GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Clayton Kershaw pitched five innings in his penultimate tuneup for the season opener in Australia, giving up five hits to a split squad of San Francisco Giants during their 3-2 victory Sunday over the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Kershaw allowed a two-run homer to Brandon Hicks in the second. The two-time Cy Young Award winner was picked earlier in the day to make his fourth straight opening-day start March 22 against Arizona at Sydney Cricket Ground.
“Anytime you get to start opening day, no matter what continent it’s on, it’s pretty cool,” Kershaw said.
Don Sutton holds the Los Angeles record with seven successive opening-day starts from 1972-78. Kershaw will become the first Dodgers pitcher to make four in a row since Ramon Martinez from 1995-98.
“It’s definitely an honor,” Kershaw said. “Getting to do it now for a few years in a row is pretty special. You know, you don’t take it for granted. I’ve known about it for a little while. It’s just time to prepare for it now.”
Hicks’ drive to right field scored Joaquin Arias, who singled and moved to second on a wild pitch by Kershaw. The left-hander, who signed a $215 million, seven-year contract in January, is scheduled to make one more spring training start Saturday against San Diego before the Dodgers head to Australia.
“This game definitely wasn’t perfect,” Kershaw said. “But I think it was a step in the right direction. I built my pitch count up. I got to five innings, which is really important. Hopefully, I’ll have pretty close to a normal start the next time out.”
Hyun-Jin Ryu will start the second game against the Diamondbacks on March 23, manager Don Mattingly announced Sunday.
Giants starter Edwin Escobar gave up one hit and walked four in three innings.
STARTING TIME
Giants: Escobar, a left-hander, is a potential starter, although the 21-year-old from Venezuela might be a year away from getting a spot in the rotation. His fastball has been clocked as high as 94 mph.
“My first inning, I was trying to keep my ball down, but there was a little bit of adrenaline,” Escobar said. “It got a little exciting. After I got my first inning, I felt more comfortable.”
Dodgers: Kershaw isn’t sure what to expect in Australia, or how jet lag will affect him.
“I’ve been to Africa,” he said. “That’s a long flight. But I’ve never traveled like that to compete. To be honest, this is new territory for me.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Giants: Corner outfielders Michael Morse and Hunter Pence both sat out. Morse has a sore calf. Pence has a sore left elbow. Pence started all 162 games last season. … Giants infielder Marco Scutaro has yet to appear in a spring training game because of a sore back.
Dodgers: Zack Greinke is scheduled for a bullpen session Monday. He hasn’t appeared in a spring game since straining his right calf while throwing only four pitches Feb. 27 against the Diamondbacks. Greinke is not expected to travel to Australia. He stirred up some controversy early in camp when he said there was “zero interest” in the trip. … Center fielder Matt Kemp, recovering from microfracture surgery on his left ankle, was 0 for 7 in a minor league game. But the good news, Mattingly said, was that Kemp had no trouble with his ankle.
PUIG RETURNS
Yasiel Puig was back in the Dodgers’ lineup after an excused absence from camp Saturday. He got one hit, a double, in three at-bats.
“It’s personal,” Mattingly said. “It was never a problem, as far as we’re concerned. It’s up to him if he wants to talk about it.”
Puig declined to disclose why he had to leave camp for a day.
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