3/16/15: Darnell Sweeney launches a grand slam to the opposite field, giving the Dodgers a 6-4 lead in the 8th inning
GLENDALE, Ariz. — The Dodgers erupted for eight runs in the eighth inning on three home runs Monday for a 10-5 victory over the A’s at Camelback Ranch.
Darnell Sweeney‘s one-out grand slam against right-hander Ryan Cook started the Dodgers’ late-game fireworks, followed by back-to-back homers from Scott Schebler (for three runs) and Chris Heisey.
Josh Phegley homered, doubled and drove in three runs to lead the A’s, while starting pitcher Kendall Graveman threw 4 2/3 scoreless innings.
Phegley slugged a home run leading off the third inning against Dodgers starter Zack Greinke. In the fourth inning off reliever Chris Hatcher, Phegley doubled over the head of right fielder Scott Van Slyke. That scored Billy Butler, who had walked, and Jason Pridie, who had cashed in Marcus Semien‘s infield single with an RBI fielder’s choice.
Graveman allowed two hits and Oakland’s defense turned a pair of double plays on Juan Uribe grounders.
Darwin Barney had three hits for the Dodgers, including an RBI double in a two-run sixth inning that included an RBI groundout by Adrian Gonzalez.
Dodgers relievers Joel Peralta, Chad Gaudin and Yimi Garcia each pitched a scoreless inning.
Up next: The bullpen battle continues on Tuesday (1:05 PT, MLB.TV) when the Dodgers travel to Surprise to play the Rangers. After Hyun-Jin Ryu makes his second start of Spring Training and J.P. Howell his second appearance, the last four or five innings will be handled by five of the dozen relievers contending for open bullpen spots. On the travel list are Paco Rodriguez, Juan Nicasio, David Aardsma, Pedro Baez and Dustin McGowan. Yasiel Puig will make the trip, but Gonzalez and Uribe won’t.
Ken Gurnick is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
