Dodgers and Giants Tie in First Clash of 2013

Dodgers 8 10 1

Giants 8 11 0

HR- Bond (1), Pill 2 (2), Castellanos (1)

The Dodgers and their reigning world champion foes met up for the first time this Spring at Camelback Ranch. It was a duel as expected, and the match ended up in a 8-8 tie after nine innings of play. This was the first time the Dodgers have played the Giants since Brandon Belt‘s offseason snide remarks about the Dodgers chemistry. Belt would be struck out by Josh Beckett in the first inning, but he hit a two-run double off J.P. Howell in the third inning. His teammate Brett Pill hit two homeruns in the game along with a homerun from Brock Bond. The Dodger outfielder Alex Castellanos hit his first homerun of the Spring, a two-run shot, off Ramon Ramirez in the sixth. The Dodgers were ahead after pouncing on Tim Lincecum, the Giants starter, before the orange and black rallied back late.

Josh Beckett made a strong start and struck out three on Tuesday. Photo: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Beckett had a great inaugural start for the Spring as he struck out three Giants over his two scoreless innings of work. Adrian Gonzalez was caught stealing second base while Andre Ethier struck as the Dodgers were doubled up in the first inning. Why is Gonzo stealing? Oh, that’s right… it’s Spring Training. The Dodgers had a big five-run second inning off Lincecum and his eventual replacement Steve Edlefsen. Jeremy Moore and Skip Schumaker both had two-run doubles, and Hanley Ramirez singled in a fifth run.

Belt and Pill scored off Howell and Brandon League in the third and fourth inning making it 5-3 Dodgers. Roger Kieschnick doubled off Angel Castro in the sixth, and Guillermo Quiroz singled him home.

Alex Castellanos, who is vying for a spot on the Dodgers roster and could very well be that much-needed fourth outfielder, whalloped a two-run homerun in the sixth.

Kelvin De La Cruz and Gregory Infante lose the lead for the Dodgers in the ninth inning. De La Cruz walked Nick Noonan, and Brock Bonds hit a two-run homerun. With two out Gregory Infante came in and he promptly allowed a single to Johnny Monell and a two-run homerun to Brett Pill to tie up the game. Infante is given the blown save.

Other than a shaky start from Chad Billingsley and some rustiness from Chris Capuano on Tuesday, the Dodger starters have looked good thus far.

Tomorrow the Dodgers will play in Mesa, Arizona to take on the Chicago Cubs at 12:05 p.m. Aaron Harang will make his first start of the Spring amidst trade murmurings.