SB Nation Los Angeles - Three-Run Seventh Lifts Angels Over Dodgershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2011-07-03T22:03:24-07:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/20215332011-07-03T22:03:24-07:002011-07-03T22:03:24-07:00Branyan Home Run Lifts Angels Over Dodgers, Into Tie For First Place
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<p>A two-run home run by <span>Russell Branyan</span> in the bottom of the seventh inning lifted the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> to a 3-1 win over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in the finale of the three-game Freeway Series in Anaheim. The win gave the Angels a series win in all six series against National League opponents this season and, coupled with the loss by Texas, pulled the Angels into a first-place tie in the American League West.</p>
<p><span>Ervin Santana</span> pitched 7 2/3 strong innings allowing just one run, picking up his fourth win of the season. He allowed six hits and one walk while striking out eight. <span>Jordan Walden</span> pitched a scoreless ninth inning for his 19th save of the season.</p>
<p><span>Chad Billingsley</span> was stingy outside of a three-run seventh inning, allowing just three hits on the game, and three runs. He pitched eight innings, taking the complete game loss, evening his record at 7-7 on the season. The Angels won both of their series against the Dodgers this season, and finished the interleague portion of their schedule with a 13-5 record against the National League, tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pinstripealley.com/">Yankees</a> for the top interleague mark in baseball.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on tonight's game, or on the two teams, be sure to read the SB Nation blogs <a target="_blank" href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2011/7/3/2257922/angels-game-score-russell-branyan-ervin-santana-dodgers-first-place-al-west-standingsEric Stephen2011-07-03T16:01:45-07:002011-07-03T16:01:45-07:00Dodgers Activate Rafael Furcal, Place Casey Blake On Disabled List
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> activated shortstop <span>Rafael Furcal</span> from the disabled list before Sunday night's finale with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> in Anaheim. Furcal missed 26 games with a strained left oblique. To make room for Furcal, the Dodgers placed third baseman <span>Casey Blake</span> on the 15-day disabled list with a cervical strain.</p>
<p>Furcal also missed 37 games earlier this season with a broken left thumb, and has basically been plagued by injuries for the past several years. He has missed 282 of the Dodgers' last 582 games, dating back to the end of the 2007 season. In 17 games this season, Furcal is hitting .212/.246/.273 with seven runs scored in 17 games.</p>
<p>Blake has battled several injuries this season, and this is his third trip to the disabled list. Blake began the year on the DL with back problems, then went on the DL again in late April with a left elbow infection, missing nearly five weeks. Blake is hitting .243/.346/.386, though he has been limited for most of the last three weeks with his neck problems.</p>
<p>It was thought that <span>Dee Gordon</span> would be the one to be optioned to make room for Furcal, but that is not the case. Gordon dazzled at times in the field and on the bases, but it was pretty clear he was overmatched at the plate, hitting just .232/.250/.280 in 22 games. Gordon does have eight stolen bases in 11 attempts. Gordon is likely to be optioned at some point soon because, as manager Don Mattingly put it, "if Dee's here, he's got to play," and that won't happen very often with Furcal manning shortstop.</p>
<p><i><b>Tonight's 5:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by ESPN. For more news and information on tonight's game, or on the two teams, be sure to read the SB Nation blogs <a target="_blank" href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2011/7/3/2257530/dodgers-rafael-furcal-casey-blake-disabled-listEric Stephen2011-07-03T14:40:37-07:002011-07-03T14:40:37-07:00Dodgers Vs. Angels Starting Lineups: Rafael Furcal Batting Second In Return
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> look to win their second series over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> in as many weekends on Sunday night as the close out the Freeway Series with the Dodgers. <span>Ervin Santana</span> gets the start for the Angels, while <span>Chad Billingsley</span> starts for the Dodgers. Here are tonight's starting lineups, which include a just-activated <span>Rafael Furcal</span>:</p>
<h3>Dodgers (37-47)</h3>
<p>Gwynn CF<br> Furcal SS<br> Ethier RF<br> Kemp DH<br> Loney 1B<br> Miles 3B<br> Oeltjen LF<br> Ellis C<br> Carroll 2B</p>
<h3>Angels (43-41)</h3>
<p>Izturis 2B<br> Aybar SS<br> Abreu RF<br> Wells LF<br> Kendrick 1B<br> Callaspo 3B<br> Branyan DH<br> Conger C<br> Bourjos CF</p>
<p>The Angels are 49-36 all-time against the Dodgers, including 27-15 in Anaheim. They have won five of their last six series at home against the Dodgers, and are 14-6 against L.A. dating back to 2005. The Angels are 12-5 against National League teams this season, having one their first five series</p>
<p><i><b>Tonight's 5:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by ESPN. For more news and information on tonight's game, or on the two teams, be sure to read the SB Nation blogs <a target="_blank" href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-angels/2011/7/3/2257505/dodgers-vs-angels-starting-lineups-rafael-furcalEric Stephen2011-07-03T13:55:13-07:002011-07-03T13:55:13-07:00Angels, Dodgers Conclude Freeway Series With Nationally Televised Game On ESPN
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Angels</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> wrap up their season series with a nationally televised Sunday finale in Anaheim on ESPN. <span>Ervin Santana</span> starts for the Angels, facing <span>Chad Billingsley</span> of the Dodgers. These two teams have split the first two in Anaheim, each with strong offense backing a superb pitching performance.</p>
<p>Both the Angels and Dodgers will be sending at least two players to Phoenix for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game. Last night's starting pitchers, <span>Jered Weaver</span> and <span>Clayton Kershaw</span>, both made their respective squads, while <span>Matt Kemp</span> was elected to start in the outfield for the National League. <span>Howie Kendrick</span> was named as a reserve for the American League, making his first All-Star team. <span>Andre Ethier</span> of the Dodgers is among five <a target="_blank" href="http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/events/all_star/y2011/fv/ballot.jsp?partnerId=aw-7944294644503842760-1034">vying for the final roster spot in the National League</a>.</p>
<p>Santana has been a tough luck pitcher for the Angels this season. He has pitched well, as his 4.08 ERA, 4.28 FIP, and 3.78 xFIP would indicate, but he is saddled with just a 3-8 record. He went winless in five June starts despite posting a 3.48 ERA, thanks in part to the Angels scoring just 11 runs in those five games.</p>
<p>Billingsley hopes to head into the break on a high note after struggling in the early part of June. On the season, he is 7-6 with a 4.22 ERA, and has rebounded in his last two starts, allowing one run in 11 1/3 innings combined. However, it seems a safe bet that Billingsley won't get as much run support as he received in his last start, Monday in Minnesota, when the Dodgers walloped the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.twinkietown.com/">Twins</a> 15-0.</p>
<p><i><b>Tonight's 5:05 p.m. PDT game will be televised by ESPN. For more news and information on tonight's game, or on the two teams, be sure to read the SB Nation blogs <a target="_blank" href="http://www.halosheaven.com/">Halos Heaven</a> and <a target="_blank" href="http://www.truebluela.com/">True Blue LA</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/2011/7/3/2337423/angels-dodgers-conclude-freeway-series-with-nationally-televised-gameEric Stephen