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Dodgers Greinke struggles in loss to Giants
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GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Zack Greinke struggled with his command in his fourth spring start, allowing five hits in 3 2/3 innings as the Los Angeles Dodgers fell to the San Francisco Giants 8-4 on Friday night.

After retiring the Giants’ first three batters in a crisp first inning, Greinke walked Andrew Susac and gave up a single to Gregor Blanco in the second. Susac and Blanco scored on an error by left fielder Carl Crawford, who dropped a routine fly ball by Ehire Adrianzi.

In the fourth, the Giants got to Greinke for two runs, first on Blanco’s RBI triple and then an RBI double by starting pitcher Chris Heston that ended Greinke’s night.

“It was pretty horrible,” Greinke said.

Greinke underwent an anti-inflammatory injection for swelling in his right elbow. With the spring schedule drawing to a close, it looks as if he’ll have only one more start before the season begins.

“After tonight, I feel like I probably need five more starts,” he said.

The Dodgers scored three times in the first on a two-run double by Adrian Gonzalez and an RBI single by Crawford.

Susac hit a solo homer in the sixth for the Giants, who added three runs in the ninth.

STARTING TIME

Giants: Heston gave up four hits in six innings. “It’s spring, but that was nice work,” Giants manager Bruce Bochy said of the right-hander who will start the season in Triple-A Sacramento.

JOC ROCKS

Joc Pederson is batting .375 and has appeared in 20 spring games, more than anybody else on the Dodgers roster. But manager Don Mattingly wouldn’t say whether Pederson will be his starting center fielder when the season opens April 6 at Dodger Stadium against the Padres.

“Joc has had a good camp,” Mattingly said. “He’s swung the bat well. We wanted to see him as much as we could, see how his routines were going to be and how he would react day-to-day. He’s handled it well.

“That being said, we’re just not ready to announce our lineup.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Dodgers: Reliever Brandon League could be sidelined for as long as two months because of posterior inflammation in his right shoulder. Team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache examined League in Los Angeles after he saw specialists in Las Vegas on Friday. He’s expected to rest three weeks and then will resume working over what Mattingly called “an extended period.” League, who had a 2.57 ERA over 63 innings last season, is in the final year of a 3-year, $22.5 million contract. ... Pitcher Chad Gaudin was still waiting Friday on MRI results for possible nerve problem in his right arm. He underwent the MRI on Thursday.

UP NEXT

Giants: Jake Peavy gets his fifth spring start Saturday against the Mariners in Peoria. He has given up nine runs and 17 hits over 12 innings.

Dodgers: David Huff gets his third start in his fifth appearance Saturday against the Angels in Tempe. The left-hander has been effective, allowing one run and one hit over 8 2/3 innings.