CLEVELAND -- Every fifth day, Indians manager Terry Francona knows hell get innings, maximum effort and nothing but smiles from his No. 1 starter. And he usually gets something more important from Justin Masterson -- a win. "Theres an expectation," Francona said. "Hes earned that." Masterson managed to hang around for 6 1-3 innings and win for the sixth time at home, leading Cleveland to a 6-3 victory over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night. Masterson (9-5) sidestepped trouble in the first few innings without giving up any runs and improved to 6-1 with a 2.29 ERA in nine starts at Progressive Field. The affable right-hander struck out eight while allowing two runs and nine hits. Only Detroits Max Scherzer has more wins in the AL than Masterson, who has been one of the few constants on a streaky Indians squad. "On the day he pitches, we feel pretty good," said Francona, who managed Masterson in Boston. "Hes earned that, for us to feel that way. His consistency with his stuff this year has been tremendous and we always know about his willingness to compete. Its fun to watch. "Ive got to try not to get caught up in how fond I am of him when hes pitching because when he comes off Im always smiling at him. Its hard not to." Michael Brantley hit a pair of solo homers and drove in three runs for the up-and-down Indians, who moved within 3 1/2 games of first-place Detroit in the AL Central. Mike Aviles drove in two runs and Michael Bourn scored twice for Cleveland, which has won six of eight after dropping eight in a row. Unable to get a hit for four innings off Luis Mendoza (2-4), Brantley homered in the fifth and the Indians added three runs in the sixth. Brantley connected again in the eighth. The Royals won the series opener, but dropped the final two and made some critical mistakes that cost them. "We feel we gave one away last night," Kansas City manager Ned Yost said. "Tonight was a different story. They just beat us." Masterson, as close to an ace as the Indians have in their rotation, is 5-0 in his last six starts at home and has won nine of his past 13 decisions in Cleveland. "Its nice," he said. "Its probably because I get to hang out with my wife and daughter before the game. It just seems to work out. I dont know what the science is behind it. My bad games have all come on the road." It wasnt a certainty he would survive the first few innings as the Royals put two runners on in the first and second but failed to score. Kansas City stranded eight runners in the first five innings and Masterson got a big defensive play by first baseman Mark Reynolds to get out of a pickle in the fourth. Masterson was lifted in the seventh, and although he was far from dominant, Indians fans gave him a warm ovation as he headed to the dugout. "Masterson is our ace, no question about it," Brantley said. "When our ace throws, weve got to win those games. He threw great tonight and kept us in the ballgame and thats all you can ask." The Indians, who have struggled to score lately, didnt get their first hit off Mendoza until the fifth and then chased the right-hander during their three-run sixth. With two on and none out, Aviles hit a ball to deep left that probably should have been caught by Alex Gordon, but the two-time Gold Glove winner dropped it, allowing Drew Stubbs to score and tie it at 2. "Its a ball that needs to be caught, especially in that situation," Gordon said. "It was towards the wall but it was off my glove and I should have caught it. No question. It would have been a big out and could have changed the inning around." Jason Kipnis followed with a well-timed bunt single to load the bases and Mendoza threw four straight balls to Carlos Santana, forcing in Bourn with the go-ahead run. Tim Collins then came in and allowed Brantleys sacrifice fly that made it 4-2, but after giving up a single, he kept the Royals within two by striking out pinch hitter Ryan Raburn and getting Lonnie Chisenhall on a groundout. However, the Indians tacked on an insurance run in the seventh when Bourn doubled, stole third and scored on Aviles fly ball to right. Cleveland also got solid relief work from Bryan Shaw, who pitched 1 2-3 scoreless innings. Mendoza, who had just one win in his previous six starts, coasted through the first four innings, allowing only a two-out walk in the first. He was handling the Indians with ease and appeared in complete control. The right-hander didnt make a mistake until Brantley turned on his fastball leading off the fifth, lining a shot into the right-field seats to trim Kansas Citys lead to 2-1. "The first five innings were about as good as you can get," Yost said. "He just kind of fell apart in the sixth after Stubbs got the hit." NOTES: Francona said 1B Nick Swisher (shoulder) will hit off a tee on Thursday, take batting practice Friday and will play Saturday as long as hes pain free. ... Indians closer Chris Perez will not be activated from the disabled list on Friday as originally planned. Perez struggled with his mechanics during a rough, one-inning