Editorials

Spring Training Recap: Dodgers Fall Short Against Indians

Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

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Mike Aviles hit a leadoff single and moved into scoring position by stealing second base. He tagged to third on an impressive Scott Schebler over-the-shoulder catch in deep right and scored on another sacrifice fly to tie the game. The Dodgers quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth behind Yasiel Puig’s solo home run to center to leadoff the bottom of the fourth.



J.P. Howell became the new Dodger pitcher in the fifth and made quick work of the Indians by striking out two and getting the other to ground out. Kluber remained on the mound for the Indians and matched Howell’s performance with two strikeouts of his own as the Dodgers remained in the lead, 2-1 after five innings.

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly made another pitching change and went with Paco Rodriguez for the sixth. Rodriguez faced Francisco Lindor, Bourn, and Aviles while getting all three out without much effort.

Adam Law and Carl Crawford both struck out against Kluber in the bottom of the sixth before the Indians pulled their ace and sent in Austin Adams. The right-hander needed just two pitches to retire Puig and end the inning.

Michael Brantley singled off Chris Hatcher to begin the seventh and was replaced by pinch-runner Destin Hood. The Indians got the best of Hatcher and scored three runs on him before he was replaced by Yimi Garcia.

Hatcher only managed to get one out while walking one and giving up two doubles. Despite allowing an infield hit, Garcia minimized the damage by striking out two Indians. The Dodgers had an unproductive bottom half going down in order and found themselves down 4-2 headed to the eighth.

The Indians had two baserunners reach in the eighth, but Garcia kept them off the board to keep the Dodgers within two runs of a tie. David Aardsma threw a scoreless ninth inning, and the Dodgers threatened with back-to-back singles with one out in the bottom of the ninth. However, they weren’t able to cash in and lost to the Indians, 4-2.

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Paco Rodriguez Working On Improving Mechanics


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One Comment

  1. As the new Front Office traded for Hatcher we can be sure he will make the 25 man roster. But he has not looked good. Paco Rodriguez has been lights out so far. Puig starting to see/hit ball better thankfully and Guererro looks very good at third. I think Yimi Garcia, Baez and possibly Paco are set for AAA. Peralta, Libatorre or Paco will be second lefty. Santos and Tsao look great but not on roster so probably will not make cut.

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