EXHIBITION BASEBALL Indians and Pirates

April 5, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Indians 4, Astros 3

HOUSTON — Lance Berkman is healthy and ready for the regular season. Berkman hit a go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning for the Houston Astros before the Cleveland Indians scored three runs in the ninth in the final exhibition game for both teams. Cleveland’s Trevor Crowe had a two-run single in the ninth inning. Indians starter Carl Pavano allowed four hits and one run in five innings. The right-hander, who agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Cleveland in January, is hoping for a big season after being hampered by injuries during four difficult years with the New York Yankees. “I think the results show I am on the right track,” he said. “My mechanics are putting me in the right position and my mindset is there.” He struck out four and walked none against Houston. Astros starter Mike Hampton gave up six hits and one run in four innings. The lefty struck out three and walked one. Cleveland RHP Fausto Carmona will serve the last game of his five-game suspension stemming from a brawl against Detroit last year on opening day but will be allowed to participate in pregame ceremonies. He must be out of uniform and away from the team when the game begins. He is scheduled to start the second game of the season on Wednesday.

Twins 7, Pirates 6

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Justin Morneau wrapped up a big spring, doubling and driving in three runs for the Twins. The former AL MVP hit .394 with three home runs in 14 exhibition games for the Twins. He also went 4-for-9 for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. Morneau showed no ill effects from the back soreness that hampered him this past week. He hit .300 with a team-high 23 home runs and 129 RBIs last season. The Pirates went 17-15, which pleased second-year manager John Russell. “It gives us some confidence,” he said. “You’ve got to start somewhere. We worked hard all spring. Winning makes it nice. The real season starts Monday.” Most of the regulars started but left the game early. Twins outfielder Denard Span went 2-for-2 and scored twice. He hit .190 this spring but he drew a team-high 10 walks. “All of those hits I didn’t get wouldn’t have counted,” said Span, whose team-high 84 at-bats were 11 short of the late Kirby Puckett’s spring training record of 95 in 1985. “I feel ready.” Pittsburgh rallied in the eighth inning, scoring four runs off Twins reliever Phil Humber and pulling to within one run at 7-6. Twins starter Glen Perkins, fourth in the rotation, gave up two runs and eight hits in five innings. Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf gave up five earned runs and eight hits in four innings.

Associated Press