Adrian Gonzalez exits early, Yasiel Puig homers in win in Australia

SYDNEY, Australia -- Two days before opening day, Adrian Gonzalez had to be removed in the fourth inning of an exhibition game against an Australian league all-star team in a nearly empty stadium.

Gonzalez said he should be ready to play in the regular-season opener Saturday against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Sydney Cricket Ground.

“I’m all right,” he said. “I’ll be good.”

Gonzalez said his back felt tight as he stretched before the Dodgers’ 4-2 victory over Team Australia.

“I thought it would let go and loosen up,” he said. “But it got tighter.”

Gonzalez grabbed his back after taking a swing in the fourth inning. He lined out to right field and exited the game.

Gonzalez’s first-inning single was the only hit in the first seven innings for the Dodgers, who reversed a two-run deficit with a four-run eighth inning.

The comeback started with a towering two-run home run by Yasiel Puig. The home run was the first of the year for Puig, who batted .122 in the Cactus League.

“I’m content,” Puig said in Spanish. “I haven’t hit one in a while.”

Puig admitted there were times he was frustrated by his spring performance.

“I felt bad,” he said. “I prepared to do the best I could in spring training. But spring training is only two months. We have a long regular season that’s six months, 162 games. That’s what’s important.

“My coaches and teammates have been telling me not to worry, that everything will turn out fine.”

Puig also saved a run in the sixth inning, throwing out Mike Walker at the plate from right field on a single by Tim Kennelly.

Zach Lee started the game for the Dodgers, limiting Team Australia to one run and three hits over four innings. He struck out six.

Other than at pitcher, the Dodgers fielded what will likely be their opening-day lineup.

Second baseman Dee Gordon led off and right fielder Puig batted second. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez hit third, followed, in order, by first baseman Gonzalez, center fielder Andre Ethier, third baseman Juan Uribe, left fielder Scott Van Slyke and catcher A.J. Ellis.