Washington Nationals Dylan Crews is congratulated by teammates after hitting a top of the fifth inning home run against the Sacramento A’s at Sutter Heatlh Park in West Sacramento on Sun Jul 19, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 Barbara, the visiting Washington Nationals rebounded on the Sunday after getting clobbered by the Sacramento A’s on Saturday. The Nats held on for a 5-2 win getting pitching from starter Frank Griffin who pitched seven innings allowing eight hits and one run.
#2 A’s starter Jacob Lopez went 4.1 innings allowing two hits and two runs and strike out six hitters, Lopez was releived by Elvis Alvarado who pitched two thirds allowing two hits and three earned runs, which accounted for a bulk of the Washington runs Sunday.
#3 Alvarado got tagged for two home runs by the Nationals in the top of the fifth inning when CJ Abrams hit a 422 foot two run home run giving the Nats a 4-1 lead. The Nats picked up an insurance run from Dylan Crews who hit 362 foot home run to left field making it 5-1.
#4 The A’s only offense came from Tyler Soderstrom when he hit a single to right field to score Alika Williams in the bottom of the third. Later the A’s would add their last run of the game in when Jacob Wilson singled to center scoring Jeff McNeil to make it 5-2 which would be the final.
#5 The A’s head to Arizona to open up a three game series with the Diamondbacks. Starting pitchers for Sacramento LHP Jeffrey Springs LHP (3-9 ERA 6.08) for Arizona LHP Mitch Bratt (0-0 ERA 6.00) first pitch 6:40pm PDT at Chase Field in Phoenix.
Barbara Mason filled in for Daniel Dullum on the Sacramento A’s podcast. Barbara usually podcasts A’s baseball Mondays 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 starting pitcher Jacob Lopez deals to the Washington Nationals line up in the first inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Sun Jul 19, 2026 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Washington Nationals (50-50) had the A’s number in game one of their series severely beating them down 23-4 Friday followed by the Athletics (42-57) getting some outstanding payback in game two winning that game 15-1 on Saturday.
On Sunday it all came down to game three that would decide the winner of this series. It was a bit of an up and down game for starting pitcher Jacob Lopez. He was relieved by Elvis Alvarado who gave up two back-to-back home runs for three runs and the Nationals had a 5-1 lead.
Prior to those home runs the A’s were looking at a 2-1 deficit that was manageable but that all came to an end when the Nationals extended their lead to 5-1. While the Athletics did have 11 hits in this game and the Nationals only seven.
The two home runs were the deciding factor in Sunday’s National win along with the A’s inability to string together hits. They have only won one series this season at home another huge disappointment after sitting atop the division for quite a while earlier this season.
GAME RECAP
Going into this game three the series was up for grabs. After a couple of exciting offensive competitions both teams were eyeing a win in the final game of the series. A’s starter Lopez got the first out of the game but went on to walk the next two at bats.
25 pitches later Lopez got out of the inning leaving the two runners stranded. Jacob Wilson got a single in the bottom of the first but 13 pitches later the Nationals Foster Griffin closed out the inning.
The Athletics retired the Nationals in the top of the second as did Washington leaving one runner Colby Thomas stranded going into the top of the third inning.
The Nationals were first up on the scoreboard in the top of the third. Nasim Nunez scored on a Curtis Mead ground out taking a 1-0 lead. It was a very brief lead for the Nationals. The Athletics tied up the game in the bottom of the inning when Tyler Soderstrom singled Alika Williams home and this game was knotted at 1-1 after three innings.
The Nationals took back the lead in the top of the fourth when Harry Ford doubled Dylan Crews home for a 2-1 advantage. Ford hit the ball deep into left field and Soderstrom could not round it up for the easy Washington run.
Lopez hit a second batter in the inning but got out of the inning leaving two runners stranded only giving up the one run. The Nationals retired the Athletics three and out in the bottom of the fourth.
