Stripling throws another gem in Dodgers 3-1 win over Angels
ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) Ross Stripling has tentative plans to go to Lake Tahoe or somewhere close by in California during the All-Star break. He'll happily trade the lake for the sweltering July heat of Washington D.C.
Stripling (7-2) is making a strong case to make the NL All-Star team with another terrific outing, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 3-1 win over the Angels on Saturday night.
He allowed just one run and three hits - all by Mike Trout - in six innings. The right-hander struck out seven and walked none, and lowered his ERA to 2.14.
''In a good way,'' Stripling said when asked if he was nervous about making the All-Star squad. ''I'm trying not to let it affect me on the field at all. Obviously, I see the stuff on Twitter. Family, friends are asking me. You guys are asking. It's in the back of my mind. Hopefully, I can make it. That would be awesome. I'll try not to worry about it too much. ''
After blowing a save opportunity on Friday night, Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth to earn his 24th save. Stripling, however, stole the show on another hot afternoon start of 100 degrees.
The 28-year-old Stripling retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced for the Dodgers, who have won five of their last six games.
Trout went 3 for 3 against Stripling, including a solo home run to left-center field in the sixth inning for his 25th of the season and 50th RBI. Trout, who finished 3 for 4 overall in his 11th three-hit game of the season, is now 5 for 5 with two home runs in his career against Stripling.
''I just found that out,'' Trout said of his numbers against Stripling. ''Just trying to get a pitch to hit.''
Stripling started the year in the Dodgers' bullpen. A rash of injuries, to every starter in the rotation, had Stripling back in a starter's role. He has been the best and most consistent starter all season. And most important, he's the only one who has avoided the injury bug. He has a team-best seven wins.
''I'm just honored to be the guy when guys got hurt to be the guy they counted on to step up and go five, six, seven innings every fifth day,'' Stripling said. ''Just feel like I've done my job and hopefully can keep doing my job. Obviously, to think at the beginning of the year to think guys like myself, (Matt) Kemp and (Max) Muncy were going to be potential All-Stars, guys would've told you probably you were lying. That's what we're looking at. If I'm one of the guys that gets chosen to represent the Dodgers, that's awesome. That's what we're shooting for.''
The Angels' Shohei Ohtani fouled a ball off his right knee in the ninth during his at-bat against Jansen. After a trainer, Mike Scioscia and an interpreter went to check on him, he stayed in the game and struck out - but hobbled back to the dugout. He was sore and had his knee wrapped in ice after the game. He will be re-evaluated.
''I think I'll be fine,'' Ohtani said through an interpreter. ''I'll try to be ready for (Sunday).''
Justin Turner hit a two-out single in the fifth inning off Taylor Cole (0-1) to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.
Yasiel Puig hit a two-out, solo home run to center field off Noe Ramirez in the ninth to put the Dodgers ahead 3-1.
Deck McGuire made his second start for the Angels. He allowed one hit and struck out six in three innings in his first career appearance against the Dodgers.
In the fourth inning, reliever Jose Alvarez got Cody Bellinger and Matt Kemp to ground out, but then walked Yasmani Grandal and was pulled in favor of Cole.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: RHP Yimi Garcia (right forearm inflammation) was placed on the disabled list. ... LHP Rich Hill (sore neck) is expected to make his scheduled start on Tuesday against San Diego. ... RHP Walker Buehler (right rib micro fracture) is scheduled to throw a five-inning simulated game Sunday. Dave Roberts expects him to make a start next weekend against the Angels.
Angels: LHP Tyler Skaggs (right adductor strain) will throw a bullpen this weekend. ... RHP Jim Johnson (lumbar strain) is scheduled to start a rehab assignment at Class A Inland Empire on Sunday.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (5-5, 3.84 ERA) got the win in the Dodgers' 17-1 victory over Pittsburgh last week. He allowed one run on six hits and walked none in six innings.
Angels: LHP Andrew Heaney (4-6, 3.94 ERA) is grooving in his last six starts at home, where he is 4-1 with a 0.88 ERA. He's 0-2 with a 6.10 ERA in two career starts against the Dodgers.
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