My trip to Arizona reached day eight on Thursday, as we headed down to Goodyear to check out the back fields of the Cleveland Indians. There were quite a few people there, as we watched a morning “B” game between the Indians and the Seattle Mariners.
James Paxton and Tajuan Walker pitched for the M’s and Dustin Ackley played first base. For the Indians, Corey Kluber was all over the place to start, but settled in and looked good. I also saw Cody Allen and Rich Hill pitch, and left when Matt Capps was headed to the mound. The position players for the Indians were minor leaguers.
The starters for the Indians were taking batting practice, but not many hit homeruns. One ball that did go over the fence I went to get when some old dude raced by me to grab it. People down here are greedy. They had bags of balls from the back fields and would not give any up (or let anyone else take one from them).
Salvador Perez at the plate in Goodyear against the Cleveland Indians
We then headed up to the main complex to check out the game with the KC Royals. It was a hot day, reaching the mid-90s and the sun shining the entire day.
Jeremy Guthrie was on the mound and he looked good for the most part. He allowed a solo homerun to Lonnie Chisenhall to lead off the second and escaped a second and third predicament. In the fourth, he allowed a two out RBI double to Omir Santos.
Meanwhile, Zach McAllister had his worst start of the spring, after being told he earned the fourth starter’s job. Adam Moore drove in a run in the second and the Royals chased him from the game in the fourth. Three straight hits, including back-to-back doubles by Moore and Johnny Giavotella, were the end for McAllister.
The 3-2 lead held until the Royals tacked on two more runs in the 8th inning against prospect Trevor Bauer. The Royals hit three straight one out doubles (David Lough, Moore again, and Chris Getz) to score the two runs. Bauer settled down and recorded five more quick outs.
Matt Carson hit a homerun off Greg Holland in the bottom of the 8th inning, but Michael Mariot picked up another spring save with a 1-2-3 ninth.
*I have to say, the Royals and Indians have been the most fan-friendly teams I have been around so far during spring training (outside of Italy and some of the Canadians). Quite a few players sign autographs and interact with the fans before each game. And I’m not talking bench players. Star players like Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas, Chris Perez and Nick Swisher are regularly seen pregame down the lines with the fans.
**Friday is my final full day here in Arizona before my flight on Saturday morning back to cold New Jersey.
