Well, it wasn’t pretty and the result reflects it. RA Dickey’s first pitch went to the backstop, and it was downhill from there. The Jays dropped their season opener to a revamped Cleveland Indians’ squad, 4-1. Last year Justin Masterson shut down the Blue Jays on opening day in Cleveland, and he gave an encore performance tonight at The Rog.
Despite having a number of base runners early, a double play by CLE on a sharply-hit ground ball by Adam Lind with the bases loaded provided an early turning point in the game. Masterson and the Indians’ ‘pen retired the next 19 batters before JP Arenicibia doubled with two out in the ninth. Colby Rasmus struck out for the third time for the final out of the game.
Strangely, despite the new faces the Jays resembled their old selves with a high strikeout total, an inability to capitalize on other team’s mistakes, shoddy defense (1 error, albeit questionable; a franchise-record 3 passed balls by Arencibia), and a poor start (Dickey: 6 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 104 pitches). Arencibia and Rasmus were a combined 1-7, 2B, BB, 5 K.
Bright spots included RPs Aaron Loup and Sergio Santos. Loup pounded the strike zone for 1.1 IP. When he walked a batter, Santos relieved him and immediately gave up a 2B. He then settled down, using a fastball that reached 96 mph and a sharp-breaking slider that he used to strand the runners on second and third. Surprisingly, when Brett Cecil was brought in to pitch the ninth, he hit 93 mph on the gun and retired the side in order.
All-in-all, it was a D-/D+ effort by the Jays. Seriously though, who cares? The Tribe looks pretty good, and there are 161 more to play.
Wes Kepstro
AL Eastbound & Down 
Glad I didn’t pay hyper-inflated prices for opening night. Tell Rogers they don’t need to show that new “bar” in CF 1000 times per broadcast. We get it, you are after the yuppies and sushi eaters that the Maple Leafs currently get!
Regarding something I failed to mention in the write-up: after watching RAD’s reaction to Asdrubal’s HR, it looks like it’ll take him a few starts to get used to The Rog.
I heard 80 bucks for 500 level, and I like my fish with batter, tartar sauce, and a load of fries. Maybe one of the “bar” patrons will get nailed with an EE bomb sometime. Ah well, at least Rogers is covering their greater expenses… 😉