Puig hits 4th spring homer, Dodgers beat Padres

GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) Yasiel Puig hit his fourth home run this spring, sending the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 9-5 victory over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday.

Puig connected for a two-run shot in the first inning against Jason Lane. The drive sailed over the left field fence and off the wall of the Dodgers' complex at Camelback Ranch.

''I like to see our guys swinging the bat so well,'' Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. ''Yasiel has been good. A lot of guys have been good.

Puig, who also singled, hit the first of four Dodger homers. Joc Pederson and Justin Turner hit solo shots in the fourth and Scott Van Slyke added a solo shot in the sixth.

Howie Kendrick and Andre Ethier each had RBI doubles and Juan Uribe had a run-scoring single.

''It a little less of all-or-nothing,'' Mattingly said about the Dodgers' lineup this year.

Lane, a converted outfielder, gave up the first three homers. The left-hander homered himself in the fifth inning.

Derek Norris had a two-run homer for the Padres. Norris was 3 for 42 before his first homer this spring.

''He's been working on a few things,'' Padres manager Bud Black said. ''Hopefully, that's a sign of things to come.''

Matt Kemp did not make the short trip to Camelback Ranch from the San Diego camp in Peoria. The Dodgers traded Kemp to the Padres on Dec. 11.

RYU BACK IN CAMP

Hyun-Jin Ryu was back at Camelback Ranch Wednesday, on his 28th birthday. But he didn't exactly celebrate. An MRI in Los Angeles on Monday revealed no structural damage in Ryu's ailing left shoulder. But it's not known when Ryu, projected to be the No. 3 starter, will resume throwing.

He will rest and work through rehab for the next two weeks. Then, he'll undergo another medical evaluation.

''It's a little frustrating.'' said Ryu, who will likely begin the season on the disabled list. ''But now I can only rest and do what I have to.''

CLOSER CANDIDATE

With Kenley Jansen still recovering from surgery on his left foot, the Dodgers are looking for a closer. They got a good look at a possibility Wednesday in Yimi Garcia, who threw a hitless ninth inning.

In seven appearances over 8 1-3, he's give up no runs and four hits.

''Right now, everything is working,'' said Garcia, who thinks he can win the job. ''In my - yes, I believe I can. But I don't make that decision.''

STARTING TIME

Dodgers: With the uncertainty about Ryu, left-hander Brett Anderson's projected role as a Dodger starter has taken on more importance. Anderson pitched in a minor league game Tuesday, an off day for the Dodgers.

''It was good,'' said Anderson, who is coming off a season in Colorado that was cut short by back surgery. ''You never know what to expect in a `B' game. I got my work in with an asterisk. I was only going five, but my pitch count was efficient.''

TRAINER'S ROOM

Padres: Pitcher Brandon Morrow will start Friday against Colorado in Peoria instead of Thursday against Arizona in Scottsdale because of a blister on the ring finger of his right hand.

Dodgers: Reliever Brandon League had an MRI on his right shoulder Wednesday. He said he experience some discomfort Tuesday in a bullpen session. MRI results were not immediately available.

UP NEXT

Padres: Odrisamer Despaigne, instead of Morrow, starts Thursday against the Diamondbacks. It'll be Despaigne's third start and fifth appearance. Over 12 innings, he's given up five runs on 14 hits. Despaigne, a Cuban right-hander who was 4-7 with 3.37 ERA as a rookie last year, is competing Morrow for the fifth spot in the rotation.

Dodgers: Clayton Kershaw gets his fifth start Thursday against the White Sox at Camelback Ranch. In his last outing against the A's on March 20, the left-hander was struck on the jaw by a line drive. He lost one tooth and part of another. Over 13 1-3 innings, he's allowed three runs and 10 hits.