San Diego, CA

A’s Drop Opener to San Diego Padres

Published

11 months ago

April 8, 2025

After the Athletics first series ever at Sutter Health Park, there were some concerns about the ballpark being an extreme hitter’s park, thanks to its minor-league status. The Athletics were outscored 35-9 by the visiting Chicago Cubs in those first three games.

On Monday, the A’s welcomed another tough team, the San Diego Padres, to their new temporary home in West Sacramento. Despite dropping the first game 5-4, there was some good news that came out of this one.

First off, the A’s didn’t allow seven or more runs, which they did in each of the three games against Chicago. There were still four home runs hit in total, which is a bit much, but effective pitching around those home runs was key in keeping this one close.

With the way that the Cubs have continued to play since leaving Sacramento, beating the previously unbeaten Padres two of three at Wrigley over the weekend, and then taking out the Texas Rangers 7-0 on Monday, it’s more likely that the offensive explosion was due to their bats, rather than just the ballpark.

As for the game itself on Monday, San Diego came out swinging, putting up a quick three spot in the first, with Jake Cronenworth’s two-run homer being the big blow. It would prove to be the difference in the game.

Lawrence Butler drew a four-pitch walk to begin the home half, but on the first pitch he saw, Brent Rooker grounded to third baseman Manny Machado for a 5-4-3 double play.

Luis Arraez would single with one down in the third, and Machado would bring him home on a double to right-center on a ball that just shot through the gap and to the wall, giving San Diego a 4-0 lead.

Tyler Soderstrom would answer back in the bottom half of the inning, belting his fifth home run of the season over the right field wall. In the bottom of the fourth, Miguel Andujar would reach on a slow roller to third, and Jacob Wilson would single to right, putting runners at first and second.

After a Gio Urshela fly out, Max Muncy would rip a double down the line in left, scoring Andujar and making it a 4-2 game. Butler followed that up with a single of his own, to bring the A’s within a run at 4-3.

It would remain that way until the seventh, when Fernando Tatís Jr. belted a solo homer out to left to give the Padres an insurance run. Tyler Soderstrom would respond in the home half with a solo shot of his own, his second of the night and his sixth of the season.

It is now New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge and A’s first baseman Tyler Soderstrom atop the home run leaderboard with six apiece. In a fun wrinkle, Soderstrom has the higher average (.381 to .325), OBP (.435 to .426), and OPS (1.292 to 1.276).

Unfortunately for the A’s, they wouldn’t really threaten to tie the game the rest of the way. The closest they came was in the bottom of the eighth, when Jacob Wilson (2-for-4, run scored) got aboard with a single to left with one away.

At that point, manager Mark Kotsay made the decision to swap Wilson for pinch runner Max Schuemann, and sent lefty Seth Brown to bat for Urshela. Shuemann was thrown out trying to swipe second, and Brown struck out on four pitches, ending the threat.

Despite the tough first inning, A’s starter Luis Severino largely settled in the rest of the way, finishing with seven innings pitched, giving up eight hits, five earned, and striking out three. He would appear to be in line to pitch the series finale against his former team, the New York Mets, on Sunday.

Wilson has now recorded a hit in the first 11 games of the season, going 15-for-41 (.366) in that span. He also went 2-for-4 against the Seattle Mariners in the final game last season, so his overall streak stands at 12.

With the A’s falling behind early at home yet again, they have yet to hold a lead at Sutter Health Park through four games. Because of this, they are now 0-4 at home.

Next. A’s Option Joey Estes, Call Up Ground Ball Righty. A’s Option Joey Estes, Call Up Ground Ball Righty. dark

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San Diego, CA

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

Published

6 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Here are the 9 San Diego County communities that set or tied heat records

San Diego County is known for having wet, cold weather in February. But it had numerous hot spells this year. And when the month ended on Saturday a high pressure system produced heat that broke or tied temperature records in nine communities from the desert to the sea, the National Weather Service said.

The most notable temperature occurred in Borrego Springs, which reached 99, five degrees higher than the previous record for Feb. 28, set in 1986. The 99 reading is also the highest temperature ever recorded in Borrego in February.

Escondido reached 95, tying a record set in 1901.

El Cajon reached 92, three degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Ramona topped out at 88, five degrees higher than the record set in 2009.

Alpine hit 88, four degrees higher the record set in 1986.

Campo reached 87, four degrees higher than the record set in 1999.

Vista hit 86, four degrees higher than the record set in 2020.

