Mon Oct 1 04:09:34 2007

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Suzuki's game-winning single lifts A's over Angels

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Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Kurt Suzuki's game-winning single in the bottom of the ninth helped the Oakland Athletics avoid a three-game sweep by beating the LA Angels of Anaheim, 3-2, at McAfee Coliseum.

After Kendry Morales hit a solo homer for LA in the top of the ninth to tie the game at 2-2, the A's battled back for the win.

Mike Piazza hit a lead-off single against Chris Bootcheck (3-3), before pinch- runner Shannon Stewart moved to second on Marco Scutaro's sacrifice bunt. Jack Hannahan followed with a single and Suzuki drove home the decisive run with his base hit to right.

The win went to Huston Street (5-2), who worked the ninth for Oakland after Chad Gaudin allowed just one run on three hits over eight innings in the start. Gaudin fanned a career-high 11 batters and walked three.

Daric Barton added a solo homer for the A's (76-86), who snapped a five-game skid to end the season but were already assured of their worst finish since going 74-88 in 1998.

Mike Napoli also homered for the American League West-champion Angels (94-68), who will play the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS beginning Wednesday at Fenway Park.

Jered Weaver got his final tuneup for the postseason when he allowed just one run and four hits over six innings in the start for the Halos.

The A's took the lead in the third on Barton's one-out, solo homer to left.

The Angels then tied it at 1-1 on Napoli's lead-off shot to right-center in the seventh.

Oakland went back on top in the eighth, however, when Mark Ellis doubled, went to third on Barton's ground out and scored on a sacrifice fly by Nick Swisher.

Game Notes

Weaver will likely start Game 3 in the ALDS against Boston. He had won five of his last six starts coming into the game, but had not pitched since September 20 when he defeated Seattle...The Angels rested Vladimir Guerrero, Orlando Cabrera, Gary Matthews Jr. and Garrett Anderson, who are all nursing injuries...Oakland won the season series, 10-9, after going 8-11 against the Angels a year ago.