GOODYEAR, Arizona (92.3 The Fan) - The Cleveland Indians opened and closed their offensive performance in Friday's 5-4 Cactus League win over the Colorado Rockies with the long ball.
Jose Ramirez launched a solo shot over the right field wall in the bottom of the first innning off Colorado starter Antonio Senzatela (5.0, 2 H, ER, BB, 3 K's), while Owen Miller roped the go-ahead 3-run homer in the bottom of the eighth off losing pitcher Jairo Diaz (1.0 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K's).
The Tribe jumped out to a 2-0 lead over the first two innings with Ramirez's home run and Cesar Hernandez's sacrifice fly in the bottom of the second, and rested on starter Logan Allen's five scoreless innings. The 23-year-old Allen gave up three hits and two walks while racking up seven strikeouts in a no-decision effort.
After Cal Quantrill's scoreless sixth innings, however, the Rockies rallied with three runs in the top of the seventh off James Karinchak (1.0 IP, 3 H, 3 ER, BB), boosted by an RBI single by Ryan Vilade, sacrifice fly from Garrett Hampson, and another run-scoring single by Ryan McMahon.
Brian Servin added to the Rox lead with an RBI triple in the top of the eighth off Nick Wittgren, though Wittgren would earn the win with Miller's lead-reclaiming home run in the frame's bottom half.
Phil Maton closed the ninth inning with two strikeouts, cementing the Tribe's Cactus League record to 9-16. With four spring training games left, the Indians will face the Los Angeles Dodgers this Saturday in a 3:05 p.m. E.T. start.
