This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
LAst Night's Action: Angel Shutout Royals on Opening Night
Photo by cindyvazquez-zavala via the LAist Featured Photos pool on Flickr.
LA Angels defeat Kansas City Royals 5-0. They added Albert Pujols to the lineup, got a healthy Kendrys Morales back, yet the Angels’ offense seemed awfully reminiscent of the anemic 2011 version. Thankfully they had their ace Jered Weaver to keep things rolling dueling with Royals’ starter Bruce Chen matching zeroes for six innings.
It wasn’t until the eighth inning when reliever Aaron Crow hiccupped, loading the bases after retiring Vernon Wells to lead off the inning. Greg Holland replaced Crow and gave up a single to Peter Bourjos. The exclamation point was Erick Aybar’s bases-clearing triple. Torii Hunter’s RBI single was merely the cherry on top.
That meant Weaver could take the rest of the night off after striking out ten batters in eight innings of four-hit shutout ball. Scott Downs took care of the ninth inning with no drama - a good sign for Angel fans still shellshocked by their bullpen last season.
LA Dodgers defeat San Diego Padres 6-0. After Kemp reigned supreme with his two-run homer on Opening Day, Andre Ethier decided to take center stage for the second day.
After Mark Ellis singled up the middle with one out in the first inning, just for a second it looked like Matt Kemp repeated his heroics with an opposite-field two-run homer. But things being what they were, namely the chilly air, the ball died right at the wall and found its way into Will Venable’s glove. Thankfully Ethier was there to hit a long fly double to center after Juan Rivera’s single to plate two runs.
The Padres helped the Dodgers to two runs in the third inning: throwing errors by first baseman Yonder Alonso and pitcher Cory Luebke on a pickoff attempt of Matt Kemp at second base helping give the Dodgers extra outs to play with. It was in the fifth inning that Ethier boomed a triple to the deepest part of the park scoring Kemp and Rivera yet again.
Chad Billingsley took advantage of pitching at Petco Park striking out 11 batters going two batters shy of a complete game allowing only three hits. Jamey Wright got the final two outs.
Sponsored message
Houston Rockets defeat LA Lakers 112-107.
TONIGHT’S ACTION
MLB
Kansas City Royals at LA Angels. 1:05 p.m. Fox, AM 830 KLAA.
LA Dodgers at San Diego Padres. 5:35 p.m. FS Prime Ticket, AM 570 KLAC.
NBA
LA Lakers at Phoenix Suns. 7:00 p.m. KCAL9, AM 710 KSPN.
Sacramento Kings at LA Clippers. 7:30 p.m. FSWest, AM 980 KFWB.
NHL
Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames. 1:00 p.m. FS Prime Ticket.
LA Kings at San Jose Sharks. 7:30 p.m. KCOP, AM 1150 KTLK.
MLS
LA Galaxy at Sporting Kansas City. 1:00 p.m. ESPN
Chivas USA at Portland Timbers. 7:30 p.m. KDOC.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
