The Cleveland Indians have now beaten the Cincinnati Reds four times in Cactus League play. Thursday the Tribe defeated Dusty Baker and the Reds 6-2. After the win Indians manager Manny Acta shared his thougts.

Click play to watch! 

Here are some things I pondered during the Indians' 7-1 win over the San Francisco Giants on Tuesday:

1. Westbrook looking better and better: Cleveland Indians ace starter Jake Westbrook continues to improve as he has now appeared three times for the Tribe, looking stronger each time. In Tuesday's win over the Giants he got the win, pitching four innings, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out one. It's pretty obvious that if Westbrook struggles this season it could end up being the long type of season that many people are already predicting. However if his sinker is on, and Westbrook can rack up some early wins, he could be the leader of a very surprising pitching staff that has to have success if the Indians want to win some baseball games this season.

2. Lincecum gets worked: On Tuesday the Giants brought their ace hurler too...only problem for them is he didn't look like a two-time National League Cy Young Award winner. Tim Lincecum's delievery was funky as usual, but his stuff surprisingly not effective as he was handed the loss, going four innings, giving up just as many runs. In the first inning Indians right fielder Shin Soo Choo took him deep to opposite field, and in the fourth inning, outfielder Trevor Crowe drove in two runs with a double. Yes, the games are meaningless, but it's always encouraging when you can knock around a 25-year old two-time Cy Young Award winner.

3. Choo was ready: Following the game, Indians right-fielder Shin Soo Choo was asked whether Lincecum's unorthodox-type delivery throws him off at all and Choo responded, "No, I've seen him pitch a lot, so I just focus on his point of release." That's when you know you've got a dedicated player on your hands. Choo has studied Lincecum, a pitcher he will probably never see this season. Now that is dedication.

4. Where is Wood?: It's an understandable question considering closer Kerry Wood has missed two scheduled throwing outings, one a game and the other a bullpen session. Right now the Indians are being extra cautious with their closer due to soreness in his back. Both Wood and manager Manny Acta have told me if it was July he could pitch, but this is just something you do not want to risk in Spring Training. He should be out there pitching again at some point this week. 

5. Asdrubal Cabrera update: Today shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera took ground-balls and ran in hopes of getting back on the field in the next few days. My prediction is "Cabby" won't be back in action until the weekend due to the strained left groin he suffered on Friday, March 12 sliding into third base. Shortstop Jason Donald has played in his absence and done well. Donald came to the Indians via the Cliff Lee trade.

6. Goodyear Ballpark STILL the nicest: I've been to a few different facilities already this Spring Training and right now, Goodyear Ballpark is still the best facility. Up in Surprise, AZ where the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers share a ballpark I've heard it compares to Goodyear Ballpark...we'll have to wait and see. Check out pictures from the places I've been already at the "photos" link at the top left of this page.

7. So far it's Talbot: The Cactus League schedule is not even halfway through and I will be the first to admit that you can't tell much from 11 games, however if a decision had to be made today on the fourth locked up spot in the starting rotation I would give it to right-hander Mitch Talbot who the Indians got in the trade with Tampa Bay for catcher Kelly Shoppach. So far he has pitched better than both Aaron Laffey and David Huff, both lefties. In his outing Monday against the Milwaukee Brewers he retired nine-straight batters in the three innings he worked. It is still early though.

8. March 25th...it's on for real: Well ok...the season does not begin until April 5 in Chicago, however after the Tribe's only off-day of Spring Training on March 24, manager Manny Acta has said he will play the guys that will most likely be in the starting lineup a majority of the season. He thinks it will help avoid a slow start like the Indians have the past two seasons and will help gel the club. I completely agree with the idea and I think it will have a huge impact on the beginning of the season.

- Nick Camino

GOODYEAR, AZ -- The Indians have acquired Milwaukee Brewers right-hander Omar Aguilar in exchange for Tribe left-hander Chuck Lofgren. The trade went down Tuesday due to Milwaukee wanting to keep Lofgren after selecting him in the Rule 5 draft back in December.

Aguilar, 25, will report to Goodyear, however will begin in minor league camp.


Aguilar comes to Cleveland after Milwaukee decided to keep Lofgren, who they selected in the Rule 5 draft in December.

In 2009 Aguilar had stints between Brevard County (A) and Huntsville (AA). He finished the season 3-1 with a 4.72 ERA and had 14 saves in 41 relief appearances. Arizona is not an unfamiliar place for Aguilar who pitched nine games for the Peoria Javelinas in the Arizona Fall League. His career minor league record is 13-9 in a total of 136 games with 40 saves.

Aguilar was originally selected by Milwaukee in the 30th round of the 2005 draft out of Merced Junior College.

Lofgren, 24, went 9-11 with a 4.15 ERA in 25 starts in 2009 between stints in Akron (AA) and Columbus (AAA). He is now property of the Brewers and can be assighned to any level.

