Clayton Kershaw, Luis Cruz look good in Dodgers’ 6-5 loss to Reds

PHOENIX – Clayton Kershaw pitched six innings against the Cincinnati Reds on Friday in what figures to be his final extended start of the spring.

The Dodgers’ opening-day starter was charged with three runs (two earned) and four hits. He struck out eight and walked three.

The Dodgers lost the game, 6-5.

Third baseman Luis Cruz hit two home runs. In addition to replacing sidelined Hanley Ramirez as the Dodgers’ starting shortstop, Cruz could also take his place as the team’s No. 5 hitter.

Kershaw is expected to make an abbreviated start the next time he takes the mound, on Wednesday.

Kershaw said it was beneficial to face a tough Reds lineup in preparation for his April 1 regular-season opener.

“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 said he was pleased by how his spring went.

“I feel good, which is a good thing,” he said. “Overall, these past two, three starts, I felt better. Now, it’s time to get going.”

In other news, the Dodgers announced that Ramirez underwent a 45-minute procedure earlier in the day to repair a torn ligament in his right thumb.

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