Masterson and Bullpen Mafia Silence Blue Jays in Opener

Justin Masterson struck out 5 Blue Jays

By: Stephen Parsons

After an offseason unlike any in recent memory, the Cleveland Indians kick off the 2013 campaign with an impressive victory 4-1 over the Toronto Blue Jays.  The Blue Jays have very high expectations after some big offseason trades and signings including their opening day starter R.A. Dickey, who also was last year's NL Cy Young award winner.

The Tribe got to Dickey early, forcing 21 pitches in the 1st inning, in the 2nd inning they would strike on the scoreboard not once but twice.  First 3rd baseman Lonnie Chisenhall drove in Michael Brantley on a ground out giving the Indians the early 1-0 lead.  Drew Stubbs, who was acquired in the Choo and Bauer deal, drove in Mark Reynolds on a 2-out double to give the Tribe a 2-0 lead.

Masterson would struggle going over 60 pitches in the 3rd inning.  He would find himself in a bases loaded with nobody out jam.  He would then receive a pitcher's best friend, a ground ball double play.  Yielding one run Masterson took it and got out of the inning with only one run allowed.  

Masterson would then go into a groove which he finished strong with, retiring his last 11 batters he faced.  Masterson would pitch 6 innings, allow 3 hits, walk 4 batters, 1 run allowed, and 5 strikeouts.

Asdrubal Cabrera would give the Tribe a couple of insurance runs with Michael Bourn on base, hitting a 2-run home run over the right field wall in the 5th inning giving the Indians a 4-1 win. 

R.A. Dickey would pitch 6 innings, allowing 4 runs, 4 walks, and 4 strikeouts.  A big factor in his outing is 3 critical passed balls by catcher JP Arencibia and one wild pitch by Dickey who helped the Indians get into scoring position.

The Bullpen Mafia took over in  the 7th inning, Joe Smith and Vinnie Pestano each pitched a 1-2-3 inning.  Chris Perez allowed a 2-out double, but worked out of trouble easily notching down his first save of the season, giving the Indians a 4-1 victory.  Justin Masterson improves to 4-1 lifetime against the Blue Jays.

Coming Up:

Tomorrow the Indians continue their opening series against the Blue Jays at 7:07 ET, Ubaldo Jimenez will face off against Brandon Morrow at the Rogers Centre in Toronto.