It all came apart in the top of the fifth inning when the Nationals picked A’s relief pitcher Elvis Alvarado apart hitting a couple of back-to-back home runs. The first a two run home run off the bat of CJ Abrams with Curtis Mead on base for a 4-2 lead. Dylan Crews hit a solo home run to finish off the top of the inning with the Nationals leading 5-1.
Henry Bolte had singled to start off the bottom of the inning, the only hit of the inning for the A’s.
The A’s Brady Basso came in to relieve Alvarado in the top of the sixth inning. Despite a throwing error from Joshua Kuroda-Grauer he got the A’s out of the sixth inning. Shea Langeliers doubled to start off the bottom of the sixth but there was not much else going on for Sacramento going into the seventh inning. The A’s had a lot of ground to make up and not much time to do it.
The Nationals went three and out in the top of the eighth. The A’s would face relief pitcher Tom Cosgrove in the bottom of the eighth inning who only lasted 2/3 of an inning after giving up back-to-back singles to Jonah Heim and Josua Kuroda-Grauer. He was relieved by Clayton Beeter after giving up the two singles. Beeter got the job done and the A’s were down to their last three outs.
The Athletics Geoff Hartlieb came into the bottom of the ninth inning looking for some sort of rally. While the A’s were able to score a run in the ninth that would be all from Sacramento. Wilson singled Jeff McNeil home for the one run. The final was 5-2 in favor of the Nationals.
GAME NOTES
The Nationals clearly took advantage of scoring opportunities. They were more effective with runners on base while the Athletics had a lot of trouble delivering timely hits. The A’s did struggle on the mound.
Lopez has been inconsistent this season and the Nationals this season have been able to capitalize when they have runners aboard. It was Alvarado who did the most damage in this game however.
A huge reason for the Nationals win in this game was starting pitcher Foster Griffin who has been one of Washington’s most reliable pitchers and he made it extremely difficult for the Athletics lineup to string together any sort of rally. It was another disappointing loss for the Athletics coming out of the all-star game.
Lopez took the mound in this game with a 4-3 win/loss record and a 6.83 ERA. He favored the slider to start the game and held fairly steady through four innings. He was relieved by Alvarado who gave up back-to-back home runs for three National runs in the fifth inning. Lopez pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing two hits, two earned runs, two walks with six strikeouts.
The Athletics faced the Nationals starter Foster Griffin with a solid 10-2 win/loss record and a 2.77 ERA. He had a solid showing pitching seven innings allowing eight hits, ine earned run, one walk and two strikeouts.
Monday the Athletics will head to Arizona for a three-game series with the Diamondbacks. Sacramento’s pitcher for the series will be Jeffrey Springs. He has a 3-9 win/loss record and a 6.08 ERA.
The Diamondbacks will probably start Mitch Bratt a newly acquired young left-handed pitcher. His two starts this season only went three innings so the win/loss decision went to the bullpen. He has no win/loss record so far this season but has a 6.00 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 6:40 PM.
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 pitcher JT Ginn took a no hitter into the seventh inning against the Washington Nationals on Sat Jul 18, 2026 at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s game wrap:
By Mauricio Segura
Jacob Wilson needed one swing to show the Sacramento Athletics had no interest in extending their misery. His leadoff homer to left launched a five-run first inning, J.T. Ginn carried a no-hitter into the seventh, and the A’s buried the Washington Nationals 15-1 to halt a season-high 10-game losing streak on Saturday night at Sutter Health Park.
The turnaround was comical in its size. The A’s had been outscored 91-25 during the disapointing streak, then scored more runs in this game than they had produced over their previous seven games combined. They also responded to a 23-4 loss in the series opener by taking control and dominating Washington almost immediately.
Ginn set the tone by striking out James Wood, Luis García Jr. and José Tena in order in the top of the first. Wilson then sent a Zack Littell offering over the left-field wall. Tyler Soderstrom followed with a single, Carlos Cortes doubled him home, and Joshua Kuroda-Grauer added another RBI double for a 3-0 lead. Jonah Heim’s single scored Kuroda-Grauer, and Lawrence Butler’s force play brought home Donovan Walton to make it 5-0.
