The Los Angeles Dodgers began their 2023 Spring Training schedule with a 7-4 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix. Dodgers pitching combined to give up three home runs in the defeat.
Michael Grove completed one inning in his first career Cactus League start and fourth ever Spring Training appearance. Grove, who had experience with the pitcher timer while in the Minor Leagues last season, avoided any infractions.
However, he could not escape the first inning unscathed due to surrendering a two-out solo home run to Rowdy Tellez.
The Brewers held a 1-0 lead until the third inning, when Freddie Freeman lifted a go-ahead home run to right field. Dodgers fans treated Freeman to “Freddie” chants as he stepped into the batter’s box and again after the two-run homer.
Freeman was in position to put the Dodgers ahead thanks to Miguel Vargas working a leadoff walk. That came despite the fact that Vargas is not permitted to swing a bat until the hairline fracture in his right pinky heals.
It was the second oddity of the day, with the first coming on David Peralta drawing a walk due to a pitch timer violation on Alex Claudio with a full count.
Milwaukee quickly answered back, with Garrett Mitchell hitting the first of his two home runs in the game during the bottom of the third inning.
Mitchell’s second homer came in the fifth inning, a two-run blast to straightaway center field off Dodgers non-roster invitee Jordan Yamamoto. The Brewers added two more runs in sixth, which proved to provide some needed cushion.
An RBI groundout and Andy Pages’ base hit brought two runs in for the Dodgers in the seventh inning for their final scoring of the day.
Dodgers probables
Robbie Erlin is listed as the probable starter for Saturday’s game against the Chicago Cubs. Ryan Pepiot is scheduled to face the San Diego Padres on Monday.
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