Indians Notes: Perez, Choo, Vandenhurk, Neal

The first eight innings of the 2012 season went incredibly well for the Cleveland Indians. The next eight... not so much. While a 16-inning loss is a heart-wrenching way to begin the season, Tribe fans can find solace and hope in the next 161.

Here's the latest news and notes from the land of Cleves.

• Dissecting Chris Perez’s Blown Save | FanGraphs Baseball
  Justin Masterson and the Indians played what many would consider an ideal Opening Day game through the first eight innings Thursday against Toronto. But then they handed the ball to Chris Perez, and things went downhill in a hurry.
• Beanball and a close call get Shin-Soo Choo agitated | Indians Insider
  Toronto starter Ricky Romero hit Choo with a pitch in the third inning. Justin Masterson retaliated by throwing inside against Kelly Johnson, not once, but twice, before striking him out in the fourth. Masterson's pitches drew the warning from Welke.
• Rick VandenHurk Elects Free Agency | Twitter @tribeinsider
  RHP HENRICUS VAN DEN HURK has declined his outright assignment and elected free agency.