
March 2, 2011BOXSCOREA'S POSTGAMEVIDEOMLBPAGEMLBSCOREBOARD
PHOENIX(AP)Jai Miller stole three bases, scored a key run and made a big catch with the sun in his eyes to help the Oakland Athletics to a 4-3 win over the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday.Cleveland starter Justin Masterson struggled with his control, walking three in two innings. A's pitcher Bobby Cramer threw two quick shutout innings.The left-hander who made four September starts last season is trying to add a changeup to his repertoire."It's no secret that's something I don't have," Cramer said. "Obviously if I were to make this team or come back up, I'm going to need it."
VIDEO: Bobby Cramer postgame
Miller hung in with a line drive hit right at him from Cleveland Indians infielder Jack Hannahan in the top of the eighth, keeping Cleveland from scoring a tying run."To have the nerve to hang in there until it comes out of the sun and make the play, that's a really nice play," A's manager Bob Geren said.Michael Taylor scored on Kurt Suzuki's two-out hit in the sixth to make it 4-2. Oakland scored the first two runs of the game when Hideki Matsui grounded into a bases-loaded double play and Kevin Kouzmanoff singled in a second run in their half of the first inning.Cleveland tied it in the top of the fourth. Matt LaPorta doubled down the left-field line off reliever Josh Outman, then scored on Travis Buck's single. Buck scored on a single by Paul Phillips.
VIDEO: Josh Outman postgame
Masterson, who had an encouraging finish to the season when he went 3-3 with a 2.86 ERA in his last eight starts of 2010, was unconcerned by his struggles."It was my first time facing another team and second time against live hitters, so it gets you a little excited," Masterson said. "I wanted to stride a little longer and throw a little harder. I felt good physically. The four-seamer was a little bit high. The sinker was slicing and dicing and moving and grooving just the way it's supposed to."Note: Cleveland LHP Drew Pomeranz, the Indians' first-round pick at No. 5 overall in 2010, made his debut. He pitched a hitless inning with two strikeouts and a walk. ... Oakland reliever Brad Ziegler pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of spring training. ... A's OF David DeJesus, who'd been dealing with illness, made his spring training debut, starting in right field. He went 0 for 2.
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