The Los Angeles Dodgers hosted the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday afternoon in their final Cactus League game of the year. The Dodgers were bound for Los Angeles following the game as they begin an exhibition Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim on Thursday.
Wednesday was a battle of 2014 Cy Young award winners, with Clayton Kershaw making his final spring start before Opening Day on Monday against the San Diego Padres. He was opposed by Indians ace Corey Kluber, was made his sixth and final start of Spring Training.
Kershaw gave up a two-out single to Carlos Santana in the top of the first, but followed it by striking out Mike Napoli to end the inning. Kluber also threw a scoreless first inning, only giving up an infield single to Trayce Thompson, who was later caught stealing on a strike ’em out, throw ’em out.
Other than walking former Dodgers third baseman Juan Uribe, Kershaw threw a clean second frame, striking out two batters in the process. Then in the bottom of the second, three consecutive two-out base hits by A.J. Ellis, Rob Segedin and Charlie Culberson gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
The small rally came on an end on Culberson’s RBI single as Segedin was thrown out attempting to go first to third base. The third inning was once again a scoreless one for Kershaw in what was his final trip the mound this spring.
He issued one walk and a gave up an infield single, but picked off Jason Kipnis at first and got Santana to pop up to end the inning. Kershaw finished with four strikeouts over three scoreless innings.
CONTINUE READING: Trayce Thompson hits solo home run, Dodgers’ rally in ninth comes up short
