Angels Q&A: What are these ‘sweepers’ that Shohei Ohtani started throwing?

• April 13, 2023

BOSTON — Two weeks into the season, the Angels have done little to warrant moving off the preseason expectations for this team. On paper they looked like a team that would be a little better than .500, and they’re 7-5.

The starting rotation ranks eighth in the majors with a 3.68 ERA and the bullpen ranks 12th with a 3.74 mark. The offense is 14th with a .739 OPS and seventh with 5.4 runs per game.

And, of course, Shohei Ohtani is just as good as he was in each of the past two years, maybe better.

In our first regular-season Q&A, Ohtani is the inspiration for a question that plenty of people have been asking over the past couple of months.

Actually, many questions, but we’ll address one that doesn’t require a dollar sign.

Q: What is a sweeper? Seems the broadcasters got the memo this morning but I have no idea what it is. Is it a slider or slurve? — @leo_arc1

A: The sweeper seemingly emerged out of nowhere as a popular pitch in the majors, and no one throws them more often, or better, than Ohtani.

After Ohtani threw 51 sweepers on Tuesday night – more than half of his pitches – he was asked about the origin of the pitch.

“I’ve been throwing it since my days in Japan,” Ohtani said through his interpreter. “I have always had the smaller slider and the bigger slider. These days they call it the sweeper.”

Although people around the game have started using the term sweeper this year, it’s really nothing but a new word for a traditional pitch.

It’s a slider thrown with a little less velocity and a little more movement than a standard slider. As recently as last year, pitchers would just say they have two different sliders. Sometimes one would be called a slurve because it was something in between a slider and a curveball.

Now, it’s a sweeper.

Q: Angels haven’t been stealing bases at all, is this to limit injuries? Seems like a big part of the game that they are not doing. — @Dan20175151

A: The Angels have just five stolen bases this season, which is mostly because they simply don’t have a lot of team speed. They only have five players who have above-average sprint speed, according to StatCast: Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Brett Phillips, Taylor Ward and Luis Rengifo. Phillips doesn’t play much, and Rengifo is barely above average.

The others hit at the top of the lineup, with plenty of power behind them, so the last thing they want is to get caught stealing with a power hitter at the plate.

Besides all of that, there is the obvious risk of injury that you suggest. Remember that Ohtani is two players, so every time he does anything he’s putting a middle-of-the-order hitter and an ace pitcher at risk.

Q: This keeps getting asked, BUT any guess as to when we can expect Walsh to be back? There have been little to no updates on him. — @KylePulis20

A: It’s understandable to wonder, and maybe even be a little frustrated, at the lack of clarity on Jared Walsh’s situation. Walsh is currently at a facility in Utah undergoing treatment for headaches and insomnia.

The Angels have said these are real quality-of-life issues for Walsh, so they fully support him getting them addressed, however long that takes. They say he’s making progress, but there’s no real timetable.

The more time he misses, the more time it will take him to get up to game speed. So as soon as you read that Walsh has an end date for his treatment, you’ll get an estimate of how much time he’ll need to ramp up his baseball work. Until that happens, it’s impossible to say when he’ll be back.

Q: Logan O’Hoppe is doing so well in Stassi’s absence, will he remain the starting catcher when Stassi is healthy? — @angels30ryan

A: Max Stassi is in a similar situation as Walsh. He is also dealing with an uncertain timetable. In addition to his hip injury, Stassi has been faced with a family situation.

Given that we have no idea when he is coming back, it’s difficult to project what will happen at that time. It’s safe to say that as long as O’Hoppe is playing as well as he’s playing now, he’s going to stay in the lineup, though.

The more significant question is what happens to Matt Thaiss when Stassi comes back. Thaiss is out of options, and the Angels probably can’t keep three catchers. But it’s also too early to worry about that one.

Q: Can you tell me the percentages of challenges we’ve won and lost over the last 2 seasons? And where they rank in all of MLB. — @JDB442

A: Last season Phil Nevin was successful on 44% of his challenges, which ranked 26th among the 35 managers, including those who were fired. (Joe Maddon was last, at 29.4%.) The major league average was 49%. So far this year Nevin is 0 for 1.

