Jack Perkins #50 of the Athletics pitches against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first inning at Sutter Health Park on August 03, 2025 in Sacramento, California. (Photo Credit: Eakin Howard/Getty Images)

By Jeremiah Salmonson

WEST SACRAMENTO — Looking for their third straight series win on Sunday afternoon, the A’s fell short to the D-backs, 6-4, at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento.

Jack Perkins made his first MLB start for the A’s on Sunday. It didn’t go the way he wanted. Perkins was only able to go three innings, giving up five hits and four earned runs. He also walked three D-backs hitters in an outing where it was clear he didn’t have his best command. Perkins tossed 62 pitches in his three innings of work.

Perkins spoke about his first MLB start after the game.

“I felt really comfortable. I think luckily being in that early role, I got to experience a lot of different situations so far—close games, out of games, in games, late-inning leverage situations. So I think all the adrenaline side of things on it being new and things like that’s kind of out the way.”

As for the pitching itself, Perkins was less enthused about how he performed—albeit in a start that wasn’t as bad as it may have seemed.

“I mean, walks are absolutely on me,” Perkins said to MLB.com writer Martin Gallegos after the game. “That can’t happen. I thought I made a lot of really competitive pitches today. Got guys in good counts, just came down to finishing ’em. Kind of felt like I let ’em hang around a little too long, and then bloop hit here, bloop hit there, and next thing you know the inning’s kind of spiraling out of control. So I just got to be better at finishing guys when I get in those counts. And like I said, just eliminating the walks.”

The bullpen came in and pitched well for the A’s—something they’ve become accustomed to of late. Ben Bowden pitched the fourth inning and delivered a spotless frame.

Osvaldo Bido, who hadn’t pitched since July 20, tossed two scoreless innings for the A’s in the fifth and sixth.

Mark Kotsay was impressed with Bido and the preparation and readiness he showed having not thrown in so long.

“I really want to address Bido… he hadn’t pitched in 13, 14 days. Those two innings showed his preparation, it showed his continued concentration throughout those days to be prepared to go out when he got the ball today and throw those two innings successfully. So that’s awesome. That shows great makeup with the kid.”

Elvis Alvarado tossed the seventh inning but wasn’t as sharp as he normally is. He gave up two hits and a run—a home run—in his one inning of relief.

Sean Newcomb came in for the eighth inning and tossed a clean, scoreless frame.

In the ninth inning, Michael Kelly took the ball for the A’s and wasn’t sharp. Kelly needed 32 pitches in the frame as he gave up three hits and a walk. However, he was able to limit the damage and allowed only one D-backs run to score.

The Athletics’ offense sputtered again in the series finale. Yet, the A’s did manage four runs on the day. They scored two runs in the fifth inning on a Nick Kurtz two-RBI single, added another via an RBI groundout from Max Schuemann in the seventh, and scored their last run on a solo homer from JJ Bleday in the ninth. The A’s totaled eight hits in the loss.

With the loss, the A’s fell to 49-65 and dropped their first series since getting swept in Texas against the Rangers. The D-backs improved to 53-59 with the victory.

The A’s head out on the road to take on the Washington Nationals on Tuesday at 3:45 p.m. PST. The Nationals will send MacKenzie Gore (4-11, 3.80 ERA) to the hill as the A’s counter with Luis Severino (5-11, 4.83 ERA).

Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.

⚡Craft cocktails? Check.
🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah.
🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.

Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.

Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.

📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street

Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm

Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.