GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Manny Acta said he would begin playing his regulars on a more consistent basis, and the manager was true to his word in an exhibition game against the Mariners on Thursday.
Providing some insight into what the Indians’ lineup would most likely look like to open the season, April 5, against the White Sox in Chicago, Acta had his starters on the field against the split-squad Mariners in a 3-1 victory at Goodyear Ballpark.
Atop the batting order was shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, followed by center fielder Grady Sizemore, right fielder Shin-Soo Choo and designated hitter Travis Hafner. The bottom five consisted of third baseman Jhonny Peralta, first baseman Matt LaPorta, second baseman Luis Valbuena, catcher Lou Marson and left fielder Michael Brantley.
Though nothing is official in the catcher and left field spot, both Brantley and Marson appear to the front runners.
It is likely that the only thing that could alter the lineup would be the return of first baseman Russell Branyan, who is still dealing with a herniated disk in his lower back and has yet to make his exhibition debut.
“He’s accelerated his activities,” Acta said of Branyan, who according to the manager, needs to play over the final week of the exhibition season to have a chance of making the Indians’ opening-day roster.
When asked if the lineup he ran out against the Mariners was the one that would take the field against the White Sox, Acta said, “We’ll see April 5.”
Rotation race
Left-handers David Huff and Aaron Laffey, two of the three pitchers vying for the final two spots in the rotation, were on display against the Mariners.
Huff started and allowed a run on five hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings, while Laffey finished the game with four scoreless innings, while allowing just two hits.
In five exhibition appearances (four starts) covering 162/3 innings, Huff has posted a 1-1 record and 4.86 ERA. Laffey is 1-1 with a 3.06 ERA in five games (three starts) and 142/3 innings.
“They both had their ups and downs,” Acta said. “But at the end of the day, they’re trying to do what we want them to do.”
Acta said nothing has been decided in the competition for the two rotation openings, which includes right-hander Mitch Talbot (1-0, 0.79 ERA in four games and two starts).
Defense, defense
The Indians have played well defensively this spring, entering Thursday with 13 errors in 20 games — the second-fewest in the majors. Cleveland ranked eighth in the American League last year with a .984 fielding percentage.
“Coming into camp, we addressed our defense, because it wasn’t very good last year,” Acta said. “I’m very pleased with our defense, because it’s going to be a big part of our game. We’ve got a bunch of sinker-ball pitchers in the rotation.”
Milton moment
Cantankerous Mariners left field and ex-Indian Milton Bradley made a scene in the fifth inning when he tried to plow over Cleveland catcher Lou Marson on a play at the plate. Bradley used both forearms in an attempt to jar the ball from Marson, who did not go down and held onto the ball.
It was a play that is usually reserved for the regular season, but Acta said he had no problem with Bradley’s maneuver.
“That’s the only way I know how to play,” Bradley said. “I just reacted. There was no ill intention. It was a baseball play.
“If it was anyone else, you probably wouldn’t have asked that question.”
Roundin’ third
Today, 4:05 vs. Colorado at Goodyear Ballpark. WEOL 930-AM. Jake Westbrook (2-0, 4.97) vs. LHP Jeff Francis (0-1, 6.92).
Indians (13-6-2) 3, Mariners (8-13-1) 1 (ss)
Hits
- Starting pitcher David Huff allowed five hits and three walks but only one run through 4 1/3 innings. The left-hander worked out of a number of jams during the outing.
- Designated hitter Travis Hafner reached base in all three of his plate appearances with a single, double and a walk.
- Left-hander Aaron Laffey didn’t allow a run and just two hits over the last four innings of the game.
- Left fielder Michael Brantley produced Cleveland’s only RBI with a double in the fifth inning.
Misses
- Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and catcher Lou Marson each went 0-for-3 with a pair of strikeouts.
- First baseman Matt LaPorta went 0-for-3 and failed to pick a ball that would have completed an inning-ending double play in the seventh.
Branyan sighting
Though he did not play and has yet to make his exhibition debut, first baseman Russell Branyan (herniated disk lower back) was in the dugout for the first time this spring. Manager Manny Acta said Branyan has accelerated his activities in hopes of playing over the final week of the exhibition season, a deadline Acta has placed for Branyan to make the opening-day roster.
Attendance
3,534 at Goodyear Ballpark.
Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.
