Indians Video

Masterson's stellar start

Masterson's strong start

Angels Video

Bell's strong start

Bell's solid outing

Masterson is in his first full Major League campaign as a starter. Figuring things out for him means becoming a ground-ball machine. As long as he's making his defense work behind him, particularly his infielders, Masterson is more likely to have success.

It'll help, of course, if the guys behind him perform well with the gloves. Tribe manager Manny Acta is also focusing on improving the club's defense in the season's final month.

"I think we're going to have to continue to try to make it better because we depend on sinkerballers," Acta said. "It's going to be a big part of our game. We tried to do it this year, and in the beginning it was good, but it fell apart."

Masterson had one of his best months as a Major Leaguer in August, despite missing his final start because of a family problem. In six appearances, Masterson put up a 3.28 ERA, allowing 31 hits in 35 2/3 innings. He said he was aided by a renewed focus on throwing strikes early in the count.

"I don't want to get behind in counts," he said, "and I need to throw first-pitch strikes even if not every one is in there. It sounds like a simple philosophy, but it's definitely more difficult to do than it is to say."

Bell showed a lot of tenacity in his last start, throwing six innings and allowing only two runs despite nine hits against him. It was his first win since May 10. Following the start, manager Mike Scioscia praised Bell's poise and grit.

"They got some hits off Trevor, but that was a function of him attacking the zone with his fastball," Scioscia said. "They definitely got some opportunities, and he made some pitches and showed us a lot out there."

The Indians took the first game of the series, 3-2. The clubs will meet again next week in Cleveland.

Indians: Nix a factor at third base
The Indians may have something in Jayson Nix.

Nix, who was picked up off waivers from the White Sox on June 24, went 2-for-4 on Tuesday, and he played an errorless game at third base. He's how hitting .267 with the Indians (56-for-210), with 11 home runs and improving defense.

"Baseball is about repetition," Acta said. "There's three weeks left of baseball. He's feeling more comfortable over there. Some people take longer and some people take shorter. He's obviously better than when he first started and he's going to continue to play."

Angels: Cavalry on the way
Reinforcements are on the way for the Angels.

The club called up several players from Triple-A Salt Lake after Monday's game, including catcher Hank Conger and first baseman Mike Trumbo. Salt Lake finished its season on Monday with a 3-1 loss.

Conger hit .300 in 387 at-bats with Salt Lake, popping 11 homers. He also took home the Most Valuable Player honors in this year's Futures Game, played at Angel Stadium. Trumbo hit .301 with 36 homers and 122 RBIs for the Bees.

"There are guys that are certainly going to have a role with us, and guys that have played well down there that we feel can add depth to us as we get through this last month," Scioscia said.

Worth noting
Indians right fielder Shin-Soo Choo is hitting .429 (15-for-35) in his career at Angel Stadium. ... Angels righty Joel Pineiro is scheduled to throw a four-inning simulated game on Tuesday, and he could rejoin the club in a relief role later this month. Pineiro hasn't pitched since July 21 because of an oblique injury.