TRIBE/BUCS Millwood strong, but Cleveland falls

The Pirates won both their split squad games.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Tim Redding replaced the injured Andy Pettitte and struck out six over four scoreless innings to help the Houston Astros defeat the Cleveland Indians 7-3 Saturday.
Pettitte has a sprained right ankle after falling down some stairs at his apartment Friday.
"He's feeling pretty good today and it is not as swollen as we thought it would be," said Astros manager Phil Garner.
Indians starter Kevin Millwood, who pitched only six innings after Aug. 6 last year due to tendinitis in his right elbow, allowed two hits over three scoreless innings in his second spring outing.
"I was a whole lot better today," said Millwood, who had allowed seven hits and five runs in one inning Monday to Toronto. "It takes me a while to get the rust off every spring, but I have not had any pain all spring."
Millwood said he and pitching coach Carl Willis watched a video from 1999 and are working on replicating the delivery they saw from the season when the right-hander went 18-7 with a 2.68 ERA for Atlanta.
"He had a good fastball and looked like the old Kevin Millwood to me," said the Astros' Jeff Bagwell.
Millwood said he and Willis noticed a couple of subtle differences in his delivery.
"I'm still not quite where I want to be, but when I needed a strike today, I could put the ball on the corner," Millwood said.
Carlos Rivera and Barry Wesson hit home runs and Mike Coolbaugh had a two-run single for Houston.
Coco Crisp, back in the lineup after missing two games with the flu, went 2-for-3, including an RBI triple for Cleveland.
Jake Westbrook, expected to be Cleveland's opening day starter, gave up three hits and two earned runs over four innings. Indians right-hander Paul Shuey gave up four runs in one inning.
Right-hander Brandon Duckworth gave up one run and four hits over 3 2/3 innings and left-hander Wandy Rodriguez made one pitch to get the final out for Houston.
Indians outfielder Juan Gonzalez remained sidelined with a strained left hamstring.
Pirates (ss) 13, Reds (ss) 2
SARASOTA, Fla. -- Ty Wigginton went 4-for-5 with two RBIs and Ben Grieve drove in four runs, leading Pittsburgh over Cincinnati.
Wigginton and Grieve each had RBI singles in the first off Reds starter Brandon Claussen, who was effective over his next three innings in his latest audition to win a spot in the rotation.
Claussen (1-1), one of five candidates vying for two open starting jobs, finished with three scoreless innings, retiring 11 of the final 12 batters he faced.
Pittsburgh starter Mark Redman (1-1) pitched four scoreless innings, allowing four hits with no walks or strikeouts.
Pirates (ss) 15, Reds (ss) 12
BRADENTON, Fla. -- All-Star shortstop Jack Wilson didn't waste any time displaying some flashy glovework Saturday in his first spring training start.
Wilson went 0-for-2, but turned in several impressive defensive plays.
Wilson showcased his range in the first inning when he went deep in the hole for a groundball and nearly got a forceout at second base. It was one of four balls Wilson handled in his three innings.
Wilson missed the first nine spring training games while regaining his strength after an emergency appendectomy in the off-season.
"It was a good test, that's for sure," Wilson said.
"I got tested right away, and that was great. I'm glad I was able to make the plays and get through it without any pain."