Tag: Tampa Bay Rays

Langeliers, Soderstrom Homer but A’s Fall to Rays in Series Opener

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Jeffrey Springs #59 of the Athletics pitches in the top of the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Sutter Health Park on August 11, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Mandatory Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — The Athletics returned home on Monday night from a six-game road trip where they went 4-2 during stops in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. Flying high, the A’s couldn’t keep the good times going as they fell to the Tampa Bay Rays 7-4 on Monday night.

The A’s pitching let them down on Monday in a game the A’s battled to stay in but ultimately couldn’t keep pace with the Rays.

Jeffrey Springs got the start for the A’s despite not feeling great physically going into it, A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. 

“Pregame he wasn’t feeling great physically, but took the mound, took the ball, and again, you commend that effort and grind that he wanted to go out there and give us what he had.”

Give them what he had he certainly did, laboring through three and a third innings and allowing four runs, all earned. Springs did his best to scatter the seven hits he gave up while also only walking one Tampa Bay hitter.

“…Just kind of felt out of sync from the get-go,” Springs told reporters after the game. “…Just dealing with some stuff, felt like the body was kind of out of sync and fighting myself, and wasn’t able to make pitches and make the adjustment unfortunately. Just didn’t do my job, basically.”

Osvaldo Bido relieved Springs and gave Kotsay three and two-thirds innings of work while surrendering six hits in that stretch. Bido managed to work in and out of trouble most of the night. However, he gave up two solo home runs — that would prove to be the only run-costing mistakes on the night — in the seventh inning.

Michael Kelly came on in the eighth but wasn’t sharp, recording only one out and giving up a run, a hit, and two walks before being lifted for Hogan Harris. Harris would finish the eighth and ninth innings, working one and two-thirds innings and giving up just one hit.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s scoring came thanks to two home runs from middle-of-the-order bats. Yet, it was too little too late as Mark Kotsay alluded to after the game.

“I think offensively we put together some good at-bats there late in the game and got ourselves back into it, which isn’t easy to do, especially against this club.”

Shai Langeliers got the A’s on the board with a solo home run in the fifth inning that traveled an impressive 425 feet and left the bat at 109.4 mph. The A’s would score one more time courtesy of a Tyler Soderstrom three-run homer that at the time brought the A’s to within two, 6-4, in the eighth. Soderstrom’s blast went 414 feet into the Sacramento night and left the bat at 104.3 mph.

The A’s fell to 53-68 with the loss as they continue to try and claw their way back toward the .500 mark on the season. That continues to be the focus of the club down the stretch with less than two months left in the season.

Game two of the series will be on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. PST at Sutter Health Park. Jacob Lopez (5-6, 3.59 ERA) will toe the rubber for the A’s as Tampa Bay will send Shane Baz (8-8, 4.92 ERA) to the hill.

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. 

MLB The Show podcast Jessica Kwong Wed Jul 15, 2025: Rays playoffs possible in Minor League park; Manfred and Players Union considering Olympic Games during All Star Break; plus more news

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If the Tampa Bay Rays make post season they will host their home games at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay. The park seats 10,000 and it’s possible it could host the World Series if the Rays make it that far. (photo by DRaysBay)

MLB The Show podcast Jessica Kwong Wed Jul 15, 2015

#1 MLB ok’d the possibility for the Tampa Bay Rays to play at their temporary home park George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay if the Rays were to get into the post season. The park seats 10,000 fans and is sure to be sold out if the Rays make the post season. The other alternate was to have the Rays play at LoanDepot Park in Miami at big league park but the Rays and MLB will have the Rays play at the Minor League park.

#2 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Players Association union head Tony Clark are exploring the idea of having MLB players in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. If agreed upon by both side and the Olympic Committee the game would be an extension of the All Star break. Manfred said it would be a great opportunity for baseball to be on the global stage.

#3 Jessica all the talk in baseball is surrounding the 2025 All Star Game in Atlanta where the National League’s Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies hit three home runs in the newly formatted Swing Off instead of playing extra innings it’s a home run derby to decide the winner of the All Star game.

