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In a 4-2 Indians loss in 10 innings to the Tigers yesterday, Lee was the Tribe's starter and pitched three scoreless innings on two hits, with one walk and three strikeouts.
''He got better inning by inning,'' said Tribe manager Eric Wedge.
The highlight came in the second inning, when Lee got the third out by striking out Curtis Granderson looking, on a sweeping 2-2 slider.
''He had better command of his fastball which made all of his secondary pitches more effective,'' Wedge said.
Lee, of course, is competing with Jeremy Sowers and Aaron Laffey for the one opening in the Tribe's starting rotation.
''They can't get caught up in where we are now or where we'll be at the end of camp,'' said Wedge. ''They all just need to go out and pitch.''
Lee says that's all he intends to do.
''I'm not going to get caught up in talking about this being a battle for a spot,'' he said. ''If I pitch the way I can, everything will take care of itself. Besides, it's not my decision. If it was my decision I'd be in that spot right now.''
Ooops!
It was not a good day for Andy Marte, who is attempting to win a spot on the opening day roster as a utility infielder. Marte had a terrible day defensively at third base, getting charged with two errors and one mental blunder.
In the 10th inning, with runners at first and second and no outs, Marte allowed a bunted popup to drop safely, hoping to throw to second to start a double play. It didn't work, however, because the ball was in the air too long. As it was, Marte barely had time to throw to first to get one out.
''He's already been talked to about that,'' said a terse Wedge following the game.
Off Broadway
C.C. Sabathia and Masa Kobayashi both pitched in a minor league-flavored intrasquad game yesterday morning. Sabathia's first pitch was hit over the fence by Brad Snyder, but Sabathia otherwise did what he was supposed to do.
''Four innings,'' Wedge said. ''He got his work in.''
And Kobayashi?
''He threw well,'' Wedge said. ''He was down in the zone. Used all his pitches. He had a good day.''
The hardware store
In a ceremony prior to yesterday's game, Laffey and Asdrubal Cabrera were presented with plaques honoring them as the Indians' Minor League Pitcher and Player of the Year for 2007.
Bob Feller presented Laffey the Bob Feller Award and Tribe farm director Ross Atkins presented Cabrera the Lou Boudreau Award.
Noted
Scott Elarton, trying to win a spot in the Tribe's bullpen, gave up two runs, one earned, on two hits and two walks in the 10th inning, when the Tigers scored the deciding runs in their 4-2 win over the Indians. Outside of two Grady Sizemore home runs, the Indians did virtually nothing offensively: only six other hits, although three of them were by Josh Barfield, who so far is putting together a nice spring, hitting .360 ... Closer Joe Borowski had a solid outing, pitching one scoreless inning on one hit, striking out two ... The Indians are in Kissimmee, Fla. tonight to face Atlanta at 7:05 p.m. Brian Slocum will start for the Indians. Also scheduled to pitch are Aaron Fultz, Jensen Lewis, Tom Mastny, Jorge Julio and Jeff Stevens. Buddy Carlyle will start for the Braves.
jingraham@news-herald.com
