Cleveland, OH – Justin Masterson twirled a gem and struck out a season-high 11 batters and Michael Brantley drove in four runs as the Cleveland Indians downed the Seattle Mariners, 6-0, picking up a win for the third time in this four-game set.
Masterson (7-2) yielded just three hits and two walks in seven innings of work for the Tribe, winners in 12 of their last 14 home games.
"Today was our day," said Masterson. "Both offensively and pitching-wise it worked out well."
Brantley homered and scored twice while Michael Bourn, Jason Kipnis and Mike Aviles all went 2-for-4 with at least one run scored.
"We did a great job today of just battling, working the count and getting them to throw a lot of pitches early," said Brantley.
Felix Hernandez (5-3), who had been battling a sore back, took the loss after lasting a season-low five innings and surrendering six runs -- five earned -- on eight hits while striking out eight.
"He was a little bit off and they did a good job against him," said Mariners manager Eric Wedge. "They did a good job laying off some tough pitches. They hit some tough pitches. You got to give them credit."
Multiple Seattle miscues spotted the Indians an early lead as Bourn got Cleveland started when he led off the bottom of the first with a slap to right field and took second when Michael Morse casually sent the ball back to the infield. After Kipnis struck out, Brantley delivered an RBI single to right. Brantley then scored after Nick Swisher smacked the ball through Justin Smoak's legs at first base.
Bourn started a two-out rally in the next inning when he beat out a sharp grounder to second. Kipnis followed with a single to center and Brantley took Hernandez deep to center field for his second homer of the season. After two, the Indians led 5-0.
Aviles led off the fourth with a double to left and scored one batter later when Drew Stubbs dribbled a swinging bunt in front of catcher Jesus Montero, who threw Stubbs out at first but was late recovering to home plate.
Rich Hill and Joe Smith each walked a batter but combined for two scoreless innings of relief for Cleveland.
Game Notes
Mark Reynolds had been hitting 9-for-18 with two outs and runners in scoring position, but struck out twice with men on second and third against Hernandez ... Masterson struck out the side in the third and seventh innings ... Seattle hit 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position and left nine men on base.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.