Photo Credit: Gregory Bull/Associated Press
Post-Game Briefing
The Dodgers’ turnaround after the team’s Wednesday night win was a quick one, traveling from Glendale to Mesa for a 12:05 PM PT start after wrapping up their previous game less than seventeen hours prior. The hosting Oakland Athletics entered Thursday’s match-up well-rested after an off-day on Wednesday and carrying a six-game win streak.
Thursday was Walker Buehler’s first televised Cactus League start, following his two scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies during L.A.’s split-squad trip this past Saturday. Buehler faced some struggles in this start against a strong Athletics offense, surrendering two runs on three hits and two walks during his two and one-third innings of work. Meanwhile, Oakland’s starting pitcher, Mike Fiers, had a great outing against Los Angeles. Fiers notched four strikeouts over four scoreless innings, allowing only one hit.
Scoring Plays
- (OAK 1ST INN.) Chapman solo home run (2)
- (OAK 3RD INN.) Canha sacrifice fly scores Semien
- (LAD 6TH INN.) Bellinger solo home run (1)
- (OAK 6TH INN.) Grossman double (1) scores Reed
- (OAK 6TH INN.) Perez fielder’s choice scores Bolt
- (OAK 6TH INN.) Barreto single scores Grossman
Dodgers-LowDown Player of the Game
Cody Bellinger served as the Dodgers’ entire offense on Thursday, scoring the team’s only run on his first home run of the spring. Bellinger’s return in this game came after his brief injury concern which was reported as “a knot in his back” by Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Up Next
The Dodgers move to 7-5 in Cactus League action after Thursday’s loss, tied with the Chicago White Sox for the fifth-best record in the Cactus League. On Friday, the Dodgers will travel back from Mesa to Glendale to host the Seattle Mariners under the lights at Camelback Ranch. Ross Stripling is slated to make the start for Los Angeles on Friday against former San Diego Padres pitcher, Nick Margevicius.
Arrick Joel has covered the Dodgers since 2017. Follow him on Twitter at @ArrickJoel.