#4 MLB and the All Star Game paid tribute to the late home run king Henry Aaron show a play by play video on the Truist Field baseball diamond of Aaron at the plate needing one more home to break Babe Ruth’s home run record. Aaron on a 1-0 count facing the Los Angles Dodgers Al Downing slugged a pitch that went into the Atlanta Braves bullpen at Fulton County Stadium April 8, 1974. It was a celebration that included pyrotechnics effects it lasted one minute and left you wanting more.

#5 Jessica, all the controversy surrounding Milwaukee Brewers sensation Jacob Misiorowski (4-1) with complaints that he pitched only five games and he gets an All Star selection and there were Philadelphia Phillies pitchers who pitched much more and had more wins. It was pointed out that by Phillies players that pitchers Ranger Suarez and Chris Sanchez were left out in favor of Misiorowski. Phillies Trea Turner said the idea was “terrible”, Nick Castellanos said the All Star Game is turning into the “Savannah Bananas”, and catcher JT Realmuto said “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But [Suarez and Sanchez] are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.”

Jessica Kwong is a podcast contributor and podcasts every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

MLB The Show podcast Jerimiah Salmonson Wed Jul 15, 2025: Rays playoffs possible in Minor League park; Manfred and Players Union considering Olympic Games during All Star Break; plus more news

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Logo for the 2028 Summer Olympics where MLB plans to have players compete and represent their respective countries at the 2028 All Star break (image from Cronkite News Arizona)

MLB The Show podcast Jeremiah Salmonson Wed Jul 15, 2015

#1 MLB ok’d the possibility for the Tampa Bay Rays to play at their temporary home park George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay if the Rays were to get into the post season. The park seats 10,000 fans and is sure to be sold out if the Rays make the post season. The other alternate was to have the Rays play at LoanDepot Park in Miami at big league park but the Rays and MLB will have the Rays play at the Minor League park.

#2 MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred and the Players Association union head Tony Clark are exploring the idea of having MLB players in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. If agreed upon by both sides and the Olympic Committee the game would be an extension of the All Star break. Manfred said it would be a great opportunity for baseball to be on the global stage.

#3 Jeremiah, all the talk in baseball is surrounding the 2025 All Star Game in Atlanta where the National League’s Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies hit three home runs in the newly formatted Swing Off instead of playing extra innings it’s a home run derby to decide the winner of the All Star game.

#4 MLB and the All Star Game paid tribute to the late home run king Henry Aaron show a play by play video on the Truist Field baseball diamond of Aaron at the plate needing one more home to break Babe Ruth’s home run record. Aaron on a 1-0 count facing the Los Angles Dodgers Al Downing slugged a pitch that went into the Atlanta Braves bullpen at Fulton County Stadium April 8, 1974. It was a celebration that included pyrotechnics effects it lasted one minute and left you wanting more.

#5 Jeremiah, all the controversy surrounding Milwaukee Brewers sensation Jacob Misiorowski (4-1) with complaints that he pitched only five games and he gets an All Star selection and there were Philadelphia Phillies pitchers who pitched much more and had more wins. It was pointed out that by Phillies players that pitchers Ranger Suarez and Chris Sanchez were left out in favor of Misiorowski. Phillies Trea Turner said the idea was “terrible”, Nick Castellanos said the All Star Game is turning into the “Savannah Bananas”, and catcher JT Realmuto said “Nothing against the Misiorowski kid. But [Suarez and Sanchez] are deserving of being on the team in the first place. There’s no doubt.”

Jeremiah is a podcast contributor and podcasts A’s baseball analysis Thursdays 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. 

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Rays selling club to developer that will keep them in Tampa Bay

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Tropicana Field the day after Hurricane Milton destroyed the roof on Oct 10, 2024. The cost to fix the Tropicana was in excess of Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternburg’s budget while trying to build a ballpark in St Petersburg forcing Sternburg to sell the team (AP file photo)

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Tampa Bay Rays owner Stu Sternberg has reached an agreement with Florida developer Patrick Zalupski in principle on a deal to sell the Rays for $1.7 billion. The deal keeps the Rays in Tampa Bay and is expected to close in September. Zalupski is a homebuilder in Jacksonville and was a buyer who strongly believes in keeping the team in Tampa Bay.

