Dodgers-Angels Preview
Ross Stripling's first major league win finally came, but it was in one of his lesser outings in seven with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jhoulys Chacin was far better in his Los Angeles Angels debut than he was in five starts with Atlanta, but he settled for a no-decision.
They meet in the finale of home-and-home two-game sets Thursday night at Angel Stadium with the Angels hoping to take three of four.
Stripling (1-2, 4.26 ERA) gave up four runs and eight hits with three walks in five innings of Friday's 8-4 home win over St. Louis after missing out on victories in far better starts, two of which resulted in one run allowed with at most one hit. Consider it the lineup repaying its debt after providing the right-hander with limited run support through his first six starts.
"I think (Stripling) just started losing his crispness when he got around the 75-pitch mark," manager Dave Roberts told MLB's official website. "The curveball was good, but I don't know if it's a mental thing or physical."
Pitching outside of Dodger Stadium has been the preferred choice so far in his young career, as he's 0-0 with a 2.12 ERA in three road starts compared to 1-2 with a 6.00 mark in four at home.
Chacin (0-0, 2.57), who was acquired on May 11 from the Braves, made his first start with his new team three days later. The right-hander gave up two runs and five hits in seven innings of a 9-7 win in Seattle on Saturday.
His first win with the Angels can now come in his home debut after shoulder issues disrupted much of the past two seasons with Arizona and Colorado before he signed a minor league deal with Atlanta this offseason.
"I feel healthy," Chacin said. "I feel my arm is as good as it was before. I'm just having fun. I'm just trying to make pitches, trying to keep the ball down, and just have fun playing."
Chacin has spent nearly his entire career in the NL West, so he's seen plenty of the Dodgers. In 18 starts and a relief appearance, he's 9-7 with a 3.74 ERA. Carl Crawford is 6 for 9 in their matchups, while A.J. Ellis is 7 for 17 with a homer and could find himself in the lineup.
The Angels (18-22) won 8-1 on Wednesday night after the clubs split two games at Dodger Stadium. They've won five of six and are getting plenty of offense over the last seven, averaging 6.4 runs and batting .313.
Mike Trout was 3 for 4 with a home run and has his average up to .320 after being at .220 a month ago. He's batting .370 with eight home runs in 100 at-bats over his last 26 games after starting with one homer in his first 50 at-bats.
The Dodgers (21-20) have lost three of four and figure to be without their first baseman for at least one more game. Adrian Gonzalez missed his second straight game with lower-back tightness that surfaced Monday.
He's expected to return Friday or Saturday.