Q: (José) Suarez had like 200+ innings of sub-4 ERA pitching prior to his rough start to this season. Do you see the Angels exercising more patience with him despite the other options on the MLB roster and in the high minors? — @shortstoppin_

A: In 2021-22, Suarez had a 3.86 ERA over 207-1/3 big league innings, so that’s nothing the Angels are going to discard after two bad starts to begin this season. Suarez is also 25.

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He’s out of options, so if the Angels designated him for assignment, he’d definitely get claimed.

It is fair to ask if they might stick him in the bullpen if he keeps struggling, though. They have Tucker Davidson and Griffin Canning, and Chase Silseth started the Triple-A season by pitching 11 scoreless innings. As for how long the Angels would wait to make that call, I don’t know. Suarez is getting at least one more start next week.

Q: Nothing against Wayne (Randazzo), who has been phenomenal. But when should we expect to hear games with Matty V behind the mic? — @Mike27TroutGOAT

A: Matt Vasgersian is scheduled to do the play-by-play on the Angels’ TV broadcasts for their series in Milwaukee, April 28-30. He will continue to do some games throughout the rest of the season, but the exact number isn’t yet determined.

UP NEXT

Angels (LHP Patrick Sandoval, 1-0, 1.64) at Red Sox (RHP Tanner Houck, 2-0, 4.50), Friday, 4:10 p.m., Apple TV+, 830 AM

​ Orange County Register 

Police arrest Banning man in Boyle Heights motorcycle hit-and-run that severed teen’s leg

• April 13, 2023

LOS ANGELES — Authorities will gather Thursday at LAPD headquarters to provide details about the arrest of a man who allegedly drove a motorcycle that struck a 13-year-old boy in Boyle Heights — leaving the youngster with a severed leg in a hit-and-run.

The suspect, Erwin Majano, was taken into custody early Tuesday morning in connection with the March 30 hit-and-run that severely injured Joshua Mora, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

Officials planned a Thursday morning news conference to discuss the case.

Majano, a 29-year-old Banning resident, was arrested during a joint operation between the Los Angeles and Banning police departments, according to NBC4, which reported that Majano was being held on $50,000 bail.

Mora was struck by a motorcycle as he crossed Whittier Boulevard.

“I was in the middle, basically,” Mora told NBC4. “That’s when I heard the motorcyclist coming in fast. I tried to get out of the way so he wouldn’t hit me, and it turns out he took my whole leg.”

People on the scene helped Mora until the paramedics arrived. The teen was taken to a hospital, where he underwent several surgeries.

Mora said he’s thankful to be alive.

“I’m just thinking about the good things, like me having my family and everything,” he said.

A GoFundMe account to help pay Mora’s medical expenses had raised more than $37,700 as of Thursday morning.

“He has always loved sports and just having fun!” the Mora family said on the fundraising page. “We wanted your support in helping him towards recovery and possibly towards a prosthetic leg.”

The GoFundMe page can be found at gofundme.com/f/joshua-moras-medical-expenses.

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​ Orange County Register 

It’s a beach party at the 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

• April 13, 2023

Beginning this year, the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach has been dubbed by organizers as “Southern California’s 200-mph beach party.”

And it will be hard to miss the beachy vibes if you attend the party this weekend.

Those who visit the Grand Prix, which runs Friday to Sunday, April 14-16, will see the beach theme represented in the concourse’s color scheme – bright orange, sky blue and sunset yellow.

The beach color palette can already be seen around the city, with banners along Long Beach streets featuring a blue background, palm tree silhouettes and pops of yellow to grab the attention of those passing by.

And the welcome signs on the way into the Grand Prix grounds will boast bright orange, checkered patterns and an outline of the beach sun.

These colors will adorn the track as well.

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More and more of the “beachy” theme will be incorporated into the Grand Prix in the next few years, as race organizers prepare for the 50th Long Beach race in 2025, said spokesperson Chris Esslinger.

Before then, fans can enjoy this year’s Southern California’s 200-mph beach party with many bright colors, music, food — and, of course, plenty of motorsports action.

​ Orange County Register 

First time at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach? Here’s what you need to know

• April 13, 2023

The 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is one day way.

Each day of the event, from Friday to Sunday, April 14-16, is stocked to the brim with world-class racing displays, concerts, food offerings and much more.

But it can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers.

So here’s your go-to guide to get the most out of Long Beach’s biggest party this weekend.

