CLEVELAND, Ohio – The next time the Cleveland Indians hit the field in 2020, the 60-game sprint to the playoffs will be underway. Manager Terry Francona and the Indians ended the summer exhibition Wednesday with a 5-3 victory over Pittsburgh at PNC Park. Friday’s first game of the season against Kansas City is next on the agenda.
But first, Francona and the Indians completed a three-game exhibition sweep of the Pirates after five strong innings by right-hander Aaron Civale. Francona praised Civale’s maturity and preparation since the summer camp opened three weeks ago.
“It was good,” said Francona. “She throws beyond her years, what we really like.”
The top five hitters in the Cleveland lineup combined to go 7-15 in the first five innings, including a pair of home runs with César Hernández, José Ramírez and Carlos Santana each picking up a pair of hits.
Santana opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first and added his third exhibition homer of the year on a line drive to left in the third against Pittsburgh starter Derek Holland.
“I hit a good shot on an inside pitch,” Santana said. “I know Holland and how he likes to attack me. The first turn at bat he released a couple of sliders. For me, my focus was on good contact and thinking in the middle. “
Santana said the club’s energy is high as training camp ends, and that the players are eager to finally open the regular season on Friday against Kansas City.
“We are ready,” said Santana. “We have been working hard for the past three weeks. I am ready to roll.
Franmil Reyes added an RBI single in the first and Jose Ramirez’s solo home run in fifth reliever Kyle Crick gave the Indians a two-run lead.
Civale allowed four hits and did not score a hitter in five innings (79 pitches). His only mistake was a 0-2 fastball that Pirates slugger Josh Bell threw to right field for a two-run homer that tied the score at the bottom of the first.
Then the 25-year-old said it was good to finally face a lineup that didn’t have “Cleveland” on the front of their jerseys.
“The feeling was a bit more of a game,” said Civale. “It was good to come back and compete again.”
Adam Plutko, who moved to the bullpen earlier this week after No. 5 in the starting rotation went to Zach Plesac, pitched a scoreless inning in relief from Civale in the sixth. Francona said one of his goals was to get Plutko out of the bullpen on Wednesday.
“It was good for him,” said Francona. “His fastball was played a little bit, which is nice to see. And now when he gets into a game, it won’t be the first time he’s relieved it. “
Closer Brad Hand allowed a run with two hits, including a Jerrod Dyson double RBI in the seventh. But Hand hit the side, causing Kevin Newman on a slider to end the inning. Adam Cimber worked an eighth scoreless inning, striking out Andrew Susac on a slider.
Christian Arroyo added a solo homer in the ninth against left-hander Miguel Del Pozo of the Pirates to put the Indians back for a pair.
James Karinchak walked two batters in the ninth, but struck out Socrates Brito on a 96.1 mph fastball and got Ji-Hwan Bae to jump to shortstop Yu Chang for his first exhibition save. Francona said Indians will have to be patient while Karinchak’s command unfolds.
“His stuff is so good, as he develops and matures, you’re going to see a very good pitcher,” said Francona. “There will be times when we will have to put on our seat belts and be patient because you will lose your plate from time to time.”
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