Despite ending in a 5-5 tie, the Los Angeles Dodgers lineup was both consistent and powered by expected and unlikely candidates in their Spring Training matchup on Thursday with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Responsible for putting L.A.’s first three runs on the scoreboard, Freddie Freeman continued his strong early spring performance by collecting RBI hits in the first and second innings.
With both hits coming off of Diamondbacks pitching prospect Ryne Nelson, Freeman’s home run to right-center field gave him two in Cactus League play this year.
As Nelson continued to struggle in the second inning, Freeman stepped into the batter’s box with two on and promptly ripped an RBI double on the first pitch he saw into right field. Freeman now has five RBI on the spring.
FREDDIE 2-RUN HR 💣 pic.twitter.com/aIwfVTqUG1
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 2, 2023
Freddie's feeling it today! #Dodgers up 3-0! pic.twitter.com/i5wO119LaI
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 2, 2023
Yonny's double brings Avans home #DodgersST pic.twitter.com/BnFl2EbOcM
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 2, 2023
Yonny Hernández seemingly picked up where the 2020 National League MVP left off as he would drive in an RBI of his own with a two-out double to the opposite field to plate Drew Avans.
Although the sample size is small, Hernández, who was acquired by Los Angeles via a trade with the Oakland Athletics in December, is now 4-for-10 at the plate with two RBI and a 1.000 on-base plus slugging percentage as he continues his push to make the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster.
Keeping Arizona limited to just one run through the first six innings thanks to solid performances from Michael Grove, Matt Andriese, Evan Phillips and Alex Vesia, the Diamondbacks were able to plate four runs in the seventh after loading the bases against Phil Bickford and promptly driving them in on RBI hits from Alek Thomas and Emmanuel Rivera off of 2017 13th-round pick Marshall Kasowski.
Yonny Hernández seeking Dodgers Opening Day roster spot
Despite only totaling 33 hits in 167 Major League at-bats so far in his career, Hernández has an opportunity this spring to earn his way onto the Opening Day roster for Los Angeles.
Although many would consider his chances to be slim, Hernández’s early spring performance and ability to play various positions could at least make him part of the discussion for the regular season.
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