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Athletics-Indians Preview

Jul 2, 2010 - 4:07 AM By JEFF MEZYDLO STATS Senior Writer

Oakland (38-41) at Cleveland (30-47), 7:05 p.m. EDT

A week ago, the Cleveland Indians were struggling to win one game. Now, they don't lose.

The Indians look to extend their season-high winning streak to six in the opener of a home series with the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Cleveland (31-47) snapped a season-high seven-game skid with a victory over Cincinnati on Sunday, concluding a 2-7 road trip. The Indians built on the win by returning home and sweeping four games from Toronto.

"It feels good when it all comes together," pitcher Justin Masterson told the Indians' official website.

Trying to win six straight for the first time since a seven-game run Sept. 15-22, 2008, Cleveland looks to continue its recent run of home success against Oakland (39-41). The Indians have won six of seven over the A's at Progressive Field.

Cleveland's Matt LaPorta homered for the third consecutive game Thursday, hitting a three-run shot in a 6-1 victory over the Blue Jays.

The rookie first baseman has five RBIs in as many games since returning to the majors after a three-week stint at Triple-A Columbus. He batted .218 with one home run and seven RBIs in 35 games before being sent to the minors.

"He's hitting the ball out at the front of the plate," manager Manny Acta said. "He's attacking it. ... It helps that he went down (to Columbus) and had some success. Success builds confidence."

LaPorta, however, is 5 for 25 with nine strikeouts against the A's.

Cleveland has allowed eight runs during the winning streak. Mitch Talbot (8-6, 3.88 ERA) began that run of pitching dominance and looks for a second straight victory in his first appearance against Oakland.

Talbot allowed a run and three hits in seven innings of the 5-3 win over the Reds on Sunday. Though the right-hander is among the major league leaders in wins by a rookie, he is 3-3 with a 5.64 ERA at home compared to 5-3 with a 2.39 ERA on the road.

Oakland counters with Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 3.74), who has gone 2-0 with a 1.62 ERA in three starts against the Indians. The left-hander allowed five hits in seven innings of an 11-0 win over Cleveland on April 25.

Though Gonzalez lost his last two decisions, he posted a 0.69 ERA in going 0-0 in his two most recent starts. He allowed a run in six innings of a 3-2 win over Pittsburgh on Sunday.

Oakland comes to Cleveland after taking two of three from Baltimore for its first road series win since May 29-31. Ryan Sweeney and Cliff Pennington each had four hits and two RBIs in an 8-1 win over the Orioles on Thursday.

Sweeney tied a career high for hits after going 10 for 56 in his previous 17 games. He is a lifetime .372 hitter against the Indians.

The A's could be without first baseman Daric Barton after he left Thursday's game with a bruised right knee and bruised left shin. Barton is 5 for 13 against the Indians this season.