Kluber, Pestano solid for Indians

Associated Press

SURPRISE, Ariz.

Corey Kluber limited the Rangers to a single and an unearned run in two innings in his first start, helping Cleveland beat Texas 6-5 on Monday.

He induced five groundouts and struck out one.

“That was kind of my focus this time, going out there and working down in the zone better,” Kluber said. “I think I did a pretty good job with all the groundballs.”

Vinnie Pestano pitched a scoreless inning. After an inconsistent season in which he lost his role as the Indians’ setup man and was eventually sent to Triple-A Columbus, he was pleased with his outing.

“I’m not gonna get excited about a seven-pitch inning in March,” Pestano said. “But it was good. I was able to go out there and locate for the most part. The ball had good action, the type of action I wanted, the type of action I was looking for last year.”

Texas right-hander Colby Lewis failed to get out of the first inning in his first start since having hip surgery in August.

Lewis, who won 14 games in 2011, allowed two runs on two hits and two walks. He retired only two of the six batters he faced. He has not pitched in the majors since July 18, 2012.

“My stride is so much longer now with so much more range in my right hip, that I’m just going to have more reps to find the release point,” Lewis said.

Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run, two-out, two-strike single to end Lewis’ outing after 32 pitches.

Elliot Johnson, who went 3 for 3, tripled home two runs for Cleveland in the sixth inning.