#2 Amaury, Sternberg bought the Rays in 2004 for $200 million. After last year’s Hurricane Milton tore the roof off of Tropicana Field the Rays were forced to play their home games at the New York Yankees spring training facility at George M Steinbrenner Field. Zalupski plans to build a new ballpark and keep the club in Tampa Bay.

#3 Sternburg basically could not go forward with owning the team. Before the Hurricane Sternburg planned to build a new stadium at the Historic Gas Plant District and was planning to design a recreational retail and residential area in St Petersburg replacing the old Tropicana. That was all shot down after Sternburg realized the excess costs in repairing the Trop and later tearing it down to build the new park.

#4 Meanwhile the Sacramento A’s development for their new ballpark is still in question as A’s owner John Fisher is looking for someone to buy the MLS San Jose Earthquakes for $600 million to cover part of the costs of his construction costs. K Pop star Suga and former MLB pitcher Chan Ho Park are putting together $70 million as an investment into the A’s. Yet in still that may not be enough to cover the balance of the construction costs for the Las Vegas ballpark.

#5 If Fisher can not meet the costs of building the Las Vegas park and he stated that the park costs could go up from $1.75 billion to $2 billion if that proves too much could you see the other MLB owners putting the pressure on Fisher to sell much like they did with Sternburg?

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

A’s game wrap: Late Lightning Fizzles as Sacramento Falls in Tampa 6-5

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Tampa Bay Rays Junior Caminero (right) gets in ahead of the tag by the Sacramento A’s third baseman Max Schuemann (left) during a double in the bottom of the sixth inning at George M Steinbrenner Stadium in Tampa Bay on Wed Jul 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

Late Lightning Fizzles as Sacramento Falls in Tampa 6-5

By Mauricio Segura

The A’s once again took their fight to the ninth inning, but heroics came up just short. In a wild Wednesday matinee, the Sacramento Athletics fell 6-5 to the Tampa Bay Rays, unable to fully erase a four-run deficit built during a disastrous sixth inning.

Sacramento got the jump early. Brent Rooker stayed scorching in day games, sending a solo homer into the Tampa sun in the first inning, his 18th of the year. Max Schuemann added a solo shot in the second, and Mitch Spence looked in control through five, scattering three hits while holding the Rays to a single run, a rare inside-the-park homer from Jake Mangum.

But the sixth inning unraveled fast for the green and gold. Spence, who entered the frame having allowed just one run, was tagged for five, including back-to-back homers by Josh Lowe and Yandy Díaz. A pitching change to Hogan Harris did little to slow Tampa’s momentum. Junior Caminero doubled, Chandler Simpson and Matt Thaiss followed with RBI singles, and just like that, a 2-1 lead became a 6-2 hole.

Still, these A’s have built a reputation for late-inning theatrics. Max Muncy jolted the dugout with a solo homer in the ninth, his seventh of the season. Austin Wynns followed with a double, and Gio Urshela drove him in. Suddenly, the bases were buzzing after singles by Max Schuemann, pinch-hitter Lawrence Butler, and Tyler Soderstrom, cutting the deficit to 6-5.

With the tying run 90 feet away and the go-ahead at second, Sacramento handed the bat to Brent Rooker. He had already homered once. He had also struck out twice. This time, it was more heartbreak than heroics. Rooker whiffed on a high fastball. Nick Kurtz followed, and despite his impressive rookie campaign, he couldn’t connect either, going down swinging to end the rally.

The loss snapped the A’s brief two-game win streak and dropped them to 36-53 on the season. Still, if there’s a silver lining, it’s the team’s continued fire in the late innings. Sacramento has now scored 56 runs in the ninth or later, fifth most in the majors. And their recent offensive struggles may be easing, with the team stringing together multi-hit innings and showcasing the kind of lineup depth they’ve lacked for much of the season.