Rookie Kuroda-Grauer entered tied for the most hits by an Athletics player through his first 13 major-league games, matching Jack Hayden’s 21 in 1901. His first-inning double gave him 22 through 14 games, one more than Hayden had at the same point.
The A’s added another run in the second. Wilson singled, Shea Langeliers drew a walk, Cortes was hit by a pitch, and Kuroda-Grauer’s grounder scored Wilson for a 6-0 advantage. Littell then held the score there through the fifth, but Ginn gave Washington even less. The right-hander allowed only three walks through six innings and struck out seven while keeping the Nationals without a hit.
Jeff McNeil began the sixth with an infield single after an Athletics challenge overturned the original call. Two outs later, Soderstrom drove a two-run homer to right-center, stretching the lead to 8-0. It was a fitting burst from a hitter who had recently returned from a left hip injury.
Washington finally collected its first hit when Keibert Ruiz singled with one out in the seventh. Ginn departed after 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three walks with seven strikeouts. Hogan Harris finished the inning by getting Daylen Lile on a force play and striking out Curtis Mead.
Then the A’s turned the bottom of the seventh into a long tour of the bases. Cortes opened with a solo homer for a 9-0 lead. Walton drew a walk, Butler later joined him aboard, and McNeil singled home Walton as an error by Wood moved Butler to third. Wilson followed with an RBI single before Soderstrom was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Langeliers cleared them with a three-run double to right, pushing the margin to 14-0.
Cortes had made his fifth pitching appearance of the season in the opener, joining Charlie Jamieson as the only Athletics position players to pitch five times in one year. Back at his usual job, Cortes finished with a double, homer, two RBI and two runs.
McNeil added another RBI single in the eighth, capping a three-hit, two-RBI performance and making it 15-0. Wilson also finished with three hits, three runs and two RBI. Soderstrom had two hits, three runs and two RBI, and every Athletics starter reached base at least once.
The Nationals avoided the shutout in the ninth. Ruiz opened with a ground-rule double, moved to third on Lile’s single and scored on Jorbit Vivas’ sacrifice fly. Luis Medina then retired Dylan Crews on a force play to finish the 15-1 victory, a result that replaced ten games of frustration with nine innings of complete control.
The series finale puts two left-handers on center stage as Jacob Lopez (4-3, 6.83 ERA, 43 strikeouts) starts for the A’s against Washington’s Foster Griffin (10-2, 2.77 ERA, 109 strikeouts), with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. Pacific.
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 starter Gage Jump (61) throws against the Washington Nationals at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Jul 17, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s podcast Tony Harvey:
#1 How did Sacramento A’s rookie first baseman Tommy White perform in his MLB debut, and what did his first major league hit reveal about his potential?
#2 What positives, if any, can the A’s take from pitcher Gage Jump’s outing despite the team’s 23–4 loss, and how did his performance change after the early innings?
#3 How effective were A’s Jacob Wilson and Shea Langeliers at the plate, and were they able to provide any offensive spark against Cade Cavalli and the Washington Nationals’ pitching staff?
#4 How much did the absence of injured regulars Nick Kurtz and Zack Gelof affect the A’s lineup, and did Donovan Walton help stabilize the infield in his first game with the club?
#5 Following a 23–4 defeat and a 10th consecutive loss, what adjustments should manager Mark Kotsay expect from veterans such as Lawrence Butler, Tyler Soderstrom, and Shea Langeliers heading into Saturday’s game?
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 catcher Shea Lageliers (left) can only watch as the Washington Nationals Andres Chaparro (87) gives thanks to the Almighty after scoring at the plate in the top of the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento on Fri Jul 17, 2026 (AP News photo)
Sacramento A’s game wrap:
A’s Took A Friday Night Detour to Skidsville 23-4
By Mauricio Segura
The Sacramento Athletics were hoping the All-Star break would provide a reset, but Washington had other plans by sending the A’s to the showers with a 23-4 devestating loss. The Nationals broke open a close game with a series of big innings and handed the Green and Gold another frustrating defeat, extending a stretch that has seen Sacramento searching for answers.
