After having his start pushed back a couple days due to a bothersome right knee, Justin Masterson and the Indians look to get back on track Tuesday night against the Dodgers.
Masterson (4-5, 5.03 ERA) went just four innings last Tuesday in Arizona, allowing five runs on seven hits with four walks and six strikeouts. It marked the third time in the last six starts that the right-hander has gone four innings or fewer. Masterson has gone at least six innings in just two of his previous nine starts.
Masterson's road woes equal that of the Tribe, who are have the worst winning percentage on the road at .364 (16-28) and are 2-4 on their current trip after dropping three straight, including 1-0 last night in Los Angeles. In nine road starts, Masterson is 1-4 with a 6.65 ERA with opponents hitting .286 off him.
This will be Masterson's first start against the Dodgers. He is 5-5 in Interleague play with a 2.99 ERA.
Here are other things to watch for on Indians Live and during the game:
GET OFFENSE GOING: The Indians are the first team since the 1916 Boston Braves to be blanked and held to one hit in two straight games. They are also only the third team in the American League since 1914 to be held to one hit in back-to-back contests joining the 1996 Tigers and 1917 Red Sox. Cleveland is 2 of 54 the past two days and struck out 16 times. On the road trip they are batting .194.
RETURN TO LA: Carlos Santana was originally signed by the Dodgers in 2004 before being acquired by the Indians four years later as part of the Casey Blake trade. After struggling the first two months of the season, Santana hit .308 in June (24 of 78) with six home runs and 15 RBI. He is 5 for 21 on the road trip.
DODGERS STARTER: Josh Beckett (5-4, 2.11) threw the 21st no-hitter in Dodgers history on May 25 at Philadelphia. His ERA is tied for third-best in the Majrs and he is holding oppoising hitters to a .199 batting average, which is tied for third. Opponents are just 8 for 57 with runners in scoring position. In 11 starts against the Indians, the right-hander is 4-6 with a 5.65 ERA.
OF NOTE: Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who had two hits on Monday night, is batting .302 in his career against the Indians with four home runs and 15 RBI.
DODGERS VS. MASTERSON: Drew Butera 0-12; Adrian Gonzalez 2-8; Hanley Ramirez 1-3; Juan Uribe 0-2.
INDIANS VS. BECKETT: Nick Swisher 10-48; 3 HR; Asdrubal Cabrera 9-25; Daivd Murphy 5-16; Michael Brantley 5-12; Carlos Santana 0-9; Michael Bourn 0-7; Jason Kipnis 2-5, 2 HR; Mike Aviles 1-3; Yan Gomes 0-3; Lonnie Chisenhall 1-2, HR; Ryan Raburn 0-2.