Sacramento returns home for a nine-game stretch, starting with a Fourth of July showdown against the rival Giants. With JP Sears set to take the mound Friday and the Bay Bridge rivalry heating up, there’s little time to dwell on missed chances.

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. 

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson: A’s open three game series with Giants at Sutter Health Friday

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Tough deal for Sacramento A’s starter Mitch Spence who gave up a home run to the Tampa Bay Rays Yandy Diaz in the bottom of the sixth inning at George M Steinbrenner Park in Tampa FL on Wed Jul 2, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:

#1 Tampa Bay Rays Josh Lowe, Yandy Diaz, and rookie Jake Mangum all hit a home run. Pitcher Ryan Pepiot pitched a quality start that contributed to beating the A’s 6-5 avoiding getting swept on Wednesday.

#2 The Rays down 2-1 in the last of the sixth inning, the Rays were able to score five runs. Josh Lowe hit a leadoff home run to tie up the game and Brandon Lowe came up and hit a double that extended his 18 game hitting streak. Diaz hit a two home run that gave the Rays the lead.

#3 Pepiot improved his record to 6-6 going six innings, allowing four hits, two runs, waked three and struckout nine. The Rays pitching was just good enough to get by Sacramento for the one run win.

#4 The A’s Brent Rooker and Max Schuemann hit solo home runs but it was a day late a dollar short in the A’s one run loss.

#5 The A’s are back in Sacramento to open a three game series with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants have not announced a starter and the A’s will start LHP JP Series (6-7 ERA 5.09) first pitch 7:05pm PT Friday night.

Join Jeremiah Salmonson for the A’s podcasts Thursdays 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 podcast Michael Roberson: A’s rolling with two straight wins and four of last six game wins

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Sacramento A’s hitter Colby Thomas slugs a double in the top of the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay on Tue Jul 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

Sacramento A’s podcast Michael Roberson:

#1 It took a few home runs, a few heart-pounding moments, and one dramatic finish for the Sacramento Athletics to fight their way to a 4-3 win in extra innings Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays.

#2 Fueled by a pair of long balls from Shea Langeliers and a late-game lockdown from flamethrower Mason Miller, the Green and Gold secured their second straight road victory and once again showed why they can’t be counted out after nine innings.

#3 The action began early but quietly for the A’s. Lawrence Butler led off with a single, stole third, and watched helplessly as the middle of the lineup went down on strikes. 

#4 It wasn’t the cleanest win of the year for the Sacramento A’s, but it was one of the grittiest. With Langeliers’ power surge, Miller’s muscle, and just enough help from the rest of the lineup, the A’s keep showing glimpses of the kind of fight that stats and standings can’t quite measure.

#5 A’s and Rays continue this series Wednesday at 12:10pm PT at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay. Starting pitcher for the A’s RHP Mitch Spence (2-3 ERA 3.82) for the Rays RHP Ryan Pepiot (5-6 ERA 3.36).

Join Michael Roberson for the A’s podcasts each Wednesday 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.

A’s game wrap: Rays Can’t Hold the Line as A’s Langeliers and Miller Hammer It Home for 4-3 win

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The Sacramento A’s Austin Wynns (29) hits a sacrifice fly in the top of the tenth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Bay on Tue Jul 1, 2025 (AP News photo)

Rays Can’t Hold the Line as A’s Langeliers and Miller Hammer It Home for 4-3 win

By Mauricio Segura

It took a few home runs, a few heart-pounding moments, and one dramatic finish for the Sacramento Athletics to fight their way to a 4-3 win in extra innings Tuesday night against the Tampa Bay Rays. Fueled by a pair of long balls from Shea Langeliers and a late-game lockdown from flamethrower Mason Miller, the Green and Gold secured their second straight road victory and once again showed why they can’t be counted out after nine innings.

