The Los Angeles Dodgers avoided being swept by the Cincinnati Reds in Cactus League play by slugging their way to an 8-1 win at Goodyear Ballpark.
Reds starter Graham Ashcraft was dominant early as he had five strikeouts through two innings. However, Ashcraft then gave up a first-pitch home run to Jonny DeLuca in the third.
Then with one out and the bases loaded, Ashcraft was forced to come out of the game because of an apparent left leg injury. Randy Wynne prevented any of the inherited runs from scoring to close the book on Ashcraft at just the solo homer and four overall hits allowed.
The Dodgers broke the game open with a five-run fifth inning that featured big swings from James Outman, Michael Busch and Ryan Ward.
Outman started the scoring with a two-run double to center field, which Busch followed by lifting a home run to right. Ward capped off the big inning with a solo homer. The long balls were the first of the spring for both Busch and Ward.
The Dodgers added onto their lead in the seventh with an RBI single from David Freitas and a Jorbit Vivas RBI double.
The run support was more than enough for the L.A. pitching staff.
Dustin May allowed just two hits and walked one batter over four scoreless innings. The right-hander collected seven strikeouts and told Kirsten Watson on SportsNet LA that he feels strong physically and was encouraged by his continued Spring Training progression.
Sunday’s game was May’s third this spring and second start. Two of those have been scoreless efforts, with May allowing just one run in his 2023 Cactus League debut.
Phil Bickford and Victor González each threw a scoreless inning out of the bullpen, and Wander Suero allowed a solo homer to Austin Romine in the seventh.
Adam Kolarek kept the Reds off the board in the eighth inning, and Jack Dreyer finished out the game.
Will James Outman make Dodgers Opening Day roster?
Although Outman continues to perform well this spring, manager Dave Roberts mentioned other factors could prevent him from being included on the Dodgers Opening Day roster.
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