Dodgers 5, Rangers 2.

James Loney, back in the lineup after being sidelined by a strained calf muscle, went 2-for-3 with his first home run of the spring in a 5-2 win over the Texas Rangers before an announced crowd of 11,082 at Camelback Ranch. [box score]

“James was out a couple days, came right back and looked exactly the same,” Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. “Seems like he’s confident. Should be an interesting year for him.”

Loney is hitting .357/..471/1.113 with four RBIs in four at-bats.

Juan Rivera and Juan Uribe also had two hits apiece as the Dodgers (8-3-2) started their expected opening-day lineup against the Rangers’ Greg Reynolds. The right-hander lasted three innings, giving up seven hits, four runs (four earned), walking one and striking out two.

Starter Ted Lilly allowed one hit — a triple — and no runs in four innings of work
against the Rangers. The left-hander struck out two, walked none and threw 27
of his 44 pitches for strikes.

Lilly said the results “were probably better than I threw the ball,” but the manager liked what he saw.

“His stuff is crisper right now than it was last year for sure,” Mattingly said.

Javy Guerra, Scott Elbert, Wilfredo Ledezma and Scott Rice threw scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Kenley Jansen allowed both Texas runs, on solo home runs by Brandon Snyder and Alberto Gonzalez.

A few more notes:

 Jansen said it was the first time he had ever given up back-to-back home runs in a game — spring or regular season. “It’s kind of a funny feeling: ‘Wow, they got me today.’ ”

Lilly looked awful on a pair of bunt attempts in his only plate appearance. More on that in tomorrow’s editions.

Dee Gordon was caught stealing on a close play in the first inning; he thought he was safe. It was the first unsuccessful stolen base attempt by the rookie in six attempts so far.

Andre Ethier hit his fourth double of the spring and is now batting .412/.450/.941. Six of his seven hits have gone for extra bases, and he has scored six runs in 18 plate appearances. 

Most of the starting position players will
travel to Scottsdale to face the Rockies, including Mark Ellis, Gordon,
James Loney, Juan Uribe, A.J. Ellis and Ethier.

Reliever Matt
Guerrier (back) threw Thursday, but not off a mound. That is “a few days
away,” Mattingly said.

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About J.P. Hoornstra

J.P. Hoornstra covers the Dodgers, Angels and Major League Baseball for the Orange County Register, Los Angeles Daily News, Long Beach Press-Telegram, Torrance Daily Breeze, San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Pasadena Star-News, San Bernardino Sun, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, Whittier Daily News and Redlands Daily Facts. Before taking the beat in 2012, J.P. covered the NHL for four years. UCLA gave him a degree once upon a time; when he graduated on schedule, he missed getting Arnold Schwarzenegger's autograph on his diploma by five months.