Masterson, Peavy duel to 1-0 Cleveland loss
CHICAGO (AP)
-- All Justin Masterson could do was tip his cap.
The Cleveland Indians right-hander allowed just one run in his first complete game of the year, but was bested by Jake Peavy as the Chicago White Sox beat the Indians 1-0 on Wednesday night.
"We battled, but he kept us down," Masterson said. "I was able to keep it close enough, except for that one in the first. Unfortunately, he was just a little bit better."
Masterson (5-2) yielded just five hits and struck out eight, but an Adam Dunn sacrifice fly in the first inning was enough to tag him with his second loss of the year.
"Hats off to Jake Peavy," he said. "It's still disappointing. What sticks in your mind is that first run. I was good, but that one run"
Juan Pierre led off the game with a double and advanced to third on 44-year old Omar Vizquel's single. Dunn then hit a sacrifice fly to drive him in.
"I kinda got beat on a couple sinkers there," Masterson recalled. "Juan Pierre, sinker away, stayed on the same plane and he did a good job hustling to second base. That's what helped them out to get that run, he took that extra base."
Peavy (1-0) pitched a three-hitter in his home debut, striking out eight to cool off a Cleveland lineup that scored 31 runs in its three previous games. The 29-year old right-hander had his fifth career shutout and ninth complete game. He only allowed one runner past first base, did not walk anyone and threw 111 pitches. Peavy finished the 2-hour, 1-minute game by striking out Michael Brantley and Asdrubal Cabrera.
"Anytime that happens, everybody on the offense feels horrible," said Shelley Duncan, who was 0 for 3 with two strikeouts. "When you see a pitcher pitch his (rear) off and you don't get any runs for him, it's a horrible feeling for everybody."
Peavy was making his second start since having shoulder surgery 10 months ago. In his first game, he gave up four runs and seven hits over six innings during a 6-4 win in Los Angeles last Wednesday.
"I don't know what to expect coming off this surgery and I don't know how good I can be and if I can get back, but that's a lot of what I used to do tonight," Peavy said. "I expect to win and that's the bottom line."
The 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner was spectacular in his first appearance at U.S. Cellular Field since July 6, 2010, when he left with detached a muscle in his right shoulder.
Shin-Soo Choo was the only hitter that gave Peavy problems. He was 2 for 4 with two singles. Peavy got Travis Buck to ground out to end the seventh, stranding Choo at second.
In the eighth, Peavy got help from Brent Lillibridge, who made a sliding catch on the left-center warning track to rob Orlando Cabrera of extra bases.
NOTE: Indians DH Travis Hafner was a late scratch with soreness in his right side. Indians manager Manny Acta said it happened while taking batting practice. Hafner will be reevaluated at the ballpark Thursday.