Getting there

Grand Prix attendees are free to drive to the event and pay for parking — but fans are highly encouraged to take alternative means of transportation.

Remember: The Grand Prix draws nearly 200,000 people each year — bringing a lot of traffic as well.

There are several public transit options available. Los Angeles Metro’s A Line (formerly the Blue Line), for example, offers continual service from Union Station to downtown Long Beach. Disembark the train at the Downtown Long Beach Station and walk the rest of the route (about half a block) to the Grand Prix’s entrances along Ocean Boulevard. Regular fare is $1.75 per person.

Long Beach Transit has more than 30 bus routes and plenty of stops in the city — including near the Grand Prix’s entrances. Check lbtransit.com to plan your specific route, or use the Moovit app, which is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

Multiple streets in downtown Long Beach will be closed to vehicle traffic during the Acura Grand prix of Long Beach. This April 23 file photo shows Fernando Garcia setting up the poles for fencing along Shoreline Drive (File photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Long Beach Transit also offers a boat ride to the Grand Prix, dubbed AquaLink. For a $5 dollar fee, the water taxi will ferry you from the Alamitos Bay Landing to Rainbow Harbor at Aquarium Dock 4, near the Grand Prix.

It’s about a 40-minute ride either way.

The earliest boat departs Alamitos Bay at 8:30 a.m. and the last trip departs the Aquarium Dock at 7 p.m.  More information about the AquaLink schedule and parking near the Alamitos Bay Landing is available on LB Transit’s website.

For ridesharers: The Grand Prix has an official Uber, Lyft and taxi drop off point located on First Street, between Elm Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard.

And for those feeling athletic, the Long Beach Bike Share has several pick-up points throughout the city and near the Grand Prix. It costs $7 for an hour for pay-as-you-go riders; pre-payers can get three hours of riding time for $21 dollars. Find a bike near you at longbeachbikeshare.com.

Parking

If you plan to drive, check out Southern California News Group’s coverage of Grand Prix-related traffic closures before leaving home.

On-site parking at the Grand Prix is limited — but there are a few options available.

One-day and three-day passes for parking on the west end of Shoreline Drive are available for purchase on the Grand Prix’s website. If headed there from the the 710 Freeway, take the Broadway exit to Magnolia Avenue, turn right on Magnolia to Ocean, then right on Ocean to Golden Shore. Finally, make a left on Golden Shore to Shoreline Drive.

One day parking passes are $20; three day passes total $50.

The Pike Outlets also offer parking — but only for a three-day package. Those passes cost $60, and are also available on the Grand Prix’s website.

The lot is located at Ocean Boulevard and Chestnut Avenue. From the 710 Freeway: Take the Broadway exit to Magnolia. Turn right on Magnolia to Ocean, then left on Ocean to Chestnut, then right and follow the signs to park.

Indycar driver Josef Newgarden takes the checkered flag to win the 47th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 10, 2022. Josef Newgarden won the race. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Where to watch the races

Gates to the Grand Prix open at 7:30 a.m. each day. Once you’ve made it inside, the areas you’ll have access to largely depend on the type of ticket you have.

General admission tickets don’t come with reserved seating in the various grandstands smattered around the perimeter of the circuit — but there is a GA viewing location sandwiched between the Pike Outlets and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

GA tickets also grant attendees access to various other entertainment opportunities, including the Fiesta Friday concert featuring Los Angeles DJ Boombox Cartel, and the Saturday evening concert starring the Kings of Chaos.

The Grand Prix’s concourse will also feature the usual attractions: a lifestyle expo and a family fun zone at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, and tons of options for foodies.

Those who purchased tickets with reserved seating will be given further information about which grandstand to head to on race days. A map of event is available on the Grand Prix’s website, gplb.com.

Where to eat

There are plenty of options for foodies.

Among the most notable is the Food Truck Village, which is located behind Grandstand 31 near Shoreline Village; there, you can find some of Southern California’s best cuisine-on-wheels — including Cousins Maine Lobster, Heritage LA Food Truck, SeoulmatesLA, and the Deli Doctor.

There’s also Bistro Row, located to the east of Vendor Row and across from the NTT IndyCar Series Paddock, which offers a variety of other food choices and places to sit nearby.

King Taco, a popular Mexican fast-food favorite, will have three different locations around the Grand Prix: One in Vendor Row, another behind Grandstands 24 and 25, and the last at the base of Acura Bridge near Grandstand 29.

