Angels Defeat Dodgers To Avoid Sweep, 3-2

By Vinz Epino
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Updated: September 9, 2015

The Freeway Series came to a close on Wednesday night, with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim taking the series finale over the Los Angeles Dodgers, 3-2, to avoid a three-game sweep and nine straight losses to the team across town, dating back to last season.

Garrett Richards took the mound for the Angels and pitched 7 2/3 innings, gave up two earned runs, walked three and struck out 11 batters – tying his career high.

Joe Wieland made his second start for the Dodgers on Wednesday night, replacing Mat Latos, who was scratched because of neck stiffness. In Wieland’s first start for the Dodgers this season (May 6th), he gave up six runs in 4 2/3 innings against the Brewers. The 25-year-old right-hander was taken out after four innings, despite only throwing 72 pitches and giving up two earned runs.

GAME NOTES

Rookie outfielder Scott Schebler did not waste any time and blasted a first-pitch solo home run to center field to give the Dodgers the early lead – his second home run in the big leagues, having hit 13 in the minors.

The Angels took the lead in the 3^rd inning, hot-hitting Kole Calhoun scored Taylor Featherston from third on a sacrifice fly to left field. Mike Trout, who was hitless in seven at-bats in the series, singled to right afterwards.

Dodger relievers Yimi Garcia and Jim Johnson and pitched three solid innings in relief of Joe Wieland, giving up only one baserunner on a hit batter.

In the top of the 8^th inning, Joc Pederson ripped a leadoff double to left field and reached third on a sacrifice bunt by Austin Barnes. Scott Schebler struck out and Chase Utley, who already struck out twice, tied the game, 2-2, with a double to left field.

Kole Calhoun continued his torrid hitting; leading off the bottom of the 8^th inning with a double to right field and took third on an error by Andre Ethier. Pedro Baez, in relief of Luis Avilan, struck out Mike Trout on a 99 MPH fastball. The Angels regained the lead on a single to center field by Albert Pujols, 3-2.

Huston Street earned his 33rd save of the season, pitching a perfect 9^th inning to avoid the sweep.

INJURIES

Jimmy Rollins (finger) and Yasmani Grandal (shoulder) missed their third consecutive game, but the former is expected to be back in the upcoming series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Howie Kendrick (hamstring) is reportedly making some progress on his return while Yasiel Puig and Kike Hernandez remain to be out indefinitely with their respective hamstring injuries.

UP NEXT

The Angels (70-69) will stay in Anaheim for the weekend to host the AL West-leading Astros for a three-game series, starting on Friday night. With four games behind the AL Wild Card race, the Angels look to renew their postseason hopes in the remaining 23 games.

Despite losing on Wednesday night, the Dodgers (80-59) maintained their 8 ½ game lead over the Giants and will look to bolster their lead against the Diamondbacks in a three-game series.

With Mat Latos unlikely to make another start this season, the Dodgers have shuffled their pitching rotation for the next few games and will be sending Alex Wood (10-9, 3.51 ERA) to the mound to start the Diamondbacks series on Friday night.

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