Kazmir lifts Tampa Bay by Reds, 3-1

Published 11:33 pm Saturday, March 14, 2009

SARASOTA, Fla. (AP) — Scott Kazmir put together another solid spring outing Saturday, building off his nice first start.

Kazmir pitched four sharp innings to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The All-Star left-hander allowed one run and five hits, struck out three and walked none.

‘‘Kaz had command of his breaking ball,’’ Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said. ‘‘When he does that it makes his other pitches that much better.’’

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Kazmir, who was 12-8 with a 3.49 ERA last season, gave up one run and three hits over two innings in his Grapefruit League debut on Monday against the Minnesota Twins.

Bronson Arroyo went 4 2-3 innings in the longest outing by a Reds pitcher this spring. He allowed three runs and four hits.

Carlos Pena and Pat Burrell hit back-to-back RBI doubles off Arroyo in the first inning and Willy Aybar hit his first homer of the spring in the fourth.