The Los Angeles Dodgers were treated to a sunny sky after back-to-back games ended early because of inclement weather, and they held on for a 7-1 win against the Texas Rangers to complete a Cactus League sweep.
Michael Grove had somewhat of a shaky beginning to his first start of the year and fourth overall appearance. But the right-hander settled in and got through 3.1 scoreless innings on an efficient 49 pitches. Included in that was Grove striking out the side in the second inning.
Grove recorded four strikeouts in a row at one point and allowed just two baserunners in his best performance of the spring. Gavin Stone may have the inside track to be the Dodgers’ fifth starter in their Opening Day rotation, but Grove remains under consideration as well and is continuing to stretch out.
Grove exited with a 1-0 lead that was staked thanks in part to Max Muncy’s two-out walk keeping the first inning alive. James Outman followed that with an RBI single.
Will Smith added onto that with a solo home run in the fifth inning that was his first of the spring.
Chris Okey gave the Dodgers another home run from their catcher with a two-run shot in the seventh inning to provide some insurance. Chris Owings added onto the power display with a two-run home run in the eighth that broke the game open.
Dodgers bullpen shines
After Grove, the Dodgers turned the game over to a steady stream of relief pitchers who are expected to have prominent roles this season.
Daniel Hudson, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Saturday, followed Grove in the fourth inning by striking out both batters faced.
Blake Treinen then took over in the fifth but was removed after facing just two batters because of being hit in the right ribs by a line-drive comebacker. Treinen walked off the field under his own power and was taken for X-rays.
J.P. Feyereisen finished off the fifth inning but struggled in the sixth and left a runner on base that scored with Sauryn Lao on the mound.
Joe Kelly bookended a clean seventh inning with strikeouts and Ryan Brasier retired the side in order in the eighth. T.J. McFarland finished off the game with a quick ninth inning to give Dodgers pitchers a streak of retiring 12 batters in a row.
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