Masterson, Indians end Boston's 7-game win streak
CLEVELAND - Justin Masterson found the strike zone after a rocky start and pitched seven scoreless innings as the Cleveland Indians ended Boston's seven-game winning streak, beating the Red Sox 3-2 Monday night.
Masterson (3-4) walked four in the first three innings, but settled in and won for the first time in five starts. He allowed just three singles, struck out a season-high 10 and retired 12 of his last 13 batters.
Lonnie Chisenhall hit a two-run single in the first off John Lackey (6-4) as the Indians won their fourth straight.
Xander Bogaerts hit a two-run homer in the Boston eighth off Bryan Shaw to make it 3-2. Indians left-hander Marc Rzepczynski retired David Ortiz for the final out in the eighth, and Cody Allen worked the ninth for his fourth save.
Red Sox shortstop Stephen Drew went 0 for 2 with a walk in his season debut. He re-signed with Boston as a free agent last month.
Boston outfielder Grady Sizemore was hitless in four at-bats - he popped up for the final out - in his return to Cleveland. Sizemore was a three-time All-Star in nearly eight seasons for the Indians.
Cleveland improved to an AL-best 19-11 at home.
Masterson was two different pitchers against the Red Sox.
His wildness had him flirting with danger in the first and third innings, but he managed to pitch around trouble both times. Masterson needed 61 pitches to get the first nine outs, but he struck out the side in the fourth on just nine pitches.
Masterson retired eight in a row before Ortiz singled through Cleveland's shift in the sixth. Masterson induced A.J. Pierzynski to hit an inning-ending double play for the second time.
It's been that kind of season for Masterson, who has struggled with his control and has not pitched like the All-Star ace the Indians are counting on.
Unable to do anything against Masterson, the Red Sox finally got on the board in the eighth when Brock Holt singled with one out and Bogaerts followed with his fourth homer, a shot into the seats in right-center.
Chisenhall's two-out single gave the Indians an early lead. He has eight RBIs during Cleveland's winning streak.
With runners at second and third, Chisenhall took Lackey's pitch the opposite way, dropping his single just inside the left-field line.
The Indians went up 3-0 in the third when Michael Bourn led off with his fifth triple and scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's single.
Masterson managed to work in and out of a mess he created for himself in the first. The right-hander gave up a single and two walks before striking out Jonny Gomes, who took exception with plate umpire Phil Cuzzi's called third strike on a low fastball.
In the third, Masterson gave up a one-out single to Dustin Pedroia and walked Ortiz on four pitches before he got Pierzynski to hit into a double play.
NOTES: Indians C Carlos Santana, on the seven-day concussion list, took groundballs as he continues working toward a return to the lineup. Manager Terry Francona said Santana, who has been in a hitting slump all season, could be cleared and back on Friday, when the Indians open a series in Texas. ... Red Sox RHP Clay Buchholz (sprained left knee) is with the team and threw a bullpen session. He will throw another Wednesday before a simulated game on Saturday. ... With Boston's roster loaded with left-handed hitters, the Indians recalled reliever Nick Hagadone from Columbus. Cleveland entered the series with three lefties: Hagadone, Rzepczynski and Josh Outman.