The Los Angeles Dodgers offense found an early rhythm and eventually pulled away for an 8-2 win over the L.A. Angels in the rubber match of the Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium.
Walker Buehler didn’t have his best stuff as he tied a career high with four walks but nonetheless turned in a quality start, allowing only one run over six innings of work.
“Fastball command was not very good, but some of the other stuff hit some spots and was good,” Buehler said after the game. “Lucky to get out of there with the one run. Obviously the offense put me in a pretty good position pretty early, so hat’s off to them.”
Buehler cited his evolution as a pitcher and Will Smith’s game-calling in being able to work out of multiple jams. “I think maybe getting a little bit better at not trying to bully my way out of stuff,” Buehler said of giving up just the one run.
“I don’t know. A combination of our catchers putting down the right fingers and defense playing well. It is what it is. I think I’ve gotten lucky at a lot of points, but I try to make good pitches when it counts.”
By defeating the Angels on Sunday, the Dodgers kept pace with the San Francisco Giants and remain four games out of first place in the National League West standings.
Since July 2, there have been only two days in which the Dodgers won and the Giants lost, not counting the games they played against each other.
“I think when you have the talent that we have and team that we have, honestly we’re more worried about playing good baseball and playing to our expectations than anything,” Buehler answered when asked if his teammates have been watching the scoreboard.
“We kind of believe the rest will take care of itself in terms of the standings and everything. I think as long as we play to our capabilities, we’re going to be fine regardless of how all of that shakes out.
“I think that’s the big thing for us: getting healthy, to full strength and have everybody back in rhythm to go forward like that.”
Buehler: Dodgers ‘ecstatic’ Pujols homered against Angels
Having jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the second, Albert Pujols added to the Dodgers’ lead with a two-run homer off Angels rookie Reid Detmers.
It was Pujols’ first homer against the Angels since being released by the organization in May. “It’s an interesting situation when you’ve got a guy of that stature that is playing against his old team,” Buehler said of Pujols facing the Angels.
“It’s just a little bit different. I’m sure that felt good for him, and we’re obviously ecstatic for him. He’s been a huge part of our team since he got here and we’re certainly glad to have him.”
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