Tag: St.Louis Cardinals

Sacramento A’s Shea Langeliers (23) went 3-5 against the St Louis Cardinals on Thu May 14, 2026 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

How did Michael McGreevy and the Cardinals’ pitching staff respond to the Athletics’ early momentum after Nick Kurtz’s leadoff home run?

What were the biggest turning points in the Cardinals’ late comeback during the 5-4 win over the Athletics?

How important was Jordan Walker to St. Louis offensively and defensively throughout the series finale?

What positives can the Athletics take away from performances by players like Nick Kurtz and Zack Gelof despite losing the game and series?

After splitting the first two games and losing the finale, what does this series reveal about the Athletics’ competitiveness against strong National League teams like the Cardinals?

Jeremiah Salmonson is a Sacramento A’s beat writer 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. 

Sacramento A’s Shea Langeliers (23) is on base after hitting a double in the bottom of the seventh inning against the St Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium in St Louis on Thu May 14, 2026 (AP News photo)

The Cardinals Turn The Page with a Plot Twist Win 5-4

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–The Sacramento Athletics had this one in their hands, then watched it wriggle loose in the ninth like a grounder in a cow field. A Thursday afternoon that began with Nick Kurtz continuing his rise and Shea Langeliers adding another big swing to his scorching season ended with St. Louis stealing a 5-4 win after a two out rally flipped the game like a turtle in a typhoon.

Kurtz wasted no time putting the A’s in front. After Jacob Lopez retired St. Louis in order in the top of the first, Kurtz opened the bottom half by launching his seventh home run of the season to center field. It was another marker in a season that keeps making him look less like a young hitter finding his way and more like the heartbeat of the Athletics’ lineup. He entered the day riding the longest reaching base streak in the majors this season, and that first inning blast stretched it again.

For a while, Lopez made the lead feel heavier than one run. He cruised through the first two innings, helped by an overturned ABS challenge that turned José Fermín into a called strikeout to end the second. St. Louis put two runners on in the third and two more in the fourth, but Lopez escaped both times, getting Iván Herrera on a forceout and Yohel Pozo on a line drive to right.

The Cardinals finally cracked through in the fifth when Victor Scott II homered to right, tying the game at 1. Then the sixth became the inning that changed the temperature of the afternoon. Jordan Walker opened it with a homer to right center, Masyn Winn reached on back to back throwing fiascos by Lopez and Jeff McNeil, and Nolan Gorman dropped in a run scoring single to right. Just like that, the Cardinals led 3-1. Justin Sterner entered and prevented the inning from becoming a bigger mess, getting Nathan Church to bounce into an inning ending double play.

The Athletics did not go quietly. Zack Gelof, who had entered the day swinging better after a rough opening stretch, brought the A’s back within one in the seventh with his fifth homer of the season, a drive to left center off Ryne Stanek. That homer felt like the first tug on a loose thread, and St. Louis’ bullpen soon started to unravel.

McNeil took a free pass, Colby Thomas came off the bench and singled to left, and Kurtz followed with a single of his own to load the bases. Then Langeliers delivered the hit the A’s needed most, a ground ball single to center that scored McNeil and Thomas for a 4-3 lead. Langeliers has been one of the hottest hitters in the league, and this was another reminder that his bat has become less of a surprise and more of a weekly problem for opposing pitchers.

The lead survived the eighth thanks to Scott Barlow. Winn doubled with one out, but Barlow got Gorman on a fly ball to center and Alec Burleson on a fly ball to left. In the bottom half, Henry Bolte singled and stole second, adding another small spark after making franchise history the night before as the first Athletics player with a hit, free pass and sacrifice fly in his Major League debut.

But the ninth was cruel. Jack Perkins gave up a leadoff single to Pozo, who was replaced by pinch-runner Thomas Saggese. After Church flew out and Scott lined out, the A’s were one out from closing it. Instead, JJ Wetherholt was hit by a pitch, Herrera singled to left to score Saggese, and Walker doubled to right to bring home Wetherholt for a 5-4 Cardinals lead. Joel Kuhnel entered and stopped the damage, but the game had already turned.

