Muncy homers, singles in go-ahead run; Dodgers top Angels
LOS ANGELES (AP) Max Muncy tuned up for next week's Home Run Derby and the Los Angeles Dodgers kept a slim hold on their lead in the NL West standings.
Muncy homered and drove in the tying run in the seventh inning, helping the Dodgers rally past the Angels 3-2 on Friday night in the resumption of the Freeway Series.
The Angels took two out of three last week in Anaheim. The series is tied 2-2 with two games remaining.
Muncy singled to deep right-center off Cam Bedrosian (3-2), scoring pinch-hitter Logan Forsythe and Joc Pederson to put the Dodgers ahead 3-2.
Muncy took second on right fielder Kole Calhoun's throw that sailed over the head of catcher Jose Briceno. Bedrosian scrambled to the backstop, but he bobbled the ball and had no throw to the plate as Pederson scored.
''I got it kind of on my right side, I don't think I ever really got closed all the way,'' Calhoun said. ''Just kind of sailed that throw and with Joc on second I felt like I might have to hurry a little bit and turns out he wasn't even going. It's just a throw that's got to be down and just not executed by me.''
Caleb Ferguson (2-1) got the win with two perfect innings of relief with three strikeouts. Scott Alexander induced a double play to end the ninth for his first save.
The Angels got the potential tying run on in the ninth when pinch-hitter Shohei Ohtani doubled with one out. Briceno beat out the throw from shortstop to put runners on the corners. David Fletcher grounded into a game-ending double play to third base. Second baseman Logan Forsythe's throw pulled first baseman Cody Bellinger off the bag and he barely tagged Fletcher before he got to the bag for the final out.
''Cody did a lot to help us win defensively,'' Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. ''If that goes awry and they score it could get a little dicey.''
Muncy's team-leading 22nd home run in the first off starter Felix Pena gave the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.
Calhoun tied it with a homer leading off the third and put the Angels ahead 2-1 with another solo shot leading off the fifth.
''It's been good since coming off the DL and hopefully it just continues to keep going that way,'' Calhoun said.
Mike Trout went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts for the Angels, who were without slugger Albert Pujols. He went on the disabled list earlier Friday.
Pena gave up one run and three hits in four innings. He struck out five and walked three.
Dodgers rookie Walker Buehler came off the disabled list to make his first start since June 8. He allowed two runs and six hits in five innings, struck out five and walked one.
''Kind of a battle, one of those grinder games,'' Buehler said. ''I'm still trying to find my rhythm. The velocity was still up and down a little.''
TRAINER'S ROOM
Angels: Pujols (left knee inflammation) went on the 10-day DL after having an injection in his knee. He's expected to miss six games.
Dodgers: 3B Justin Turner (left hip) got treatment and was available to hit. He initially hurt it on a checked swing and it bothered him running Thursday at San Diego. ... LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu (left groin strain) threw a bullpen session and will have another one in a few days. ... LHP Rich Hill threw a bullpen session and could be used in relief this weekend to stay sharp. He isn't dealing with any injuries. ... LHP Julio Urias (left shoulder surgery rehab) has clocked 92 mph while throwing to hitters and is progressing well.
UTLEY NEARING THE END
Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley announced that he will retire at season's end to spend more time with his wife and two young sons. He had a pinch-hit single leading off the fifth.
BIRTHDAY BOY
Bellinger, who turned 23 on Friday, was 1 for 2 with two walks.
TROUT AS FASHION STATEMENT
Before the game, Bedrosian, Taylor Cole, Oliver Drake, Deck McGuire and Noe Ramirez wore shirts with an oversized version of Trout's face on the front while they were in the outfield.
The shirts were a recent giveaway at Angel Stadium.
UP NEXT
LHP Andrew Heaney (5-6, 3.84 ERA) starts for the Angels, having allowed three runs over seven innings in his last start against the Dodgers last weekend. LHP Alex Wood (5-5, 3.88) goes for the Dodgers after not factoring in the decision against their rivals last Sunday.
---
More AP baseball: https://apnews.com/tag/MLBbaseball
