Suzuki Powers Oakland Past Twins; Hurts Minny Playoff Bid

Oakland, CA (AHN) - Pinch-hitter Kurt Suzuki doubled in the winning run in the ninth inning lifting the Oakland A's get past the contending Minnesota Twins 3-2 Thursday night.

Suzuki smacked a shot off Jesse Crain that went to the wall in left-center field to score Ryan Sweeney in the bottom of the ninth inning, for Oakland's 11th victory since the All-Star break.

Oakland's designated hitter Frank Thomas gave the A's first run in the fourth inning on a double play after hitting a leadoff double against Minnesota starter Nick Blackburn.

In the sixth, the Twins tied the match at 1-all after Justin Morneau's sacrifice fly that scored Denard Span from third base.

Left handed-hitter Daric Barton gave the lead back to the A's, 2-1 following a single to left field that scored Bobby Crosby from second.

Nick Punto's one-out RBI single off Oakland starter Dana Eveland equalized the game at 2-2 in the top of the seventh.

Daric Barton's sacrifice bunt in the ninth off Craig Breslow (0-2) moved the winning run into scoring position before the Twins brought in Crain.

Ahead 0-2, Crain eventually walked Emil Brown before facing Suzuki.

Joey Devine (4-0), who has not allowed an earned run in 12 appearances since coming off the disabled list Aug. 2, pitched the eighth to give the A's their first back-to-back win since July 10-11.

Oakland, with a 62-72 mark, is trying to catch Texas, which is ahead 3 ? games in the AL-West race.

On the other hand, Thursday's loss drops Minnesota 1 ? games behind the White Sox in the AL- Central.