Buy JR a season ticket!

Lonnie the strong-armed RF has two assists in the first 3 innings.

Lonnie the weak-hitting RF has hit into two inning-ending DPs in the first 3 innings.

The Indians took the good with the bad in the team's first Spring Training game of 2016

Hayden Grove

The Indians had both good and bad moments in their 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday.

GOODYEAR, Arizona— There was plenty of good and plenty of not-so-good for the Indians amidst their 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds in the 2016 Cactus League opener for both teams.
To begin with the not-so-good, Indians' starter Josh Tomlin endured a rough first inning, in which he allowed three hits and an earned run.

Indians manager Terry Francona felt that the position in which Tomlin was placed was tough and that he’ll only continue to get better as his innings increase.

“I thought early, he kind of had to pitch out of trouble right away, but then he settled down and looked a little more like Josh,” Francona said. “He’s the first guy out of the chute. He’ll be fine.”
Also from the not-so-good category included the second of the two innings that left-handed starter T.J. House pitched on Tuesday.

Again, Francona wasn’t at all discouraged by the effort, looking towards House’s successes rather than his shortcomings in his first Spring Training action.

“First inning was good,” Francona said. “Second inning a little bit longer inning, but he shows that when he’s down throwing strikes, he gets people out.”

To round out the not-so-good, Giovanny Urshela was picked off at first base after a walk-- something that the manager wants to be rectified sooner than later.
“We can’t do that,” Francona said. “I don’t care when it is in the year, we can’t do that.”

To transition from the not-so-good to the good, Yan Gomes, who missed a good portion of last season with a knee injury, smoked a single to left for the Tribe’s first base hit of the new season.
After all the catcher endured a year ago, Francona was glad to see Gomes get it going early.

“He’s worked hard all winter and he continues to,” Francona said. “I don’t care who you are, veteran, to put the bat on the ball, get a base hit, just feel good about things, it helps everybody just to kind of loosen up and go about their business.”

An inning after Gomes’ single, Carlos Santana smacked Cleveland’s first home run of the Cactus League schedule over the wall in right field, before Minor League shortstop Eric Stamets added one of his own in the seventh inning.

Both home runs had Francona encouraged about the way his team is swinging the sticks to start things off.

“It’s a good swing. That’s what I care about,” Francona said. “We’ll take that all the time.”

With the first game out of the way, the Indians will return to Cactus League action against the Reds on Tuesday afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark.
Starting on the mound for the Indians is right-hander Cody Anderson, who is battling for the fifth spot in the Indians’ rotation with Tomlin.

The Tribe's starting lineup for Wednesday’s game will feature all new faces, as none started in Tuesday’s opener.
Indians Lineup 3-2 vs. Reds:

3B Jose Ramirez
SS Francisco Lindor
2B Jason Kipnis
1B Mike Napoli
DH Jesus Aguilar
RF Collin Cowgill
CF Robbie Grossman
C Roberto Perez
LF James Ramsey
First pitch from Goodyear is set for 3:05 p.m. E.T.

My neighbor is from Seattle so we are going to the Tribe game next Tuesday, Mar 8. A little early in the season to see any regulars. If I can talk him into leaving a little early for the game, we can scout the lower level fields.

I seldom went to the Major League game in Winter Haven. Much more fun hanging out on the lower fields.

I remember Seagull. At least in Arizona you don't have to deal with crocs. You can step on the scorpions. Have fun!

Not only scorpions, Joe....snakes are out. Record warmth this Feb has the snakes out ahead of schedule.

I didn't think about snakes! Be careful searching for those baseballs !!!

One cannot go by one game but Walters and Ramsey looked lost at the plate. No contact!

Starting on the mound for the Indians is right-hander Cody Anderson, who is battling for the fifth spot in the Indians’ rotation with Tomlin.

Remembering that the team signed Tomlin to a REAL contract this offseason, I have trouble believing that's a real battle.

On the other hand, I could see Anderson taking Bauer's spot instead if things fell a certain way.

Walters and Ramsey were are rewards for dumping Asdrubal and Masterson in 2014. Neither looks he's going to make it. But meanwhile Cabrera has drifted on to the Mets without an apparent starting job and Masterson is where? I don't think has a job yet in 2016

Civ- I am not critical of the trades, I just thought they looked terrible at the plate. They need someone to work with their technique or their head. They were swinging at balls off the plate and missing by a lot.

By contrast, even though Nellie struck out he did look like he has possibilities. Sort of a mini Prince Fielder.

Pretty difficult NOT to make contact this early when pitchers are throwing almost all fastballs.

Robbie Grossman with a triple, Cody Anderson 2 perfect innings, aguillar doubles in a run, James Ramsey is up to 0-4, Cowgill fans twice.

Jose Ramirez joins Eric Stamets in little-guys home run club