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Ryu Hyun-jin sharp in first preseason start

February 28, 2014

Dodgers’ Korean left-hander blanks White Sox for two innings

Pederson and Robinson homer in 5-0 win

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin, of South Korea, throws to a Chicago White Sox batter in the first inning of an exhibition baseball game in Glendale, Ariz., Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Ryu Hyun-Jin, of South Korea, throws to a Chicago White Sox batter in the first inning of an exhibition baseball game in Glendale, Ariz., on Friday, Feb. 28, 2014. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Korean pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin opened the preseason with two scoreless innings pitched on Friday.

At Camelback Ranch Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, the 26-year old left-hander took the mound as the starting pitcher and allowed only two hits over two innings. In his first spring training game, the Dodgers defeated the Chicago White Sox 5-0.

Ryu, 14-8 with a 3.00 ERA as a rookie last year, didn’t have a walk or a strikeout.

Coincidentally, Ryu’s first preseason appearance last year was also against the White Sox, and he pitched one scoreless inning as the second pitcher of the game at the time.

Ryu had allowed two home runs in an intrasquad game five days ago, one to Dee Gordon and the other to Yasiel Puig, but said after the game on Friday that he is far ahead of last year’s pace. He said his pitching is “noticeably better” than at the same time last year.

Outfield prospect Joc Pederson and Clint Robinson homered for the Dodgers.

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