The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 Saturday night at Dodger Stadium, spoiling Clayton Kershaw’s long-awaited return to the mound in a high-scoring affair. The Angels won the series by winning the first two games of the three-game Freeway Series.
Before the game, oddsmakers listed the Dodgers as moderate favorites with moneyline odds around -140, while the Angels entered the matchup at approximately +120. However, the Angels capitalized on early scoring opportunities and Kershaw’s shaky outing to upset expectations.
Kershaw, making his first start of the 2025 season after a series of injuries and offseason surgeries, struggled early. The veteran left-hander gave up three runs in a laborious first inning, throwing 38 pitches. He lasted four innings total, surrendering five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
The Dodgers quickly responded to the Angels’ early runs. In the bottom of the first, Andy Pages tied the game with a three-run home run, his fifth of the season. The Dodgers would later take a 7-5 lead in the sixth inning, highlighted by an RBI double from rookie Dalton Rushing and a wild pitch that allowed Michael Conforto to score.
However, the Angels answered decisively in the top of the seventh inning. Nolan Schanuel drove in a run with a double before Logan O’Hoppe hit a three-run home run to right field off reliever Kirby Yates. Kevin Newman followed with an RBI single to extend the lead to 10-7.
O’Hoppe was a key offensive contributor, going 2-for-5 with a career-high five RBIs. His home run in the seventh marked his 10th of the season and fifth go-ahead hit of the year. Matthew Lugo added insurance in the ninth inning with a solo home run to make it 11-9.
The Dodgers continued to fight, scoring twice more, including a solo home run by Kiké Hernández and another from Pages. Freddie Freeman added four hits, tying his season high.
Reid Detmers (1-2) picked up the win for the Angels with two innings of relief, allowing one run. Kenley Jansen, facing his former team, recorded four outs for his eighth save of the season. Yates (3-2) took the loss for the Dodgers.
With the victory, the Angels secured their first three-game series win at Dodger Stadium since June 2012.
Looking ahead, Dodgers right-hander Tony Gonsolin (2-0, 2.81 ERA) is scheduled to start Sunday’s series finale. Gonsolin will make his fourth appearance since returning from Tommy John surgery. For the Angels, left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 3.72 ERA) is still searching for his first win in what will be his 10th start of the season.
