Sowers, Maholm look good on mound
ASSOCIATED PRESS
GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jeremy Sowers got a helpful tip from veteran catcher Sal Fasano last summer.
“It’s as simple as throwing both a four-seam fastball and a two-seamer to both sides of the plate,” Sowers said. “You do that, you’re essentially doubling what a hitter has to worry about.”
That advice is paying off for Sowers, who pitched four effective innings Monday during the Cleveland Indians’ 4-1 victory over a Seattle Mariners split squad.
Chris Gimenez hit a three-run homer with two outs in the ninth to win it for Cleveland.
Sowers used to throw only two-seamers toward the left side of the plate and four-seamers to the right side. Now, he’s mixing it up more.
The left-hander allowed one run and three hits in his start against Seattle, striking out two and walking one.
Sowers gave up a two-out RBI double in the fourth to Mike Sweeney, who was thrown out trying for third to end the inning. Sowers also started two inning-ending double plays by fielding one-hoppers back to the mound and throwing to second.
“Right back at him, I like that,” Indians manager Eric Wedge said. “Sowers did all good things today.”
So did Seattle starter Chris Jakubauskas, a feel-good story at Mariners camp. The 29-year-old right-hander allowed one run and five hits over five innings.
Jakubauskas, invited to camp after two seasons in the Seattle farm system and 41‚Ñ2 years in independent ball, lowered his ERA to 2.31 over 112‚Ñ3 innings.
“I want to make this team on opening day for two reasons,” Jakubauskas said. “One, to say I’m a major leaguer and two, I’d love to see Seattle when Junior’s name is announced the first time back.”
Gimenez hit a 1-2 pitch off Luis Pena for his second homer, lifting his average to .368.
“How about that?” Gimenez said as he happily signed autographs for fans.
He kept signing long after the game, though that meant he missed the team shuttle bus back to the clubhouse a half-mile away at the Indians’ new training complex.
Gimenez entered the game as a defensive replacement at first base. The 26-year-old also plays the outfield, third base and catcher.
“He’s put himself on the radar, though a lot would have to happen for him to make the team,” Wedge said. “He’s a guy who can help us at some point in time.”
Rays 6, Pirates 4
BRADENTON, Fla. — Paul Maholm threw 42‚Ñ3 shutout innings for the Pirates in their loss to Tampa Bay.
Maholm allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one. He has allowed just one run in 132‚Ñ3 innings this spring.
The Rays scored four runs in the sixth inning against Dave Davidson and Brian Slocum. Jason Bartlett had an RBI single and Pat Burrell drew a bases-loaded walk. The other two runs scored on groundouts.
In his first start of the spring, Rays right-hander Andy Sonnanstine went three innings and allowed a run and three hits.