GOODYEAR, Arizona. – Shane Bieber and Kyle Nelson, teammates at UC Santa Barbara, switched places on Saturday.
Last year’s AL Cy Young winner Bieber launched a B game against the Reds in his second early spring. Nelson, with only one major league participation to his credit, launched his seventh entry in the Indians’ 7-0 defeat by the White Sox at the Goodyear Ballpark.
Both did their job well. Bieber hit five and allowed a home run run on three entrances in one of the backfields at the Cincinnati spring training complex. He allowed three strokes and did not walk like a batsman.
“I went there and watched Bieber,” said manager Terry Francona. “He gave up on a solo home run on a fastball. Other than that, he was great.
“Bieber is as high a priority as we have at camp. But part of the reason why we can do that, where we can leave some of those other guys (pitch) that need to compete, is the way he behaves. It looked like he was launching at 7pm on Progressive Field. It makes you proud of the guy. “
Nelson, a southpaw in his second appearance in the spring, retired the White Sox with two eliminations. This spring, he made two appearances, eliminating four.
“He’s interesting,” said Francona. “It is a slightly different way of attacking. It is strongly oriented towards the slider against left-handed and right-handed. He showed that he can put it under the right-handed barrels and away from the left-handers. With a young guy like that, he needs repetition.
“Last year he was called to launch once and that was very difficult. He’s certainly on our radar, that’s for sure. “
Nelson made his major league debut on September 10, in the 11-1 loss to the Royals. He managed two quick eliminations to start the inning, but the next four Royals made it to the base. Adaberto Mondesi hit a three-race home run.
No. 1: converted left-hander
Former major league player Anthony Gose continues to make a good impression. Playing between 96 and 160 mph, he worked a seventh goalless start against the Cubs on Friday.
“It has been a very interesting and cool story,” said Francona. “Apparently, a guy who went to the major leagues as an outfielder is willing to go to the lower levels of the minor leagues and go back up. … He’s obviously a boy that we’re rooting for. Your things are out of the ordinary. “
No. 2: Three is a charm
Veteran appeasers Bryan Shaw and Heath Hembree made their third appearance on Saturday. JC Johnson and Blake Parker are sitting in two presentations. Oliver Perez, another veteran at the camp for a lower league contract, made an appearance.
Francona said that three games are a good starting point to start evaluating veteran relievers.
“Now is the time for you to start evaluating what they are doing, because they already have enough,” said Francona. “They have legs and can compete a little.”
Shaw gave up on a two-race homer with two eliminated in the fifth. Hembree pitched around a double-out double in the sixth.
“Bryan is still in love with his slider,” said Francona. “It’s been out of the question since the beginning and it hasn’t really helped him as much as he would like.”
No. 3: And finally
There was no offensive highlight of the loss to the White Sox, but there were some hits in game B. Owen Miller bet 1 on 2 with an RBI. Gabriel Arias continued to swing the club well. He did 1 to 2 with a home run. Ben Gamel bet 2 on 2 with a double and two RBI. … One cool thing about the 7-0 loss to the White Sox, brothers Naylor, Josh and Bo, hit fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Indians lineup. Josh was in the right field and Bo was in DH. How much do you want to bet that a photo of that lineup card was sent home to Canada? … External defender Harold Ramirez is hitting and getting closer to the action of the game. … The Indians will play against Oakland on Sunday. Adam Plutko will face the A’s, who will send Grant Holmes to the mound. The game time is 3:05 pm Eastern Time. The Indians.com webcast will broadcast the game.
A variety of Cleveland Indians face masks available online today. (Fanatics.com)
New masks for Indians for sale: This is where you can buy Cleveland Indians-themed facial covers for protection against the coronavirus, including a single mask ($ 14.99) and a pack of 3 ($ 24.99). All MLB proceeds are donated to charities.
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