Ian Desmond did not have any chances in his first game in left field and hit a seventh-inning double for the Texas Rangers in a 3-3 tie against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday.
Desmond was the Washington Nationals starting shortstop and has made just two outfield appearances in his big league career, one game each in 2009 and 2010. Still searching for a team after the start of spring training, he agreed to a an $8 million, one-year deal on Monday with the Rangers, who plan to use him in left while Josh Hamilton is sidelined with a knee injury. Hamilton is expected to miss the first month of the season.
"I told DD: ball hog,"' Desmond said, referring to center fielder Delino DeShields Jr., who had five putouts. "I think the biggest thing being out there today, I don't know my depth. I don't know if I'm playing close or deep. It was nice to be out there and see what the pace of the game is out there. Everything is still a little bit quick for me, coming from short."
After Desmond doubled, pinch-runner Patrick Kivlehan scored on Ike Davis' single.
"It's spring training, so it doesn't really matter," Desmond said. "It's nice to get out there and see how the legs feel, kind of check the oil."
Scott Kazmir, signed to a $48 million, three-year contract, allowed hits to six of 10 batters over two innings, including RBI singles by Adrian Beltre and Michael McKenry. He struck out two and was aided by two ground-ball double plays.
"A lot of hits I gave up were fastballs I tried to throw in and it leaked right out over the plate," Kazmir said. "Or sometimes I would try to go in and it would be right down the middle."
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Scott Van Slyke hit a two-run homer in the fourth off Cesar Ramos.
Corey Brown scored on a Jefri Hernandez wild pitch with two outs in the ninth, tying the score.
STARTING TIME
Dodgers: RHP Mike Bolsinger, a candidate to replace injured left-hander Brett Anderson (back surgery) in the rotation, followed Kazmir with two scoreless innings. Bolsinger allowed one single, walked one and struck out two.
Rangers: Gonzalez needed just 21 pitches in two innings. "I'll take that every time for two innings," Gonzalez said. "I was attacking the zone." He went 4-6 with a 3.90 ERA as a rookie. "That fifth spot is open and I'm gunning for it," he said.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: 1B Adrian Gonzalez is still bothered by neck stiffness and did not make the trip. . 3B Justin Turner, who had left knee surgery in November, will likely play in his first game early next week.
Rangers: RHP Shawn Tolleson, who collected 35 saves last season, has lower back spasms and is day-to-day. . RHP Yu Darvish, who had elbow surgery last March, threw his third bullpen with no issues.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Kenta Maeda will make his spring training debut after going 15-8 with a 2.09 ERA in 29 starts last year in Japan.
Rangers: LHP Cole Hamels makes his first spring training start against the Giants at Scottsdale. He went 7-1 with a 3.66 ERA in a dozen starts last season after the Rangers acquired him a trade.
