The Dodgers are learning very quickly that when in doubt, turn to Chris Capuano.
Once again, Capuano put forth a fantastic effort, limiting the Angels to one run over seven innings, as the Dodgers ended a four-game slide with a win, 3-1. The Giants survived a late charge by the A's to win again, so the lead for the Dodgers in the NL West remains at three games.
A combination of the speed of Dee Gordon and some shoddy fielding by the Angels got the boys in blue going in the first. Gordon led off the game with a single. He then stole second on a pitchout, which is a good measure of just how fast he is. Jerry Hairston, Jr. grounded one to Albert Pujols at first, who tried to nail Gordon at third, only to have the ball bounce away and allow the hustling Gordon to score to make it 1-0.
Hairston soon went to third on a wild pitch. With two outs, Juan Rivera was able to reach on Maicer Izturis's error, and the Dodgers had the early 2-0 lead.
Unlike the bumbling Chad Billingsley a day ago, Capuano made sure not to blow the early advantage. He still let hitters reach, but came away from it unharmed for the most part thanks to some strikeouts and a couple double play balls.
In the fifth, the Angels did break through for a run. Howie Kendrick hit a leadoff double. Izturis then bounced one near the mound, which was gloved on a dive by Capuano for the out at first. Kendrick easily got to third on the play, and soon scored on Erick Aybar's RBI infield single, making it 2-1.
To start the sixth, the Dodgers got that run right back. The outfield was playing shallow with Gordon up, and he made them pay by smacking a triple to the wall. Hairston ripped one off the third base bag for the RBI, and it was now 3-1.
Capuano exited after seven innings, turning the ball over to Ronald Belisario in the eighth, and not Josh Lindblom. Lindblom, as you may recall, was crushed on Thursday in Oakland, surrendering the walk-off three-run shot to Yoenis Cespedes. So, Belisario got his chance for a hold, and he immediately watched Mike Trout single and steal second. The heart of the Angels' order, however, did nothing with it, as Torii Hunter, Pujols, and Mark Trumbo failed to score a run.
Kenley Jansen came on to record his 12th save in 15 chances, setting the Angels down in order.
After losing in a variety of different ways during the week, the Dodgers were waiting to finally get something positive going their way. Capuano turned out to be just what they needed. Over seven strong innings, he gave up seven hits, one run, no walks, and four strikeouts. He had to pitch with runners on in every inning but the second, but showed how to bare down and make big pitches when needed. Plus, he didn't walk anybody, which is always a big plus.
Even though the Mets have looked great this season, they still have to be kicking themselves to some degree for letting Capuano walk. Right now he's 9-2 with a 2.60 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, and 84 K's in 93 1/3 innings. Also, opposing hitters have a .221 average against him. That's pretty filthy. He just continues to get better and better.
Someone else who left a big impact on this game was Gordon. This was one of those reminders of just how good he could be... if he could ever get on base more. He went 2-for-4 with two runs, a triple, and a stolen base. He actually should've been 3-for-4, but was called out on what looked like a bunt single. Nonetheless, his speed and aggressiveness on the bases gave the Dodgers the early jump they needed, and they never looked back. That's how good he could be.
Like last weekend, a winning effort on Sunday would equal an Interleague series win. Aaron Harang will get the call, and he's coming off a horrendous start against the A's that resulted in eight walks in just over three innings. Um, yuck. Fortunately, he says he discovered a mechanical flaw, so he seems ready to go. Let's hope so.
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