Major League Baseball

Anderson sharp for Indians in 9-1 win over Rangers

Published Apr. 2, 2016 1:02 a.m. ET

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ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Cody Anderson allowed only three hits in 6 2/3 innings, four Cleveland teammates homered and the Indians beat the Texas Rangers 9-1 on Friday night.

Anderson held Texas scoreless until Ryan Cordell hit a solo homer to left field with two out in the sixth. The right-hander walked one and struck out four while throwing 85 pitches.

''He was a little too efficient,'' Indians manager Terry Francona said. ''He went out and threw 10 (more pitches) in the bullpen. This kid's really done a good job. He took the winter and got stronger and more flexible.''

Anderson said he stepped up his conditioning after an appendectomy in December.

''Tonight my fastball command was starting to get to where it needs to be - in and out, to lefties and righties,'' he said. ''It's good to go in (to the season) with a decent start under your belt, just to give you that confidence.''

Yan Gomes and Juan Uribe homered against Rangers starter Colby Lewis in the second inning for a 2-0 lead. A two-run homer by Carlos Santana capped a five-run fifth inning, and Francisco Lindor homered in the sixth.

Gomes leads the Indians with six spring home runs.

''He's had a very good spring,'' Francona said. ''We're obviously excited. We need him. He got hurt last year, and he came quick like good players do. It was hard for him at times.''

The game was the first of two between the teams this weekend at the Rangers' home park. Both teams will open the regular season at home on Monday - Texas against Seattle and the Indians against Boston.

STARTING TIME

Indians: Anderson had won the fourth spot in Cleveland's rotation in Arizona. He finished the spring 2-2 with a 4.38 ERA. The 25-year-old's next start would be in Chicago on Friday.

Rangers: Colby Lewis went 3 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on his sixth and seventh homers of the spring. He was 1-2 with an 8.24 ERA this spring. His next start would be Wednesday against Seattle.

DECISIONS, DECISIONS

The Indians have finalized their opening day roster, but the Rangers expect to wait until Sunday to get down to 25. One decision might have been finalized by Tuesday's trade with Detroit for C Bryan Holaday. In his Texas debut, he was 0 for 2.

''We've thought about all the different directions we can go,'' Texas manager Jeff Banister said. ''Behind Holaday and (Robinson) Chirinos, when we decide what direction to go in the fifth-starter spot. That puts us in the direction of where we need to go in the bullpen.''

BIG BAT

Indians: Rookie CF Tyler Naquin hit only 21 home runs in his first four minor league seasons, but has four in 56 at-bats this spring.

''He hits balls a long way,'' Francona said. ''The kid had a great spring. He deserves to be on our team.''

BIG-LEAGUE FEEL

''It's nice to get in a ballpark,'' Francona said of traveling to a major league park. ''It's nice to have the guys see a different background. There's a little different sound of the bat. I just think it's a good transition into the season.''

He called spring training ''chain link baseball.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Indians: Francona said OF Michael Brantley, recovering from right shoulder surgery, will take batting practice on Saturday. ''He had a real good day (Friday) in his checkup.''

Rangers: C Chris Gimenez remains hospitalized in Arizona to control an infection resulting from a foul ball off his left shin.

UP NEXT

Indians: RHP Danny Salazar will start at Texas on Saturday.

Rangers: LHP Derek Holland will start Saturday's 1 p.m. game against Cleveland.

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