Entering the series, the A’s had dropped nine straight and 13 of their previous 14 games, with both the offense and pitching staff struggling to find consistency.
The opening two innings belonged to the pitchers. Gage Jump worked around a quiet first inning by striking out two, while Washington starter Cade Cavalli matched him pitch for pitch. Carlos Cortes collected Sacramento’s first hit with a line-drive single, but Jacob Wilson bounced into a double play and Tyler Soderstrom struck out to erase the early opportunity. Jump then retired the Nationals in order in the second, adding two more strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.
Washington finally cracked the scoreboard in the third. Jacob Young worked a walk and Nasim Nuñez followed with a single before Jump retired James Wood for the second out. After a brief on-field delay, Curtis Mead ripped a two-run double into left, scoring both runners. Andrés Chaparro followed immediately with a sharp RBI single, giving the Nationals a 3-0 advantage.
The Athletics answered in the fourth with one swing. Wilson reached on a single, bringing Soderstrom to the plate. The left-handed slugger launched a two-run homer to center, trimming the deficit to one and briefly injecting life into Sacramento’s offense. It was one of the few bright spots for an offense that had scored only four runs over its previous five games entering the contest.
That momentum disappeared almost instantly. Washington struck back in the fifth when Chaparro crushed a two-run homer after Mead singled, stretching the lead to 5-2. Later in the inning, after Dylan Crews stole second following a walk, rookie catcher Harry Ford drilled a two-run homer to center. The Nationals had suddenly built a comfortable cushion while Sacramento’s bullpen struggled to slow the rally.
Mead continued to torment Athletics pitching in the sixth. Young walked again, Nuñez singled, stole second, and both runners scored on James Wood’s single to right. Mead followed with another double, and Chaparro lined a two-run single to center that became even more costly when a fielding error allowed him to reach second. CJ Abrams added an RBI double, and Daylen Lile capped the seven-run inning with a run-scoring single. By the time the dust settled, Washington had blown the game wide open.
The Nationals kept their foot on the gas in the seventh. Nuñez singled once more before Mead ripped his third double of the game. Chaparro then delivered the knockout blow, hammering his second home run of the afternoon, a three-run shot to left. Chaparro finished with two home runs and six RBIs, while Mead enjoyed a spectacular afternoon with three doubles, a single, and five RBIs. Nuñez reached base repeatedly, Young scored three times, and Ford added a home run and three RBIs to an offense that never stopped producing.
Sacramento continued to battle despite the lopsided score. Tommy White, making his major league debut after earning his promotion with a strong season in the minors, collected a double for his first big league hit. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer also stayed hot with a single and a ground-rule double. The rookie infielder entered the game tied for the second-most hits by an Athletics player through his first 12 major league games, and he continued to strengthen that impressive start.
Shea Langeliers added another highlight in the eighth, lining a solo homer to left for Sacramento’s third run. Henry Bolte later drove home Kuroda-Grauer with a ground-rule double after a Washington error helped keep the inning alive, but it was far too little to threaten a comeback.
Washington added one final exclamation point in the ninth after the Athletics turned to position player Carlos Cortes on the mound. Dylan Crews doubled home a run, Ford added an RBI single, and Daylen Lile capped the scoring with a three-run homer to center.
Sacramento showed flashes with Soderstrom’s two-run blast, Langeliers’ solo shot, White’s first career hit, and another productive day from Kuroda-Grauer, but Washington’s relentless attack, led by Chaparro and Mead, proved overwhelming from the middle innings forward.
The series continues Saturday when J.T. Ginn (7-6, 3.67 ERA, 82 K) gets the ball for the Athletics opposite Zack Littell (7-6, 4.90 ERA, 94 K) for Washington, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. Pacific as Sacramento looks to finally put the brakes on its lengthy skid.
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.
