A’s Fail to Cage Blue Jays 12-0 at Rogers Centre to open series

Toronto Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr (27) slugs a two run home run in the bottom of the second inning against the Sacramento A’s at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Thu May 29, 2025 (AP News photo)

By Mauricio Segura

It was a night to forget for the green and gold at Rogers Centre, where the Sacramento Athletics were steamrolled 12-0 by the Toronto Blue Jays in a one-sided affair that started badly and only got worse. This marks the third straight loss for the A’s and their 14th defeat in the last 15 games, during which they’ve been outscored by a staggering 117 to 44.

Things unraveled in the second inning, when the Blue Jays erupted for eight runs off A’s starter Jacob Lopez, who was chased from the game after recording just five outs. Toronto’s Ernie Clement ignited the rally with a three-run homer to left center.

It was his second of the season and only the beginning of what would be a career night. After a pair of singles and another walk, Bo Bichette delivered an RBI double before Vladimir Guerrero Jr. launched a towering two-run shot, his eighth home run of the year, to make it 6-0.

Lopez was replaced by Anthony Maldonado, but the floodgates remained open. Clement returned to the plate and ripped a two-run double, finishing the inning with five RBIs.

Clement’s five-RBI frame tied a Blue Jays franchise record. Only Edwin Encarnacion had ever driven in five runs in a single inning before, doing so in 2014. For Clement, a 28-year-old journeyman with just eight RBIs all season entering the game, it was a career-defining performance.

But the damage didn’t stop there. In the third, Bichette and Springer went back-to-back with solo home runs to left field. That ballooned the lead to 11-0 and cemented what had become a highlight reel for Toronto’s top hitters. Bichette’s blast was his sixth of the year. Springer, who also singled and scored earlier, added his sixth as well.

The A’s offense, meanwhile, never got going. They struck out 14 times and were held to just four hits, two of which came after the game was already well out of reach. Lawrence Butler recorded a single and a walk, and Brent Rooker hit his tenth double of the season, but the A’s never advanced a runner past second base.

Their best chance came in the sixth, when Luis Urías and Logan Davidson reached base with no outs, only for Butler to strike out and the rally to fizzle with a lineout and forceout.

Toronto starter José Berríos dominated from the outset, allowing just two hits across six shutout innings while striking out nine. He improved to 5-4 on the season with a 2.78 ERA. The Blue Jays bullpen combined to retire nine of the final eleven batters.

The Athletics’ pitching struggles were on full display. Lopez was tagged for seven earned runs, while Maldonado allowed four more in his brief appearance. Sean Newcomb and Hogan Harris provided some length out of the bullpen, but by then the damage was irreparable.

The Blue Jays tacked on their final run in the seventh with a sacrifice fly from Alejandro Kirk, scoring Addison Barger, who had reached with a single and moved over on Ali Sánchez’s double. Even Toronto’s substitutions kept producing, highlighting the depth gap between these two clubs.

The Athletics will attempt to regroup and stop the bleeding when the series continues Friday. A’s Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (5-3 ERA 3.97) is slated to start for the green and gold, looking for his sixth win of the season. He’ll be opposed by former A’s pitcher and Blue Jays starter Chris Bassitt, who brings a 4-3 record into the matchup with a 3.38 ERA.

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.

Athletics podcast Jeremiah Salmomson Thu May 29, 2025: Jacob’s ladder to success; A’s open four game series in Toronto

Sacramento A’s Jacob Wilson circles the bases after hitting a fifth inning home run against the Houston Astros on Wed May 28, 2025 at Daikin Park in Houston (AP News photo)

Athletics podcast Jeremiah Salmonson Thu May 29, 2025:

#1 Jeremiah, Once again the Sacramento A’s fell in the late innings losing Wednesday to the Houston Astros 5-3 at Daikin Park in Houston. The loss was the A’s 13th out of their last 14 games.

