LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLA. - C.C. Sabathia looked like he was ready to start the season Thursday.
He threw 91 pitches in holding the Atlanta Braves to four hits and one run in six innings, striking out six and walking three.
More than that, from Sabathia's perspective, he got a hit. Playing in a National League team's ballpark, Sabathia got to show off his skill with the bat.
In his first trip to the plate, in the third inning, Sabathia lashed a single to right. That gave Indians pitchers two hits in two at-bats for the spring; Cliff Lee hit safely against the Cincinnati Reds earlier in the week.
``That's all we were talking about,'' said Sabathia of his hit. ``I'm glad I tied Cliff. I don't want to hear that from him all spring.''
Sabathia was kidding, and he almost held up his end of the bargain again in his second at-bat. He hit a hard ground ball off the pitcher that was gloved by the second baseman, who threw out Sabathia.
More important, Sabathia was in control of his delivery and moved the ball around like a pitcher who is less than two weeks away from his first start.
Indians manager Eric Wedge said he is not trying to raise pitch counts earlier than usual, though that's the way it seems.
``We're right on track with that,'' he said, but added that it's more important for Sabathia to be prepared because, ``He's first out of the gate.''
Sabathia will start the season opener in Chicago April 2.