Spring Fling! Dodgers Continue Offensive Blast and Best Angels 9-1

Dodgers 9 13 0

Angels    1 8 2

WP- Harang (1-0)

LP- Weaver (0-1)

HR- Sellers (1), Rivera (3)

The Dodgers improved their Cactus League record to 6-1-2 as they defeated Jared Weaver, Albert Pujols, and the rest of the Halos in a decisive victory Monday afternoon at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Juan Rivera lead the charge with four RBI including a two-run double and a solo homerun (his third homerun this Spring). Justin Sellers also crushed a huge three-run homerun.

Jared Weaver, the AL Cy Young Award runner-up, allowed five of the game’s first six batters to reach base. Weaver only lasted 1 2/3 innings, and he allowed three earned runs on four hits.

In this first clash of 2012 between the cross-town rivals, the Dodgers’ pitching, offense, and defense outshined that of the Angels. Aaron Harang pitched three innings and allowed the only Angel run on three hits in his second start of the Spring. Relievers Angel Guzman, Chris Withrow, Ledezma, and Rice all followed with scoreless pitching. Withrow, the top prospect, pitched 2 2/3 innings allowing three hits.

The Angels bumbled in the field as well. Trumbo and Amarista were both charged with errors. Albert Pujols came up empty in his three at bats.

Dee Gordon began the game with a bunt single followed up with a stolen base. After Matt Kemp walked, Andre Ethier, who was scratched from the lineup Saturday due to mild back stiffness, doubled in Gordon home giving the Dodgers a quick 1-0 lead. Juan Rivera followed with a double of his own scoring both Kemp and Ethier. The seats were not even warm, and the Dodgers were up 3-0 on Mike Scioscia’s Angels.

In the top of the third, Juan Rivera hit a solo homerun adding another notch to the Dodgers’ lead, 4-0. The Angels scored their lone run in the bottom of the third inning. Chris Iannetta doubled off Harang, and he reached third base on a grounder hit by Peter Bourjos. Iannetta scored on a Aybar groundball making it 4-1.

In the fifth inning, the Dodgers continued their offensive onslaught. Matt Kemp singled off of Kevin Jepsen, and then stole second base and took third as Ethier grounded out. Bison scored on a Rivera groundball, 5-1. In the sixth inning, the Dodgers would add more fuel to the fire thanks to Justin Sellers. After Cory Sullivan flied out to start the inning, A.J. Ellis drew a walk. Josh Fields popped up, and Pujols madet he second out. Lance Zawadzki, pinch-hitting for Gordon, singled. Sellblock then comes up and hit a monster three-run homerun, making it 8-1 Dodgers.

The Dodgers would add one more run to their score in the eighth inning. Trent Oeltjen singled, and then was followed by a triple by Alex Castellanos which allowed Trent to score. 9-1!

Andre Ethier now has 6 hits in 11 at bats with 5 RBI. He has hit a single, 3 doubles, a triple, and a homerun and has only struck out once.

I’m still a bit concerned that all this offense will fizzle out once the regular season commences. After all, last season we were lucky to get 1-2 runs per game. I’ll try not to worry about that right now, and enjoy the carefree nature of Spring Training. The Arizona cacti are blooming, and the runs are scoring!

The next time the Dodgers and Angels meet will be in the traditional Freeway Series which will conclude Spring Training.

Tomorrow afternoon Chris Capuano will make his second start at home vs. the Colorado Rockies. Belisario, Castillo, Fife, and Chico are all slated to pitch.

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