Football
18y

Cleveland 8, Tampa Bay 7

WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (AP) -- Aaron Boone, trying to put a
disappointing season behind him, hit his first two home runs of
spring training in the Cleveland Indians' 8-7 win over the Tampa
Bay Devil Rays on Monday.

Jason Dubois and Einar Diaz each hit two-run homers for
Cleveland, while rookie Elijah Dukes drove in three runs and
veteran Travis Lee had two RBI for Tampa Bay.

Cleveland's four runs over three innings against Scott Kazmir
came six months too late for the Indians, who were stymied by the
22-year-old during a final-week swoon that knocked them out of
playoff contention last season.

"This was completely different," said Kazmir, who went 10-9
with a 3.77 ERA a year ago, including a 5-4 win in Cleveland during
the Indians' 1-6 finish. "That was a game of importance, and our
entire team responded. This was about getting work in. I felt fine
except for making a lot of pitches in the first inning."

Kazmir gave up Boone's first homer with one out, then loaded the
bases on a single by Casey Blake and two walks before getting out
of the jam. The left-hander walked three and struggled to command
his changeup.

"It's better to leave one up and get it hit out here than in
the season," he said. "This is where you work on things and
improve your game. That's what I'm trying to do."

Boone went 3-for-3 and is hitting .500 (9-for-18) with four RBI
during spring training.

"I feel much more comfortable," said Boone, who missed the
2004 season with a knee injury and hit only .243 his first year
with the Indians.

"You always have something to prove in this game," the third
baseman said. "I want to show people in Cleveland I really can
play this game and I'm not the disaster I was early last season."

Boone was hitting .151 last June 3. He hit .284 the rest of the
way and said that is more indicative of what fans can expect this
season.

"I really think I'm going to have a big year," he said. "Now,
I've got to go out and do it."

Fausto Carmona gave up six hits and one earned run over four
innings for Cleveland. Manager Eric Wedge said the 22-year-old
likely would be the first option if an extra starter is needed
during the season.

"I feel strong about our depth and Fausto is leading the
pack," Wedge said. "He's pitched with poise and confidence."

Carmona has allowed one earned run and no walks in nine innings
over three appearances.

Game notes
Former Indians slugger Russell Branyan is trying to win a
job with the Devil Rays. "He can play first, third and the
outfield, has a good arm and more speed than people think," Tampa
Bay manager Joe Maddon said. "He's made a good first impression."
Branyan hit into a double play as a pinch-hitter and struck out in
the ninth Monday to lower his average to .250. ... Tampa Bay LHP
Chris Seddon worked a perfect sixth. He has yet to yield a run in
five innings this spring. ... SS Ramon Vazquez made the Indians'
25th error in 14 games.

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