outing -- five runs, three homers -- at Double-A Akron on Tuesday and the club wants him to throw a bullpen session before deciding the next move. Francona said Perez probably will make another rehab appearance. ... The Royals are in a stretch of playing 13 of 15 games within the AL Central. Nike Air Max 270 Triple Black For Sale . -- There were a lot of firsts for the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Air Max 270 Mens Clearance . In Europe, top teams seem to be largely happy with their squads after spending nearly $1 billion in the off-season. And although English league clubs are unlikely to splash cash in January, Arsenal and Chelsea could be tempted to strengthen their squads with new strikers. http://www.max270cheap.com/nike-men-s-air-max-270-react-electro-green-ao4971-300.html . Halladay signed a one-day contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday that allowed the veteran right-hander to retire as a member of team with which he broke into the majors and spent the bulk of his distinguished 16-year career. Cheap Nike Air Max 270 China . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. Air Max 270 Black Cheap .com) - The Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks both take aim at their first wins of the season on Saturday, as the Canucks open their home slate at Rogers Arena. STILLWATER, Okla. -- Oklahoma States strong performance last season and the return of 18 starters have earned the Cowboys a better starting position this year.Last season, the Cowboys opened the season unranked before Mason Rudolphs powerful arm led them to 10 straight wins and a No. 4 spot in the AP poll. The Cowboys lost their final three games last season, including the Sugar Bowl. Still, they left an impression, and Rudolph is back to lead a team that opens at No. 21.Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy understands the importance of that ranking and the perception that goes with it heading into Saturdays opener against Southeastern Louisiana.Being ranked is good, in national perspective, Gundy said. When they slide it (the school name) along the bottom of the screen, youre getting free marketing for the university, for your team when the rankings go up and millions of viewers see it. But in the end, you have to still play the games, and that all is going to take care of itself as the season progresses.The Cowboys will need to take care of Southeastern Louisiana, an FCS program that went 4-7 last year, in convincing fashion. Even the appearance of a slip could cost them dearly, and theres no major power on the non-conference slate to provide a potential boost. Next weeks opponent, Central Michigan, isnt receiving votes in the Top 25 and Pittsburgh, the following opponent, received 15 votes in the preseason poll.Here are some things to watch Saturday:BARRY J. SANDERSThe son of 1988 Heisman winner Barry Sanders isnt as explosive as his dad was, but hes still dangerous. The graduate transfer from Stanford is listed as Oklahoma States No. 1 kickoff return man, but others will get chances.REPLACING ATEMANOklahoma State receiver Marcell Ateman had surgery in July to repair a broken bone in his foot, and Gundy said he isnt sure when hell return. Ateman caught 45 passes for 766 yards annd five touchdowns last season.dddddddddddd dont know that we ever feel good about losing a player the caliber that Ateman should be for our team, but thats one of those areas we talk about, Gundy said. We control what we can control. We certainly cant do anything about it, so we move the next guy in.Chris Lacy, who has 12 career receptions, is listed as a starter in Atemans place. Established veterans James Washington and Jhajuan Seales are the other starters.OPTION FOOTBALLIn the old days, defending the option was no big deal for a Big 12 team -- they did it all the time. Now, few teams run it the way Southeastern Louisiana likely will. New offensive coordinator Matt Barrett comes from Georgia Southern, which was known for various forms of the offense. Though Barrett was the receivers coach at Georgia Southern, Oklahoma State is preparing for some old-school, triple-option football.To have that opponent the first game is great for us, Oklahoma State defensive coordinator Glenn Spencer said. Id hate to have had something like this in the middle of the season, so thats been an advantage, and we need all the extra time we can get.RB BY COMMITTEEAt least five running backs should get action for Oklahoma State: Chris Carson, Rennie Childs, Sanders, Jeff Carr and freshman Justice Hill.Its going to be interesting to see who emerges out of that, Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Mike Yurcich said. Kind of tailback by committee to start, then see who has the hot hand and go from there.MINI-MULLETThere was a little extra hair laying on Gundys neck during his most recent media session.I feel like if we get on a winning streak we can talk him into growing it out, linebacker Chad Whitener said.---Follow Cliff Brunt on Twitter: www.twitter.com/CliffBruntAP . ' ' '