Editorials

Freeway Series Recap: Hernandez Homers In 9th, Dodgers Play To 8th Tie

Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports
Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

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For the third consecutive game, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and Los Angeles Dodgers met in what was a final tuneup before the regular season officially begins for both teams. With the Dodgers one night removed from a 6-0 loss, Brett Anderson and Hector Santiago squared off in the Freeway Series finale.



Kole Calhoun and Mike Trout immediately greeted Anderson with back-to-back singles. Albert Pujols followed with a hard line drive to Jimmy Rollins, but the end result was a 6-4 double play, the first one turned by Rollins and Howie Kendrick at Dodger Stadium.

With two outs, David Freese singled that left runners on the corners with two outs. C.J. Cron’s two-out base hit to left scored Trout and gave the Angels a 1-0 lead. Rollins began the bottom half of the first with a line out to second baseman Johnny Giavotella.

Yasiel Puig struck out and Adrian Gonzalez lined out to left field to end a quiet inning for the Dodgers’ offense. Anderson quickly retired the first two batters in the second inning on a line out and ground out. He then walked Giavotella, but he was caught stealing by Yasmani Grandal to end the inning.

Scott Van Slyke found success yet again against a left-handed pitcher as he hit a solo home run in the second inning to tie the game. Santiago settled back in to retire Grandal and Kendrick to end the inning.

As he did in the first, Kalhoun hit another leadoff single, this time in the third inning. After retiring Trout, Anderson gave up consecutive singles to Pujols and Freese and the Angels took a 2-1 lead. Anderson prevented the inning from getting out of hand by retiring the next two batters on ground balls, which are a staple of his.

Sergio Santos took the mound for the Dodgers in the fourth inning after they were put away quietly in the bottom of the third. The right-hander, who isn’t going to be on the Dodgers’ Opening Day roster, allowed a one-out double and was aided by a Puig running catch in the right-center field gap that prevented a run from scoring.

Collin Cowgill did tag on the play and advanced to third base, which was key as he then scored on a wild pitch. Puig led off the fourth with a single to right field and Kendrick’s base hit put two runners on with one out. Van Slyke continued to swing a hot bat as his RBI single scored Puig and cut the Dodgers’ deficit to 3-2.

CONTINUE READING: Kiké Hernandez Delivers In Ninth Inning

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