Grapefruit League Roundup

GRAPEFRUIT LEAGUE ROUNDUP

Tribe/Bucs

Indians 5, Mets 2, 7 innings, rain.

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. — Cliff Lee pitched five scoreless innings and the Cleveland Indians hit four home runs in a game halted by rain after seven innings Saturday. The left-hander all but wrapped up the No. 5 spot in Cleveland’s rotation, though manager Eric Wedge did not rule it a clear-cut decision over young lefties Aaron Laffey and Jeremy Sowers. “It was a very good day for Cliff,” Wedge said. “He looked strong and under control, was commanding the ball. He had a good fastball and changeup and was in a good tempo. “He was good — but I’ve been pleased with the way all three of them have competed.” Lee totaled 46 wins over a three-year stretch before struggling last year to a 5-8 record and 6.29 ERA. He opened the season on the disabled list with an abdominal strain and never seemed to get into sync.“I had a bad year and obviously I want to redeem myself so that’s motivation right there,” said the 29-year-old, adding that he’s felt sharp all spring. “I just had better results today. I’m ready for the season. Let’s do it.” Victor Martinez, Asdrubal Cabrera and Ben Francisco hit solo homers and Casey Blake a two-run shot off Mets starter Oliver Perez — the first homers allowed by the lefty in 18 2-3 innings over five outings. “I missed my spots and when you do that, you get hit,” said Perez, adding that his problems were not physical or limited to failing to command only one pitch. “I felt good, made some very good pitches, but missed with my fastball, slider and cutter at other times.” Perez completely lost command in the fourth, yielding three homers, a 380-foot single by Martinez off the fence in left-center and line double by Jamey Carroll in a four-run inning. “Then I got it back again in the fifth and shut them out,” said Perez, who walked two and struck out six. Francisco, trying to win an outfield job with Cleveland, went 2-for-3. He’s hitting .378 with three homers and nine RBI. Carlos Beltran hit his first homer and Fernando Tatis had an RBI double for the Mets.

Pirates-Rays rained out.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Jeff Niemann stood head and shoulders above a gathering of reporters at his locker, but the 6-foot-9 pitcher was feeling mighty low. Niemann, a first-round draft pick by Tampa Bay in 2004, had just been informed by the Rays that he had been optioned to Triple-A Durham. The Rays’ game against the Pittsburgh Pirates was then rained out after two innings. “That’s kind of how it works,” Niemann said of his demotion. “It’s totally out of my control.” Niemann has shown splendid control this spring. The right-hander was 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in four appearances, including three starting assignments. “I think I’ve thrown the ball pretty well,” he said.