Indians Pound Out 16 Runs; Beat Up the Mariners 16-2 in Peoria

The Indians bats were on fire on Sunday, as the team fired off 16 runs off the Seattle Mariners, trouncing them 16-2 at the Peoria Sports Complex.

The victory means the Tribe has now won five of their last six spring affairs.

Cleveland trailed twice early in the game before sending 11 men to the plate in a seven-run 4th inning. They sent eight more to the plate in a five-run 5th.

The big hero on offense was center fielder Oscar Mercado, who went 3-for-3 with a homer (his third of the spring), double, two runs scored and three runs batted in.

In 14 Cactus League games, Mercado is hitting .444 (12-for-27) with a double, triple, three home runs and eight RBI.

“My goodness, he’s really giving himself a chance because he’s so athletic to begin with, but when it starts carrying over to the batter’s box, man that’s fun to watch,” Indians manager Terry Francona said after the game about Mercado via Mandy Bell on twitter.

Ten other Tribe batters drove in a run in the win, including new Indian Hanley Ramirez (1-for-4, 2B, 2RBI), second basemen Ryan Flaherty (1-for-3, HR, 2RBI, R) third basemen Jose Ramirez (0-for-1, BB, RBI, R), catcher Kevin Plawecki (1-for-2, BB, RBI, R), catcher Tim Federowicz (2-for-2, HR, RBI, R), right fielder Brandon Barnes (1-for-2, HR, RBI, 2R), left fielder Matt Joyce (2-for-3, RBI, R), center fielder Daniel Johnson (1-for-2, 2B, RBI, R) and shortstop Eric Stamets (1-for-2, BB, 2B, 3RBI, R). Federowicz (1st of spring) and Barnes (2nd of spring) hit back-to-back homers to lead off the 8th inning.

Starter Carlos Carrasco made his first start of the spring, allowing two runs (earned) on three hits and striking out four over 3.0 innings (BB, 2 solo HR).

Adam Plutko (2.0IP, 2SO), Dan Otero (1.0IP, 1H, SO), Justin Grimm (1.0IP, 1H, 2SO), Nick Wittgren (1.0IP, 1H) and Nick Goody (1.0IP, 1H, BB, SO) followed Carrasco with scoreless outings.

Monday the Indians are back in Goodyear as they will take on Cincinnati Reds at Goodyear Ballpark at 4:05pm.

Corey Kluber will make his first start of the spring against righty Anthony DeSclafani of the Reds. The game will be a MLB.com audio webcast.

A "prodigious blast" is high praise from Hammy!

Oscar Mercado continues his hot #TribeSpring! 🔥#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/y1CRVdOVO7

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) March 10, 2019