A’s Hit Four Homers To Avoid Red Sox Sweep

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.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)