#2 The got another strong performance from their starter Luis Severino pitching six innings, allowing three hits, one earned run, two walks and four strikeouts.

#3 A’s reliever Justin Sterner pitched 2.3 innings, three hits, one earned run, and two unearned runs, walked a batter in the bottom of the seventh inning that allowed the Astros to come back and take the lead.

#4 Despite the loss the A’s rookie Jacob Wilson had an offensive day in third inning doubled in Luis Urias, Wilson later scored on Brent Rooker’s RBi double. Wilson in the fifth hit his seventh home run a solo shot that gave the A’s a 3-2 lead.

#5 The A’s are in Toronto Thursday night to face the Blue Jays the A’s will be starting LHP Jacob Lopez (0-2, 2.57 ERA) for the Toronto Blue Jays RHP Jose Berrios (1-2, ERA 4.22). The Jays are playing .500 ball in their last ten games going 5-5.

Jeremiah Salmonson does the A’s podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioserivce.com

Athletics game wrap: Severino’s Milestone and Wilson’s Big Day Not Enough As A’s Depart Houston With A 5-3 Loss

Sacramento A’s Luis Urias (left) slides in before Houston Astros catcher Victor Caratini (17) can put the tag on in time in the top of the third inning at Daikin Park in Houston Wed May 28, 2025 (AP News photo)

Severino’s Milestone and Wilson’s Big Day Not Enough As A’s Depart Houston With A 5-3 Loss

By Mauricio Segura

The Sacramento A’s flashed early promise in Houston Wednesday afternoon, but once again faltered when it mattered most, falling 5-3 to the Astros after a late-inning collapse erased a strong outing from starter Luis Severino and a standout performance by rookie Jacob Wilson.

Severino, in his 12th start of the season, was sharp across six innings, giving up just two earned runs while striking out six. He reached a career milestone in the first inning, notching his 1,000th career strikeout by getting Jose Altuve to chase a pitch in the dirt.

The A’s took the lead in the third inning thanks to Wilson, who continued his rookie tear by doubling in Luis Urías and later scoring on Brent Rooker’s RBI double. Wilson wasn’t done. In the fifth, he crushed his seventh home run of the season, a solo shot to left that put the green and gold ahead 3-2.

Wilson now leads all MLB rookies in hits, RBI, and doubles, and has more walks than strikeouts, a rare feat for any player, let alone a rookie. His performance was a rare highlight on a team that has struggled to produce consistently, especially with runners in scoring position.

The Astros tied the game in the bottom of the third after an error by Wilson helped load the bases, leading to a sacrifice fly by Isaac Paredes. In the fourth, Cam Smith tied it up with a two-out RBI single. Despite the early runs, Severino minimized damage and exited after six full innings with the score knotted 2-2.

Wilson’s home run in the fifth briefly put the A’s back on top, 3-2, but things unraveled in the seventh. Reliever Justin Sterner gave up a solo shot to Zach Dezenzo, tying the game at 3-3. Two singles and a walk later, Victor Caratini punched a sharp grounder into center to drive in two, giving Houston a 5-3 lead it never relinquished.

The A’s offense stalled in the late innings. After Wilson’s home run, the club managed just one hit and two walks over the final four frames. Rooker, Soderstrom, and Langeliers each struck out at least twice. As a team, the A’s struck out 18 times, including the final two batters of the game against Astros closer Josh Hader.

Wilson finished the day 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI’s. Urías added a double and a walk, but the rest of the lineup failed to capitalize. Lawrence Butler, who entered the game with hits in nine straight, struck out four times. Denzel Clarke also wore the collar, going 0-for-4 with four punchouts.

The bullpen’s struggles were all too familiar. Sterner, who began the season with an 18.2-inning scoreless streak, has now been tagged for runs in two of his last three outings. Grant Holman came in to mop up but could not undo the damage as Houston’s late offense proved decisive.

