MESA, Ariz. (AP) – Kenta Maeda pitched three scoreless innings in his second start, A.J. Ellis had two hits and drove in three runs and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Oakland Athletics 8-3 Thursday.
Maeda signed a $25 million, eight-year deal with the Dodgers following eight professional seasons in Japan, a deal that could escalate to $106.2 million. He has yet to allow a run in five innings and has struck out five.
A’s starter Rich Hill, who lasted 2 1-3 innings, got the opening two outs of the first before walking the bases loaded and giving up Ellis’ three-run double and Trayce Thompson’s two-run homer.
Carl Crawford and Andre Ethier also drove in runs for the Dodgers. Billy Butler had two hits for the A’s.