Final
  for this game

Cabrera lifts Indians over Angels

Apr 28, 2012 - 5:04 AM Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) - Asdrubal Cabrera's RBI single in the ninth gave Cleveland a 3-2 win over the LA Angels of Anaheim in the opener of a three-game set.

Michael Brantley went 3-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored, while Jason Kipnis also drove in a run for the Indians, who snapped a two-game losing streak. Justin Masterson pitched 8 1/3 innings and gave up two runs on four hits with five walks and five strikeouts. Vinnie Pestano (1-0) got the final two outs of the ninth for the win.

"I think Masterson did what he was supposed to do today," said Cleveland manager Manny Acta. "He had his sinker working really well today. Usually he struggles with the leftys but they went 0-for-12 today."

Torii Hunter went 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two RBI for the Angels, who have dropped five straight. Jered Weaver pitched six scoreless innings, allowing seven hits with four walks and eight strikeouts.

"Some of the guys are not throwing to their capabilities," said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. "That's putting more pressure on the other guys and it winds up having a snowball effect."

With David Carpenter (0-1) on the mound, Aaron Cunningham led off the ninth with a double and later moved to third on a Kipnis single. Cabrera then punched a single to right and Cunningham scored easily for the win.

The Angels plated a run in the first as Albert Pujols hit a two-out single, moved to second on a wild pitch and, after Kendrys Morales walked, came home on a single from Hunter.

The Indians nearly scored in the third as they had men on first and second and Carlos Santana singled to right. Cabrera tried to come home, but he was thrown out at home by Hunter to end the inning.

Hunter smacked a two-out shot to right in the fourth to extend the Angels' lead to 2-0.

The Indians got a leadoff single from Cunningham in the fifth, but he was caught stealing second as Kipnis struck out to end the frame.

Cleveland, though, did tie the game in the seventh off Hisanori Takahashi. Casey Kotchman led off with a single and moved to second on a groundout from Cunningham. Brantley then doubled home Kotchman and Kevin Jepsen took the mound. Kipnis stroked a single to center to tie the contest, but Cabrera then hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

Game Notes

The Angels took six of nine from Cleveland last season...Cleveland left 11 men on base, but did bat 5-for-10 with runners in scoring position...Dan Haren takes the mound for the Angels on Saturday and will be opposed by Jeanmar Gomez for Cleveland...After the game, the Angels released outfielder Bobby Abreu, who was batting just .208 in 24 at-bats as he was limited in playing time.