Dodgers swept by Angels The Dodgers suffered a historic sweep to the Angels, losing 6-5 after another bullpen breakdown. Shohei Ohtani made his first full-length pitching start since Tommy John surgery at Angel Stadium.
Dodgers Swept by Angels for First Time in Season Series History
ANAHEIM, Calif. — For the Los Angeles Dodgers, Wednesday night’s 6-5 loss to the Los Angeles Angels was more than just another defeat. It was a historic setback.
For the first time since interleague play began in 1997, the Dodgers were swept in a full-season series by their Southern California rivals, dropping all six games in 2025. The defeat, their fourth in a row and 21st in the last 33 games, also cost them sole possession of first place in the National League West for the first time since April.
Late-Inning Breakdown Seals the Sweep Dodgers swept by Angels
The Dodgers carried a one-run lead into the bottom of the eighth inning, but bullpen struggles once again proved costly.
- Justin Wrobleski, making his third inning of work, issued consecutive walks to start the frame.
- Manager Dave Roberts brought in Edgardo Henriquez, who had pitched multiple innings the night before.
- A perfectly executed sacrifice bunt got the lead runner at third, but a potential double-play grounder turned into trouble when Henriquez deflected the ball on a risky fielding attempt, allowing an infield single.
- With two outs, Logan O’Hoppe lined a go-ahead RBI single to center, giving the Angels the lead for good.
It was another frustrating case of a Dodgers bullpen unable to hold a late advantage, a pattern that has surfaced repeatedly over the past month.
Ohtani’s Return to Angel Stadium
The game also featured a highly anticipated moment: Shohei Ohtani’s first pitching start as a visitor at Angel Stadium and his first full-length outing since returning from a second Tommy John surgery.
Ohtani’s performance:
| Stat | Result |
|---|---|
| Innings pitched | 4 1/3 |
| Earned runs | 4 |
| Hits allowed | 5 |
| Strikeouts | 7 (including 2 vs. Mike Trout) |
| Pitches thrown | 80 |
| Season ERA | 3.47 |
Before taking the mound, Ohtani opened the game with a triple to right-center and later scored on Mookie Betts’ RBI single. Will Smith followed with a two-run home run, staking the Dodgers to a quick 3-0 lead.
Momentum Swings
After the Angels closed the gap to 3-2 in the second inning on Taylor Ward’s solo homer and a sacrifice fly, the Dodgers rebuilt a three-run cushion in the fourth inning:
- Ohtani and Smith drew bases-loaded walks.
- Betts added another RBI single, extending his hitting streak to eight games, including five multi-hit performances.
However, Ohtani’s first foray into the fifth inning unraveled. Consecutive singles by O’Hoppe and Bryce Teodosio set up Zach Neto’s two-run double down the left-field line, cutting the lead to one. Roberts removed Ohtani before he could qualify for the win, and reliever Anthony Banda ended the threat.
Historic Dodgers swept by Angels and Standings Impact
With the sweep complete, the Dodgers now:
- Have been defeated in all six games against the Angels this season—a franchise first.
- Trail in the NL West standings for the first time in over three months.
- Continue to face mounting questions about bullpen depth and late-game execution.
For the Angels, the win capped a dominant showing in the 2025 Freeway Series, giving fans bragging rights and a historic milestone in the rivalry.
FAQs
Q: When was the last time the Dodgers swept by Angels were swept in the season series by the Angels?
A: This is the first time ever since interleague play began in 1997.
Q: How did Shohei Ohtani perform in his return to Angel Stadium as a pitcher?
A: He allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings with seven strikeouts, including two against Mike Trout.
Q: What was the turning point in the game?
A: The Dodgers’ bullpen allowed two runs in the eighth inning after holding a 5-4 lead.
Q: How does this affect the Dodgers’ standings?
A: They dropped to second place in the NL West for the first time since April.