Angels edge out Dodgers in extras despite majestic Shohei Ohtani home run

The Dodgers (47-31) got more than they asked for in spot starter Landon Knack who pitched five shutout innings against the Angels (30-45). The highlight of the 3-2 loss was Shohei Ohtani’s monstrous home run in the fifth inning which ended up their only runs on the night.

The bullpen had an up-and-down latter part of the game. We saw Ryan Yarbrough struggle mightily with this command and hit like ten guys. Even Phillips could not prevent the Angels from scoring their third and winning run in the 10th.

The Angels forced spot starter Knack to work in the first inning. He made 23 pitches to open the game, but ended up giving the Dodgers five solid scoreless innings on the night.

The first batter of the game led to a crew chief review of a Luis Rengifo foul ball, but it was quickly confirmed. Old friend Rengifo hit Knack anyway. It was only the third two-strike base hit Knack has allowed since debuting with the Dodgers.

Taylor Ward ruined everything for the Angels. He struck out at the plate and interfered with catcher Austin Barnes on his throw to second. Later in the game, Ward would be clutch for the Angels.

Raspberries Prevent Runs

Knack used his breathing techniques to rear down and strike out the two straight batters to get out of the inning unscathed.

Miguel Vargas is becoming more confident at the plate. He ripped a two-out single and promptly took second on a wild pitch by Patrick Sandoval. Enrique Hernandez grounded out and failed to cash in with RISP.

Chris Taylor, dare I say, is also heating up. He led off the home half of the third with a single. Austin Barnes moved CT3 to second on a hard-hit grounder to first baseman Nolan Schanuel. Sandoval walked his old teammate and pal Shohei Ohtani for the second time of the night, but then he started wincing and shaking his arm. The Angels’ left-hander had to come out of the game with left forearm tightness.

Hunter Strickland had to come in for the Halos and did his job. He retired Teoscar Hernandez and Freddie Freeman, and the Dodgers once again stranded base runners.

Dave Roberts congratulated Knack on five shutout innings of work in the dugout. Knack only allowed two hits with two strikeouts and two walks on 73 pitches.

Shohei Shows His Old Team What’s Up

Ohtani picked up Knack after a solid start and crushed a majestic 455 ft. two-run home run to right center.

Making HBP History

Ryan Yarbrough had big trouble finding his stuff in the top of the sixth and loaded the bases with one out. He only allowed one base hit, but hit three batters, and before you knew it, the game was tied up 2-2.

After Yohan Ramírez hit Ward with a pitch to start the top of the eighth, the fourth hit batter of the night for the Dodgers bullpen, he struck out the rest.

Anthony Banda pitched a scoreless ninth to give the offense the chance to walk it off against their cross-town rivals.

Extra Innings, Extra Pain

Ward broke the tie in the 10th inning with a two-out RBI single off Dodgers closer Phillips.

Jason Heyward moved Cavan Biggio, the placed runner, to third. Kiké Hernández and Gavin Lux struck out versus Carlos Estévez to give the Angels the series opener win.

Friday particulars

Home runs: Shohei Ohtani (22)

WP — Luis Garcia (2-0): 2 IP. 1 hit, 1 strikeout

LP — Evan Phillips (0-1): ⅔ IP, 1 hit

Sv — Carlos Estévez (14)

Up next

MLB strikeout leader Tyler Glasnow (7-5, 3.00 ERA, 125 K) will face Zach Plesac (1-0, 4.50 ERA, 6 IP) in the second game of the twin set. First pitch is at 7:10 p.m. PST on SportsNet LA.