Roger Arrieta
AND THEN THERE WERE THREE: With just three games remaining on the 2014 Cactus League slate, the Dodgers will face the Padres in the second-to-last home game of the spring season this afternoon. The two clubs tied each other, 3-3, back on March 2 at Camelback and Los Angeles won the regular season series, 11-8, in 2013.
Los Angeles opens the 2014 season in just one week against the D-backs in MLB’s Opening Series in Sydney, Australia.
The Dodgers open the North American portion of their 2014 season on March 30 in San Diego. Los Angeles has opened up in San Diego three times (1973, 2009, 2012), including two Opening Day victories at PETCO Park.
Tonight, the Dodgers play their final Cactus League road game of 2014, taking on the White Sox in a sold-out contest at 7:05 p.m.
Minor league players suiting up today include C J.C. Boscan (#45), IF Brendan Harris (#35), RHP Sam Demel (#38), LHP Julio Urias (#84), OF Jeremy Hazelbaker(#92), RHP Steve Smith (#93), OF Trayvon Robinson (#91), IF Daniel Mayora (#89), C Webster Rivas (#88), IF Jamie Romak (#94) and RHP Romulo Sanchez(#97).
Official minor league Spring Training games begin today and Dodger outfielder Matt Kemp will suit up in one of those contests here at Camelback Ranch.
NOW HURLING NEAR YOU: Right-handed pitcher Sam Demel will get the start for the Dodgers this afternoon. Demel was invited to big league camp as a non-roster player and was reassigned on March 4. The Texas native has pitched in five Cactus League games this spring, allowing just two hits in 5.1 scoreless innings while striking out three. Demel also recorded a save on March 11 at Kansas City. The 28-year-old pitched for the Diamondbacks in parts of three seasons (2010-12), going 4-4 with a 4.95 ERA in 72 career outings.
Also scheduled to pitch today is Dodger closer Kenley Jansen, who has tossed 5.0 scoreless innings and fanned six in five Cactus League contests. Jansen has yielded just two hits without walking a batter this spring.
Left-handed prospect Julio Urias may make his big league camp debut this afternoon. Urias, who is 17, went 2-0 with a 2.48 ERA in 18 starts for Single-A Great Lakes last season. The native of Mexico struck out 67 and walked just 16 last season.
Other pitchers scheduled to relieve are LHP J.P. Howell, RHP Chris Perez and RHP Javy Guerra.
MAKING IT HAPPEN: The Dodgers’ starting infield consisting of first baseman Adrian Gonzalez (.286), second baseman Dee Gordon (.250), shortstop Hanley Ramirez (.226) and third baseman Miguel Rojas (.409) is hitting a combined .265 with three homers, 12 RBI and nine stolen bases this spring. Gordon has eight of those stolen bases and has not been caught this spring. The eight steals are tied with Oakland’s Billy Burns for the most in the Major Leagues. Despite playing in only 181 games since 2011, Gordon ranks 16th in the NL with 66 steals and has been successful on 77.6% of his stolen base attempts in the big leagues (66-for-85).
Yesterday, the Dodgers dropped a 5-4 decision to the Chicago Cubs in Mesa. Dee Gordon had two hits (2-for-3) for the second consecutive game and Miguel Rojas went 2-for-3 with two runs scored. Gordon’s third triple of the spring season tied him for the big league lead while Rojas’ .409 batting average leads the club. On the mound,Josh Beckett tossed 3.0 scoreless innings, but was removed with a sore right thumb while both Paco Rodriguez (5.0 IP) and Jose Dominguez (7.0 IP) continued their perfect springs.
As a team, the Dodgers have been patient at the plate during Cactus League play, drawing 69 walks (3rd, MLB) in 18 spring games. The club’s 15 spring home runs rank fourth in the Cactus League, trailing just the Mariners (17), Rockies (16) and Padres (16).
On the pitching side, the Dodgers’ 4.47 ERA ranks seventh in the Cactus League while the club’s 21 errors are the third most among the teams training in Arizona.
AUSTRALIAN FOR BASEBALL: The historic Sydney Cricket Ground, which is the site where the Dodgers will face the D-backs in MLB’s 2014 Opening Series in Sydney, Australia, has been undergoing renovations to prepare for the first-ever MLB games to be played Down Under. The club will depart Arizona following its Sunday game against the Rockies and land in Sydney on Tuesday, March 18. Following a few days of workouts and sightseeing, the Dodgers will play Team Australia in an exhibition March 20 and then take on the D-backs March 22 and 23 to open the regular season.
Clayton Kershaw will be the Opening Day starter for the first game against the D-backs in the 2014 Opening Series in Sydney, Australia. This will mark Kershaw’s fourth consecutive Opening Day start for the club and he has not allowed a run in his three previous outings (19.0 IP). The left-hander has racked up 19 strikeouts in his three Opening Day starts against the Giants (2013 – SHO, 2011 – 7.0 IP) and Padres (2012, 3.0 IP, exited game due to illness). Hyun-Jin Ryu will pitch the second game in Australia.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE
Date/Time Opponent Location Probables TV/RADIO
March 15/7:05 p.m. (SS) @CWS Glendale LHP Clayton Kershaw vs. LHP Chris Sale SNLA/KTNQ
March 16/1:05 p.m. vs. COL Glendale LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu vs. TBD SNLA/KLAC/KTNQ
via Los Angeles Dodgers
