With the Los Angeles Dodgers in their final week of Cactus League play, matchups are marking a second time meeting this spring with opponents, and on Sunday that applies to the San Francisco Giants. The teams previously played to a tie at Scottsdale Stadium on March 2.
Sunday’s game initially was slated to be played at night, but a lighting issue at Camelback Ranch required the Dodgers to move first pitch up to 1:05 p.m. PT.
Tony Gonsolin takes the mound for his first start of Spring Training and fourth overall appearance. Gonsolin has strung together six scoreless innings thus far, to go along with seven strikeouts and only one hit allowed.
Gonsolin was particularly impressive his last time pitching, as he struck out five over three perfect innings out of the bullpen against the Seattle Mariners on March 11.
Corey Knebel, Dennis Santana, Victor González, Garrett Cleavinger and James Pazos are also scheduled to pitch Sunday.
The Giants are starting Scott Kazmir, who is attempting a comeback after signing a Minor League contract with the team. Kazmir has pitched two innings over a pair of relief appearances in Spring Training.
His first was a scoreless effort, but Kazmir then allowed two runs on four hits to the Texas Rangers five days ago. He last appeared in an MLB game for the Dodgers on Sept. 23, 2016. Kazmir missed all of 2017 due to a hip injury and a comeback bid with the Atlanta Braves the following year didn’t gain traction.
Kazmir faces a Dodgers lineup that includes Keibert Ruiz making his first start of the spring. He is back in a Cactus League game after last entering off the bench one week ago. Ruiz was a late arrival to camp due to visa issues and thus har only made two appearances off the bench.
Cody Bellinger is making back-to-back starts for the first time this year as he continues to work his way back from offseason shoulder surgery. Bellinger’s swings haven’t appeared to be inhibited by the operation, but results have not yet followed.
With Gonsolin starting against the Giants and Trevor Bauer pitching Monday, the Dodgers moved Clayton Kershaw to a “B” game. The goal is to ensure he stretches out to five innings, and Kershaw’s next start is expected to be back in a Cactus League game.
Dodgers lineup
RF: Mookie Betts
SS: Corey Seager
LF: AJ Pollock
CF: Cody Bellinger
1B: Max Muncy
3B: Sheldon Neuse
2B: Gavin Lux
C: Keibert Ruiz
P: Tony Gonsolin
Giants lineup
1B: Tommy La Stella
RF: Mike Yastrzemski
3B: Wilmer Flores
C: Buster Posey
DH: Evan Longoria
SS: Brandon Crawford
LF: Austin Slater
CF: Mauricio Dubón
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