The A’s had one final chance when Kurtz was hit by a pitch to begin the bottom of the ninth. Riley O’Brien answered with a called strikeout of Langeliers after another overturned ABS challenge, then retired Tyler Soderstrom on a flyout and Brent Rooker on a swinging strikeout. It was a tough finish for the Green and Gold, who had the comeback lined up, the crowd leaning forward, and the middle of the order at the plate. St. Louis simply had the last clean punch.

The San Francisco Giants come to Sacramento Friday for a three day weekend series. Game 1 pairs up Aaron Civalle (4-2 / .2.51 ERA / 33 K), against a yet-to-be-named Giants hurler. First pitch is set for 6:40pm.

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. 

Sacraamento A’s third baseman Zack Gelof (20) chases St Louis Cardinals Jordan Walker (left) in a run down in the top of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Tue May 12, 2026 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Bridget Mulcahy:

#1 Can the Cardinals build on their Game 1 momentum after JJ Wetherholt’s clutch two-run homer helped secure a 6-4 win over the Athletics?

#2 How much will the Athletics miss injured shortstop Jacob Wilson as they try to even the series at Sutter Health Park?

#3 Will Cardinals starter Matthew Liberatore outduel Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn in Wednesday’s matchup?

#4 Can Shea Langeliers continue his power surge after hitting his 100th career home run in Tuesday night’s game?

#5 Which team’s bullpen will make the difference in a series that already featured late-inning drama in the opener?

Bridget Mulcahy is a Sacramento A’s 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. 

St Louis Cardinals Wilson Contreras celebrates after hitting a two run triple in the bottom of the eighth inning against the Sacramento A’s at Busch Stadium in St Louis on Thu Sep 4, 2025 (AP News photo)

Contreras Crashes the Party as Sacramento’s Late Rally Falls Short

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics were looking to shake off the dust and get something going at Busch Stadium on Thursday night, but despite a late spark, they couldn’t claw back from a steady St. Louis Cardinals squad. The game felt more like a chess match than a slugfest for most of the night until Willson Contreras flipped the board with a monster performance, powering the Cards to a 5-1 win over the Sacramento A’s.

Things started off quietly enough, with both teams going scoreless through the first two innings. Sacramento’s lefty Jeffrey Springs was in control early, keeping the Cardinals guessing and escaping a second-inning jam with runners on the corners. The A’s offense, meanwhile, looked more like they were hitting with pool noodles than bats, managing just two baserunners through the first three frames.

It wasn’t until the bottom of the third that the Cards cracked through, and guess who made the noise? That’d be Contreras. After a Masyn Winn single and Iván Herrera walk, Contreras stepped up and roped a two-run single to right. Brent Rooker tried to play hero with a strong throw, but Contreras was gunned down trying to stretch it into a double. Still, damage done. Cards up 2-0.

From that point, the game had a sluggish rhythm. Sacramento had a chance to answer in the top of the fourth after Rooker singled and swiped second, but a pair of flyouts and a strikeout stranded him. The A’s had runners in scoring position again in the seventh, but came up empty after Zack Gelof grounded out and Carlos Cortes was erased on a force play. If there was a theme to the night for Sacramento, it was missed opportunities, and not in the poetic, coming-of-age movie way.

Meanwhile, the Cardinals kept doing just enough. Nolan Gorman sent a solo shot into the Missouri sky in the bottom of the seventh, giving St. Louis a 3-0 cushion and reminding everyone that even low-scoring games can turn on a single pitch.

Finally, in the top of the eighth, Sacramento fans got something to cheer about. Rookie Nick Kurtz stepped in and launched his 28th homer of the season into left field, cutting the lead to 3-1. Rooker followed with his second double of the night and things started to feel a little different.

Tyler Soderstrom singled to put runners on the corners, and suddenly the tying run was at first. But just as quickly as the moment swelled, it popped. Gelof struck out, and Hernaiz grounded out after a failed challenge at first.

The bottom of the eighth? That’s when Contreras buried it.

After a leadoff groundout and a walk to Winn, the A’s intentionally walked Lars Nootbaar, a smart move on paper. But with two outs and runners on first and second, Contreras stepped up and lasered a triple to center, clearing the bases and putting the game effectively out of reach at 5-1. That brought his RBI total to four for the night. Not bad for a guy who also played first base all game, a position he’s still relatively new to.

