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So if you take anything away from tonight’s game it will be that the Dodgers new third base coach is the breakout star of their 2019 spring training.
If you love baseball, listen to Dino Ebel mic’d up. And if you don’t like baseball, you will after this. pic.twitter.com/Q5iqNXwtkN
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) March 26, 2019
Okay, that might be a bit strong but Ebel was on the microphone while coaching third base for the first seven innings in the Dodgers 8-7 win tonight. And he was both informative and entertaining, two things you might not expect to get in the second-to-last spring training game.
And now about the game, the Dodgers took the lead with the five-run seventh inning. Three of the runs scored on bases-loaded walks to Jeter Downs, Cody Bellinger and Matt Beaty. The final two runs scored on Connor Wong’s single.
The Dodgers would add to that when Alex Verdugo doubled home Omar Estevez in the ninth.
Turns out they would need that run as two pitchers who made Rancho Cucamonga their home in 2018 combined to give up four runs in the bottom of the ninth. Jordan Sheffield gave up four runs after leaving with the bases loaded. Parker Curry got the save after he was able to get the two final outs.
Kenta Maeda started and pitched three innings. Maeda gave up three runs and five hits including a first pitch solo home run by Kole Calhoun and two doubles from Calhoun and Kevan Smith. He also struck out two. Maeda is scheduled to make his first regular season start on Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Pedro Báez, Scott Alexander and Kenley Jansen got perhaps their final tuneups for the regular season. Justin Grimm made his first appearance for the Dodgers this spring and with the aid of a pop-up slide, got out of his inning without giving up a run. Grimm would get the win for the Dodgers.
Caleb Ferguson retired the side in order in the bottom of the seventh. Logan Salow and Yimi Garcia closed out the eighth inning.
Other notes from Anaheim
RHP Dustin May, RHP Kevin Quackenbush, C Josh Thole, INF Daniel Castro and OFs Paulo Orlando and Ezequiel Carrera were sent to minor league camp. The Dodgers have 29 players in big league camp.
— Dodger Insider (@DodgerInsider) March 26, 2019
Later it was announced that the Dodgers sent RHP Stetson Allie to the minor league camp and the Dodgers will have 28 players in big league camp.
Up next
The Dodgers will happily close out their spring training with their first game at Dodger Stadium this season. A pair of 22-year olds will take the mound, Julio Urías will be going for the Dodgers and the Angels will start right-hander Jaime Barria.
First pitch will be at 7:10 p.m. and the game will be on SportsNet LA and Fox Sports West. It will also be on MLB Network outside of Southern California.