Kershaw Strikes Out 7 Angels In His 2nd Outing Of Spring Ball
GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) It didn't take long for Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Luis Cruz to recover from food poisoning.
In his first at-bat after two days in bed, Cruz hit a two-run homer that helped the Dodgers beat the Angels 10-8 Thursday and leave their Los Angeles rival with an 0-5-2 record at spring training.
"I'm still weak," Cruz said after sending a pitch from Jerome Williams over the left-field fence and into the Dodgers bullpen. "But, hitting-wise, I feel good."
Cruz, who appeared in 78 games last season with the Dodgers after limited major league experience with Pittsburgh and Milwaukee, was hospitalized for a day for treatment of dehydration.
Dodger manager Don Mattingly hopes Cruz provides stability at third base alongside Hanley Ramirez, back at shortstop following his trade last summer from the Miami Marlins.
"I want Luis thinking about being the everyday third baseman," Mattingly said. "I'm not thinking about him at any other position."
Clayton Kershaw struck out seven over three innings in his second spring training appearance. Preparing to face San Francisco on April 1 in his third straight opening-day start, Kershaw allowed three runs - two earned - and six hits, walking none.
Mark Trumbo had an RBI single in the first on a slider, and Howie Kendrick doubled in a run in the third and scored on Vernon Wells' single.
"As always, I was trying to get comfortable and get outs," Kershaw said. "But I left sliders up and I can't do that. I left that ball up and Trumbo got that double. Make a mistake and they'll let you know."
Williams gave up five runs - four earned - five hits and two walks in two innings.
NOTES: The Angels waived reliever RHP Bobby Cassevah, who had 2.87 ERA in 48 appearances over two seasons, 2010 and 2011. The right-hander was limited to four games last year, when he tore his rotator cuff. "He just wasn't throwing the ball the way he was capable of," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. ... The Dodgers held an open tryout Thursday. The 80 hopefuls included pitcher Daniel "Doc" Jacobs, an Iraq veteran who was injured in 2006 by an improvised explosive device. He lost his left leg below his knee. He sustained foot and hand injuries. Jacobs threw out a ceremonial first pitch. ... Dodgers LF Carl Crawford, projected to be the leadoff hitter, canceled batting practice Thursday because of tightness in his left arm, according to Mattingly. He also didn't do any throwing. Crawford had surgery on his left elbow in August. ... Dodgers CF Matt Kemp, recovering from left shoulder surgery in October, said he hopes to make his first appearance in a spring-training game Friday.
