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Ramirez has 3 hits as Indians beat Padres, 9-4

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Gary Schatz

Associated Press

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Jose Ramirez had three hits, including one of the Cleveland Indians’ four-run scoring doubles Thursday in a 9-4 win over the San Diego Padres.

Jason Kipnis, Francisco Lindor and Collin Cowgill also had RBI doubles.

“Frankie fought off some tough pitches, but hung in there,” Indians’ manager Terry Francona said.

Collin Cowgill, trying to earn a job in the Indians outfield, doubled in two runs off Tyson Ross, who allowed two runs and four hits over three innings in his second start for San Diego. He pitched two scoreless innings in his initial outing.

“It was nice to throw some changeups in the game,” Ross said. “It’s another pitch for hitters to think about. It’s unfamiliar to me.”

Jemile Weeks doubled and Christian Bethancourt tripled in a four-run seventh off T.J House, who is competing for the fifth spot in the Indians’ rotation.

Carlos Carrasco allowed one hit in three innings for the Indians, striking out four. Joba Chamberlain, in camp with a minor league contract, pitched out of a bases-loaded jam by retiring Cory Spangenberg on a flyout.

Ramirez was hit in the shoulder on a bad hop ground ball by Matt Kemp in the sixth inning. He was checked by trainers and stayed in the game.

“Ramirez is a tough kid,” Francona said. “We stretched some guys out today. We need to build their innings

PIT CREW

Indians first base coach Sandy Alomar Jr. invited the pit crew for NASCAR driver Carl Edwards to the game.

SPEAKER

The Padres have a public speaker talk to the team on a weekly basis. First year manager Andy Green and Ross initiated the event this season. Jocko Willink, the author of “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALS Lead and Win,” is to speak to the team next. “I read his book,” Ross said. “It’s a team building program. We can all get to know each other and learn something. Our situation as baseball players is not as dire as theirs.”

STARTING TIME

Padres: Tyson Ross, who will make his first opening-day start against the Dodgers on April 4, went to the bullpen after his outing to get extra work.

“I got up and down four times,’ Ross said. “I’m working on getting my delivery in sync. We decided that I work on it in the bullpen after I left the game.”

Indians: Carlos Carrasco is working to change his arm angle to keep from tipping his pitches.

“Last year when I threw the fastball my arm was up. When I threw the breaking ball it was down,” Carrasco said. “The hitters can tell what you’re throwing. My arm was in the same spot today.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Padres: RHP Fernando Rodney and Kevin Quackenbush pitched batting practice on Tuesday. They are expected to pitch in a game on Friday. Both have tight hamstrings.

Indians: Michael Brantley is taking batting practice and is to field on Friday.

UP NEXT

Padres: RHP James Shields is scheduled to start against the Chicago White Sox on Friday.

Indians: RHP Cody Anderson is slated to start for Cleveland.

Gary Schatz

Associated Press