The Los Angeles Dodgers played their first split-squad games of 2016 Spring Training on Saturday, which also coincided with the club playing under the lights for the first time this spring.
Los Angeles hosted the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch, and began a game against the Seattle Mariners at Peoria Sports Complex 35 minutes later. With Alex Guerrero, Howie Kendrick and Justin Turner still on the mend, Chase Utley started at third base against the Cubs.
The start was Utley’s sixth this spring as he’s played regularly on an every-other-day schedule. He’s spent time at second and third base, where he figures to fill in during the regular season.
After Cubs starter Trevor Cahill retired the first four batters faced, Utley helped jumpstart the Dodgers offense with a one-out triple to left-center field that landed just out of Albert Almora’s diving attempt:
Still standing on third base, Utley alertly broke for home plate to score on Cahill’s wild pitch. Austin Barnes, who drew a walk, went first to third base on the play:
Cahill continued to get in his own way, throwing a second wild pitch in the second inning that resulted in another run coming across:
With Adam Warren on the mound for a second inning of work, Barnes hit his second home run in as many games and third of the week:
After the Cubs tied the game by scoring two runs off Jamey Wright in the eighth, Brandon Hicks’ RBI single scored Charlie Culberson, despite the throw beating him to home plate:
The Dodgers entered the bottom of the ninth trailing, 5-4, but tied the game on a bases-loaded walk and won in walk-off fashion on a hit by pitch:
