Clayton Kershaw strikes out 11 in longest spring outing

SURPRISE — Clayton Kershaw looks primed and ready for the regular season after striking out 11 in the Dodgers’ 10-2 win over the Rangers on Thursday evening.

Kershaw struck out the first four batters he faced, and also struck out the last five he faced, allowing just two singles and a walk in his six scoreless innings. It was the final stretched-out start this spring for Kershaw, who will throw shorter, tune-up start in his next time out.

The goal on Thursday was to get to six innings, which Kershaw did in 92 pitches.

The Dodgers jumped all over the Rangers, scoring early and often against starter Dillon Gee. They scored in each of the first four innings, and got home runs from Chase Utley and Rob Segedin in the win.

The offense was rolling so well that Kershaw got three plate appearances at the plate. His final trip to the plate resulted in a walk, his second of the spring.

Back fields bonanza

The minor league games at Camelback Ranch on Thursday were supplemented by a trio of Dodgers major leaguers putting in work against Double-A and Triple-A players from the Padres.

Corey Seager continued his rehab from a sore oblique, and played five innings at shortstop in his second game in three days. Seager was 1-for-4 with a single, two strikeouts and a sacrifice fly against Triple-A Padres.

In that same game, Alex Wood stretched out to five innings, allowing a run on five hits with a walk and a strikeout.

Julio Urias was back on a mound in a game for the first time in eight days, and two days after a bullpen session. Urias pitched three innings for the first time this spring, allowing just two hits in the Double-A game, with two strikeouts.

Up next

More back fields action is expected on Friday, with Kenta Maeda stretched out to six innings in a game against Rangers Class-A players.

In the MLB game, the Dodgers will take on the Diamondbacks at Camelback Ranch at 1:05 p.m., with Trevor Oaks on the mound continuing his impressive spring. The game won’t be televised, but the game will be broadcast on radio by 570 AM.

Adrian Gonzalez was out again on Thursday, but said his right elbow felt better. He expects to start on Friday.