The Los Angeles Angels beat the Dodgers 7–4 in Dodgers vs Angels match in Anaheim as José Soriano tossed six scoreless innings and Zach Neto’s two homers powered a historic Freeway Series win. Full recap, Soriano spotlight, Yamamoto struggles, and what this means for both clubs.
Dodgers vs Angels Quick facts
- Final score: Angels 7, Dodgers 4 — Freeway Series opener in Anaheim.
- Starters: José Soriano (Angels) threw six scoreless innings; Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) allowed six runs in 4⅔ innings.
- Big bats: Zach Neto homered twice (including an eighth leadoff homer of the season) and drove the Angles’ early and middle-inning offense.
- Series result: With the win the Angels clinched a rare season-series sweep (4–0) of the Dodgers — their first season-series win over L.A. since 2019.
Full recap — how the game unfolded
Anaheim’s Angel Stadium hosted a lively Freeway Series opener where Los Angeles’ American League club turned in a complete performance. The Angels struck early: Zach Neto launched a leadoff homer on the first pitch he saw, setting the tone. José Soriano ate innings — six shutout frames with six strikeouts and only two hits allowed — giving the Angels a pitcher’s win to complement their offense. The Dodgers fought back with Shohei Ohtani’s 42nd homer and a Max Muncy three-run shot, but Yamamoto’s day ended after 4⅔ innings having yielded six runs and five walks. In the late innings the Angels pushed across runs to build separation and closer Kenley Jansen locked down the final outs for his 22nd save.
Highlights and the full game video are available from MLB and ESPN. The game drew a crowd of 44,571 fans and ran roughly 2 hours 50 minutes — an energetic night in Anaheim that carried postseason-relevant vibes for both teams.
José Soriano — the starter who quieted Chavez Ravine’s buzz
This was one of José Soriano’s best outings of the season. The right-hander kept an aggressive Dodgers lineup off balance with a mix of sinkers, sliders, and a tough changeup. Over six innings he struck out six and allowed just two hits, a performance that let the Angels’ lineup breathe and exploit mistakes from Yamamoto and the Dodgers’ pen. Soriano’s outing wasn’t just efficient — it was timely; tossing quality frames against a division leader carried high leverage and he delivered. MLB posted the highlight reel of Soriano’s six scoreless frames soon after the final out.
For Angels fans and the front office, Soriano’s start is the kind of veteran-building block they’ll point to when arguing their pitching depth is improving. For the Dodgers, it was a warning: the LA lineup can tangle with elite arms, but only when their own starter gives them a chance.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto — a rare off night
Yamamoto, the Dodgers’ high-priced ace who’s delivered elite work since arriving in MLB, had an uncharacteristic outing. He surrendered multiple homers and tied a career-high with five walks while lasting only 4⅔ innings. That mismatch between his usual command and this game’s struggles made it difficult for the Dodgers to mount sustained offense while the Angels scored in bursts. The Los Angeles Times detailed how Yamamoto was “rocked” by Neto, and how control issues — five walks — converted into big innings for Anaheim.
Off nights happen to every ace; the Dodgers will rely on Yamamoto’s track record for a quick rebound. Still, this performance narrowed L.A.’s NL West cushion and handed momentum to an opponent that rarely dominated them this season.
Zach Neto & the offense — the spark that lit Anaheim
Zach Neto was the game’s offensive catalyst. His leadoff homer on the first pitch gave Anaheim an immediate advantage — and he followed with a second homer in the sixth. Neto finished 3-for-3 with two homers, three runs, two walks and two RBIs, the kind of all-around contribution that electrifies a stadium and lifts a lineup. Neto’s performance pushed the Angels to a 4-0 season series advantage over the Dodgers — a notable achievement given the rivalry’s history.
Complementing Neto were contributions from Yoán Moncada (two hits, two RBIs) and Mike Trout (two-run single in the eighth), both of which helped the Angels keep the scoreboard ticking while their pitching kept the Dodgers at bay.
Tactical takeaways — what the managers changed and why it mattered
- Angels (manager): The Angels’ game plan prioritized contact early against Yamamoto and patient at-bats against the bullpen. Soriano’s ground-ball tendencies and a defense that stayed alert to Dodgers’ baserunning paid off. When the Dodgers pushed in the later innings, Anaheim relied on veteran reliever Kenley Jansen to slam the door.
- Dodgers (manager): The Dodgers tried to manufacture runs — Ohtani’s homer and Muncy’s three-run shot showed fight. But Yamamoto’s walks and a few defensive misplays turned a manageable game into one the Angels could convert. Managerial adjustments will likely focus on quick returns to command for Yamamoto and bullpen usage patterns to reduce high-leverage exposure to veteran hitters like Neto and Moncada.
What this result means for both clubs
For the Angels:
- This victory completed a rare sweep and gives the clubhouse confidence against an in-city rival. Soriano’s outing underscores that the Angels have starting depth to lean on, and Neto’s breakout night is a strong sign of the team’s youth movement contributing meaningfully. Clinching the season series over the Dodgers (their first since 2019) is a morale booster and may sway local narratives about the franchise’s direction.
For the Dodgers:
- The loss tightens the NL West race; the Dodgers’ lead shrank as the club tries to preserve rest and workload for a deep postseason push. Yamamoto’s off night is a bump, not a trend — but the Dodgers need their rotation to be reliable. Offensively, Ohtani and Muncy showed resilience, but the team will want fewer early deficits against quality arms.
Either way, the result influenced local bragging rights and added a fresh chapter to the Freeway Series’ modern history.
LTBU! LTBU! LTBU! LTBU! LTBU! pic.twitter.com/ghAag9GdGV
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 12, 2025
Injury & roster notes from the game
The Dodgers reported an in-game exit for outfielder Gustavo Campero with a left ankle issue; the team will update his status pending imaging and medical evaluation. Manager and trainers downplayed immediate concern but noted that a setback could affect bench depth in the coming days.
Where to watch the next Dodgers game & follow live coverage
- TV/streaming: Dodgers games are broadcast regionally on SportsNet LA (out-of-market viewers can use MLB.tv); national windows are on ESPN/Apple TV/MLB Network depending on the schedule. Angels local coverage comes via Bally Sports West and national feeds where scheduled. MLB.com’s gameday provides live box scores, pitch-by-pitch, and highlight reels.
- Highlights & clips: MLB.com and YouTube posted game highlights shortly after the final out; MLB uploaded Jose Soriano’s six-inning reel and Neto’s homers.