Valdes Has a Better Outing This Time

Right-hander Ismael Valdes showed improvement Saturday, which wasn’t difficult.

Valdes pitched three scoreless innings in the Dodgers’ 8-6 loss to the New York Mets at Port St. Lucie. He gave up three hits and struck out one.

Valdes gave up six runs (five earned) on seven hits in one inning-plus in the Dodgers’ 9-1 loss to St. Louis on Tuesday. He pitched into the second inning, facing six batters and failing to record an out.

“This isn’t important now,” Valdes said. “The important thing is to get ready for the season. All I want is to do my work.”

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Matt Luke hit a two-run pinch-hit home run in the seventh. The Dodgers are impressed by the left-handed Luke, who was claimed off waivers from the New York Yankees during the off-season. “He’s a big guy who can play the outfield and first,” Manager Bill Russell said. “And you’re always looking for left-handed bats.”