The WhistlePig Sugar Shack, offering distinctive cocktails mixed with the brand’s PiggyBack bourbon, rye and barrel-aged maple syrup, will be in the Promenade viewing area near turns 7 and 8 on the circuit.

Modelo will also have two sports bar popups at the Grand Prix — one in Marina Park behind Grandstand 31 and the other on the Promenade near the Long Beach Convention Center.

The Pike Outlets also has myriad food options available, including Gladstone’s, Hooters, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., California Pizza Kitchen and Island’s.

Refreshments like Pepsi, NOS energy drinks and Aquafina water are available all around the circuit — and the Long Beach Water Department will bring its Quench Buggy, a mobile water-refilling station, to the Grand Prix to help attendees stay hydrated.

Between the races

Marina Park is a great place to relax, recharge and enjoy a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the event — or kill some time until the next race starts.

Grand Prix goers can also check out the event’s Lifestyle Expo at the Convention Center. That event will feature more than displays from more than 100 retailers featuring automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products.

The expo will also host the NTT IndyCar Series Fan Experience and will be home to the Historic Formula 1, Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Stadium SUPER Trucks series paddocks — where fans can watch technical inspections of various vehicles.

Drivers from various series are also expected to do autograph sessions during the expo.

And the Family Fun Zone is there as well, with kids able to enjoy inflatables, a bungee jump, a rock-climbing wall, and electric-powered cars.

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Attendees can also take a tour of Rainbow Lagoon, near Turn 6 and the Hyatt Long Beach Hotel, in swan boats — which are available to rent on site.

What to bring — and what you shouldn’t

The Grand Prix is loud! Bring earplugs, especially if you’re going to be close to the circuit.

It’s also a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen — and wear layers of comfortable clothes so you’re prepared for hot and cold weather. A good pair of walking shoes are highly recommended.

But there are several things prohibited at the Grand prix, including:

Alcoholic beverages, glass bottles and cans.
Weapons (knives, guns, mace, stun guns).
Folding stadium seats, large umbrellas, lawn furniture, ladders and step stools.
Bikes, skateboards, hoverboards, skates and rollerblades.
Powered scooters and bikes.
Hand-drawn wagons.
Fireworks.
Pets (except service animals).
Banners and signs.
Ice chests larger than 14 inches.
Drones or RC aircraft.

Plan ahead

All in all, the Grand Prix has plenty to offer — but to get the most out of the three-day experience, it’s best to plan ahead.

This year, the Grand Prix’s organizers created a mobile app to help attendees keep track of the weekend’s goings-on, and plan for their preferred events ahead of time.

The app is available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. With it, Grand Prix attendees can create a personalized race weekend schedule, easily find food and beverage options near by and quickly access a map of the area.

​ Orange County Register 

Appeals court preserves access to abortion drug, tightens rules

• April 13, 2023

By PAUL J. WEBER and JESSICA GRESKO

AUSTIN, Texas — A federal appeals court has preserved access to an abortion drug for now but under tighter rules that would allow the drug only to be dispensed up to seven weeks, not 10, and not by mail.

The drug, mifepristone, was approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration more than two decades ago. It’s used in combination with a second drug, misoprostol. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled Wednesday just before midnight and the case may now be headed to the U.S. Supreme Court.

By a 2-1 vote a panel of three judges narrowed for now a decision by a lower court judge in Texas that had completely blocked the FDA’s approval of the drug following a lawsuit by mifepristone’s opponents.

The lower court ruling had been on pause for a week to allow an appeal.

Under the appeals court order, the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone in 2000 is allowed to remain in effect.

But changes made by the FDA since 2016 relaxing the rules for prescribing and dispensing mifepristone would be placed on hold. Those include extending the period of pregnancy when the drug can be used and also allowing it to be dispensed by mail, without any need to visit a doctor’s office.

The two judges who voted to tighten restrictions, Kurt Engelhardt and Andrew Oldham, are both appointees of former President Donald Trump. The third judge, Catharina Haynes, is an appointee of former President George W. Bush. She said she would have put the lower court ruling on hold entirely temporarily to allow oral arguments in the case.

