Game MVP: Justin Masterson [5/13/13]

Continuing the MVP series, the MVP of Game 1 of the Indians/Yankees doubleheader is Justin Masterson.  To get your free Justin Masterson virtual Game MVP card, send me an e-mail to thejake4eternity@gmail.com with the phrase “TheMaster” in the subject line. This will come in handy later for contests, including Indians Bingo.

Justin Masterson

David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

MVP Rating:  Hero

Game Stats:

• 9 innings pitched, 0 earned runs (0.00 ERA)
• 9 strikeouts (9.0 K/9)
• 79 of 118 pitches for strikes (67%)
• 33 batters faced, 22 first-pitch strikes (67%)
• Complete game shutout (Game Score 85)
• 4 singles, 3 BB allowed (.133/.212/.133 opponent batting line, 0.78 WHIP)
• Win (6-2 record)

Details:

Justin Masterson came to the Indians in a trade with the Red Sox in 2009.  He earned the staff ace position in 2012 thanks to double-digit wins and a 3.21 ERA in 2011, along with the arrest of Roberto Hernandez/Fausto Carmona prior to the season.  He failed to put up those kinds of numbers that year, but has bounced back nicely this season to earn himself 6 wins in his first nine starts.  Masterson is shaping up to be the consistent number one we’ve all hoped he would turn out to be.

In the first half of Monday’s doubleheader, Justin Masterson shut the New York Yankees down completely, striking out nine batters and letting nobody get across the plate.  He threw about two-thirds of his pitches for strikes, and barely seemed to break a sweat.  It was his second complete game shutout of the season, making him the first Indians pitcher to do so in 1989. Stay tuned for number three.