Dodgers Recap: Kershaw Day!! Dodgers fall short in freeway series; future looks bright with youth stepping up big

CHAVEZ RAVINE — Happy Kershaw Day. The Dodgers looked to get back in the win column and give Clayton Kershaw some run support. They did just that, but it ended up being insufficient as the backend of the the bullpen couldn’t hold a lead and the Dodgers dropped their second straight to the Angels by a score of 11-9.

In the first inning, Kershaw got his first strikeout since coming off the injured list. But he struggled with his command giving 3 runs in the first on two walks and three hits. Not a great beginning for the future Hall-of-Famer’s season.

Mookie Betts got things started with a line drive single to center field. Freddie Freeman battled Tyler Anderson and drove one to right center field, putting runners on first and second. Andy Pages came up to bat and blasted a three run homer dead center field to tie the game up with one out.

Kersh had a clean second inning setting down three batters on two pop outs and one ground ball. The Dodgers offense had momentum going into the bottom of the second. Unfortunately, the Dodgers couldn’t get anything started with the first three batters popping out.

In the top of the third. The Angels took the led when Taylor Ward took Kershaw deep to left field. The got out of the top of the third only giving up one run. The Angels would one more run in the top of fourth putting the Dodgers down by two.

In the bottom of the fourth, Kike Hernandez got things started with a first pitch blast into the left field seats. Michael Conforto took a pitch to his back putting him on first base.

Kershaw’s day was done and was replaced with Ben Casparius. Kershaw’s line for the night 83P / 48S / 4IP / 5H / 5ER / 3BB / 2K / 1HR. Not the best of starts, but there is a lot of room to improve.

Dalton Rushing recorded his putout at second base in the top of the sixth when he caught Luis Rengifo trying to swipe second on the back end of a strike ’em out, throw ’em out double play. The youth from OKC seemed to spark the team after a clean fifth. Rushing followed up his putout with an RBI line drive down the right field line for a ground rule double that tied the game. The Dodgers got their first lead of the game after a wild pitch that scored Conforto with no outs. Miguel Rojas hit a hard line drive down the third base line that was misplayed, putting runners on the corners. Ohtani then hit a sharp line drive up the middle into a double play, scoring Rushing.

The Angels got back on the board after back-to-back doubles in the top of the seventh off reliever Ben Casparius. Casparius dug deep and struck his next batter. Dave Roberts went to the bullpen and called on Kirby Yates to finish off the bottom of the seventh. Casparius’s line: 37P / 26S/ 2.1IP / 3H / 1ER / 0BB / 2K.

The Angels added two more after the bullpen gave two home runs in the seventh and ninth innings. The Dodgers had chances to tie the game or take the lead, but the offense couldn’t get it done along with a tired bullpen.

The Dodgers will look to salvage the final game of the series on Sunday with Tony Gonsolin taking the mound. The Dodgers offense will face Angels righty Yusei Kikuchi. The matinee will start at 1:10 PM PDT and can be seen on SportsNet LA.

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