Lamb drives in 3 as D-backs beat Indians
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Right-hander Shelby Miller pitched into the seventh inning, third baseman Jake Lamb knocked in three runs and the D-backs picked up a 7-5 Cactus League victory over the Indians and their ace Corey Kluber on Friday afternoon at Salt River Fields.
Miller, who projects to be Arizona's No. 2 starter to open the season, logged 6 2/3 innings against the Indians, scattering three hits and limiting the Tribe to one run. The righty struck out four and walked one in the outing, which lowered his spring ERA to 2.16.
The lone misstep on Miller's line came in the second, when Indians center fielder Tyler Naquin drilled a pitch to deep center for a 435-foot home run, according to Statcast™. That marked the second hit of the afternoon for Naquin, who was informed Friday morning that he will be a part of Cleveland's Opening Day roster. Naquin also made an impressive running catch in the sixth, slamming into the wall in left-center on the play.
Miller also flashed some leather in the fourth inning, when Cleveland outfielder Robbie Grossman lined a pitch back up the middle. The pitcher made a swift catch between his legs, eliciting cheers from the Salt River crowd.
Facing Kluber, who has a 2.21 ERA in Cactus League play this spring, the D-backs struck for six runs (four earned) in his 6 1/3 innings. Kluber struck out four and walked none, but he allowed 13 hits -- one more than he had permitted in 14 frames heading into the start against Arizona.
"I was really pleased," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "Even though he gave up some runs, it was really good to make him work, let him get a little bit tired, have to pitch through some things. He ended up at 98 [pitches], but he got a lot out of the day, which is exactly what you want."
Lamb launched a solo home run -- his second blast of the spring -- in the second off Kluber, who then held the D-backs at bay until the sixth. In that frame, Welington Castillo delivered a sacrifice fly and Lamb followed with a two-run single to push Arizona in front, 4-1. A pair of errors by Cleveland helped the D-backs tack on a pair of runs in the seventh.
Chris Herrmann added an RBI double in the eighth to extend the lead to 7-1.
The Indians rallied for four runs in the ninth inning off D-backs reliever Evan Marshall. Three came courtesy of a towering home run to center by Ronny Rodriguez.
Up next for the Indians: Right-hander Carlos Carrasco -- Cleveland's projected No. 2 starter -- is scheduled to take the mound on Saturday, when the Reds host the Indians in a 4:05 p.m. ET Cactus League tilt at Goodyear Ballpark. Tribe closer Cody Allen is also penciled in to pitch in the game, which can be heard on Gameday Audio.
Up next for the D-backs: Arizona's projected No. 3 starter -- left-hander Patrick Corbin -- is expected to throw Saturday as the Diamondbacks face the Brewers at 1:05 p.m. PT at Maryvale Baseball Park in a game that can be heard on Gameday Audio. The D-backs are also expected to use right-handers Daniel Hudson, Tyler Clippard and Sam LeCure, along with left-hander Wesley Wright.