Mazzaro upstages All-Star Carmona

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

Vin Mazzaro pitched like an All-Star in order to beat one.

The Oakland Athletics’ young right-hander worked into the eighth inning and upstaged Cleveland All-Star Fausto Carmona on Sunday in a 3-1 victory over the Indians.

“He was pretty unhittable for a period there,” Oakland manager Bob Geren said.

Mazarro (4-2) won his second straight outing, allowing just the one run on seven hits in 7 1-3 innings. He tied the longest start of his career set in June 2009 against Baltimore.

“I felt strong,” Mazzaro said. “I could’ve went more, but the bullpen came in and did the job.”

Andrew Bailey worked the ninth for his 17th save. He yielded a one-out single to Jhonny Peralta, then got Matt LaPorta to hit into a game-ending double play on the next pitch.

Adam Rosales hit his sixth homer to give Oakland a 3-1 lead in the seventh off Carmona (7-7). It was the first home run allowed by Cleveland in 62 innings and the first given up at home in 83 innings.

“Fausto had another quality start,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He deserves credit for turning things around after the past couple of seasons.”

Carmona went 19-8 in 2007, then struggled to a combined 13-19 record the next two seasons. A year ago, he was back in the minors, seeking to smooth out his delivery.

“I feel so much better this year,” he said. “I’m comfortable, but I still have work to do.”

Cleveland lost for only the second time in eight games and was without outfielder Shin-Soo Choo. The Indians’ top slugger, batting .286 with 13 homers and 43 RBIs, went on the 15-day disabled list Sunday with a strained right thumb that may require surgery.