Pirates, Indians pitchers knocked around in losses

Associated Press

BRADENTON, FLA.

Josh Harrison led off the game with a home run that ended Wandy Rodriguez’s scoreless streak at 12 innings, and the Atlanta Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 7-5 Thursday.

Chris Johnson had three hits, including a two-run homer that capped a five-run first inning against Vance Worley, a drive just fair down the left-field line.

After the Pirates tied the score, Jonny Gomes hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth against Clayton Richard and Jesus Flores had a run-scoring infield single.

Rodriguez allowed four runs and eight hits in five innings. Worley retired 13 in a row after Johnson’s homer and wound up giving up seven hits in six innings

Walker doubled and scored on Andrew McCutchen’s single in the third inning, then homered in the fifth. Francisco Cervelli hit an RBI double.

At spring training with a minor league contract, the 36-year-old Rodriguez appears to have earned a spot in Atlanta’s starting rotation. He gave up a run in his first inning this year against the New York Mets, then blanked Washington (three innings), Houston (four innings) and Miami (five innings).

“We have some familiarity with him,” Harrison said. “He was with us for a couple of years and before that we faced him a lot.”

NEW LOOK

Andrew McCutchen turned up without his signature dreadlocks, which were cut off Wednesday. The locks will be auctioned, and the proceeds will go to Pirates Charities. “I know I’m going to feel a little faster without all that hair,” McCutchen joked. “Now I can be like all the rest of the guys on the team and get a haircut every two weeks.”

Indians-Reds

Associated Press

GOODYEAR, ARI.

Todd Frazier and Devin Mesoraco homered off Danny Salazar to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 13-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.

Joey Votto drove in three runs with a two-run single and a RBI ground out.

Billy Hamilton doubled and scored and made a diving catch to rob Lonnie Chisenhall in the second inning.

Salazar (1-2) allowed seven runs, six earned, in 31/3 innings.

The outing was a setback for Salazar, who is trying to earn a spot in the Indians rotation.

“He started out with a solo home run in the first, then one in the second. Things got away from him,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.

“The results haven’t been there not yet. He’s still young in age and in innings. The stuff is there.”

STARTING TIME

Salazar struck out the side in the first inning, but allowed Todd Frazier’s home run. He allowed seven runs, six earned, and six hits in 3 1-3 innings, including two home runs and two hit batters.

Salazar was disappointed in his outing.

“I was getting behind in the counts,” Salazar said. “Physically I felt good. I lost my release point. I didn’t want to walk anybody and I got hit.”

ROSTER MOVES

The Indians optioned C.C. Lee to Triple-A Columbus and re-assigned INF Audy Ciriaco, OF Destin Hood, INF Francisco Lindor, RHP Dustin Molleken, C Adam Moore, RHP Bryan Price and LHP Michael Roth to minor league camp.