A home run in the second inning put the Los Angeles Dodgers behind for a second time in as many nights, but they again mounted a come back, this time at the expense of the L.A. Angels in a 6-4 win. The victory closed the Dodgers’ record in exhibition play this year at 3-0.
Tuesday’s come-from-behind win wasn’t produced with quite the same offensive outburst seen against the Arizona Diamondbacks, though there were more encouraging signs from the lineup.
Corey Seager’s leadoff single and Chris Taylor’s walk gave the Dodgers two runners with nobody out in the bottom of the second. Joc Pederson hit into a force out, then Kiké Hernandez drilled a two-run double to left-center field, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 lead.
Taylor provided what wound up being the difference with a three-run home run in the third inning. It marked Taylor’s second consecutive game with a homer. Zach McKinstry’s solo home run
in the eighth provided the Dodgers some breathing room.
With Gavin Lux getting optioned, Hernandez and Taylor figure to receive the bulk of starts at second base. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated Max Muncy will see some time at the position as well; specifically when Cody Bellinger is moved to first base.
Roberts additionally said McKinstry is “right there” in terms of being a Major League player. The 25-year-old impressed last season, then during Spring Training earlier this year and again throughout Summer Camp.
On the pitching front, Tommy La Stella’s home run was among the three hits Josiah Gray allowed. There were more flashes of promise from one of the Dodgers’ pitching prospects despite only going 3.2 innings.
Caleb Ferguson finished the fourth inning, and Dennis Santa only allowed one baserunner via walk through the sixth. A.J. Ramos ran into some trouble in the eighth but responded to single and hit by pitch by striking out then next three batters faced.
Dodgers debut goes awry
Signed to a one-year contract on Tuesday, Jake McGee was immediately thrust into duty. His debut with the team left plenty to be desired, however, as McGee surrendered back-to-back home runs to Albert Pujols and Brian Goodwin in the seventh inning. McGee also allowed a double before being removed at 19 pitches.
“I just think his pitch mix fits in with our club,” Roberts said of McGee prior to the game. “There’s some things we’ve identified with Jake, a lot of upside, but again this guy has done it year in and year out.”
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