Indians lose, but Pirates win openers

Cleveland opened its new ballpark with a 10-7 loss to the Giants.

ASSOCIATED PRESS

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Hall of Famer Bob Feller threw out the ceremonial first pitch, four F-16 fighter jets screamed by in a fly-over and snakes stayed out of the press box.

Under brilliant sunshine and an infinite blue sky, the Cleveland Indians began a new era of spring baseball on Wednesday.

After training for 16 years in Florida, the Indians returned to Arizona and christened glistening Goodyear Ballpark with a 10-7 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

First baseman Travis Ishikawa homered twice, Nate Schierholtz hit a two-run shot and NL Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum worked one scoreless inning for the Giants, who won the Cactus League opener but couldn’t dampen the Indians’ enthusiasm for their 8,000-seat ballpark.

Third baseman Mark DeRosa, acquired by the Indians in a trade with the Chicago Cubs this winter, hit a three-run homer and Stephen Head and Michael Aubrey added solo shots for Cleveland.

Lincecum, who went 18-5 last season and led the majors with 265 strikeouts, was pleased with his first outing. He struck out Grady Sizemore leading off and gave up a two-out single to Jhonny Peralta but was able to locate all 18 pitches, throwing 17 fastballs and one curve.

With Randy Johnson joining the Giants’ staff and Barry Zito already in the rotation, San Francisco has three Cy Young winners.

Indians left-hander Jeremy Sowers, one of at least five pitchers competing for the No. 5 spot in the rotation, allowed three hits in two innings.

Pirates 8, Phillies 2

BRADENTON, Fla. — Jamie Moyer had a bus to catch after he pitched two scoreless innings in Philadelphia’s loss.

And it wasn’t the team bus back to the Phillies’ complex in Clearwater, Fla.

“In about 40 minutes, my kids will be getting home from school,” Moyer said. “I can leave here and get them off the school bus.”

Moyer and his family make their offseason home in Bradenton. Every day, he gets up at 5 a.m., drives to Clearwater for the Phillies’ workout, and usually is home again in time for dinner.

“I get to put my kids to bed at night,” Moyer said. “I see them every day. Family is what’s important.”

Moyer allowed one hit and two walks. He struck out two.

Pittsburgh scored four runs in the fourth inning against Joe Bisenius. Jack Wilson had an RBI single and Shelby Ford, a non-roster infielder, followed with a pinch-hit, three-run homer to right.

“I went up there just looking to put a good at-bat together,” said the 24-year-old Ford, who hit just 15 homers in three minor league seasons. “When I hit one, it’s really got to be up in the air for me to know it’s gone.”