The fifth inning changed everything. Oakland trailed 2-1 when Nick Kurtz stepped to the plate with two runners on base. His three-run homer to center field turned the deficit into a 4-2 lead, and the Athletics held on for a 5-2 victory over San Francisco at Sutter Health Park.
Kurtz went 1-for-3 with three RBIs and now has eight home runs and 29 RBIs this season. Aaron Civale earned the win with five innings of work, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out two. His record improved to 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA.
The decisive fifth inning began with Kurtz's 417-foot blast that scored Butler and McNeil. H. Bolte followed with an RBI single that brought Langeliers home, extending the lead to 5-2. San Francisco had taken a brief 2-1 advantage earlier in the frame when Harrison Bader homered to left field.
Tyler Mahle struggled for the Giants, surrendering 10 hits and five runs over five innings. He struck out six but took the loss, falling to 1-5 with a 5.59 ERA. Luis Arraez provided the lone bright spot for San Francisco, going 4-for-5 with a home run and an RBI.
Oakland improved to 22-21 and remains atop their division. San Francisco fell to 18-26 and has lost two straight. Civale is now two wins away from 50 career victories.