Either side, or both, could take the appeals court’s action to the Supreme Court. Opponents of the drug could seek to keep the full lower court ruling in effect. The Biden administration, meanwhile, could ask the high court to allow all the FDA changes to remain in place while the case continues to play out.

The appeals court judges in the majority noted that the Biden administration and mifepristone’s manufacturer “warn us of significant public consequences” that would result if mifepristone were withdrawn entirely from the market under the lower court ruling. But the judges suggested changes the FDA made making mifepristone easier to obtain since 2016 were less consequential than its initial approval of the drug in 2000. It would be “difficult” to argue the changes were “so critical to the public given that the Nation operated — and mifepristone was administered to millions of women — without them for sixteen years” the judges wrote.

When the drug was initially approved in 2000 the FDA limited its use to up to seven weeks of pregnancy. It also required three in-person office visits: the first to administer mifepristone, the next to administer the second drug misoprostol and the third to address any complications. It also required a doctor’s supervision and a reporting system for any serious consequences associated with the drug.

If the appeals court’s action stands, those would again be the terms under which mifepristone could be dispensed for now.

Democratic leaders in states where abortion remains legal since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year say they are preparing in case mifepristone becomes restricted.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Tuesday that her state would stockpile 150,000 doses of misoprostol, another drug used in medication abortions.

Pharmaceutical executives this week also signed a letter that condemned the Texas ruling and warned that FDA approval of other drugs could be at risk if U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk’s decision stands. There is virtually no precedent for a lone judge overturning the medical recommendations of the FDA.

The lawsuit challenging mifepristone’s approval was brought by the Alliance Defending Freedom, which was also involved in the Mississippi case that led to Roe v. Wade being overturned. At the core of the lawsuit is the allegation that the FDA’s initial approval of mifepristone was flawed because the agency did not adequately review safety risks.

Mifepristone has been used by millions of women over the past 23 years, and complications from mifepristone occur at a lower rate than problems in wisdom teeth removal, colonoscopies and other routine procedures, medical groups have recently noted.

___

Gresko reported from Washington. Associated Press writer Mark Sherman also contributed from Washington.

​ Orange County Register 

Schedule for Boras Classic South’s games Thursday, April 13

• April 13, 2023

Here is the schedule for Day 3, Thursday, of the Boras Classic South baseball tournament being played at JSerra and Mater Dei.

At JSerra: Cypress vs. Santiago of Corona, 9 a.m.; Maranatha vs. Santa Margarita, noon; Norco vs. JSerra, 3 p.m.; (championship semifinal) Orange Lutheran vs. Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, 6 p.m.

At Mater Dei: Villa Park vs. San Dimas, 9 a.m.; Corona vs. La Mirada, noon; Etiwanda vs. Mater Dei, 3 p.m.; (championship semifinal) Aquinas vs. Huntington Beach, 6 p.m.

The championship game is scheduled for Friday at  6 p.m. at JSerra.

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​ Orange County Register 

Huntington Beach baseball extends win streak by beating Mater Dei in Boras Classic

• April 13, 2023

SANTA ANA – There is a buzz around the Huntington Beach baseball team.

That buzz is the sound of an electric razor.

Huntington Beach has won 14 in a row since the players and coaches went to the buzz cut look.

The 14th win came Wednesday when the Oilers beat Mater Dei 6-2 in a second-round game of the Boras Classic South tournament at Mater Dei High.

The Oilers (16-6) will play Aquinas (14-2) in a semifinal Thursday at 6 p.m. at Mater Dei.

Aquinas beat Huntington Beach 4-2 in eight innings on Feb. 16 in the Prep Baseball Report California Preseason Invitational.

Orange Lutheran will play Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the other semifinal Thursday at 6 p.m. at JSerra. The tournament championship game is Friday at JSerra at 6 p.m.

Huntington Beach’s loss to Aquinas two months ago was part of a four-game losing streak and a 2-6 start for the Oilers.

When the team’s record dropped to 2-6 the shearing began.

“We started buzzing our heads right after that,” said senior left fielder Colby Turner, who had two hits, including an RBI triple, Wednesday. “We started playing really good. Great pitching, offense, everybody contributing.”

Oilers coach Benji Medure did the shearing.

“I gave about 20 haircuts,” Medure said. ”I didn’t tell them they had to. Actually it was Ralph’s idea.”

