Dodgers blow lead, rally to tie Mariners in ninth inning
THE GAME: In a game that was scoreless through 7½ innings, the Dodgers blew a one-run lead in the ninth but got an RBI triple from Drew Avans in the bottom of the frame to earn a 2-2 tie with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
PITCHING REPORT: Getting the start in place of Tony Gonsolin, who sprained his left ankle Monday, right-hander Michael Grove retired the first seven batters he faced and gave up one hit over three innings on a ground ball that trickled just through the infield. He threw 26 pitches. … Evan Phillips, Caleb Ferguson, Jimmy Nelson, Shelby Miller and Alex Vesia each delivered a scoreless inning. … Tyler Cyr gave up a go-ahead two-run home run to Alberto Rodriguez in the ninth on a ball that did not leave the park but was ruled a homer by the umpires on fan interference.
HITTING REPORT: The Dodgers’ minor leaguers made a strong showing, getting a run in the eighth inning on a walk from Hunter Feduccia, a single from Jorbit Vivas and an RBI single from Ryan Ward. … Avans’ game-tying triple in the ninth came after a one-out single from Jahmai Jones. … One pitch after missing a home run just outside the right-field foul pole in the second inning, Max Muncy ripped a single to right-center on the next pitch. … Yonny Hernandez tripled to lead off the fifth inning but was left stranded when Patrick Mazeika and Jason Heyward struck out and Miguel Rojas flied out.
DEFENSIVE REPORT: With catchers Will Smith (USA) and Austin Barnes (Mexico) away to join their World Baseball Classic teams, Mazeika started behind the plate and not only guided the pitching staff but raced to the Mariners’ dugout in the second inning to make a difficult play on a foul ball. … Muncy had a throwing error at third base in the sixth inning on a ground ball by former Dodger A.J. Pollock, but first baseman Devin Mann retrieved the ball and threw out Pollock trying to advance to second base.
UP NEXT: Dodgers vs. Oakland, Thursday, noon PT, Mesa, Ariz., SportsNet LA