Joc Pederson, Hyun-jin Ryu highlight Dodgers' 5-0 win over White Sox

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers on Friday got two scoreless innings from Hyun-jin Ryu and home runs from Joc Pederson and Clint Robinson to beat the White Sox 5-0 at Camelback Ranch.

Ryu allowed two hits, a single and a double, in two otherwise trouble-free innings. After watching Zack Greinke last just four pitches one day earlier, the stability was welcome.

"Overall I was satisfied with my performance, that I didn't give up any base on balls, that I was able to command my pitches. Everything went smoothly," Ryu said, though a translator. "Last year was my first year in spring training and didn't know what to expect. Now that I'm more comfortable I can continue to develop and get ready for the season."

With the uncertainty of Zack Greinke, Ryu said he would be willing to pitch in Australia, if needed.

"I'll do whatever the team asks," Ryu said. "If I'm called to pitch, I'll be ready in Australia."

The game was scoreless until the seventh, when Pederson took Jake Petricka over the wall in left field for an opposite field home run and a 2-0 lead.

Pederson has been impressive in camp so far, so much so that manager Don Mattingly has on multiple occasions compared Pederson's swing to Robinson Cano and Carlos Gonzalez.

"You can't really get mad about a comparison like that, those are two of the better hitters in the game. It was pretty humbling," Pederson said, laughing. "I just have to keep learning and perfecting the craft."

Pederson was drafted by the Dodgers out of high school in 2010 in the 11th round, and eventually signed for $600,000. He talked Friday about how close he was to going to USC instead.

"It was a couple hours. I already had my bags packed, had a bike, a cruiser," he said. "But instead of driving down to move in to the dorm, I was driving for a physical. Everything happened pretty quick."

It's happening pretty quick for Pederson this spring, too. With Matt Kemp still not cleared to run and Carl Crawford nursing quad and hamstring injuries, there is ample playing time to be had during spring games. Pederson, in his first big league camp, is taking advantage.

Not that he will necessarily make the club as a reserve outfielder - it would take multiple openings and more of an every day slot for Pederson to begin in the majors - but it's nice to be noticed every once in a while.

Notes

• Chad Billingsley will begin throwing curve balls on Saturday, the next step in his rehab process from Tommy John surgery.
• Miguel Rojas left the game after the seventh inning, suffering a contusion below his left knee from a foul ball, per Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
• Carl Crawford, after sitting out two days with tightness in his right quad, is expected to start for the Dodgers on Saturday.
  
• Josh Beckett will start Sunday for the Dodgers against the Padres at Camelback Ranch.

Up next

The Dodgers are scheduled to face the Brewers in Maryvale on Saturday, with Dan Haren on the mound against Kyle Lohse for Milwaukee. But there is reportedly a 60-70% chance of rain, so it's not certain that the game will be played.

Friday particulars

Home runs: Joc Pederson (1), Clint Robinson (1)

WP - Jamey Wright (1-0): 1 IP, 1 strikeout

LP - Jake Petricka (0-1): 1 IP, 2 hits, 2 runs, 1 strikeout

Sv - Matt Magill (1): 2 IP, 1 hit, 1 walk, 2 strikeouts