SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Rockies lefty Kyle Freeland continued his push for a rotation spot by striking out five in five innings, and delivering a two-run single, in a 10-2 victory over the Indians on Wednesday afternoon at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick.
Freeland, who baffled hitters with sharp breaking pitches and challenged hitters inside with his fastball, held Cleveland to one run and four hits while lowering his spring ERA to 2.25. A Denver native who was the team's top pick in 2014, Freeland forced a Jose Ramirez double-play grounder to end the first, and coasted through an outing that could put him closer to making the Opening Day roster.
"I obviously know there's two [rotation] spots open, and I'm in competition for them, but my mentality is to come in here, do the work that I need to do, do the little things, stay focused, and not worry about decisions that are going to be made that I don't have any control over," Freeland said.
Indians starter Danny Salazar -- coming off a five-inning, nine-strikeout performance against the Rangers in an exhibition at the Alamodome in San Antonio -- gave up eight hits and seven runs in five innings. Salazar struck out five to increase his spring total to 28.
• Salazar feels 'strong' despite outing
"He had a tough inning in the second, but other than that I thought he was pretty good. To his credit, he hung in there," Indians manager Terry Francona said.

Rockies manager Bud Black said Freeland's curveball was particularly effective, and he showed presence.
"Ever since his first outing, his confidence has risen," Black said. "He's pitching with a lot of conviction with all of his pitches."
Charlie Blackmon added his third homer of the spring, a two-run shot during a five-run Rockies second inning. Trevor Story doubled twice, and Carlos Gonzalez added a double and an RBI single in his first game since returning from representing Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic. DJ LeMahieu added to the hit list when he tripled in two runs in the sixth inning.

Rockies lefty Harrison Musgrave, also in the mix for the rotation or a bullpen spot, held the Indians to one run on five hits, with two strikeouts, in three innings. It's possible Musgrave could land in the bullpen to start the year, with lefty Chris Rusin uncertain to be ready. Rusin, out with a right oblique strain, on Wednesday threw his first bullpen session since suffering the injury March 3.
Rockies utility man Alexi Amarista was hit on the upper right arm by Indians reliever Boone Logan in the sixth, but reported that he was OK.
Third baseman Yandy Diaz, the Indians' No. 10 prospect according to MLB.com, had two hits and one RBI in his push to impress Francona. And Indians relievers Zach McAllister and Nicholas Goody each pitched one scoreless inning, and Goody struck out one.

Indians Up Next:Corey Kluber gets in his second-to-last tuneup before Opening Day as the Indians host the Rockies at 4:05 p.m. ET Thursday at Goodyear Ballpark. Kluber has allowed at least two runs in each Cactus League start this spring. Left fielder Michael Brantley is scheduled to play in the second half of his first back-to-back set this spring, a key benchmark in his return from arm ailments.
Rockies Up Next: Righty Antonio Senzatela, who gave up eight hits and four runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Angels' best lineup in his last start, will try to bounce back against the Indians at Goodyear Ballpark at 2:05 p.m. MT. Righties Greg Holland and Adam Ottavino, the late-game hurlers, also are scheduled to pitch.
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