GLENDALE, Ariz. – The Dodgers’ pitching staff shut down a San Diego Padres lineup that included Fernando Tatis Jr., in an 8-3 victory on Monday.
PITCHING REPORT: In his first start of the spring, and second outing, right-hander Noah Syndergaard struck out two batters over three perfect innings. … Right-hander Dustin May followed with three scoreless innings, giving up just an infield single. … Right-handers Tayler Scott and Gavin Stone combined to give up one hit over two innings. … Trouble didn’t surface until the ninth inning when left-hander Justin Bruihl allowed the first two batters to reach base before leaving with back tightness. The Padres scored three times in the final inning. Dodgers pitchers held Tatis to no hits in three at-bats.
HITTING REPORT: The Dodgers turned five hits and a walk into a six-run third inning to take command of the game. Miguel Rojas opened the scoring with a two-run double before Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy each added a two-out RBI double. … Will Smith and JD Martinez each had RBI singles in the inning. The RBI for Martinez came after he opened Cactus League play by going 1-for-16 with five strikeouts. … Smith, Rojas and Muncy each finished the day with two hits, while Rojas added a home run in the sixth inning against left-hander Ryan Weathers.
FIELDING REPORT: A day after Mookie Betts ranged wide to make a highlight defensive play at second base, Miguel Vargas added his own stellar play at second in the second inning when he made a sliding stop on a smash by Austin Nola and threw to first base for the out. Nola again was victimized in the fifth inning as left fielder Chris Taylor made an over-the-shoulder catch on a drive to the wall. The play kept Syndergaard and May perfect through the Padres’ first 15 batters of the game.
UP NEXT: After a rare off day Tuesday, the Dodgers next will face the Seattle Mariners, Wednesday, 5:05 p.m., SportsNet LA.
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