Angels' 5-Run Fifth Inning Helps Beat Dodgers, 8-1
ANAHEIM (AP) — Mike Trout homered and the Angels broke the game open with five runs in the fifth inning to beat the Dodgers, 8-1, on Wednesday night in the Freeway Series.
C.J. Cron's bases-loaded infield single put the Angels ahead 2-1 and opened the floodgates. Mike Bolsinger (0-1) began the inning by giving up a single to Yunel Escobar and issuing a one-out walk to Trout. Louis Coleman relieved and immediately loaded the bases by walking Albert Pujols.
Cron scored on Howie Kendrick's error that made Johnny Giavotella safe at first. Rafael Ortega's double dropped in front of charging left fielder Trayce Thompson, leading to two more runs. Carlos Perez's sacrifice fly extended the lead to 6-1.
Nick Tropeano (2-2) tossed four-hit ball into the seventh inning in his longest start of the season for the Angels, who lead the season series 2-1 after splitting the first two games at Dodger Stadium.
The Angels rapped out 12 hits, three off their season high. Trout was 3 for 4 with a walk, while Pujols was 2 for 3 with two walks.
Bolsinger gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, struck out two and walked two after being activated off the disabled list to give the Dodgers' rotation some extra rest. The right-hander may have earned a return ticket to Triple-A Oklahoma City after his outing.
Coleman staggered through an uncharacteristic inning. The right-hander hadn't allowed a run in his previous 12 games, giving up just three hits and striking out 12 with two walks in that span.
After giving up three consecutive singles in the seventh, Tropeano struck out pinch-hitter Kike Hernandez and got Justin Turner to ground into an inning-ending double play.
Tropeano began the game by retiring his first 10 batters. He allowed one run and seven hits in seven innings, struck out four and walked two. He has given up two or fewer runs in six of his eight starts and pitched beyond six innings for the first time.
Joc Pederson's RBI single in the fourth provided the Dodgers' lone run, a night after they limited the Angels to one run in a 5-1 victory.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: 1B Adrian Gonzalez missed his second straight game with lower-back tightness that surfaced Monday. He's expected to return Friday or Saturday. ... LF Scott Van Slyke (low back irritation) is at Camelback Ranch in Arizona awaiting assignment to a minor-league affiliate. ... With Bolsinger reinstated from the DL, INF Charlie Culberson was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. He made the opening day roster and appeared in 15 games, batting .259 with two doubles and four RBIs. ... INF Alex Guerrero (left knee) was set to play his seventh rehab game Wednesday with Double-A Tulsa.
Angels: C Geovany Soto will go on the DL with a torn right meniscus. His knee locked up on him before Wednesday's game. An MRI showed the tear that is expected to keep him out 4-to-6 weeks.
ROUNDING THE BASES
Pederson doubled to deep center with two outs in the eighth. After rounding first, he stumbled and fell, with his shin guard coming off. He got up in time to make it safely to second.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Ross Stripling (1-2, 4.26 ERA) faces the Angels for the first time in the series finale. He has a 2.12 ERA on the road.
Angels: RHP Jhoulys Chacin (0-0, 2.57) makes his second start since joining the team on May 11 from Atlanta. He is 9-7 with a 3.74 ERA in 19 career games against the Dodgers. The nine wins are his most against any opponent.
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