Emergency starter Clay Mortensen put together a solid performance on short notice, lasting six innings and giving up four runs. The A’s offense did just enough to force extra innings, but the bullpen couldn’t quite hold on late. The A’s will look to win the rubber match tomorrow as they send out Vin Mazzaro to face Fausto Carmona.
Cleveland, OH (Sports Network) – Matt LaPorta bounced a base hit back through the middle to chase home the winning run in the 10th, as Cleveland captured a 5-4 win against Oakland.
Travis Hafner lined a double into the right-center gap with one out in the 10th, moved up on an intentional walk and scored on the hit by LaPorta, who ended with three hits and a pair of RBI.
Jayson Nix added a two-run homer for the Indians, whose season-high, five-game winning streak was broken in the opener of this three-game set Friday.
Cliff Pennington went 3-for-4 with a two-run triple and scored twice for Oakland, which had won six of seven coming in. Craig Breslow (3-2) took the loss.