Dodgers fall to Reds, 7-6, in spring game

Highlights of the Dodgers’ 7-6 loss to the Cincinnati Reds:

AT THE PLATE: Carl Crawford generated the Dodgers’ first run with an RBI single in the third. Chase Utley launched his first home run of the spring with a two-run blast off Reds minor leaguer Brian O’Grady in the sixth inning. Later that inning, Crawford drove in his second run of the game with a groundout.

ON THE MOUND: A shoddy spring for left-handed reliever Luis Avilan got only worse on Sunday.

He yielded three runs and could collect only two outs when called in to replace Kenta Maeda in the sixth inning. Avilan gave up run-scoring doubles to Scott Schebler and Tucker Barnhart.

“Just left fastballs up,” Dodgers Manager Dave Roberts said. “There was no fastball command. Tried to throw a breaking ball, bounced it. Threw a couple good changeups. But he just left balls out over the plate.”

Avilan has a 13.50 earned-run average in the Cactus League. The Dodgers had hoped to pair him with J.P. Howell as the left-handers in their bullpen, but the team could opt for more right-handed options instead.

“You don’t want to judge a guy completely on spring training, especially when he’s got a track record,” Roberts said.

EXTRA BASES: After sitting out since Monday because of knee soreness, Yimi Garcia returned to action. He was charged with a run after giving up a hit and striking out two batters.

“Yimi threw well,” Roberts said. “The ball came out of his hand well. Made some good pitches.”

UP NEXT: Texas on Monday at 7 p.m. at Camelback Ranch. On the air: SportsNet LA.