San Francisco Giants Bryce Eldridge (8) connects for a ninth inning walk off grad slam against catcher Keibert Ruiz and the Washington Nationals at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 10, 2026 (AP News photo)
Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Oracle Park
San Francisco, California
Washington Nationals 10 (35-34)
San Francisco Giants 11 (28-41)
Win: Reiver Sanmartin (1-0)
Loss: Mitchell Parker (2-3)
Time: 3:02
Attendance: 32,459
By Stephen Ruderman
SAN FRANCISCO–I still cannot believe it, but the Giants just completed a comeback for the ages, as they came all the way back from down 9-1 in the bottom of the eighth inning with back-to-back five-run innings to beat the Nationals 11-10 on a walk-off grand slam by Bryce Eldridge, who just became the youngest player to hit a walk-off grand slam in Baseball History.
The Giants showed some signs of life on the road, as they won four of five to end their three-city trip. However, a devastating loss in the opener of this three-game series against the Nationals on Monday night seemed to deflate this team.
The Nationals beat the Giants 6-3 last night, and today was more of the same. The Giants’ offense was still mostly stuck in home run mode after their 18-run outburst with the wind blowing out at Wrigley Field on Friday, and really couldn’t muster much against Nationals’ starter Foster Griffin.
James Wood hit a two-run opposite-field home run to left-center field in the top of the third off Robbie Ray. Ray was solid for the most part through his first five innings. However, after Ray retired the first two men he faced in the top of the sixth, the Nationals put together a two-out rally, and scored four runs to open their lead to 6-0.
Well, that was certainly it. Matt Chapman put the Giants on the board in the bottom of the sixth, and then the Nationals scored three more runs off Carson Symour to make it a laugher at 9-1.
The Giants were going to be swept by a young and upstart Nationals’ team that is much further along in their rebuild, and they were going to be 15 games under .500. I just wanted it to end quickly.
Matt Chapman led off the bottom of the eighth with his second home run of the game, this one off Paxton Schultz. When he got back to the dugout, he started telling his teammates and coaches, “stranger things have happened.” Yeah, dream on.
Rafael Devers then followed it up to make it back-to-back home runs, and cut the deficit to 9-3. It was far too late for back-to-back home runs to matter for the Giants.
Or at least it seemed that way. The Giants kept chipping away. They put together a rally, and scored three more runs to suddenly make it 9-6 and tease us.
The Giants were back in it going to the ninth. Reiver Sanmartin had been called up this morning, and made his Giants’ debut with a 1-2-3 top of the eighth. Sanmartin was back out for the ninth, but he surrendered a leadoff home run to Curtis Mead, which made it 10-6.
To be honest, I still thought there was no way the Giants would actually come back to win this game. Gus Varland came in for the bottom of the ninth. Luis Arraez and Matt Chapman led off the inning with back-to-back doubles, and it was 10-7. The Giants just had to tease us. Devers quickly fell behind 0-2, but he worked a walk, and Blake Butera pulled Varland for the lefty, Mitchell Parker.
Parker would face back-to-back left-handed hitters in Jung Hoo Lee and Bryce Eldridge. Lee grounded a single the other way to left. Third Base Coach Gary Pettis held Chapman up at third, and the bases were loaded for the Giants’ young phenom, Bryce Eldridge, who came up as the potential winning run.
Now, I really felt teased. Eldridge was looking for his signature coming out moment. He had struck out to end Monday night’s game, and had thought a lot over the last two days about getting another chance.
Eldridge took two pitches to jump ahead in the count 2-0. He then hit a towering fly ball to right. It looked too high to be anything significant, and I thought at best, it would be a sacrifice fly. However, as Dylan Crews kept drifting back, it looked like something special could happen. Perhaps, it would hit off the wall, and the game would be tied. The ball kept carrying. Once it hit the green tin atop the 24-foot-high Willie Mays Wall in right, Eldridge threw his bat in the air, and those of the 32,459 who remained here at Oracle Park completely lost it.
In just a matter of, maybe 30-to-45 minutes, the Giants had done the impossible. They came all the way back, and won it 11-10.
I don’t know what else to say at this point, it was one of the most insane games I ever had the pleasure of being at. Chappy said it, stranger things have happened. Come October when the Giants are in the playoffs, we will all look back at this game and……FORGET IT!!!!!!!! Hey, stranger things have happened!
