Kelly hits for cycle and Cubs power past Athletics 18-3 in 1st MLB game at Sutter Health Park

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Carson Kelly hit for the cycle and drove in five runs, Michael Busch launched a two-run homer on the way to a career-high four RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Athletics 18-3 on Monday night to spoil their first game in their new Northern California home.

Busch connected in the first inning and Dansby Swanson followed with a homer on a blustery night when the wind carried balls over the fence just as Cubs manager Craig Counsell predicted. Indeed, there were plenty of offensive fireworks in the first major league game at Sutter Health Park in California’s capital region.

With 21 hits, the Cubs amply backed right-hander Ben Brown (1-1), who struck out five in five innings for his second career win. They scored their most runs since an 18-8 victory at Pittsburgh last Aug. 26.

The 18 runs allowed by the A’s were the most by any team in a home opener in 100 years, according to Sportradar. The Browns allowed 21 to the Indians in 1925.

A's shortstop Jacob Wilson hit his first career homer leading off the third in front of a sellout crowd of 12,119.

The Cubs jumped on A’s righty Joey Estes (0-1), and Swanson homered for the second straight game.

All the A’s players wore No. 24 to honor late Hall of Famer Rickey Henderson, who died Dec. 20 five days before his 66th birthday. A 24-second moment of silence was held after player introductions, then Henderson's three daughters threw out ceremonial first pitches.

Kelly homered in the fourth inning, had a two-run single in the fifth, doubled and walked in the sixth, and tripled in the eighth. The previous Cubs player to hit for the cycle was Mark Grace on May 9, 1993, against the San Diego Padres — before Kelly was even born in 1994.

No catcher for the Cubs had accomplished the feat since Randy Hundley on Aug. 11, 1966, versus Houston.

Kelly even walked twice, too. His run-scoring triple made it 17-3.

Cubs LHP Justin Steele (1-1, 8.00 ERA) takes the mound Tuesday in his third start of 2025. RHP Luis Severino (0-0, 0.00) makes his second start for the A's after pitching the opener Thursday at Seattle.

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Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki tosses his bat during batting practice before a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Chicago Cubs designated hitter Seiya Suzuki takes batting practice before a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

A young Chicago Cubs fan catches a ball during batting practice before a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki catches a ball during batting practice, before a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Athletics pitcher Joey Estes throws to a Chicago Cubs batter during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Fans arrive at Sutter Health Park for a baseball game between the Athletics and the Chicago Cubs, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

The Athletics and the Chicago Cubs listen to the national anthem before a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Chicago Cubs' Ben Brown pitches to a Athletics batter during the first inning of a baseball game Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch runs the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

Chicago Cubs' Michael Busch hits a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Athletics, Monday, March 31, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

BOULDER, Colo. (AP) — Shedeur Sanders insisted Friday he doesn't necessarily need the bright lights of Broadway or the Bellagio at the outset of his NFL journey. He suggested he could just as easily thrive for the “Dawg Pound” fan base in Cleveland.

“I could bring cameras and eyes anywhere I go," Sanders declared after throwing passes to a fantastic foursome of two-way star Travis Hunter, Jimmy Horn Jr., Will Sheppard and LaJohnty Wester at Colorado's pro day, dubbed the “We Ain't Hard 2 Find Showcase."

“It don’t matter where I go, I know ... the influence I have on the society and the culture," Sanders said. "So wherever I go it’s definitely going to be an improvement than what it was before I got there.”

Sanders proclaimed he's the top quarterback in the NFL draft on April 24, although most mock drafts have the Tennessee Titans taking Miami QB Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick, followed by either Sanders or Hunter, the 21-year-old two-way star and Heisman Trophy winner who skipped the testing periods Friday but shined while running routes and catching passes — without gloves — from Sanders.

Hunter also shunned the post-workout podium after scores of NFL talent evaluators from all 32 teams descended on Colorado’s campus for the showcase whose moniker was a nod to one of “Coach Prime” Deion Sanders’ mottos. NFL Network broadcast the event and ESPN also was on hand.

The Browns own the second overall pick in the draft, followed by the New York Giants. Although both Sanders and Hunter figure to be selected in the top three picks, the Las Vegas Raiders could try to move up from sixth.

Deion Sanders has said he wants Shedeur to go to the right team with the right fit and he portrayed the Browns as an ideal possibility when asked about Shedeur and Hunter having dined with Browns bigwigs Thursday night.

No matter where he lands, Shedeur Sanders will be part of a rebuild, something he said he used to: “I don't think Jackson State or Colorado had a winning history before I got there. So, it's just another day in the office, another year in the office for me. It's the same thing over and over.

“I'm just thankful for the opportunity and whoever drafts me ... will be very lucky to get me.”

Deion Sanders stuck by his proclamation that Shedeur and Hunter should go 1-2 in the draft, although he didn't say who should be the top pick.

Hunter and Shedeur Sanders both skipped workouts at the NFL scouting combine and the Big 12 Pro Day. Sanders' brother, safety Shilo Sanders, skipped the bench press and vertical jumps that began the day at the Buffaloes' indoor practice facility Friday, citing a sore right shoulder. But he ran the 40-yard dash in an impressive 4.52 seconds before cheering on his brother's passes in the afternoon.

All eyes were on Shedeur Sanders and Hunter, the 21-year-old two-way star who had 96 catches for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns on offense and 35 tackles, 11 pass breakups, eight forced incompletions and four interceptions on defense while allowing just one touchdown last season when the Buffaloes went 9-4.

Hunter, who won the Heisman, Chuck Bednarik and Fred Biletnikoff awards, wants to play both offense and defense in the NFL, something that Hall of Famer Champ Bailey, the last true two-way player to come out of college, said will depend on where he lands on draft night.

“It's about what the team allows him to do,” Bailey told The Associated Press while watching the action. “When you call the defense out there, he's going to run out. When you call the offense out on the field, he's going to run out. But who's your coach? What will they allow him to do? Where he goes is going to determine how those first couple of years play out and the opportunities he gets. He's just got to get with the right team.”

Asked what it was like throwing to this group of receivers one last time, Shedeur Sanders said, “I'm not sure that one of these guys won't be on my team. I know them. So, who knows? Who knows if Shilo's going to be on my team? So, there's a lot of I-don't-know's right now.”

What he does know is his favorite part of pro day was having his brother cheering him on.

“It was cool that he was able to be there and support me. I wish I was there to watch him run his 40-yard. I think he ran a 4.52. So, he's been training hard to get that done, so I'm excited that we're all here, we're all shining and we're all going to be legendary.”

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Colorado head coach Deion Sanders looks on as players take part in the 40-yard dash during Colorado's NFL football pro day Friday, April 4, 2025, in Boulder, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)