Indians Split a Pair in Spring Play, Lose to Royals 17-7; Top Brewers 9-3

The Indians split a pair of games on Wednesday, defeating the Milwaukee Brewers, 9-3, at Goodyear Ballpark, while taking a 17-7 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium.

In the game in Goodyear, Indians starter Trevor Bauer mowed down 10 Brewers in just 4.2 innings of work, as he allowed three runs (all on a homer by Keston Hiura in the 5th) in the Indians 9-3 win.

Bauer went 4.2 innings, allowing four hits, three runs, a walk and 10 K’s in the win.

The bullpen did a nice job behind him, as Jon Edwards, Justin Grimm, Tyler Olson and Neil Ramirez all threw scoreless baseball to seal the win.

On the offensive side, Hanley Ramirez drove in a pair of runs with a first-inning single, while catcher Roberto Perez hit a solo blast in the third.

Overall the offense managed four doubles, including shortstop Ryan Flaherty’s two-run double in the fifth inning.

Jose Ramirez went two for three with a double and run scored in the win as well.

Out in Surprise, Arizona the Indians were beat up by the AL Central rival Royals by a final score of 17-7.

Cody Anderson got his first start and wasn’t helped out much by the Tribe defense, as a pair of fielding errors cut his day short.

He lasted just one plus inning, allowing six runs, two of which were earned, on four hits with three walks and a strikeout. It was the third spring appearance on the hill for Anderson.

While the Royals offense scored in all but two innings, the Tribe offense put up seven runs but it wasn’t enough, as Jake Bauers had impressive numbers, going 2-for-3 with a two-run double in the first and a three-run blast in the 5th, his second homer of the spring.

Greg Allen continues to hit the ball well when given the chance, as Wednesday he raised his average to .480 (12-for-25) in 10 Cactus League games, with a 3-for-3 effort with two doubles and two runs scored with a RBI.

Tyler Naquin (2-3, 2R) had his first multi-hit game of the spring, hitting singles in the 1st and 5th.

Right fielder Trenton Brooks (1-1, BB, R, RBI) homered in his first at-bat of the spring, a solo shot to lead off the 7th inning.

After Anderson left the game righty Nick Wittgren and Henry Martinez were the only real bright spots out of the pen, both throwing scoreless innings. Martinez has made six scoreless appearances with four strikeouts this spring (6.0IP, SV, 2H).

Thursday the Indians will face the Colorado Rockies on Thursday afternoon at Goodyear Ballpark at 4:05PM.

Shane Bieber, (1-1, 1.00) who has had an impressive spring, will take the mound in his fourth spring start against righty Jeff Hoffman (1-1, 3.60) of the Rockies.

The game will be broadcast on ALT 99.1 FM and across the Indians Radio Network.