LaPorta homers, but Tribe loses to Arizona

ASSOCIATED PRESS

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — While it seems unlikely that Matt LaPorta will make the Cleveland Indians’ opening-day roster, he’s already making his presence felt in spring training.

LaPorta hit a solo homer off All-Star pitcher Dan Haren in the second inning Thursday before the Arizona Diamondbacks rallied for a 15-9 victory.

“He’s going to get the opportunity to get some at-bats here,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said.

Considered one of the top prospects in baseball, LaPorta was acquired from Milwaukee for ace CC Sabathia last July. The right-handed power hitter is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Columbus, but could make an impact in Cleveland sometime this season.

“I’ve been impressed with my approach right now,” said LaPorta, who also hustled for a bloop double in the fifth. “I’m getting adjusted to playing again. I’m getting my timing back.”

The fact that his first homer came against Haren, who won 16 games for the Diamondbacks last season, made the moment even better.

“He’s a fabulous pitcher,” LaPorta said. “He kind of left one up and over the plate. It was a good pitch to hit.”

Pirates 3, Red Sox 2

FORT MYERS, Fla. — Boston’s Jon Lester is working on his changeup. Pittsburgh’s Ian Snell wants to change his fortunes.

Both took another step along those paths when they started against each other on Thursday.

The 6-foot-2, left-handed Lester, who emerged as Boston’s best starter last year, pitched two scoreless innings. The 5-11, right-handed Snell allowed two unearned runs in two innings in his only appearance before leaving to pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic.

“I’m going to be on the same exact schedule that I’ve been on all spring,” Snell said. “If anything, pitching in games that count this early in the season is only going to make me be ready for the season even faster.”

Snell wasn’t drafted by Pittsburgh until the 26th round in 2000. In 2006, Snell was 14-11 and in 2007 he had a 3.76 ERA but a 9-12 record. Snell struggled last year when he went 7-12 with a 5.42 ERA.

But in the second year of a three-year contract, he figures to be in the middle of this season’s rotation with help from new pitching coach Joe Kerrigan, who once held that job with Boston.