Kendrick Hits Long 3-Run HR, Dodgers And Texas Tie At 11
SURPRISE, Ariz. (AP) - Howie Kendrick hit a three-run homer estimated at 440 feet and the Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers tied 11-11 Tuesday.
The game was stopped after nine innings.
Kendrick's homer was a prodigious shot to straightaway center.
"I don't know if I was like, 'wow,'" Kendrick said. "I was just trying to put a good swing on it. I actually thought I missed it a little bit, but it ended up going out of the yard. I guess the wind was blowing today."
"I've still got a lot of work to do, but I like where it's at right now. It's spring. I'm trying to see as many pitches as I can. I'm just trying to get ready for the season. If it means we're hitting balls hard like that, I'll take it all day," he said.
Yasiel Puig and Yasmani Grandal contributed RBI singles in the Dodgers' seven-run fifth.
Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu gave up three runs and three hits in three innings.
Rangers starter Yovani Gallardo yielded one run on four hits and two walks in four innings.
Gallardo started the last five openers for Milwaukee, which traded him to Texas in January. Manager Jeff Banister has yet to announce a starter for April 6 against Oakland, but Gallardo is lined up to pitch on that date.
"I would be honored if the manager wants it," Gallardo said. "That's the good thing about the guys in here. It's not one guy that will be upset if they don't get it. We work as a team. It's going to be a staff."
Texas shortstop Elvis Andrus went 3 for 3, including a two-run double in the fifth, raising his spring average to .444. He also committed two errors.
Carlos Peguero homered for Texas. Jorge Alfonso delivered a two-run, pinch-single with two outs in the ninth for the Rangers to tie it.
STARTING TIME
Rangers: RHP Nick Tepesch, who is a rotation candidate, allowed three runs on five hits and two walks over four innings. He has a 10.38 ERA after three appearances.
NO MATCHUP
Shin-Soo Choo was not in the Rangers' lineup and missed the chance to face Ryu. Both are from South Korea and the game was televised live to South Korea. "He called out my name before the game," Ryu said through a translator. "I just said hello. I'm glad Choo took a day off."
HITS AND ERRORS
The Rangers and Dodgers combined for 28 hits, six for extra-bases, and seven errors, which led to six unearned runs. 2B Darwin Barney's ninth-inning miscue helped the Rangers score two unearned runs to tie it. ... The Dodgers have five ties in 15 games, matching their spring training record for ties. "We're knocking that down," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said of the record.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Kenley Jansen, who logged 44 saves last season, is off crutches and his left foot, which required surgery last month, is in a walking boot. Jansen began a throwing program Tuesday, but is not expected to pitch before late April at the earliest.
Rangers: RHP Anthony Ranaudo, who left his Cactus League start Thursday with elbow discomfort, worked 1 2-3 scoreless innings in a Double-A game Monday. Ranaudo, who is contending for a rotation slot, said the elbow "feels great." He is penciled in for a Saturday start against the Dodgers in San Antonio.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Brandon McCarthy will make his third start Wednesday against the Cubs.
Rangers: Off Wednesday, with LHP Ross Detwiler scheduled to start Thursday against Cincinnati.