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Suzuki's homer in 10th lifts A's over White Sox

Apr 12, 2011 - 5:56 AM Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Kurt Suzuki hit a solo homer in the 10th inning and broke up Mark Buehrle's no-hitter in the sixth inning as the Oakland Athletics topped the Chicago White Sox, 2-1.

"It was a big thrill," Suzuki said of his homer. "Any time you can contribute when it really counts it is a big thrill. I am just happy I can deliver."

Cliff Pennington scored on a Juan Pierre fielding error with one out in the top of the ninth to pull the A's even and Tyson Ross (1-0) got the win for allowing only one hit with a walk in three innings of work. He also struck out four.

"It defiantly hurts the pitchers that were busting their buts," Pierre said of his error. "It hurts that team and that is what makes it tough."

Buehrle, who was in search of his 150th career win, was stellar for Chicago, going eight innings and allowing only two hits and walk one. He completed his solid outing by recording one strikeout.

Brent Lillibridge accounted for Chicago's only run on a solo homer in the fifth inning. Matt Thornton blew his third save of the season by allowing an unearned run on one hit in the eighth, and Jesse Crain (0-1) was tagged for the loss for allowing a run on two hits in 1 2/3.

Buehrle and Oakland starter Dallas Braden were both solid in the opening innings as it took until an Alez Rios infield since in the bottom of the fourth for Chicago to finally get to Braden.

Braden allowed two hits in the inning and entered the fifth inning unscathed until Lillibridge's first homer of the season with two outs got the White Sox on the board.

Buehrle had a chance to keep his run going in the top of the sixth due to the fact that Gordon Beckham bobbled a pop foul off the first baseline that would have retired Suzuki. Suzuki than singled a few pitches later, however, Buehrle regrouped and sat Oakland down with a grounder, his first strikeout of the game, and a liner to right.

Buehrle was pulled after eight innings and Thornton allowed a Andy LaRoche double to begin the frame. Pennington entered as a pinch runner and scored when Daric Bartin roped a fly ball to left, but when Pierre went to field the ball he tripped, allowing Pennington to score and tie the game.

Suzuki stroked his two-out homer in the top of the tenth to give the A's the lead and Brian Fuentes recorded his fourth save of the season by sitting down the Chicago 8-9-1 hitters to end the game.

Game Notes

Braden went six innings, allowing one run on five hits while striking out seven...Paul Konerko finished 2-for-3 for Chicago while Suzuki finished 2- for-4 for Oakland...Oakland went 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and stranded four runners on base.