Indians blow lead for 10-10 tie; Pirates fall to Phillies, 4-3

Associated Press

GOODYEAR, Ariz.

Chris Perez will start the season with a clean slate as the Cleveland Indians’ closer.

That will be a relief after the young right-hander couldn’t keep the Cincinnati Reds from erasing a three-run deficit Saturday, giving up three runs for a 10-10 tie.

“Spring training is over and from now we’ll evaluate Chris starting Monday in Chicago,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “We would have liked to see him finish up in a better way. He had some good outings, some bad ones.”

Perez is closing while veteran Kerry Wood rehabs a sore back. He went 1-3 with a 5.56 ERA and two saves in 12 spring outings.

Wood, out since March 14, did some light throwing Saturday, but is not expected to return until May. He is on the disabled list for the 13th time in his career.

The Indians may have lost starting second baseman Luis Valbuena, too. He left after being hit on the right hand by a pitch from Reds starter Homer Bailey. Acta said the Indians are awaiting results of X-rays.

Veterans Mark Grudzielanek and outfielder Austin Kearns were added to Cleveland’s roster after the game. Grudzielanek could replace Valbuena in the lineup against the White Sox on Monday.

Perez allowed a two-run homer to Dennis Phipps, walked a batter, then gave up a tying triple to Alex Buchholz.

Phillies 4, Pirates 3

PHILADELPHIA

Jayson Werth homered and J.A. Happ worked three solid innings to lead Philadelphia.

Werth hit his third home run of spring training, leading off the fourth inning against Hayden Penn. Chase Utley added two singles and drove in a run for the Phillies, who took both of the weekend’s exhibition games at Citizens Bank Park.

Happ allowed one run and five hits, completing a spring training in which he posted a 3.79 ERA in 21 1/3 innings. He is slated to be the Phillies’ No. 4 starter this season.