Indians 2, Athletics 0: Justin Masterson tossed seven scoreless innings and visiting Cleveland scored two runs in the ninth off new Oakland closer Jim Johnson in the season opener for both teams.

The Indians loaded the bases in the top of the ninth before scoring on Nyjer Morgan’s sacrifice fly and Nick Swisher’s single off Johnson (0-1), who only recorded one out in his first appearance since being acquired from Baltimore during the offseason. Cody Allen (1-0) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the eighth and John Axford worked around a pair of walks in the ninth, striking out Nick Punto to nail down the save.

The loss spoiled a strong outing by Oakland starter Sonny Gray, who allowed five hits with seven strikeouts over six scoreless innings. Josh Donaldson delivered two of the five hits by the Athletics, who left five runners on base in the final two frames and set a major-league record with their 10th straight Opening Day loss.

Masterson yielded three hits and one walk with four strikeouts in his third consecutive Opening Day start for the Indians, who were unable to score early despite putting their first two runners on base in both the first and fourth innings. Cleveland mounted its game-winning rally in the ninth, when Asdrubal Cabrera drew a leadoff walk from Johnson, David Murphy singled and Yan Gomes was hit by a pitch.

The Athletics’ best threat came in the eighth, when Daric Barton hit a leadoff single off Marc Rzepczynski and Coco Crisp drew a one-out walk from Allen. Donaldson followed with a smash off the center-field wall, but Barton failed to get a good jump from second base and was held at third before Allen escaped the jam by retiring Jed Lowrie and Brandon Moss.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Gomes, who signed a six-year, $23 million contract extension prior to the game, went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts. … Morgan was 0-for-2 with a walk in place of OF Michael Bourn (hamstring), who is expected to return from the disabled list as soon as Saturday. … Home plate umpire Mike Winters initiated a replay review in the sixth inning to see if Oakland C John Jaso blocked the plate without the ball before tagging out Michael Brantley on a close play. Winters’ call was confirmed in 59 seconds.
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