One after formally introducing Freddie Freeman during a press conference at Camelback Ranch, the Los Angeles Dodgers opened their 2022 Spring Training schedule with a 3-3 tie against the Milwaukee Brewers.
Clayton Kershaw received the start despite Dodgers manager Dave Roberts previously indicating it would be Beau Burrows taking the mound. Kershaw had some of the usual rust that’s to be expected with the first outing of Spring Training.
He managed to get ahead but didn’t quite have enough polish on enough pitches to put batters away. Kershaw wound up being charged for one run over 1.1 innings of work that saw him retire four of five batters, and throw 21 pitches.
Milwaukee took their lead with Aldry Acosta on the mound, and also pushed a second run across against the right-hander. Christian Yelich tacked on an RBI base hit in the fifth inning to extend the Brewers’ lead to 3-0.
The Dodgers didn’t have their first hit of the game until Chris Taylor’s chopper up the third-base line got by Mike Brosseau for a leadoff double in the bottom of fifth. He later scored on Matt Beaty’s sacrifice fly. Taylor previously drew a walk and reached safely in his two plate appearances of the day.
Jason Martin hit the Dodgers’ first home run of the spring, with his solo shot puling them within 3-2 in the sixth inning. Andy Burns then tied it with a homer in the ninth.
Dodgers bullpen regulars Brusdar Graterol and Alex Vesia each threw a scoreless inning. Graterol struck out one in the seventh, and Vesia worked around a leadoff walk in the eight inning. Garrett Cleavinger struck out a pair in the ninth.
Dodgers transactions
In addition to signing Freeman on Friday, the Dodgers traded Luke Raley to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Minor League pitcher Tanner Dodson, and signed veteran starting pitcher Tyler Anderson to a contract for the 2022 season.
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