The action began early but quietly for the A’s. Lawrence Butler led off with a single, stole third, and watched helplessly as the middle of the lineup went down on strikes. Tampa Bay struck first in the bottom of the second when Christopher Morel blasted a solo shot to center field off starter Jeffrey Springs, who was facing his former club for the first time as a starter. Brandon Lowe added to the Rays’ tally with another solo homer in the third, giving the home team a 2-0 cushion.

But the Athletics responded in the fourth with a burst of power. After a leadoff strikeout, Langeliers lashed a double to center, setting the stage for Max Muncy, who launched his sixth homer of the season to tie the game. Rookie Luis Urías followed with a single, and Colby Thomas, making just his second big league appearance, doubled sharply down the line and nearly brought Urías around before the rally fizzled.

Langeliers wasn’t done. Leading off the sixth, he launched his second extra-base hit of the night, this one a go-ahead solo homer to left that gave the A’s a 3-2 lead. The catcher’s bat has been heating up since returning from the injured list, and his work behind the plate would later prove just as vital.

Springs, who had been inconsistent early in games this season, held firm after the second inning and worked into the sixth, scattering five hits and two earned runs. The bullpen took over from there, with Justin Sterner and Sean Newcomb holding the Rays in check until the bottom of the seventh when Danny Jansen tied the game with a solo blast to left off Newcomb.

As the game pushed deeper into the night, the bullpens took center stage. Garrett Cleavinger and Pete Fairbanks each pitched scoreless frames for the Rays, while Michael Kelly escaped a jam in the ninth for the A’s thanks in part to a clutch caught stealing by Langeliers.

With the score still knotted at 3-3 in the tenth, Colby Thomas was placed at second to start the inning. After a sacrifice bunt and a walk, the Athletics turned to pinch-hitter Austin Wynns.

What happened next was chaos. Wynns lifted a fly ball to left, deep enough to score Thomas. But a perfect throw to the plate by José Caballero forced a wild sequence. First baseman Jonathan Aranda mishandled the relay, leading to a throwing error.

Then Chandler Simpson threw home to catch Max Schuemann trying to score behind Thomas. After a pair of challenges, one for a home plate collision and the other on a tag play, both calls stood. Wynns was out. Schuemann was out. But the run stood. Athletics 4, Rays 3.

In the bottom of the tenth, it was Miller time. Mason Miller came in throwing absolute gas. With Taylor Walls on second as the free runner, the righty struck out Brandon Lowe, induced a flyout to left from Caminero, and after an intentional walk and a rare balk that advanced both runners, he finished it off by striking out Josh Lowe with a 101 mph fastball to end the game.

It wasn’t the cleanest win of the year for the Sacramento A’s, but it was one of the grittiest. With Langeliers’ power surge, Miller’s muscle, and just enough help from the rest of the lineup, the A’s keep showing glimpses of the kind of fight that stats and standings can’t quite measure. They have now won four of their last seven and are slowly climbing back into relevance, one wild win at a time.

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. 

Clarke Comes Through as A’s Snap Skid with Late Inning Heroics 6-4

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Sacramento A’s Shea Langeliers swings for the fences with a three run home run against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M Steinbrenner Field in Tampa Fla on Mon Jun 30, 2025 (AP News photo)

Clarke Comes Through as A’s Snap Skid with Late Inning Heroics 6-4

By Mauricio Segura

It was beginning to feel like another repeat performance for the Green and Gold. A red-hot start, a mid-game collapse, and a familiar sinking feeling by the seventh inning. But Monday night in Tampa, the Sacramento Athletics refused to play to script.

With a two-run triple in the top of the ninth off the bat of Lawrence Butler, the A’s broke a 4 -4 tie and held on for a gutsy 6-4 win over the Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The win snapped a two-game skid and showed some of the resilience this young A’s team has been grasping for all season.

The Athletics wasted no time lighting up the scoreboard. Brent Rooker extended his scorching stretch with a two-out double in the first before Nick Kurtz walked to put two aboard. That set the table for Shea Langeliers, who launched a three-run rocket into left center for his 11th homer of the year, giving Sacramento a quick 3-0 lead.

