OAKLAND—Jack Cust’s patience and penchant for power kept him from making a single out.The Athletics enjoyed every moment of it as he hit two home runs and walked three times to help Oakland beat the White Sox 10-2.Cust hit two home runs and drew three walks in a game for the first time in his career. Kurt Suzuki, who agreed to terms on a four-year deal with the A’s Friday, added a homer of his own and helped the A’s win for the eighth time in 10 games.Daric Barton also drove in two runs, and Kevin Kouzmanoff doubled twice and drove in a run.Freddy Garcia (9-4) lasted a career-low 1 1/3 innings and had his personal six-game winning streak snapped. He gave up five runs on six hits, walking three and striking out two as the White Sox lost for the fifth time in 17 games.Vin Mazzaro (6-2) gave up Ramon Castro’s two-run homer in the second. He allowed three hits over six innings, walking three and striking out five.Mazzaro, who won his fourth straight decision, retired 14 of his final 16 batters, and did not allow a hit after Castro’s home run.Garcia needed a fine running catch by left fielder Juan Pierre to get out of a first-inning, bases-loaded jam. The first four A’s hitters reached base safely against the right-hander.Coco Crisp walked, stole second and scored on Barton’s double. Suzuki singled and Cust walked before Garcia struck out Kouzmanoff and Ellis and nearly avoided further damage when Gross’ foul pop landed safely between Omar Vizquel and Alexei Ramirez before driving in a run with an infield single.Castro’s homer tied the game but the A’s scored three times in the second on RBI hits by Barton, Suzuki and Kouzmanoff.Suzuki and Cust homered in consecutive at bats leading off the fourth against Tony Pena. Cust added his second homer against Scott Linebrink in the eighth. Cust started the season in the minor leagues and then hit two homers over his first 42 games following his May 15 call-up. He’s hit six in his last 10 games and is three away from 100 in his career.Brad Ziegler threw two scoreless innings and Ross Wolf pitched a perfect ninth to complete the combined four-hitter.
NOTES—The A’s improved to an AL-best 23-10 in day games. … The White Sox had won 11 of their last 12 day games. …Alex Rios went 1 for 2 and improved his AL-best day batting average to .434 (43-99). … Garcia also had an eight-game winning streak against AL West teams stopped. … Gross ended an 0 for 16 streak with his infield single in the first. … A’s RHP Ben Sheets was placed on the 15-day DL before the game with a strained right elbow. The A’s recalled Cedrick Bowers to replace Sheets.