Editorials

Spring Training Recap: McCarthy Hit Hard Early, Dodgers Never Recover

Camelback Ranch

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Meeting one week after last playing in Mesa, Ariz., the Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch Wednesday afternoon.

Brandon McCarhty opened the game with a strikeout, then gave up a one-out triple to Arismendy Alcantara, who scored on Anthony Rizzo’s groundout to first base and the Cubs quickly took a 1-0 lead. Jimmy Rollins hit a leadoff double in the bottom of the first against Jake Arrieta, however the Dodgers were unable to cash in.

McCarthy ran into more trouble in the second inning as David Ross hit a leadoff double, which was followed by an Addison Russell base hit that put runners on the corners with no outs. Albert Almora lined a shot into right-center field that Joc Pederson was unable to make a diving stop on and it resulted in a two-run double, extending the Cubs’ lead to 3-0.

After recording the first out of the inning on a failed bunt attempt, McCarthy gave up a two-run home run to Chris Coghlan; the home run meant the Cubs collectively hit for the cycle less than two innings into the game. The Dodgers managed to get on the board in the second inning behind a Howie Kendrick leadoff single and Andre Ethier RBI double.

Arrieta’s trouble continued as he threw a wild pitch that allowed Ethier to take third and walked Juan Uribe. Two pitches after putting Uribe on base, Pederson hit an opposite field three-run home run to get the Dodgers within a run at 5-4 before Arrieta could get out of the inning.

McCarthy tossed a scoreless inning in the third, but gave up a run in the fourth, which was his final inning of work. McCarthy exited having gone four innings while allowing six earned runs on eight hits and the Dodgers trailing, 6-4.

Pederson delivered for the Dodgers once more in the bottom of the fourth with a chopper that bounced over Rizzo’s head for a double that left two runners in scoring position with no outs. Arrieta managed to get consecutive strikeouts, but the ball got away from Ross on the second strikeout and Uribe scored on Ross’ throw to first base.

CONTINUE READING: Joc Pederson Threatens To Hit For The Cycle

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Staff Writer

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