Angels 5, Dodgers 4

Highlights:

  • Rafael Furcal singled, walked and scored two runs.
  • Consecutive RBI hits by Juan Uribe and Rod Barajas rallied the Dodgers from a 3-2 sixth-inning deficit.
  • Jerry Sands and Hector Gimenez each had late hits.
  • Relievers Mike MacDougal, Matt Guerrier and Hong-Chih Kuo pitched 3 1/3 combined shutout innings, allowing one hit and striking out three.

Lowlights:

  • Ted Lilly walked five and allowed four hits in a four-inning outing.
  • Kenley Jansen walked three more and gave up a hit and a run while recording only two outs.
  • Ivan De Jesus Jr. messed up a double-play ball behind Jonathan Broxton with the Dodgers leading 4-3 in the ninth.
  • After the tying run scored on a single by top prospect Mike Trout, Broxton walked minor-leaguer Andrew Romine, allowing Hank Conger to come up to bat and hit a sacrifice fly.
  • Gabe Kapler hit into a game-ending double play with two on in the bottom of the ninth.

Sidelights:

  • I’m seriously considering complete abstention from debating the merits of Jonathan Broxton for the time being. The season hasn’t even started, and already the fur is flying about his value. No, he didn’t do his job. Neither did De Jesus, Jansen or Lilly, but no one will question their manhood. I’m willing to admit I’m concerned about whether Broxton’s all the way back from his late 2010 troubles, but I just don’t know if I can spend yet another year arguing about the man’s courage, spine or gumption. It’s completely subjective, and people are just going to believe what they want to believe.
  • It seems Jay Gibbons might go on the disabled list because his eye issues remain unresolved. That would probably mean an Opening Day start for Tony Gwynn Jr. As for the roster spot, that could go to anyone: a pitcher (allowing Scott Elbert and Lance Cormier both to make the team), a catcher (allowing both Hector Gimenez and A.J. Ellis to make the team), an infielder (Juan Castro) or an outfielder (Kapler or Trent Oeltjen).
  • “Don’t Stop Believin'” is back? Goodness gracious sakes alive, why???