Justin Masterson struck out 5 Blue Jays |
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.
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