The Los Angeles Dodgers had a planned "bullpen game" on Monday night, with eight different relievers either on the team or in the mix for a spot on the team getting to pitch in the Freeway Series opener against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. But unfortunately for the Dodgers, they didn't get much relief, losing 12-3 to the Halos.
This normally would have been Ted Lilly's turn in the rotation, but Lilly missed two starts with a stiff neck, which pushed back his schedule and will cause the left-hander to open the season on the disabled list. Jamey Wright was solid, striking out three in his two scoreless innings, and Josh Lindblom, fighting for the eighth and final bullpen slot, struck out two in his scoreless appearance. But just about every other pitcher for the Dodgers struggled:
- Todd Coffey allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while recording two outs.
- Mike MacDougal allowed a run and two hits in his one inning.
- Scott Elbert allowed three hits and a run while recording two outs.
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Kenley Jansen allowed three runs on two hits and a walk, including a three-run home run to Mark Trumbo.
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Ronald Belisario allowed four runs while recording four outs.
Javy Guerra restored order with a scoreless ninth inning, but that didn't even technically count. Both teams agreed, at the Angels' request, to play a full nine innings regardless of the score, to get everyone work in if needed. So Guerra's three outs recorded in the bottom of the ninth inning officially never happened. Not that they would have counted anyway, with it being spring training.
The Dodgers have a more traditional plan for Tuesday's game. Aaron Harang will make his final spring start, a tuneup for his planned Sunday start at Petco Park against his former team, the San Diego Padres. For the Angels, Ervin Santana will toe the rubber.
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