The Los Angeles Dodgers received seven shutout innings from Kenta Maeda in what was one of his better starts this season. However, it was nearly squandered, as Jesse Chavez carried a scoreless effort into the sixth inning.
Chavez had only allowed one hit to that point — a routine flyball to center field that fell for a two-out double in the fourth inning. A Chase Utley leadoff double and Logan Forsythe walk in the sixth led to the beginning of the end for Chavez.
He was removed after retiring Chris Taylor. Left-hander Jose Alvarez took over for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and promptly allowed an RBI single to Cody Bellinger, who beat the shift by slapping a grounder into left field.
Alvarez then induced a groundout but surrendered a three-run home run to Joc Pederson. The homer was Pederson’s first off a lefty this season and eighth of his career.
Of Pederson’s seven home runs this season, five have come after his return from the concussion disabled list. The 25-year-old joined Triple-A Oklahoma City for a brief rehab assignment, during which time he worked with OKC hitting coach Shawn Wooten.
Pederson credited Wooten for his turnaround, as well as taking regular batting practice from Dave Roberts to aid preparation for facing left-handed pitching.
