The Athletics made a statement in the nation's capital Thursday afternoon, silencing the Nationals with a dominant 6-0 shutout that showcased both their offensive firepower and pitching prowess. Jacob Lopez stole the show on the mound, carving through Washington's lineup with surgical precision—10 strikeouts over 7.2 scoreless innings while allowing just three hits. The 24-year-old lefty overwhelmed hitters with a masterful 82-strike performance, lowering his ERA to 3.59 and giving the Nationals no answers. Meanwhile, Oakland's bats came alive early, with Tyler Soderstrom's solo blast in the third and Colby Thomas's three-RBI pinch-hit homer in the seventh delivering the knockout punches. Darell Hernaiz (2-for-3, two runs) and Max Schuemann (3-for-4) set the table all afternoon, turning a matinee matchup into a one-sided affair.

For Washington, the defeat marked another frustrating outing for starter Mitchell Parker, who labored through five innings while surrendering four runs on six hits. The Nationals' offense never found its rhythm, striking out 12 times as a team and managing just three singles against Oakland's stifling pitching staff. The Athletics, now riding high on Lopez's gem and timely hitting, look to carry this momentum forward, while Washington must regroup after being held scoreless for the first time this season.