Sunday, March 10, 2024
Copyrighted by Sarah Morris, 2024
A pleasant Sunday afternoon at Camelback Ranch, the Dodgers hammered the Arizona Diamondbacks 12-to-1.
Gavin Stone, competing for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, has had a terrific spring, and it continued in the first inning when he struck out the side against the Arizona Diamondbacks. This spring, his breaking pitches and changeups have been impressive. Stone allowed a single, but Lux made a good play and then completed a double play. The Arkansan native is having a great outing with his fastball, curveball, and changeup dazzling. Many people compare Stone to the former Dodger Zack Greinke. Stone should have earned the fifth spot in the Dodger starting rotation even though the Dodgers don’t need a fifth starter until the middle of April. Stone hurled a scoreless fourth.
To start the game offensively, Mookie Betts singled. Freddie Freeman homered. Will Smith singled, Teoscar Hernández singled, James Outman walked, and Chris Taylor blasted a grand slam. After Gavin Lux singled, Betts singled. Lux scored on a wild pitch while Shohei Ohtani walked. Freeman finally grounded out to end the first inning.
To open the fourth, Betts had an infield single. Smith’s triple scored Betts.
Dinelson Lamet allowed a single. Betts committed an error and couldn’t complete a double play. Lamet allowed another single that scored a run.
Before the game, Dave Roberts announced that Brusdar Graterol, who is dealing with a sore hip, won’t accompany the team to South Korea. The Dodgers hope he will be ready for Opening Day at Dodger Stadium. With a bruised lung, Blake Treinen is doubtful for the South Korean series. Treinen was having a fantastic spring training as he returned from shoulder surgery. These injuries open spots in the Dodger bullpen.
Taylor drove in Hernández in the fifth.
Kevin Gowdy allowed a single and balked but didn’t allow a run.
To lead off the sixth, Austin Barnes walked and scored on Ohtani’s double. Ohtani scored on Freeman’s triple.
Juan Morilio from high A pitched a perfect seventh inning and used only eight pitches.
Nabil Crismatt issued a walk but pitched well in the eighth.
Chris Owings walked, was balked to second, went to third on a wild pitch, and scored on a single.
John Rooney pitched a perfect ninth, including facing Cole Roberts, Dave’s son.
