David Bote continued with his hot hitting and in turn helped lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 9-3 comeback win against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix.
The Dodgers snapped a two-game losing streak in the process and are now 2-5 in Cactus League play thus far.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto fell short of completing three innings as he threw 54 pitches over 2.1 and exited with the Dodgers trailing 3-0. Yamamoto gave up four hits, including an RBI double and two solo home runs.
The outing was Yamamoto’s second of the spring as he continues to build up in preparation for a likely start on Opening Day of the Tokyo Series.
Bote began his big day with a bases-clearing double that tied the game in the fourth inning. Bote then scored on Hunter Feduccia’s double and Miguel Rojas’ extra-base hit drove in Josue De Paula to cap off the Dodgers’ six-run inning.
Andy Pages and Bote then combined for back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning that created more separation for the Dodgers.
Bote leads all Dodgers players this spring with eight hits and is tied with Feduccia for the team lead with six RBI. Bote was among the organization’s Minor League signings during the offseason and non-roster invitees to big league camp.
Tony Gonsolin threw 13 pitches, all for strike, over two scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Gonsolin was in a piggyback role due to the Dodgers’ Spring Training schedule being condensed and the team needing to get enough work for their starting pitchers.
Can David Bote make Dodgers roster?
Given the success Bote is having and some of his positional flexibility, it’s prompted some external speculation over potentially earning a spot on the Dodgers roster.
That still appears to be an uphill battle, and one factor that could impact Bote’s odds is needing to first be added onto the Dodgers’ 40-man roster.
Bote could begin the season with Triple-A Oklahoma City but may eventually look to exercise an opt-out clause if it appears he’ll have a bigger opportunity with another team.
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