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The Honolulu Advertiser
Updated at 1:14 p.m., Sunday, September 21, 2008

MLB: Cust's late 2-run homer lifts A's over M's

Associated Press

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Oakland Athletics' designated hitter Jack Cust hits a two-run home run off Seattle Mariners pitcher Miguel Batista during the eighth inning today in Oakland, Calif. Oakland won the game, 5-3.

ERIC RISBERG, Associated Press

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OAKLAND, Calif. _ Jack Cust hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning and the Oakland Athletics beat Seattle 5-3 today to complete a three-game sweep and send the last-place Mariners to their 11th straight loss.

Seattle went 0-11 on its final road trip of the season, the third time in franchise history the Mariners have failed to win on a trip of at least 10 games. The Mariners have lost 13 straight on the road.

Aaron Cunningham's pinch-hit, two-run double against Miguel Batista (4-14) in the seventh tied it and the A's earned their fourth season series win against the Mariners in five years. Bobby Crosby also drove in a run for the A's.

Brad Ziegler (3-0) pitched a perfect eighth and Joey Devine worked the ninth for his first career save.

Seattle starter Brandon Morrow took a no-hitter into the sixth inning but ended up with a no decision after allowing three runs and two hits over 6 1-3 innings. He walked five and struck out six.

Sean Gallagher went 6 2-3 innings for the A's, giving up three runs, four hits and three walks. He struck out five.

Ichiro Suzuki extended his hitting streak to 14 games and drove in a run, Jose Lopez doubled twice and Jeremy Reed and Yuniesky Betancourt also had RBIs for Seattle.

Cust, who has struck on an AL-record 188 times, hit Oakland's 62nd home run at home this year — the fewest by the A's in a non-strike season since they had 60 in 1983.