Dodgers lose to Brewers, 6-5, in Cactus League

Milwaukee Brewers 6, Dodgers 5

AT THE PLATE: Yasiel Puig drove in his second run of the spring with a sacrifice fly in the second inning. Dee Gordon stole two bases and scored a run. Top outfield prospect Joc Pederson doubled in a run in the ninth inning. Non-roster player Clint Robinson was three for three with a run scored, raising his spring average to .667.

ON THE MOUND: With rain predicted for Saturday, Dan Haren feared the game would be canceled and alter his throwing program. But the rain never came and Haren pitched two innings. He was charged with a run, a walk and three hits. Between the game and a simulated inning in the bullpen, Haren threw about 50 pitches. “I’m a little bit ahead of where I usually am,” he said. That’s because pitching coach Rick Honeycutt told Haren over the winter to prepare himself to pitch in the season-opening series in Australia on March 22-23. With the Dodgers thinking of not taking Clayton Kershaw to the series and Zack Greinke nursing a calf strain, Haren could very well pitch in the series. “I want to go,” Haren said.

EXTRA BASES: Chad Billingsley threw breaking balls off a mound for the first time since he underwent Tommy John surgery last year. “It had good spin,” he said. “It was tight.” Billingsley threw a continuous 30-pitch bullpen session. The previous times he took the mound this spring, he threw three sets of 15 pitches. The next step for him will be to throw a greater variety of pitches. Billingsley is expected to be ready to pitch in the major leagues in May or June.

UP NEXT: San Diego Padres at noon PST at Camelback Ranch. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570, 1020.

— Dylan Hernandez