Sutherland enjoyed a fast start but Eastern Suburbs fought their way back into the contest on day one of their two-day, round two fixture on Saturday.
Easts captain Jack Preddey's decision to bat after winning the toss at Glenn McGrath Oval looked a poor one after Sutherland's rampant opening.
Jake Wilson trapped Peter Lazarus (2) leg before wicket before NSW all-rounder Ben Dwarshuis ran out Angus Robson (4). Dwarshuis then knocked over Baxter Holt (0) to have the visitors struggling at 3-8.
But an 86-run partnership between former Australia wicketkeeper Peter Nevill and top scorer Tim Armstrong (83) got Easts back into the match. Nevill eventually fell to young NSW leg spinner Dan Fallins for 41, with Easts finishing at 8-258 at stumps.
Meanwhile, Sutherland's Steve Smith will return to cricket for NSW on Thursday, with the Blues to take on Queensland in their Sheffield Shield opener in Brisbane.