With the loss, the A’s drop to 23-33 on the season and remain mired in last place in the AL West. They have now dropped 17 of their last 22 games and are just 3-17 in their last 20. The green and gold are hitting .256 overall but just .244 with runners in scoring position, and the bullpen owns one of the worst ERAs in the majors at 5.96.

The road trip continues Thursday in Toronto, where A’s left-hander Jacob Lopez (0-2, 2.57 ERA) will look for his first win of the season for the Toronto Blue Jays RHP Jose Berrios (1-2, ERA 4.22). If the A’s are to turn this slide around, they will need more than Wilson’s brilliance and Severino’s steadiness, they’ll need consistency from a lineup that too often goes silent and a bullpen that can close the door when asked.

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.

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa Sat May 17, 2025: Game 7 goes back to Toronto Sunday, series tie 3-3

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) loses his helmet in front of the net in game 6 of the Eastern Conference semifinals at Amerant Arena in Sunrise on Fri May 16, 2025 (AP News photo)

NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs podcast Mary Lisa:

#1 There was a scoring drought for more than a year against the Florida Panthers Sergei Bobrovsky the Toronto Maple Leafs Auston Matthews. Matthews got his first goal to break a scoreless deadlock and the goal saved the Leafs season.

#2 The Leafs also got some good defense between the pipes from Joseph Woll who stopped 22 shots.

#3 Woll also gets credit for the shutout with a 2-0 win in game 6. It’s practically the only way your going to have to stop the Florida Panthers if your going to win games.

#4 The Leafs Max Pacioretty scored an extra insurance goal for the Leafs. Since the beginning of the 2023 playoffs the Leafs are 4-2 in elimination games.

#5 Sunday is the big day in Toronto as the series is tied 3-3. The Leafs who took a 2-0 lead to start the series but lost three in a row to make it 3-2 and Friday’s win tied the series for the Leafs now it’s game 7 the elimination game. How do you see this one the Leafs have home ice or the Panthers still have momentum after winning three in row.

Mary Lisa talks NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs each Saturday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Commanders shock football world knocking out Lions; SF Giants working on getting Jays Guerrero Jr in 3 player deal; plus more news

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) is on the way with a keeper runs past the Detroit Lions defensive end Levi Onwuzurlike (91) in the second half in the NFC Divisional game at Ford Field in Detroit Sat Jan 18, 2025 (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Charlie O, are the Washington Commanders that underdog, under rated team and going through their post season portfolio, they won their first round of the playoff game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back on Dec 29th in overtime and advanced to face the Detroit Lions on Saturday night. The Commanders shocked not only the nation’s capital but the country with a shocking 45-31 win over the Super Bowl favored Detroit Lions. With the loss the Lions will not appear in the Super Bowl for 59 seasons.

# 2 The Kansas City Chiefs have never lost a AFC Divisional game and the Houston Texans have never won one. The case was the same on Saturday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw to Travis Kelce seven times for 117 yards and and a touchdown as the Chiefs took out the Texans 23-14 to advance to the AFC Championship.

#3 Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady is said to be courting Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be the front runner for the head coaching opening at the Raiders. There is very little doubt that Brady and other NFL teams will be reaching out to Johnson knowing the success he’s had with the Lions offense.

#4 The San Francisco Giants are rumored to be working a three player blockbuster deal to obtain Toronto Blue Jays star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for reliever Camilo Doval, infielder/outfielder Marco Luciano, and outfielder James Tibbs III. The Jays have not been able to seal a deal with Guerrero and the Giants are said to be willing to break the bank and spend $333 to $426 million to get Guerrero who might be San Francisco’s ticket to get to the post season.

