In a reversal of Thursday's fortunes, the Astros retaliated against the Indians on Friday, winning their first spring game at Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee 5-4. The Astros had been down 4-2 going into the bottom of the 9th before breaking off a 3-spot against Fernando Cabrera.
Roger Clemens and former Astro Scott Elarton traded two innings of scoreless baseball to start the game. Dave Burba, who is battling for a position on the big club in 2005, gave up four runs, including two homers, in the 4th to give Cleveland a solid lead. Burba pitched a scoreless 5th.
A bases-loaded two-run double by Willy Taveras in the 7th cut the Tribe's lead in half, and Charlton Jimerson's RBI ground-rule double in the 9th started the winning rally. With two on and one out, Chris Burke, who also has something to prove this spring, drove in two runs with a double to win the game. This evens the Astros' spring record at 1-1.
Jared Gothreaux picked up the win after pitching a perfect 9th. John Franco, Russ Springer, Brad Lidge, and Brandon Duckworth each turned in a scoreless inning in relief. Burke and Craig Biggio shared time at second base, combining for a 2x5 day with 2 RBI. Jeff Bagwell made his spring debut, going 1x3 from the DH.
The Astros stay in Kissimmee on Saturday to play the ATL at 12:05pm CST. Roy Oswalt is expected to get the starting nod.
