Indians and Pirates \ Thursday’s exhibition games

Cubs 9, Indians 8

MESA, Ariz. — Despite giving up a pair of home runs, Cubs starting pitcher Ryan Dempster was more than happy with his outing against the Indians. The Cubs won the game in the bottom of the ninth on a single by Andres Blanco. Dempster, the Cubs’ No. 2 starter behind Carlos Zambrano, pitched four innings. He gave up five hits and three runs while walking none and striking out seven. He allowed home runs to Shin-Soo Choo in the first inning and pinch-hitter Andy Marte in the second. “I gave up a couple home runs, but that’s as good as I’ve thrown the ball all spring,” Dempster said. “It’s a nice way to end up and go into the regular season.” Dempster was 17-6 last year. He signed a four-year contract with the Cubs this offseason. Anthony Reyes, the Indians’ No. 5 starter, just two innings, giving up five hits and seven runs. He made his third start and fifth appearance overall of the spring. The Indians took a 1-0 lead in the first on Choo’s first home run of the spring. Alfonso Soriano led off the Cubs’ first with his fifth homer, an opposite-field drive to right. The Cubs scored six runs in the second, highlighted by Koyie Hill’s bases-loaded triple. He won the backup catcher’s job this week. Marte hit a two-run homer off Dempster in the third. Ryan Garko hit a two-run homer off Cubs reliever Chad Gaudin in the fifth.

Pirates (ss) 6, Reds 5

SARASOTA, Fla. — Fans booed the mayor before Cincinnati’s Florida finale, and the Reds wrapped up a dozen years in Sarasota with a loss to a Pirates split squad that was notable for Edinson Volquez’s sluggish start. Taxpayers and politicians declined to commit money to upgrade the facilities, prompting the Reds to move to Goodyear, Ariz., next spring. During a pregame ceremony, mayor Lou Ann Palmer was loudly booed by fans upset that there will be no major league team in Sarasota next year. Volquez gave up three runs and five hits in only 32‚Ñ3 innings. The game went back-and-forth in the final innings after minor leaguers took over. The Pirates used a succession of relievers because Ian Snell was sick and unable to start.

Manatee Community College 6, Pirates (ss) 4

BRADENTON, Fla. — Virgil Vasquez struggled for a Pirates split squad of minor leaguers just days after he was beaten out for a spot in Pittsburgh’s rotation. Derek Luciano hit a go-ahead two-run double in the sixth inning as Manatee beat a Pirates squad comprised of minor leaguers. Luciano had three hits and drove in three runs. Manatee beat the Pirates for the first time in 11 games. Manatee CC trailed 4-1 before scoring twice in the fifth against Vasquez, who was beaten out by Jeff Karstens this week for the No. 5 spot in the Pirates’ rotation. In the sixth, Luciano doubled off Dave Davidson to score both runners. Brad Corley was 2-for-2 with a run scored for the Pirates.

Associated Press