#5 The Athletics are hoping to develop Japanese 18 year old two way player Shotaro Morii and were able to bypass the Japanese professional league getting Morii for a minor league signing bonus of $1,510,500. Morii will become the sixth A’s Japanese player and the fifth Japanese born player joining Shintaro Fujinami, Hideki Okajima, Hideki Okjima, Akinori Iwamura, Keiichi Yabu, Hideki Matsui and American Born Japanese catcher Kurt Suzuki.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports with Charlie O: All games will not be sell outs in Sacramento; Jays sign Guerrero Jr for $28.5 million for one year; plus more news

Sutter Health Park the interim home of the Sacramento A’s between 2025-2027 is sold out of season tickets. Each home game is expected to be sold out for 2025 with a capacity of 14,000. (AP file photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 The incoming Sacramento A’s have announced they have sold out all their season tickets for their first interim year in Sacramento. Sutter Health Field where the Athletics will play is expected to be sold out for every game this season.

#2 When the A’s move to Las Vegas the A’s are hoping that will be the same goal sell outs for every single home game when they move there for their target date 2028.

#3 The Toronto Blue Jays and Vladimir Guerrero Jr have come to an agreement avoiding salary arbitration when Guerrero had agreed on a $28.5 million one year deal. Guerrero hit .323, 199 hits, 30 home runs, and 103 RBIs.

#4 The Houston Astros are relieved to reach a deal with left hand pitcher Framber Valdez in a contract worth $18 million for one season. Valdez was 15-7 with an ERA 2.91 last season. The Astros were hoping to hold onto some of their key pitchers going into the 2025 season.

#5 Major League Baseball has banned the two fans who interfered with Los Angeles Dodgers infielder Mookie Betts when Betts was reaching over into the first base stands at Yankees Stadium for a pop foul. One fan pried open his glove with the ball in it and the other tried to hold onto Betts right hand when he was resisting the two fans trying to get the baseball. For their trouble the two fans Austin Capobianco and John P Hansen have been banned from all MLB events and game indefinitely according to MLB.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s open up three game series at Citi Park against Mets on Tuesday

Oakland A’s Brent Rooker belts a double against the Toronto Blue Jays in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre Toronto on Sun Aug 11, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the A’s didn’t waste any time scoring six runs in the first inning and they needed all those runs as the Toronto Blue Jays made a run at the A’s later in the game cutting the lead to two runs for a 8-4 win.

#2 The A’s also got home run help from JJ Bleday and Zack Gelof in the top of the six inning to add some runs for the A’s total.

#3 The A’s are on a 58% winning pace to win 74 games for the season. The A’s picked up their 50th win of the season making them 50-69.

#4 The A’s Lawrence Butler has made up a big difference providing some great on base hitting and base running and adding critical runs. Butler went had three hits in Sunday’s game.

#5 A’s open up a three game set with the New York Mets Tuesday night at Citi Park the Mets second place in the NL East eight games off the pace and have won four of their last six games. Starting pitcher for the A’s might be an opener as Mark Kotsay has not named a starter yet. For the Mets former A’s starter Paul Blackburn (5-2, ERA 3.86) first pitch at 4:05pm PT.

Barbara Mason does the Oakland A’s podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

JP Sears Leads A’s To Series Win Over Blue Jays 8-4; Oakland six run first stands up in two run win

Oakland A’s Lawrence Butler (4) beats the throw on a slide at second base under the glove of the Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Leo Jimenez (49) in the top of the fourth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto (Canadian Press via AP photo)

By Barbara Mason

JP Sears had a banner day on the mound Sunday in game three of Oakland’s series with Toronto. He was on a tear going through the Toronto Blue Jays (54-64) lineup like a knife through butter. He went seven innings only allowing three hits and three earned runs.

Oakland A’s (50-69) bats were on fire outhitting Toronto 12 hits to five as the A’s took two out of three from the Jays 8-4. The A’s had a perfect blend of long balls and base on hits winning this series. Lawrence Butler, JJ Bleday, Zach Gelof and Brent Rooker were also instrumental in the win. Mason Miller capped off the win with another brilliant inning on the mound, three up and three down to once again close the door in relief.

