Prospects Zimmer, Rodriguez help beat Giants
By Owen Perkins / Special to MLB.com | March 10th, 2017
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Madison Bumgarner had a strong start for the Giants on Friday, though neither he nor Indians starter Trevor Bauer figured in the decision. Bumgarner gave up three hits and a walk while striking out three over four innings, allowing two unearned runs in Cleveland's 7-6 win.
"I got a lot of work in the stretch today," said Bumgarner, who allowed the leadoff runner to reach in both the first and second innings. "I got to be a little familiar with that position. Seemed like I made most of the pitches from the stretch. Overall, I felt good and happy with it. Get through the fourth there. Feels good."
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The Giants jumped out to an early lead with a pair of home runs off Indians starter Trevor Bauer in the second inning. Brandon Belt drove his second spring homer out to right-center to lead off the second, and after Mac Williamson singled and stole second, Jimmy Rollins followed with his first round-tripper of the Cactus season, a shot off the top of the right-field fence.
Cleveland bounced back with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fourth. With two outs and nobody on, third baseman Gordon Beckham bobbled a hard grounder, allowing Daniel Robertson to reach first safely. Indians top prospect Bradley Zimmer plated him with a double to left, and Nellie Rodriguez brought Zimmer home with a base hit to left, bringing the Indians within one.
"He played a good game," Indians manager Terry Francona said of Zimmer. "He hit the ball, he used the whole field. He's strong enough to get it over guys' heads, and his speed on the bases, first to home, is probably as good as anybody. He can fly. His strides around the bases are beautiful."
Both bullpens had big holds in the fifth before the scoring broke open in the late innings. Giants reliever Mark Melancon loaded the bases with one out, allowing a single, a hit batsman and a walk before striking out Erik Kratz looking and inducing a fielder's-choice grounder to short from Robertson.
San Francisco had runners on second and third with two outs against Indians reliever Tyler Olson, but Olson got the best of Hunter Pence, catching the right fielder looking for a called third strike.
Indians Up Next: Right-hander Danny Salazar makes his fourth start of the spring in a 3:05 p.m. ET road game Saturday against the Royals on MLB.TV. He has given up three earned runs in 6 1/3 innings this spring, with eight strikeouts and eight walks.
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