SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Athletics eked out a 4-3 extra-innings victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday evening at Sutter Health Park, delivering Sacramento fans another memorable moment in the franchise's transitional era as they await their permanent Las Vegas home.
The A's, who have been playing in Sacramento since departing Oakland, entered the game with modest but improving form, relying on their bullpen depth to hold a dangerous Angels lineup in check through eight innings of a tied ballgame. Closer Mason Miller retired the side in order in the top of the tenth to preserve the tie and set the stage for the walk-off.
With the automatic runner placed at second base to begin the bottom of the tenth, Brent Rooker worked a leadoff single to advance the runner to third before a sacrifice fly off the bat of Lawrence Butler plated the winning run, sending the modest but enthusiastic Sutter Health Park crowd into celebration.
For the Angels, the loss extends a frustrating stretch of close-game defeats that has hampered their AL West positioning. Starter José Soriano delivered six solid innings but received little offensive support, with the Angels managing only three runs on eight hits across the contest.
The win gives the Athletics back-to-back victories in the series and keeps them relevant in a competitive AL West division race heading into the weekend. Manager Mark Kotsay praised the resilience of his roster, noting that extra-innings games have been a recurring proving ground for a young squad still building chemistry in an unconventional home situation.