Game recap: Whatever the A’s had in their Cheerios this morning they came out on fire scoring six runs in the first inning. They show-cased a blend of home runs and base hits. The first run of the inning came in thanks to a Blue Jays throwing error which allowed Lawrence Butler to score for the early one run lead and the A’s were just getting started.

Bleday hit a two run home run with Rooker on base followed by a Gelof two run homer with Seth Brown aboard and Oakland had a 5-0 lead. They finished off the inning with a Butler single and Daz Cameron scored taking a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the first inning.

Oakland extended their lead in the fourth inning with a Bleday single that brought Butler home for a 7-0 lead. The Blue Jays finally got on the board in the fourth with a solo home run from Daulton Varsho. That was all Toronto was able to muster so far in the game trailing 7-1.

The A’s tacked another run on in the sixth inning taking a 8-1 lead into the seventh inning. Rooker who was having a great day doubled to left and Max Schuemann scored from second base.

Going into the eighth inning, the Blue Jays were running out of time to make any kind of move, in fact, they were pretty close to finished after six innings. Through seven innings, the A’s had 12 hits while the Blue Jays were quiet with only three.

Sears was having a banner day going into the eighth innings with only 97 pitches in some amazing efficiency. He left the game in the beginning of the eighth inning after walking both Spencer Horwitz and Davis Schneider.

He had an amazing game going seven innings only allowing three hits, three runs, three walks and four strikeouts. Michel Otanez relieved him in the inning. Toronto made a huge move in the eighth inning with only one out.

Luis De Los Santos doubled Spencer Horwitz home and George Springer singled both Davis Schneider and Luis De Los Santos home. Toronto scored three runs to cut Oakland’s lead in half.

A monster threat came to the plate in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. This guy is capable of changing a game with one swing of the bat but he grounded into a double play to end the threat. The A’s were now three outs away from winning this series.

Mason Miller closed out this game in the manner that has become customary for him. It was a three up, three down ninth inning. Oakland really took it to Bassitt in this game who is typically a great starter. He allowed eight hits, seven runs, two walks and five strikeouts and only lasted four innings.

Game notes: Saturday, the A’s tied up their series with the Blue Jays after dropping game one on Friday. Game two featured a tense pitchers duel with the A’s finishing on top 1-0 thanks to the pitching of Osvaldo Bido and the closing brilliance of Mason Miller.

There was not much offensive effort from either team and it was the home run from Brent Rooker in the sixth inning that decided this game. In game three today, Oakland will be looking for their bats to get hot. JP Sears was the winning pitcher on Sunday improving his record to 10-8.

The Blue Jays started Chris Bassitt got lit up, Bassitt went four innings, allowed eight hits and seven earned runs. The stadium welcomed over 35,000 fans on hand for this game despite neither team having any chance for a playoff run.

Oakland will now travel to New York for a three game series with the Mets. The Mets are in third place in the National League East a half game behind the second place Atlanta Braves. Another familiar name will take the mound for the Mets in Paul Blackburn.

Blackburn was recently traded to New York in an effort to bolster the Mets rotation. His 3.86 ERA is solid as is his 5-2 win/loss record. The A’s will go with Ross Stripling with a 2-11, 5.72 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for Tuesday at 4:10 PM.

Oakland A’s podcast with Augie Mesenburg: A’s even series as Bido and bullpen blank Jays 1-0 in Toronto

Oakland A’s Brent Rooker gets congratulations for his home run in the top of the sixth inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto which turned out to be the only run of the game (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Augie:

#1 The Oakland A’s starter Oavaldo Bido with the help of three relievers got a two hitter blanking the Toronto Blue Jays in a close one 1-0 at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Saturday.

#2 Bido had another strong outing for Oakland and it was enough to ward off the Blue Jays. Bido went six innings allowing two hits, one run, and five strikeouts. He had his variety of pitches working for him.

#3 A’s slugger Brent Rooker accounted for the game’s only run with his 29th home run of the season in the top of the sixth inning. Rooker has been having success with the long ball this season.

