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Pirates wrap up series with Tribe in Cleveland

Jun 19, 2011 - 3:00 PM (Sports Network) - Having fallen back to .500 on the season, the Pittsburgh Pirates today will try to end a 12-game road losing streak against American League opponents when they conclude a three-game series in Cleveland.

Last year Pittsburgh went 0-9 on the road during interleague play against Detroit, Texas and Oakland. The teams last victory against an AL team away from the Steel City came on June 17, 2009 at Minnesota.

The Indians are on the other side of the spectrum, having won their first five games against National League opponents this year.

Jeff Karstens, who has thrown shutout ball in his last two starts, gets the starting assignment for the Pirates in the conclusion of this three-game series. Karstens hasn't given up a run over his last 14 2/3 innings thrown, one out off his career high set in 2008. The right-hander has posted a 0.44 ERA in his first three starts for the month of June. In his first three outings this month, opponents are hitting .157 against him.

Karstens is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two games (1 start) vs. Cleveland.

For the Indians to stay unbeaten against the NL, they'll have to pick up Justin Masterson. He's 0-5 in his last nine starts and hasn't won since April 26 at home against Kansas City. On the positive side, the righty has allowed just three homers all season.

Masterson did not receive a decision in his lone career start vs. Pittsburgh, last June 20 at PNC Park, a 5-3 win for the Pirates.

The Indians have won the first two of this series by identical 5-1 scores. Orlando Cabrera belted a solo home run while Grady Sizemore went 2-for-3 and scored twice in last night's contest.

Carlos Carrasco (7-3) was solid through 6 1/3 innings and took a no-hitter into the sixth inning for the Indians, who have won four of their last six games. He allowed just one run on four hits and struck out four in his third straight win.

"He kept them scoreless up until the seventh inning. He showed a lot there," said Indians manager Manny Acta of his starter. "It was only two runs. He pitched great...the third great performance in a row."

Lyle Overbay plated the lone run for the Pirates, who had a four-game win streak snapped on Friday.

Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm (3-8) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings.

This is Pittsburgh's first visit to Cleveland since losing two of three games from May 19-21, 2006. Since interleague play began in 1997, the Pirates have posted a 15-14 record against the Tribe (3-8 on the road).