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Recap: Indians 2, Pirates 0
Indians 2, Pirates 0: Justin Masterson tossed seven scoreless innings as host Cleveland snapped a three-game losing streak.
Carlos Santana had an RBI double in the third and Michael Brantley added a run-scoring single in the eighth to extend his hitting streak to 22 games.
Masterson (3-6) snapped a string of three straight losses, striking out nine and allowing four hits to send the Pirates to their fourth straight defeat.
Vinnie Pestano pitched a perfect eighth before Chris Perez closed it out for his 21st save.
Pirates starter James McDonald (5-3) yielded one run on three hits in six innings and lost for the first time since May 11 despite lowering his WHIP to a stellar 0.98.
The Indians scored the only run they needed when Asdrubal Cabrera walked and scored on a two-out double to left field by Santana.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Brantley’s hitting streak is the longest for Cleveland since Casey Blake hit in 26 straight games in 2007. … Indians 3B Jack Hannahan returned to the lineup after missing 16 games with a strained left calf and LHP Scott Barnes was sent to Triple-A Columbus. … Pirates RHP Jeff Karstens (hip) is scheduled to throw a 30-pitch bullpen session Saturday. … Cleveland agreed to terms with OF Tyler Naquin and pitcher Mitch Brown, its top two picks in this month’s draft.
