The final game for the Dodgers at Vero Beach saw an uncharacteristically high scoring game with the Houston Astros. The Astros had just a bit more fuel in the tank to take the back-and-forth game, 12-10.
Chad Billingsley got the start, and had a hard time giving up the long ball. Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn, and David Newhan all went yard. His final line was 5 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 BB, 3 K. I'll focus on the positive in that he only walked 1 in 5 innings, which is a sign that his control was at least in check. Too bad those 3 fly balls that left the park weren't.
The bats were on fire throughout, and Rafael Furcal was awesome. He launched a home run in the 3rd, then hit 2 triples en route to a 3-run game. Delwyn Young scored twice and had 2 walks. Jason Repko raised his Spring Training AVG to .343 with a 2-hit day. And some young player named Preston Mattingly hit his first homer of the spring.
The best player of the day, however, was once again Andre Ethier. He finished 4-5, HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, SB. Getting the start in right field and hitting 3rd in the order, he once again proved how valuable a player he could be if given enough playing time. His AVG is now up to .354, which in my book is pretty good.
Yup, it was a great day for the Dodgers at the plate...
...EXCEPT FOR JUAN PIERRE. I can pretty much just cut and paste the same comment from the other day. Hitting in the leadoff spot, he was 0-5, lowering his AVG to .196. Man, this is getting to be really pathetic. In 51 at-bats, he's taken 4 walks for an OBP of .296. Again, pathetic. I know Joe Torre likes to give veterans chances to play, but even a blind man can see that Ethier is doing all he can to earn the spot, while Pierre is doing all he can to sit the bench.
I can say with full confidence that an Ethier-Jones-Kemp outfield is looking better and better each day.
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