Having already made their respective debuts with the Los Angeles Dodgers in early March, next on the list for Scott Kazmir and Kenta Maeda was pitching in Dodger Stadium. They were presented with the opportunity as the Dodgers returned to Los Angeles to play the Freeway Series after completing their Cactus League schedule.
Kazmir, who’s made one career start at Dodger Stadium — in 2010 with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — faced his former club a second time this spring as he was on the hill Thursday night in the series opener.
The southpaw tossed 4.2 innings, allowing just one run (unearned) and collecting four strikeouts. He was pleased with the outing and believed it was the next step in a Spring Training process he goes throughs each year in preparation for the regular season.
That Kazmir’s final tuneup came at Dodger Stadium was something he enjoyed. “I liked having this last outing being at Dodger Stadium,” Kazmir said. “So I really get comfortable with my surroundings, the mound and pretty much everything. This was great to be able to get out there.
“It’s something that I was glad to be able to experience at the beginning of the year, in an exhibition game, just to get comfortable and enjoy it.” Kazmir also compared Chavez Ravine to “old Yankee Stadium,” referencing its history and electric atmosphere.
One night later, it was Maeda’s turn to start at Dodger Stadium, with it also being his first outing in a Major League ballpark. The Japanese native tossed his scheduled four innings, allowing two runs and finishing with two strikeouts while suffering the loss.
“It was something I was definitely looking forward to,” Maeda said through an interpreter. “[Pitching at Dodger Stadium] is something I’m planning on doing a lot more.” Kazmir and Maeda will make their regular season debuts at against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively.
