Indians fall in spring finale

Associated Press

SAN DIEGO

Seth Smith and Chase Headley homered, and Yonder Alonso hit a three-run double to lead the San Diego Padres to a 9-8 victory against the Cleveland Indians in their spring training finale Saturday at the University of San Diego’s Fowler Park.

Cleveland’s Matt Carson hit a three-run homer and a two-run drive. Jason Kipnis hit a solo shot.

Cleveland’s Danny Salazar, scheduled to start the home opener Friday, allowed six runs — five earned — and seven hits with five strikeouts in five innings. He gave up Alonso’s bases-clearing double in the third and Headley’s opposite-field homer to left-center in the fifth.

The Indians won 92 games last year before losing 4-0 to Tampa Bay in the AL wild-card game.

“We have a pretty versatile team and that helps,” manager Terry Francona said. “You prepare. Once I’m prepared I can sit back and get into the game.”

Francona is entering his second season as Cleveland’s manager.

“It should be enjoyable,” he said. “Look at the guys we’ve seen get better right before your eyes, like [Corey] Kluber and [Zach] McAllister and Salazar. That’s what was so exciting going down the stretch last year. We were doing it with guys that had never been there. Heck, Danny began at Double-A. It was fun because they didn’t shrink, they welcomed it. It was fun.”

Francona said there’s plenty the Indians can carry over into this year.

“Take the experience, take the positives,” he said. “When it will help is when you’re punched in the stomach — and it will happen — we’ll know deep down we are good enough to battle back.”

Indians, Gomes agree

Yan Gomes didn’t need long to prove to the Indians he was worth keeping around for a while.

Following a breakout season in 2013, the catcher has agreed to terms with Cleveland on a multiyear contract.

Gomes batted .294 with 11 homers and 38 RBIs in 88 games last season, his first with the Indians.

He must pass a physical for the deal to be finalized, the person said on condition of anonymity because there are still details to be worked out.

FOXSports.com first reported the $23 million, six-year deal, which includes two club options.

The 26-year-old Gomes — the first Brazilian-born player in the majors — began last season at Triple-A Columbus, but after being brought up in April he stayed the rest of the year and was a major contributor as the Indians made the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

In addition to providing power to Cleveland’s lineup, Gomes was a defensive dynamo behind the plate. He threw out 38 percent (18 of 47) of potential base stealers and did a nice job handling the pitching staff.