At arm’s length

Masterson (9-7, 2.63 ERA) went six innings to record his third victory in four starts against his former team. He allowed three runs on five hits and one walk while ringing up nine strikeouts, including four in the second inning. It was the sixth time in Indians history a pitcher had four strikeouts in an inning, with Chuck Finley being the last April 16, 2000, against Texas.

“The things he needed to work on when he was a young pitcher, getting in to lefties and everything, he can do that now,’’ Francona said. “He’s not timid throwing it in. He can elevate when he wants to. He’s impressive.’’

Bedard took a no-decision, departing after five innings and 70 pitches. He allowed three runs on seven hits, walking none while striking out five.

The Sox dropped into a first-place tie in the American League East with the Yankees, who arrive at Fenway tonight for a three-game set.

“I don’t want to sit up here and say I’m excited after a loss,’’ Francona said of Bedard’s debut. “But actually I was pretty excited about it.’’

Franklin Morales took the loss for the Sox after giving up a two-run homer to Carlos Santana (3 for 4 with a walk, three RBIs, and two runs) in the sixth.

The Indians pummeled five pitchers for 14 hits as the Sox fell to 4-6 against the Tribe this season, losing the season series against Cleveland for the first time since 2006.

Bedard’s outing had to be viewed, in effect, as his second rehab start after coming off the disabled list in Seattle, where he was idled nearly a month after spraining his left knee.

It was certainly a vast improvement over last Friday, when he lasted 1 ⅓ innings for the Mariners against Tampa Bay, giving up five runs on three hits and four walks, including three in a row.

“I was a little nervous in the first,’’ Bedard said. “But I just kept my composure and kept throwing strikes.’’

Bedard retired the first three batters he faced, striking out leadoff hitter Ezequiel Carrera with a 92-mile-per-hour fastball.

The Sox gave their new lefty a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first.