The Los Angeles Dodgers secured a convincing win over the Los Angeles Angels last night, winning with a score of 7-2. This victory bolsters the Dodgers’ lead in the NL West and gives them an impressive 48-31 record.
Key Performances:
- Pitching:
- Tyler Glasnow delivered an exceptional performance, pitching 7 innings, allowing only 2 runs (1 earned), and striking out 10. His season ERA now stands at 2.88.
- Relievers Alex Vesia and Michael Petersen effectively shut down the Angels’ offense in the 8th and 9th innings, maintaining the lead without allowing any runs.
- Batting:
- Freddie Freeman and Andy Pages played pivotal roles, each contributing an RBI and showcasing their batting prowess with Freeman hitting his 21st double of the season and Pages adding his 12th.
- Gavin Lux demonstrated his power with a solo home run in the 3rd inning, his second of the season a he has started to look better at the plate of late.
- Shohei Ohtani was again notable for the Dodgers, hitting his 23rd home run with a 3rd inning blast. Shohei has been in the midst of a home run tear of late.
Scoring Summary:
- Dodgers:
- 3rd Inning: Lux’s solo HR and Ohtani’s 2-run HR off Plesac set the tone.
- 4th Inning: Continued their momentum with 4 runs, highlighted by Freeman’s RBI double and contributions from Smith, Pages, and Lux.
- 5th Inning: Tacked on an additional run, extending their lead further.
- Angels:
- Managed 2 runs via an RBI sacrifice by Willie Calhoun in the 4th and a solo HR by O’Hoppe in the 7th inning.
Detailed Box Score:
- Angels Batting:
- O’Hoppe‘s solo HR was the lone highlight.
- The team collectively struggled, with only 3 hits and striking out 12 times.
- Angels Pitching:
- Plesac took the loss, struggling through 3.1 innings, allowing 6 runs on 7 hits, leading to an inflated ERA of 8.68.
- Fulmer, Crouse, Marte, and Contreras tried to contain the damage but the early lead by the Dodgers proved insurmountable.
- Dodgers Batting:
- Freeman and Lux were standout performers, with multiple hits and RBIs.
- Rojas and Biggio also contributed significantly, maintaining consistent pressure on the Angels’ pitchers.
Key Insights:
- Pitching Masterclass: Glasnow’s dominance on the mound was crucial, supported by effective bullpen management.
- Offensive Depth: The Dodgers showcased their offensive depth with contributions from various players, especially the bottom of the lineup, underlining their balanced attack.
Looking Ahead:
The Dodgers’ depth and strategic roster management will be pivotal as they navigate the remainder of the season, especially with potential key returns like Clayton Kershaw, which could further strengthen their rotation and overall team performance.
The Dodgers will aim to maintain their momentum and solidify their lead in the NL West.