The Los Angeles Dodgers hit four home runs, including a pair from Max Muncy, but dropped the Freeway Series opener 6-5 to the L.A. Angels. The three-game set now shifts to Dodger Stadium to wrap up the exhibition slate.
The Dodgers opened the scoring in the second inning when Max Muncy followed Cody Bellinger’s leadoff walk with a home run to straightaway center field. The homer was Muncy’s second of the spring but more encouraging in that it came off a left-hander in Andrew Heaney and despite being off balance with his swing.
Gavin Lux and Corey Seager added to the power display with a solo home run each in the third inning. Lux took an outside fastball to left-center field for his first homer, and Seager pulled a monster shot to right.
The Dodgers’ 4-0 lead was cut in half in the bottom of the third as the Angels loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. Albert Pujols’ hard-hit grounder with two outs took a tricky hop and got by Seager, who was given a tough error that allowed two runs to score.
Anaheim loaded the bases again in the fourth inning and tied the game on Mike Trout’s two-run single into center. Tony Gonsolin then walked Anthony Rendon before giving way to Gus Varland, who kept the score knotted up.
Although Gonsolin was scheduled to pitch Sunday, it was expected to come in the form of a piggyback appearance to David Price. However, the veteran left-hander was scratched due to feeling under the weather.
The Dodgers hoped to get Gonsolin through five innings, but he fell short at 3.2 frames. Gonsolin did collect six strikeouts and allowed four runs (two earned).
Muncy broke the tie with in the fifth inning with his second home run of the night. That held until Juan Lagares led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo shot to again pull the Angels even, and Taylor Ward delivered a walk-off home run in the eighth inning.
Have you subscribed to the Dodger Blue YouTube channel? It’s the best way to watch player interviews, participate in our shows and giveaways, and more!
