CLEVELAND, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Matt LaPorta put Cleveland in front with a two-run homer in the sixth Thursday and the Indians held on to edge Oakland 3-2.
The Indians salvaged the final contest in a three-game series and snapped a five-game losing streak.
It was a 1-1 contest heading into the sixth. Oakland took the lead in the top half of the inning when Jack Cust drew a leadoff walk and eventually scored on Kevin Kouzmanoff's two-out double.
Oakland starter Vin Mazzaro retired the first two batters in the bottom of the sixth but Trevor Crowe singled and LaPorta hit Mazzaro's first pitch over the wall in left.
That gave the win to Justin Masterson (5-12), who allowed two runs on five hits in six innings. Chris Perez worked the final 1 2/3 innings, giving up a hit and striking out four to pick up his 16th save.
Mazzaro fell to 6-6, surrendering three runs on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings. It was the 24th consecutive game in which the Oakland starter has lasted at least six innings.
The teams completed their season series with Oakland winning six of the nine meetings.
