scamper home with a 13-8 triumph. Cobb got three hits, all singles, as did centerfielder T.J. McKenzie, whose three for three night included a round tripper and half a dozen RBI. I’ll have more to say about manager Aaron Miles’ use of McKenzie when we get to the challenges and solutions section of this column.
Switch hitting Jake Allgeyer was the remaining B’s batter to log a mult-hit performance. First baseman Jeter Ybarra had a bad night, going 0-5 at the plate and committing the Ballers’ only error. Liam Rocha, who relieved Aidan Risse in the fourth and surrendered two runs, one of them earned, on two hits, while walking another pair of batters, in his three innings on the mound, got the win.
Missoula mauled their hosts in the series finale on Thursday, the 21st almost as badly as they had in the opener. The PaddleHeads crossed the plate twice in first and were ahead, 8-0, by the time the Oaklanders managed their first tally, a sole run, in the bottom of the seven. The final score was 12-4. The visitors score their dozen runs with a baker’s dozen of hits and made three errors. Oakland their quartet of tallies on an octet hits while committing a duet of errors. Esai Santos drove in half of Oakland’s runs with a two homer with Cobb on base in the bottom of the ninth. Nick Bautista, who lasted only 2-2/3 innings, took the loss.
The worm began to turn for the West Oakland Wonders when the Long Beach Coast,
AKA Regulators, sporting their teal jerseys and pinstriped black pants, came to town on Friday, the 22nd. It took an anxiety ridden three hours and thirty-two minutes before McKenzie’s sacrifice fly to center brough Jake Allgeyer home with the tie breaking winning run in the bottom of the ninth, giving us a line score that looked like this:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
R
H
E
Long Beach Coast
2
4
0
4
0
0
0
0
1
11
10
1
Oakland Ballers
0
3
0
0
1
4
1
0
3
12
9
1
Santos, Ybarra, and left fielder Damian Stone went yard, and Jaden Sheppard, the DH, Stone, right fielder Noah ‘Blythe lifted the fans’ spirits with a run batted in apiece, Santos drove in threeand Ybarra five. Santos, Ybarra, and McKenzie were the only Ballers to get more than one hit, with two each; Sheppard, Stone, and Nick Poss, Friday night’s catcher, accounted for the remainder. Braydon Nelson was credited with the win, in spite of giving up a leadoff four bagger that put Long Beach ahead 11-8 in the top of the ninth.
