Editorials

Spring Training Recap: Dodgers Score Early, Then Rely On Anderson

Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

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It seems as if the Los Angeles Dodgers and Arizona Diamondbacks don’t care that it’s Spring Training when the two teams face each other. Last week when the two teams met at Camelback Ranch, tempers flared, as several players were hit by pitches and a couple of Diamondbacks were ejected in a game the Dodgers won, 7-4.



After a leadoff double by Jimmy Rollins the Dodgers did well in moving their shortstop along the bases. First, Yasiel Puig hit a grounder to second base that moved Rollins to third. Adrian Gonzalez then grounded out to short that scored Rollins to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.

Diamondbacks starter Yoan Lopez issued a walk to Howie Kendrick and Carl Crawford kept the two-out rally going with an RBI triple that extended the Dodgers’ lead to 2-0. Brett Anderson was on the mound Monday after having thrown in a Minor League game March 25.

After retiring the first two batters, Anderson allowed a two-out single to Yasmany Tomas, but managed to get Aaron Hill on a force out at second base. A.J. Ellis drew a one-out walk in the second inning and was moved into scoring position by Anderson’s sacrifice bunt.

However, Ellis wouldn’t advance any further as Rollins flied out to center field to end the inning. Nick Evans singled to right with one out to put the Diamondbacks in position to rally. Anderson quickly put an end to that however, by getting Tuffy Gosewisch to hit into an inning-ending double play.

Lopez had his only perfect inning in the top of the third after retiring Puig, Gonzalez and Kendrick in order. The Diamondbacks had their best opportunity to score in the bottom of the third with Tomas at the plate and runners on first and second with two outs.

Then, in a somewhat surprising move, Arizona attempted a double steal that was thwarted by Ellis gunning down Ender Inciarte at third base and the Diamondbacks remained scoreless. Juan Uribe singled to center with one out in the top of the fourth, then advanced to second on a groundout by Joc Pederson.

CONTINUE READING: A.J. Ellis Adds To Dodgers’ Lead In Win

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