Shohei Ohtani’s 42nd home run of the season was not enough to spare the Los Angeles Dodgers a 7-4 MLB defeat to the Angels in Anaheim, marking a second consecutive setback for his side following their 5-4 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Jose Soriano allowed two hits and registered two walks for the Angels, striking out six batters over six scoreless innings, while Zach Neto hit a homer off the first pitch of a difficult night for pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto.
“I don’t think he had his best stuff tonight,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said of Yamamoto. “I don’t think he had his best command.
“From the outset, they came out really aggressive, swinging the bats early. He just couldn’t [respond].
“We didn’t have any answers for Soriano, a guy who puts the ball in the ground. I don’t think we got a guy to second base until he was out of the game, so we really didn’t threaten.”
Los Angeles Angels: Zach Neto stats
Shortstop Neto’s 18th home run of the year was his eighth lead-off of the season, setting a new Angels single-season record.
Neto broke Brian Downing’s record, set in 1987, while Kyle Schwarber holds the MLB single-season record courtesy of 15 for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.
The Angels recovered from their 9-5 defeat to the Detroit Tigers and have now won two of their last three games.
Victory in the opener of the three-game series leaves them fourth in the American League West.
Los Angeles Dodgers ‘not getting job done’
Roberts was encouraged by an eighth-innings Dodgers comeback bid, including home runs for the likes of Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Max Muncy.
“It was good to see us put an innings together… but a loss is a loss,” Roberts reflected. “You’ve got to give credit to Soriano.
“Those guys caught a lead and didn’t look back. Yoshi just wasn’t sharp and our offense couldn’t overcome the start.
“There are some good things but team-wise, it just wasn’t enough.”
MLB standings ‘a lot more interesting’
The Dodgers were coming off the back of a 5-4 defeat to the Toronto Blue Jays and now hold a slender lead over the San Diego Padres at the top of the National League West
“I hate to say that [the previous] loss carried over,” rued Roberts. “We’re good at resetting and coming back.
“There definitely has to be urgency. We’re looking for some traction and to stack some wins. I don’t think anyone is blind to the standings. It’s gotten a lot more interesting.
“We’ve got to get out there and play good baseball. Whether you like it or not, it is what it is. It’s not from lack of care or work, it’s just not getting the job done, in whatever fashion. It’s about getting it done.”
The second game in the series takes place on Wednesday (21:38 ET / 18:38 PT / 02:30 BST on Thursday).
