Jeter moves closer in loss

Flexibility: New York's Derek Jeter dives for a ball to make a force play at second base against Cleveland in the fourth inning on Wednesday. The Indians beat the Yankees 5-3. AP PHOTO

CLEVELAND — Justin Masterson blanked New York's vaunted lineup, only allowing Derek Jeter to move one rung closer to 3,000 career hits.

He couldn't have done it without Asdrubal Cabrera.

Masterson pitched eight shutout innings and Cabrera, the Indians' All-Star shortstop, made two stunning defensive plays to help his starter as Cleveland beat the Yankees 5-3 on Wednesday night, taking two of three games in the series between two of the AL's division leaders.

Playing on a sprained ankle, Cabrera still managed to make two plays in the eighth that left almost everyone at Progressive Field breathless.

"Nothing he does surprises me," Masterson said. "It never gets old."

Jeter got his 2,997th hit, lining a double in three at-bats against Masterson (7-6). The righty allowed three hits, struck out six, walked two and got just his second win since April 26.

"His stuff was some of the best we've seen," Jeter said. "He was throwing 95, 96 all night with movement. He pitched outstanding."

Jeter's quest to become the 28th major leaguer — and first purebred pinstriper — to reach 3,000 will resume on Thursday night against Tampa Bay at Yankee Stadium.

Red Sox 5, Blue Jays 4

In Boston, Jacoby Ellsbury and Kevin Youkilis both had three extra-base hits and Tim Wakefield scattered nine hits in seven innings to lead Boston.

Athletics 2, Mariners 0

In Oakland, Guillermo Moscoso allowed two hits over seven innings and Scott Sizemore homered and drove in two runs.

Hideki Matsui was 0-for-3 with a walk for the A's.

Ichiro Suzuki finished hitless in four at-bats for Seattle.

Rays 12, Twins 5

In Minneapolis, Evan Longoria had three hits and four RBIs for Tampa Bay, which avoided being swept.

Tsuyoshi Nishioka finished 3-for-3 with a walk for the Twins.

Tigers 5, Angels 4

In Anaheim, Miguel Cabrera homered during a three-run seventh for Detroit.

Reliever Hisanori Takahashi took the loss for Los Angeles.

Royals 4, White Sox 1

In Chicago, starter Bruce Chen pitched effectively into the seventh and Eric Hosmer homered.

Rangers 13, Orioles 5

In Arlington, Texas, Alexi Ogando allowed four hits over seven innings and Texas completed a three-game sweep.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Reds 9, Cardinals 8 (13)

In St. Louis, pinch hitter Ramon Hernandez doubled in the go-ahead run in the 13th inning as Cincinnati survived blowing an eight-run lead.

Nationals 5, Cubs 4

In Washington, Wilson Ramos' suicide squeeze drove in Michael Morse in the seventh inning to lift the Nationals.

Astros 8, Pirates 2

In Pittsburgh, Hunter Pence had three hits, including an RBI single during a five-run sixth inning, and Houston snapped a five-game losing streak.

Braves 9, Rockies 1

In Atlanta, Chipper Jones hit a two-run homer and Jair Jurrjens earned his NL-leading 12th win for the Braves.

Marlins 7, Phillies 6 (10)

In Miami, Mike Stanton hit a one-out solo homer in the 10th inning and Florida overcame an early four-run deficit to avert a series sweep.

Brewers 3, Diamondbacks 1

In Milwaukee, pinch hitter Casey McGehee hit a three-run homer in the seventh.

Mets 5, Dodgers 3

In Los Angeles, Ruben Tejada, filling in for the injured Jose Reyes, doubled home two runs, Carlos Beltran doubled twice and scored twice, and New York won its fourth straight.

Hiroki Kuroda (6-10) gave up four runs and eight hits over six innings for Los Angeles, dropping to 1-5 with a 5.75 ERA in seven career starts against the Mets.

Giants 6, Padres 5 (14)

In San Francisco, Nate Schierholtz hit his second homer of the game to lead off the bottom of the 14th for the Giants.

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