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Recap: Indians , Astros
 •  BT Movements
Game: 0
Venue:
Date: April 04, 2009 2:05 PM EDT
  

HOUSTON (AP) -Lance Berkman is healthy and ready for the regular season.

Berkman hit a go-ahead RBI double in the sixth inning for the Houston Astros but the Cleveland Indians scored three runs in the ninth for a 4-3 win Saturday in the final exhibition game for both teams.

Berkman's health had been a concern after he missed almost a week with tendinitis in his left biceps. But he has looked good in the three games since his return.

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``He's good,' manager Cecil Cooper said. ``Actually I think he's swinging the bat as good as he's swung it all spring.'

Houston limited his work by using him as the designated hitter on Saturday after he played five innings in the field the day before.

Cleveland's Trevor Crowe had a two-run single in the ninth inning.

Indians starter Carl Pavano allowed four hits and one run in five innings. The right-hander, who agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Cleveland in January, is hoping for a big season after being hampered by injuries during four difficult years with the New York Yankees.

``I think the results show I am on the right track,' he said. ``My mechanics are putting me in the right position and my mindset is there.'

He struck out four and walked none against Houston.

``He was very efficient,' Indians manager Eric Wedge said. ``His fastball was working and his secondary stuff looked good. All around it was a very good day for him. It's been a very solid progression for him all through camp.'

Astros starter Mike Hampton gave up six hits and one run in four innings. The lefty struck out three and walked one.

``I got everything accomplished that I needed to get accomplished and I'm just looking forward to pitching Friday,' Hampton said. ``I was very comfortable out there today.'

Russ Ortiz pitched two scoreless innings for the Astros and was told after the game that he made the team. Ortiz, a one-time All-Star who missed all of last season with an arm injury, will be Houston's fifth starter.

``I had it set in my mind that as long as I'm healthy, I had a good chance of making the team and these guys gave me a tremendous opportunity to do that,' he said. ``I just had to make sure I was prepared every day and tried to take advantage of the opportunity.'

He'll pitch out of the bullpen until his first start April 16.

``This is a guy that's been successful before and I think Russ will be a big, big plus for us,' Cooper said. ``He's going to be a big part of what we're doing with our rotation this year.'

Notes: Along with Ortiz, the Astros also purchased the contract of INF Jason Smith from Triple-A Round Rock. Houston optioned RHP Jose Capellan, OF Reggie Abercrombie, 3B Chris Johnson and C Lou Santangelo to its top farm club. ... Cleveland RHP Fausto Carmona will serve the last game of his five-game suspension stemming from a brawl against Detroit last year on opening day but will be allowed to participate in pregame ceremonies. He must be out of uniform and away from the team when the game begins. He is scheduled to start the second game of the season on Wednesday.

AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service

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The Associated Press
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