Parker homers as Giants get to Tomlin early

Parker homers as Giants get to Tomlin early

March 14th, 2017

GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- The Giants posted a five-spot in the first inning Tuesday, forcing Indians starter Josh Tomlin into a balancing act of working on his daily task and also trying to escape a lopsided frame. San Francisco picked up a 6-5 win at Goodyear Ballpark, and Tomlin walked away knowing there is plenty of work left for him to do.
"You still try to go up there and get outs," Tomlin said. "There's a point in Spring Training, and we're still at that point, where you're still working and trying to get built up. But there's also a little sense of trying to get guys out. And the quicker you get those guys out, the quicker you get to go back out there."
and each belted a two-run homer off Tomlin in the first inning, which also included doubles off the bats of , and . Belt's two-base hit off the Tribe starter plated one of the five runs scored in the opening inning. Overall, Tomlin was charged with six runs (five earned) on eight hits in three innings. He struck out two and walked none.

After his start, Tomlin finished with another round of pitches in the bullpen, bringing his total to around 70 pitches on the day. Throughout his outing, Tomlin said he was trying to focus on making quality pitches on an 0-2 count.
"Way too many 0-2 pitches over the plate," Tomlin said. "They weren't very good pitches, competitive pitches, on those counts. You have a few pitches to waste there; especially right now, you're trying to [refine] that command of getting them out of the zone, to try to get guys to chase and get weak contact."
Giants starter allowed two runs on six hits in 2 2/3 innings, in which he struck out four and walked a pair. Both runs scored against Suarez came in the second, when Richie Shaffer knocked in one with a double and later added an RBI single.

The Giants remain unsure about Suarez's role for 2017. He could fit as the fifth starter, a middle reliever or a long reliever.
"We're going to stay open-minded," San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy said.
A pair of Indians prospects sparked a two-run showing in the seventh inning. Against San Francisco pitcher , Tribe catcher doubled and later scored on a two-run double from outfielder . Zimmer and Mejia rank No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, among the Tribe's Top 30 prospects, per MLBPipeline.com.

Giants Up Next: Wednesday will be a busy day for the front end of San Francisco's starting rotation. While left-hander opposes the Los Angeles Angels in a 1:05 p.m. PT game at Scottsdale Stadium, live on MLB.TV, right-hander will pitch in an exhibition at San Francisco's Minor League complex.
Indians Up Next: Closer and setup man are both scheduled to pitch for the Indians during a 4:05 p.m. ET Cactus League contest against the Rangers on Wednesday in Surprise. Righty is slated to start and log five innings for Cleveland.
Watch every out-of-market regular-season game live on MLB.TV.