Sabathia struck out three and barely broke a sweat. On a 50-pitch count in his second start this spring, the Cleveland ace threw 22 more pitches down the right-field line.
A couple of projected starting pitchers for the Astros didn't fare too well.
Woody Williams allowed five runs and six hits in 2 2/3 innings and Brandon Backe gave up four runs and seven hits in three innings.
Notes: Indians manager Eric Wedge is still toying with some ideas to shuffle his batting order this season. About the only certainties are Sizemore hitting leadoff, Travis Hafner batting third and Victor Martinez in the cleanup spot. ... Beau Mills, Cleveland's first-round pick last season, hit a two-run homer. Brad Snyder also homered. ... J.R. Towles, expected to be Houston's top catcher this year, stole second base in the fifth inning and then scored on a passed ball. He is 7-for-12 this spring. ... Houston 3B Ty Wigginton was held out of the lineup with a sore quadriceps. He'll likely return on Saturday.
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