Matt LaPorta hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the sixth and Justin Masterson tossed six strong innings to help the Cleveland Indians avoid a three-game sweep against the Oakland Athletics with Thursday’s 3-2 victory.

Masterson (5-12) allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts to earn the win. Three relievers followed by tossing three scoreless innings, including Chris Perez, who picked up save No. 16.

With the score knotted at 2, LaPorta belted his eighth blast of the campaign off starter Vin Mazzaro for what would amount to the game-winner.

Gabe Gross opened the scoring with a single for Oakland in the second that was matched by Michael Brantley’s RBI single in the fifth. Kevin Kouzmanoff then momentarily pushed the A's back ahead by a run in the top of the sixth with a deep double to left.

Mazzaro (6-6) surrendered three runs and seven hits in 6 1/3 innings.