SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Michael Brantley launched his first home run of the spring, helping power a five-run first inning in the Indians' 6-5 Cactus League victory over the D-backs on Sunday at Salt River Fields.
Brantley, who is trying to be ready for Opening Day after 18 months of dealing with right shoulder and biceps issues, belted a pitch from Arizona lefty Robbie Ray to deep right field for a two-run homer. Chris Colabello later followed with a three-run blast, helping provide early support for a solid outing from starter Trevor Bauer.
"It's just the product of a good swing," Brantley said. "You go up there and try to take the most consistent swings as possible -- anything to help the team at that time. Hopefully, the swings get better as this season gets closer." More >
Bauer allowed three runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out eight and walking three. He threw 97 pitches, 61 for strikes.
Ray, who will make one more start before the regular season, settled in after the first, as he allowed just one run over the next three innings. However, Ray's day came to a premature end when he was ejected by home plate umpire Bill Miller for arguing balls and strikes after he struck out at the plate to end the fourth.
"Other than that first inning, I felt like I threw the ball pretty well," said Ray, who declined to say what he said to Miller to earn the ejection. "I've just got to get out of that first inning with less runs than that."
David Peralta led the D-backs' offense with his second homer of spring, while Daniel Descalso added an RBI double and Jeremy Hazelbaker collected two hits, including an RBI single.
Indians up next: Right-hander Danny Salazar is scheduled to start and log five innings for the Indians on Monday in a 9:10 p.m. ET game against the Cubs at Goodyear Ballpark, live on MLB.TV. Relief ace Andrew Miller is also expected to pitch, along with bullpen candidates Shawn Armstrong, Nicholas Goody and Kyle Crockett.
D-backs up next:Shelby Miller will get the start Monday against the Angels at Salt River Fields at 1:10 p.m. MST, live on MLB.TV. Miller, who has been impressive this spring after a disappointing 2016 season, was named as a member of the rotation last week.
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Jordan Bastian has covered the Indians for MLB.com since 2011, and previously covered the Blue Jays from 2006-10. Read his blog, Major League Bastian, follow him on Twitter @MLBastian and listen to his podcast.
Steve Gilbert has covered the D-backs for MLB.com since 2001. Follow him on Twitter @SteveGilbertMLB.