Luis Urias on Saturday in the game against the Giants at Oracle Park. (Photo: Athletics on X)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

SAN FRANCISCO — Luis Severino and Landen Roupp engaged in an old-fashioned pitchers’ duel on Saturday night at Oracle Park. Neither starter gave up a run, as the Giants defeated the A’s in walk-off fashion, 1-0.

The game remained scoreless heading into the bottom of the 10th inning after the A’s failed to score in the top half. Mason Miller came in to face the Giants with Willy Adames as the designated runner at second base. LaMonte Wade then walked, followed by a sacrifice bunt from Patrick Bailey that moved the runners to second and third with one out. A’s manager Mark Kotsay elected to walk Mike Yastrzemski to load the bases and have Miller face Wilmer Flores. Flores then drew a walk after a tough at-bat, and the Giants won the game 1-0.

After the game, Kotsay defended the decision, saying, “Lefties have done a better job of taking good at-bats against Mason. I had full confidence with him against Flores there. Flores took a good at-bat and fouled a couple pitches off, and obviously, the walk is big.”

Kotsay continued, reflecting on where he felt the A’s came up short.

“We had chances with runners in scoring position early in this game—I think we were 1-for-10 or worse. That’s where the game was lost. Offensively, we didn’t execute and didn’t get the job done.”

Landen Roupp (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 5 K) and Luis Severino posted nearly identical lines, as both were dealing. Severino went six innings, allowing no runs on four hits while walking one and striking out five.

“I thought Sevy did a great job,” Kotsay said. “This is the start we needed out of him, like we talked pregame.”

It was another fantastic road performance from Severino, who continues to display extreme home/road splits. At home this season, Severino is one of the worst starters in baseball, sporting a 6.75 ERA across six starts, with a 1.50 WHIP and .271 opponent batting average. On the road, however, he’s been dominant. In four road starts, Severino has a 0.72 ERA, a .200 opponent batting average, and a 0.96 WHIP. The contrast is striking.

“I just have to figure out a way to pitch good at home,” Severino said Saturday. “I feel like if I only pitched on the road I would be freaking Cy Young. I need to get better at home. I need to figure out something.”

The A’s offense managed no runs to support Severino’s strong outing on Saturday night in San Francisco.

With the loss, the A’s fall to 22-24 (8-13 at home), while the Giants improve to 27-19 (15-7 at home).

On Sunday, the A’s will try to avoid the sweep, sending Jeffrey Springs (5-3, 4.27 ERA) to the hill. He’ll be opposed by Giants starter Justin Verlander (0-3, 4.31 ERA). First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. PST at Oracle Park.