Giants top Rockies; A's lose to Indians

TUCSON, Ariz. " Manuel Corpas is making a strong case to be the Colorado Rockies closer.

The right-hander pitched another scoreless inning this spring, but the Rockies lost in 10 innings to the San Francisco Giants 7-3 Friday.

"He has had to face a handful of left-handers already and he has done a pretty good job of it and is keeping the ball down and away," Colorado manager Clint Hurdle said. "He needs to get the sinker sinking and the slider sliding. He seems to be in a pretty good place right now."

Corpas opened the sixth by getting a harmless grounder to first before allowing a single to Pablo Sandoval. A double play quickly finished the inning.

Corpas won the closer job at the end of camp a year ago but was replaced by Brian Fuentes, who signed in the offseason with the Angels. He has given up only two hits in four innings, while striking out two and walking none.

Corpas is competing with Huston Street, who joined the team in November in the trade with Oakland involving outfielder Matt Holliday, for the closing role.

Street, bothered by a stiff right quadriceps, has allowed five earned runs in 2 1-3 innings, giving up six hits " two homers " while walking two.

"Nobody has the edge," Hurdle said. "All of our guys just need to keep pitching."

Indians 4, Athletics 3

GOODYEAR, Ariz. " After two rough outings, Aaron Laffey was pleased with his latest effort.

The 23-year-old left-hander, vying to earn the fifth spot in Cleveland's rotation, pitched four hitless innings as Indians defeated the Oakland Athletics 4-0 on Friday.

Laffey is among five left-handers seeking the last spot in the rotation.

"I look at it as it is my spot and I'm not doing what I can to keep it," Laffey said. "Last year, I felt pressure trying to win a spot. This year, I'm just coming in and pitching."

In two previous outings, Laffey gave up 10 hits and seven runs over three innings.

Oakland's Bobby Crosby, the 2004 AL Rookie of the Year as a shortstop, played first base for the first time. The Athletics signed free agent Orlando Cabrera to play short this season.

Laffey, who was shut down in September with a tender elbow, went to the bullpen after his outing and threw 20 more pitches.

"I felt like I could've gone five or six," Laffey said. "I threw more inside pitches and more strikes. I was a little extra pumped."

A's starter Dana Eveland gave up four hits and two runs in 3 1-3 innings.