Porcello, Tigers shut down Nationals

Myers starts well for Tribe in loss to Rangers

3/11/2013
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Indians-3-11


  • LAKELAND, Fla. — Dan Haren is still figuring out where he fits into the potent Washington Nationals' rotation.

    Haren went a spring-high four innings, allowing two earned runs in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Sunday.

    Rick Porcello started for the Tigers and pitched five shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out four.

    Porcello is competing with Drew Smyly for the final spot in the Tigers' rotation year behind Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Anibal Sanchez, and Doug Fister.

    Smyly hasn't allowed a run in nine innings over three starts. Porcello has only allowed three runs in 12 innings in four starts.

    Porcello has fanned 14 without a walk this spring, and has a 2.08 ERA. His name has been mentioned in trade speculation, and he said he's done talking about possible deals.

    "I feel good right now," Porcello said. "Everything is working well. I am trying to get ahead of the batters, but I am pitching with confidence. I am not here to work on stuff, I am here to win.

    "Numbers are nice, but you can't take too much out of them. For five innings I felt great today and I need to bring that to the regular season."

    Tigers manager Jim Leyland isn't showing his hand on the final opening in the Tigers rotation.

    He liked what he saw from Porcello.

    "That was impressive. He's bearing up under all the talk like a professional. He is locked in now," he said.

    Andy Dirks had two hits for the Tigers, improving his spring average to .308.

    He is in competition with Brennan Boesch and Quintin Berry for the left field slot, and all three played against Washington.

     


    Rangers 7, Indians 6

    GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Craig Gentry hit a two-run homer off Brett Myers to pace the Rangers.

    Gentry added a single and scored another run. Jeff Baker, a non-roster invitee for Texas, hit an RBI double and single in his first two at-bats, making it eight straight plate appearances in which he'd reached base.

    Myers, who pitched 70 times in relief last season, threw three scoreless innings before the Rangers got to him in the fourth for five runs.

    Myers will be the Indians' No. 3 starter this season.

    Michael Brantley, who had stitches removed from his forearm on Saturday, was 0 for 2 for Cleveland. He had missed 12 games with a cut sustained in a slide against the Angels.