Indians Wednesday recap: Carlos Santana homers as Tribe wins again

The Indians won another Cactus League game, defeating the Padres 12-7 at Goodyear Ballpark Wednesday afternoon. Carlos Santana was the man of the hour, hitting a two-run homer in the 1st inning, and making a couple nice defensive plays at third base.  Lonnie Chisenhall (playing DH) had a pair of hits, including a double. Most of the rest of the damage came in the 7-run 8th inning, done by guys with little shot of making the 25-man roster, but Nyjer Morgan continued to make a case for himself as the 25th man, with a bunt single and a run-scoring double. I don't think he's going to win that spot, but I do think he's putting himself in a position to be the first outfielder called up, should there be an injury.

Corey Kluber (who'll pitch in Game 2 of the season against Oakland) started for the Tribe, going 4 innings. The results were mixed. On the one hand, he struck out 4 while walking none, and the only base runners he allowed in the first 3 innings were a blooper into the outfield and an infield hit. He gave up 4 hits in the 4th though, including 3 doubles, and also threw a wild pitch, as 3 runs scored. On the whole though, he's looked good this spring, and I'm feeling pretty good about him as the team's #3 starter (with the hope that Danny Salazar proves capable of being the #2).

After Kluber departed, John Axford, Josh Outman, and C.C. Lee each pitched a scoreless frame, while Marc Rzepczynski gave up a solo blast to lead off his inning of work, and walked the next hitter before escaping further damage.

(find the full box score here)

The Indians host the Royals tomorrow afternoon, with first pitch scheduled for 4:05 ET.