LAKELAND, Fla. (AP)—Yorman Bazardo was perfect Sunday. He just hopes it’s enough to earn a spot on the Detroit Tigers’ roster.
The right-hander retired all nine batters he face in the Tigers’ 3-3 tie with the Cleveland Indians.
“I feel a lot better than the last time,” Bazardo said. “My mechanics were kind of out of rhythm (in his previous outing). I was just trying to make the adjustment. I think I did pretty good.”
In six spring outings, Bazardo has a 3.75 ERA. A year ago, he went 2-1 with a 2.28 ERA in 23 2-3 innings for Detroit—the 23-year old spent most of the season with Triple-A Toledo.
Bazardo is expected to start the season in the bullpen if he makes the team, but could fill in when the Tigers need a spot starter. His main competitor for a roster spot likely is right-hander Aquilino Lopez, who has a 1.64 ERA in 11 innings this spring.
“Hopefully, (manager Jim) Leyland will keep me in mind and give me a shot,” Bazardo said.
Fausto Carmona, expected to be the Indians’ No. 2 starter, was sharp, especially after giving up a two-run homer to Tigers designated hitter Gary Sheffield in the first. In his longest stint this spring, he allowed six hits over six innings, striking out two.
“Fausto was good,” Cleveland manager Eric Wedge said. “He commanded the ballgame and got good work in.”
Outfielder David Dellucci, who is expected to platoon with Jason Michaels in left field, returned to the Indians’ lineup for the first time since March 16 and went 1-for-3. He had been out with a sore left wrist and forearm.
“It seemed to loosen up as the game went on,” Dellucci said of his arm. “It’ll take a while to get back in the groove.”
Detroit finished with nine hits and was led by Magglio Ordonez and Placido Polanco, who had two each. The Indians were limited to five hits, including a triple by Jhonny Peralta that brought home two in the fourth.
Notes
The Indians claimed LHP Craig Breslow off waivers from Boston and added him to the 40-man roster. Breslow, 27, spent the past two seasons with the Red Sox organization, mostly at Triple-A Pawtucket. … Leyland said right-handed reliever Francis Beltran will begin the season in Triple-A, but added, “He’s doing OK. I like him.” Beltran spent all of 2007 with Triple-A Norfolk in the Baltimore Orioles organization. … Tigers RHP Jeremy Bonderman pitched seven innings against Detroit’s Double-A squad Sunday morning, allowing five hits and no runs while throwing 71 pitches. … Hall of Fame boxing trainer Angelo Dundee threw out the first pitch.
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