Hanley Ramirez homers twice in Freeway Series opener

LOS ANGELES -- Hanley Ramirez welcomed himself back to Dodger Stadium with two home runs on Thursday night, though the Dodgers lost to the Angels 7-5 in the Freeway Series opener.

Ramirez took starter Hector Santiago deep with a line drive to right field in the third inning, giving the Dodgers a 2-1 advantage. Two innings later, Ramirez launched a ball off Santiago almost to the back of the left field pavilion.

The second home run, which gave the Dodgers a 4-3 lead, was estimated at 465 feet, longer than any home run hit by the Dodgers during the 2013 season.

Greinke energized in final tune up

Zack Greinke lasted six innings and after 78 pitches felt like he might have been able to pitch even longer. He didn't stay in the game for the seventh inning on Thursday night, but it was a welcome improvement from his last start, on the minor league side of camp.

"I made a comment the other day about being tired after 70 pitches," Greinke said. "Tonight I felt good, like I had more energy, against a major league lineup, all the way through, so that was good."

Greinke allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in his six innings, with two strikeouts and no walks. He will start Tuesday in San Diego.

Puig hits cut off man

There were several misplays by the Dodgers in the field on Thursday, including errors by Justin Turner and Drew Butera, and even one ill-advised throw home by Yasiel Puig in the fifth inning. But later in the fifth frame, on a two-run single by Kole Calhoun, Puig did hit the cutoff man with his throw, allowing the Dodgers to nab Calhoun in a rundown for the third out of the inning.

Up next

Stephen Fife will get the start for the Dodgers on Friday, up from the minor league side, against Garrett Richards for the Angels. We will probably find out tomorrow whether Hyun-jin Ryu can start on Sunday in San Diego, or if the team will go with Dan Haren instead.

Thursday particulars

Home runs: Hanley Ramirez 2 (4)

WP - Hector Santiago (2-1): 6 IP, 6 hits, 4 runs, 3 walks, 5 strikeouts

LP - Jose Dominguez (0-1): ⅓ IP, 4 hits, 4 runs (2 earned), 1 strikeout

Sv - Cam Bedrosian (1): 1 up, 1 down