In a game that was as tense as it was thrilling, Luis Urías delivered a two-run home run in the 10th inning to give the Oakland Athletics a 3-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Sunday. The win clinched the rubber game of the series for the Athletics, who were on the brink of losing a tight contest before Urías’ clutch moment.
Urías crushed the first pitch he saw from White Sox reliever Jordan Leasure (0-2) over the left-field fence with one out in the 10th inning. The blast came with Jacob Wilson on second base, following a strikeout by JJ Bleday. As the ball sailed out of the park, the Oakland dugout erupted, knowing they had just snatched a dramatic victory.
White Sox Strike First, but Athletics Respond
The White Sox were first to break the scoring silence. In the opening frame, Joshua Palacios led off against Athletics starter Osvaldo Bido with a bang, smacking his first home run of the season to give Chicago a quick 1-0 lead.
However, the Athletics weren’t about to let the early deficit spoil their day. In the bottom of the first, Lawrence Butler hit a single to get things started for Oakland, and Brent Rooker followed with an RBI double to score Butler and even things up at 1-1.
The game quickly turned into a pitcher’s duel. White Sox starter Brandon Eisert didn’t make it through the second inning, giving way to Davis Martin, who came in as a long reliever. Martin was nearly flawless, shutting down the Athletics’ offense for six shutout innings, allowing just three hits and two walks while striking out five. His performance kept the White Sox in the game, with both teams struggling to find offense after the early runs.
Late Inning Drama Sets the Stage for Urías
The turning point came in the 10th inning when the Athletics found themselves trailing 2-1. White Sox reliever Grant Holman (2-0) allowed a one-out single to Robert Jr., who advanced to third on a subsequent hit by Edgar Quero. However, the White Sox were unable to capitalize fully when Andrew Vaughn grounded into a double play, which kept the Athletics’ hopes alive.
In the bottom half of the inning, Urías’ heroics came at a critical juncture. With one out and Wilson in scoring position, Urías stepped up to the plate. After watching a few pitches, he saw his opportunity: a fastball that he promptly launched over the left-field wall for the game-winning shot.
Pitching Duel Highlights
While the Athletics’ offense came through in the final moments, both teams’ pitching staff had held strong throughout most of the contest. Martin’s six innings of shutout relief for the White Sox were pivotal, keeping his team within striking distance.
On the Athletics’ side, Bido pitched well enough to keep his team in the game, but it was the bullpen that ultimately secured the win. Grant Holman, despite being tagged with the win, was forced into a difficult situation, facing pressure in the extra inning before finally seeing Urías deliver the decisive blow.
The Final Stretch
With the win, the Athletics move closer to maintaining a competitive edge in the American League standings, while the White Sox will reflect on a game that slipped through their fingers in the late innings.
For Urías, the home run was more than just a game-winning moment—it was a reminder of why he is such a vital part of the Athletics’ lineup. His clutch hitting late in games has been a consistent factor this season, and his performance on Sunday highlighted his ability to deliver in critical moments.
As the Athletics celebrate their hard-fought victory, the White Sox will have to regroup before their next challenge. Both teams head into the coming week with a renewed sense of urgency, knowing that every game matters in this tightly contested season.
