After two split-squad victories on Saturday, the Los Angeles Dodgers were back together for one game Sunday as they traveled to Salt River Fields at Talking Stick to take on the Colorado Rockies.
Clayton Kershaw made his third start of the spring and became the first pitcher to bat for himself instead of the Dodgers using a designated hitter. Kershaw was opposed by right-hander Jordan Lyles, who did not hit.
After Lyles retired the side in order in the top of the first, Kershaw threw a scoreless bottom half of the first thanks in part to nice defensive plays by Charlie Culberson (diving stop) and Joc Pederson (diving catch).
Scoot Van Slyke hit his third home run of the spring to lead off the second inning. Then with the bases loaded and two outs, Pederson knocked a base hit up the middle scoring two and giving the Dodgers a 3-0 lead.
They then added to that in the top of the third. Andre Ethier led off the inning with a triple and later scored on a squeeze play with A.J. Ellis laying down a perfect bunt. First base prospect Cody Bellinger drove in two with a double to give the Dodgers a commanding 6-0 lead.
Kershaw set the Rockies down in order for the second straight inning in the bottom of the third, putting him at seven straight hitters retired. That ended in the bottom of the fourth though, as he issued a walk to Ryan Raburn to lead off the inning.
CONTINUE READING: Jharel Cotton and Matt West allow Rockies to get close
Kershaw then retired the next three batters faced on a pop-up, flyout and strikeout. Bellinger walked with one out in the top of the fifth to reach base for the third time in the game. The Dodgers were unable to advance him though, as Culberson and Kershaw were retired to end the inning.
The Dodgers ace remained in the game for the bottom of the fifth and worked around a Kiké Hernandez two-out throwing error to toss another scoreless inning. He exited after five innings, with two hits allowed, three strikeouts, one walk, one wild pitch and 61 pitches thrown.
Antonio Senzatela entered in the sixth for the Rockies and retired the Dodgers in order. Yimi Garcia allowed a two-out base hit to Nolan Arenado in the bottom of the sixth, but struck out Carlos Gonzalez to end the inning.
Senzatela remained on the mound for the seventh and allowed a two-out base hit to Rico Noel, but struck out the side in the inning. Adam Liberatore retired the three batters faced in the bottom of the seventh.
But, not without the help of Noel, who made a terrific diving catch in right-center field to end the inning. Alex Guerero pinch-hit in the eighth for his first plate appearance since March 4. The Cuban native returned from left knee soreness with a base hit to right-center field that beat the Rockies’ shift.
Guerrero was stranded as Jack Murphy and Corey Brown both struck out swinging. Jharel Cotton allowed back-to-back base hits with no outs in the bottom of the eighth. Colorado later got on the board with a two-run double.
The Rockies scored another run on an RBI ground-rule double before Cotton managed to work his way out of the inning. Matt West struck out the first two batters faced, but then gave up a solo home run and infield single prior to earning a 30-pitch save in the Dodgers’ 6-4 win.