Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Dodgers Finally Win in Anaheim, Even Freeway Series

The Dodgers finally won an exhibition game in Anaheim breaking a fourteen game losing streak as they defeated the Angels 3-1 on Friday night to even the Freeway Series at one game apiece. It had been a long time since the Dodgers won an exhibition game at Anaheim against the Angels. Dodger starter Rich Hill looked solid in his final tune-up before opening day and Justin Turner slugged a monster home run as the Dodgers return home for the Freeway Series finale on Saturday evening.

Hill made 65 pitches and went 3.2 innings while allowing just 4 hits. He did not allow a run and walked just one. He didn’t get a lot of swings and misses though as he pitched to contact striking out only two. In the fourth inning after singles from Albert Pujols and Cameron Maybin, the Dodgers brought in left hander Luis Avilan with two outs and he did his job be retiring Cliff Pennington on a fly ball to center.

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Dodgers 3 5 1

Angels    1 6 2

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Kenley Jansen followed with a scoreless inning in the fifth whiffing two and low and behold even Chris Hatcher turned in an inning and a third of scoreless ball. I guess miracles do happen every so often. Grant Dayton and Sergio Romo followed Hatcher with final workouts of their own.

Angel’s starter Garrett Richards tossed four innings and allowed one earned run on two hits with three strikeouts. Former Dodger Bud Norris followed with a scoreless inning in the top of the fifth. The Angeles half a lot of former Dodgers on their roster, which includes Norris, Jessie Chavez, and Ricky Nolasco. The former Dodger right hander Nolasco is tabbed to be the Angel’s opening day starter.

The Dodger lineup felt familiar without one familiar face. Shortstop Corey Seager was absent as he works his way back from an oblique injury. However he is due to return to the Dodger’s lineup on Saturday afternoon for the series finale.

Logan Forsythe batted lead-off and played third base with veteran Chase Utley at second base. Kike Hernandez was at shortstop and Adrian Gonzalez playing first base. Andrew Toles was in left field with Joc Pederson in center field and Yasiel Puig batting eighth and playing right field. Of course starting catcher Yasmani Grandal was behind the plate to catch Hill.

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The Dodgers scored one run in the fourth inning, (on Turner’s home run) and added two more in the top of the eighth. In that frame rookie Erik Mejia doubled down the first base line, and scored when Franklin Gutierrez doubled as well.

After a walk to Scott Van Slyke, top prospect Cody Bellinger doubled in Gutierrez to put the boys in blue up by a 3-0 score. The Angels threatened in the bottom of the ninth inning but came up short. Rookie hurler Andrew Istler began the frame by getting Ramon Flores to ground out. Eric Young Jr. grounded out as well, but Halo’s rookie Jefry Marte doubled and Ben Revere’s line drive single scored Marte to get the Angels on the board and cut the Dodger lead to 3-1. Istler was able to regain control and retire Ray Navarro on a fly out to left to end the game. The Dodgers win 3-1!

I know these games don’t count, but it is still nice to finally beat the Angels in Anaheim during the Freeway Series. The Angels are very annoying and will probably be pretty bad this year. I hope the Angels lose many games this year.

The Dodgers finally return home to Dodger Stadium for the last game of the exhibition season. Former Dodger Jessie Chavez will toe the rubber for the Angels as the Dodgers will give the ball to Brandon McCarthy. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 PM. Welcome home Dodgers!

Go Blue!

Scott Andes

Scott Andes: Longtime writer and Dodger fanatic

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Scott Andes
Scott Andes: Longtime writer and Dodger fanatic
https://ladodgerreport.com

9 thoughts on “Dodgers Finally Win in Anaheim, Even Freeway Series

  1. To his credit, Hill battled on a night he did not have great command. The ump sucked big time and screwed him out of a couple of calls. That is one of the few times I have seen Pujols get irritated by a call. Turner looks ready, and Forsythe made a few great plays.

  2. Hill looked solid? I would say the image is solid. Hill getting pulled in the 4th or 5th. That will probably be the pattern for this year.

    Should be fun right?

      1. I was keeping track on Gameday and for what it’s worth they had his pitches all over the place, with the Angels helping him out by swinging at balls out of the zone. I don’t know how accurate Gameday is but many of the pitches were up. 60 pitches, by count 45 strikes but, I don’t know, maybe he’s ready. We’ll see next week. He might get 6 against the Padres.

        1. I watched the game. He was all over the place. His pitches were generally high in the zone. He was lucky. The defense bailed him out.

    1. Artie boy

      I thought Maeda looked strong in his start, so I hope he can pitch further into games, this year.

      I don’t like starters pitching only five innings.

      If that continues in baseball, why pay the starters that much more money, then they pay the guys in the pen.

      I wonder where Badger has been today?

      I hope he and his wife, are out enjoying themselves.

      1. Badger’s fine. Been busy doing yard projects.

        Last year the Dodgers were 29th in IP by starting pitchers. Those guys are all a year older and aren’t likely to pitch more innings. This is a 5 inning staff, with Kershaw the only one I see capable of 200 innings, meaning he is the only one that will average 6. That’s a lot of work again for the bullpen. We will see many different pitchers this year. Roberts will be taking many trips to the mound. It’s going to be interesting.

  3. I am really proud of Joc tonight!

    He has not over swung, in this series with two strikes, and he didn’t come out of his shoes, in that 3 0 count.

    The best HR I have seen Joc hit, because of his patience, in that 3 0 count.

    And Puig has done well tonight too, so I hope he keeps it up!

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