The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim opened the three-game exhibition Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium on Thursday night. The meeting was the first of two scheduled at Chavez Ravine before the Dodgers open the 2016 season in San Diego.
Scott Kazmir was on the hill for a second look at his former club in what was also his final start of the spring. Kazmir retired the first two batters faced, then gave up a long two-out single to Albert Pujols.
Nothing came of it for the Angels as C.J. Cron struck out to end the inning. Kiké Hernandez went inside-out to line a leadoff single to right field off Andrew Heaney in the bottom of the first. Hernandez was erased on a force out at second base that left Yasiel Puig on first.
A hit-and-run with Justin Turner batting put runners on the corners with one out for Adrian Gonzalez. Turner advanced to second base, but he and Puig were stranded as Johnny Giavotella robbed Scott Van Slyke of an RBI infield single.
Kazmir issued a one-out walk in the second inning and found himself in some trouble as Carlos Perez followed with a base hit. Kazmir kept the Angels off the board by inducing Shane Robinson into a 6-4-3 double play.
Chase Utley led off the bottom of the second with a base hit, and Corey Seager reached on an infield single up the third base line. Kazmir’s sacrifice bunt attempt was thwarted as Utley was forced out at third base.
Hernandez then flied out and the game remained scoreless through two innings. Kazmir remained sharp in the third as he set the Angels down in order. Heaney followed suit in the bottom half, ending the inning by striking out Gonzalez.
CONTINUE READING: Angels capitalize on Corey Seager’s error
