Carrasco goes the distance in Indians' 3-1 victory

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) Carlos Carrasco made a few adjustments between starts and it made all the difference.

Carrasco threw a two-hitter, Carlos Santana hit a two-run homer and the Cleveland Indians beat the Oakland Athletics 3-1 on Thursday night.

Carrasco said he moved his arm slot a little higher to avoid tipping his pitches.

''I was getting my arm on top a little bit more and holding my glove right there,'' said Carrasco, who thought he was tipping pitches with the way he was holding his glove. ''They pick up everything. I had to make sure everything was together.''

Francisco Lindor had two hits for the Indians, who won their second straight following a six-game losing streak.

Josh Reddick doubled in a first-inning run for the A's, who have lost six of their last seven.

Carrasco (11-8) did not allow a hit after Reddick's double, facing one over the minimum from that point. He walked one and struck out seven. He was coming off his worst start of the season in which he allowed six runs in four innings.

''Oh boy, he was good,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said. "The first inning he gives up an infield hit and then a double and then after that, that was it. He pounded the strike zone, just kept them at bay the whole night.''

Indians pitchers have thrown three consecutive complete games for the first time since 1994, and became the first major league team to do so since the A's in 2010.

''He was unpredictable,'' A's manager Bob Melvin said of Carrasco. ''It's as well-pitched game as we've seen this year.''

Chris Bassitt (0-4) gave up three runs, his season high, on six hits. He walked one and struck out a season-best six.

The first four Indians hitters reached base against Bassitt and three scored. Jason Kipnis singled on the game's second pitch but slipped trying to get back to first on a pick-off throw and was caught.

Lindor followed with a single and scored on Michael Brantley's double and fielding error on Sam Fuld. Santana then hit his 12th home run of the year.

''I tried to throw two-seam in. It ran right down the middle and he hit it a long way,'' Bassitt said. ''I feel like my stuff wasn't sharp the first inning and after that I kind of got going.''

The A's got a run back in their half of the first when Reddick doubled home Billy Burns, who had singled.

Bassitt allowed two hits after Santana's home run, retiring 18 of the final 21 batters he faced.

TRAINER'S ROOM:

Indians: Lonnie Chisenhall was recalled from Triple-A Columbus when the Indians traded Brandon Moss to the St. Louis Cardinals for minor league pitcher Rob Kaminsky. Chisenhall opened the season with Cleveland and was sent down on June 7. He'll get a chance to play in the outfield and at first base. Chisenhall appeared in 50 games at third base. ''That's a way to have a career,'' Francona said. ''He's understanding how to make himself valuable to a club.''

Athletics: Left-hander Sean Doolittle was encouraged by his bullpen session before the game. ''After today I'm more eager to move this along, just because of how well it went,'' Doolittle said. ''I know I have another bullpen on Saturday. Beyond that I'm not sure what the timetable is or what the progression will be.''

UP NEXT:

Indians: Right-hander Danny Salazar (8-6, 3.72) makes the start Friday night looking to continue a solid season. He lost his last outing but recorded a quality start, allowing two runs on six hits over 6 2-3 innings. He has struck out at least seven hitters in 15 of his last 21 starts.

Athletics: Right-hander Kendall Graveman (6-7, 4.13) is 0-3 with a 10.22 ERA over his last three starts. He was 3-2 with a 1.26 ERA in his previous six starts.