Speedy Dee Gordon Spurs Dodgers To Win
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) -- Luis Cruz is impressing the Dodgers with his many skills. Dee Gordon's speed is amazing to all.
Gordon led off the game with a bunt single and scored a run and Cruz hit a two-run triple as Los Angeles beat the Cleveland Indians 5-4 Saturday.
"He's interesting," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of Cruz. "Again, we've talked about his versatility a lot. There's his flexibility and durability. He is able to play a lot of different positions. Definitely, he's in the mix."
Gordon raced down the first base line in 3.79 seconds in the first -- timed in the press box. A time of 4.0 is considered very fast.
"That is soooo slow," Gordon joked after stealing second for his eighth stolen base this spring. He moved to third on a throwing error by Indians catcher Lou Marson and scored on Mark Ellis' groundout.
Gordon, who had two hits in three at-bats, also got thrown out at second in the third inning.
"Got to try and see what happens," said Gordon, who tries to unnerve pitchers with his quickness.
Cruz, who subbed for Gordon at shortstop in the top of the seventh, tripled, driving in two runs. Then, he scored on a single by left-fielder Cory Sullivan.
Dodgers left-hander Chris Capuano worked five innings, giving up six hits and two runs. He had five strikeouts.
"I felt great the first four innings," Capuano said. "But I got noticeably tired in the fifth. My ball was up. But through the first four innings my command was good."
Cleveland starter Derek Lowe gave up seven hits and two runs -- one earned -- in six innings. He struck out four without giving up a walk.
"The key to spring training is how do you feel when you are done?" Lowe said. "Are you at the end of your rope or feel you can go some more. I threw 85 pitches and I felt good. I'm in better shape now than last spring training. Last offseason, I did some traveling and didn't do my usual work. I tried to catch up and never did. It was a scuffle from Day 1.
"It's never a good sign when they post your pitches at Citi Field and your changeup is higher than your fastball," Lowe said. "I'd look up and say, gee, that wasn't a change. This was a good day overall. I think I'm ready to go."
NOTES: Dodgers infielder Justin Sellers is sidelined by a skin rash. "He's out maybe a couple of days," Mattingly said. "It's some kind of reaction. We're trying to figure it out. You don't want to know where it is." .Dodgers physicians looks at infielder Jerry Hairston's right shoulder Saturday. Mattingly is concerned about his throwing motion. Hairston has five throwing errors this spring. However, Hairston said he feels healthy and ready to play. .Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw is the Dodgers scheduled starter Sunday in Maryvale, Ariz., against the Milwaukee Brewers, who are expected to counter with right-hander Shaun Marcum. Kershaw is scheduled for his final Cactus League start on March 31 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Scottsdale. . A stiff neck kept Dodgers left-hander Ted Lilly from a bullpen session Saturday. Lilly battled neck problems last season. . Indians right-hander Jeanmar Gomez is the scheduled start Sunday against the Chicago Cubs in Goodyear, Ariz. The Cubs plan to start right-hander Rodrigo Lopez.
