It was nervous time in the ninth inning tonight for Chris Perez, who allowed the tying runs to get on base and only had Big Papi — David Ortiz — to wade through for the save, but Perez won the day and retired Ortiz on a liner to left to end it, and the Indians, behind a second straight brilliant start and another outstanding set-up inning from Tony Sipp, and just enough offense, held off the Boston Red Sox tonight at Progressive Field, 3-1, to get back to .500 at 2-2.
Josh Tomlin worked seven innings and surrendered only three hits and a run, walking three and striking out three, to outduel Josh Beckett of the Sox and sending Boston to their fourth straight season-opening loss.
The Indians managed only five hits off of Beckett and three relievers, but RBI singles from Orlando Cabrera and Jack Hannahan in the fourth and a sacrifice fly from Carlos Santana in the fifth held up on a clear and cold evening in Cleveland.
The Indians will go for their third straight win tomorrow night with Mitch Talbot on the mound for Cleveland. Talbot will be opposed by Dice-K Matsuzaka. Both will be making their first appearance of the season.