OAKLAND, Calif. -- Athletics reliever Sean Newcomb picked up a win with a pickoff -- and without officially facing a batter.
Newcomb (1-0) became the first pitcher in the A's 124-year history to earn a victory despite not facing a batter Friday night, when Oakland defeated the Minnesota Twins 6-5.
With the A's trailing 5-4, Newcomb came on in relief of Lucas Erceg to face Minnesota's Willi Castro with Austin Martin on first and two outs in the eighth inning. With a 1-1 count on Castro, the left-handed Newcomb picked off Martin to end the inning.
Shea Langeliers hit a two-run homer off Jhoan Duran in the bottom of the eighth to give the A's the lead. Mason Miller came in to pitch the ninth and sealed the rare win for Newcomb with his 14th save.