Kluber gives up HRs to Frazier and Negron, Reds beat Indians
GOODYEAR, Ariz. (AP) - AL Cy Young winner Corey Kluber gave up home runs to Todd Frazier and Kristopher Negron, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Cleveland Indians 4-0 Tuesday.
Kluber allowed three runs on three hits and two walks in four innings. He struck out four.
Kluber pitched a simulated game prior to his start against the Reds to work on pitches without worrying about results.
"It is spring training," manager Terry Francona said. "He is getting his arm in shape. He knows he is going to be locked in. We included him in the discussions about pitching in games and simulated games. We want his input."
Kluber said there "was extra intensity going out there with fans and everything. That's why we did the simulated game to cut back a bit."
"I was rushing a little bit, not staying out over the rubber. I adjusted in that last inning," he said.
Reds starter Mike Leake pitched two-hit ball for four innings but mostly worked behind in the count.
"Leake doesn't pitch that way very often. He had a lot of 1-0 counts. It wasn't until the third inning that he got ahead of a hitter but he managed it," Reds manager Bryan Price said.
Leake has not allowed a run over nine innings in his three spring starts.
"It was good and bad," Leake said of this outing. "Every first pitch was a ball except one. I had to pitch from behind in the count. I'm trying to get my change up to work a little better."
Cincinnati closer Aroldis Chapman followed with two scoreless innings. Chapman pitched two innings for his third straight outing. He has allowed one run in seven innings this spring.
"We've built Chapman's innings up so he can work on his slider and change," Price said. "The second half of spring we will limit his innings in games and pitch in games closer together."
Indians closer Cody Allen turned in his fourth scoreless appearance.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Reds: Homer Bailey (elbow surgery) is the last player to be held out of game action. He needs to throw one more live batting practice session before he is ready. He is expected to be ready for major league action in mid-April. ... OF Jason Bourgeois is out four to six weeks with a fracture in his left shoulder.
Indians: Nick Swisher is running the bases this afternoon on the practice fields. This is the last hurdle he has to clear before appearing in games. ... Francona left to get treatment on his back. Bench coach Brad Mills was in charge in his absence. Francona made it back by the fifth inning.
UP NEXT
Reds: RHP Jason Marquis will face LHP Jose Quintana of the White Sox on Thursday. RHP Keyvius Sampson, RHP Pedro Villarreal, RHP Nate Adcock and LHP Jose Mijares will follow Marquis.
Indians: After their only off-day, the Indians will start Carlos Carrasco vs. Seattle on Thursday night.