PEORIA, Ariz. (AP) - Michael Brantley extended his strong start to the spring with four more hits, including two doubles, as the Cleveland Indians tied the San Diego Padres 4-4 in 10 innings Saturday.
In five Cactus League games, Brantley is hitting .615 (8 for 13) with three doubles.
“I’m stating the obvious. He uses the whole field and he’s got a nice swing,” Indians manager Terry Francona said. “I don’t know if it matters what time of year it is, he’s a good hitter.”
Josh Johnson went three innings for the Padres. The right-hander had a rough first inning, giving up all three of his runs - one on a wild pitch. He allowed four hits, though one came when left fielder Seth Smith lost Jason Kipnis’ fly ball in the sun, and walked one.
Johnson settled down after the first, giving up only one hit in his next two innings. He finished the day with three strikeouts.
STARTING TIME
Padres: Johnson signed a one-year deal with the Padres as a free agent in November after a disappointing 2013 season with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he went 2-8 with a 6.20 ERA in sixteen starts and had two stints on the disabled list.
“I wanted to come in and work on my slider. That’s when you start kind of honing it in, whenever you throw it in games,” he said. “You can throw it as much as you want in the bullpen, but when you get a hitter in there, you see the reactions, you see where you want to start it and where you want to finish it.”
Indians: Tyler Cloyd started for Cleveland, throwing two scoreless innings and giving up two hits.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Indians: Outfielder Ryan Raburn is going to take a day or two off after crashing into the right-field wall on Friday while chasing a home run from the Cubs’ Kris Bryant. He left with a bloody lip and bruised left knee, though it isn’t expected to be serious.
“I know they were worried about my head,” Raburn said. “I’m like, ’there ain’t nothing up there to hurt.’”
Padres: Huston Street (groin) threw a bullpen session on Saturday and is expected to throw another side session as he progresses. He has yet to appear in a Cactus League game.
NOT THE RATIO YOU WANT
San Diego hitters struck out 11 times without walking once. Nine Indians pitchers combined to keep the Padres walk-less.
SALAZAR SHIFTED
Originally scheduled to pitch Tuesday, Indians pitcher Danny Salazar will instead make his Cactus League debut on Monday against the Angels.
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