Youth prevails as Tribe beats M’s

The Indians' Ryan Raburn, left, is congratulated by Elliot Johnson after a two-run home run.

PEORIA, Ariz. — James Paxton allowed two hits in three scoreless innings and Nick Franklin drove in two runs today in the Seattle Mariners' 8-5 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

"Having the success that I did really showed me that I belonged there and could compete at that level," said Paxton, who was 3-1 in four starts last season.

Cleveland starter Travis Banwart lasted just two-thirds of an inning and allowed four runs and three hits, including a leadoff homer by Abraham Almonte. Banwart left with the bases loaded, and Nick Hagadone walked Michael Saunders and gave up Franklin's two-run single.

Pinch-hitter Francisco Lindor, a 20-year-old top prospect, hit a tiebreaking double off Danny Farquhar in a three-run ninth.

"If we'd have played him the whole game, he would have had something to say about the game before that [the ninth]," Indians manager Terry Francona said. "We told the kids 'You can sit here and eat seeds and have a Coke, or you can be ready to play and go in and try to do something,' and I think you can see that he's ready to play once he gets in there."

Ryan Raburn made it 5-all with a two-run homer in a four-run seventh against Lucas Luetge.

Seattle started position players who all could be on its opening-day roster. Robinson Cano singled and scored, and Kyle Seager doubled and scored.

IN THE PEN: Four Indians relievers held the Mariners to one run over seven innings.

NICE IMPRESSION: Raburn got four plate appearances as the designated hitter, with the Indians giving most of their regulars a day off.

He went 2-for-3 including his home run, and his 13 total bases lead the Indians so far in spring training.

"He leverages the ball. He uses his legs, his hands," Francona said of Raburn. "He uses the whole field. He stays inside the foul poles and the ball backspins the other way."