Whether it was the lack of mystical energy from a magical wizard or just plain being outplayed on the diamond, the Dodgers had a difficult weekend on the home front, as the Los Angeles Angels completed their first ever sweep of the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium.
James Loney sparked the Dodger bats with two doubles and three RBI late in the series finale on Sunday, but it wan’t enough as the Angels held on for a 6-5 victory and swept the series.
The Angels, who have been torrid in the AL West as of late, registered their 10th win in their last 12 games.
In the series opener on Friday, Chad Billingsley took the brunt of the damage dealt by the Angels, having given up seven earned runs, nine hits, and three walks in only five and two-thirds innings of work.
Billingsley (6-4) was the pitcher of record in the 10-1 thrashing.
Angels pitcher Joel Pinero was brilliant in game one, pitching a complete game and only allowing one earned run while giving up five hits and striking out seven.
Pinero (5-6) also helped his own cause at the plate, as he became the first Angels pitcher to score three runs in a game since 1962.
Saturday’s pitching matchup featured Scott Kazmir of the Angels against the Dodgers’ promising rookie John Ely.
Ely struggled early for the Dodgers, and the Boys in Blue were silent with the sticks for the second consecutive evening.
Russell Martin provided the only hint of offense for the Dodgers, doubling to deep right center field in the fifth inning, driving in Jamey Carroll and Rafael Furcal, the only two Dodger runs of the game.
Juan Rivera hit a two-run home run in the top of the fourth inning to lead the Angels offensive attack. The drive into the left field stands was the 10th of the year for Rivera.
Kazmir picked up his sixth win of the season in the second game of the series, throwing a strong five innings and allowing only two earned runs, as the Angels held on for the win, 4-2. Kazmir is now 6-5.
Ely registered his third loss in his ninth game started for the Dodgers this season.
“I’ve got to do a better job than I did,” Ely (3-3) said after the game. “Four runs in five innings isn’t cutting it. We’re capable of beating that team, and I think everybody knows that.”
The series finale on Sunday saw pitcher Carlos Monasterios of the Dodgers square off against Jered Weaver of the Angels.
Monasterios labored early, and after allowing four earned runs and seven hits, was pulled in the top of the third inning in favor of Jeff Weaver, to create a brother vs. brother on the mound.
Torii Hunter and Mike Napoli sparked the Angels bats, both hitting solo home runs, which were their tenth each on the season.
Hideki Matsui also powered the Angels offensively, having gone 3-4 at the dish, with two singles, a double, one run, and two RBI.
Loney’s late game efforts were for naught, as Angels reliever Brian Fuentes forced Rafael Furcal to ground into a game-ending double play; and Fuentes saved his tenth game of the year.
Monasterios (3-1) registered the loss and Jered Weaver (6-3) gained the win as the Angels held on for the victory, 6-5.
Left fielder Manny Ramirez and shortstop Rafael Furcal were about the only other signs of offensive production for the Dodgers. Ramirez hit a single, two doubles and scored two runs; while Furcal chipped in with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning.
Dodger slugger Andre Ethier was quiet the entire series, having gone a total of 0-10 at the plate, while managing two bases on balls.
The Angels added to their total head-to-head record vs. the Dodgers, now leading 42-31 games.
The Dodgers begin a nine game road trip on Tuesday agaist the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park, where Hiroki Kuroda (5-4) of the Dodgers will face Aaron Harang (5-5) of the Reds.
The first game is scheduled to begin at 7:10 EST.
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