GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Brett Myers finished a dismal spring training with his best performance.
Myers pitched five innings for Cleveland, allowing one run and three hits while striking out three during the Indians' 9-1 victory over a Cincinnati Reds split squad Saturday, concluding exhibition play for both teams.
Myers struggled most of the spring. He allowed 20 runs in 22 innings, including 10 runs and 14 hits over 3 1-3 innings in his previous outing.
"It's time to bear down a little bit," Myers said. "I wanted to make sure everything was right. I felt pretty good. The adrenaline is still lacking there. I'm ready to go.
"It was a tough spring training, being that long. You get antsy. You want to get your work in but it gets monotonous. I think we've done a good job of keeping a good atmosphere."
Myers said he felt good in his previous outing against Colorado, even though the results were awful.
"I had too-good stuff, actually," he said. "I was making good pitches but they were hitting every hole that was out there. I was breaking bats."
Terry Francona wasn't worried.
"It was an encouraging outing by Myers," the first-year Indians manager said. "His tempo was good. You can tell when a guy feels good about himself. People asked me if I was worried about him and I said no. But it's nice to see him do well."
Myers felt as though he was ready for his first start in Toronto.
"My velocity is where I need it to be," he said. "Today I wasn't exerting a whole lot of energy, but my velocity was still the same. That's good for me. It's a good mental note for me. Some days you don't have to go out and try to overpower everybody."
Carlos Santana homered and doubled off Cincinnati starter Armando Galarraga, who will start the season in Triple-A Louisville. The Reds used minor leaguers against Cleveland.
Santana hit his second home run of the spring in the fourth, a solo shot. Mark Reynolds, a free agent signed to DH, walked and scored on a single by Matt Carson. Minor leaguer Bryson Myles had two hits and drove in four runs.
The Indians break camp healthy. Asdrubal Cabrera had two plate appearances after missing seven games with back spasms.
"I think we're ready to get started," Francona said. "The guys did a good job. Today was one of those days we got our guys in and out. Nobody was over-extended. I think everybody feels good about themselves and they should."
Galarraga allowed two runs on five hits and four walks in four innings. Billy Hamilton, who set a professional baseball record by stealing 155 bases last season, singled and stole his fourth base of the spring. He will start the season playing centre field in Louisville.
NOTES: The Indians will work out in Toronto on Monday afternoon. ... Fifth starter Scott Kazmir pitched four innings in a minor league game. He allowed two runs on two hits and three walks. Kazmir struck out five. ... Carson hit his fifth home run of the spring with a runner on in the fifth inning against Cincinnati's Jose Diaz. ... The Reds will host a game between the University of Cincinnati and Louisville on April 6 following their game against Washington. It will be the first college game played at Great American Ball Park.