In the ninth, Lawrence Butler tried to ignite one final rally with a leadoff single, but Brett Harris rolled into a double play and Langeliers grounded out to seal the deal.

For Sacramento, the night was frustrating. They had ten hits, just one fewer than the Cardinals, but went 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base. Brent Rooker continued to rake, collecting his 36th double and adding a single, while Nick Kurtz’s solo shot was the only tally on the scoreboard. Butler chipped in three hits of his own, but it wasn’t enough.

Defensively, the A’s didn’t boot the ball around. No errors. And Springs gave them a respectable start. But they just couldn’t string the hits together when it counted. That’s been the story of the season in too many games like this one: a solid outing, flashes of potential, but no finish.

Meanwhile, St. Louis didn’t do anything flashy outside of Contreras’ bat and Gorman’s bomb, but they were efficient. And in a game where every hit mattered, that was the difference.

A’s have Thursday off will take on the Los Angeles Angels Friday night at the Big A in Anaheim. Starting pitcher for Sacramento RHP Mason Barnett (0-1 ERA 11.25) no pitcher has been announced for the Angels.

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. 

St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II, left, grounds out as Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz handles the throw during the eighth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

Athletics Miss Their Chance in St. Louis as Cardinals Capitalize Late for 2-1 win
By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento Athletics ran into a familiar frustration: timely hits from the other side, a bullpen mistake at the wrong moment, and bats that just couldn’t find enough holes. The St. Louis Cardinals made the most of their opportunity, turning one swing from Iván Herrera into the difference in a 2-1 defeat for the Green and Gold Tuesday night.

For the first five innings, this game felt like it belonged to the A’s. Luis Severino set the tone early, retiring batters with a mix of sharp fastballs and well-placed breaking stuff. He allowed a few singles but escaped any real damage, highlighted by picking off Nathan Church in the third inning. Severino looked completely in control, striking out three and keeping the Cardinals from generating any real momentum.

Meanwhile, the A’s did their best to scratch across a run against St. Louis starter Miles Mikolas. In the top of the third, JJ Bleday doubled and advanced to third after a misplay in right field by Church. That opened the door for Nick Kurtz, who smacked a sharp double of his own to score Bleday and give Sacramento a 1-0 lead. It was the kind of at-bat that showed why Kurtz has quickly become a vital piece in the middle of the order.

Sacramento threatened again in the fifth when Zack Gelof doubled and moved to third, but the A’s failed to cash him in. Jacob Wilson’s popup ended the inning and kept it a one-run game. That inability to tack on runs turned out to be the theme of the night. Time after time, the A’s got men on base but couldn’t string together the hits needed to break the game open.

Severino’s night ended after five scoreless innings, and manager Mark Kotsay turned to the bullpen. That’s where things unraveled. Hogan Harris came on in the sixth and immediately allowed a leadoff walk to speedster Victor Scott II. A sacrifice bunt and a soft grounder moved Scott to third with two outs. With first base open, the A’s still chose to pitch to Herrera. The Cardinals catcher made them pay, crushing a two-run homer to center field off reliever Michael Kelly. Just like that, Sacramento’s slim lead had evaporated.

From there, the A’s couldn’t find an answer. Matt Svanson and JoJo Romero shut them down over the final three innings, allowing just one walk and striking out two. Sacramento’s last chance came in the eighth when Jacob Wilson drew a two-out walk, but pinch-runner Max Schuemann was stranded after Brent Rooker popped out. The ninth brought more of the same: three quick outs, capped by Shea Langeliers going down on strikes and pinch-hitter Colby Thomas grounding out to end it.

It was the type of loss that gnaws at a team. The Athletics outhit the Cardinals early, had runners in scoring position multiple times, and still couldn’t find that one clutch knock to put the game out of reach. Instead, the story became a single mistake pitch and a wasted gem from Severino, who deserved far better than a no-decision.

Starting pitchers for Wednesday for Sacramento LHP Jefferey Springs (10-9 ERA 4.17) for the Cardinals Matthew Liberatore (6-11 ERA 4.32) first pitch 4:45 pm PT at Busch Stadium St Louis.

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.