Giambi delivers as Tribe shuts out Dodgers

3/6/2013

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jason Giambi thought he would be a manager this season. Instead, he's still playing.

Giambi drove in two runs, and Justin Masterson outpitched Hyun-Jin Ryu on today, leading the Indians to a 4-0 win over the Dodgers.

After interviewing for the Colorado Rockies' managerial opening — which went to Walt Weiss — the 42-year-old Giambi signed a minor league deal with Cleveland just ahead of the start of spring training with hopes of playing one more season.

He singled and hit a sacrifice fly to pace the Indians' offense against the Dodgers.

"Jason is not just helping the younger guys," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "[He's] helping the older guys and me. I've already gone to him three times just with questions. He's not a veteran. He's THE veteran."

Masterson had a subpar 2012 campaign after shoulder surgery in October, 2011. He pitched three-hit ball with four scoreless innings. He struck out three, while inducing three double-play grounders.

"In general, I feel better than this time last year," Masterson said. "Last year we were pushing a little to get back with the shoulder. I got some balls on the ground. I mixed in a few sliders today. It is more or less where we want to be this early in spring."

Ryu agreed to a six-year, $36 million deal with Los Angeles in December. He allowed two runs and three hits in three innings. The five-time Korean Baseball Organization strikeout leader struck out five.

The 25-year old is working on his breaking ball while trying to win one of the three open spots in the Dodgers' rotation.

"Since the first time I pitched against the Angels, I feel that my breaking pitches have improved," Ryu said through an interpreter.

Ryu started the fourth inning but gave up two hits before Don Mattingly removed him for Matt Palmer.

"I had 10 pitches left to finish my outing," Ryu said. "I didn't focus and didn't execute my pitches in the last inning."

Mattingly made the trip with the team specifically to see him pitch.

"He was good today," Mattingly said. "He put his fastball where he wanted to. He used his change to get back in the count. We haven't seen him at the major league level and wanted to see how hitters react. He changes speeds and works quick. You can see how he gets people out."

NOTES: The Dodgers' top two prospects started against Cleveland. Ryu started on the mound and Yasiel Puig was in left field. Puig was 1 for 3. ... RHP Carlos Carrasco, who was struck in the side of the head by a comebacker on Monday, has passed all of the concussion tests. ... Indians closer Chris Perez will not throw for seven to 10 days. He is expected to miss three to four weeks. ... LHP Scott Kazmir, a nonroster invitee for Cleveland, pitched in a B game in the morning. "Scott threw on the back fields to work on his breaking ball," Francona said. Kazmir pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk. He struck out five.