On the eve of their Cactus League opener, the Los Angeles Dodgers held a four-inning intrasquad game on Sunday on one of the minor league fields at their spring training complex at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Arizona. Starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Chris Capuano each got two innings of work in against minor league hitters, many of whom just arrived in camp this weekend who haven't even had live batting practice yet.
The results were predictable, as Kershaw cut through his foes like a hot knife through butter. The southpaw threw 25 pitches in his two innings, striking out five of the seven batters he faced. Shortstop prospect Jake Lemmerman got the only hit off Kershaw, a little dribbler to second base.
Capuano struck out two in his two innings, allowing only one batter to reach base via error. The 33-year old left-hander, who signed a two-year contract with the Dodgers this winter, is prepared for the consequences of facing live opponents for the first time.
"Getting the body used to how rigorous it is to throw to hitters, you don't realize," said Capuano on Sunday. "You can throw 10 bullpens and not be sure, but as soon you throw an inning or two to live hitters, you're body is a little extra sore."
Capuano is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut on Thursday afternoon against the Oakland Athletics at Camelback Ranch, while Kershaw is scheduled to start Friday against the Texas Rangers in Surprise, Arizona.
Chad Billingsley will start the Cactus League opener for the Dodgers on Monday, a designated road game against the Chicago White Sox, their co-tenants at Camelback Ranch. Scheduled to pitch after Billingsley for the Dodgers is Nathan Eovaldi, Wil Ledezma, Angel Guzman, Ryan Tucker, and Scott Rice. Both Billingsley and Eovaldi will likely pitch two innings each.
Philip Humber starts on Monday for the White Sox.
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