Indians Confidential

Looking for their longest win streak of the 2010 season on Thursday afternoon, a great outing by Justin Masterson combined with some long ball power by Matt LaPorta and Shelly Duncan was more than enough to earn the Indians their 5th straight win, topping Toronto 6-1.

Masterson, coming off a tough outing in Cincy on Saturday, was about as good as the shutout he threw earlier in the season against Boston. He went 8.1 innings, allowing 8 hits, 1 run, 0 walks, and 5 strikeouts. He moves to 3-7 on the season, but clearly has turned the corner from almost being bounced from the rotation earlier in the year.

His slider was excellent, and he was able to avoid a bad inning, unlike what happened against Cincinnati last week. Masterson has gone 3-2 over his last 6 starts with an ERA of 3.51.

On the offensive side, it was once again LaPorta’s bat that came through in the clutch. The blast today from Matt came in the 4th inning of a scoreless game. To that point, Jays starter Shaun Marcum had shut down the Indians, but LaPorta came up with two on, and slammed his third homer in as many days.

Then Shelly Duncan came up next and helped the cause as well, hitting a solo shot to make it 4-0. The team batted around that inning, as they scored another two runs to chase Marcum and leave the frame up 6-0.

For LaPorta, it’s the first time in his career he has hit a homer in three straight games.

Frank Herrmann came in for Masterson in the 9th after he allowed a run and some guys on, and got the save after he was able to entice a double play ball.

It is the first time since 2005 the teams starting pitchers have won five games in a row, and the streak means they are 16 games under .500 at 31-47.

They have a shot to keep their winning ways up as they play the Oakland A’s Friday night for the first of three at Progressive Field.