CLEVELAND (AP) ― Justin Masterson is back as the Cleveland Indians’ skid stopper.

The right-hander, supported by three double plays, pitched 7 1/3 strong innings to help the Indians beat the Baltimore Orioles 3-1 on Monday night and avoid a four-game sweep.

Masterson (7-8) struck out six and gave up one run as Cleveland snapped a four-game losing streak. Chris Perez pitched the ninth for his 27th save in 29 chances.

“Masterson did a tremendous job,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He did what you expect a number one guy to do, go out and shut down the opposition.”

A year ago, eight of Masterson’s 12 wins came after losses. This was only the second time this season he won after a loss, however.

It couldn’t have come at a better time. Cleveland opens a key three-game home series Tuesday night against AL Central leader Detroit. The Indians trail the Tigers by four games.

“You always want to take that opportunity when it is there,” Masterson said of ending losing streaks. “Just give me two (runs) boys, and we’ll try to get it done.”

Choo Shin-soo did that, putting the Indians ahead 2-0 with a two-run homer in the third inning off Tommy Hunter (4-5). It was the 10th homer allowed by Hunter in his last seven starts and 20th this season.

The Orioles twice made poor baseruning decisions as they had a five-game winning streak stopped.

“Those were the keys to the game,” said shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, involved in both of those plays as well as all the Indians’ three double plays.

Baltimore scored with two outs in the fifth. Masterson hit Ryan Flaherty in the left foot with a pitch. Omar Quintanilla followed with an RBI double ― his first hit since being acquired from the New York Mets on Saturday.

Quintanilla made his first start as manager Buck Showalter gave shortstop J.J. Hardy a rest. Hardy had a cortisone shot in his sore right shoulder before the All-Star break.

Baltimore ran amok in the second and eighth.

Adam Jones doubled to open the second. After Matt Wieters struck out, Jones strayed off second on a ball hit back to Masterson by Wilson Betemit and was caught in a rundown. The Indians threw the ball around like a hot potato, but eventually got Jones. It was scored 1-5-6-5-4-6. Not your everyday fielder’s choice.

“We made way too many throws,” Cabrera said, “But we got the out. That’s all that matters.”

In the eighth, Nick Markakis hit a one-out single off Masterson. Acta brought in hard-throwing Vinnie Pestano, but Endy Chavez lined a 2-2 pitch into the left-field corner for a double.

Philadelphia 7, Milwaukee 6

Chicago Cubs 2, Pittsburgh 0

Washington 8, NY Mets 2

Miami 2, Atlanta 1

Texas 9, Boston 1

Cincinnati 8, Houston 3

Chicago White Sox 7, Minnesota 4

LA Dodgers 5, St. Louis 3

Arizona 6, Colorado 3

LA Angels 6, Kansas City 3

NY Yankees 4, Seattle 1

San Francisco 7, San Diego 1