Hafner homers in Tribe win

Associated Press

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

David Huff pitched well for the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday. Good enough for a spot in the rotation? He’ll have to wait to find out.

Huff gave up one run and five hits over seven innings in a 10-1 win over the Chicago White Sox. He’s awaiting word from manager Manny Acta on whether it was good enough to claim the No. 5 spot in the Indians’ rotation.

“He certainly didn’t hurt himself with this outing,” said Acta, who won’t announce his decision until Friday.

Travis Hafner hit a two-run homer in an eight-run second inning in the final spring matchup of the two teams that will open the season Monday in Chicago.

Right-hander Freddy Garcia, the No. 5 starter in Chicago’s rotation, gave up 12 hits and 10 runs over 32‚Ñ3 innings.

Alex Rios hit his third homer in the second off Huff, who walked three and struck out four.

Huff is 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA in six games.

He is competing with rookie right-hander Carlos Carrasco, who had a good camp until getting hit hard Sunday.

It would appear Huff has an advantage as potentially the only left-hander in the rotation, which includes Jake Westbrook, Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson and rookie Mitch Talbot.

Acta said he’ll select the pitcher he thinks will do best regardless of whether he is right-hander or lefty.

Cleveland strung together seven singles and Hafner’s wind-blown homer to right in the second inning for an 8-1 lead.

tigers 8, pirates 5

LAKELAND, Fla.

Pirates starter Zach Duke allowed eight runs — all earned — in 32‚Ñ3 innings.

Aki Iwamura, Lastings Milledge, and Andy LaRoche each had two hits for the Pirates.

Justin Verlander was roughed up for five runs, three earned, over 51‚Ñ3 innings.

Scott Sizemore hit his third homer of the spring and went 2 for 3 for the Tigers. Johnny Damon had three hits.