Jack Kochanowicz delivered a composed performance on the mound, and the Los Angeles Angels backed him with a season-high five double plays as they defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in the opening game of the Freeway Series on Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
The Angels entered the game at the bottom of the American League standings, but quickly seized momentum in the first inning when Yoán Moncada connected on a two-run home run off Dodgers starter Dustin May. Moncada’s first-pitch swing gave the Angels a 2-0 lead and set the tone for an evening in which they played fundamentally sound baseball on both sides of the field.
In the fourth inning, the Angels extended their lead. After May hit Matthew Lugo and Tim Anderson with pitches in back-to-back at-bats, Zach Neto capitalized by sending a two-run double down the left-field line, pushing the score to 4-0. May completed five innings, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out eight and walking two. He fell to 1-4 on the season.
Kochanowicz, meanwhile, was effective and efficient across six and two-thirds innings. The right-hander allowed just one earned run, struck out five, and walked four in earning his third win of the season. He has now won consecutive starts for the first time this year. Relying on his ability to induce groundballs, Kochanowicz was supported by an infield that turned four double plays during his outing. The fifth came in the ninth inning and brought the total to five, tying a Dodgers franchise record for most double plays grounded into and marking the most turned by an opponent since 2015.
The Dodgers finally got on the scoreboard in the seventh with an RBI double from Max Muncy, followed by a solo home run from Shohei Ohtani in the eighth. Ohtani’s homer, his 16th of the season, came off reliever Ryan Zeferjahn and narrowed the Angels’ lead to 4-2. The Dodgers threatened to continue the rally, but the Angels’ bullpen held firm.
In the ninth inning, the Angels responded by adding two insurance runs. Nolan Schanuel lined a two-run single to center, restoring a four-run advantage and capping the scoring at 6-2. Moncada exited the game in the ninth inning after aggravating a thumb injury, although no further details were immediately provided.
Dodgers rookie Hyeseong Kim had reached base in nine consecutive plate appearances entering the game, but his streak ended when he grounded out in the eighth inning.
The Freeway Series continues Saturday with a notable matchup on the mound. Dodgers veteran left-hander Clayton Kershaw is set to make his season debut after being activated from the injured list. Kershaw will be making his 18th appearance in a Dodgers uniform since debuting in 2008. The Angels are expected to counter with left-hander Tyler Anderson, who brings a 2-1 record and a 2.58 earned run average into the contest. Both teams will look to gain an edge in the annual interleague rivalry series.
