Tuesday night was a good one for a couple outfielders filling in the space left by Matt Kemp.
Andre Ethier got a new deal and a game-tying RBI. Juan Rivera took the lead for good.
Rivera's three-run homer in the eighth proved to be enough, ending the Dodgers' five-game home skid with a win over the Angels, 5-2. They're now the first team in the majors with 40 wins.
The Angels got the win in the first game, and they started out on top in this one. In the third, pitcher Jerome Williams smacked a double to center with one out. Now with two outs, Torii Hunter drew a walk and Albert Pujols singled. Kendrys Morales grounded an easy one to second, but Adam Kennedy booted it, allowing a run to score.
Rivera started off his big night by tying the game in the fourth. A.J. Ellis hit in the #2 hole and singled leading off. Ethier also singled, which led to an RBI single from Rivera to make it 1-1.
The score remained locked until the sixth, when another infield error burned the Dodgers. Morales walked and Mark Trumbo singled to start. Aaron Harang got the next two outs, but Hank Conger singled to load the bases. This time it was Dee Gordon who made the error, scoring Morales to put the Angels up 2-1.
With Williams rolling on the mound, he was left in to pitch the eighth. Elian Herrera entered the game for Kennedy at second the inning before, and he walked with an out. Gordon's grounder forced him for two down. Gordon then took off for second and was called safe for his third stolen base of the night, but in all reality, was probably out after looking at the replay.
The Dodgers took the break, as Ellis got on base again with a walk for two on. Ethier then tied the game with RBI single. Mike Scioscia, who was celebrating his own bobblehead night from his great career with the boys in blue, chose to leave Williams in to pitch to Rivera.
Uh, bad move. Rivera smoked the first pitch he saw into left for a three-run tater, and the Dodgers were now up 5-2.
Kenley Jansen struck out the first two hitters he faced, then got Pujols to line out to center for this 10th save.
The Angels definitely have a reason to think they could've won this one had Gordon's last steal gone in their favor. But, there were still two outs, so the Dodgers still had to make things happen in order to win. That's exactly what happened. Like it or not, the Dodgers were given an opportunity, and they pounced all over it.
Harang had his fourth straight solid start, and is really turning into a good option in the back end of the rotation. He went seven innings for six hits, two runs (none earned), four walks, and five strikeouts. He did load the bases a couple of times, which is obviously dangerous, but his defense let him down as well. Still, he more than gave his team a chance to win, and that's what eventually happened.
Like I said before, the day belonged to the guys in the outfield, even though Rivera started at first in this one. Ethier and Rivera combined for four hits, two runs, and five RBIs. I'm sure Ethier is relieved to have his deal all taken care of, but was naturally a little nervous to show his worth right away. Rivera continues to find ways to drive in runs, and by being versatile enough to play first base. And that's another reason why the Dodgers keep winning.
Also worth noting is that Juan Uribe made his first start since going on the DL in mid-May. It's always good when players are healthy, but now Don Mattingly has to juggle guys like Jerry Hairston, Jr. and Elian Herrera, who both have played so well this season. For Uribe's sake, he better start hitting, or he won't be an everyday starter, that's for sure.
The rubber match of the Freeway Series is Wednesday night, and it's a good pitching matchup. Nathan Eovaldi makes his fourth start with a sparkling 1.93 ERA... and an 0-2 record. Winning won't be easy this time either, as C.J. Wilson goes for the Angels.
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