Dee Gordon, Hanley Ramirez homer in Dodgers intrasquad game

GLENDALE -- Dee Gordon and Hanley Ramirez homered in the top of the first inning, leading Team Wills to a 3-1 victory over Team Koufax in the Dodgers intrasquad game on Field 1 at Camelback Ranch.

Gordon hit the second pitch of the game from Hyun-Jin Ryu over the wall in right field for a quick 1-0 lead.

"I just took a good swing, he elevated the ball, a swung hard, and it went where it went," Gordon said.

Gordon, when asked if starting at second base on opening day was on his mind, had a more modest goal.

"My goal is to get on that airplane to Australia. That's it."

Juan Uribe followed with a double out of reach of the outstretched glove of a diving Yasiel Puig in right field, then Hanley Ramirez followed with a home run to left center field for a 3-0 lead three batters into the game.4

Matt Kemp selected Team Wills, and picked Ramirez with the first overall pick. Zack Greinke picked for Team Koufax and took Ryu. After the home run by Ramirez, Kemp was playfully taunting from the third base dugout, "With the first pick..."

Grid View

• Hyun-jin Ryu facing Nick Buss
• Kenley Jansen facing Juan Uribe
• Dee Gordon batting
• Yasiel Puig at the plate
• Scorebook I came prepared, with pens of three different colors

What stood out in the four-inning contest was how much fun the players were having, finally out on the field in a quasi-competitive setting, free from the shackles of pitching screens, batting cages, and even coaches.

"It's hard to hit live BP when you're in a cage. It's good to get out there, get some live ground balls with your teammates, talk some trash," Gordon said. "It was fun."

The trash talk was flowing freely, with Uribe involved in the funniest moments. After Ryu finished his two innings of work and was walking off the field he passed by third base. "Are you okay? Are you okay?" Uribe asked Ryu, then held his hands to his heart. "I'm sorry" (for doubling).

Matt Magill started for Team Wills and pitched two innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits. Facing Puig in the bottom of the first inning Magill threw up and in, causing Puig to nearly fall getting out of the way. Ramirez and Uribe were ribbing Puig at this but the right fielder answered with a line drive to center field that he turned into a double. In fairness, scoring that a double was generous as a good throw would have easily nabbed Puig at second base.

Uribe immediately called for Davey Lopes, implying Puig needed someone to hold him at first base. Puig scored after Ramirez misplayed a ground ball by Scott Van Slyke.

Up 3-1, Kemp was needling Greinke about halfway through the game. "Greinke, you gonna go coach your team? They need help," Kemp said, laughing.

"We're not allowed to coach," Greinke said, correctly.

Brian Wilson pitched a perfect bottom of the third inning, the only 1-2-3 frame of the game, with two strikeouts.

Tim Federowicz hit what looked to be a sure double to center field in the top of the fourth, but a speedy Joc Pederson got to the ball quickly and made a strong and accurate throw to second base to hold him to a single.

Carl Crawford led off the bottom of the fourth with a single against Chris Perez, bringing Puig to the plate as the tying run. But Perez got Puig to bounce to third, and Puig immediately reacted with "Aye, Uribe" as he ran down the line. Uribe was able to turn the 5-4-3 double play, narrowly getting Puig at first base, then yelled several times at Puig in playful celebration.

Van Slyke followed with a pop fly single down the left field line, just out of the reach of Uribe, but left fielder Mike Baxter recovered in time to throw to second base to get Van Slyke for the final out of the game. It was the second time Van Slyke was thrown out at second base trying to advance.

The game was a little bit sloppy, but a lot of fun. Because baseball is back.

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