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LOS ANGELES — The Dodgers had just escaped another bases-loaded scenario in the top of the seventh as Kiké Hernandez came up with one out. Hernández then hit the Taylor Cole’s first pitch for a solo home run that gave the Dodgers the lead and ultimately a 5-3 win over the Angels.
All up in our feelings. #Dodgers pic.twitter.com/6u86Xged7k
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 15, 2018
Manager Dave Roberts called on his All-Star closer Kenley Jansen to finish off the Angels and he did to record his 27th save with a little help from Hernández who made a sliding catch for the second out.
The win put the Dodgers in first place in the National League West, one-half game in front of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
#Dodgers .552 winning pct at the All-Star break is 2nd-best since game was created in 1933 for a team that was also 10 games under .500 at some point in 1st half (1955 Boston Red Sox .571)
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) July 16, 2018
Kenta Maeda orchestrated the bases full of Angels escape. Maeda came in to relieve Clayton Kershaw and after hitting Justin Upton, he struck out Ian Kinsler to end the threat.
Kershaw pitched 6⅔ innings he gave up six hits, three runs, and four walks. Kershaw struck out eight
The Dodgers scored first when Yasmani Grandal homered off Deck McGuire to lead off the second inning. Andrew Toles got an infield hit and Chris Taylor singled him to third. Kiké Hernández hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Toles and Taylor went to second on the throw.
Clayton Kershaw helped himself with a single to right to score Taylor and make it a three-run inning.
Kershaw, who struck out Jefry Marté with the bases loaded in the first inning, would give up a first pitch for a three-run homer to Marté in the fourth inning that tied the game.
The Dodgers gave themselves some insurance when Toles singled home Cody Bellinger with two out in the eighth inning.
Sunday particulars
Home runs: Yasmani Grandal (13), Jefry Marté (4), Kiké Hernández (16)
WP - Kenta Maeda (7-5): ⅓ IP, 1 strikeout, 1 hit by pitch
LP - Taylor Cole (0-2): 2 IP, 3 hits, 1 run, 1 strikeout
SV - Kenley Jansen (27): 1 IP, 1 strikeout