Keibert Ruiz starts career with HR, Dodgers sweep Angels 8-3

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Keibert Ruiz homered in his first major league at-bat, Corey Seager hit a three-run homer and the Los Angeles Dodgers swept the Freeway Series with an 8-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday.

Max Muncy had a two-run homer, Matt Beaty also homered and Mookie Betts added an RBI single for the NL-leading Dodgers (16-7), who have won a season-best five straight.

The Dodgers also swept a three-game series at Angel Stadium for the first time since interleague play began in 1997, although the Angels still hold a 70-57 overall lead in the rivalry.

Anthony Rendon homered for the fifth time in six games for the Angels, who have lost four straight. Brian Goodwin also homered and David Fletcher extended his hitting streak to a career-high 15 games, but the big-budget Halos have matched the slowest start in franchise history at 7-15.

Ruiz, a 22-year-old catcher from Venezuela, made his big-league debut behind the plate. In the third inning, he smashed a 1-1 fastball from Julio Teherán (0-2) down the right field line with his first big-league swing.

The homer in the mostly silent, empty stadium audibly delighted his new teammates, who dispatched pitcher Julio Urías to find the souvenir ball amid the tarps and empty seats.

Ruiz is generally ranked the third-best prospect in the Dodgers' perpetually bountiful farm system. He became the seventh player in the franchise's 131-year history to homer in his first at-bat, and the first since Garey Ingram in 1994.

Muncy added his two-run shot later in the third, and Seager connected off Matt Andriese for his fifth homer in the fourth.

Dustin May lasted only 4 1/3 innings for the Dodgers, giving up seven hits and two runs with two strikeouts on 88 pitches.

Scott Alexander (1-0) gave up three hits and a...

source https://www.chron.com/sports/article/Keibert-Ruiz-starts-career-with-HR-Dodgers-sweep-15488232.php