Coming off a loss to the Kansas City Royals at Camelback Ranch, the Los Angeles Dodgers make their second and final visit of the spring to Salt River Fields. However, whereas the Dodgers faced the Colorado Rockies in their first visit, Friday’s meeting pits them against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
With the Dodgers still searching for the final piece to the puzzle in their starting rotation, Brandon Beachy takes the mound for his third Cactus League start. In his last outing against the Chicago Cubs, the 29 year old threw three scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and issuing one walk.
In his two prior appearances, Beachy did not allow a run, but did battle some inconsistency. In total, the right-hander has allowed three hits and walked three over five scoreless innings. Having undergone two Tommy John surgeries, Beachy said recently he’s no longer worried his right elbow.
Last season, Beachy was 1-1 with a 3.64 ERA and 1.29 WHIP in 10 games (nine starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City. In two starts with the Dodgers last season, he allowed seven runs on 10 hits, with six walks and five strikeouts in eight innings.
Starting for the Diamondbacks is Zack Godley. In his first Spring Training with the organization, the 25 year old has shown mixed results. Godley allowed three runs on four hits in just two innings of work during his first outing.
In three innings pitched during his second start, Godley allowed three hits and one earned run, but an error allowed two more unearned runs to score.
Godley has allowed a home run in each of his first two starts, but has struck out six batters in just five innings pitched.
Yasmani Grandal returns to the lineup and behind the plate after battling a right arm issue throughout camp. Andre Ethier starts in left field and continues his new experiment as the leadoff hitter.
With Adrian Gonzalez representing Mexico at the World Baseball Classic qualifier, Chase Utley gets the start at first base.
Dodgers Lineup:
LF: Andre Ethier
2B: Howie Kendrick
3B: Justin Turner
1B: Chase Utley
RF: Yasiel Puig
C: Yasmani Grandal
SS: Kiké Hernandez
CF: Trayce Thompson
P: Brandon Beachy
Diamondbacks Lineup:
2B: Chris Owings
SS: Nick Ahmed
1B: Paul Goldschmidt
3B: Jake Lamb
LF: Yasmany Tomas
RF: Zach Borenstein
C: Welington Castillo
P: Zack Godley
CF: Evan Marzilli
