The Los Angeles Dodgers opened Cactus League play with an impressive display of power, resulting in a 13-5 rout of the Chicago White Sox, who were the designated road team. Justin Turner, Kiké Hernandez and Matt Kemp each hit a home run and combined for five RBI.
Turner began the fireworks in the bottom of the first inning by turning on a 2-0 pitch for a booming solo home run to left field. That was his lone hit of the day, though Turner also worked a walk that was cashed in as part of a five-run inning that came after the Dodgers fell behind, 3-1, in the top of the third.
White Sox right-hander Tyler Danish replaced Dylan Covey and immediately surrendered a leadoff home run to Kiké Hernandez. Trayce Thompson followed with a single, and Turner kept the inning alive with his walk.
Cody Bellinger roped an RBI single into right-center field, which also appeared as though it would bring the inning to an end. But the White Sox botched a rundown, leaving runners at the corners.
Kemp made them pay by lining a go-ahead, three-run home run to left field. Kemp had previously singled in the game, his first with the Dodgers since the 2014 National League Division Series.
Yaisel Sierra retired two consecutive batters after issuing a leadoff walk in the fourth inning, and had the would-be third out had Thompson not dropped a fly ball. Thompson then was unable to make a difficult diving catch, resulting in a two-run double for Kevan Smith that cut the Dodgers’ lead to 6-5 and knocked Sierra out of the game.
Thompson atoned for his miscue in the bottom of the fourth by slapping an RBI single into right field. It kept the line moving for Chris Taylor, whose sacrifice fly extended the lead to 8-5, and Corey Seager drove in a run with his base hit to right field.
A pitching change did nothing to slow the Dodgers’ momentum, as Alex Verdugo went opposite field for a pinch-hit RBI double. Logan Forsythe contributed to the rout with a solo home run in the fifth inning.
Donovan Solan, signed to a Minor League contract in January, hit an RBI double in the seventh inning, and Jake Peter followed with a run-scoring single, giving the Dodgers a 13-5 edge. Peter, along with Scott Alexander, was acquired in a three-team trade with the Kansas City Royals and White Sox.
Wilmer Font shined in his start, turning in two perfect innings, complete with a pair of strikeouts. Several Minor Leaguers and non-roster invitees saw the field, including switch-pitcher Pat Venditte.
He tossed 1.2 innings, facing four batters while throwing left-handed, and two as a right-hander. Venditte had one strikeout with each hand.
