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Zack Greinke allows 4 extra-base hits in 2nd start for Dodgers, 7-5 loss to Padres

By: The Associated Press

Posted: 03/1/2013 5:27 PM | Comments: 0 | Last Modified: 03/1/2013 7:28 PM

GLENDALE, Ariz. - Zack Greinke's rocky outing hardly raised an eyebrow at Dodgers camp.

Greinke was hit hard in his second spring training start, allowing three doubles and a triple over three innings as a Los Angeles split squad lost to the San Diego Padres 7-5 Friday.

"The hits I gave up were on fastballs that were strikes," he said. "They should hit those. If they were just crushing stuff no one should be hitting, I'd be a little more worried."

Dodgers manager Don Mattingly wasn't concerned about the right-hander, either. Greinke, who signed a $147 million, six-year contract to join the team in December, tossed two scoreless innings against the Chicago White Sox in his Cactus League debut.

"He's fine," Mattingly said. "He was just going after people."

Greinke gave up two runs and five hits, avoiding more damage when a runner was thrown out at the plate in the first inning. He escaped a bases-loaded, none-out jam in the third.

The 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner allowed doubles to his first two batters, Everth Cabrera and Chris Denorfia. Chase Headley followed with a single to right, but Denorfia was thrown out at the plate on first baseman Adrian Gonzalez's relay from Jerry Hairston Jr.

"We really strung some hits together," said Padres manager Bud Black, whose club finished with 15. "That was great to see. Overall, I thought our at-bats were aggressive."

Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp, recovering from left shoulder surgery on Oct. 5, played his first spring training game and finished 0 for 2. He grounded out and struck out looking.

"Good to get it out of the way," Kemp said. "I was excited. I felt a little jumpy, just like any first spring training game. But I'm just happy to be back on the field."

Kemp was the designated hitter. He fought back from an 0-2 count in the first inning against San Diego starter Freddy Garcia.

"I swung and fouled a changeup," Kemp said. "Last year, that would have made my left shoulder hurt. I didn't hurt today. That's a really good sign that my shoulder is well and responding to the rehab."

Mattingly wants to ease Kemp into the lineup. He's not expected to play Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, but could be back in the batting order Sunday against Cleveland at Camelback Ranch.

"That last at-bat, I wish I had gotten some (RBIs) or something," Kemp said. "You never like to strike out. But it's only the second at-bat."

Logan Forsythe singled and scored the go-ahead run in the ninth for the Padres on a balk by Zach Lee.

NOTES: Dodgers LF Carl Crawford is frustrated that he has yet to play in a spring training game. He was supposed to make his first appearance Friday, but it's now expected to be delayed a week because of nerve irritation in his left arm. Crawford had surgery on his throwing elbow in August. "Personally, I've been so anxious to get back out there," he said. "But my time will come." ... Dodgers RF Andre Ethier sat out because of a blister on his right hand that gave him trouble last season. INF Justin Sellers also didn't play. Sellers had an in-grown toenail removed two days ago. ... Dodgers great Sandy Koufax left camp Thursday after working with the pitchers. "I hate to see him go," Clayton Kershaw said. "It's great to talk to him. I hope he comes back sometime during the season."

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