I want to give a major shoutout to Reiver Sanmartin, who stepped up to not only save the Giants’ bullpen, but keep the Giants in a position to come back. Sanmartin was rewarded with the win in his Giants’ debut. Mitchell Parker took the loss.
The Giants improve to 28-41, and will have a much-needed day off Thursday. Then, the Cubs will come to Oracle Park for a three game series starting Friday night.
First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.
In the vibrant center of downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko offers a serene retreat defined by calm, understated luxury and the thoughtful precision of Japanese-inspired service. Each detail is designed to create a restorative experience where modern comfort and wellness come together effortlessly.
Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.
At the top of the hotel, a glass-enclosed indoor pool offers a peaceful escape above the city an inviting space to unwind or, during the summer months, transform into a lively “dive-in” movie experience. Every Friday and Saturday night, families can enjoy classic kids’ films poolside, creating memorable moments in a truly unique setting.
Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,
Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.
For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.
Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.
The Washington Nationals’ Luis Garcia Jr. watches his two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Tuesday, June 9, 2026 (AP Photo/ Jed Jacobson)
By Ryan Hannagan
San Francisco — The San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals faced off for game-two of a three-game series Tuesday night at Oracle Park. Following a loss off a 9th inning comeback by the Nationals in game one, the Giants looked to even up the series and get back in the win column.
Right-hander Adrian Houser was given the nod on the mound for the Giants. Houser came in with a 2-5 record and a 5.49 ERA through 13 games. On the other end, the Nationals went with rookie left-handed pitcher Andrew Alvarez. The 26 year old came into Tuesday’s contest with a 1-0 record and 3.54 ERA through seven games played on the season.
The Nationals wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Luis García Jr. launched a two-run homer to right field just two batters into the game, bringing home Wood and giving Washington an early lead. After the home run, Houser would exit the inning unharmed, but the Giants had to start their first at-bats behind.
After a scoreless first inning from the Giants, the score remained 2-0 through the second, third and fourth. Although San Francisco was held scoreless in the third, outfielder Jung Hoo Lee extended his hitting streak to 17 games with a two-out single. The 17-game streak is a career high for Lee and currently stands as the longest active hitting streak in the majors.
Houser was back out to start the fifth, but after recording one out and allowing a Jacob Young triple, manager Tony Vitello went to the bullpen. Vitello resorted to 29-year-old left-hander Sam Hentegs. James Wood faced Hentegs out of the bullpen and immediately split a single through Chapman and Adames to score Young from third. Hentegs was able to hold the Nationals from further offense, keeping the score 3-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth.
The Giants answered with offense of their own in the bottom half. After walking Devers and allowing a single off the bat of Luis Arraez, Alvarez’s night was over. Going to the bullpen, Nationals manager Blake Butera turned to lefty reliever Brad Lord. The first batter Lord faced, Jung Hoo Lee, knocked home Devers and Arraez with a double. The score was 3-2. Devers and Arraez were the only Giants runs to score in the fifth, as Lord finished the rest of the inning unharmed.
The sixth inning went by quietly, both teams going down scoreless. The Nationals added two more runs in the top of the seventh. Jacob Young scored on a bases-loaded wild pitch, and with the bases still loaded, Daylen Lile drew a walk to force in James Wood. The score had moved to 5-2 Nationals.
The eighth featured no offense on either side. Come the ninth, both teams added a run to their total. For the Nationals, CJ Abrams reached on a throwing error by third-baseman Matt Chapman, to then be brought home by a Daylen Lile triple. The Giants third run was a solo shot by rookie Bryce Eldrige with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Final score, Nationals win 6-3.
The Giants left 13 runners on base. This comes the night after leaving 12 on. The Nationals are heading into game three Wednesday up two games to zero looking to close out the sweep. As for the Giants, damage control will be the goal as they try to avoid being swept. Following Tuesday’s loss, the Giants moved to 27-41 on the season, losing seven of their last nine. Game three from Oracle Park is set for a 12:45 p.m first pitch Wednesday afternoon.
