PEORIA, Ariz. – Cleveland Indians opening day starter Justin Masterson closed out a solid spring with seven strikeouts in a 6-4 loss to the San Diego Padres on Thursday afternoon at Peoria Sports Complex.
The right-hander allowed two runs and six hits in five innings. He'll open the regular season April 2 against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Padres starter Clayton Richard fared well in his final spring outing. He allowed one earned run (three total) on five hits in five innings, struck out five and walked one. His next outing will come on April 3 against the New York Mets.
Padres catcher John Baker went 2 for 3 with an RBI-double and a go-ahead home run in the seventh. Right fielder Will Venable hit one in the same half-inning. Both had three RBIs.
Cleveland right fielder Drew Stubbs went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and second baseman Jason Kipnis hit a home run off Richard in the fifth.
Receive your weekly recap of all the happenings around the world of sports.