The Los Angeles Dodgers put on a power display to defat the Kansas City Royals at Surprise Stadium for only their second win of 2022 Spring Training.
Justin Turner began the home run barrage with a three-run shot in the first inning off Royals starter Brady Singer. Turner told Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA he has been seeing the ball well thus far but made a recent adjustment with his hand placement to better handle pitches.
While Turner’s home run provided the Dodgers with an early lead, that remained their only hit until his leadoff single in the sixth inning.
Two batters later Kevin Pillar hit his first home run since signing a Minor League contract with the Dodgers. Pillar’s blast gave L.A. a 5-3 lead.
Straightaway center for JT! pic.twitter.com/zgKlQMUgW5
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 27, 2022
Welcome to the #Dodgers, @KPILLAR4! 💪 pic.twitter.com/kqT5CayAYX
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 27, 2022
Tomas Telis then broke the game open in the eighth inning with a line drive to right field that had enough carry to clear the wall for a three-run home run. Jake Lamb punctuated the night with a solo blast in the ninth inning.
Lamb is now batting .444 during Spring Training as he looks to earn a bench spot on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster. Because Lamb was signed to a Minor League contract, the Dodgers would also have to make a move to add Lamb to their 40-man roster.
Dodgers prospect report
Andre Jackson gave up a leadoff triple to Whit Merrifield in the bottom of the first inning and saw him score on a wild pitch, but then proceeded to retire the next three batters faced. Jackson then stranded a pair of singles in the second inning but couldn’t make it through the third.
Alex Vesia surrendered a game-tying, two-run double in the third inning, which led to Jackson being charged for four runs on the night.
Jackson figures to begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City but serve as rotation depth throughout the year.
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