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Blue Jays pin hopes on Buehrle in Cleveland

Apr 19, 2014 - 1:46 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Mark Buehrle tries to win his fourth straight start to begin the season when the Toronto Blue Jays resume their three-game set in Cleveland this afternoon.

Buehrle has given up just two earned runs this year, and one of those came Sunday at Baltimore when he limited the Orioles to five hits over seven innings. This strong beginning to the season by the veteran left-hander is his best since 2009 when he went 5-0 over his first six appearances before losing in Cleveland on May 13 that season.

Buehrle is 15-17 with a 4.87 EA in 48 games (47 starts) against the Indians.

The Blue Jays, who won 3-2 last night, are expected to get back infielder Jose Reyes today. Reyes suffered a strained hamstring during his first at-bat of the season on March 31 and hasn't played since. He was activated off the 15- day disabled list last night.

The Blue Jays placed Adam Lind on the 15-day DL with a strained lower back and optioned shortstop Munenori Kawasaki to Triple-A Buffalo. The Blue Jays also selected the contract of Juan Francisco from the Bisons and transferred Maicer Izturis to the 60-day DL.

Corey Kluber tries to help the Indians snap a two-game skid today when he takes the mound. The righty will be throwing on extended rest after throwing a season-best 7 1/3 innings against the White Sox last Sunday. He allowed eight hits and two runs in a no-decision. Thus far this season, Kluber has fanned 16 and walked only three batters. This will be his first career appearance against Toronto.

Kluber is 6-0 over his last 11 starts at Progressive Field and hasn't lost at home since May 31, 2013 against Detroit.

Melky Cabrera supplied four hits and a run for the Blue Jays in last night's win. Kawasaki, Edwin Encarnacion, and Brett Lawrie each drove in a run for the Blue Jays, who snapped a two-game skid. Starting pitcher Drew Hutchison gave up two runs on eight hits with nine strikeouts across 5 1/3 innings.

Steve Delabar (1-0) retired the final two batters in the sixth after having men on first and third to earn the win. Sergio Santos picked up his fifth save of the season after issuing two walks and striking out two batters in a scoreless ninth.

"It got a little hairy there, but the bottom line is he got it done," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Santos.

Carlos Santana stroked a two-run homer and Jason Kipnis had two hits for the Indians, who have dropped three of their last four. Justin Masterson allowed two runs on six hits with nine strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings, but Marc Rzepczynski (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up a run on two hits in the seventh.

"We're just working out the kinks, having some fun. A lot of close games. I think you'll find as we continue to go, there's going to be a lot of great things coming," Masterson said.

Cleveland won four of the six meetings last season.