Masterson is masterful as the Indians win fifth straight game

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Even when the Cleveland Indians lost their season-worst seventh in a row last week, manager Manny Acta keep believing in his team.

Acta’s faith in his players seems to be have paid off. Behind Justin Masterson’s pitching and Matt LaPorta’s slugging, the Indians beat the Toronto Blue Jays 6-1 Thursday for their season-high fifth straight win.

The Indians, with several young players in their everyday lineup, skidded on the road before closing the trip with a win in Cincinnati on Sunday. Cleveland returned home Monday and sent the Blue Jays out of town with a four-game sweep.

“I felt we were our own worst enemy in those games,” Acta said. “We had an opportunity to win four of them. We felt we were very close from having a good road trip.”

The Indians combined solid starting pitching, good work from the bullpen and timely hitting against the Blue Jays.

“It was an outstanding series by the kids,” Acta said.

Masterson took a shutout into the ninth inning and LaPorta homered for the third straight game.

Masterson (3-7) blanked the Blue Jays until Jose Bautista led off the ninth with a double and Aaron Hill hit an RBI single with one out. Frank Herrmann relieved with the bases loaded and got Jose Molina to bounce into a double play for his first major league save.

Masterson gave up eight hits, walked none and struck out five.

“He was very good,” Acta said. “He was just short of dominant.”

Masterson gave most of the credit to his teammates.

“It helps out when you’re pitching and you get a big inning like we did,” Masterson said. “I had the great defense behind me and there was great bullpen work. It all worked out together.”

Shawn Marcum (7-4) didn’t allow a hit in the first three innings, but fell apart in a six-run fourth.