Lawrence Butler delivered the winning hit in the 10th inning, securing a 2-1 walk-off victory for the Oakland Athletics against the Washington Nationals on Friday night. Butler also hit a solo home run earlier in the game.
Max Schuemann, making his major league debut, scored the winning run after starting as the automatic runner in the 10th inning. The 26-year-old was called up to replace injured outfielder Brent Rooker.
Reflecting on Schuemann’s contribution, Butler remarked, “That’s my boy. We were drafted together. To see him score that run for my first walk-off, his first MLB run in his first MLB game; that was a pretty cool moment.”
The game drew a crowd of 5,777 fans, marking the A’s first home game since announcing their relocation to Sacramento for the next three seasons, as they conclude their tenure at the Oakland Coliseum.
Jesse Winker’s ninth-inning solo home run for the Nationals briefly tied the game before the A’s secured the win in the 10th inning.
Butler’s home run in the third inning, with an impressive exit velocity, added to the A’s lead earlier in the game.
Pitcher Paul Blackburn continued his impressive start to the season with another scoreless outing, setting an Oakland record for consecutive scoreless innings to begin a season.
Michael Kelly earned the win on the mound for the A’s, while Kyle Finnegan suffered the loss for the Nationals.
Nationals pitcher Jake Irvin had a strong performance, pitching six innings of one-run ball. However, the Nationals faced setbacks, including the ejection of first baseman Joey Gallo in the eighth inning.
Before the game, the Nationals made roster moves, recalling right-handed reliever Amos Willingham and optioning catcher Drew Millas to Triple-A.
