The Dodgers in a split squad got their cleats handed to them Wednesday by the Cardinals in Vero Beach, 11-1. Starter Brad Penny had a less-than-desirable outing, getting crushed for six runs on seven hits in just two innings. You might think the outing was a negative sign, until you find out that Penny was using the spring training start for exactly what it was intended -- practice. According to the LA Times, Penny threw 14 curveballs and nine changeups in the two innings as he worked on his off-speed stuff.
"If it happened in April ... I'd probably want to shoot myself," Penny said. "But you've just got to go out there and work on stuff. It was positive because I threw a lot of changeups and I felt good."
Since it's only the Grapefruit League we'll let you off the hook for now. Just don't let it happen again, and don't think that our eyes aren't on you like a hawk following that crappy second half last year, Mr. All-Star Game starter.
