INDIANS (14-13-2) 6, DODGERS (13-19-1) 1 HITS: Fausto Carmona’s final exhibition start was a good one. The right-hander allowed just an unearned run on five hits over five innings to finish the spring with a 5-2 record and 3.72 ERA in seven starts. … Shin-Soo Choo and Austin Kearns had multihit games, with Choo’s two-run double highlighting a decisive eighth inning for the Indians. … Relievers Tony Sipp and Vinnie Pestano tossed scoreless innings to finish the game. MISSES: Travis Hafner and Matt LaPorta both went 0-for-5 with LaPorta striking out three times. STREAKING: The Indians have won seven of their last 10 exhibition games and 10 of their last 15. ATTENDANCE: 9,043 at the Ballpark at Camelback Ranch (Glendale, Ariz.)

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Travis Hafner and Matt LaPorta have experienced much different spring training camps, but similar positive production is what the Indians require of the duo this season.

Despite no guarantees in either case, the Indians are counting on the pair of projected sluggers to play a major part in their power game, with few other home run hitters employed in a youth-laden lineup.

Hafner, who hasn’t been the same feared weapon he was when he hit 32 homers and drove in 109 runs per season from 2004-07, has hit for average during the exhibition season, but has shown little pop.

Before going 0-for-5 Sunday in the Indians’ 6-1 victory over the Dodgers in Glendale, Ariz., the designated hitter slated to bat fifth behind Carlos Santana, was batting .313 (15-for-48) in 16 games. But he has hit just one homer with seven RBIs and a .396 slugging percentage.

Shoulder injuries have sapped Hafner’s power over the past three seasons, but the chronic ailment nor his light-hitting exhibition effort, has lessened the expectations of it returning in 2011 for both him and manager Manny Acta.

“If I’m hitting for a high average, the power will come, and certainly, the RBI numbers will be up,” said Hafner, who with the shoulder still plaguing him a bit last year, hit .278 with 13 homers and 50 RBIs in 118 games. “I’m just trying to get back to the hitter I used to be.”

“I’m not worried about Hafner,” said Acta, whose team finished near the bottom of the power-packed American League last year, with 128 homers and a .378 slugging percentage. “I think if he stays healthy, I think you can expect him to hit 25 home runs and drive in 90 to 100 runs. He has to be out there. That’s the main thing.”

Unlike recent years, Acta said there would be no limitations for Hafner, who will be in the lineup on an every-day basis, provided he can handle as much.

“Everything’s good. I was able to have a good offseason,” said Hafner, who spent the winter working with Cleveland hitting instructor Jon Nunnally. “Hopefully everything is going well and (the shoulder) won’t be an issue. It’s something we won’t be able to know until we get into the season.”

This is a big season as well for LaPorta, a highly touted slugger, who hasn’t lived up to advanced billing after being acquired as the key piece to the CC Sabathia trade with Milwaukee. In 162 games over the past two seasons, LaPorta, 26, has hit 19 homers and driven in 62 runs.

The power numbers for LaPorta have been respectable this spring — four doubles, a triple, two homers and 10 RBIs in 18 games — but his batting average slipped to .148 (8-for-54) after going 0-for-5 with three strikeouts Sunday.

LaPorta, who came to camp last year following offseason surgery on his hip and toe, isn’t concerned with the measly average, and neither is his manager.

“I expect to go out and help this team win,” said LaPorta, who doesn’t have Russell Branyan waiting in the wings this season. “I expect to contribute and do my job.”

“He has spent the whole spring working on things,” Acta said in explaining LaPorta’s low average. “He knows he’s got a spot on the team. It’s a lot easier when you know that, to use spring training to work on things and get ready for the season.”

The Indians are expecting LaPorta and Hafner being more than ready once the regular season convenes Friday at Progressive Field — the power department is counting on as much.

Positive progress

Acta has marveled at Grady Sizemore’s recovery from microfracture surgery on his left knee.

Sizemore, who predicted he will be back before May, played five innings in center field Saturday night, going 1-for-3 with a double. He displayed his normal reckless abandon in center, diving for a ball and running into the wall on another occasion.

“I feel good about (him),” Acta said. “It’s amazing, modern medicine. We got to spring training, and this guy wasn’t even jogging. He’s already played five innings in a game and he’s running around in the outfield and running on the bases. He’s really worked hard.”

Sizemore has played in the field twice in three exhibition games, going 1-for-7 at the plate over the span.

Moving time

Acta said he expected to make the final decisions of camp today, choosing three pitchers for the bullpen, a utility infielder and backup catcher.

With Joe Smith (strained abdominal) set to begin the season on the disabled list, right-handers Frank Herrmann (0-0, 1.86 ERA in nine games), Justin Germano (0-0, 0.00 in seven games), Jess Todd (0-0, 1.17 in seven games) and Vinnie Pestano (0-1, 1.17 in eight games) are vying for the final three spots in the bullpen.

Adam Everett (.308, two RBIs in 19 games), Luis Valbuena (.260, four homers, nine RBIs in 21 games) and Jayson Nix (.176, one homer, two RBIs in 12 games) are in the race for the utility infielder job, while Lou Marson (.143, three RBIs in 15 games) Paul Phillips (.414, one homer, four RBIs in 12 games) and Luke Carlin (.150, one homer, one RBI in 12 games) are in the mix to back up Santana.

