(Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
If you’re one for Cactus League final scores, the Indians have gone 1-1-1 over the past three games. After topping the Rockies 6-4 on Sunday, the Indians have lost to the Rangers (8-7) and managed to rally to a 9-9 tie with the Kansas City Royals. Yes, they have those during Spring Training.
But we all know that the final score isn’t exactly what counts; it is what happens within the box score that truly matters.
At the plate, the Indians have seen some solid appearances by those already with the team along with those vying for a spot in the future. Jhonny Peralta hit a two-run home run (knocking in Trevor Crowe) on Sunday. He kept the power streak going through yesterday, clubbing three hits including a double and a three-run shot off of the Royals’ Zach Grienke. Peralta is currently hitting .636 (7-for-11) during spring training, and appears primed to follow up right where he left off last season.
Monday’s game was headlined by youngsters Beau Mills and Wes Hodges. In the fourth inning alone, Mills came through with an RBI triple while his third base counterpart knocked in two runs with a single. Unfortunately, Hodges was also dinged for a throwing error in the game – something that has concerned the Indians throughout his progression in the minors.
On the mound, the results have been fairly mixed. Potential fifth starters Zach Jackson and Jeremy Sowers both gave up runs in their two respective innings of work. Sowers was particularly alarming, giving up four hits and a walk during his stint. A WHIP of 2.50 rarely does the trick in the bigs. Another potential starter, Aaron Laffey, looked like he was going to be on his way to a solid outing before the abovementioned error by Hodges extended the second inning. The ultimate result was four runs on six hits. Getting his first look of the spring, Anthony Reyes had a very solid start with two scoreless innings.
On the reliever front, Jensen Lewis tossed a perfect fifth inning on Sunday. Rafael Betancourt had a rough go the following day, allowing three runs on three hits despite fanning two hitters. Yesterday, Tony Sipp went unscathed through one, but Eddie Mujica was the victim of an Alex Gordon grand slam that was a part of a seven-run inning.
Lefty prospect Scott Lewis is slated to make an appearance today along with newly acquired (and still healthy, for now) Carl Pavano before getting the day off tomorrow.
Keep an eye on this potentially devastating news on Shin-Soo Choo. I assume we’ll hear more about this in the days to come.
Twenty-seven days until the start of the regular season.
