Too much sun ruins Carrasco's outing

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.: What Carlos Carrasco needed was a few more clouds.

The Arizona sun got in the way of the Indians' starter, who otherwise would not have given up four runs and four hits in five innings, as the Diamondbacks fell 5-4 at Salt River Fields today.

 Carrasco is in a battle for the fifth spot in the rotation with Scott Kazmir and appears to be losing.
 When Michael Brantley lost a ball in the sun for one hit, and Carrasco yielded a bloop hit to left, it opened the door to a three-run inning in the third.
 “”I think Carlos continues to show good stuff,’’ manager TerryFrancona said. “”I think he’s making progress. His arm is good. It’s exciting.’’
 But Carrasco has only one more start before the end of training camp, not enough to overcome Kazmir’s consistency.
 Brantley unloaded on a 3-and-0 pitch in the first inning for a three-run homer and singled in the fifth, raising his average to .429.
 “”That’s the way to swing at a 3-and-0 pitch,’’ Francona said.
 Ryan Raburn had two doubles to lift his average to .368, and Omir Santos doubled and singled.
 Francona said Jason Kipnis didn’t play because “”his elbow is a little tender. If it was the regular season, he would be playing.’’