Ralph is Ralph Velazaquez, the Arizona State-signed senior who hit a seventh-inning solo home run Wednesday that had an exit velocity of 101 mph. It was his third home run of the season and gave him his team-leading 17th RBI.

And there was more juju than just the haircuts.

“We had a pow wow one time and wrote down everything that happened that was negative this year,” Medure said. “And we put it in a bucket and we burned it. And that bucket sits outside our clubhouse right now, and it’s a reminder that all of the negative stuff at the start of the season is over and it’s time to move on.”

Part of that 14-game winning streak were four wins in North Carolina that earned the Oilers the championship of the National High School Invitational.

Huntington Beach, ranked No. 1 in the Orange County Top 25, scored two runs in the top of the fourth inning on back-to-back singles by Bradley Grindlinger and Turner, an error, a bases-loaded walk by Brian Trujillo and a fielder’s choice.

Turner, who went into the game with a .381 batting average, drove in a run with his RBI triple into left-center field in the fifth inning. He scored on a wild pitch for a 4-1 lead.

No. 4-ranked Mater Dei (13-5-1) will play at home in a Boras Classic game Thursday at 3 p.m. against Etiwanda.

The Monarchs got their runs on a Huntington Beach error in the fourth inning and a solo homer by Brody Connors in the seventh.

Huntington Beach junior right-hander Nathan Aceves pitched the first four innings to get the win. Sophomore righty Tyler Bellerose struck out four over two innings and junior righty Colin McNiven handled the final inning.

​ Orange County Register 

Dodgers explode to beat Giants with walks, more Max Muncy power

• April 13, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO — Major League Baseball has instituted a series of new rules designed to put more action into the game.

But the Dodgers are doing their best to take some of it out.

The leaders in baseball with 72 walks in their first 13 games this season, the Dodgers used four in a row – including one on a pitch-clock violation and another to end a 15-pitch at-bat by Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded – to spark a sixth-inning rally and come from behind to beat the San Francisco Giants, 10-5, on Wednesday night.

Freeman’s feature-length at-bat with the bases loaded and no outs featured nine consecutive full-count foul balls against Giants lefty Taylor Rogers. When Rogers finally missed the strike zone again, it forced in the go-ahead run.

Two batters later, Max Muncy landed the knockout blow – a three-run home run off John Brebbia, the only hit of the five-run inning.

It was Muncy’s second home run of the game, his fourth of the series and the 25th of his career against the Giants (11 at Oracle Park). Twenty-one of those have come since the start of the 2020 season. According to MLB statistician Sarah Langs, only one player has tormented one team more than Muncy has done to the Giants in that time – Aaron Judge has 22 home runs against the Baltimore Orioles since 2020.

The Dodgers’ five-run explosion salvaged a game that started awkwardly for Clayton Kershaw.

Kershaw came into the game with a career ERA of 1.60 at Oracle Park. But he gave up two bloop singles to start the first inning, wound up on the ground after trying to cover first base on one play and again when he scrambled to make a play behind the mound. A bad slider to Darin Ruf resulted in a double and a 2-0 Giants lead.

The double came in Ruf’s first second-time-around at-bat for the Giants. They traded him to the New York Mets last season then re-signed him last week after the Mets released him this spring.

The second inning was only slightly better for Kershaw. Joey Bart beat out an infield single and was safe at second when Heliot Ramos’ ground ball narrowly missed first Kershaw and then the second-base bag, causing Miguel Vargas to misplay it for an error.

With the inning extended, Wilmer Flores dumped an RBI single into right field for a 3-0 Giants lead.

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The Dodgers began chipping away at that lead with two runs in the fourth inning – and it could have been more.

J.D. Martinez led off the inning with a triple and scored on an RBI single by James Outman. Two-out singles by David Peralta and Miguel Rojas set up an RBI double by Mookie Betts. But Rojas left the game after his hit with cramping in his left hamstring.

That brought up Freeman with a chance to tie the score. He drove a ball to the wall in straightaway center field but Giants outfielder Bryce Johnson made a spectacular catch, crashing into the wall to rob Freeman of extra-base hits. Johnson took a long time to leave the field and came out of the game with a possible concussion.

Muncy tied it with a solo home run an inning later instead and the Dodgers blew it open in the sixth. Trayce Thompson added a two-run home run in the seventh – following a Vargas walk.

More to come on this story.

​ Orange County Register