Even without their ace, the Los Angeles Dodgers found a way to dominate. Blake Snell was a late scratch before Friday's Freeway Series opener in Anaheim, but the Dodgers turned a potential setback into a statement win, blanking the Angels 6-0 in a bullpen game that showcased both their pitching depth and offensive firepower.
Eight Dodgers pitchers combined for nine shutout innings, a masterclass in bullpen management that kept Angels hitters off balance all night. But the real fireworks came from the bats. Teoscar Hernández launched his first home run since April 15, breaking out of his slump in style. He wasn't alone. The Dodgers smashed three homers total, extending their winning streak to three games.
The game started with an unusual delay—home plate umpire Jim Wolf's microphone belt buckle needed fixing. Ever the good sport, Shohei Ohtani offered his belt expertise, drawing laughs in the dugout. But once the game began, Ohtani's bat went quiet for a third straight day, striking out against Angels right-hander Jack Kochanowicz in the first inning.
Rookie opener Matt Klein made his first major league start and looked every bit the part of a 2025 World Series hero. He struck out two over two scoreless innings, allowing just one hit to Josh Lowe. The bullpen followed suit, with Edgardo Henriquez striking out Mike Trout swinging in the third inning—a moment that had Dodgers fans buzzing.
The offense finally broke through in the fourth. Andy Pages, who entered the game 3-for-24, unloaded on a 3-0 pitch for a 407-foot three-run homer to center field. The next batter, Max Muncy, went back-to-back with a solo shot of his own, giving the Dodgers a commanding 4-0 lead. It was a snapshot of what these two have done all season: carrying the lineup when the stars struggle.
Hyeseong Kim sparked the rally with a two-out single in the third, and Ohtani drew a walk to put two on, but Betts grounded out to end the threat. No matter. The bullpen and the long ball told the story in this one. The Dodgers proved that even without their $182 million ace, they have more than enough arms—and bats—to win a ballgame.