Logan O’Hoppe drove in a career-high five runs, and the Los Angeles Angels hit three homers to spoil Clayton Kershaw’s long-awaited return, defeating the Dodgers 11-9 on Saturday night and securing a series win at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw, making his first start of the season after missing time due to offseason shoulder, toe, and knee surgeries, struggled in the opening frame. The three-time NL Cy Young winner allowed three runs and threw 38 pitches in the first inning alone. He lasted four innings, surrendering five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts.
O’Hoppe, Taylor Ward, and rookie Matthew Lugo all homered for the Angels. Lugo’s solo shot in the ninth gave Los Angeles breathing room after the Dodgers had pulled within one.
Reid Detmers (1-2) picked up the win with two innings of relief, while Kenley Jansen earned a four-out save, his eighth against his former team.
The Dodgers responded early after falling behind 3-0, tying the game in the first on Andy Pages’ three-run homer. They took a 7-5 lead in the sixth, thanks to an RBI double from Dalton Rushing and a wild pitch that allowed Michael Conforto to score.
But the Angels mounted a big rally in the seventh. Nolan Schanuel doubled home a run, and O’Hoppe followed with a three-run blast to right off Kirby Yates (3-2), putting the Halos up 9-7. Kevin Newman tacked on an RBI single to extend the lead.
The Dodgers rallied again, pulling within 10-9, but Lugo’s homer in the ninth sealed the win for Los Angeles.
Freddie Freeman went 4-for-5 for the Dodgers, tying his season high, while Kiké Hernández also homered.
Key Moment
O’Hoppe’s three-run shot in the seventh — his 10th of the season — was his fifth go-ahead hit of the year and swung the momentum back to the Angels.
Key Stat
The Angels won a three-game series at Dodger Stadium for the first time since June 2012.
Up Next
Right-hander Tony Gonsolin (2-0, 2.81 ERA) will start for the Dodgers in Sunday’s finale. Left-hander Yusei Kikuchi (0-4, 3.72 ERA) seeks his first win in his 10th start for the Angels
