Masterson Secures Indians Victory over Orioles

Justin Masterson has found his rhythm. It took a couple of months, but the right hander is now looking like the ace the Indians had hoped he would become when they broke camp this spring. On Sunday, Masterson (W, 5-7, 3.92) allowed just two runs on five hits in seven innings helping the Indians take a four-game series against the Baltimore Orioles with a 6-2 victory. The Indians’ offense had another productive day, racking up 11 hits against the Orioles’ pitching staff which have struggled against the Indians all weekend. All told, the Indians pounded the Orioles staff for 55 hits in the four game series and scored 32 runs, a stark contrast from their performance in the week leading up to the series in which the Tribe dropped five straight games against the Astros and Yankees which saw them outscored 33-11.

Masterson took a no-hitter into the fifth inning on Sunday before finally giving up an RBI single to Ryan Flaherty which scored Adam Jones. The run was unearned as Jones had reached base on a fielding error by shortstop Jason Donald who was called up on Saturday to take the place of third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall who was injured in Friday night’s contest. Jones would be responsible for the second Orioles run as well via a double that scored J.J. Hardy. The newest member of Baltimore’s club, Jim Thome, went 0-4 in his first game with the club, striking out twice and leaving 3 men on base. Thome was traded to Baltimore on Saturday; the Philadelphia Phillies received a pair of Class A players for the veteran slugger who will become the Orioles’ designated hitter.

The Indians will head home to begin a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Designated hitter Travis Hafner is expected to be activated from the disabled list for the series, either Jason Donald or Aaron Cunningham will have to be optioned back to Columbus to make room for the veteran slugger’s return. The Tribe will call on Ubaldo Jimenez (7-6, 4.69) to keep their winning ways rolling. Jimenez has also looked good as of late and posted a 2.78 ERA in his five June appearances. The Angles have not named their starting pitcher as of this writing.

By Robert Gonzalez
Cleveland Indians Correspondent