Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson topped himself again, following up seven shutout innings in his last start with a complete-game shutout win Friday against the White Sox.
Masterson was masterful, allowing just two extra-base hits among five total hits. He struck out seven batters and walked just one, while picking up 14 of his 27 outs via the groundball.
Masterson had little margin for error in picking up his third win in three starts, with the Indians offense providing just one run of support in the game. Masterson was not in line for a win when he left the mound, despite his dominating performance. The Indians were scoreless heading into the bottom of the ninth, before winning, 1-0, on a walkoff single by Nick Swisher.
Masterson threw 81 of 113 pitches for strikes, his second time in three starts topping the century mark in pitches. Masterson pushed his record to 3-0 and lowered his ERA to 0.41, having allowing just one earned run in 22 innings.
Masterson next start comes Thursday against the Red Sox. The Red Sox tagged him for six runs in six innings in his lone outing against them last season. The longest Masterson has gone into a season unbeaten is five starts, a feat he accomplished in 2011.