Cleveland takes win over Oakland in opener

Nyjer Morgan provided the winning run in the ninth inning with a sacrifice fly as the Cleveland Indians took the Oakland Athletics 2-0 Monday in the opener for both clubs.

Nick Swisher provided an RBI single following Morgan's sac fly, while Asdrubal Cabrera and David Murphy scored the runs for the Indians, who fell to the Rays in the one-game wild card playoff last season.

Justin Masterson was solid in his third straight Opening Day start as he gave up just three hits and a walk with four strikeouts over seven innings for Cleveland, which had made the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Cody Allen (1-0) retired the final two batters of the eighth to pick up the win.

Sonny Gray had a strong start for Oakland as well, going six innings and giving up five hits and three walks with seven strikeouts. Jim Johnson (0-1) was tagged for both runs in the ninth to take the loss.

Josh Donaldson had two of the five hits for the Athletics, who won the AL West for a second straight season, but again lost to the Tigers in the divisional round.

[SportsNetwork.com]