Throughout Spring Training the Dodgers PR department sends out helpful
daily notes from Camelback Ranch, and I am happy to pass them along.
See what they've written below.
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Chicago Cubs (6-9-1) at Los Angeles Dodgers (8-2-5)
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 – 1:05 p.m. MT | Camelback Ranch
RHP Brandon McCarthy (0-0, 3.60) vs. RHP Jake Arietta (1-1 1.50)
TV: SNLA Radio: None
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WINNING TIME: The Dodgers, who have the Cactus League’s best winning percentage at .800 and are unbeaten in their last six games, take on the Chicago Cubs at Camelback Ranch this afternoon. The last time the Dodgers lost was March 11 in Mesa, when they were beaten by these same Cubs, 4-3. Los Angeles won the season series over Chicago last year, 4-3, and will play six regular-season games against the Cubs, June 22-24 at Wrigley Field and Aug. 28-30 at Dodger Stadium.
AND SO IT HAS BEEN DONE: The Dodgers exploded for 11 runs and 15 hits yesterday, but gave up two runs in the bottom of the ninth and finished in an 11-11 tie with the Rangers in Surprise. The five ties for Los Angeles this spring (with 15 Cactus League games left) equals the franchise mark for ties in Spring Training, previously reached in 2006 and 2014.
- New Dodger Howie Kendrick was 2-for-2 and hit a long three-run homer to the deepest part of center field yesterday, giving him six RBI this spring, which ties Darnell Sweeney, Kyle Jensen and Scott Schebler for the team lead. Kendrick is also hitting .364 during his first spring in blue.
- The Dodgers’ 18 home runs rank fourth in the Cactus League, trailing the Giants (22), Cubs (19) and Padres (19).
TEXAS TWO-STEP: Big League Weekend, with the Dodgers taking on the Rangers Friday night and Saturday afternoon at the Alamodome in San Antonio, is almost here! The traveling party will depart Camelback Ranch tomorrow at 5:40 p.m. Erik Bedard and Zack Greinke are expected to start the two San Antonio exhibition games for the Dodgers, with a roster that includes Yasmani Grandal, Adrian Gonzalez, Yasiel Puig, and Joc Pederson.
TELL YOUR STORY: Major League Baseball has officially launched the 2015 Honorary Bat Girl Contest, which will recognize one fan per MLB Club who has been affected by breast cancer and has demonstrated a commitment to battling the disease. Dodger fans, ages 18 and older, can now share stories about themselves or loved ones who are “Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer” by visiting HonoraryBatGirl.com for a chance to be recognized on the field, Sunday, May 17 (1:10 p.m. vs. Rockies). Fans also are invited to visit the site to vote for these inspirational stories, designed to provide hope and motivation for those currently in the fight against breast cancer. Entries can be submitted through April 16 at 11:59 p.m. ET.
ON THE MOUND: Right-hander Brandon McCarthy will make his third start of the spring today. He has allowed two runs in 5.0 innings pitched with three strikeouts. The 6’7’’ veteran established career highs in wins (10), strikeouts (175) and innings pitched (200.0) last season with the Diamondbacks and Yankees. McCarthy made his major league debut against the Cubs on May 22, 2005, allowing two runs on four hits in 5.1 innings.
- LHP Adam Liberatore is expected to make his fifth appearance of the spring today. Through four Cactus League appearances, Liberatore has tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, surrendering only two hits and striking out three.
- RHP Dustin McGowan is also expected to see action today. McGowan has allowed five hits and 4 runs in 3.0 innings thus far.
- RHP Sergio Santos will make his fifth Cactus League appearance today. Santos has not allowed a run in 4.0 innings and has held opposing hitters to a .083 batting average.
- Veteran RHP Mike Adams will make his second appearance of the spring today. In his first Cactus League appearance, Adams allowed one run on one hit in 0.2 innings pitched.
REMEMBER WHEN: Sixty years ago today, Dodger Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax pitched for the first time in a Dodger uniform at Holman Stadium, Dodgertown, Vero Beach, FL. On March 18, 1955, Koufax made his debut for Brooklyn in a camp game against the “All-Stars,” a collection of players from Dodger minor league teams. The 19-year-old faced seven batters and struck out five, while walking two in two innings of work. Sports writer Roscoe McGowan wrote in The New York Times, “Sandy Koufax, Brooklyn’s $17,000 bonus right-hander, made his debut tonight against the All-Stars.” Apparently, an editing mistake changed Koufax to a “right-hander.”
