Guardians 2 - 3 Braves
Final
  for this game

Masterson tries for 15th win in clash with Braves

Aug 28, 2013 - 3:01 PM (Sports Network) - Justin Masterson eyes his 15th win of the season and tries to help the Cleveland Indians rebound on Tuesday when they resume their three- game series against the Atlanta Braves at Turner Field.

Masterson won for the first time in four starts last Wednesday in Anaheim, as he held the Angels to a run and five hits in 6 2/3 innings, improving him to 14-9 on the year to go along with a 3.50 ERA.

The right-handed sinkerballer has gone at least 6 2/3 innings in seven of his last eight starts, going 4-2 with a 2.85 ERA in those outings.

"He expects it out of himself," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "I think he knows we expect it, and I think he enjoys answering."

Masterson will be trying to help his team bounce back from a loss in Tuesday's opener, as Alex Wood spun 5 2/3 scoreless innings to power Atlanta to a 2-0 triumph. Elliot Johnson had a two-run triple for the Braves, who have won two in a row after dropping four of five.

Wood (3-2) gave up five hits and four walks while fanning five to earn his first win since Aug. 4.

"I felt alright. I got a little tired at the end, but stuff wise I thought it was a lot better than last week in New York," said Wood, who gave up six hits and walked two over six innings in his last start. "I think most of the walks I had was all just fastballs out of the zone. It was just one of those things where I had to battle tonight."

Craig Kimbrel worked a perfect ninth to notch his league-leading 42nd save.

With the win, Atlanta remained a healthy 13 games ahead of the Washington Nationals atop the NL East standings.

Danny Salazar (1-2) was charged with the loss after giving up three hits, including Johnson's triple, over four innings. Cleveland lost for just the second time in its last seven contests.

Now the Indians will have to contend with lefty Paul Maholm, who will be making his second start since returning from the disabled list. Maholm's first start did not go as planned, as he lost to St. Louis and allowed five runs (4 earned) and five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

It was his fourth straight loss and dropped him to 9-10 on the year to go along with a 4.51 ERA.

Maholm, though, has thrived at Turner Field, where he is 5-2 with a 1.93 ERA in seven starts. However, he is 0-2 lifetime versus the Tribe with a 4.42 ERA in three starts.

On the injury front, the Braves may have second baseman Dan Uggla back for Wednesday's contest. Uggla hasn't played since Aug.12 and was 1-for-30 in nine games before undergoing corrective eye surgery.

Atlanta took two of three from the Indians the last time these teams squared off back in 2007.






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