The Los Angeles Angels began their weekend Freeway Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers with a 6-2 victory Friday night at Dodger Stadium, powered by a strong outing from starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz and five double plays turned by the defense. The win gave the Angels a boost in the interleague rivalry and continued their recent string of improved performances.
Heading into the game, sportsbooks listed the Dodgers as -180 favorites on the moneyline, while the Angels were priced at +150, reflecting the standings disparity and home-field advantage. However, Kochanowicz and the Angels outperformed expectations early and maintained control throughout the contest.
Kochanowicz delivered one of his most efficient outings of the season, allowing one run over six and two-thirds innings. He struck out five, walked four, and relied heavily on groundball outs. A strong infield performance backed his outing, as the Angels tied a franchise opponent record by turning five double plays, four of them with Kochanowicz on the mound. Since July 11, 2024, the right-hander has recorded the second-highest groundball rate in the American League, a trend that was evident again Friday.
The Angels struck quickly in the first inning. After a two-out walk, Yoán Moncada drove a first-pitch offering from Dodgers starter Dustin May into the right-field seats for a two-run homer, giving the visitors a 2-0 lead. The lead grew in the fourth when May hit Matthew Lugo and Tim Anderson with pitches. Zach Neto followed with a two-run double to left field, pushing the advantage to 4-0.
May, making his eighth start of the season, worked five innings and allowed four runs on six hits. He struck out eight and walked two. Despite the strikeouts, the early damage and lack of run support contributed to his fourth loss of the year.
The Dodgers responded late in the game. Max Muncy hit an RBI double in the seventh inning to get them on the board. In the eighth, Shohei Ohtani, facing his former club, hit his 16th home run of the season, a solo shot off Angels reliever Ryan Zeferjahn to cut the deficit to 4-2.
However, the Angels added insurance in the top of the ninth. After Moncada exited the game due to irritation in his previously injured right thumb, Nolan Schanuel delivered a two-run single to right field, restoring a four-run cushion.
Dodgers rookie Hyeseong Kim saw his streak of reaching base in nine consecutive plate appearances come to an end when he grounded out in the eighth inning.
The series continues Saturday with veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw set to make his 2025 season debut for the Dodgers after recovering from offseason injuries. The Angels will counter with left-hander Tyler Anderson, who enters the game with a 2-1 record and a 2.58 ERA.
The Angels improved their record to 21-25 with the win, while the Dodgers dropped to 28-18.
