After their first off-day of the spring, the Los Angeles Dodgers returned to the field Wednesday night and hosted the San Francisco Giants at Camelback Ranch. In what was a battle of two veteran starters in Clayton Kershaw and Johnny Cueto, the Dodgers got the best of their rivals and cruised to a 4-0 victory.
Kershaw looked sharp in just his second outing of the spring, tossing three shutout innings while allowing just two singles. He struck out four and walked none, giving him eight punchouts in just 4.2 innings in Cactus League play.
The Dodgers did not waste any time getting on the scoreboard against a familiar face in Cueto as AJ Pollock hit a two-run double with two outs in the first.
Justin Turner scored one of those runs after being hit by a pitch in the hand. It was a scary moment considering Turner also got hit on that same wrist in the spring of 2018, causing him to miss the first month and a half of the season due to a fracture. Luckily, he avoided serious injury this time though and was able to stay in the game.
Kershaw hit a batter in the top of the second, which caused Giants third base coach Ron Wotus to exchange some words with him after the inning ended, thinking it may have been in retaliation for Turner getting hit. Kershaw yelled some words back, although nothing came of it as the home-plate umpire escorted him to the dugout.
Turner was able to get his own revenge in the bottom of the third when he launched a two-run home run off Cueto, his first of the spring. The veteran was then removed from the game to undergo X-rays, which came back negative.
The Dodgers’ Major League bullpen was solid in relief of Kershaw as Pedro Baez, Joe Kelly and Scott Alexander all tossed scoreless innings of relief. The trio combined to strike out six while allowing just two hits in their three innings.
Dodgers prospect DJ Peters flashed his athleticism with a trio of impressive catches late in the game, including two in the eighth inning to help Edubray Ramos complete a perfect frame.
Brusdar Graterol, who was acquired from the Minnesota Twins in the Kenta Maeda trade, then pitched a scoreless ninth, striking out two while allowing just one single to close it out.
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, exclusive coverage from events and more!
