GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - Jordan Pacheco hit a two-run homer and Paul Janish capped a five-run sixth inning with a two-run double, leading a Colorado Rockies’ split-squad to a 14-6 rout of the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.
Pacheco hit his first home run with a man on in the fifth inning as Indians starter Corey Kluber gave up seven runs over his last two innings.
Jordan Lyles was charged with five runs, but only two were earned. Pacheco had a throwing error and Justin Morneau misplayed a ground ball that helped the Indians score four in the fifth.
“For the most part Jordan threw pretty well,” bench coach Tom Runnells said. “The one inning that he struggled, I felt there were a few balls that could have been caught in his last inning of work.”
Nolan Arenado, who hit a pair of doubles, was hit on the left hand by a pitch from Kluber. He was examined and removed from the game.
“Arenado is fine,” Runnells said. “It clipped him on the side of the hand. We didn’t see a whole lot of swelling. We sent him for X-rays. I think he’ll be just fine.”
Michael Brantley doubled and tripled off Lyles to drive in three runs for Cleveland.
“Brantley has such solid mechanics to his swing,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “Everybody goes through funks, but I can’t imagine his being very long. There are not a lot of moving parts to that swing and he uses the whole field.”
Mike Aviles hit his second home run of the spring, off Adam Ottavino.
Rockies designated hitter, Tim Wheeler, hit a three-run home run off Josh Outman in a five-run eighth.
STARTING TIME
Rockies: Jordan Lyles made his fifth spring start. Lyles allowed four earned runs in 12 1-3 innings coming into the game. Lyles was the youngest pitcher in the American League last season with Houston. Colorado traded Dexter Fowler to obtain Lyles.
Lyles pitched 4 2-3 innings against the Indians, allowing five runs (two earned) and five hits and three walks. He struck out three.
“He threw a lot of good breaking balls which we haven’t seen a whole lot this spring training,” Runnells said. “It was probably not as efficient as he’d like, but we gave them a lot of outs. When he had to make a good pitch he did. Overall, I was pleased.”
Indians: Corey Kluber was expected to exceed the 4 1-3 innings in his sixth spring outing. Kluber will pitch the second game of the season at Oakland. He allowed eight earned runs in 14 1-3 innings coming into the game against the Rockies.
Kluber threw four scoreless innings, but the Rockies had seven runs and 11 hits in his last two innings.
“The third time through their lineup, they were swinging early. I didn’t think it would do me any good to flip off-speed pitches up there,” Kluber said. “They hit some soft and I made some mistakes. The idea is to feel better as you add more innings.”
Kluber was able to throw more pitches to get his arm stronger.
“It kind of follows a pattern. Every time we get one more inning stretched we run into some trouble” Francona said. “There was some early count swinging. As he gets stronger, you’ll start to see him struggle less.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Indians: Catcher Matt Treanor strained his left hamstring on Wednesday against Oakland. He is expected to miss two to three weeks. Treanor will begin the season on the Triple-A Columbus Clippers’ roster. … Outfielder Michael Bourn left the game against the San Francisco Giants on March 16 with a tight left hamstring. He started lower body workouts and throwing drills. … Infielder Justin Sellers is receiving treatment on a right hip flexor suffered on March 16 against San Francisco.
ROSTER MOVES
The Indians released outfielder Jeff Francoeur. The club informed IF/OF Elliot Johnson that he made the opening day roster.
Outfielder Matt Carson was told he will not be on the opening day roster even though he will remain in the major league camp. He is expected to start the season at Triple-A Columbus.
“Jeff had a really good camp. For us it’s the decisions for how we put all the pieces together and not individually who is the best player,” general manager Chris Antonetti said.
Vinnie Pestano was told by Francona and Antonetti that he will work out of the Indians bullpen on opening day.
MORGAN’S DEMEANOR
Francona met with several players this morning to let them know where they stand. Nyjer Morgan was one of the players, who is still working to make the team.
“One of Nyjer’s concerns was that he had the perception of him being disrespectful,” Francona said. “He has been anything but that. He’s been a model citizen, enthusiastic, polite. There is nothing that he’s done that we haven’t enjoyed.”
Morgan had to sit out a few days with a mild strain in his left calf. He has played good defense in the outfield. His average is .241 with no home runs and six RBIs.
“He’s had a great camp. We also told him we don’t know the makeup or our team yet and that we will tell him when we know,” Francona said. “We like everything he’s done. He can change a game with his legs. A lot of the decisions will be the mechanics of the roster as opposed to how guys swing (the bat). It is whether we decide to carry 12 pitchers, decisions like that.”
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