Reds And Indians Kick Off The Cactus League With Tie

Tanner Roark had an easy 11-pitch first inning and Matt Kemp blasted a two-run home run in the Reds Cactus League opener that ended in a 3-3 tie.

Writers joked with rookie manager David Bell about remaining undefeated.  One of the cooler moments was young Bell exchanging lineup cards with veteran manager Terry Francona.

"I've known him for a long time," Bell said.

Francona and Bell's father Buddy were teammates on the Reds in 1987.  They became close friends.

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"Seeing him out there will make me feel old," Francona said before the game.

Roark moved up a day when Sonny Gray was scratched with stiffness in his right elbow.  Roark only worked one inning but it was a pretty productive one.

"The less pitches the better absolutely every time," Roark said.  "I want to get our hitters in there as fast as possible.  When we get deeper in the game, whenever we score, I want to get that shutdown inning.  It gives me strength and more incentive."

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"He made it look easy," Bell said. "He looked very comfortable, throwing strikes and getting ahead."

The Indians scored two runs off Brandon Finnegan.  Tyler Naquin homered in the second inning off the Reds' left-hander. Ryan Flaherty doubled to score Roberto Perez from first base.

Matt Kemp followed a single by Tucker Barnhart with a long home run off Asher Wojciechowski. Kyle Farmer drove in Jose Siri with a long fly to center off the former Reds' pitcher.

The Indians tied the game in the sixth off Ian Krol. Eric Haase hit a sacrifice fly to score Daniel Johnson.

Aristedes Aquino put a scare into the Tribe with a long fly ball to the left field corner off Josh Smith in the ninth.  Mike Papi caught the ball deep in the corner to preserve the tie.

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