Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a home run in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Sound
The gallery will resume inseconds
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Cody Bellinger (35), left, and Logan Forsythe (11), right, celebrate after scoring in the seventh inning on an RBI double by Max Muncy (not pictured) in a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy hits a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy, left, rounds the bases after hitting a home run against Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy (13), right, high fives Cody Bellinger (35), left, after hitting a solo home run in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Pitcher Felix Pena #64 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and his teammates confer on the mound in the first inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws out the first pitch in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout runs to first base to single in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chris Taylor fouls the ball in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels’ Luis Valbuena in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels’ Martin Maldonado looks at the crowd during the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels’ Justin Upton reacts after being struck out in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout in the first inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena throws against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler throws against the Los Angeles Angels during the first inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley watches from the dugout during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. Utley will retire from baseball at the end of this season, capping a 16-year career that included a World Series championship with Philadelphia and an elder-statesman role with the Dodgers. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun, right, celebrates his home run with Mike Trout during the third inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun watches his fifth-inning home run, his second home run of the night, in the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout reacts after striking out during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim walks back to the dugout after being called out on strikes by home plate umpire Larry Vanover #27 as catcher Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers looks on in the fifth inning during the MLB game at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hits his second solo homerun of the game in the fifth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun watches the flight of his home run, his second home run of the game, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Pitcher Walker Buehler #21 of the Los Angeles Dodgers reacts after giviing up a solo homerun to Kole Calhoun #56 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (rounding third base) during the third inning of their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun celebrates his home run, his home run, his second home run of the game, during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun, right, celebrates his second home run of the night with Andrelton Simmons during the fifth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Chase Utley watches after hitting a single during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Chase Utley #26 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a single to right field in the fifth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Pitcher Felix Pena #64 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim walks to the dugout after being pulled from the game in the fifth inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Max Muncy #13 of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits an rbi single to deep right field during the seventh inning of their MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy watches his RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy runs to first base after hitting an RBI single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson slides home to score against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson celebrates after scoring on a throwing error by Los Angeles Angels’ Kole Calhoun during the seventh inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Joc Pederson celebrates after scoring against the Los Angeles Angels during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Mike Trout reacts after swimming at a pitch during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Manager Dave Roberts #30 of the Los Angeles Dodgers congratulates Logan Forsythe #11 and Joc Pederson #31 as they enter the dugout after they scored in the seventh inning during their MLB game against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: Pitcher Cam Bedrosian #32 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hands the ball over to manager Mike Scioscia and leaves the game in the seventh inning during the MLB game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, follows through on a double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won 3-2. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, of Japan, celebrates on second base after hitting a double during the ninth inning of the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani, center, of Japan, stops at third base next to Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, on a single hit by Jose Briceno during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Max Muncy, right, and Cody Bellinger celebrate the team’s 3-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels in a baseball game, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Eiko Roberts, left, celebrates with her son, Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before the team’s baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Eiko Roberts, mother of Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, celebrates after throwing the ceremonial first pitch before a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, July 13, 2018, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
LOS ANGELES, CA – JULY 13: (L-R) Cam Bedrosian #32, Oliver Drake #36, Noe Ramirez #25, Deck McGuire #68 and Taylor Cole #67 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim look on from the outfield wearing t-shirts with the image of teammate Mike Trout on them during batting practice the prior to MLB game at Dodger Stadium on July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images)
WWII veteran Yoshio Nakamura is honored as veteran of the game in the second inning of a Major League Baseball between the Los Angeles Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Walker Buehler in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Felix Pena in the second inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (17) in the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Dodgers left fielder Andrew Toles (60) retrieves a baseball hit by Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (not pictured) in the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
Los Angeles Angels’ Shohei Ohtani runs to third base in the ninth inning of a Major League Baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Friday, July 13, 2018 in Los Angeles. (Photo by Libby Cline)
LOS ANGELES — In an adventurous season, Kole Calhoun played his most adventurous game Friday night at Dodger Stadium.
Calhoun hit a pair of solo home runs against Dodgers starter Walker Buehler to give the Angels an early lead. When his throw home from right field sailed over the head of catcher Jose Briceño, the Dodgers were able to score the go-ahead run in the seventh inning.
The run held up and the Dodgers won 3-2 before an announced crowd of 53,368 at Dodger Stadium.
On a night when Kenley Jansen was unavailable to close, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts turned to left-hander Scott Alexander in the ninth inning of a one-run game.
