Kershaw Pitches Three Innings in Shutout Against Rangers

Dodgers 9 16 1

Rangers 0 7 0

WP-Kershaw (1-0)

LP- Perez (0-1)

HR- Castellanos (2), Kemp (1), Rivera (1)

Clayton Kershaw pitched in his first live Spring Training game Friday afternoon, and the reigning NL Cy Young Award winner made it look easy against the American League champion Texas Rangers. Kersh pitched three scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk. The strikeout machine did not whiff anyone, but I’m sure he’ll be cranking out the Ks very soon. He made 42 pitches, 28 of which were strikes. He also had one pick off, getting Nelson Cruz out at first base. ClaYton also made a good defensive catch on a Adrian Beltre line drive.

"“My changeup was terrible,” Kershaw said. “I went to the bullpen afterward and figured it out a little bit. Just tinkering and it felt better. I hope to take it into the game next time and be better.”"

Clayton also made some extra pitches in the bullpen after the three live action innings at Surprise Stadium.

The Dodgers went on to shutout the Rangers 9-0, and they picked up their second straight Cactus League win. Andre Ethier, who has been red hot out of the Spring Training gate, hit an RBI single which brought home Jerry Hairston Jr. to score in the first inning. The Dodgers scored in each of the first four innings. In the third, the slugfest contained a Matt Kemp solo homerun (his first HR this spring), an Ethier triple ( he sure can’t hit lefties and has no power does he?), and a RBI single by Justin Sellers. Hairston and Sellers both had another RBI each in the fourth inning, and Juan Rivera smacked a solo homerun making it 7-0 Dodgers.

In the seventh inning, Alex Castellanos hit his second homerun of Spring Training. He will be playing some second base and outfield this Spring, and then the Dodgers will decide what position he will play this season in the minors.

Andre Ethier now has five hits in eight at bats including two doubles, a triple, a homerun, and four RBI.

The Dodgers will play split-squad games today. Nathan Eovaldi will start the day game against the Mariners in Peoria, Arizona. Chad Billingsley will start the night game back at Camelback Ranch against the White Sox. Kenley Jansen is scheduled to pitch Saturday night. He experienced heart palpitations early Friday morning, but was cleared by doctors to resume baseball activities.

Here’s to a great weekend of Dodger baseball!