Dodgers Vs. Angels Recap: Dan Haren Solves Halos

After a split in the first two games at Dodger Stadium, the Freeway Series shifted to Anaheim for game three. It pit strength versus strength as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim entered tied for first in the American League in home wins and the Los Angeles Dodgers carried the best road record among the National League teams into the game.

Dan Haren came out on Wednesday looking to snap his five-game losing streak and was given run support early.

The Dodgers started the scoring for the night in the top of the second inning. Matt Kemp, who has been crushing the ball since refining his batting stance, hit a solo home run to left-center field on a full count.

After Carl Crawford reached on an infield single and stole second, Andre Ethier came up with an RBI double to right field to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.

Meanwhile, Haren couldn’t have started better as he went perfect through five innings with three strikeouts. The 11-year veteran was dominant and used off-speed pitches to keep the Angels’ batters off balance.

The Angels collected their first hit of the night with one out in the fifth inning via a Hank Conger single. David Freese followed Conger with a base hit to center field. Conger attempted to take third on Freese’s single, but Yasiel Puig threw a strike to third baseman Justin Turner who tagged out the runner.

Jason Grilli took over for the Angels in the seventh and allowed a leadoff single to Turner before retiring the next three batters. Haren retired the side in order in the seventh and took the mound in the eighth. After Erick Aybar reached on a bunt single, Haren got Howie Kendrick to fly out to right.

Manager Don Mattingly brought the hook and J.P. Howell relieved Haren. The lefty allowed a single that put runners on first and third with one out and Mattingly called on the bullpen once more. Brandon League entered and gave up a sacrifice fly that cut the Dodgers lead to 2-1 before he could get out of the inning.

Turner singled off Huston Street in the ninth, but the Dodgers got nothing else and handed a 2-1 lead to Kenley Jansen. Kole Calhoun hit a leadoff single and stole second base before Jansen recorded an out.

The Dodger closer then retired Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton to earn his 32nd save of the season.