Spring Training Review: New Players Make Their Case in Week 2

The Dodgers wrapped up the second week of Spring Training with a 3-2-1 record to move their overall pre-season record to 7-6-3.  The Dodgers were also involved in two other games that got cancelled due to inclement weather.  With several players missing this week due to injury and the World Baseball Classic, several more player got looks and tried to prove their case for a roster spot.  The week was highlighted by a split-squad victory over Team Mexico and an insane 11-11 slugfest against the Texas Rangers.

Padres 7, Dodgers 3; Tuesday, March 5

It was another lackluster outing for Clayton Kershaw, who gave up seven hits and four runs in three innings of work on Tuesday.  In three spring starts so far, Kershaw has given up nine runs in only eight innings pitched in three starts.  Non-roster invitee Kevin Gregg pitched two scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ loss.  The Dodgers did steal three bases in the game including potential final cut makers Alfred Amezaga and Jeremy Moore.

Indians 4, Dodgers 0; Wednesday, March 6

Although the Dodgers’ bats were completely shut down by Justin Masterson, Hyun-Jin Ryu did pitch three solid innings giving up two runs and striking out five.  Juan Abreu continued to impress this spring with another 1-2/3 scoreless innings.  A.J. Ellis was the only Dodgers’ regular to play in this game.  Jason Giambi drove in two runs in his quest for a roster spot with Cleveland this season.

Dodgers 10, Mexico 2; Wednesday, March 6

Andre Ethier had a two-run blast, Dee Gordon stole two bases, and the Dodgers pounced on a Mexico team that sent out minor league pitchers in a tune-up for the World Baseball Classic.  Stephen Fife filled in for Zack Greinke who was sidelined with a sore forearm.  The Dodgers bullpen continued its dominance with shutout innings from Brandon League, Kenley Jansen, and J.P. Howell.

Dodgers 11, Rangers 11 (F/9); Thursday, March 7

Despite the score of this game, the biggest development was the 3-1/3 solid innings pitched by Chad Billingsley who gave up two runs, struck out three, and retired nine straight batters at one point.  This was Billingsley’s best outing of the spring since a partially torn elbow ligament prematurely ended his 2012 season.  Dee Gordon, Yasiel Puig, and Brian Barden each had multi-hit games, and outfielder Matt Angle hit the game-tying three-run home run in the ninth inning off of former Dodger Josh Lindblom.

Dodgers 3, Mariners 2; Saturday, March 9

Aaron Harang had a rocky start for the Dodgers giving up two runs in three innings, but he got bailed out by a go-ahead home run from Alex Castellanos in the seventh inning.  Castellanos leads the Dodgers with three Spring Training home runs.  The Dodgers will need production from the backup outfielders as it appears more and more likely that Carl Crawford will start the season on the DL, and Matt Kemp is 0-11 so far in Spring Training.

Dodgers 6, Rockies 1; Sunday, March 10

All is well in the Dodgers’ universe following a pre-season romp over the still lowly Colorado Rockies.  Matt Kemp finally broke out with two hits including an RBI single, Clayton Kershaw pitched five innings allowing only one run on two hits, the deepest start by a Dodger pitcher in Spring Training.  Juan Uribe, yes, that Juan Uribe, even added a three-run home run, his first since the Triassic Period, in a six-run Dodgers’ fifth inning.

Alex Castellanos, Jeremy Moore, and Elian Herrera are all making an interesting case for backup outfield spots.  Juan Abreu, Josh Wall, and Kevin Gregg are all having a fine spring for the Dodgers’ so far.  The Dodgers will match up with Cubs, the Reds, and the Padres this week.  The split-squad game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday will be broadcast on KCAL 9.