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Masterson, Hafner help Tribe edge Jays

Jul 14, 2012 - 5:44 AM Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Justin Masterson spun seven shutout innings to lead the Cleveland Indians to a 1-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the opener of a three-game set at Rogers Centre.

Masterson (6-8) allowed five hits, walked one and struck out five to earn the win.

"Masterson was impressive," said Indians manager Manny Acta of his starter. "He established his fastball the whole game. I thought he did a magnificent job."

Travis Hafner hit a solo homer and Michael Brantley had three hits for the Indians, who have won five of their last seven.

Chris Perez tossed a perfect ninth to lock up his 25th save of the season.

Adam Lind had a pair of hits while Yunel Escobar, Kelly Johnston and J.P. Arencibia each tallied hits for the Blue Jays, who lost for the fourth time in five games.

Ricky Romero (8-5) was pegged with the loss despite giving up just one run on six hits over six frames. He struck out six and walked two in the loss.

The Indians went ahead 1-0 in the second when Hafner pulverized a hanging breaking ball over the wall in right. It was his eighth homer of the season.

"Ricky did a very good job for us with the exception of the one breaking ball that stayed up over the middle to Hafner," admitted Blue Jays manager John Farrell of Romero.

Colby Rasmus drove one deep to right-center in the ninth but the ball died on the warning track. Perez was able to get Jose Bautista to ground out before striking out Edwin Encarnacion to end the game.

In the seventh the Blue Jays had a runner on second with one out, but Escobar struck out and Johnson grounded out to end the threat.

Toronto finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position.

Game Notes

Cleveland improved to 21-20 on the road this season and picked up its 10th win when scoring less than three runs. The Indians are 10-27 in such situations...Brantley extended his hitting streak to 11 games...Toronto transferred pitcher Luis Perez from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL and selected the contract of Aaron Loup from Double-A New Hampshire on Friday...The Blue Jays were shut out for the fourth time this season. They have been shut out twice in their last three games overall.