The Los Angeles Dodgers received a strong pitching performance from Michael Grove and Ryan Noda delivered a timely hit, but they ultimately settled for their third tie of Spring Training play.
Grove started Wednesday night in place of Tony Gonsolin, who is dealing with a sprained left ankle that has his status for Opening Day in question. Grove took full advantage of the opportunity by collecting two strikeouts over three scoreless innings.
The right-hander is a candidate to be part of the Dodgers’ Opening Day starting rotation should Gonsolin not recover in time from his ankle injury.
Grove’s outing was the start of a strong Dodgers pitching performance as a whole. Evan Phillips, Caleb Ferguson, Jimmy Nelson, Shelby Miller and Alex Vesia followed him with one scoreless inning each.
Just like they drew it up. 😅 pic.twitter.com/VEceC0PRCC
— SportsNet LA (@SportsNetLA) March 9, 2023
"Good night at the office for Michael Grove."
The @Dodgers' No. 24 prospect spun three scoreless frames in Cactus League action: pic.twitter.com/nBED0gxaOQ
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) March 9, 2023
Let’s go! @rwardo12 breaks the scoreless tie to give the @Dodgers the lead in the eighth! #DodgersST
pic.twitter.com/tyTMfgq2XO— Tulsa Drillers (@TulsaDrillers) March 9, 2023
Ferguson faced some trouble as a walk and base hit put runners at the corners with nobody out. Nelson’s appearance was also a step in the right direction after struggling in his 2023 Spring Training debut, which at the time was largely attributed to pitching in rain.
Ryan Ward broke the scoreless tie with a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the eighth, however Tyler Cyr surrendered what was incorrectly ruled a two-run homer in the ninth because of fan interference.
Drew Avans’ RBI triple tied the game in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Dodgers games sold out at Camelback Ranch
The Dodgers face the Oakland Athletics on the road in Mesa on Thursday before returning home for matchups with the Los Angeles Angels and Chicago Cubs. Both games at Camelback Ranch sold out, marking the first time the Dodgers have done so this spring.
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