Upton homers as Tribe wins both split-squad games

The Indians won both ends of split-squad games on Feb. 28. The Tribe beat the Mariners, 4-2, in Goodyear, Ariz., and clubbed the Angels, 15-3, in Tempe, Ariz.

Against the Mariners, Melvin Upton Jr. hit his first home run of the spring, a two-run shot.

Brandon Barnes drove in a run with an RBI triple and Jack Murphy added a tworun single for the Indians.

Mike Clevinger started the game and gave up one run on two hits in two innings. Zach McAllister and Shawn Morimando each pitched two shutout innings and Dan Otero added a spotless frame.

In Tempe, Todd Hankins provided the big blow, a grand slam home run, as the Indians twice posted five-run innings against the Angels. Nellie Rodriguez was 2-for-3 with three RBI.

Erik Gonzalez, Yandy Diaz and Greg Allen each had an RBI single for the Tribe.

Left-hander Ryan Merritt started the game and pitched 1 2/3 innings, giving up one run on one hit.

Being an exhibition, there was a little levity in the game.

In the third inning, Tribe shortstop Francisco Lindor was hit by a pitch. Angels pitcher Cam Bedrosian was wary of Lindor’s speed, as the All-Star stole 46 bases last season.

With a 3-2 count on Bradley Zimmer, Bedrosian caught Lindor leaning and picked him off at first.

After applying the tag, first baseman Luis Valbuena gave Lindor a Dikembe Motombo no-no finger wag as the Indian went back to the dugout.