The Los Angeles Dodgers battled back from an early deficit to take their second win of spring training against the Cleveland Guardians on Tuesday.
Roki Sasaki made his second appearance of the spring for the Dodgers, but his preseason struggles continued. He had a nightmare first inning, allowing the first three batters to reach base. Kyle Manzardo stepped up fourth in the first inning and hit a grand slam for the Guardians, giving them an early 4-0 lead.
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Sasaki came out after another walk, but re-entered the game in the second inning and managed to hit his stride. He retired six batters in a row after coming back into the game, and recorded two strikeouts.
Miguel Rojas kicked off the scoring for the Dodgers, hitting a two-run shot — his first homer since his game-tying blast in Game 7 of the World Series — in the top of the third to cut the Guardians’ lead in half.
The Dodgers took the lead for the first time in the game in the top of the fourth, with Zach Erhard hitting a two-run triple to center and Ryan Ward scoring him on the subsequent at-bat. LA maintained their lead late into the game, threatening to extend it with runners in scoring position in both the seventh and eighth innings but ultimately failing to score.
Mar 3, 2026; Goodyear, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Miguel Rojas (72) high fives teammates after hitting a two run home run against the Cleveland Guardians during the third inning at Goodyear Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images
The Dodgers’ pitching kept the Guardians at bay, not allowing a single run following Manzardo’s grand slam in the first inning, sealing a 5-4 win for the Dodgers. After Sasaki, Ronan Kopp Tanner Scott, Antoine Kelly, River Ryan, Will Klein and Wyatt Crowell managed scoreless outings while racking up a total of 11 strikeouts.
LA’s win brings them to a 9-3 record in spring training, bringing them level at the top of the Cactus League with the San Francisco Giants. The Dodgers jump back into play Wednesday, though not in the Cactus League. They will face Team Mexico in an exhibition game at 12:05 p.m. PT.
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