(Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images)
Cleveland won its third straight contest, 4-3, taking down the Diamondbacks in a back-and-forth affair at Salt River Fields on Thursday afternoon. The Diamondbacks outhit the Indians 9-5, but Tribe batters managed to draw 8 walks off the Diamondbacks staff. Three of the four Indians hitters who came around to score, reached base via a walk.
Arizona took an early 2-run lead in the bottom of the first on a 2-run home run by 2B WILMER FLORES. The Tribe tied the game in the top of the third inning on a 2-run single by RF TRAYCE THOMPSON (1-for-3, 2RBI). The Diamondbacks retook the lead with a run in the 5th before the Indians plated two in the 7th, tying the game when 2B ERNIE CLEMENT (0-for-1, BB, R) came across to score on a wild pitch and taking the lead on an RBI-single by RF DANIEL JOHNSON (1-for-1, BB, RBI).
RHP TREVOR BAUER made his third start of the spring, allowing two runs (earned) on five hits in 4.0 innings of work (ND, HR, 2SO). In three Cactus League starts, the right-hander has gone 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA (11.0IP, 3R/ER, HR, BB, 6SO). Five Tribe relievers held the Diamondbacks to one additional run as RHP JUSTIN GRIMM (W, 1H, BB), RHP NICK WITTGREN (SO), RHP ASHER WOJCIECHOWSKI and RHP HENRY MARTINEZ (SV, BB) all tossed a scoreless frame.
The Indians return home to Goodyear Ballpark on Friday to take on the San Francisco Giants under the lights (6:05PM MT/8:05PM ET). RHP JEFRY RODRIGUEZ will make his first start of the spring against LHP DREW POMERANZ for the Giants. The game can be heard via MLB.com audio webcast.