The Los Angeles Dodgers lineup was largely held in check for a second consecutive game since several regulars left camp to participate in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, and the result Thursday was a 1-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics at Hohokam Stadium.
The Dodgers had their share of opportunities early, having at least one baserunner in three of the first four innings. Included in that stretch was Miguel Vargas hitting a ground-rule double to the left-center field gap in the first inning.
Vargas’ extra-base hit came in the first at-bat he was cleared to swing in a Cactus League game. Vargas finished 1-for-3 and continued to look comfortable while playing second base.
The game remained locked in a scoreless tie until a Ryan Noda leadoff walk in the fifth inning resulted in the Athletics pushing across the game’s first run. Noda stole second base and took third on an errant throw, then came home on Tony Kemp’s single into center field.
That came against Victor González, who despite the walk and single, had better results than in his 2023 Spring Training debut.
Meanwhile, Ryan Pepiot added to what’s been an impressive showing in Cactus League play. Pepiot allowed three hits, issued one walk and collected four strikeouts over three scoreless innings on 55 pitches.
In three starts this spring, Pepiot has allowed seven hits, one run and has nine strikeouts against one walk across six innings pitched.
The Dodgers loaded the bases in the seventh inning but Jorbit Vivas grounded into a force out. They additionally stranded one runner in the eighth and left the bases loaded for a second time in the ninth inning.
Clayton Kershaw starting for Dodgers
After scaling back in his progression upon withdrawing from the Team USA roster for the WBC, Clayton Kershaw has advanced to getting into a Cactus League game.
Kershaw is scheduled to start Friday against the Los Angeles Angels, which will mark his first action of Spring Training. At the beginning of the week he faced players from the Chicago White Sox organization in a B game on a backfield at Camelback Ranch.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? Be sure to ring the notification bell to watch player interviews, participate in shows and giveaways, and stay up to date on all Dodgers news and rumors!
