Top prospect slugs homer, double in nightcap

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Home runs from Jesus Montero (two), Stefen Romero and Justin Smoak powered the Mariners to an 8-5 win over the Dodgers in split-squad action Saturday night.

Dodgers top prospect Joc Pederson, who struck out three times in the day game, slugged a two-run homer and double in the nightcap.

Dodgers starter Josh Beckett was staked to a three-run lead in the first inning, which began against Seattle starter Blake Beavan with an infield single and stolen base by Dee Gordon, who took third on Beavan's wild pickoff attempt at second.

Carl Crawford walked, Scott Van Slyke singled home Gordon, and Crawford and Van Slyke scored on a ball hit by Clint Robinson that was ruled an error on first baseman Montero.

The Mariners tied the game in the top of the second inning off Beckett. After Smoak's leadoff walk, Montero and Romero slugged back-to-back homers.

Smoak broke the tie in the third inning with a homer to right field after Nick Franklin's two-out single. Seattle padded the lead with a run off Jamey Wright in the fourth inning.

Beckett left after three innings. After the game, he said he was burned on the very fastballs he came into the game hoping to refine.

"The game plan was to throw heaters. I didn't know their hitters were in our meeting," Beckett said. "I struggled with the fastball to their extension side."

He said he didn't consider it a step back because "health-wise, I feel good, that's the biggest thing for me now. But definitely have things to work on."

Jose Dominguez, who followed Wright's two innings, had the most impressive outing of the night, a five-pitch scoreless sixth inning.

In the eighth, Montero slugged his second home run of the night, a solo shot against Chris Withrow.

Up next: Clayton Kershaw makes his third start of the spring Sunday against the Giants in a game available live on MLB.TV at 1:05 p.m. PT. Kershaw has been frustrated early at camp, getting hit hard by the D-backs, then experiencing some wildness against the A's after two perfect innings. Kershaw is expected to be the Opening Day starter in Australia, although no official announcement has been made. Yasiel Puig, who was allowed the leave the club Saturday for a personal matter, is expected to be back and in the lineup.