#4 For the A’s they’ve won a number of series of late and the good pitching beating the good hitting has been a great help as Saturday’s game was the A’s ninth shutout of the season.

#5 A’s closer Mason Miller shut the door on the Jays pitching in the ninth and striking out three hitters without giving up a run. Miller has been one of the big key reasons why the A’s have won the close games.

Augie Mesenburg is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice and is a reporter at 1080 KWAI Honolulu

A Brilliant Mason Miller shuts the door Oakland edges Toronto 1-0

Oakland A’s pitcher Osvaldo Bido delivers against the Toronto Blue Jays in the bottom of the first inning at Rogers Centre in Toronto on Sat Aug 19, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Saturday the Oakland A’s (49-69) were looking to get the offense warmed up and tie up the series and Brent Rooker ended up providing all the offense the A’s would need with his 29th home run of the season as the A’s defeated the Toronto Blue Jays (54-63) 1-0 . Osvaldo Bido took the mound for the A’s and Yariel Rodriguez started for the Blue Jays.

It was a three up three down for Rodriguez and Bido handled the Blue Jays in the first inning allowing a single hit from the ever dependable Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Other than the single, he dismissed the first, second and fourth at bats going into the second inning. It was good start for Bido.

There was a little bit of traffic in the second for Toronto. Ernie Clement reached first base on an infield single but that would be it for the Blue Jays. Bido had another good inning. Oakland would have to muster a whole lot more offense going into the third inning. The A’s productivity had wavered in their past few games and they were looking to turn it around as this game progressed.

Oakland’s leadoff hitter Max Schuemann walked in the third inning with Lawrence Butler at the plate. Butler grounded into a double play followed by a Miguel Andujar ground out and that would be all for the Athletics. They were struggling through the first three innings which put a lot of pressure on Bido who through three innings had handled the Blue Jays offense beautifully.

After four innings both pitchers had done a spectacular job. Oakland had been held to three hits and the Jays had been held to two. This had turned into a pitchers duel and now the question remained; who would crack first.

After a review in the top of the sixth inning it was determined that with two outs, Brent Rooker had indeed hit the ball out of the field of play. The ball hit the top of the wall and bounced back on the field.

Rooker had hit a home run, his 29th of the season, giving Oakland the first run of the day and the lead 1-0. That would be it for Rodriguez who finished 5 2/3 innings allowing five hits and one earned run.

Ryan Burr came in relief of Rodriguez finishing off the inning for Toronto. Bido continued his great work in the bottom of the sixth inning with a three up three down going into the seventh inning of this one run game.

Bido finished six innings of work with two hits, no runs, one walk and five strikeouts. He was relieved in the seventh inning by Scott Alexander.

Alexander finished off the seventh inning with a strikeout and now Oakland would be looking for an insurance run or two in the eighth inning. When they needed it most, the Oakland offense fell flat.

The A’s had two runners on base in the top of the ninth inning but Abraham Toro hit into a double play. Oakland would bring in Mason Miller to try and finish off this game and tie up this series.

It was “Miller Time”. George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Spencer Horwitz all suffered the same fate at the hands of Miller. Everyone of them struck out and that was the ball game 1-0 in favor of the Athletics.

Game notes: Friday the A’s dropped game one to the Blue Jays by the score of 3-1. Oakland had six hits in the game but game one was not a great one for the A’s offensively. They had the one home run from Darell Hernaiz but it was a lackluster showing for the most part. The A’s were competitive through the seventh inning but in the eighth inning Toronto scored their third run of the game which sealed the win for the Blue Jays.

Sunday, the A’s will play in the rubber game of this series. JP Sears will take the mound with a winning 9-8 win/loss record and a 4.35 ERA. A familiar name, Chris Bassitt will start for the Blue Jays. He has a 9-10 win/loss record and a solid 3.95 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 10:37 AM.