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CLEVELAND

 
Published March 4, 1994|Updated Oct. 6, 2005

Manager Mike Hargrove says the team will carry two utility infielders, and one of those jobs belongs to Alvaro Espinoza. Tim Jones and Mark Lewis will battle for the other spot. Lewis has been the subject of trade rumors since the Indians acquired shortstop Omar Vizquel from Seattle. Hargrove said Lewis, a former No. 1 draft choice, will get plenty of work at second and third.

DETROIT: Mike Moore will be the starter today against Cleveland and also will be the starter April 4 in Boston when the Tigers open the regular season against the Red Sox. "I think Mike is a different guy, now, than he was a year ago," manager Sparky Anderson said. "He's more comfortable. He had a great second half last season." Moore went 8-4 in the final two months for Detroit after posting a 5-5 mark through July 25.

KANSAS CITY: Phil Hiatt singled in the go-ahead run in the seventh inning and rookie shortstop Joe Randa had three singles in the Royals' 4-2 victory over the University of Central Florida at Baseball City. The Royals outhit Central Florida 10-5. Kansas City led 2-0 until UCF put together three singles and a double against Rusty Meacham to tie it 2-2 in the top of the seventh. Left-handers Chris Haney and Jeff Granger and right-hander Doug Harris each pitched two scoreless innings for Kansas City. Lefty reliever Enrique Burgos struck out two in the ninth for the save.

MINNESOTA: Rookie pitcher Keith Garagozzo gave up a three-run homer to Pittsburgh's Orlando Merced in a 7-5 loss to the Pirates. Kevin Tapani started for the Twins, allowing three hits and one run in two innings. Lenny Webster went 2-for-2 with a solo homer and Chuck Knoblauch had two hits and three RBI.

OAKLAND: Starting third baseman Craig Paquette faces a challenge from Scott Brosius. In centerfield, rookie Kerwin Moore and veteran Eric Fox are pushing free-agent addition Stan Javier for the right to succeed Dave Henderson. First baseman Mark McGwire will miss this weekend's exhibition games because of a back strain, but should be ready to play Monday.

_ TIMES WIRES

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