The Los Angeles Dodgers had a split-squad on Saturday with part of their team playing the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch while the rest of their group went on the road to face the Milwaukee Brewers.
At home, the Dodgers picked up their Cactus League-leading seventh win to advance their record to 7-2-1, led by a strong offensive showing from a trio of their outfield prospects.
But it was the Cubs that got on the board first with a solo home run against Ryan Yarbrough in the second inning. Overall, Yarbrough finished his day with 2.1 innings pitched, giving up two hits, one run and walking none while striking out three.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Dodgers rallied to re-take the lead, which was started by singled from Max Muncy and Teoscar Hernández. Andy Pages then continued his strong spring with a no-doubt home run to put L.A. up 3-1.
The Cubs cut the lead in the fourth inning with a solo shot off Daniel Hudson, but the Dodgers once again added to their lead in the bottom half of the inning. Muncy was hit by a pitch in his first game back in the lineup since he was last hit by a pitch, and Pages followed with a single.
Austin Gauthier, the hero of Friday, walked to load the bases, and Drew Avans followed with a bases-clearing double, giving the Dodgers a 6-2 lead.
The Cubs made a strong effort to get back into the game in the seventh inning when Ryan Brasier entered the game. He allowed a single and walk before Owen Caissie singled to cut the Dodgers’ lead to three runs.
An infield ground out allowed the fourth Cubs’ run to score, and another single gave them their fifth run of the game. Brasier finished his outing with 0.2 innings pitched, giving up three runs on three hits with one walk and no strikeouts.
The Dodgers continued their eighth inning magic when Kody Hoese just missed a lead off home run, but settled for a triple. That was followed by a two-run homer from Josue De Paula, who is one of the best hitting prospects in the Dodgers organization.
Brusdar Graterol also made his first appearance of Cactus League play, pitching a scoreless inning with one walk. Evan Phillips made another scoreless appearance as well.
Lucas Wepf closed out the Dodgers 8-5 victory.
What’s next for the Dodgers in Spring Training?
The Dodgers full squad returns to Camelback Ranch as they host the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at 12:05 p.m. PT. Shohei Ohtani is expected to be in the lineup for the game.
Gavin Stone is scheduled to start, facing off against Austin Gomber.
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