Athletics defeat Indians, 3-1.
Oakland's Vin Mazzero produced his second straight strong performance on Sunday, limiting the Indians to seven hits and a walk over 7.1 innings in the Athletics' 3-1 victory at Progressive Field.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- In his first career start with "All-Star'' next to his name, Indians right-hander Fausto Carmona pitched well enough.
His teammates, however, had few answers for Athletics righty Vin Mazzaro.
Mazzaro gave up one run and struck out seven in 7 1/3 innings of Oakland's 3-1 victory at Progressive Field.
Mazzaro served up some Independence Day revenge. On July 4, 2009, he gave up five runs in six innings of a 5-2 loss to the Indians at Progressive Field.
At least the Tribe did not get blanked. Oakland has posted three shutouts in taking a 4-2 lead in the season series.
The Indians reached the mathematical halfway point of the season at 32-49. The record is identical to that of last year's club after 81 games.
Carmona allowed the three runs on seven hits in seven innings. He walked three and struck out three.
Oakland took a 1-0 lead in the first. Former Indian Coco Crisp led off with the walk and eventually scored on a grounder. The Tribe tied it in the third. Austin Kearns delivered a two-out single to drive in Carlos Santana.
Oakland pulled ahead 2-1 in the fourth when Mark Ellis singled to drive in Jack Cust, who was a royal pain to the Indians all series.
With two outs in the sixth and a 2-1 count on Cust, Carmona threw a pitch that Cust missed. Catcher Santana and first baseman Matt LaPorta, thinking it was the third strike, broke for the dugout. Santana reached the steps before he realized the inning was not over.
Cust took ball three and ball four. Ellis singled, Cust advancing to third. But Gabe Gross grounded to second to end the threat.
Adam Rosales homered to left in the seventh for the final margin. It was the first homer against the Indians since Reds first baseman Joey Votto took Chris Perez deep in the eighth inning June 27 at Cincinnati.