The Los Angeles Dodgers faced the San Francisco Giants for the final time in Cactus League play on Sunday before the two teams meet on Opening Day.
Right-hander Kenta Maeda got the start for the Dodgers and he was spotted an early lead as Cody Bellinger singled with two outs in the top of the first and then scored on a double in the right-center gap by Yasiel Puig. Maeda looked sharp early as he allowed just one hit through his first two innings, striking out a pair.
The Dodgers got another two runs in the top of the third facing former Dodger Tony Watson, who signed with the Giants during the offseason. Puig singled to center off Watson and then Yasmani Grandal followed with a rare home run from the right side of the plate, driving a ball to the opposite field off his former batterymate.
Maeda gave up a home run to Steven Duggar to lead off the third inning on a hanging breaking ball. He then got his third strikeout of the day before being removed after 34 pitches. Maeda allowed two hits and a run in 2.1 innings of work.
Los Angeles added its fourth run of the game in the top of the fourth, as Chris Taylor walked to start off the inning and then scored on a double by Chase Utley. The hit was Utley’s first of the spring.
The Dodgers added to their lead in the top of the seventh as two runs scored on prospect Edwin Rios’ double. Rios then scored on a single by recently-signed catcher Rocky Gale, extending the lead to 7-1.
Veteran pitcher Mark Lowe, who is in camp with the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee, struggled for the second consecutive outing as he gave up two hits, issued a walk and allowed two runs to score in one inning of work.
Dodgers Minor Leaguers continued to swing the bats well in the top of the eighth, as Donovan Solano drove in Henry Ramos and Will Smith with a double to extend the Dodgers’ lead to 9-3, which held as the final score.
