Suzuki wins it for A’s in 10th inning

OAKLAND -- Kurt Suzuki couldn’t remember the last time he hit a ball so far.

“Maybe with an aluminum bat in my hand, but not wood,” said Suzuki after his game-winning, three-run home run in the 10th inning lifted the Oakland Athletics to an 8-5 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Thursday. “It felt great. I was hoping it would get to the wall.”

The homer -- hit well over the 15-foot fence in left-center -- was the second in as many days for Suzuki, but the first game-ending shot of his brief major league career. Suzuki was promoted to be the A’s everyday catcher after Jason Kendall was traded to the Chicago Cubs on July 16.

Designated hitter Mike Piazza had three hits, including a triple and home run for the A’s, who completed a three-game sweep of Chicago while winning their fourth game in a row.

Ruddy Lugo pitched a perfect 10th inning to earn the victory for Oakland. Lugo (4-0) has given up only one earned run in nine innings since being recalled from triple-A Sacramento on Aug. 4.