Indians’ Carmona tosses 7 shutout innings

Associated Press

GOODYEAR, ARIZ.

Ian Kennedy has impressed his manager enough to earn a spot in the Arizona Diamondbacks’ rotation.

Kennedy allowed two runs, including a solo homer to Grady Sizemore, over six innings, but the Cleveland Indians, behind Fausto Carmona’s seven scoreless innings, beat the Diamondbacks 2-0 on Saturday.

“We penciled him in [to start], but wanted him to win the job,” Diamondbacks manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s showed that he’s ready.”

The right-hander, acquired from the New York Yankees in a three-team trade, gave up five hits and struck out three.

Kennedy has a 2.79 ERA in five starts covering 19 1/3 innings with four walks and 13 strikeouts.

Carmona has been even more impressive. A 19-game winner in 2007 who struggled so badly in 2009 that he was sent to the minors, he is 3-0 with an 0.45 ERA.

“Amazing things will happen if he attacks the strike zone like this,” Indians manager Manny Acta said. “He threw only 70 pitches, so he went to the bullpen for 15 more.”

Carmona struck out three without a walk, allowing three hits.

Blues Jays 11, Pirates 2

BRADENTON, Fla.

Daniel McCutchen was hit hard in his first start since being named the Pirates’ No. 5 starter.

McCutchen pitched four innings and allowed five runs — two earned — on five hits. He walked one and struck out four.

Blue Jays third baseman Jose Bautista doubled and hit a solo home run. Jeremy Reed had three RBIs, including a two-run single.

“The results weren’t quite there, but I did some good things,” McCutchen said. “Overall, I felt pretty good. For a spring training game, trying to work on pitches, I thought it was a step forward.”

McCutchen got the No. 5 starter’s job Wednesday, when right-hander Kevin Hart was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis. Hart was the front-runner at the start of spring training, but was plagued by control problems.

Saturday was McCutchen’s first start this spring in a major league game. He made his first two outings in relief and also started two minor league games.

“I havent put too much pressure on myself throughout spring training,” McCutchen said. “But I’m definitely not going to let up any because I know its pretty easy to get sent down, especially in my situation. Im not pitching with a fear of getting sent down. Im pitching and trying to get better all the time.”