PHOENIX — Robbie Erlin's first Cactus League start in two weeks went about as well as could be expected. For strategic reasons, the Padres left-hander, not opening-day starter Tyson Ross, took the mound Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, who will visit Petco Park on April 4. (Ross started, instead, in a minor league game and went five innings).
In a 12-5 victory at Camelback Ranch-Glendale, Erlin recorded three strikeouts over four scoreless innings, allowing two hits and a walk. He induced weak contact, and both knocks against him were singles. He even contributed at the plate, laying down a well-placed sacrifice bunt, singling in another inning and coming around to score.