Freeway Series Recap: Dodgers’ Winning Streak Against Angels Snapped
Heading into the three-game Freeway Series finale, the Los Angeles Dodgers shuffled the deck a bit as Mat Latos was scratched due to neck stiffness, and replaced by Joe Wieland. Looking to avoid being swept in the six games played this season, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim sent Garrett Richards to the mound.
For a second consecutive night a Dodgers lead off hitter opened the game with a solo home run. Wednesday it was Scott Schebler doing the honors, becoming the first Dodger player to hit a home run on the first pitch of the game since Marquis Grissom in 2001.
Additionally, it was the first time since July 12-13, 1951 the Dodgers led off two consecutive games with a home run. Richards locked back in, striking out Chase Utley and then Justin Turner after walking Adrian Gonzalez. Andre Ethier grounded to shortstop for a force out.
Wieland’s second start with the Dodgers got off on the right foot as he retired the side in order in the bottom of the first. Richards bookended a scoreless second inning with strikeouts of Corey Seager and Joc Pederson.
Erick Aybar doubled to right-center field with two outs, and may have lucked into the extra-base hit as Pederson didn’t field the ball cleanly. David Freese followed with an RBI double that Pederson attempted to track down, but saw the ball skip off the glove on his outstretched right arm.
Wieland caught Carlos Perez looking to end the second inning with the score tied at 1-1. Richards set the Dodgers down in order in the third, striking out Schebler and Utley in the process. Taylor Featherston took advantage of a somewhat lackadaisical effort from Schebler on a ball hit down the left field line and had a leadoff triple in the bottom of the third.
Kole Calhoun’s sacrifice fly broke the 1-1 tie. Mike Trout followed with a one-out base hit, but was stranded.
CONTINUE READING: Dodgers Waste Chase Utley’s Big Hit
