Spring Training Recap: James Outman Shines; Dodgers Tie Giants

The Los Angeles Dodgers were under the lights for the first time this spring and came from behind to play to a 1-1 tie with the San Francisco Giants at Scottsdale Stadium. The game was shortened to seven innings as permitted under MLB’s health and safety protocols.

Walker Buehler wasn’t at his sharpest but still managed to keep the Giants to a double over two scoreless innings. Buehler’s effort was aided by James Outman making a pair of sliding catches in center field. Buehler threw 24 pitches on the night and collected one strikeout.

He was followed by Dustin May, who got through the third thanks to stellar play by Edwin Rios at third base but then struggled the following inning. Jason Volser’s one-out double was followed by a walk. May began to rely on his offspeed pitches and worked out of the jam.

While their pitching was rising to the occasion, the Dodgers squandered several opportunities to take the lead. Austin Barnes and Edwin Rios were both stranded after walking to put two on with nobody out in the second inning.

A Mookie Betts double and Corey Seager walk in the third also weren’t cashed in as AJ Pollock hit into an inning-ending double play. Barnes then was left on base after leading off the fourth with a base hit.

The Dodgers’ inability to score came back to cost them in the bottom of the sixth when sloppy defense allowed the Giants to put the go-ahead run in scoring position with none out. Alex Vesia nearly worked his way out of trouble but the Giants took the lead on a sacrifice fly.

On the verge of their first Spring Training loss, Outman added to his big night with a game-tying RBI double. L.A. went on to load the bases but failed to break the tie.

Next for Dodgers

With the Dodgers now into their regular starters, Julio Urias is next to take the mound Wednesday night against the Cincinnati Reds.

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