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Turning the tide: Tribe aim for 4-game sweep of A's

May 9, 2013 - 1:19 PM (Sports Network) - The Cleveland Indians entered their series with the Oakland Athletics having lost eight straight to them. However, the Indians have turned the tables and will now try to complete a four-game sweep of the A's on Thursday at Progressive Field.

Cleveland, though, needed a little help from the umpiring crew to claim Wednesday's 4-3 win.

With Oakland trailing by a run with two outs in the ninth, the Athletics' Adam Rosales seemingly tied the game with a home run off of closer Chris Perez. But, the shot was ruled a double even after a video review, despite replays that showed the ball clearing the wall and hitting a railing in left-center before caroming back onto the field.

"Everybody else said it was a home run, including their announcers when I came in here later," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "I don't get it. I don't know what the explanation would be when everybody else in the ballpark knew it was a home run.

"Clearly, it hit the railing. I'm at a loss, I'm at a complete loss."

Nick Swisher and Carlos Santana each hit a home run to propel the Indians, who have won nine of their last 10 games.

Cleveland starter Justin Masterson (5-2) fanned seven and gave up three runs on four hits and two walks over seven frames.

"For me, the entire key for everything that's been going for us lately has been our starting pitching," said Swisher. "These guys have done such a tremendous job. They deserve all the credit."

Daric Barton, who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento prior to the game, drove in two runs and Brandon Moss had an RBI for the Athletics. Starter A.J. Griffin (3-3) surrendered four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and two walks in 6 2/3 innings.

Hoping to lead the Tribe to the sweep on Thursday will be lefty Scott Kazmir, who is 1-1 with a 6.28 ERA. Kazmir picked up his first win since late in the 2010 season on Saturday, as he limited the Minnesota Twins to two runs and five hits in six innings.

"It feels good to just get that monkey off my back," Kazmir said. "It's been a while. Today felt great."

Kazmir has faced the A's 17 times and is 9-5 against them with a 3.91 ERA.

Oakland, meanwhile, will turn to veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon, who suffered his first loss of the year his last time out. The New York Yankees reached the former AL Cy Young Award winner for three runs and six hits in 5 1/3 frames, dropping him to 3-1 on the season to go along with a 3.62 ERA.

"He didn't pitch bad," Melvin said. "He gave up two home runs and a bloop hit. Most days that will keep you in the game and give you a chance to win."

Colon is 6-3 lifetime versus the Indians with a 3.28 ERA in 10 starts.

Oakland was 8-2 last season versus the Indians.