The Cleveland Indians defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in the final season opener of the 2013 season. With a masterful pitching performance by Justin Masterson, the Indians won 4-1 in Toronto as their new look team flashed the leather and provided enough offense to win the game.
The biggest blast of the night and biggest defense play was provided by Asdrubal Cabrera. He came up with the biggest blow as he smacked a two-run home run giving the Indians a three-run lead. At first, Cabrera thought he had missed the fat R.A. Dickey delivery that was hung over the plate. However, Jose Bautista went back and kept going back until he ran out of real estate. Dickey couldn't believe the ball was gone.
Masterson, though he lacked controlled, stifled the Blue Jays offense allowing a run on three hits in six innings pitched. Masterson did however, walk four batters while striking out five. He received help from Cabrera as the shortstop short hopped a ball that cuffed him and knocked him on his back. Cabrera started a double play with no outs. Masterson was able to leave from a bases loaded, no outs, jam while only allowing one run.
For the Indians, the new guys, Drew Stubbs, Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn made their impact. Bourn scored a run, Stubbs drove in a run and Swisher, though he struggled at the plate, played first base flawlessly.
Melky Cabrera, of the Blue Jays, reached on a single and scored a run in his first game back following his suspension for substance abuse while with the San Francisco Giants. Emilio Bonifacio finished 1-3 while Jose Reyes went hitless, though he walked in his first plate appearance in Toronto.
Dickey, who didn't pitch well, went six innings allowing 3 ER, 4 BB and recording 4 K's. He and catcher J.P. Arencibia proved they could use more time together as they had two pass balls and a wild pitch in the game.
Chris Perez saved his 100th save as an Indian and at one point, the Indians' pitching staff retired 20 consecutive Blue Jays.
The Indians and Blue Jays meet again tomorrow, Wednesday, for the second game of the series. Ubaldo Jimenez will take the hill for Cleveland, while Brandon Morrow takes the ball for Toronto.
