Cleveland Indians catcher Lou Marson (left) pumps his fist as Toronto Blue Jays Edwin Encarnacion is struck out by Indians pitcher Chris Perez to secure a 1-0 win during the ninth inning of American League baseball action in Toronto on Friday, July 13 , 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young
July 13, 2012 - 9:54 PM
TORONTO - Travis Hafner provided all the offence with a towering solo home run early and Justin Masterson pitched seven strong innings Friday night as the Cleveland Indians shut out the Toronto Blue Jays 1-0 in the first game for both clubs after the all-star break.
Hafner's solo shot in the second inning was all Cleveland (45-41) needed behind a strong outing from Masterson, who gave up just five singles while striking out five and surrendering one walk for the Indians.
Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero (8-5) battled for six innings, allowing six hits and two walks while striking out six.
Vinnie Pestano pitched a perfect eighth for Cleveland, while Chris Perez did the same in the ninth to pick up his 25th save. The Cleveland closer got Edwin Encarnacion to strike out swinging for the final out, a day after the Toronto first baseman signed a three-year, US$27-million contract extension.
Romero, who came in with the third most run support among American League starters, has now gone 13 innings without the Blue Jays' bats providing any offence. Toronto (43-44) last scored a run while Romero was pitching in the fifth inning of a 11-3 loss to Kansas City on July 2.
Romero came in with a 0-3 and a 10.80 earned-run average in his last three starts, but gave up just two runs in six innings of a 2-0 loss at Chicago on Saturday and was effective against Cleveland.
After a spotless first inning where he looked in complete control, Romero surrendered Hafner's moon shot home run to right field to lead off the second. Cleveland then put two runners on later in the inning, but the Toronto left-hander got Jack Hannahan swinging to end the threat.
Romero got out of more trouble in the fourth when Carlos Santana walked with one out and Michael Brantley doubled to put runners at second and third. But Romero struck out Lou Marson swinging and got Johnny Damon to ground out to short.
The Blue Jays finally got a runner into scoring position when Yunel Escobar got to first on an infield single and moved to second on a wild pitch. He would get no further, though, as Masterson (6-8) induced a weak grounder to second off the bat of Kelly Johnson.
Romero was in more trouble in the sixth, putting runners on first and second, but he fielded a soft Marson ground in front of home himself and threw to first to escape unscathed.
Toronto put just its second runner at second in the bottom of the inning when J.P. Arencibia singled and advanced on a fielder's choice. But again Masterson had an answer, getting Colby Rasmus to ground out.
The Indians got a runner to third in the seventh, but Jason Frasor, on in relief of Romero, got Asdrubal Cabrera to pop out after an eight-pitch at-bat for the third out.
The Blue Jays again threatened in the seventh when Encarnacion walked and Adam Lind walked, but Masterson struck out Escobar and got Johnson to ground into a force out.
Notes: The Blue Jays added LHP Aaron Loup to the roster. He replaces LHP Luis Perez, who is done for the season and was placed on the 60-day disabled list retroactive to July 9 with a torn ligament in his pitching elbow. ... Encarnacion's new contract includes a team option worth $10 million for the 2016 season. ... Blue Jays third baseman Brett Lawrie returned to the starting lineup after missing Sunday's game with lower back tightness. ... Injured Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow threw his first bullpen session since straining his left oblique muscle last month. The right-hander didn't experience any pain Friday, but Jays manager John Farrell said Morrow is still a long way off from returning to the rotation. ... Attendance at Rogers Centre was 32,308. ... Toronto's last 1-0 home loss came June 23, 2010, against St. Louis. ... Jose Bautista, who finished second in the Home Run Derby at the all-star game, finished the night 0-for-4. ... Encarnacion wound up 0-for-3 with a walk.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2012