Scott Kazmir said he “doesn't put too much stock” in his spring-training numbers, which is probably a sound investment strategy for the Dodgers left-hander. It was a bear market for most of March, Kazmir's exhibition earned-run average sitting at an unsightly 7.71 through four starts.
But Kazmir, signed to a three-year, $48-million deal to be the team's No. 2 starter, took what the Dodgers hope is a significant step forward in his final spring tuneup Thursday night.
Featuring a fastball that sat in the 89-mph range and an effective changeup, Kazmir allowed one unearned run and four hits in 4 2/3 innings, striking out four and walking two in a 2-1 Freeway Series loss to the Angels in Dodger Stadium.