WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics defeated the Baltimore Orioles 5-1 on June 8, 2025, at Sutter Health Park, concluding a three-game series with a strong performance led by pitcher Sean Newcomb and key offensive contributions from Max Muncy and Jacob Wilson. The victory improved the Athletics’ record to 26-41, while the Orioles fell to 26-38, both teams holding fifth place in their respective American League divisions.
The Athletics struck early, scoring four runs in the first two innings against Orioles starter Tomoyuki Sugano, who took the loss, dropping to 5-4 with a 3.23 ERA. Lawrence Butler drove in the first run with a single in the first inning, followed by a three-run second inning fueled by Jhonny Pereda’s RBI double, a fielder’s choice by Butler, and a single from Wilson. Muncy sealed the scoring with a solo home run in the eighth inning off reliever Bryan Baker.
Newcomb earned the win, improving to 1-4 with a 3.78 ERA, pitching three scoreless innings in relief of starter Jacob Lopez. The Athletics’ bullpen, including Grant Holman, T.J. McFarland, and Mason Miller, held the Orioles scoreless over the final five innings, allowing only four hits and striking out four.
The Orioles’ lone run came in the second inning when Ramón Urías scored on a throwing error by Athletics catcher Jhonny Pereda during a stolen base attempt by Emmanuel Rivera. Despite outhitting the Athletics 8-9, the Orioles struggled with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-8 and leaving eight runners on base.
Adley Rutschman led the Orioles’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a walk, while Wilson paced the Athletics with a 2-for-4 performance, including a double and an RBI. Both teams committed errors, with Orioles shortstop Gunnar Henderson accounting for two fielding miscues and the Athletics’ Pereda charged with a pickoff error.
The game, played before 8,836 fans under sunny 82-degree conditions, lasted 2 hours and 34 minutes. Umpires John Bacon, Will Little, Ryan Wills, and Lance Barksdale officiated. The series, tied 1-1 entering the finale, saw the Athletics capitalize on early momentum to secure the win.
The Orioles’ offense showed flashes of potential, with singles from Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, and Coby Mayo, but failed to convert opportunities. Sugano struggled, allowing eight hits and four runs—three earned—over 4.1 innings, marking his first career start against the Athletics. Relievers Scott Blewett, Yennier Cano, and Baker limited further damage, with Cano throwing a perfect seventh inning.
For the Athletics, Lopez pitched four innings, allowing one unearned run on four hits while striking out five. The team’s defense, despite Pereda’s error, turned a double play and benefited from strong outfield play by Butler and Seth Brown. Muncy’s home run, his third of the season, provided insurance in the eighth.
The game highlighted both teams’ struggles this season, with the Athletics posting a 5.77 team ERA, the worst in the majors, and the Orioles at 5.09, third-worst. Both teams have leaned on young talent, with Holliday and Wilson showcasing their potential as top prospects.
The Athletics will face the Kansas City Royals next, while the Orioles travel to play the Detroit Tigers.
