Dodgers, Angels renew hostilities
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After one of the worst offensive showings in franchise history, the Los Angeles Dodgers now head to Anaheim for the opener of the three-game Freeway Series against the Angels.
The Dodgers managed a miserable two runs and just eight hits in getting swept by the Oakland Athletics. The eight hits represented the lowest amount for the team in a three-game series dating back to 1921.
"I guess I should give their guys credit because they're major league players and they're major league pitchers, but over a three-game stretch we really didn't do enough to win any games," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said about the sweep.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Dodgers may be able to break out tonight against righty Dan Haren, who has lost two of his last three starts and has surrendered nine runs in his past two outings. Haren was beaten by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, as he gave up five runs and eight hits in 6 1/3 innings, dropping him to 4-7 on the year to go along with a 3.97 ERA.
"When you get hit around, you don't feel good. You go home, and you feel better next time," Haren said. "Just no excuses, really. Got to minimize the mistakes."
With an off-day and the return of righty ace Jered Weaver to the rotation on Wednesday, Haren will be throwing on six days' rest for the first time this season. He hasn't pitched on six days' rest since last Aug. 26, when he lasted only 4 1/3 innings and allowed seven runs.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Haren has faced the Dodgers 16 times (15 starts) and is 5-5 with a 3.27 ERA against them.
The Angels enter this matchup after taking the final two games in their series with the San Francisco Giants, including a 6-0 win in Wednesday's rubber match.
Weaver (7-1) who had been out with a lower-back strain he suffered in the first inning of the Angels' May 28 contest against the New York Yankees, tossed six scoreless innings and allowed two hits, walked a pair and fanned three, but was removed after throwing 78 pitches.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"Weav does what he usually does, he located his fastball early," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "I really liked his fastball command. He changed speeds, a great effort."
Kendrys Morales homered on his 29th birthday and Mark Trumbo made it back-to- back shots in the eighth inning. Alberto Callaspo also went deep in Los Angeles' ninth win in 12 games.
The Angels will take their swings tonight against Dodgers righty Chad Billingsley, who is 4-5 with a 3.75 ERA. Billingsley lost to the Chicago White Sox on Saturday, as he allowed five runs (4 earned) and eight hits in six innings.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Billingsley is 1-4 lifetime versus the Angels with a 4.10 ERA in eight games (6 starts).
The Angels took two of three from the Dodgers earlier in the year.