Shohei Ohtani homers in 9-run first as Dodgers drub Angels

Andy Pages and Shohei Ohtani each hit two-run home runs in a nine-run first inning and the Los Angeles Dodgers stayed perfect against the visiting Los Angeles Angels this season with an easy 9-2 victory on Saturday.

Ryan Ward hit a two-run double in the opening inning while a single from Alex Freeland and a throwing error from Angels shortstop Zach Neto cleared the bases. The Dodgers had their highest scoring inning since a nine-run frame in July 2021 against the Washington Nationals.

Right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6-4) retired the last 22 batters he faced and gave up one run on two hits over eight innings as the Dodgers improved to 5-0 against the Angels and are 18-5 overall since May 13.

Oswald Peraza had an RBI triple and Neto hit a home run for the Angels, while right-handed starter Jack Kochanowicz (2-5) gave up seven runs (six earned) while recording one out.

The Angels were 6-0 against the Dodgers last season but are now in danger of losing all six this season with the finale of the season series Sunday.

The Angels had the early lead when Peraza delivered a run-scoring triple off the glove of Pages in deep center field.

Ohtani singled to open the bottom of the first inning for the Dodgers and Pages followed with a home run, his 14th of the season. Ward hit his two-run double before Alex Call struck out for the first out as the No. 7 hitter.

Freeland hit a bases-loaded ground ball that Neto fielded then threw into right field on a force out attempt at second base, allowing all three baserunners to score. Ohtani capped the nine-run frame with a two-run home run, his 11th.

Kochanowicz (2-5) gave up six hits with a walk in his one-third of an inning, while throwing 38 pitches to eight batters.

Neto ended a run of 23 consecutive Angels batters retired with a home run, his 11th, in the ninth against Jack Dreyer.

Dodgers catcher Will Smith was a late scratch because of neck stiffness but is lined up to start Sunday.

--Field Level Media