Padres top Cleveland, 5-2

3/11/2012
ASSOCIATED PRESS
San Diego Padres second baseman Jonathan Galvez, right, throws over Cleveland Indians' Chad Huffman to complete a double play on Indians' Jose Lopez in the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday.
San Diego Padres second baseman Jonathan Galvez, right, throws over Cleveland Indians' Chad Huffman to complete a double play on Indians' Jose Lopez in the sixth inning of a spring training baseball game on Saturday.

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- Dustin Moseley was told to lighten up for a change. He did, and it worked wonders.

Moseley, loosening the grip on his changeup, pitched three scoreless innings and Will Venable had three hits to help the San Diego Padres beat the Cleveland Indians 5-2.

"I thought his stuff was very crisp," Padres manager Bud Black said of Moseley, working his way back from shoulder surgery on Aug 3. "He had command of his fastball. He did all the things you look for in an all-around Dustin Moseley performance."

Shin-Soo Choo hit his second home run and doubled for Cleveland. Rookie Russ Canzler had an RBI double in the seventh off new Padres closer Huston Street.

"He had quality at-bats all day," Indians manager Manny Acta said of Choo, who was 2 for 2 with a walk. Choo made three trips to the disabled list last year and hit a career-low .259 with only eight homers.

Moseley gave up two runs in his first two innings this spring, but was sharp against Cleveland, allowing one hit and striking out three.

Indians starter Justin Masterson struck out four and gave up one run and four hits over three innings. That was a marked improvement from his spring debut in which was tagged for six runs and walked three over 1⅓ innings.

"I was pounding the zone, exactly on pace," said Masterson, already picked by Acta to start on opening day against Toronto on April 5. "The ball was going where I wanted."

Masterson said knowing where he stands instead of having to battle for a rotation spot makes it a little more pleasant this spring.

"I can just come in relaxed and get ready," he said. "I will just continue to make minor adjustments.

"There's only 30 opening day starters and I take it with humility and pride," he said.

Cleveland has allowed a total of 42 hits and 23 runs in three straight losses.