Corey Seager's hitting can't make up for his poor defense in Dodgers' 8-5 exhibition loss to Indians

Corey Seager’s hitting can’t make up for his poor defense in Dodgers’ 8-5 exhibition loss to Indians

Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager, left, gets ready for infield drills during spring training.

Staff Writer

March 7, 2016 5:20 PM PT

Cleveland 8, Dodgers 5

AT THE PLATE: Corey Seager had two hits, including a double to right in the third inning, but the rookie shortstop had a rough first inning in the field, throwing wildly past first base on Yan Gomes’ routine grounder and bobbling Carlos Santana’s grounder to his right for a second error.

Second baseman Charlie Culberson hit a three-run homer off reliever Joba Chamberlain in the fifth, giving him six hits, including a homer, triple and double, and six runs batted in in eight spring at-bats for a .750 average. The Dodgers had only seven hits.

ON THE MOUND: Left-hander Alex Wood gave up a solo homer to Jose Ramirez in the first and was unable to minimize damage after Seager’s errors. Giovanny Urshela followed with a three-run homer to left to give the Indians a 4-0 lead.

“There were a couple of pitches he’d like to have back,” Manager Dave Roberts said, “and we’ve got to play better defense behind him.”

Luis Coleman, signed to a one-year, $750,000 contract, allowed one hit and struck out three in the eighth. Closer Kenley Jansen gave up one run and two hits while striking out two in the seventh, and left-hander J.P. Howell was tagged for two runs and three hits in the sixth.

EXTRA BASES: Howie Kendrick’s spring debut at third base was delayed because of right groin soreness, but the injury was not deemed serious enough to warrant an MRI test. . . . Hyun-Jin Ryu, slowed by discomfort in his surgically repaired left shoulder, resumed throwing Monday.

Outfielder Andre Ethier sat out because of a bruised right hand but took batting practice in the morning. . . . Kenta Maeda’s bullpen session lasted only 14 pitches, but the right-hander said through a interpreter that his routine in Japan was to “throw very light” between starts. . . . Infielder Alex Guerrero (left-knee injury) resumed baseball activities.

UP NEXT: Chicago Cubs on Tuesday, noon PST at Sloan Park in Mesa, Ariz. On the air: No TV, no radio.