Photos: Athletics rally past Cardinals, take Game 2 in Sacramento
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates with third baseman Darell Hernaiz (2) after hitting a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates after hitting a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) motions to team mates after hitting a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates after hitting a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates after hitting a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) points to the sky after hitting a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) motions to teammates after hitting a grand slam during the fifth inning of a game against the Cardinals at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, Calif.
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics thirds baseman Max Muncy (3) places a gold chain on first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) after Kurtz hit a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) celebrates with second baseman Michael Stefanic (17) after hitting a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) walks back to the mound during the fifth inning of the game against the Athletics at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) reacts after fouling a ball off his foot during the fifth inning of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) hits a grand slam against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Michael Stefanic (17) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Henry Bolte (33) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Michael Stefanic (17) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman (16) throws the ball to first base against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics third baseman Darell Hernaiz (2) jogs to first base after hitting a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fifth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman (16) throws the ball to first base against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Henry Bolte (33) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics third baseman Darell Hernaiz (2) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Zack Gelof (20) fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Zack Gelof (20) throws the ball to first base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics third baseman Darell Hernaiz (2) hits a single against the St. Louis Cardinals during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a single against the Athletics during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) attempts to avoid a tag by Athletics center fielder Zack Gelof (20) during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn (0) attempts to avoid a tag by Athletics center fielder Zack Gelof (20) during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman (16) celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Athletics during the fourth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Henry Bolte (33) catches a fly ball against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Zack Gelof (20) fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Zack Gelof (20) throws the ball to first base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the third inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Michael Stefanic (17) throws to first base during the first inning of the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson (41) hits a double against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) catches his helmet after striking out against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics second baseman Michael Stefanic (17) turns a double play against St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) checks the runner against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Matthew Liberatore (32) throws a pitch against the Athletics during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn (35) throws to first base against the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Jack Perkins (50) throws a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals during the ninth inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics center fielder Henry Bolte (33) celebrates with first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics right fielder Brent Rooker (25) and center fielder Henry Bolte (33) and right fielder Colby Thomas (32) celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
May 13, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Jack Perkins (50) and catcher Shea Langeliers (23) celebrate after defeating the St. Louis Cardinals at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
During recent 17-day stretch, Cardinals turned 23 double plays to lead the majors, and it wasn't close. Their opportunity and eagerness is pivotal to success.
Nick Kurtz's grand slam in a long, slogging inning for the lefty erases the Cardinals' early lead and sends host A's to a 6-2 victory Wednesday night.
Trusting his slider all night had worked well for his effectiveness and his efficiency until that pitch was crushed for a grand slam by Nick Kurtz in A's 6-2 win.
