The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hope that Zack Greinke can stop the bleeding tonight when they continue a three-game series with the Cleveland Indians at Angel Stadium.
The Angels lost their third straight game in Monday's opener, as Justin Masterson tossed six-plus scoreless innings, Brent Lillibridge hit a solo homer and the Indians cruised to a 6-2 win.
Masterson (9-10) scattered six hits, walked three, struck out four and improved to 3-0 in seven career starts against the Angels.
"The last couple of starts I've been good. I got a couple of breaks out there tonight. I just want to go out there and pitch. The boys came through and put up some runs," said Masterson.
Jason Donald and Asdrubal Cabrera had back-to-back RBI singles in the third inning for the Indians, who are just 10-21 since the All-Star break despite having won four of their last six games.
C.J. Wilson (9-9) dropped his fifth straight decision, allowing three runs -- two earned -- on six hits with a walk and five strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. The lefty hasn't recorded a win since June 26 -- a span of nine starts. He was relieved by LaTroy Hawkins after attempting to catch a line drive with his bare hand.
The Angels have lost five of six and have fallen eight games off the pace in the AL West and are 2 1/2 games back of the final wild card spot.
Tonight, they turn to Greinke, who has yet to win since being dealt to the Angels. After losing his debut with L.A., Greinke has not received a decision in either of his last two outings and has pitched to a 5.68 ERA with the Halos. The Angels have also lost all three of his outings.
Greinke, who is 8-9 lifetime versus the Indians, gave up four runs and six hits in five innings on Wednesday in Oakland. He also gave up a season-high five walks in his team's 9-8 loss.
"It got a little bit better after the second, but still wasn't good," Greinke said. "I definitely need to pitch better. They played a good game behind me today, helped keep the damage less than it could have been. It was just one of the worst I could control in my career pretty much."
Cleveland, meanwhile, will counter with inconsistent righty Ubaldo Jimenez, who is 9-11 with a 5.25 ERA. Jimenez won for the first time in five decisions on Thursday, as he held the Boston Red Sox to three runs and eight hits and struck out 10 in six innings.
"Great job by Ubaldo," manager Manny Acta said. "That's the most aggressive I've seen him here with his fastball and probably the best command of his fastball that he has shown so far. He was just dotting it to both sides of the plate."
Jimenez has lost both of his starts to the Angels and has pitched to a 4.30 ERA in those outings.
Cleveland has won five of seven from the Angels this season.
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