The Angels overcame an early 5-0 deficit to beat the Dodgers 8-5 on Friday night in the opening game of the Freeway Series at Angel Stadium in Anaheim. Mike Trout homered, walked twice and scored two runs to lead the way for the Angels.
Bobby Abreu homered in the top of the first inning to give the Dodgers an early 3-0 lead off Dan Haren, then RBI singles by Jerry Hairston Jr. and Juan Rivera in the second inning pushed the Dodgers to a five-run advantage.
But the Angels scored three in the second inning and three more in the fourth inning, taking the lead on Trout's home run, his seventh of the season. Chad Billingsley gave up six runs in five innings and took the loss.
"They are a very dangerous lineup. I just didn't get the job done today," Billingsley said.
Erick Aybar had a triple, a double, and two RBI on the night for the Angels, who have won 21 of their last 28 games.
Hisanori Takahashi, who pitched a scoreless sixth inning in relief of Haren, left the game in the top of the seventh with stiffness in his right hip. He is listed as day-to-day.
Ervin Santana gets the start for the Angels on Saturday afternoon in the second game of the series, while left-hander Chris Capuano starts for the Dodgers, in a game televised by Fox.
For all Angels information and analysis, be sure to read Halos Heaven. For more news and notes on Dodgers baseball, be sure to read True Blue LA.
