In final tuneups, Lee and Maholm struggle


ASSOCIATED PRESS

PEORIA, Ariz. — Cliff Lee struggled in his final spring start for Cleveland, yielding seven runs and nine hits in five innings of the Indians’ 14-14 tie with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.

The AL Cy Young Award winner will make his first opening-day start on Monday at Texas.

“That’s where you want to be as a starting pitcher, you want to be the No. 1 starter and you want to be the guy that gets the ball the first day,” Lee said.

Lee gave up three homers, although only one probably would have cleared the fence at most parks. He will leave his first spring training in Arizona with a 12.46 ERA, but feeling his arm is ready for opening day.

“It’s been a strange spring. I feel good, I feel strong, I feel like my pitches are where they need to be, the results are just not there,” Lee said.

Ken Griffey Jr. hit his second spring homer for Seattle, a two-run shot in the seventh. But his adventures adjusting to left field continued, including an error in the first inning on Travis Hafner’s single.

Ben Francisco went 5-for-6 with a homer, two doubles, four RBIs and four runs scored.

Red Sox 4, Pirates 3

BRADENTON, Fla. — Paul Maholm allowed three runs in four innings for Pittsburgh.

“Today was the first day I felt bad,” said Maholm, who has a 1.52 ERA in six spring starts. “I threw just two breaking balls for strikes, which isn’t normal.

“I’m ready to get out of here. I’m glad that Monday will be the start of the regular season and we can get after it.”

Boston’s Chip Ambres hit a pair of homers, including a tie-breaking shot in the ninth inning off Daniel Haigwood. Ambres connected for a three-run drive in the fourth, snapping Maholm’s spring scoreless streak at 182‚Ñ3 innings.

Maholm will make his first opening-day start Monday against the Cardinals. Last season he led the Pirates with nine victories and a 3.71 ERA.

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett also struggled, giving up three runs in 32‚Ñ3 innings on seven hits. He struck out four and walked one. He gave up a two-run home run to Pirates outfielder Nate McLouth. The Pirates added a run in the fourth on consecutive singles by Jack Wilson, Craig Monroe and Nyjer Morgan.

The Pirates optioned right-hander Virgil Vasquez to Triple-A, making righty Jeff Karstens the No. 5 starter. The Pirates reassigned pitchers Denny Bautista, Jason Davis and Chris Bootcheck, infielders Andy Phillips and Garrett Jones, outfielder Jeff Salazar and catcher Erik Kratz to minor league camp. Lefty Phil Dumatrait (shoulder) will begin the season on the 15-day disabled list.

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