Cleveland @ Oakland preview

Cleveland at Oakland

Last Meeting ( Apr 24, 2010 ) Cleveland 6, Oakland 1

The Cleveland Indians have struggled offensively for most of this season but perhaps there’s a solution right there in their own clubhouse.

Outfielder Austin Kearns was signed off the baseball scrap heap in the off-season, largely because he came at a bargain price and also due to Indians manager Manny Acta’s familiarity with him.

Kearns was a key figure in the Indians’ 6-1 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Saturday and figures to be in the lineup again today when Oakland sends lefty Gio Gonzalez to the mound in the finale of the three-game series.

Kearns went 3-for-5 with three RBIs Saturday and is hitting .367 in his first 30 at-bats for the Indians.

With Russell Branyan (back) and Matt LaPorta (hip) needing regular rest because of injuries and center fielder Grady Sizemore (.200, no homers) struggling against left-handed pitching (.043, 1-of-23), the Indians are searching for someone who can provide offensive pop.

Michael Brantley edged Kearns for the starting left field job in spring training but struggled once the season started. Brantley batted just .156 before being sent down last week.

Kearns, 29, will be seeing increased playing time as long as he swings a hot bat, and the Indians are hoping he can find some of the success he experienced earlier in his nine-year career.

Kearns and Acta were together in Washington for parts of three seasons (2007-09). Kearns had 16 homers and 74 RBIs in 2007 while playing for Acta before struggling with injuries the last two seasons. His 2009 campaign ended after 174 at-bats due to a thumb injury.

The Nationals declined Kearns’ $10 million option for 2010, and Cleveland scooped him up in January on a one-year deal for $750,000. If Kearns can regain the form he displayed earlier in his career with Cincinnati and Washington, the acquisition could prove to be a steal.

Cleveland’s victory snapped a six-game losing streak against the Athletics and was just the fourth road win in its last 26 attempts.

The Indians are hoping to make it two straight road wins today when they face Gonzalez, who has been up and down over this first three starts.

Since beating the Los Angeles Angels in his first start of the year, Gonzalez has given up seven earned runs in nine innings. He has a 5.40 earned-run average.

Control has been a problem in the last two starts for Gonzalez, who has walked nine batters after walking just one hitter in six innings against the Angels.

Oakland has been hit hard by injuries all season and Saturday wasn’t any different. Starting pitcher Brett Anderson left after six innings with elbow tightness while third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (foot) and catcher Kurt Suzuki (side and back soreness) were held out of the game with minor ailments.

The absences forced slumping Eric Chavez (.216) into the cleanup spot.

Cleveland will send Justin Masterson to the mound in the finale. Masterson has a 3.00 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 15 innings despite his 0-2 record.