Amezaga, Herrera Lead The Pack as Dodgers Crush Cubs 11-7

Alfredo Amezaga, a non roster invite had a huge day for the Dodgers, leading the boys in Blue to an 11-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs this afternoon, in their first road spring training game played this year at Hohokam park. Amezaga played second base, and batted second. He collected three hits on the day, going 3 for 4 with two of those hits being run scoring singles. Jerry Hairston Jr., batting in the lead-off spot for the Dodgers drove in three, with a two-run double, and a sac fly, and Alex Castellanos teed off again, blasting his second home run of the spring, a solo shot in the top of the seventh frame. Elian Herrera added three hits of his own for good measure.

Fedex high fives Yasiel Puig during the Dodgers 11-7 win over the Cubs-

The Dodgers scored eight runs in the first three innings, including four in the second inning, and three runs in the top of the third frame. Chicago starting pitcher lefty Brooks Raley, allowed four runs on five hits in just one inning of work. He was followed by seven other pitchers. The Dodger starter, right hander Aaron Harang, who is one of the three starters on the bubble, didn’t fare much better in his spring debut. Harang served up four runs off five hits in two frames. Harang was followed by Mark Lower, Ronald Belisario, Matt Magill, Javy Guerra, Angel Sanchez, and rookie phenom Juan Abreu.

The Dodgers collected 14 hits, three of them being for extra bases. On the offensive side for the Cubs, outfielder Nate Schierholtz, went 2 for 2 with an RBI. Top Dodger prospect Yasiel Puig, went 2 for 3 and played center field. Puig also socred three runs.

Aaron Harang was credited with the win, and Trey McNutt was charged with the loss for the Cubs. The Dodgers improve to 2-1-2 in Cactus League play, and the Cubs drop to 3-2. Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro had to leave the game In the fourth inning because of tightness in his left hamstring. He is listed as day-to-day.

Tomorrow afternoon the Dodgers will return to Camleback Ranch to face off with the Angels for the first time this spring. Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the Dodgers against our hated cross-town rivals. Lefty Ted Lilly is also scheduled to make an appearance. We’ll have a full recap of tomorrow afternoon’s game, and we will be live tweeting during the game as well. We hope you will join us then. You can tune into the game tomorrow at 12:05 P.M. on Prime Ticket.