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Aug 1, 2015 - 7:41 PM Though the Cleveland Indians were sellers prior to the trade deadline, they've hardly given up hope this season.

They can record a fourth consecutive victory by extending the Oakland Athletics' current struggles Saturday night at the Coliseum.

Cleveland (48-54) is last in the AL Central and dealt veterans David Murphy, Brandon Moss and Marc Rzepczynski this week, but remains optimistic while sitting five games out of the final wild-card spot.

"Things haven't gone the way we've wanted them to so far, but I don't think just because we traded a (few) guys away that it means we've given up on this year," ace Corey Kluber told MLB's official website.

The Indians have built some momentum by winning three straight since losing the first six of a seven-game homestand. Danny Salazar allowed Oakland's only hit over eight innings, Lonnie Chisenhall had three hits and Michael Bourn delivered a tiebreaking double in the ninth of Friday's 2-1 victory.

''This team has so much energy, and we're having fun out there,'' Salazar said

While Cleveland's hurt itself with a 20-32 home record, it is 28-22 on the road and won 10 of the last 14 away from Progressive Field. The Indians have held Oakland (45-59) to two runs and three hits in the first two of this set.

"I don't know how many times we've said it, but it kind of starts with pitching," manager Terry Francona said. "If you can't pitch, you're in real trouble."

Cody Anderson (2-2, 3.26 ERA) proved to be a pleasant surprise for Francona after becoming the first pitcher since 1914 to last at least 6 2-3 innings and allow one or no runs in each of his first four career starts. However, the right-hander has yielded 11 runs and 18 hits over 8 1-3 innings to go 0-1 in his last two.

He gave up seven runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings of Monday's 9-4 loss to Kansas City.

"I just didn't make my pitches down in the zone," said Anderson, who grew up some five hours north of the Bay Area in Quincy, Calif.

He'll face an Oakland club that's scored 20 runs while batting .189 with three homers over a 1-7 stretch. Eric Sogard, Billy Burns and Josh Reddick have accounted for all the team's hits in this series.

''You're going to go through stretches when you struggle offensively,'' manager Bob Melvin said. ''You hope you time it right when you get a good pitching effort, you also have the offense.''

All-Star catcher Stephen Vogt is 0 for 19 in his last six games after going hitless in three at-bats Friday.

Acquired in Tuesday's deal that sent the versatile Ben Zobrist to the Royals, Aaron Brooks (0-0, 6.23) makes his fifth career appearance and second start in his Oakland debut. He allowed three runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings of two relief outings this season but went 6-4 with a 3.72 ERA in 17 starts for Triple-A Omaha.

"I think getting the ball right away, coming from Triple-A straight here, is a big confidence boost and something I've got to take advantage of," said the Los Angeles area native who is expected to have plenty of family and friends on hand.

Bourn is 8 for 14 with four stolen bases in the last four games.






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