It was a short trip down the 5 Freeway to Anaheim to start the nine-game road trip, but the Dodgers had to battle on without Blake Snell in the series opener. The bullpen and the offense stepped up to shut down the Angels in the series opener Friday with a 6-0 win.
The Dodgers used eight pitchers who combined for nine shutout innings of work. On the other side, the offense powered three home runs in the first game of the Freeway Series for their third straight win.
There was an umpire belt buckle delay before first pitch, but home plate umpire Jim Wolf’s mic was finally secured. Shohei Ohtani offered his belt advice as well.
Ohtani entered the game having two straight days off at the plate, but right-hander Jack Kochanowicz struck him out with his sinker to start the series. Kochanowicz also struck out Mookie Betts.
Klein served as opener for the Dodgers, and he didn’t disappoint in his first major league start. The 2025 World Series hero struck out two in two innings pitched and allowed just one hit to Josh Lowe.
Hyeseong Kim got the Dodgers their first base hit against Kochanowicz with two outs in the top of the third. The offensively struggling Ohtani got another opportunity at the plate with a runner on. Ohtani drew a walk to give the Dodgers consecutive base runners. Betts grounded out to first base to end the inning and strand two.
Edgardo Henriquez took over for Klein in the third and got back-to-back strikeouts including a whiff of the swinging variety from Mike Trout.
Pages and Muncy have carried the team offensively this season, and their back-to-back home runs in the top of the fourth at the Big A was a microcosm of what these two sluggers have done.
Pages went into the game 3-for-24, but he unloaded for a 407-ft. three-run home run to center field on a 3-0 count. The Dodgers finally broke through with the big hit to make it 3-0 for the first lead of the series.
Then Muncy went deep thereafter, and the lead increased to 4-0.
Ohtani collected his 200th career double to lead off the fifth inning. The Dodgers bullpen shut down the Halos offensively, but their defense made some impressive plays to save runs.
Teoscar Hernandez took a Kochanowicz sinker deep to the opposite field for his first home run since April 15. The two-run homer gave the Dodgers a commanding 6-0 lead. Finally, Hernandez got sunflower seeds thrown in his face in celebration of his big hit.
Old friend Kirby Yates shut down the Dodgers in order in the seventh.
Blake Treinen, Wyatt Mills, Kyle Hurt, Alex Vesia, and Jack Dreyer all stepped up out of the Dodgers bullpen and contributed to the shutout win.
While Muncy and Hernandez continued to have good nights with another walk and base hit, Dalton Rushing’s frustrations continued. Ryan Johnson struck him out swinging, and both runners were stranded.
Charlie Barnes made his Dodgers debut in the bottom of the ninth to close it out, the eighth pitcher of the night for the Boys in Blue.
Friday particulars
Home runs: Andy Pages (10), Max Muncy (12), Teoscar Hernandez (5)
WP — Edgardo Henriquez (2-0): 1 IP, 1 hit, no runs, 2 strikeouts (17)
LP — Jack Kochanowicz(2-3): 6 IP, 7 hits, 6 runs, 4 strikeouts, 2 walks (96)
Up next
The Freeway Series continues Saturday at (6:38 p.m., SportsNet LA).Justin Wrobleski (5-1, 2.42 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) looks to continue his impressive season on the mound thus far for the Dodgers. José Soriano (6-2, 1.66 ERA, 1.05 WHIP) toes the rubber for the Angels.
