First Split Squad Games Today For Dodgers

The Dodgers have a split squad going on today for the first time this spring. Half of the club will take on the Rangers this afternoon at Surprise Stadium, while the other half will be battling the Mariners at Camelback Ranch. Friday afternoon super prospect Zach Lee’s spring debut was a success. The 22-year old rookie tossed two scoreless innings against the Rangers, and picked up the win as the Dodgers held on to defeat Texas by a score of 2-1.

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Josh Beckett (61) throws the ball against the San Diego Padres during the first inning at Camelback Ranch. -Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers haven’t been hitting much these days, but one big hit accounted for all of their scoring Friday afternoon. The Dodgers scored both runs in the bottom of the first, when Carl Crawford walked, and Hanley Ramirez drilled a monster home run over the wall in straightaway center field. The two-run shot would be all the Dodgers needed.

Lee whiffed one and allowed just two hits, and the bullpen took things the rest of the way, limiting the Rangers to just four hits for the rest of the game. The pitching was excellent, and Brian Wilson, Kenley Jansen, J.P. Howell, Chris Perez, Brandon League, and 2013 draft pick Tom Windle held the Ranger’s offense quiet.

The Dodgers only had three hits in the affair, and only needed the one big hit from Hanley anyways. Chone Figgins had a double, and the only other hit from a Dodger bat was a single from Brendan Harris.

The Rangers scored their only run in the top of the seventh with Brandon League on the mound. Not shocking of course. Adrian Beltre singled, and after a walk, and a sacrifice bunt, Jurickson Profar’s run scoring grounder got Texas on the board. Please note, League did manage to escape by whiffing Bryan Peterson for the final out of the frame.

Paul Maholm will take the mound in the early game versus Texas, and Josh Beckett will face right handed rookie Erasmo Ramirez in the nightcap. Another rookie Tanner Scheppers will counter Maholm in the first game. (Puig has some personal business to attend to and won’t return to the lineup until Sunday)

You can catch both games on SportsnetLA and Dodger radio at 12:05 PM, and 6:05 PM respectively.

Hanley’s two-run shot

Dodgers Lineup @ Texas -3-8-14

Chone Figgins 2B

Brendan Harris 3B

Paul Maholm vs. Tanner Scheppler

Game Time-12:05 PM T.V.-SportsnetLA

Dodgers Lineup vs. Seattle-3-8-14

Carl Crawford LF

Hanley Ramirez SS

Joc Pederson CF

Alexander Guerrero DH

Erasmo Ramirez vs. Josh Beckett

Game Time-6:05 PM T.V.-SportsnetLA