TOKYO (AP) — Kurt Suzuki hit his second home run in Japan on Monday in the Oakland Athletics’ 12-6 loss to the Hanshin Tigers in an exhibition game.
Cliff Pennington led off the fourth inning with a solo homer and Suzuki, who hit a two-run home run in Oakland’s 5-0 win over the Yomiuri Giants on Sunday, connected for a three-run shot at Tokyo Dome to cut Hanshin’s lead to 7-4.
The Athletics are in Japan to open the season against Ichiro Suzuki and the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday and Thursday.
Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes sat out Monday’s exhibition after leaving Sunday night’s contest because of cramps in his quadriceps. Cespedes was 0 for 4 in Sunday’s game against the Giants but is expected to be in the lineup for Wednesday’s game.
