Home runs and strikeouts mark Clayton Kershaw’s ‘weird’ spring outing

PHOENIX — Clayton Kershaw continued his progression toward opening day with five innings against the Mariners on Friday night at Camelback Ranch, an up-and-down outing that the Dodgers ace described as “weird.”

Kershaw struck out eight in his five innings, but also allowed four runs on six hits and two walks. Included in those hits were three home runs. Kershaw has only allowed three home runs in a start twice during the regular season in his career. The last such game was April 17, 2013.

“It was kind of weird. When I felt like I was executing, I was doing a pretty good job. There wasn’t really an in between tonight. I was either really good or really bad,” Kershaw said. “Some margin for error but it just didn’t happen tonight. Hopefully when you’re bad, you’re just not that bad.”

With a team off day next Wednesday, Kershaw will get an extra day of rest before his next start, likely his final stretched-out outing of the Cactus League before the usual final shortened start of the spring.

“I can live with homers. I feel like the three balls they hit really hard tonight just happened to go over the fence. That’s not always gonna happen but obviously you can’t let that happen. For the most part it was kind of blah,” Kershaw said. “I’m thankful it’s over and I’ve got one more long one to get ready.”

Andre Ethier got in one at-bat in his first game since March 6, grounding out to second base in the seventh inning.

In Peoria, Alex Wood retired the first 10 Padres batters he faced en route allowing one run in 4⅓ innings, including five strikeouts and five ground ball outs. Wood allowed just two singles, but stranded them both.

The Dodgers on Saturday were without manager Dave Roberts, whose father Waymon passed away at age 68. Bench coach Bob Geren managed the club against Seattle, and Triple-A Oklahoma City manager Bill Haselman managed in Peoria against San Diego.

The Dodgers lost to the Mariners 5-2, and lost to the Padres 3-2.

Up next

The Dodgers are back under the sun on Saturday, with Kenta Maeda starting against the White Sox in a 1:05 p.m. game at Camelback Ranch. The game will be televised by SportsNet LA and broadcast on 570 AM.