LOS ANGELES (AP) ― Ryu Hyun-jin pitched a two-hitter for his first complete game in the major leagues, Luis Cruz hit his first homer of the season and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Angels 3-0 in the second game of the Freeway Series on Tuesday night.
Ryu (6-2) struck out seven and walked none. The left-hander from South Korea retired 19 consecutive batters during one stretch. His six victories lead all rookie pitchers in the majors, while his 71 2-3 innings pitched lead all rookies this season.
Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin (right) hugs catcher A.J. Ellis after throwing a complete game against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday. (AP-Yonhap News)
Joe Blanton (1-8) gave up three runs and seven hits in seven innings while facing his former teammates for the first time since the right-hander signed with the Angels in the offseason after pitching the final two months of last season for the Dodgers. He struck out five and walked none.
The Angels played without slugger Josh Hamilton, who was scratched just before the game because of back spasms.
The Angels’ only hits were a single by Howie Kendrick in the second and a double by Chris Iannetta in the eighth.
Ryu didn’t just dominate on the mound. He showed off some skills in the field and at the plate. The rookie outsprinted Alberto Callaspo in a foot race to first base to record the second out of the second inning. Ryu slugged a one-hop double to deep right field in the third for the Dodgers’ first hit.
That drew applause from a smiling Clayton Kershaw, who raised his arms in celebration from the dugout.
Cruz, batting a paltry .105 with two RBIs, gave the Dodgers a 2-0 lead in the fifth with a two-run shot into the left field pavilion.
With one out in the sixth, Matt Kemp doubled and scored on A.J. Ellis’ RBI single to make it 3-0. Kemp had been 5 for 38 with one homer and two RBIs going into the at-bat.
The Dodgers rallied from a five-run deficit to win the series opener 8-7 on Monday, snapping the Angels’ eight-game winning streak. The rivalry shifts to Anaheim on Wednesday for two more games.
Athletics 6, Giants 3
Twins 6, Brewers 5
Padres 6, Mariners 1
Dodgers 3, Angels 0
Braves 7, Blue Jays 6
Mets 2, Yankees 1
Rockies 2, Astros 1
Nationals 9, Orioles 3
Pirates 1, Tigers 0
Reds 8, Indians 2
Phillies 3, Red Sox 1
Rays 7, Marlins 6