Major League Baseball

Padres 5, Indians 2

Published Mar. 11, 2012 12:44 a.m. ET

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Dustin Moseley was told to lighten up for a change. He did, and it worked wonders.

Moseley, loosening the grip on his changeup, pitched three scoreless innings and Will Venable had three hits to help the San Diego Padres beat the Cleveland Indians 5-2 Saturday.

''I thought his stuff was very crisp,'' Padres manager Bud Black said of Moseley, working his way back from shoulder surgery on Aug 3. ''He had command of his fastball. He did all the things you look for in an all-around Dustin Moseley performance.''

Shin-Soo Choo hit his second home run and doubled for Cleveland. Rookie Russ Canzler had an RBI double in the seventh off new Padres closer Huston Street.

''He had quality at-bats all day,'' Indians manager Manny Acta said of Choo, who was 2 for 2 with a walk. Choo made three trips to the disabled list last year and hit a career-low .259 with only eight homers.

Moseley had a career-best 3.30 ERA in 2011, but went only 3-10 in 20 games in his first season in San Diego. He gave up two runs in his first two innings this spring, but was sharp against Cleveland, allowing one hit and striking out three.

He said a tip from pitching coach Darren Balsley paid off. Balsley thought Moseley was gripping his changeup too tightly.

''I made a little adjustment and had a much better change because of the lighter grip,'' the right-hander said. ''I bounced some and got some bad swings.''

Indians starter Justin Masterson struck out four and gave up one run and four hits over three innings. That was a marked improvement from his spring debut in which was tagged for six runs and walked three over 1 1-3 innings.

''I was pounding the zone, exactly on pace,'' said Masterson, already picked by Acta to start on opening day against Toronto on April 5. ''The ball was going where I wanted.''

Masterson said knowing where he stands instead of having to battle for a rotation spot makes it a little more pleasant this spring.

''I can just come in relaxed and get ready,'' he said. ''I will just continue to make minor adjustments.

''There's only 30 opening day starters and I take it with humility and pride,'' he said.

Venable had a double and two singles, driving in one run. Jesus Guzman, Yonder Alonso and John Baker each had two of San Diego's 14 hits and minor leaguer Andy Parrino hit a solo homer.

NOTES: Padres SS Jason Bartlett went 0 for 3 in his first spring game after missing time with a sore right knee. ''It was good to have J.B. out there, he looked good,'' Black said. ''He'll probably take a day off, then play Monday.'' ... Indians RHP Chris Perez, out with a strained left oblique, played catch from 105 feet. ... Cleveland has allowed a total of 42 hits and 23 runs in three straight losses. ... Choo reported for duty with a new buzz-style haircut. ''It's my Korean military look,'' Choo said.

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