Luis Cruz homers twice in Dodgers’ 6-5 exhibition loss to Reds

Cincinnati 6, Dodgers 5

AT THE PLATE: Luis Cruz hit two home runs and drove in four runs. Cruz said he felt he benefited from his participation in the World Baseball Classic, where he represented Mexico. “We went from practice mode to game mode,” Cruz said. “I made all the adjustments over there. I’m keeping that.” Cruz is expected to move from third base to shortstop to replaced injured Hanley Ramirez. “I’m ready for wherever they want to play me,” Cruz said.

ON THE MOUND: In his last extended start of the spring, Clayton Kershaw threw 105 pitches over six innings. He was charged with three runs, two earned, and four hits. He struck out eight and walked three. Kershaw liked that he faced a tough Reds lineup. “That’s probably their regular lineup, minus maybe [Ryan] Hanigan and [Shin-Soo] Choo,” Kershaw said. “That’s a good lineup. They have a good team over there.” Kershaw will be on a limited pitch count in his next start Wednesday. He will pitch on opening day, April 1.

EXTRA BASES: The Dodgers had a scare in the fifth inning when top prospect Yasiel Puig remained down for a few minutes after trying to make a diving catch in left-center field. Puig later said he got the wind knocked out of him. The 22-year-old Cuban was one for two with a double, which dropped his average to .520.

UP NEXT: vs. Chicago White Sox on Saturday at 7 p.m. at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix. On the air: TV: Channel 9; Radio: 1020 (Spanish).

—Dylan Hernandez