Spring Training Recap: Prospects Lead Way In Victory Over Mariners
Minor-Leaguer Shawn Zarraga drew a one-out walk in the fifth that was followed by an Erisbel Arruebarrena single that put runners on first and second. A fielders’ choice left runners on first and third with two outs, and Zarraga later scored on a wild pitch.
Chris Anderson entered the game in the sixth and tossed a perfect inning to keep the Dodgers within one of the Mariners. Grandal led off the home half of the sixth with a single, but was out at second on a fielders’ choice one batter later.
Paul Hoeneke grounded to second base that should’ve resulted in a double play, but an error followed the out at second and the Dodgers tied the game on the play.
Following yet another error by the Mariners, Jarek Cunningham safely reached first base, pushing Hoeneke to third base. With two outs and runners at the corners, Zarraga lined a single to right field, scoring Hoeneke. The next batter, Arruebarrena singled to center, pushing another run across the plate and giving the Dodgers a 6-4 lead.
Anderson, still pitching in the seventh inning, allowed one runner to reach base but quickly diminished the threat after a double play and a ground ball to end the inning.
O’Koyea Dickson led off the bottom of the seventh with a first-pitch home run, his second home run this spring. However, the next three batters struck out, ending the inning with the Dodgers leading 7-4.
Paco Rodriguez entered the game and allowed a ground-rule double. After a ground ball to Arruebarrena, the runner advanced to third with one out. Rodriguez regained his composure and struck out the next two hitters to end the inning.
Mark Lowe, the new pitcher for the Mariners, walked the first two batters of the inning on 13 pitches but jammed Zarraga and forced a 4-6-3 double play. Arruebarrena struck out looking to end the inning.
Pedro Baez entered the game for the Dodgers in the ninth in a save opportunity. He worked around a single to end the game and earn his first save of the spring.
[divide]Dodgers 2015 Spring Training – Carl Crawford Talks Health, Stolen Bases
Dickson showing power this Spring. He is really squaring the ball up. Barnes made the right baseball move in hitting a fly ball to score the runner at third. It is that type of manufacturing runs the Dodgers did not do well in the Playoffs or large parts of the season. Hopefully the mind set is changed now. I know Kendrick and Rollins play the game the right way. Hopefully they will help. Giving yourself up to score or move the runner over is so important.
Crawford looks good and made a nice throw to second to nail the runner trying to stretch a hit to a double. Let’s hope he stays healthy as he is really good when he is healthy.