Indians Win Back and Forth Affair Over Diamondbacks 4-3 to Improve to 7-6

Thursday the Indians improved to 7-6 on the spring, as they won their third straight game with a 4-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Salt River Fields.

The Diamondbacks outhit the Indians 9-5, but Tribe batters managed to draw free passes off the Diamondbacks pitching staff.

Three of the four Indians hitters who came around to score, reached base via a walk.

Arizona took an early 2-run lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run homer by second basemen Wilmer Flores off Tribe starter Trevor Bauer.

The Tribe tied the game in the top of the third inning on a two-run single by right fielder Trayce Thompson, who went 1-for-3 with a pair of runs batted in.

The Diamondbacks retook the lead with a run in the fifth before the Indians plated two in the seventh, tying the game when Ernie Clement (0-for-1, BB, R) came across to score on a wild pitch and taking the lead on an RBI-single by outfielder Daniel Johnson.

Bauer gave up two run on five hits in 4.0 innings of work (ND, HR, 2SO). In three Cactus League starts, the right-hander has gone 0-1 with a 2.45 ERA (11.0IP, 3R/ER, HR, BB, 6SO).

Five Tribe relievers held the Diamondbacks to one additional run as Justin Grimm, Nick Wittgren, Asher Wojciehowski and Henry Martinez all tossed a scoreless frame.

Martinez got the save, with Grimm getting the victory.

The Indians return home to Goodyear Ballpark on Friday to take on the San Francisco Giants under the lights 8:05PM.

Righty Jefry Rodriguez will make his first start of the spring against former Indian lefty Drew Pomeranz for the Giants. The game can be heard via MLB.com audio webcast.