Indians wallop Angels; Rays and rain give Pirates a soaking

March 29, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

TEMPE, ARIZ.

Cleveland’s Matt LaPorta hit a two-run homer, his first of the spring, to highlight a six-run fifth inning and the Indians added six more in the sixth to complete a 15-5 thrashing of the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Competing for the last spot in the Indians’ rotation, Carlos Carrasco gave up four hits and five runs in 32‚Ñ3 innings, struck out seven and walked four — both spring highs.

LaPorta went 2 for 3 with five RBI and a run scored against the Angels. His homer came with two out off Jon Bachanov. In the sixth, he hit a two-run double and later had a sacrifice fly.

Brantley went 2 for 4 with two runs scored.

Shin-soo Choo was 4 for 6 with three RBI and a run scored.

Austin Kearns also had three RBI, including a two-run double that followed LaPorta’s homer.

The Angels’ Ervin Santana allowed five runs and six hits in 42‚Ñ3 innings, struck out two and walked two.

“I had very, very good stuff — good changeups, sliders and a lot of strikes,” he said. “I’m right on time. One more and I’m ready for the season. I try to keep it simple, forget about the runners and worry about the hitters.”

Los Angeles manager Mike Scioscia said Santana didn’t have his best fastball last season, but is now throwing as well as he did earlier in the spring.

“He’s moved forward and turned the page,” he said.

The Indians twice scored on bases-loaded walks in the sixth.

Devil Rays 8, Pirates 2

PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla.

Matt Garza pitched seven strong innings and was bolstered by a strong offensive effort as the Tampa Bay Rays defeated a Pittsburgh Pirates split-squad, 8-2.

Ben Zobrist went 3 for 4 with a home run and a triple, and Carl Crawford was 2 for 3 with two doubles as the Rays scored seven runs in the first three innings.

That was more than enough for Garza, who struck out seven and gave up four hits in a smooth outing. He is scheduled to pitch the second game of the regular season against Baltimore.

Zobrist started the Rays’ three-run first inning with an RBI triple and Carlos Pena followed with a home run to left center off Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf.

Tampa Bay struck again in the third when Zobrist took a 2-0 pitch over the left field wall. Sean Rodriguez and Alvin Colina followed with run-scoring hits.

Jeff Clement homered off of Garza in the second inning.

Rodriguez went 3 for 3 and raised his spring average to .453.

Ohlendorf gave up 10 hits and eight runs in four innings and has a spring ERA of 9.82.

Pirates-Phillies rained out

CLEARWATER, Fla.

The Philadelphia Phillies canceled their exhibition game against the other Pirates’ split-squad because of rain.