Starting pitchers for Washington LHP Foster Griffin (7-2 ERA 3.63) for San Francisco LHP Robbie Ray (4-6, ERA 4.12).
In the vibrant center of downtown San Francisco, Hotel Nikko offers a serene retreat defined by calm, understated luxury and the thoughtful precision of Japanese-inspired service. Each detail is designed to create a restorative experience where modern comfort and wellness come together effortlessly.
Guests are welcomed into spacious, contemporary rooms that blend clean design with subtle Japanese influences and intuitive, tech-enabled amenities. Throughout the hotel, a sense of tranquility is balanced with engaging, on-site experiences that elevate every stay.
At the top of the hotel, a glass-enclosed indoor pool offers a peaceful escape above the city an inviting space to unwind or, during the summer months, transform into a lively “dive-in” movie experience. Every Friday and Saturday night, families can enjoy classic kids’ films poolside, creating memorable moments in a truly unique setting.
Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,
Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.
For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.
Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (right) steals second base as San Francisco Giants shortstop Willy Adames leaps to field the ball in the top of the ninth inning at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Mon Jun 8, 2026 (AP News photo)
Monday, June 8, 2026
Oracle Park
San Francisco, California
Washington Nationals 4 (34-33)
San Francisco Giants 2 (27-40)
Win: Clayton Beeter (2-1)
Loss: Keaton Winn (2-2)
Save: Gus Varland (5)
Time: 2:31
Attendance: 35,432
By Stephen Ruderman
A great start by Logan Webb was wasted, and for the sixth time this season, the Giants led in the ninth inning only to lose, as the Nationals tagged Keaton Winn for three runs in the top of the ninth en route to a 4-3 win Monday night.
The Giants looked to build on their momentum after winning four of their final five on their roadtrip, which ended with a nice series win in Chicago.
Logan Webb was lights out, and Tony Vitello let him go eight innings. Webb gave up just a run on five hits. He didn’t walk anyone, and he struck out seven. Webb has been nails in his last two starts, and it really does appear that his right knee bursitis was the main cause of his rough start to the season.
The Giants wasted a big opportunity off Nationals’ opener Richard Lovelady in the bottom of the first, and the offense was stymied for most of the night. However, after the Nationals got on the board against Webb in the top of the sixth, the Giants responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the sixth.
The Giants then played the way they were built to in the bottom of the eighth. Jung Hoo Lee led off the inning with a base-hit, and got to second on an errant pickoff throw by Clayton Beeter. Bryce Eldridge then doubled to give the Giants the lead.
With runners at second and third with two outs, Tony sent Jonah Cox to the plate, and put on the squeeze. Cox laid down a perfect bunt along the first base line, and Eldridge scored to make it 3-1. Eldridge and Cox shared an emotional hug in the dugout, and it really felt like this was going to be the Giants’ night.
Well, as good of a season as Keaton Winn has had, he has not been particularly great in the ninth. Winn blew the save in Denver on May 29, and then gave up the game-tying home run to Pete Crow-Armstrong at Wrigley on Saturday.
The Nationals got to Winn for three runs. Dylan Smith, who got the save Sunday night, then finished the inning.
The Giants had one more wasted opportunity in them for the bottom of the ninth. Rafael Devers worked a 1-2 count into a walk against Gus Varland to start the inning, but Luis Arraez suffered a rare strikeout. Willy Adames tried to hit a walk-off home run, but flew out to center. Lee just had to tease us with a base-hit to right to put runners at the corners for Eldridge. Eldridge struck out, and that was all she wrote.
There were some positives in this game. Logan Webb seems to be back, as he has given up just one run and six hits in his last two starts. Remember his last start came against the best and peskiest offenses in the Brewers in Milwaukee on Wednesday.
Jung Hoo Lee not only extended his hitting streak to 16 games, but he went 4-for-5 to up his average to .333. Matt Chapman went 2-for-3, and is swinging the bat like his old self again. I also can’t forget Bryce Eldridge’s 2-for-5 night. It would have been 3-for-5 had it not been for a great catch by Dylan Crews in the bottom of the fourth.
