Indians shortstop Jason Donald blamed himself for hurting Justin Masterson's chances for a shutout Thursday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Cleveland Indians' second baseman Jayson Nix looks toward first base after forcing out the Oakland Athletics' Daric Barton in the first inning Friday night at Progressive Field. Nix forced Barton on a throw by Jason Donald, behind, watching the play. It was the second out of the first inning. The ball was hit by Kurt Suzuki. (Chuck Crow/The Plain Dealer)Cleveland, Ohio -- Indians shortstop Jason Donald blamed himself for hurting Justin Masterson's chances for a shutout Thursday afternoon against the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Indians won, 6-1, to complete a four-game sweep. Masterson pitched 8 1/3 innings to earn the victory. Nobody in Tribe quarters was complaining, but Donald felt badly.
With one out in the ninth inning and Jose Bautista on second base in a 6-0 game, Adam Lind grounded to Donald. Instead of making the routine play to first for the second out, Donald threw to third baseman Andy Marte, Bautista easily beat the tag.
Aaron Hill followed with an RBI single. Lyle Overbay singled, sending Masterson to the dugout. Frank Herrmann relieved and got Jose Molina to ground into a double play.
"I made a dumb play," Donald said Friday afternoon. "I was thinking first all the way, then I saw him cross my sight and went to throw it over there. It was a lapse in judgment. I'm going to learn from it and move on."
Donald, who played in his 38th major-league game Friday night against Oakland, said he spoke with Masterson afterward.
"I apologized to him because I thought I cost him the shutout," Donald said. "I told him: 'My bad -- dumb decision.' He was great about it. He said I didn't cost him the shutout. He said it didn't matter. But I think that's just Justin being a nice guy."
Masterson has a reputation as one of the game's nicest people.
Indians manager Manny Acta is confident Donald will be better for the experience.
"He made a mistake," Acta said. "He understands. We're up by six runs, there's already one out, you get the second out at first base. Don't take any chances."
Masterson owns one major-league shutout. He two-hit the Red Sox, 11-0, on June 9 at Progressive Field.
Cabrera update: Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera fielded grounders effortlessly and did some light sprinting in the afternoon. Cabrera has been on the disabled list since May 18 because of a fractured left forearm. He underwent surgery May 19.
Acta said Cabrera has begun taking "dry" swings, and likely will travel to St. Petersburg, Fla., when the Indians play the Tampa Bay Rays next Thursday through Sunday.
"He will intensify his workouts," Acta said. "From there, we'll look into rehab."
Redmond returns: Catcher Mike Redmond started at catcher and batted eighth. Carlos Santana was the designated hitter and batted in his customary third spot.
Santana, who debuted with the Indians on June 11, made his previous 18 major-league starts at catcher.
Acta said he wanted to get Redmond playing time and to give Travis Hafner a rest against a tough lefty. Oakland's Gio Gonzalez entered the night having held lefties to a .140 average (12-for-86).
Redmond started for the first time since June 19 at Pittsburgh. He appeared in his third game since June 9.
"Manny told me a couple of days ago that I'd be playing Friday," Redmond said. "I'm ready no matter what. I've been doing this for 13 years. I've gone 20 days without playing. I've done pretty much everything."
Braden out: Athletics lefty Dallas Braden, who pitched a perfect game against Tampa Bay on May 9, will miss his scheduled start against the Tribe tonight because of elbow tendinitis. Braden also was scratched last Tuesday in Baltimore.
Olympic fever: The members of the United States four-man bobsled team who won gold at the Vancouver Games in February will attend tonight's game. USA-1 pilot Steven Holcomb and crewmen Justin Olsen, Steve Mesler and Curt Tomasevicz will throw out ceremonial first pitches.
The foursome became the first Americans to win the event since 1948.
Everybody loves Patricia: Actress and Bay Village product Patricia Heaton threw out a ceremonial first pitch Friday. Matt LaPorta, who homered in the previous three games, was the catcher.
Finally: Santana and center fielder Trevor Crowe, under the tutelage of hitting coach Jon Nunnally, hit balls off the tee before batting practice. Nunnally had them focused on getting the hands through the zone.