The Los Angeles Dodgers were slow to get going at the plate but eventually hit their stride for a 9-2 comeback win over the Cleveland Indians at Goodyear Ballpark. The Dodgers improved to 4-0-1 in their past five games heading into an off day Saturday.
Mookie Betts was in the original Dodgers lineup but a change of course led to him remaining at Camelback Ranch instead. Betts is expected to start Sunday against the Kansas City Royals.
Without their catalyst at the top of the lineup, the Dodgers didn’t have a hit through four innings. Their lone baserunner during that span was Chris Taylor’s one-out walk in the second, which was followed by Austin Barnes grounding into a double play.
The Dodgers broke the seal with Max Muncy’s leadoff home run in the fifth inning, cutting their deficit in half. Taylor then singled and Barnes doubled, and two batters later the Dodgers tied the game on Zach McKintry’s comebacker that went for an infield RBI base hit.
Taylor ended a long at-bat in the sixth inning with a go-ahead single after Corey Seager and Justin Turner started the rally with base hits of their own. Barnes punctuated the inning with a three-run homer.
Zach Reks provided more insurance with an RBI single in the seventh, and Keibert Ruiz provided a two-run double in his first at-bat. The Indians rolled the inning over with two outs and that wound up being it for the afternoon due to heavy rain.
On the pitching side for the Dodgers, Walker Buehler was efficient in a 1-2-3 first inning and stranded a pair of base hits in the the second. Cleveland got to him a bit with three hits and three stolen bases en route to taking a 2-0 lead in the third inning.
That wound up being all for Buehler but he did additional throwing in the bullpen. Buehler anticipates his next start being at least four innings.
David Price’s second relief appearance went well as he turned in two scoreless innings. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts indicated when Price next pitches again it will be in the form of a start.
Dodgers get full day off
The Dodgers have the first break in their Cactus League schedule on Saturday, which Roberts said will be a complete off day for players and coaches.
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