Cleveland Indians: Masterson, LaPorta, and Tribe Break Out of Funk

8 - 26 - 10     vs. Oakland     W, 3 - 2     51 - 76

     Entering a series finale once again looking to avoid a sweep, the Indians were in desperate need of key performances from some slumping players.  Justin Masterson and Matt LaPorta both fit that description perfectly, and they both had huge games as the Tribe put an end to a miserable five - game skid.
     For quite a while it looked as if the run the Athletics picked up in the 2nd inning might be enough to send Cleveland to another loss.  After Gabe Gross blooped a RBI single into shallow left field, Oakland's starter, Vin Mazzaro, shut his opponents down through the next two frames.
     However, in the bottom of the 5th, the Indians discovered some two - out magic in the form of Lou Marson.  The Tribe catcher walked, stole second base, moved to third on a wild pitch, and finally concluded his escapade around the bases when Michael Brantley lined a single to right.
     In the top of the 6th, Masterson reverted to his old ways as he allowed the A's to get the momentum right back after they had lost it.  A lead - off walk was the key moment and Kevin Kouzmanoff made Masterson pay by ripping a RBI double off the left - center wall.
     The game took one last turn in the bottom of the 6th, and it went the way of the Indians.  With two outs, Trevor Crowe singled, bringing up LaPorta, who seemed destined to be a hero.  The young power hitter was in a horrific slump, but he seems to have a knack for the big hit, and in this situation, he did just that.  LaPorta jumped all over a Mazzaro chanegup and he blasted it over the 19 - foot wall in left for a two - run homer.  Cleveland would not trail again.
     Masterson was able to get through six innings, and Chris Perez was called on in the 8th to preserve the win for Justin and the Indians.  And Perez was up to the daunting challenge of a five - out save and he accomplished the feat in large part due to his four strikeous, three of them looking. 
     And with that, the Tribe was back in the win column.