By: Stephen Parsons
Okay, I realize that it is only Spring Training, but the Indians bats
have come alive in the first two exhibition games against state rival
and Goodyear, Arizona roommates the Cincinnati Reds.
Giovanni Soto couldn’t have a worse first impression for new manager
Terry Francona. He could only get 2 batters out in the debut game of
the spring. Allowing 3 hits and walking 2 batters, he gave up 5 earned
runs before being pulled in favor of Fernando Nieve.
The Tribe would battle in this game, but found themselves down 10-7
in only the 5th inning. Reliever Joe Martinez didn’t look much better,
in fact somehow he was worse. In 2 innings pitched Martinez yielded 5
earned runs on 5 hits including 2 home runs.
Vinny Pestano and Frank Hermann were the only pitchers to have
perfect innings pitched. Mike McDade, who the Indians acquired from
Toronto, sliced a 3 run double to give the Tribe the victory in walk off
fashion.
In Saturday afternoon’s game, the Tribe didn’t wait till the 9th
inning to get ahead. They jumped out to a 7-3 lead in the 4th inning.
Newly acquired veteran pitcher Brett Myers went for 2 innings pitched,
allowing 1 earned run on 3 hits, and struck out two batters. Indians
closer Chris Perez pitched one inning allowing one hit and striking out
one batter.
Utility man Ryan Raburn hit 2 home runs today giving him 3 home runs
total. He hit 6 home runs last spring with the Tigers. Raburn is
wasting no time in getting a leg up on other players for a roster spot.
The Reds and Indians have combined for 44 runs and 62 hits while
playing for 6 hours, 47 minutes. It may only be spring training, but
with a lot of new faces, it’s good to see the Tribe putting up some good
numbers offensively for a team that has struggled in that department
for the better part of the past 5 years. Now it’s time for the pitching
to start getting some consistency because that is the biggest question
mark heading into the season. Zach McAllister will take the mound
tomorrow against the Reds as a split squad takes on the Milwaukee
Brewers as well.
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