Dodgers beat Team Mexico in pre-WBC exhibition

PHOENIX –– It’s not often that Dodger fans are outnumbered in the stands at spring training games.

Then again, it’s not every day they get a break from the normal monotony of the Cactus League schedule to face a national team in a World Baseball Classic tune-up game.

That was the case Wednesday, as Team Mexico visited Camelback Ranch for an exhibition ahead of the upcoming WBC.

Thus, the normal waves of blue and white in the crowd were replaced by streaks of red and green, with a lively, split crowd in attendance for the Dodgers’ 7-5 win.

“It’s like an All-Star team, you know, but now you’re playing for not a league –– you’re playing for your country,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said before the game, which featured the playing of both the U.S. and Mexican national anthems and a ceremonial first pitch from Fernando Valenzuela Jr.

“There’s a lot more patriotism, certainly. And it means a lot, to see Team Mexico. And then once this Classic starts, I’m a fan. I just like watching these guys jell.”

Here are four takeaways from Wednesday’s game.

Pages power

Andy Pages was already having a good spring, entering with a .333 average in Cactus League play. But on Wednesday, he went to another level, hitting a 430-foot home run in the first inning and a down-the-line double in the third. In the fourth, Pages nearly hit another homer, too, pulling a deep drive just foul before striking out in a 10-pitch at-bat.

Sheehan debuts

After falling behind schedule early this spring while dealing with an illness, Emmet Sheehan made his spring debut Wednesday, pitching two innings out of the bullpen as he continues to ramp up. Despite the right-hander’s late start to Cactus League play, Roberts said there should still be time for Sheehan to be built up enough to be in the Dodgers’ rotation come opening day.

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Caught my eye:

On Monday, Dalton Rushing quipped that his goal this year is to hit 200 singles –– a reflection of his focus on being a harder out instead of chasing power. That mindset might be working. In his two games since, he has no singles, but has hit a home run, a triple and a double, with the latter two knocks coming in Wednesday’s game.

Up next

It’s back to Cactus League action for the Dodgers on Thursday, as they travel to Goodyear Ballpark to face the Reds. Cole Irvin, a non-roster invitee trying to earn a roster spot, will start on the mound.