Roundin’ third

Today, 4:05 vs. Cubs at Goodyear Ballpark, WTAM 1100-AM (delayed 7 p.m.). Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 7.56) vs. Carlos Zambrano (0-1, 4.08).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. – With three games remaining on the Cactus League schedule, it’s time to pass out the spring training awards for performances good and bad during the exhibition season.

Best Position Player

Travis Buck, outfielder: Buck has been reborn with the Indians following a disappointing and injury-filled end to his four-year tenure in Oakland.

Once the club’s top prospect, Lonnie Chisenhall, left the scene, Buck took over as Cleveland’s most productive player this spring to win a roster spot as one of two extra outfielders.

With a recovering Grady Sizemore out of the picture to start the regular season, Buck could see a more significant role. He’s leading the Indians in nearly every offensive category, batting .420 (21-for-50) with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 17 games through Friday.

Worst Position Player

Lou Marson, catcher: Marson, who opened last season as Cleveland’s starting catcher, will most likely win the backup catcher spot thanks to his defensive superiority over the other candidates, Luke Carlin and Paul Phillips. But he still hasn’t been able to figure out big league pitching, batting just .143 (4-for-28) with three RBIs and eight strikeouts in 14 games through Friday.

Come to think of it, Marson hasn’t been able to figure out Triple-A pitching, either, hitting a measly .202 in 37 games after being demoted in 2010.

First baseman Matt LaPorta has given Marson a run for his money in this dubious category, batting .163 (8-for-49) with two homers and 10 RBIs in 17 games through Friday.

LaPorta does not look ready to start what is a big season for the key piece in the CC Sabathia trade.

Best Starting Pitcher

Josh Tomlin, right-hander: Though he didn’t get as many opportunities as the rest of the starters, Tomlin made the most of his. He outpitched counterparts Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff to win the final spot in the rotation.

Not only was Tomlin (1-0, 1.13 ERA in three exhibition games, one start) better than those two, he was the best starter Cleveland ran out all spring, though ace Fausto Carmona has pitched well, too.

Tomlin, who beat the Yankees in his big league debut last year (one earned run, three hits in seven innings), appears on track to continuing the success he enjoyed in a late-season stint (12 starts) for Cleveland in 2010.

Worst Starting Pitcher

Mitch Talbot, right-hander: This guy was so bad this spring that he was bumped to the fifth spot behind Tomlin, and looks as though he’s a few bad performances in the regular season away from the waiver wire and a possible trip to the minors.

Talbot (1-1, 8.61 ERA, six starts) got off to a miserable start to the exhibition season, then after two promising outings, reverted back to his ineffective form Friday night. He allowed seven runs and a whopping 14 hits over six innings of a 7-4 loss to the Brewers.

Best Relief Pitcher

Tony Sipp, left-hander: His has been tops among a number of quality performances from Indians relievers this spring, with the setup man going 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA and two saves (two opportunities) in nine games through Friday.

Closer Chris Perez has also been a strong candidate in this category, allowing just a run in eight appearances, while striking out nine over 81/3 innings through Friday. The hard-throwing right-hander looked in midseason form from Day One, and the ninth inning appears to be in very capable hands. He saved 23 games in 2010 and posted the second-lowest ERA (1.71) among American League relievers.

Justin Germano, a non-roster right-hander who is closing in on a job in the bullpen, also deserves mention here. He had not allowed a run over six games, covering seven innings, through Friday.

Worst Relief Pitcher

Jensen Lewis, right-hander: Lewis arrived at training camp with a new contract and what appeared to be a secure roster spot. He promptly pitched his way off the team and into the minors by allowing 10 runs, 13 hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings of six appearances.

It has been downhill for Lewis since a breakthrough season in 2007, and there is no guarantee he sees the major league level this year.

Decision days

Manager Manny Acta said he would announce the winners of the final roster spots over the next couple of days.

Thanks to an injury to right-hander Joe Smith (strained abdominal), there are three openings in the bullpen to be decided among right-handers Frank Herrmann (0-0, 2.08 ERA, eight games), Germano (0-0, 0.00, six games), Vinnie Pestano (0-1, 1.35, seven games) and Jess Todd (0-0, 1.35, six games).

Acta will also choose a utility infielder from a pool of three players, Adam Everett (.324, two RBIs, 18 games), Luis Valbuena (.239, four homers, nine RBIs, 19 games) and Jayson Nix (.167, HR, two RBIs, 11 games). The backup catcher race is Marson, Carlin (.158, HR, RBI, 11 games) and Phillips (.407, HR, two RBIs, 11 games).

Back out there

Grady Sizemore (microfracture surgery left knee) was scheduled to return to center field for the second time this spring Saturday night, playing five innings in the exhibition game against the split-squad Giants at Goodyear Ballpark.

Sizemore was 0-for-4 in his first two games.

