Indians 3, Orioles 1: Justin Masterson pitched 7 1/3 strong innings to outduel Tommy Hunter and Shin-Soo Choo hit a two-run homer as host Cleveland avoided a four-game sweep by edging Baltimore.

Michael Brantley added an RBI single in the eighth while Carlos Santana and Jason Kipnis each doubled and had two hits for the Indians, who moved back to .500 at 48-48.

Masterson (7-8) was reached for one run on seven hits and one walk while striking out six and continuing a pattern of bad starts followed by stellar turns. The right-hander has allowed one earned run or less in three of his last six starts while getting pounded for 16 runs in 14 2/3 innings over the other three.

The Indians gave Masterson all the support he would need in the third. Kotchman reached with a two-out single and Choo followed a batter later, taking a high cutter and sending a towering drive to right-center and into the second row for his 12th blast.

Hunter (4-5) lasted seven-plus frames and was charged with three runs on eight hits while striking out four.

Baltimore recorded its lone run in the fifth on an RBI double by Omar Quintanilla.

The Orioles nearly tied it in the eighth, when Nick Markakis singled off Masterson and Endy Chavez greeted reliever Vinnie Pestano with a double. But Markakis was thrown out at home trying to score on Chavez’s hit and Pestano struck out Jim Thome to end the threat.

Chris Perez worked the ninth for his 27th save.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Quintanilla, who was acquired from the New York Mets on Friday, was making his first start for Baltimore … Orioles RHP Joel Pineiro will undergo surgery on his shoulder Tuesday … Cleveland RHP Roberto Hernandez (formerly Fausto Carmona) threw in the bullpen on Monday … The Indians have scored three runs or less in each of their last five games.