Dan Haren makes his Dodgers’ spring debut in 6-5 loss to Brewers

Rain fell throughout the Arizona area Saturday, forcing the cancellation of several spring games. That would have been bad news for the Dodgers, who are facing a compressed exhibition schedule because of opening the season early in Australia.

But the Dodgers were able to squeeze their game in against the Brewers at Maryvale Baseball Park in Phoenix, getting their first look at veteran right-hander Dan Haren.

Haren is listed as their rotation’s fourth starter but could find himself starting one of the two games in Sydney, what with Zack Greinke battling a minor calf injury and the Dodgers less than eager to throw ace Clayton Kershaw.

Haren went two innings in the Dodgers’ 6-5 loss, giving up one run on three hits and a walk.

The Dodgers had a chance to tie the score in the ninth, putting four hits together for one run. But Alex Guerrero, the Cuban refugee who has never played professional baseball in the United States and is trying to win the starting second base job, cost them a second run after he singled but was caught napping and picked off first.

It is, as they say, a learning process.

There were apparently a few Dodgers fans in the crowd. Ryan Braun was booed heavily when introduced for his first at-bat.

Paco Rodriguez, who pitched so effectively for the Dodgers last season until the final month but could be facing a numbers crunch in the bullpen, threw one scoreless inning of relief. He struck out two and gave up one hit.

Another left-hander, however, struggled. Former No. 1 pick Chris Reed was charged with four runs in the sixth on five hits.

As the game was ending, heavy rain began to fall.