Roundin’ third

Today, 4:05 p.m. vs. Dodgers at The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch (Glendale), WTAM 1100-AM. Tomlin (0-0, 1.13) vs. Chad Billingsley (0-1, 3.43).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — With three games remaining on the Cactus League schedule, it’s time to pass out the spring training awards for performances both good and bad during the exhibition season.

Best Position Player

Travis Buck, outfielder: Buck has been reborn with the Indians, following a disappointing injury-filled ending to his four-year tenure in Oakland.

Once the club’s top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall left the scene, Buck took over as Cleveland’s most productive player this spring to win a roster spot as one of two extra outfielders.

With a recovering Grady Sizemore out of the picture to start the regular season, it could be a more significant role for Buck, who is leading the Indians in nearly every offensive category — batting .420 (21-for-50) with four home runs and 12 RBIs in 17 games through Friday.

Worst Position Player

Lou Marson, catcher: Marson, who opened last season as Cleveland’s starting catcher, will most likely win the backup catcher spot on the roster thanks to his defensive superiority over the other candidates, Luke Carlin and Paul Phillips. But he still hasn’t been able to figure out big league pitching, batting just .143 (4-for-28) with three RBIs and eight strikeouts in 14 games through Friday.

Come to think of it, Marson hasn’t been able to figure out Triple-A pitching, either, hitting a measly .202 in 37 games after being demoted in 2010.

First baseman Matt LaPorta has given Marson a run for his money in this dubious category, batting .163 (8-for-49) with two homers and 10 RBIs in 17 games through Friday.

LaPorta has not prepared well in what is big season for the key cog in the CC Sabathia trade.

Best Starting Pitcher

Josh Tomlin, right-hander: Though he didn’t get as many opportunities as the rest of the starters, Tomlin made the most of his, outpitching counterparts Jeanmar Gomez and David Huff, to win the final spot in the Indians’ rotation.

Not only was Tomlin (1-0, 1.13 ERA in three exhibition games, one start) better than those two, he was the best starter Cleveland ran out all spring, though ace Fausto Carmona has pitched well, too.

Tomlin, who beat the Yankees in his big league debut last year (one earned run, three hits in seven innings), appears on track to continuing the success he enjoyed in a late-season stint (12 starts) for Cleveland in 2010.

Worst Starting Pitcher

Mitch Talbot, right-hander: This guy was so bad this spring that he was bumped to the fifth spot behind Tomlin, and looks as though he’s a few bad performances in the regular season away from the waiver wire and a possible trip to the minors.

Talbot (1-1, 8.61 ERA, six starts) got off to a miserable start to the exhibition season, then after two promising outings, reverted back to his ineffective form Friday night, allowing seven runs and a whopping 14 hits over six innings of a 7-4 loss to the Brewers.

Best Relief Pitcher

Tony Sipp, left-hander: His has been tops among a number of quality performances from Indians relievers this spring, with the setup man going 1-0 with a 1.04 ERA and two saves (two opportunities) in nine games through Friday.

Closer Chris Perez has also been a strong candidate in this category, allowing just a run in eight appearances, while striking out nine over 8 1/3 innings through Friday. The hard-throwing right-hander looked in midseason form from Day One, and the ninth inning appears to be in very capable hands with Perez, just as it was in 2010, when he saved 23 games and posted the second-lowest ERA (1.71) among American League relievers.

Justin Germano, a non-roster right-hander who is closing in on a job in the bullpen, also deserves mention here. He has not allowed a run over six games, covering seven innings through Friday.

Worst Relief Pitcher

Jensen Lewis, right-hander: Lewis arrived at training camp with a new contract and what appeared to be a secure roster spot. He promptly pitched his way off the team and into the minors by allowing 10 runs, 13 hits and three walks over 5 1/3 innings of six appearances.

It has been downhill for Lewis since a breakthrough season in 2007, and there is no guarantee he sees the major league level this year.

Decision days

Manager Manny Acta said he would announce the winners of the final roster spots over the next couple days.

Thanks to an injury to right-hander Joe Smith (strained abdominal), there are three openings in the bullpen between right-handers Frank Herrmann (0-0, 2.08 ERA, eight games), Germano (0-0, 0.00, six games), Vinnie Pestano (0-1, 1.35, seven games) and Jess Todd (0-0, 1.35, six games).

Acta will also choose a utility infielder from a pool of three players, Adam Everett (.324, two RBIs, 18 games), Luis Valbuena (.239, four homers, nine RBIs, 19 games) and Jayson Nix (.167, HR, two RBIs, 11 games), as well as a backup catcher, in the race between Marson, Carlin (.158, HR, RBI, 11 games) and Phillips (.407, HR, two RBIs, 11 games).

Back out there

Grady Sizemore (microfacture surgery left knee) was scheduled to return to center field for the second time this spring Saturday night, playing five innings in the Indians’ exhibition game against the split-squad Giants at Goodyear Ballpark.

Sizemore had played in two big league games this spring through Friday, going 0-for-4.

Roundin’ third

Today, 4:05 vs. Dodgers at The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch (Glendale, Ariz.), WTAM 1100-AM (live). Tomlin (0-0, 1.13) vs. Chad Billingsley (0-1, 3.43).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.