Kurt Suzuki hit two of Oakland’s four homers as the Athletics showed unusual power in overcoming Boston’s 18-hit attack and winning 9-8 in the American League on Thursday.
The A’s entered the game with the third-fewest in the Majors, but 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 inning, Jack Cust and Kevin Kouzmanoff hit homers on consecutive pitches.
Bill Hall’s solo homer in the ninth pulled the Red Sox within a run, but A’s closer Andrew Bailey got the last two outs for his 12th save.
Yankees 6, Orioles 3
In New York, Alex Rodriguez homered to help New York inflict hapless Baltimore’s eighth straight loss.
Brett Gardner also homered and Robinson Cano had an RBI double off Kevin Millwood (0-6) as the Yankees won their fifth consecutive game, all against divisional last-place teams.
New York starter C.C. Sabathia (5-3) won for the first time in a month, allowing three hits and striking out seven over seven innings, improving to 12-1 against the Orioles by beating them for the third time this season.
Luke Scott hit a two-run homer and Adam Jones also connected for the Orioles.
Tigers 12, Indians 6
In Detroit, Michigan, Magglio Ordonez and Miguel Cabrera hit consecutive homers in a five-run seventh inning as Detroit routed Cleveland.
The Tigers quickly bounced back from the disappointment of Wednesday, when a blown umpiring call cost pitcher Armando Galarraga a perfect game.
Detroit reliever Brad Thomas (2-0) retired two in the sixth inning for the win.
Cleveland’s Hector Abriz (0-1) gave up a run on two hits in an inning to take the loss.
Thursday’s other results:
• Mariners 4, Twins 1
• White Sox 4, Rangers 3
• Angels 5, Royals 4
AP, LOS ANGELES
Kris Medlen took a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning and doubled home a run as the Atlanta Braves held on for a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, notching a ninth straight win.
Troy Glaus homered for the fourth time in five games as Atlanta brought up their longest winning streak in 10 years.
Medlen (3-1) was charged with two earned runs in a career-high seven-and-a-third innings, walking none in his ninth big league start.
Atlanta closer Takashi Saito — pitching against his old side — retired the first two batters in the ninth inning, before injuring a hamstring. Jonny Venters came on and struck out Russell Martin with his first pitch for his first Major League save.
Los Angeles’ Hiroki Kuroda (5-4) was the loser.
Astros 6, Nationals 4
In Houston, Texas, Carlos Lee hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning for Houston after the Astros tied it on an error by Washington’s Cristian Guzman.
Michael Bourn started the comeback with a double to center. After a ground-out, Lance Berkman drove a sinking-liner that dropped at Guzman’s feet and bounced away.
Lee then drove an pitch from Matt Capps (0-3) into the left-field porch for his second two-run, game-ending homer of the season and the Astros’ second win in their last at-bat in three days.
Guzman had given the Nationals a 4-3 lead in the top of the ninth off Astros closer Matt Lindstrom (1-2).
Thursday’s other result:
• Marlins 3, Brewers 2
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