- Nick Camino

Above is a video of Mitch Talbot following his recent start against the White Sox. Mitch is competing for one of the two final spots in the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation.

Click play to watch and listen to him following the outing!

Click play to watch!

Following the Indians' 10-5 win over the San Diego Padres Wednesday at Goodyear Ballpark ten things crossed my mind quickly about the current state of the team and other news:

1. Tribe unbeaten in Cactus League: Yes, I realize these games are meaningless. Yes, I understand Spring Training games are labeled exhibitions for a reason. However, in a season where not much is expected, it's nice to know the Indians are at least playing well. Moreover, it's not like these games are being decided in the seventh and eighth innings when the games are flooded with minor league prospects. For example, today against the Padres, the Indians led 10-1 in the fourth inning. At that time all the starters were in for both teams. So yes, while I understand the games are completely meaningless, it's nice to see the Indians string together some wins early on in camp.

2. Grand slam for Sizemore: Indians center fielder Grady Sizemore blew open a 5-1 game with a grand slam in the fourth inning making it 9-1, which proved to be the difference as the Indians won over San Diego 10-5. It was his first homerun of Spring Training.

3. Where is Branyan?: Cleveland Indians first baseman Russell Branyan did not play today even though he was scheduled to. Following the game I asked manager Manny Acta about the recently signed first baseman and he said "he's not ready yet." Ok, I realize he is rehabbing his back, that's fine. Take it slow, it's only Spring Training. But now I have two questions: 1.) When will he be ready? 2.) Why was I told he'd be playing March 10?

4. I like winning: I don't care if the games are meaningless or not, Grapefruit League or Cactus League, World Series or Spring Training...who doesn't like to win? Today was fun to watch the Indians dominate the opposition. Now I'm hoping it can carry into April.

5. He doesn't look 39: You can complain all you want about the Indians signing 13-year veteran and 39-year old Mark Grudzielanek, but he sure doesn't look 39. "Grud" as he is referred to by his teammates, continues to hit, get on base and play a stellar second base. He made a back-handed snag at second to start the game today that made starting pitcher David Huff say afterwards, "Wow!" It will be interesting in the next three weeks to see where Grudzielanek ends up fitting in with the Tribe. Starter? Utility? Part-time DH? Only time will tell. One thing is for sure, he's been looking good. And as manager Manny Acta said, "Age is just a number."

6. More confidence: Prior to today's game I had a conversation with Indians third baseman Jhonny Peralta and he told me he is completely fine with playing the hot corner. He went on to say, that last season while he was unhappy with moving there from shortstop, it was mainly because manager Eric Wedge surprised him with the move. Jhonny never knew it was going to happen. Now Peralta says he'll be fine at third base, because he familiarized himself with the position last season and now he understands where the Indians need him. He'll be a big part in the lineup too because he is one of just a few right-handers.

7. Good mix: If this team was full of veterans, I think we could all agree that there would not be much hope. And while young players are important to have on a ball club, you can't get the job done with just a bunch of kids. However the Cleveland Indians have a good mix of players. Veterans, younger players and some in the middle that happen to be in their prime like Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner. It could create a nice mixture that provides a remedy for success.

8. Tomorrow it's the White Sox: On Thursday the Indians head to Glendale, AZ to take on Central Division rival Chicago. Yes, we've said it 300,000 times, the games are meaningless, but it will be nice to see how the Indians match up with a team they will play 19 times this season and who may be favored to win the division.

9. Photo gallery tomorrow: The rumor has it that the White Sox's stadium in Glendale is nicer than Goodyear Ballpark where the Indians play their home games in Spring Training. I find it very hard to believe because this place is perfect. You can check out my photo gallery after the game tomorrow to compare yourself.

10. Met "Foul Ball Paul" today: Today I had the pleasure of meeting 24-year old Guiness Book of World Records card collector "Foul Ball Paul". Paul was with his mom and dad at the training facility and they had VIP access. Paul is a great kid who was born with a disability that does not allow him to understand or remember all information. He is very nice and currently has over 800,000 baseball cards. It was great to meet Paul and his parents and I hope to see them when they come to Progressive Field for the first time-ever this season.

- Nick Camino 

(Goodyear, AZ) - Hats off and hands over your hearts.

Members of the Cleveland Indians appear to be obeying one of new Tribe Manager Manny Acta's unbreakable rules.

Acta has told players they must come out of the dugout and stand respectfully during the National Anthem.

Acta has told players that they have a very good life in America, and that being respectful during the Anthem is the least they can do to honor those who've sacrificed to protect our nation's way of life.

In an interview with Newsradio WTAM 1100's Bill Wills Wednesday morning, Acta also discussed having former Indians great Sandy Alomar as a coach this season.

Acta also says managing a baseball team is more complicated these days, as coaches utilize stats and computers. But in the end, he says it's still the same game.

Acta is in his first season as Indians manager following two and a half seasons with the Washington Nationals.

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