Carl Crawford Back In Action As Dodgers Host Oakland

The Dodgers lost to the Arizona Dbacks yesterday afternoon at Camelback Ranch 5-3. That wasn’t the headline news though. The game featured Carl Crawford’s first live action and first hits as a Dodger. In his first game back from Tommy John surgery recovery, Crawford went 2 for 3 with two singles, and two RBI. Those were his first two RBI as a Dodger. That wasn’t the only good news. We also learned from the club that Zack Greinke will start on Wednesday for the Dodgers, as he continues his recovery from a stiff elbow.

Crawford singles in yesterday’s game against Arizona. Crawford was 2 for 3. Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports

Crawford looked good, and even impressed Mattingly with his throwing arm. The left fielder has been practicing his throws, and was able to reach up to 90 feet on Monday. The goal is to get Crawford up to 125 feet, so he can hit a normal MLB shortstop cut-off man. Crawford should be able to reach that by opening day. It looks like, Crawford should be on the active roster and ready to play by opening day.

Josh Becket had the flu, and had to be scratched from yesterday’s start, so Josh Wall got the nod in his place, and didn’t fare very well. (Beckett did pitch in a simulated game) Although the guy who followed him Peter Moylan, a right hander, fared even worse. Wall allowed one run on four hits through two frames. He was followed by Moylan who served up two runs on two hits through just one frame. By that point the Dbacks were leading by a score of 3-0. Eventually they would go on to win 5-3.

In the top of the second, Aaron Hill and Miguel Montero had led off with singles, and with two outs, Eric Hinske singled home Hill, to give the Dbacks their first run of the game. In the second frame, there was an RBI triple by Adam Eaton. Paul Goldschmidt’s solo home run in the top of the fourth, made it a 4-0 game.

The Dodgers would score two runs in the fifth, and tack on one more in the seventh frame. Elian Herrera singled and stole second base. Dee Gordon reached on a bunt single, and then stole second himself. With runners at second and third, Crawford singled sharply to left to score both runs, and cut the Arizona lead to 4-2. The Dodgers scored their third run on an RBI single from Miguel Rojas. Despite the late scoring, the Dodgers still lost by a score of 5-3. The Dodgers are now 8-13-3 in Cactus League play.

Randall Delgado, the opposing pitcher, went five frames, allowing two runs on six hits and whiffing three, to pick up the win. Wall took the loss, as the Dodgers pounded out 12 hits on the day. Adrian Gonzalez had two hits in the losing cause.

This is very encouraging news on both Crawford and Greinke. Crawford is back in the lineup today again as a DH, as the Dodgers take on the Oakland A’s at Camelback Ranch. Only three regulars are in the lineup today. Crawford, Andre Ethier, and Mark Ellis at second base. Otherwise the rest of the B-team gets the start in today’s lineup. I don’t understand it. Why are we playing the B-team with less than two weeks until opening day? The regulars need to be getting playing time so they are prepared for the regular season. It’s pretty simple. You can’t tell me there is any reason to be playing Nick Punto at shortstop, and Juan Uribe at first base at this point in the spring. There really isn’t any reason to be playing the scrubs, but there they are in the lineup again. But hey it’s not my call. What can you do?

We do get a treat though. Yasiel Puig is playing today in left field. So look out for more Puig alerts this afternoon. The game will also feature opposing Oakland Cuban sensation Yoenis Cespedes, who is batting cleanup for Oakland today. Cespedes is also playing left field.

Dodgers Lineup vs. A’s

Chris Capuano vs. Dan Straily

Left hander Chris Capuano gets the start for the Dodgers. Oakland will counter with Dan Straily. Cappy will be followed on the mound by Brandon League, J.P. Howell, and Mark Lowe. The game starts at 1:05 PM. Be there or be square! Go Blue.