Dogs have their day as roughed-up Cleveland Indians finally scratch out a win

A homer from a long-silent player and a five-out save from Chris Perez make Justin Masterson a winner for the first time since July 1 as the Indians end a five-game losing streak with a victory over Oakland.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerMatt LaPorta watches his go-ahead two-run homer head to the seats in the sixth inning Thursday during the Indians' victory over the A's at Progressive Field. LaPorta's homer gave the Tribe a 3-2 lead and helped the team break a five-game losing streak.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Who let the dogs out? How many times has that rap riff boomed through a ballpark? At Progressive Field, it should be "Please let the dogs in" for the rest of the season.

In front of 11,826 fans and 269 dogs Thursday night, the Indians ended a five-game losing streak with a 3-2 victory over Oakland.

The Puppypalooza promotion brought 269 dogs and their owners to the ballpark. For one night, they put more bite than bark into the Indians bats.

The Indians certainly needed it. The win was only their fourth in the last 17 games.

Slumping Matt LaPorta hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning and Chris Perez converted a five-out save to give Justin Masterson his first victory since July 1.

"Indians win on doggie night," said Shelley Duncan. "How about that?"

Masterson (5-12, 5.23) held the A's to two runs on five hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked two on 91 pitches.

"It was a well pitched ballgame," said manager Manny Acta. "You need those to snap out of losing streaks. Masterson threw first pitch strikes to 19 of the 26 batters he faced. When he does that consistently, he's very tough."

Just what role Masterson will pitch in next year is undetermined. Thursday was his 26th start. He'll stay in the rotation until gets close to 180 innings -- he's at 151 1/3 -- and end the year in the bullpen to give someone else a chance to start.

"We plan on sending him home as a starter," said Acta. "We'll make our decision on March 30. You keep asking about next year and we don't know if we'll make it to Christmas."

Masterson says he feels he's done enough to stay in the rotation for next season.

"I've pitched quite a few innings," he said. "I've got some good starts under the belt and some inconsistent ones. Sometimes I remind myself that this is the first year of actually knowing what I'm doing (starting or relieving).

"I've had some inconsistency in delivery, but overall I like where we're at. I think I've learned enough and understand enough to take those things into next year."

LaPorta was in a 4-for-45 slump when he came to the plate with two out in the sixth and the Tribe down, 2-1. Trevor Crowe just reached on a two-out single against Vin Mazzaro (6-6, 3.61).

"I was just trying to see the ball and hit it hard," said LaPorta.

He succeeded on both fronts, driving Mazzaro's first pitch into the left field bleachers for his eighth homer and a 3-2 lead. Acta went to the bullpen to start the seventh. Rafael Perez retired the A's in order in the seventh. Joe Smith started the eight with an out, but walked the next two batters.

Acta called for Chris Perez for the five-out save. He struck out Jeff Larish and retired Kevin Kouzmanoff on a grounder to end the eighth. He started the ninth by striking out Gabe Gross, but gave up a single to Cliff Pennington.

No problem. Perez froze Coco Crisp on a called third strike and struck out Daric Barton to end it.

"Was that a save by CP or what?" said Acta. "That was a legit save, a throw-back type save. Five outs with the go-ahead run on base. He was nails."

It was Perez's 16th save and the third in which he's gone more than one inning. He's 3-for-4 in save situations lasting more than one inning.

Masterson went out for the sixth the score tied, 1-1, and promptly walked leadoff hitter Jack Cust. Rajai Davis pinch ran and stole second for his 38th theft of the season. Masterson retired the next two batters, but with first base open, he pitched to Kouzmanoff.

Kouzmanoff, who doubled in the fourth, doubled again to the wall in left center for a 2-1 lead.

Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the second on Gross' single with two out. The Indians came back to tie, 1-1, on Michael Brantley's two-out single in the fifth. It was only the third run the Indians have scored in the last 32 innings.

To reach this Plain Dealer Reporter: phoynes@plaind.com, 216-999-5158