Suzuki Scores Winning Run Against Angels

By Fred Guzman

Kurt Suzuki has been on a roll ever since he became a daddy last month.

And the Oakland catcher was at it again last night, scoring the winning run on a fielder’s choice grounder to an outfielder playing in the infield as the Athletics rallied to a 5-4, 10-inning victory over the visiting Angels.

Suzuki’s daughter, Malia, was born in late April. After a brief paternity leave, Suzuki celebrated his return to the lineup as a designated hitter and delivered an RBI single in a 3-1 win over the defending American League champion Texas Rangers.

Suzuki has not been as productive as in past seasons, currently batting a modest .252 with four homers and 12 RBI. But his offensive numbers have improved steadily since the arrival of his baby, hitting three homers and driving in eight runs during that span.

Maui’s other major-leaguer, Shane Victorino, sat out last yesterday’s game with a sore right hamstring.

The Phillies could have used his services. They lost 3-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals on a night that Philadelphia left-hander Cliff Lee was ineffective on the mound and St. Louis slugger Albert Pujols started and played the entire game at third base for the first time since 2002.

Lee was simply awful, giving up six hits walking a career-high six batters in 6.2 inning as his season mark fell to 2-4.