Lawrence Butler hits 1st leadoff inside-the-park homer for A's in 82 years, adds solo shot in 3rd

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Lawrence Butler became the first Athletics player in 82 years to hit a leadoff inside-the-park home run when he rounded the bases Tuesday night against the Atlanta Braves.

Butler hit the first pitch from Braves right-hander Didier Fuentes off the right-center field wall at Sutter Health Park, and the ball bounced hard toward right and out of reach of outfielders Stuart Fairchild and Eli White. Butler slid headfirst across the plate but didn't draw a throw.

The next batter, All-Star shortstop Jacob Wilson, was plunked on his left wrist and left the game. He is the leading candidate for AL Rookie of the Year, according to BetMGM Sports.

Butler hit the first of three first-inning homers for the A's, who took a 5-0 lead. Brent Rooker and Max Muncy each hit two-run shots. Brooker hit his 19th and Muncy his eighth.

Butler also hit a solo home run to center field in the third inning. He has 13 homers this season.

Elmer Valo on June 25, 1943 was the last A's player to hit a leadoff inside-the-parker.

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Athletics' Lawrence Butler (4) celebrates with teammate Denzel Clarke (1) after hitting an inside-the-park home run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Athletics' Lawrence Butler sprints toward home plate as he hits an inside-the-park home run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

The Athletics trainer and manager Mark Kotsay, right, come to check on Athletics' Jacob Wilson (5) after he is hit by the pitch during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. Wilson would go on to leave the game. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Athletics' Max Muncy points to the dugout after hitting a two-run home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves, Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Athletics' Brent Rooker jogs around the bases after hitting a two-run home run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

Athletics' Lawrence Butler slides into home plate as he hits an inside-the-park home run against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of a baseball game Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Scott Marshall)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Giannis Antetokounmpo blocked a shot by LeBron James and stole the ball from him on consecutive possessions in the final minute, and the Milwaukee Bucks blew a fourth-quarter lead before rallying for a 105-101 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night.

Kevin Porter Jr. scored 22 points, and he hit two free throws to break a tie after Antetokounmpo blocked a driving layup attempt by James with 39 seconds left.

Antetokounmpo then knocked the ball out of James' hands from behind with 2 seconds left, and Porter hit two more free throws to seal Milwaukee's fifth win in seven games — its first over a team with a winning record since Dec. 11. Antetokounmpo finished with 21 points in his lowest-scoring effort since returning from his right calf strain.

Luka Doncic had 24 points and nine assists on 8-of-25 shooting for the Lakers. He had his lowest-scoring performance since Christmas, and he fouled out on Porter's 3-point attempt with 16.2 seconds to play.

James had 26 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds, but Antetokoumpo got the best of the top scorer in NBA history at crunch time. Los Angeles has lost six of 10.

Milwaukee surged to a double-digit lead in the first half even with Antetokounmpo on a minutes restriction in his injury return. Doncic scored 12 points in the third quarter but also committed four fouls in the period, including his fifth of the game.

Los Angeles abruptly erased its deficit by going on a 17-4 run to open the fourth, with James putting the Lakers ahead when he stole the ball from Antetokounmpo for a layup with 6:02 left. Milwaukee missed nine of its first 12 shots in the period, but Porter's layup tied it with two minutes left.

Lakers starters Austin Reaves and Rui Hachimura remain sidelined by injury, but Hachimura (calf) might return early next week from his six-game absence, coach JJ Redick said.

Bucks: At Denver on Sunday.

Lakers: At Sacramento on Monday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers guard Marcus Smart, left, tries to shoot as Milwaukee Bucks guard Gary Trent Jr. defends during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic, left, and Milwaukee Bucks guard Kevin Porter Jr. go after a loose ball during the first half of an NBA basketball game Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)