The Dodgers captured their second straight win of the spring, with a come-from-behind 6-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch on Thursday. Eighth inning home runs by Hector Gimenez and Gabe Kapler completed the comeback, with the three-run shot by Gimenez the key blow. Chad Billingsley threw five innings in his fourth outing of the spring, throwing 83 pitches.
Gimenez has played catcher and first base this spring, and is vying for a spot on the bench when the Dodgers break camp in less than two weeks. "They know I can play first and I can be behind the plate too," said the 28-year old Gimenez, who spent last season in Double A in the Pirates' system. "The last couple of days I haven't been behind the plate a lot, but I'm still work on catching every day, trying to work wherever they give me an opportunity to play."
Billingsley used his game to work on both his changeup and curveball, working on different release points on the latter. Of his changeup, which has improved this spring, Billingsley said, "I was just working on it, throwing it for strikes, throwing it in the zone. Overall I was very happy with it."
The Dodgers wore green jerseys and caps today, which the players autographed for charity, to be auctioned off later this season.
Hong-Chih Kuo and Jonathan Broxton eached pitched scoreless innings in relief for the Dodgers today. Matt Kemp hit his team-leading third home run of the spring, a towering two-run blast in the fourth inning off D-Backs' starter Aaron Heilman.
After the game, the Dodgers reassigned Jerry Sands, their 2010 minor league player of the year, and Justin Sellers to minor league camp. There are 42 players remaining in major league camp for the Dodgers, 21 pitchers and 21 position players. The Dodgers travel to Scottsdale Saturday to face the Giants, with 2010 minor league pitcher of the year Rubby De La Rosa getting the start.
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