The Los Angeles Dodgers continued their strong play to begin the spring on Thursday, defeating the Cleveland Indians, 6-5, in Goodyear to improve to 4-1-1 in Cactus League play.
While there is still a month until Opening Day, it is certainly positive to see so many of the team’s big-league players finding an early groove at the plate.
The Dodgers’ offense got off to a hot start against the Indians as Chris Taylor and Corey Seager began the game with back-to-back walks. After Justin Turner lined out to right field, Kiké Hernandez stepped to the plate and launched a towering three-run home run to left off Indians starter Jefry Rodriguez.
Hernandez already has two Cactus League home runs and has a .977 on-base plus slugging percentage despite the pair of long balls being his only two hits to this point. He later walking in the game and scored a run on a wild pitch.
A no-doubter from @kikehndez! pic.twitter.com/HL7dBuQy2g
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) February 27, 2020
The other big hit of the day for the Dodgers came off the bat of Luke Raley in the top of the fifth inning. His RBI single up the middle drove in Austin Barnes, who got on with a double in the gap.
Taylor also had a solid day at the plate, reaching in all three of his plate appearances on a single, walk and hit by pitch. He is hitting .400 with a 1.630 so far in Cactus League play. Health is worth monitoring for Taylor, as he missed three consecutive games due to forearm and biceps irritation.
As for matters on the mound, Tony Gonsolin got the start and tossed two scoreless innings. He allowed just one hit while striking out three as he continues to make his case for a spot in the rotation or bullpen.
Gonsolin may be hard pressed to earn the final spot in the Dodgers’ Opening Day rotation, but manager Dave Roberts said he would receive more consideration for a relief role than Dustin May.
The Indians did not score until the sixth inning as Pedro Baez, Edubray Ramos and Adam Kolarek followed Gonsolin with a scoreless inning each.
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