The Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Cleveland Indians on Thursday for the second and final time of 2016 Spring Training. Los Angeles dropped the first meeting and entered the matchup losers in their last seven games.
In what’s become a tradition of sorts, the Dodgers had another scratch prior to first pitch as Howie Kendrick was removed from the lineup due to left calf tightness that’s rendered him day-to-day. Kendrick previously missed time in early March with groin soreness.
Meanwhile, Clayton Kershaw took the mound for his fifth start of the spring and looking to build on an outing he was pleased with. The Dodgers’ ace labored through much of the night however, needing to work out of multiple jams.
Kershaw wound up tossing five innings for a third consecutive start, allowing two runs on seven hits.
Although he battled some command issues throughout the game, evident by three walks issued, the three-time Cy Young Award winner buckled down when necessary and finished his night’s work with seven strikeouts:
Kershaw has 21 strikeouts to six walks in 20 innings pitched this spring. Kenley Jansen entered in the seventh inning with the Dodgers trailing, 5-2, and proceeded to strikeout the side:
It was the second time this year Jansen has struck out the side during a relief appearance. After mounting a comeback to pull within a run, the Dodgers tied the score on a squeeze play with A.J. Ellis at the plate:
The tie was the Dodgers’ third of the spring. Last year, they set a franchise record with eight ties during Spring Training.
