Sacramento A’s shortstop Luis Urias (17) prepares himself to field anything that comes his way against the Chicago White Sox at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento on Sun Apr 27, 2025 (photo by Mauricio Segura Golden Bay Times)

Athletics Stun White Sox 3-2 in Extra-Inning Thriller

By Mauricio Segura

WEST SACRAMENTO–When it comes to drama, the green and gold seem to have developed a flair for it this month. Sunday’s matchup at Sutter Health Park against the Chicago White Sox turned from a tense pitchers’ duel into a heart-pounding finale, with Luis Urías sending 9127 fans home happy by launching a two-run walk-off homer in the bottom of the tenth for a 3-2 Athletics win.

The afternoon got off to a rocky start when Chicago’s Joshua Palacios cracked a leadoff home run, giving the White Sox an early 1-0 advantage before many fans had even settled into their seats. The Athletics, however, showed their resilience in the bottom half.

Lawrence Butler slapped a single to center, and Brent Rooker, who has been terrorizing Chicago pitching with a .400 average over his last ten games against them, ripped an RBI double to tie the game at one.

From there, the bats cooled considerably. Osvaldo Bido, starting for the Athletics, bounced back after a rough outing earlier in the week. While he allowed a few base runners, he kept the White Sox from inflicting further damage, backed by solid defensive plays, including a standout diving stop by Jacob Wilson in the sixth inning.

Bido’s effort was an epitome of the Athletics’ recent pattern: starters grinding, bullpen shining. The bullpen entered Sunday with a sparkling 2.75 ERA over the last 11 games, and continued to impress.

Pitching dominated the middle innings as both teams struggled to cash in on opportunities. Mason Miller, who entered with a perfect 8-for-8 save conversion record and some of the fastest pitches in the majors, struck out the side in the ninth to send the game to extras, reminding everyone why he remains one of baseball’s toughest late-inning arms.

After Chicago pushed across the go-ahead run in the top of the tenth on a sharp single from Luis Robert Jr., the Athletics faced the daunting task of rallying against the White Sox bullpen. Jacob Wilson, starting the inning on second base, watched from the bases as JJ Bleday struck out swinging.

That set the stage for Urías, who had already been heating up with a .300 average over his last six games. With one powerful swing, Urías sent a soaring drive over the left-center fence, igniting the crowd and securing the Athletics’ second walk-off win of the homestand.

The victory capped a 3-3 homestand and continued the Athletics’ knack for close games, improving their record in one-run contests to 3-4. Despite a run differential of minus 23 and a roster full of fresh faces, the Athletics are holding their own in the American League West, now sitting just two games out of first.

They now head out on a seven-game road trip, with a four-game set against the Texas Rangers. Left-hander JP Sears (3-2), who carries a strong 3.21 ERA into Monday’s series opener. For the Rangers LHP Patrick Corbin (2-0 ERA 3.77) will start against the A’s. The A’s will look to keep the momentum rolling. Given the Athletics’ impressive 8-5 road record, the green and gold may find the trip a welcome change of scenery.

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.