Alexander had an adventure of his own before locking down his first save as a Dodger. With one out, pinch hitter Shohei Ohtani lined a double into left-center field. The next batter, Jose Briceño, beat out an infield single.
Rookie David Fletcher, who hit his first career home run a day earlier, was up next. Roberts visited the mound briefly, he said, to “kind of slow (him) down a little bit.” Fletcher hit the first pitch he saw on the ground to third baseman Max Muncy, who threw to Logan Forsythe at second base for the easy forceout.
Forsythe’s relay throw to first baseman Cody Bellinger was a bit wide of the bag. But umpire David Rackley ruled that Bellinger tagged out Fletcher before he crossed the base – a dramatic double play to end a close game.
Sign up for Home Turf and get exclusive stories every SoCal sports fan must read, sent daily. Subscribe here.
“I’m always looking for ground balls,” said Alexander, whose ground-ball rate is higher than any active pitcher. “All I’m focused on, besides the one pitch to Ohtani, I felt like I was still making good pitches. Sometimes you’re going to make good pitches and these guys are still going to get on base. Just a great team effort. I was glad I was able to help out.”
Muncy got the Dodgers on the board with a first-inning home run, and his single in the seventh inning off Cam Bedrosian (3-2) led to the second and third runs. Muncy finished 2 for 4.
Calhoun (2 for 4) looked lost at the plate before going on the disabled list in June with an oblique injury. He was hitting .145 at the time, his only home run to that point coming on Opening Day. His two solo blasts Friday were his sixth and seventh home runs in 23 games since.
In the seventh inning, Calhoun all but undid his own damage.
Forsythe and Joc Pederson led off the inning with a single and double, respectively, against Angels pitcher Cam Bedrosian. That put runners at second and third base for Muncy, who delivered a single to right field. Forsythe jogged in with the tying run.
Pederson initially held up after rounding third base. But when he saw Calhoun’s throw sail into the protective netting behind home plate, he trotted home easily with the Dodgers’ third run.
“I got it kind of on my right side,” Calhoun said of the throw, “and I don’t think I ever really got closed all the way, and just kind of sailed that throw. With Joc on second, it felt like I might have to hurry a little bit. Turns out, he wasn’t even going. It was just a throw that’s gotta be down and not executed by me.”
After allowing Muncy’s 22nd home run of the season, Angels right-hander Felix Peña got through four innings without incident. He walked three batters and struck out five while dancing in and out of danger.
The Dodgers loaded the bases in the first inning on two walks and a Bellinger double. Peña got Chris Taylor to ground into a double play, ending that inning. When Chase Utley, a left-handed batter, was announced as a pinch hitter for Buehler in the fifth inning, Angels Manager Mike Scioscia countered by replacing Peña with left-hander Jose Alvarez.
Utley’s single against Alvarez was his first hit against a southpaw since May 9; it came on the same day Utley announced he would retire at the end of the season. But again, the Dodgers could not cash in the leadoff runner on base.
Buehler’s five-inning start was his longest since June 8. The rookie had spent most of the meantime recovering from a rib microfracture. His last major league appearance – a disastrous relief outing against the Chicago Cubs on June 28 – offered little reassurance.
Since then, Buehler had thrown three innings in a minor league rehab game and a five-inning simulated game against teammates. This time he threw 79 pitches over five innings, walking one batter and pitching around every rally the Angels tried to muster.
“Kind of a battle. One of those grinder games,” Buehler said. “First game back. I was happy with it.”
Four of the Angels’ six hits against Buehler were singles. Base hits by Andrelton Simmons and Mike Trout in the first inning put runners on first and third with one out, but Buehler came back to strike out Justin Upton and Luis Valbuena to end the inning.
In the third inning, Buehler again struck out Valbuena with two runners on and one out. Kinsler nearly drove in a run with a line drive headed for right field, but Bellinger dove to his right to snag the baseball on the fly.
The Angels’ only other hits against Buehler were the solo home runs by Calhoun. Still, those were enough to leave Buehler in line for the loss.
Caleb Ferguson didn’t allow a run in two innings of relief. Right-hander Erik Goeddel pitched a scoreless eighth before handing the ball to Alexander.
Andrelton Simmons went 2 for 4 with a stolen base for the Angels (48-47), who are 10 games behind the Seattle Mariners for the American League’s second wild card position.
The Dodgers (52-42) extended their stay in first place in the NL West to two straight days.
Staff Writer Joey Kaufman contributed to this report.
