Spring training: Dodgers 1, Padres 0

Actor Will Ferrell jumps at the right field fence on a home run from Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson while playing for the San Diego Padres during a spring training game in Peoria, Ariz.

Staff Writer

March 12, 2015 10:46 PM PT

AT THE PLATE: The Dodgers got just two hits but one of them was a towering solo home run by Joc Pederson with one out in the ninth to account for the game’s only run. The Dodgers would like to open the season with Pederson as their everyday centerfielder and the rookie is doing his part, hitting .353 in 17 spring at-bats. “I’m trying to put together quality at-bats and feel comfortable in the box,” he said. “Any time you put a ball on the barrel, it’s a good feeling in the head — especially when it goes over the fence. You can never have too many of them.” The Dodgers’ only other hit was a fourth-inning single by Carl Crawford. For the Padres, outfielder Matt Kemp saw his torrid spring interrupted when he went 0 for 3 against his former team. He is batting .429.

ON THE MOUND: Hyun-Jin Ryu’s spring debut was a good one with the left-hander pitching two perfect innings, retiring the last two batters he faced on strikeouts. Sergio Santos followed Ryu to the mound and was perfect as well. The right-hander, trying to make the roster as a reliever, hasn’t allowed a hit or a walk in three appearances. Six other Dodgers relievers — provided you count Will Ferrell, who retired a batter on the only pitch he threw — scattered two hits over the final six innings, with non-roster invitee Chad Gaudin striking out the side in the ninth. Gaudin has allowed just one hit in three innings, striking out six. Dodgers pitchers faced one batter over the minimum, striking out 10. Padres starter James Shields did not allow a runner in three innings, striking out five.

EXTRA BASES: Andre Ethier, battling Pederson for a starting job, made a splendid play in center field to start the bottom of the second, racing to the track to snare Justin Upton’s long drive. And despite going 0 for 2, he is hitting .308 this spring. The Dodgers’ two other outfielders continue to struggle though, with Crawford hitting .231 and Yasiel Puig striking out twice in three at-bats Thursday to drop his average to .214.

UP NEXT: Cincinnati Reds on Friday, 7:05 p.m. at Camelback Ranch. On the air: TV: SportsNetLA. Radio: 570.