OAKLAND, Calif. — Kurt Suzuki thinks defense first. When the catcher makes a rare appearance as Oakland's cleanup hitter, though, he slides into the role of run producer.

Suzuki hit a three-run homer to help the Athletics beat the Cleveland Indians, 5-2, last night.

"When you're not trying to do too much it seems the ball goes farther," said Suzuki, a Baldwin High alum from Maui. "We're having fun and it's showing on the field."

Suzuki batted fourth for the fifth time this season, and improved his slugging percentage in the spot to .667. He's hitting .286 there with a pair of home runs and eight RBIs.

"He doesn't strike out much and puts the ball in play," A's manager Bob Geren said. "That's how you pick up runs when you have a man at third."

Suzuki has driven in 21 runs over his last 17 games despite hitting .219 over that span. He leads the A's with 78 RBIs and is trying to become the first catcher to lead the team in the category since 1944.

"I just want to be productive," he said. "Last year I hit .279 and had half as many RBIs (42). I want to put the ball in play and make the defense work."

Adam Kennedy doubled twice and drove in a run for the A's, who have won four straight and nine of 11. Clayton Mortensen (2-2) pitched five innings to win his second consecutive start.

"He did his job; he kept the ball down and we got him some runs early," Geren said. "I'm happy to get what I got out of him. His first inning was about as good as you can pitch."

Trevor Crowe tripled home a run and Michael Brantley added an RBI groundout for the Indians, who have lost five straight and nine of 10. Lou Marson had a career-high three hits.

ANGELS 4, RED SOX 3

Howie Kendrick homered and added an RBI blooper to break a 3-all tie in the top of the ninth inning, and Brian Fuentes earned his 42nd save as Los Angeles ended its three-game losing streak, while stopping Boston's seven-game winning streak.

MARINERS 4, WHITE SOX 3

Jose Lopez and Bill Hall each homered off closer Bobby Jenks in the bottom of the ninth to tie it and Ichiro Suzuki hit a one-out, run-scoring single to center in the bottom of the 14th inning, leading Seattle over Chicago.

RAYS 3, ORIOLES 0

Wade Davis (1-1) threw a four-hit shutout to earn his first major league win and Evan Longoria had three hits and drove in a run to help visiting Tampa Bay split a four-game series with Baltimore.

ROYALS 9, TIGERS 2

Zack Greinke (14-8) spaced three hits over five scoreless innings, lowering his major league-leading ERA to 2.14, and left with an 8-0 lead, and Miguel Olivo and Josh Anderson hit three-run homers to lead visiting Kansas City.