The next inning saw Tampa starter Drew Rasmussen exit, and from there the game turned into a tug of war. Rooker added an RBI single in the third to make it 4-0 but that lead would not last. The Rays, sparked by a two-run blast from Junior Caminero and a flurry of singles, put up a four-run fourth that chased starter Jacob Lopez and knotted things at four apiece.

Lopez, facing his former team for the first time, was tagged for four earned runs over three and two-thirds innings, a tough outing following his scoreless start in Detroit. The A’s bullpen, frequently a source of anxiety this season, delivered when it mattered most.

J.T. Ginn, Sean Newcomb, Michael Kelly, and ultimately fireballer Mason Miller combined for five and a third innings of shutout relief. Miller closed it out with his 16th save, shutting the door after inducing a game-ending double play.

Despite offensive lulls in the middle innings, the A’s refused to fold. Jacob Wilson doubled in the fifth but was stranded after a bases-loaded jam. Yet it was the ninth that brought the breakthrough. After Max Muncy and Luis Urías opened the frame with singles, pinch-runner Max Schuemann stole second to set the stage. Butler, who had struck out twice earlier, rocketed a triple past José Caballero in left to score both runners and give the Athletics a 6-4 lead they would not relinquish.

The victory was an encouraging sign for a club that has battled inconsistency, injuries, and a bullpen ERA that remains the highest in the majors. It was also a notable debut day for outfielder Colby Thomas, who was called up from Triple-A and made his first Major League appearance in the eighth.

Meanwhile, Rooker continued to look like the heartbeat of the lineup, raising his average to .324 over his last 36 games and cementing himself as the most dependable bat in the order. Wilson added two more hits, lifting his batting average to .338, second best in the majors.

With the win, the Athletics improve to 35 and 52 and, though still on a life raft in last place in the AL West, showed they have the fight to row their way to the mainland. They will try to build on this momentum Tuesday with Jeffrey Springs taking the mound against Shane Baz in Game Two of the series.

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: A’s Luis Severino not a happy Camper

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Sacramento A’s starter Luis Severino delivers a pitch at Sutter Health Park. Severino pitched against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx Sun Jun 29, 2025 (AP News file photo)

A’s Luis Severino not a happy Camper

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Luis Severino, in his first season with the A’s is the #1 starting pitcher on the team’s rotation. Severino received the largest contract in Oakland A’s history. A three-year deal worth $67 million, including a $10 million signing bonus. With this contract, the Dominican right-hander surpassed the previous record for an A’s player (any position), which was in Oakland, a six-year, $66 million contract extension for third baseman Eric Chávez in 2004.

The Severino deal was finalized in December 2024. The highest-paid A’s player is also the most outspoken. He explicitly stated that Sutter Park in West Sacramento feels like a Spring Training game, indicating the lack of intensity and atmosphere of a regular Major League Baseball Game.

That is very understandable. Remember, Severino came from pitching all his career (10 years) in New York. In the Big Apple, there is never a lack of intensity or atmosphere. He mentioned that the clubhouse in Sacramento, being in left field, is an inconvenience. And then during day games, pitchers are subjected to the sun, which adds to the discomfort, and added, “I was not trying to hurt anyone’s feelings by saying that.”

Leaving New York for Sacramento for Severino must feel like leaving a real metropolis to play in a ranch. For the record, he did not say that; I did. I lived in New York City for a few years. Luis Severino’s problems extend not only to Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, but also on the road.

This Sunday at Yankee Stadium, he pitched 3.2/3 innings, gave up five hits, of which two were home runs, and lost. His record today, a week away from the All-Star Break, is 2-9 with a 5.18 earned run average in 19 games as a starter.

For their #1 starter, that is not what the A’s envisioned this season. He is having a bad season, and from his comments, it’s very clear that he’s not having fun. Severino’s best season was in 2018 with the New York Yankees, 19-8 with a 3.39 ERA. Quote: “Pitching is the art of instilling fear” -Sandy Koufax.

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