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The Indians won again Sunday afternoon, defeating the Brewers 4-2 at Goodyear Ballpark, and still haven't lost since their very first game of spring training, 11 days ago. There is basically zero correlation between spring training records and regular season success, but those wins are built on a number of players doing well, which is good to see. Looking especially good are the team's pitchers, who have combined to allow just 8 total runs in the last 4 games.
Josh Tomlin was responsible for the lion's share of Sunday's pitching, as he became the first Tribe pitcher to throw four innings this spring. He struck out 5, while walking only 1. Avoiding walks is nothing new for Tomlin (he led the AL in walk rate in 2011), but the strikeouts are uncharacteristic. He struck out the side in his final inning of work, including one of former Indian Mark Reynolds.
Following Tomlin, C.C. Lee, Bryan Price, John Axford, and Marc Rzepczynski each pitched a shutout inning. Axford and Rzepczynski both allowed a pair of base runners, but escaped. The Indians brought a shutout into the 9th inning, but Travis Banwart struggled, allowing hits to the first three hitters he faced (including two balls off the outfield wall), allowing Milwaukee to tighten the final margin of victory. When minor league camps open up next weekend, Banwart is likely to be among the first wave of cuts (though to be fair, that would have been true no matter how well he pitched, and top prospect Francisco Lindor could also be among the first cuts).
Asdrubal Cabrera led the offense with 2 hits (including a double) and a walk. Justin Sellers, an infielder the team acquired last weekend, also had a pair of hits, while Lonnie Chisenhall, Yan Gomes, Mike Aviles, and Matt Carson each had 1 hit.
(find the full box score here)
The Indians host the Angels at 4:05 ET on Monday. Until today, games had been at 3:05 ET every day, but because Arizona refuses to participate in Daylight Saving Time, games are now happening an hour later for the rest of us. Danny Salazar will make his Cactus League debut, and is scheduled for 2 innings. Instant replay will also be available in the game, a first for the Tribe this spring.