In a thrilling Freeway Series matchup, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured their second consecutive shutout victory against the Los Angeles Angels, winning 2-0 on Wednesday night. Freddie Freeman launched his 14th home run off Shohei Ohtani in the fourth inning, while seven Dodgers relievers combined to limit the Angels to a mere two hits.
Ohtani delivered a stellar performance on the mound, pitching seven innings and allowing only five hits, two walks, and striking out 12 batters – just one shy of his career high. Despite his dominance, the two-way phenom went 0 for 7 at the plate in the two-game series against the Dodgers, who are anticipated to be strong contenders for his services when he enters free agency this winter.
Miguel Vargas added an insurance run for the Dodgers with a home run in the ninth inning, and Evan Phillips secured his ninth save to seal the Dodgers' eighth straight win over the Angels. This mini-sweep helped the Dodgers break out of a recent 4-10 slump.
Freeman's home run came in front of a supportive crowd of his friends and family, who filled a suite at Angel Stadium, located near his childhood home in Orange County. The Angels, who had only been shut out once in their first 74 games, were stifled by both Clayton Kershaw in Tuesday's 2-0 loss and the Dodgers' bullpen on Wednesday. The Dodgers' relief corps, which had the second-worst ERA in the majors just two days prior, delivered 11 shutout innings of two-hit baseball in Anaheim.
Luis Rengifo recorded both hits for the Angels, who struggled offensively despite playing in front of two sellout crowds. For the second consecutive night, an Angels runner was called out at the plate, with Rengifo being thrown out by David Peralta in the third inning.
Ohtani stranded multiple runners in the fourth and sixth innings before exiting the game to a standing ovation after the seventh. Brusdar Graterol started for the Dodgers and pitched two hitless innings, followed by Victor Gonzalez, who earned the win. Ryan Brasier, formerly of the Red Sox, made his Dodgers debut and recorded four consecutive outs.
On the injury front, Dodgers pitcher Shelby Miller was placed on the injured list with neck pain, expected to be sidelined for three to four weeks. Angels infielder Gio Urshela is likely out for the remainder of the season with a broken pelvis, while catcher Logan O'Hoppe has begun baseball activities as he recovers from labrum surgery.
