The Los Angeles Dodgers went without a hit through the first four innings but once it was all said and done they finished with a 9-2 win over the Cleveland Indians in a rain-shortened game. The afternoon matchup at Goodyear Ballpark was scheduled to go eight innings but it was called after the top of the seventh.
By then L.A. had pulled away behind a rally produced by their Minor League players. Before reaching that point, their scoring started with Max Muncy’s leadoff home run in the fifth inning.
The homer was Muncy’s first of the spring and just his second overall hit in Cactus League play. It wound up sparking the Dodgers as Chris Taylor followed with a single and Austin Barnes doubled.
Zach McKinstry tied the game two batters later on a comebacker that went for an RBI infield single. The Dodgers then took the lead in the sixth when singles by Corey Seager and Justin Turner set the table for Taylor’s go-ahead base hit.
That @maxmuncy9 dad strength hits different. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/SWV853ENVJ
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Austin Barnes capped off the big inning with a three-run home run to left field. Then in the seventh, Zach Reks provided insurance with an RBI single and Keibert Ruiz delivered a two-run double in his first at-bat of the spring.
Ruiz was delayed in reporting to Camelback Ranch due to visa issues that required him to travel to the Dominican Republic in order to enter the United States. Ruiz is expected to appear off the bench again Sunday.
Betts just fine
The Dodgers lineup originally put out featured Mookie Betts starting in right field and batting leadoff. However, the team provided an update shortly after that did not include Betts.
“Nothing up with Mookie,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts explained. “We talked later in the morning and just felt it would be best for him to stay at the facility to work on some things. He’ll be back in there on Sunday.”
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