Hafner's homer leads Indians

His three-run blast beat the Phillies; the Pirates defeated the Red Sox.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Jon Lieber outpitched Jake Westbrook in a matchup of opening day starters, but Travis Hafner's three-run homer in the eighth inning sent the Cleveland Indians to a 9-7 victory Sunday over the Philadelphia Phillies.
Philadelphia outfielder Marlon Byrd and catcher Mike Lieberthal were injured during the game.
Byrd dislocated his right ring finger while diving back to first on a pickoff attempt.
Lieberthal was hit on the left elbow by a pitch in the first inning and was replaced in the fifth after he experienced some swelling. He is expected to return to the lineup Tuesday or Wednesday.
Westbrook allowed 14 hits in five innings, but the Phillies managed just three runs while stranding four runners at third base.
Lieber allowed seven hits and also gave up three runs in five innings, two on back-to-back RBI doubles by Victor Martinez and Ben Broussard.
Hafner's 400-foot shot to center followed three Cleveland hits and a walk issued by reliever Tim Worrell. The Indians snapped a six-game losing streak.
Pirates 5, Red Sox 3
BRADENTON, Fla. -- Oliver Perez needed to do only one thing to convince the Pittsburgh Pirates he was their opening day starter: return to the mound.
Perez, slowed earlier in camp by shoulder stiffness, lasted four innings in his second spring training start to beat the Boston Red Sox, then was told he would start the April 4 opener against Milwaukee.
"He's extremely happy and excited," manager Lloyd McClendon said.
Perez had pitched only one inning against major league hitters this spring before giving up three runs and three hits, including Adam Hyzdu's three-run homer in the second.
The left-hander was in control for most of his outing, only to walk Doug Mirabelli with two outs and give up Kevin Youkalis' double ahead of Hyzdu's drive with the Pirates leading 5-0.
"He was a little boneheaded at times with his pitch selection, but he's still my man," McClendon said. "He overthrew at times but, other than that, he was fine."
Ready for opener
Perez learned of his opening day start after leaving the game.
"I have to be ready for it," he said. "Everybody wants to be that pitcher. My arm feels very good and everything is fine."
Perez gave the Pirates a scare last month when he supposedly slept awkwardly on his shoulder, causing the discomfort. He didn't throw for 10 days, then was limited to 26 and 40 pitches in his first two outings in game-type situations.
"I was a little nervous when I hurt my shoulder, but I feel great now and I'm still working to get stronger," Perez said.
Perez gave every sign in his first full major league season last year that he could soon be one of baseball's top starters. He was 12-10 with a 2.98 ERA that ranked sixth among NL starters, and his 2.21 home ERA led the league. His average of 11 strikeouts per nine innings topped the majors, and his 239 strikeouts were the third-most in Pirates history.
Perez is likely to face Brewers All-Star pitcher Ben Sheets in the opener, which will be the first NL game played this season.
"He's a great competitor and he loves being in the spotlight," McClendon said. "I think he'll thrive in that kind of atmosphere."
Craig Wilson hit a three-run homer -- his fourth of the spring -- and Tike Redman and Jose Castillo had RBI singles in the first against John Halama, who is expected to be a long reliever when the season starts.
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