Chula Vista reached 84, one degree higher than the record set in 2020.

Lake Cuyamaca rose to 76, four degrees higher than the record set in 1986.

Forecasters say the weather is not likely to broadly produce new highs on Sunday. Cooler air is moving to the coast, and on Monday, San Diego’s high will only reach 67, a degree above normal.

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San Diego, CA

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

Published

19 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Francis Parker captures Open Division girls basketball title

OCEANSIDE — The Frontwave Arena scoreboard showed 23 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Up 16, Francis Parker’s win over Westview High School for the CIF San Diego Section Open Division girls basketball championship was secure.

“No, no, no!” Parker head coach Courtney Clements screamed to freshman guard Jordan Brown, telling her there was no need to score.

So Brown walked the ball up the floor, from the backcourt, across midcourt, a 1,000-watt smile etched across her face.

With no Wolverines defending her, Brown dribbled from side to side across the logo. Then, a fraction of a moment before the final buzzer sounded, Brown flung the basketball high toward the rafters, then was engulfed by teammates.

The job was complete. Parker’s first Open Division title in program history was secure, the final reading 66-50 on Saturday night.

Of those final seconds, said Brown, who scored 23 points. “It was a surreal moment, knowing we worked for this all year long. It’s amazing.”

One reason it was amazing was because the top-seeded Lancers (21-7) were a decided favorite, but were stressed by the sixth-seeded Wolverines (20-9). Led by UC Santa Barbara-bound senior guard Sarah Heyn (18 points in the first half), Westview led 35-28 early in the third quarter.

“I just knew I had to do whatever it took to win,” said Brown. “Whether that was defense or offense. I just wanted to win, period.”

Sparked by its defense, Parker closed the quarter on a 14-0 run. Westview’s final 11 possessions of the quarter ended with five missed shots and six turnovers.

Still, the game wasn’t over. Heyn cut the deficit to 48-44 with just over six minutes to play on a bucket. But with 5:47 to play, Heyn was whistled for her fifth foul on a reach-in.

“Knowing their best player fouled out, we sealed the win,” said Brown.

As for Heyn, who finished with 23 points, she sat on the bench and pulled her jersey over her eyes, hiding tears.

Clements’ thoughts when Heyn fouled out? “I hope we can put this game away now.”

Francis Parker High’s Jordan Brown shoots against Westview High during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

That the Lancers did, outscoring Westview 18-6 down the stretch.

The Lancers’ players and coach were effusive in their praise for Heyn, a four-year starter.

“She’s a great player,” said Brown.

“She played phenomenally,” said Clements. “She played the way you would think a senior would play in a championship game. She played desperately. She played every possession like it was the last 20 seconds of the game. She was extremely impressive. (Heyn buried five 3s, missing only once from deep.) She should be proud of herself.”

Clements was proud of her team for another reason. After blowing out two-time reigning Open Division champion Mission Hills by 26 in the semis, some thought Parker might cruise in the title game.

“I figured it was going to be a fight, and it was,” said Clements. “It was good that our girls had to come together, had to stick together. That’s what this is all about, developing character via the sport of basketball. When the kids face adversity, they have to make a decision. Who do they want to be? They showed the best version of themselves. That’s what I want to remember from a game like this.”

Francis Parker’s primary color is brown, which is fitting for the girls basketball team. They are led not only by the freshman Jordan Brown, but also junior Brieana Brown, a strong, aggressive and athletic 5-foot-11 wing.

Brieana Brown scored 25 points and yanked down a team-best eight rebounds.

About the team in brown being led by the Browns (who are not related), Jordan Brown said: “It’s super cool. I love Bri and our story. So many people think we’re related, that we’re siblings. In reality, we’re not, but we play like it.”

Francis Parker High's Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune) — Francis Parker High’s Brieana Brown shoots against Westview during the CIF Open Division championship at Frontwave Arena in Oceanside on Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026. Francis Parker defeated Westview 66-50. (Kristian Carreon / The San Diego Union-Tribune)

Francis Parker and Westview both will advance to the Southern California Regionals.

Earlier in the season, Clements — who was dressed in all black for the championship game — confessed she wasn’t crazy about Parker’s primary color. Her mood shifted Saturday night.

“Brown’s doing well for me now,” she said.

Asked if Lancers’ Brown squared tandem represents the best one-two girls basketball punch in the San Diego Section, Clements gave the questioner a “What do you think?” smirk.

“That,” said the coach of the Open Division champions, “is a no-brainer.”

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