March 05--AT THE PLATE -- Joc Pederson's bid to become the Dodgers' starting center fielder had a promising start, as the 22-year-old rookie was two for two with a double and a run. Pederson was the designated hitter Wednesday, but will start in center field Thursday. The Dodgers' 1-2 hitters, Jimmy Rollins and Carl Crawford, were both one for two, with Crawford driving in a run. Alex Guerrero, who entered the game as a defensive replacement at third base, was two for two. Top infield prospect Corey Seager also came off the bench and was one for one with a run batted in and a walk. First baseman O'Koyea Dickson, who played in double A last season, hit a sixth-inning home run.
ON THE MOUND: Juan Nicasio, a former starter whom the Dodgers view as a reliever, had a rough spring debut. Nicasio pitched only the third inning and was charged with three runs and four hits. Carlos Frias gave up two runs and three hits over two innings. Left-hander Adam Liberatore was impressive as he struck out two in a perfect seventh inning. Josh Ravin, a former standout at Chatsworth High, pitched a 1-2-3 eighth inning.
EXTRA BASES: Pederson's main competition for a starting position, Andre Ethier, started in center field. But Ethier dropped a ball at the warning track, resulting in a two-out, two-run double for Adam LaRoche in the third inning. Ethier, who was relegated to the bench last season, struck out in each of his two plate appearances.
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