Mesoraco, Frazier, Votto lead offense
Todd Frazier and Devin Mesoraco homered off Danny Salazar to lead the Cincinnati Reds to a 13-2 win over the Cleveland Indians on Thursday.
Joey Votto drove in three runs with a two-run single and a RBI ground out.
Billy Hamilton doubled and scored and made a diving catch to rob Lonnie Chisenhall in the second inning.
Salazar (1-2) allowed seven runs, six earned, in 3 1-3 innings.
The outing was a setback for Salazar, who is trying to earn a spot in the Indians rotation.
“He started out with a solo home run in the first, then one in the second. Things got away from him,” Indians manager Terry Francona said.
“The results haven’t been there not yet. He’s still young in age and in innings.”
Michael Lorenzen (20), who is competing for a spot on the opening-day roster, made his first start for the Reds. He allowed four hits in three innings.
“My fastball command was good. My tempo was good,” Lorenzen said. “I gave up hits on two-strike breaking balls. I wasn’t finishing them. I made an adjustment and they were better in the bullpen.”
Lorenzen threw 20 more pitches in the bullpen after his outing. He needs to be stretched out in case the Reds decide to use him to start in early season games.
“He has a good breaking ball,” Reds manager Bryan Price said. “It would have been better used earlier in the count. It’s a matter of time until he has confidence to finish them with two strikes.”
Michael Bourn singled to continue his hot spring. Jason Kipnis also singled. Carlos Santana scored Bourn with a sacrifice fly in the first inning.
Mesoraco and Hamilton had two hits. Chris Dominguez went 3-for-5.
Veteran Paul Maholm, competing for a role in the Reds’ bullpen, pitched three scoreless innings.
“Maholm knows how to change speeds,” Price said. “He knows how to create the kind of action he wants on the ball.”
Reds trade for Johnson: The Reds acquired first baseman Dan Johnson from the Houston Astros for a player to be named.
Johnson will report to the Reds’ minor league camp in Goodyear. The Reds also traded infielder Devin Lohman to the Phillies for a player to be named or cash.