The Los Angeles Dodgers concluded their last full week in Arizona with a matchup against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch. Rich Hill struggled some in his return to a Cactus League game, and the Dodgers found themselves in an early deficit.
In some part due to Hill issuing three walks through two innings, the A’s jumped out to a 4-0 lead on their former teammate. The veteran left-hander was tagged for a three-run homer in the first inning, but managed to minimize the damage in the second after allowing three straight base hits.
Hill keeping the Dodgers in the game paid off, as their bats soon woke up. They scored one run in the second and third innings, and exploded for five runs in the fourth. Their scoring binge came courtesy of the long ball, with Andrew Toles and Justin Turner hitting back-to-back home runs.
Toles’ was a grand slam off Jesse Hahn, giving the Dodgers their first lead of the game. Turner’s solo homer knocked the A’s right-hander out of the game.
Through 15 spring games, Toles is batting .348/.348/.522 with three doubles, one triple, one home run and eight RBI. He may be the favorite to start in left field come the regular season, in the wake of Andre Ethier’s injury, though Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated the competition remains open.
