Indians, Pirates pick up spring victories

Associated Press

PEORIA, ARIZ.

Jason Vargas pitched into the fourth inning in another impressive outing but the Seattle Mariners lost 6-4 to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.

Vargas, one of four candidates for Seattle’s fifth starter spot, allowed two hits, walked one and struck out one in 3 2/3 scoreless innings. The 27-year-old left-hander threw 49 pitches while becoming the first Mariners pitcher to get into the fourth.

Vargas has allowed three hits in 5 2/3 shutout innings this spring.

Aaron Laffey pitched two scoreless innings for Cleveland, and Wes Hodges had a pair of two-run doubles.

Franklin Gutierrez hit a two-out, two-run triple in the fourth for Seattle.

Pirates 12, Yankees 7

TAMPA, Fla.

Nick Johnson is working on a new hitting philosophy this spring. CC Sabathia is trying to refine his pitching motion.

Their results couldn’t have been more dissimilar Tuesday.

Johnson pulled homers to right in each of his at-bats, while Sabathia was rocked for five runs in two-plus innings in the Yankees’ loss to the Pirates.

“Terrible. Location was bad. Collapsing on the backside,” Sabathia said. “Still struggling with my delivery. I guess it’s going to take a while. Just try to get better.”

Over on the other side of the clubhouse, Johnson was smiling: “It feels pretty good.”

Johnson signed a $5.75 million, one-year contract in the offseason. He met with Yankees batting coach Kevin Long in the winter, and Long suggested a change to the left handed-hitting Johnson’s swing.

“I’m not trying to hit the ball always to left,” said Johnson, who’s tendency has been to push the ball the opposite way.

He’s been working on turning his back side rather than sliding through the zone, which will get his hands to the ball quicker. He’s been pulling the ball more in batting practice and trying to hit it where it’s pitched, rather than force it the opposite way.

Charlie Morton gave up four hits and three runs in three innings and left with a 5-3 lead against several of the Yankees stars, including Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.

“There were a couple of pitch selections that we’ll go over with him, but his sinker was good and he threw some pretty good off-speed pitches,” Pirates manager John Russell said. “When you face a lineup like that, it’s tough to get through it.”