Penny wild in final tuneup for the season

PHOENIX – Brad Penny made his final tuneup for next week’s season opener a wild one, walking five batters in the first three innings of the Dodgers’ 3-3 tie with the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday.

The Brewers couldn’t take advantage of Penny’s control problems, however, reaching him for only one hit and one run. The run, which came in the second inning on a walk, a wild pitch and an RBI single by pitcher Carlos Villanueva, was only the second earned run Penny has given up this spring.

Minor leaguer Clayton Kershaw followed Penny to the mound and was even more impressive, striking out six in three shutout innings. The left-hander is expected to be assigned to the minor leagues later this week and will probably begin the season with the Dodgers’ double-A team in Jacksonville, Fla.

The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the first on a double by Rafael Furcal and an RBI single by James Loney, then broke a 1-1 tie in the sixth when Juan Pierre bunted for a double and scored on a single by Jason Repko. But the Brewers rallied back to take a 3-2 lead against reliever Rudy Seanez in the seventh as Richie Weeks singled in one run and scored the second, stealing a pair of bases before coming home on Joe Dillon’s groundout.

The Dodgers tied it in the ninth on rookie Blake DeWitt’s sacrifice fly. After the Brewers failed to score in their half of the ninth, the game was called.

Manager Joe Torre used his regulars sparingly in the team’s final game in Arizona, pulling Furcal, Loney, Andruw Jones, Russell Martin and Matt Kemp after two at-bats. The team, which left Phoenix immediately after the game, will have today off before resuming its spring training schedule Thursday night against the Angels in Anaheim.

Before the game, closer Takashi Saito tested a tight left buttocks by throwing 25 pitches in a simulated game and reported no discomfort. He’s expected to pitch again Thursday and Saturday. Jeff Kent also worked out, doing some half-speed running and taking batting practice. His status for Monday’s season opener could be decided Thursday when Torre and his coaches meet with front-office officials.

kevin.baxter@latimes.com