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Indians take one from Orioles
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Cleveland ace Justin Masterson pitched 7 1⁄3 strong innings to help the Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles, 3-1, on Monday in Cleveland.
Associated Press
Cleveland
Justin Masterson is back as the Cleveland Indians’ skid stopper.
The right-hander, supported by three double plays, pitched 71/3 strong innings to help the Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 on Monday night and avoid a four-game sweep.
Masterson (7-8) struck out six and gave up one run as Cleveland snapped a four-game losing streak. Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his 27th save in 29 chances.
“Masterson did a tremendous job,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He did what you expect a number one guy to do, go out and shut down the opposition.”
A year ago, eight of Masterson’s 12 wins came after losses. This was only the second time this season he won after a loss, however.
It couldn’t have come at a better time. Cleveland opens a key three-game home series tonight against AL Central leader Detroit. The Indians trail the Tigers by four games.
“You always want to take that opportunity when it is there,” Masterson said of ending losing streaks. “Just give me two [runs] boys, and we’ll try to get it done.”
Shin-Shoo Choo did that, putting the Indians ahead 2-0 with a two-run homer in the third inning off Tommy Hunter (4-5). It was the 10th homer allowed by Hunter in his last seven starts and 20th this season.
The Orioles twice made poor baseruning decisions as they had a five-game winning streak stopped.
“Those were the keys to the game,” said shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, involved in both of those plays as well as all the Indians’ three double plays.
Baltimore scored with two outs in the fifth. Masterson hit Ryan Flaherty in the left foot with a pitch. Omar Quintanilla followed with an RBI double — his first hit since being acquired from the New York Mets on Saturday.
Quintanilla made his first start as manager Buck Showalter gave shortstop J.J. Hardy a rest.
SIZEMORE UPDATE
Indians OF Grady Sizemore, out since having back surgery in March, remains optimistic he will play this season, but says his progress hit a snag a month ago, when he felt better. “I don’t know what OK feels like,” said Sizemore, who had surgery on both knees in 2011. “I can’t rehab my back fully because of the knees and can’t rehab my knees because of the back.”