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Rafael Furcal had two hits in two at-bats in his first game of the spring.
Both the Dodgers and Angels opened their spring training schedules on Saturday, as the two teams met at Tempe Diablo Stadium. The Angels won 4-1 in that first encounter, one of four meetings between the two teams this exhibition season, but today is the Dodgers' turn to play host. The Dodgers play their first game at Camelback Ranch this year in what is also the first televised game of spring training.
The Dodgers played two games yesterday, sending split squads to both Tempe and Scottsdale. Regulars Rafael Furcal, Casey Blake, and Juan Uribe stayed behind at Camelback Ranch yesterday, but all three will make their spring debuts today, as they are in the Dodgers starting lineup. Today looks pretty much like the lineup the Dodgers will use on opening day at Dodger Stadium, minus the designated hitter of course, and likely with the left-handed Jay Gibbons in left field over Marcus Thames:
Furcal SS
Blake 3B
Ethier RF
Kemp CF
Uribe 2B
Loney 1B
Thames LF
Gimenez DH
Barajas C
Gibbons is out for the second straight day with the flu, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. John Ely, who started 18 games for the Dodgers last season, will start on the mound today for the Dodgers, and be followed by Blake Hawksworth, Mike MacDougal, Ramon Troncoso, Kenley Jansen, and Jon Link.
Scott Kazmir will start for the Angels today. Also scheduled to pitch are Fernando Rodney, Francisco Rodriguez, Rich Thompson, and Trevor Reckling. Today's 12:05 p.m. PST game will be televised on Prime Ticket and MLB Network.
For more news and information on today's game, be sure to read True Blue LA and Halos Heaven.
Dodgers Defeat Angels 5-0 In 2011 Camelback Ranch Debut
The Los Angeles Dodgers played their first home game of spring training today, beating the Angels 5-0 at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Rafael Furcal, playing his first game of the spring, had two hits in his two at-bats, stole a base, and scored a run. It was the first win of the spring for the Dodgers, who lost a pair of split squad games on Saturday.
Rod Barajas, who is expected to get the day off on Monday, along with several Dodger regulars, homered. John Ely started for the Dodgers, and struck out three in his two innings of work, allowing one hit. All in all, seven Dodgers pitchers combined to shutout the Angels, allowing four hits and four walks while striking out 11. However, the Angels played no regulars in the game, though pseudo regular Alberto Callaspo did start at designated hitter.
Scott Kazmir, the $12 million man who struggled last season and figures to be the Angels' fifth starter this season, allowed five hits and three runs in his two innings of work. Fernando Rodney struck out two in his scoreless inning of work for the Angels. Angels' top prospect Mike Trout singled in three at-bats for the Angels.
Legendary Dodgers Hall of Famer Duke Snider passed away early Sunday morning in Escondido, California. Snider was 84. The Dodgers host the White Sox on Monday, with Clayton Kershaw starting on the mound. The Angels host Oakland in Tempe on Monday, with Joel Pineiro getting the start.
For more news and information on today's game, be sure to read True Blue LA and Halos Heaven.
Feb 27 3:02p by Eric Stephen - 0 comments