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Dodgers call it a Cactus League season, head Down Under

Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu pitches during an exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox on Feb. 28. Ryu finishes spring training with a 2.20 earned-run average.
(Paul Sancya / Associated Press)
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And off they go, into the blue skies to see just how much sleep they can actually manage during a 17-hour flight. Maybe Clayton Kershaw should have squeezed his ping-pong table on board.

The Dodgers wrapped up their condensed spring training in Phoenix on Sunday with a 3-3 tie against the Rockies at Camelback Ranch. If you care about such things, that tied their spring record with five ties.

They headed to their charter mostly with the guys they expected to take to Australia, though not with all spring questions answered.

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Hyun-Jin Ryu, who made his final start before he goes in the second game in Sydney, mostly looked ready. Ryu went 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on seven hits. He struck out three without allowing a walk and finished the spring with a 2.20 ERA.

Carl Crawford went into his final Cactus League game struggling, but got a pair of hits. Adrian Gonzalez, who had only three RBI, drove in a pair of runs. Reliever Chris Perez added two scoreless innings to continue looking like a solid off-season pick-up. Kenley Jansen pitched a scoreless ninth to complete his perfect spring (0.00 ERA, seven strikeouts, one walk in seven innings).

But Yasiel Puig -- who last season electrified camp hitting .517 with an almost stupid .828 slugging percentage -- went hitless in four at-bats to finish this Cactus League hitting .122 (five for 41).

The Dodgers leave several regulars behind. Pitchers Zack Greinke, Dan Haren and Brandon League were placed on the three-man exempt list. Crawford, whose pregnant fiancée is due any moment, will stay back on paternity leave. Matt Kemp, Josh Beckett and Chad Billingsley are expected to start on the disabled list.

The Dodgers finished the Cactus League 6-10-5. They will still play three exhibition games against the Angels in the Freeway Series after they return from Australia but before they play in the mainland opener against the Padres in San Diego on March 30.

The Dodgers used the lineup they’re expected to start against the Padres for their game against Colorado, not that it exactly led to an offensive breakout.

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Prior to Saturday’s game, the Dodgers added infielder Justin Turner to their 40-man roster. He’s locked up a utility role on a bench being almost completely made over from last season.

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