The Los Angeles Dodgers kept their spring training streak alive with a 10-7 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. It was a game that showcased resilience and opportunistic play, hallmarks of a team ready to make some noise this season.
The Dodgers stumbled out of the gate, as starter Roki Sasaki struggled early on. The Diamondbacks jumped to a quick lead with Geraldo Perdomo's single and Tim Tawa's walk setting the stage. Despite a brilliant catch from Hyeseong Kim in centerfield, back-to-back doubles put L.A. in a 3-0 hole.
Hyeseong Kim's performance was a highlight, not just defensively but also at the plate, making a strong case for a spot on the Dodgers' Opening Day roster.
The Dodgers responded in the bottom of the first, capitalizing on some shaky defense from Arizona. Noah Miller's single, which slipped through the right fielder’s legs, brought in two runs, leveling the playing field.
By the fifth inning, the Dodgers found their groove. Kim's RBI single tied the game, and Santiago Espinal's walk loaded the bases.
Alex Freeland drew another walk, putting the Dodgers ahead 4-3. An infield error by the Diamondbacks allowed L.A. to extend their lead, and Jake Gelof, in his first spring appearance, added another run with a walk.
Arizona tried to claw back with a Pavin Smith homer in the fifth, but the Dodgers maintained a two-run lead. In the seventh, Zyhir Hope continued his impressive preseason with a two-run ground rule double. Another defensive miscue by the D-backs widened the gap to 10-4.
The Diamondbacks managed to score three more runs, including two solo homers and a ninth-inning balk, but the Dodgers' lead proved insurmountable.
The middle innings saw strong pitching performances from River Ryan, Edwin Diaz, and Chris Campos, who all delivered scoreless frames. This kind of bullpen strength will be crucial as the Dodgers aim to sustain their preseason success.
Looking ahead, the Dodgers are set to face the Chicago White Sox on Thursday, with Tyler Glasnow making his spring debut. If they continue to play with this mix of resilience and opportunism, the Dodgers are poised for an exciting season.