The Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Angels hooked up for the first time this spring on Monday afternoon, and the ones from Los Angeles got the best of the ones from Anaheim as the Dodgers beat the Angels 9-1 at Tempe Diablo Stadium.
Juan Rivera had a home run and a double, driving in four runs in the victory for the Dodgers, who improved to 6-1-2 in Cactus League play. Rivera has three home runs and a double in his last three games, but he insists his swing isn't fully ready yet for regular season play.
"My swing is not 100% right now. I'm trying to get my timing back. I don't care about home runs. I try to make good contact, and look for my pitch," the outfielder said.
Jered Weaver took the loss, allowing three runs in 1 2/3 innings. Weaver didn't allow a run in two innings in his first start last week.
Aaron Harang pitched three innings, allowing one run for the Dodgers in his second Cactus League start. Although Harang uses spring training more to work on his own mechanics than worry about the batters he is facing, he was impressed with new Angel Albert Pujols.
"He's very patient at the plate and has a very good idea of what he wants to do when he's up there," Harang said. "Ultimately you have to be aggressive and go right at him."
The Dodgers return to Camelback Ranch in Glendale on Tuesday to host the Colorado Rockies, while the Angels head north to Salt River Fields in Scottsdale to battle the Arizona Diamondbacks.
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