Travis d’Arnaud hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, and the Los Angeles Angels held off the Dodgers 6-4 on Sunday afternoon at Dodger Stadium to secure their first three-game sweep in the Freeway Series since 2010.
The game began with the Dodgers listed as moderate betting favorites at around -160 on the moneyline, while the Angels were priced as +140 underdogs. The run total was projected at 9.5, and the teams matched that with a combined 10 runs scored.
With the score tied at 4-4 in the eighth inning, d’Arnaud delivered his first home run of the season off Dodgers reliever Anthony Banda. The solo shot to left-center field marked d’Arnaud’s second run batted in the game, ultimately giving the Angels the lead for good. The Angels added insurance in the ninth when Zach Neto and Nolan Schanuel singled, and Yoán Moncada followed with a double-play grounder that brought in the sixth run.
Shaun Anderson earned the win for the Angels, improving to 1-0. Though he surrendered a game-tying three-run home run to Will Smith in the seventh, he responded by retiring the next six batters he faced. Anderson ended the game by striking out Shohei Ohtani with a changeup, completing a strong finish and sealing the series sweep.
Angels starter Yusei Kikuchi turned in an effective outing, allowing one run on three hits and striking out seven over 5 2/3 innings. He exited the game after a collision with Dodgers infielder Tommy Edman while covering first base, sustaining a right ankle injury. Despite a 3.50 earned run average over 10 starts, Kikuchi remains winless on the season with a 0-4 record.
Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin faced immediate adversity after cutting his right thumb on only his fifth pitch of the game. Though he remained in the game, he struggled with command and lasted just four innings. Gonsolin allowed four runs on four hits and five walks. The Angels struck early with a solo home run by Neto and a two-run shot by Taylor Ward in the first inning. D’Arnaud also added an RBI single in the third.
The Dodgers mounted a comeback in the seventh inning. Ohtani drove in a run with an RBI single earlier in the game and came to the plate in the fifth with the bases loaded but flew out to end the threat. In the seventh, Smith’s three-run home run off Anderson tied the game 4-4, briefly shifting momentum before d’Arnaud’s go-ahead homer restored the Angels’ lead.
Banda took the loss for Los Angeles, falling to 3-1. He has now allowed five home runs in just over 20 innings this season, matching his total from last year’s.
The Angels will continue their road trip on Monday against the Oakland Athletics. José Soriano, who enters with a 2-4 record and a 3.46 ERA, is scheduled to start for Los Angeles. The Athletics will counter with right-hander J.T. Ginn, who is 1-1 with a 4.61 ERA.
The Dodgers will open a series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at home. Landon Knack is expected to start for Los Angeles with a 2-1 record and a 5.89 ERA. Brandon Pfaadt will start for Arizona, carrying a 6-3 record and a 3.73 ERA into the matchup.