Unfortunately, the bullpen once again blew a late lead. As I said in the lead, the Giants have now lost six games this season in which they led in the ninth inning.
I also can’t leave out the missed challenge two strikes to James Wood and two outs in the top of the sixth. Had the pitch been challenged, it would have been strike three to end the inning. However, Eric Haase was loath to challenge after the Giants lost a challenge in the bottom of the first. Well, Wood ended up scoring, and that proved to be the difference in the game.
The Giants are now 27-40. Going back to the Giants’ six losses after leading in the ninth, there is a massive difference between 33-34 and 27-40. Buster Posey’s failure to sign relief help has haunted the Giants yet again. Unfortunately, this will likely not be the final time this happens.
If anyone is interested, Clayton Beeter got the win, and Keaton Winn took his second loss in three games. Gus Varland picked up the save.
Adrian Houser (2-5 ERA 5.49) for San Francisco will go against Andrew Alvarez (1-0 ERA 3.54) for Washington Tuesday night. First pitch will be at 7:15 p.m.
San Francisco Giants Rafeal Devers (right) scores on a Jung Hoo Lee single in the top of the first inning as the Chicago Cubs catcher Carson Kelly (left) looks on at Wrigley Field in Chicago on Sun Jun 7, 2026 (AP News photo)
San Francisco Giants podcast Marko Ukalovic:
#1 How important was the pitching matchup between the San Francisco Giants Trevor McDonald and the Chicago Cubs Jameson Taillon in determining the outcome of the game?
#2 After splitting the first two games of the series, which team had more momentum entering the Sunday night rubber match at Wrigley Field?
#3 Which player was most likely to provide the game’s biggest offensive impact, and why?
#4 Consider recent performances from players such as the Giants Matt Chapman or the Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong. How did playing on national television as part of Sunday Night Baseball affect the atmosphere and pressure for both teams?
#5 Giants open a three game series against the Washington Nationals Monday night at Oracle Park. Nats have been getting some good offense but struggling a bit on the pitching how do you see this series.
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Dining at Hotel Nikko is equally distinctive. ANZU Restaurant is home to San Francisco’s only Japanese breakfast buffet, offering an authentic and refined start to the day. In the evening,
Kanpai Sushi Lounge delivers an experiential dining atmosphere where craftsmanship and flavor meet in a sophisticated setting.
For entertainment, Feinstein’s at the Nikko brings world-class live music and cabaret performances directly to the hotel, offering an intimate and vibrant nightlife experience without ever leaving the property.
Located at 222 Mason Street near Union Square, Hotel Nikko places guests steps away from the city’s premier shopping, dining, and cultural attractions while offering a peaceful sanctuary to return to.
San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman is all smiles being congratulated after hitting grand slam in the top of the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on Fri Jun 5, 2026 (AP News photo)
MLB The Show podcast Charlie O:
#1 San Francisco’s Friday Offensive Explosion The San Francisco Giants hit seven home runs and scored 18 runs against the Chicago Cubs. What factors contribute most to an offensive breakout of this magnitude, and how sustainable are these performances over a season?
#2 Shohei Ohtani’s Dominance Shohei Ohtani continues to excel both as a pitcher and hitter pitching six innings then going 3-4 as the lead off DH on Wed Jun 3. How does his two-way impact compare to the greatest individual seasons in MLB history?
#3 Nationals Emerging as a Surprise Contender The Washington Nationals have become one of baseball’s best road teams and rank among the league leaders in scoring. What has been the biggest reason for their success so far this season?
#4 Yankees–Red Sox Rivalry Renewed With the New York Yankees dealing with injuries and the Boston Red Sox gaining momentum, how could this series affect the balance of power in the American League East?
#5 MLB Expansion on the Horizon Commissioner Rob Manfred indicated that progress on new stadium projects could pave the way for MLB expansion to 32 teams. Which cities would make the strongest candidates for expansion franchises, and why?
Sports Radio Service 