Ethier Shows Arm Strength, Puig Homers In 5-5 Tie
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Matt Cain pitched two perfect innings in his spring debut, Yasiel Puig hit his first home run of the exhibition season, and the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants played to a 5-5 tie Monday.
Brett Anderson allowed one hit over two innings in his debut with the Dodgers. The left-hander was limited to eight starts last year with the Colorado Rockies due to a broken left index finger and lower back surgery.
Cain, who did not pitch after July 9 following elbow surgery, needed just 20 pitches to complete his outing.
Dodgers' shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who tripled and doubled, was impressed with what he saw from Cain.
"He looked pretty good. He had good depth on his change. He threw me a 1-1 change that was good," said Rollins. "The ball is coming out of his hand nicely and he doesn't look like he's struggling."
Ryan Vogelsong followed Cain, allowing Puig's home run over his three innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out four. Joaquin Arias and Brandon Hicks drove in runs for the Giants.
"That was a good pitch. I can't be upset about that one," Vogelsong said of Puig's homer. "It was a good swing. Maybe it wasn't the right pitch for the situation but it was a good pitch."
Erik Bedard pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Anderson. The non-roster left-hander walked one and struck out two. Howie Kendrick and Andre Ethier drove in runs for the Dodgers.
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Dodgers: Anderson said his body was nervous but mentally he felt fine. "I was more excited more than anything," he said. "Once you throw the first pitch everything else goes out the window and you take it as close to a regular season game as possible."
Anderson was happiest about getting a lot of grounders and letting all four infielders handle the ball. "For what I do, it's a plus, plus defense. It will be extremely good."
The best part of finally getting on the mound, he said, was getting into a regular routine instead of dealing with rehab.
Giants: Cain expected to throw 30 pitches against the Dodgers, but he was too efficient. "That was enough," he said. "That went really good. I wanted to get out there and get in rhythm, find a groove and it all worked out."
Cain expects to be mindful of his elbow, especially on days following a start. "I'll try to watch the intensity when I'm playing catch," he said. "I need to come back and give the guys a great chance to win every time out."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: LHP J.P. Howell hopes to pitch again soon after suffering some tightness in his left groin muscle. . LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (back stiffness) was scheduled to throw a bullpen and could make his spring debut Thursday. . RHP Joel Peralta will throw to hitters on Tuesday and could pitch in a game this weekend.
Giants: RHP Tim Hudson (right ankle) will get his first start of the spring Wednesday after throwing to hitters a couple of times. . RHP Sergio Romo (sore right shoulder) has been cleared to pitch and will throw live batting practice on Tuesday. . OF Juan Perez was scratched from the starting lineup with tightness in his lower back.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Opening day starter Clayton Kershaw starts against the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday.
Giants: RHP Yusmeiro Petit starts Tuesday against the San Diego Padres.
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