Matt LaPorta hit a 3-run home run while Josh Tomlin pitched into the 9th inning leading the Cleveland Indians to a 4-0 win over the LA Angels of Anaheim. The win was the Tribe's 8th straight, their longest since August 2008. At 8-2, the Indians are off to their best start since 2002 - a prime reason fans should temper their enthusiasm.
"Getting runs early helped," Talbot said. "I was a little more aggressive after that. I was locating my fastball and I am thrilled going eight shutout innings, but I really wanted to finish because my parents were here."
Tyler Chatwood (0-1) was charged for all four runs on four hits while walking four in his major league debut. Chatwood got the start because expected pitcher Dan Haren came in for relief during the Angels' 14-inning win over Toronto on Saturday. "(Chatwood) got into a lot of hitting counts," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He just couldn't get it in the zone and it hurt him in the second inning." Michael Brantley flied out to center to open the game but Cabrera then roped his fourth homer of the season, this time over the center field wall, to give the Tribe the 1-0 lead. Orlando Cabrera singled to center with one out in the second and after Austin Kearns doubled to put runners on second and third LaPorta plated them both to put Cleveland up 4-0. Chatwood was pulled in the sixth and Francisco Rodriguez got through two solid innings, allowing only two hits. Rodriguez yielded to Scott Downs and Rich Thompson who both pitched hitless frames to close out the game for Los Angeles. Talbot, who threw 112 pitches, was pulled after Bobby Abreu roped a double to left to begin the ninth. Pestano came in and sat down the Angels' 4-5-6 hitters in order to end the game. Game two of the series will feature Fausto Carmona (1-0) for Cleveland as Haren (2-0) takes the hill for Los Angeles.