Aug 6, 2025: Washington Nationals edge Oakland Athletics 2-1 on walk-off; Jack Perkins 6 K, JJ Bleday RBI, and Leo De Vries buzz after Mason Miller trade.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was another tough pill to swallow for the Green and Gold on Thursday, as a brilliant pitching performance was squandered in a 2-1 walk-off loss to the Nationals. But while the sting of another close defeat lingers, the bigger story in Oakland isn't about the box score from a single August game. It's about the blueprint for Las Vegas, a future that got a whole lot brighter with the recent acquisition of a generational talent.
The Athletics recently acquired 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries, rated MLB’s No. 3 prospect, in a multiplayer trade with the Padres.
The series finale in Washington was a classic pitcher's duel that ultimately fell the wrong way. Starter Jack Perkins was masterful, carving up the Nationals for 5.1 innings while allowing just one run on three hits and striking out six. The offense, however, couldn't provide any support. The A's managed just four hits all day, with their lone run coming in the sixth inning on a JJ Bleday single. The game remained tied until the bottom of the ninth, when a leadoff double set the stage for a walk-off single, dropping the A's to 50-66 on the season.
While the present is painful, the future is tantalizing. The club's recent blockbuster trade, sending closer Mason Miller to San Diego, netted the organization's new crown jewel: 18-year-old shortstop Leo De Vries. Ranked as the number three prospect in all of baseball, De Vries represents a cornerstone player the A's can build around as they prepare for their move. He joins an exciting young core that includes Nick Kurtz, Denzel Clarke, and catcher Shea Langeliers, signaling a clear and decisive youth movement.
Guiding this young roster through the transition will be manager Mark Kotsay. With an extension signed in February, Kotsay is under contract through 2028, providing crucial leadership stability. General Manager David Forst has emphasized how important this consistency is for a developing team, ensuring a steady hand is in place as the organization navigates its final years in Oakland and its first years in Las Vegas.
The day-to-day roster management continues as the team evaluates its talent. Catcher Austin Wynns was placed on the 10-day IL with an abdominal strain, leading to the recall of Willie MacIver from Triple-A. On the pitching side, righty Eduarniel Núñez was optioned to Las Vegas, making way for Tyler Ferguson to rejoin the big-league bullpen. Ferguson hopes to carry over his success from Triple-A, where he posted a solid 3.21 ERA in 34 appearances.
Losing games like the one in D.C. is never easy, and a 50-66 record is a testament to the growing pains of a full-scale rebuild. But for the first time in a while, the long-term plan is coming into sharp focus. The pieces are being assembled, from a potential superstar in Leo De Vries to a stable manager in Mark Kotsay. The road to Vegas will have more bumps, but the destination looks more promising than ever.
