Murphy home run powers Indians

Associated Press

CLEVELAND

David Murphy hit a three-run homer and had four RBIs as the Cleveland Indians took advantage of outdoor batting practice and San Diego’s sloppiness to beat the Padres 8-6 on Tuesday night in their delayed interleague series opener.

Murphy’s shot in the fourth inning off Tyson Ross (0-2) gave the Indians a 6-2 lead. He added an RBI double in the sixth and is 6 for 8 with a homer and five RBIs in his past two games.

Corey Kluber (1-1) bounced back from a rough season debut in Oakland and pitched six solid innings. John Axford stopped San Diego’s rally in the ninth for his third save.

The Indians were rained out for the second time Monday and have endured wintry conditions so far at home. They’ve only had BP on the field twice and have scored 15 runs in those games.

Nyjer Morgan had three hits and two RBIs for the Indians, who will play their second doubleheader this season today.

Jedd Gyorko had three RBIs, Everth Cabrera had three doubles and Xavier Nady homered in the ninth, when the Padres scored three runs off reliever Vinnie Pestano before Axford closed it out.

With the Indians leading 3-2, Murphy, who had four hits in Sunday’s loss to Minnesota, gave the Indians a four-run cushion with his first homer since signing with Cleveland as a free agent.

Ross’ fielding error — he dropped the ball covering first — with one out set up the inning.