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Re: GameTime!™

10282 by J.R.
Yesterday's summary:
GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- It is usually said that the pitchers are ahead of the hitters at the onset of Spring Training. That theory flew out the window Friday, when the Indians and Reds renewed their rivalry in the Cactus League opener at a breezy Goodyear Ballpark.

Both teams showed off their revamped lineups, but Cleveland came out on top with an 11-10 walk-off victory over Cincinnati. Mike McDade hit a bases-loaded double off Reds pitcher Drew Hayes to clear the bases in the ninth and win it.

"I just don't know if everybody knew it was a walk-off," Indians manager Terry Francona said with a laugh. "Everybody was kind of looking around. Nobody knew how to act. Yeah, today was good. [The starters] got three innings just like we wanted. Everybody got an at-bat or two to kind of shake off the rust a little bit."

The always-energized Nick Swisher was ecstatic about the early showing from his new Indians squad.

"You add little pieces here or there, man, and the team gets excited, and we pop out seven runs in the first three innings in the first game," Swisher said. "Guys are really excited just to get out in those game-type situations where you can compete, not only against our own guys."

Swisher, who signed a four-year contract worth $56 million with the Tribe over the winter, roped an RBI single in the first inning for his first act as a member of the Indians. Third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall chipped in a two-run home run, left fielder Michael Brantley contributed a pair of doubles and catcher Carlos Santana had two run-scoring singles.

That combined effort helped Cleveland take a 7-5 lead in the third inning after trailing 5-0 in the first. Second baseman Ryan Raburn added a solo homer in the seventh to score Cleveland's eighth run before its three-run ninth.

Indians lefty Giovanni Soto, who got the start in the Cactus League opener as he gets ready for a stint wth Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, allowed five runs on three hits in just two-thirds of an inning. Joey Votto got Cincinnati's five-run first rolling with an RBI single and catcher Ryan Hanigan wrapped up the rally with a two-run double.

Miguel Olivo and Devin Mesoraco each homered for the Reds. Both blasts came off Indians right-hander Joe Martinez, who was charged with five runs on five hits in two innings of relief for the Tribe.

Left-hander Tony Cingrani -- one of Cincinnati's top pitching prospects -- started for the Reds and allowed three runs on three hits in one inning. Cingrani had one strikeout and issued one walk in the effort.

Indians center fielder Michael Bourn, who signed a four-year deal worth $48 million shortly before Spring Training began, said it was great to see Cleveland's starting nine on the field for the first time this year.

"It felt cool," Bourn said. "You always want to see how it looks when you go out there together and match up and play against another team. I felt like we looked OK today. We scored some runs, got some walks, made some good plays on defense, also. It was a good day for the starters."

Up next: The Indians and Reds will square off again on Saturday in a 3:05 p.m. ET affair at Goodyear Ballpark. Cincinnati will give the ball to right-hander Alfredo Simon, who is prepping for a stint with Dominican Republic in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Second baseman Brandon Phillips -- a former Indian and a member of the Classic's Team USA squad -- will likely be in the lineup again for the Reds. Righty Brett Myers, who signed a one-year contract with Cleveland during the offseason, is slated to start and pitch two innings for the Tribe.

Re: GameTime!™

10283 by J.R.
Today's recap:

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Three-run outbursts in the second, fourth and seventh innings helped propel the Indians to a 13-10 win over the Reds on Saturday afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark.

Cleveland took a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Jason Kipnis was caught stealing and forced into a rundown. Shortstop Jason Donald dropped the ball chasing down Kipnis for an error that alloowed Asdrubal Cabrera to score.

After the Reds tied the game in the bottom of the inning on Miguel Olivo's bases-loaded walk, the Indians rallied in the second against Alfredo Simon. Michael Brantley hit a leadoff double to right field and scored on Lonnie Chisenhall's lined single into center field. With two outs, Cabrera hit a two-run single off of the right-field wall.

Normally Cincinnati's long reliever, Simon pitched 1 2/3 innings in the start, which was a tuneup for his participation in the World Baseball Classic with the Dominican Republic. Three of the four runs he allowed were earned with five hits, a walk and a strikeout.

In the second inning against Indians projected No. 3 starter Brett Myers, Shin-Soo Choo reached on a two-out throwing error by Cabrera and scored on Brandon Phillips' double down the left-field line.

Myers worked two innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits with a walk and two strikeouts.

"I felt fine," Myers said. "I'm just trying to work on my fastball location and my changeup. I'll throw the other stuff later. I need those two pitches right now. The changeup is my fourth pitch, so I want to work on it and make sure it's there for the season."

Olivo drove in his second run with a sacrifice fly against Edward Paredes in the third inning.

Called on to replace Nick Christiani with two on in the top of the fourth, lefty reliever Wilkin De La Rosa walked his first two batters, including Jesus Aguilar with the bases loaded. Following a Mike McDade sacrifice fly, Ben Francisco hit an RBI double.

Indians closer Chris Perez entered in the bottom of the fourth and worked a scoreless inning with a hit and a strikeout.

Against Indians pitcher Corey Kluber with one out in the fifth, Yorman Rodriguez smacked a two-run double to left-center field to make it a two-run game. In the sixth inning against Reds prospect Daniel Corcino, Cord Phelps hit a 2-1 pitch for a solo home run to left field.

Second baseman Ryan Raburn, seeking a roster spot with the Indians, belted a pair of two-run homers late to help the Indians secure a 2-0 start to Cactus League play.

"You've got to respect that this is like the regular season for these guys," Indians manager Terry Francona said after Saturday's game. "[Raburn] understands that. It's the second game, but it's still nice to see. He's taken a couple of nice swings. It's fun to watch."

Up next: The Indians will take on the Reds at home and the Brewers on the road in a pair of split-squad contests Sunday at 3:05 p.m. ET. Right-hander Zach McAllister (Cleveland's projected fourth starter) is slated to make his spring debut against Cincinnati at Goodyear Ballpark. Righty Daisuke Matsuzaka, who is competing for the fifth spot in the rotation, is also expected to pitch. Against Milwaukee at Maryvale Baseball Park, rotation candidates Carlos Carrasco, Scott Kazmir, Trevor Bauer and David Huff are all scheduled to throw.
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