In case you missed it the Dodgers kicked off their 2016 cactus league schedule on Thursday afternoon against the White Sox with a 6-1 victory. If you did miss it, don’t feel bad. I missed it too. Although I was able to watch the replay later. I have missed Dodger baseball more than you can imagine. Check that, I know you guys have missed it as much as I have, so yes you can imagine.
The Dodgers scored six runs on 17 hits in their first win of the exhibition season. The offense kicked off the game with three runs in the first two frames. Yasiel Puig started in right field, with Trayce Thompson in left. Joc Pederson is expected to get the start on Friday. Andre Ethier was in left field and contributed with an RBI single in the first inning against mound opponent John Danks. Alex Guerrero started at third base and homered off the left field foul pole in the second inning. Guerrero went 2 for 3 on the day with a home run and a single. Don’t get too excited yet. Let’s slow our rolls because it is only the first spring game.
White Sox 1 3 0
Dodgers 6 17 1
WP-Kershaw-1-0
LP-Danks-0-1
HR-Guerrero-1
Scott Van Slyke started at first base, with Adrian Gonzalez slated to go on Friday. Howie Kendrick batted lead-off and played second, and wonderkid Corey Seager was at short. Yasmani Grandal got the start behind the plate. Of course everyone was out of the game by the fourth inning. Normally the regulars get two at-bats per game in the early stages of the spring.
As for Clayton Kershaw, he was just fine. Kershaw pitched two innings, allowing just one hit, one walk and striking out two. He was followed by two scoreless innings and three whiffs from Joe Blanton. Carlos Frias gave up the lone Chicago run in the top of the sixth inning. Left hander Adam Liberatore and rookie Matt West finished the game with an inning each.
The Dodgers added two additional runs in the bottom of the sixth on an Austin Barnes RBI single, and a Kike Hernandez sacrifice fly.
The Dodgers continue their cactus league slate with a game against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium at 12:05 PM. Left hander Scott Kazmir is scheduled to start for the Dodgers.
Darn, it’s good to get that one out of the way…
This will be the first time I’ve been to ST so late in month… It’s all good though, because I really don’t go to see the lineup locks and instead kids getting some play prior to flying/driving out to their minor lg. assignment… This will be the case late March (26th thru 28th)…