Spring training: Dodgers 7, Royals 5

Dodgers 7, Royals 5

AT THE PLATE: Scott Van Slyke hit a two-run home run in the eighth inning against Scott Alexander. The situation is the kind in which the Dodgers think Van Slyke will be able to help them this year: in the late innings, against a left-handed pitcher. “We feel like he’s going to thump some lefties,” Manager Don Mattingly said. Alex Guerrero tripled off the top of the center-field wall in the ninth inning.

ON THE MOUND: Dan Haren gave up seven hits and a walk over four innings but held the Royals to one run. He started the fourth inning by loading the bases without recording an out and limited the damage to one run. Haren isn’t scheduled to pitch in the Dodgers’ season-opening series in Australia, but is still preparing as if he will. Even if Clayton Kershaw and Hyun-Jin Ryu pitch in the two-game series, there’s a chance Haren could make the trip to be an emergency starter. “It’s a lot of travel to go out there and be insurance, but if I had to do it I would,” he said.

EXTRA BASES: Over two springs, Yasiel Puig went 67 plate appearances without a walk. The streak ended when Puig drew a fifth-inning walk Tuesday. He otherwise had another forgettable day at the plate. He was hitless in three at-bats, dropping his spring average to .154. But Mattingly was pleased with Puig’s day, noting that the right fielder hit a cutoff man in the fifth inning.

UP NEXT: Arizona at 1 p.m. at Camelback Ranch. On the air: TV: SportsNet LA. Radio: 570.