A’s Edge Sox 9-8 as Wakefield Struggles

BOSTON (AP) – Kurt Suzuki hit two of Oakland's four homers as the Athletics showed unusual power in overcoming Boston's 18-hit attack and holding on to beat the Red Sox 9-8 on Thursday.

The A's entered the game with 33 homers, the third-fewest in the majors, and hit more than two in a game for the first time this season.

Suzuki homered in his first two at bats against Tim Wakefield (1-4), a solo shot in the second inning and a two-run homer in the fourth. Then, with Oakland leading 7-5 in the eighth, Jack Cust and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit homers on consecutive pitches by Manny Delcarmen, who began the day as the AL leader with a .128 batting average by opponents.

Bill Hall's solo homer in the ninth pulled the Sox to 9-8, but Andrew Bailey got the last two outs for his 12th save.
      
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