Michael Lorenzen pitched seven smooth innings, rookie Wyatt Langford hit a two-RBI single and the Texas Rangers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Thursday night to win their first series at Dodger Stadium since 1999.
Rangers relief pitcher David Robertson struck out MVP Mookie Betts, Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman for the second straight night to protect a 3-1 lead going into the eighth inning.
After giving up five home runs to the Dodgers (four in the first inning) in a 15-2 defeat in the season opener, Texas has now won two of three games against the NL West leaders.
But this time, the Rangers’ pitching staff thwarted the Los Angeles offense.
Betts, Ohtani (who hit a home run in each of the first two games) and Freeman combined to go 2-for-12 with three strikeouts.
Lorenzen (4-3) allowed one run and four hits, struck out two and walked one.
Rangers closer Kirby Yates, 37, needed 26 pitches to complete the ninth inning and earn his 10th save.
The Dodgers didn’t score until the seventh inning, when rookie Andy Page hit a home run just inside the left field foul pole to give them a 3-1 lead.
In the eighth inning, a runner advanced to third base with no outs, putting a runner in scoring position for the first time that night, but Robertson struck out Betts, Ohtani and Freeman in turn, giving the 39-year-old reliever a 2-0 lead against a formidable trio that also each struck out.
Michael Grove (4-3) was the losing pitcher, allowing two runs and three hits in one inning as the bullpen starter.
The Rangers’ series victory was just the second in club history in Los Angeles and their first since 1999. Manager Bruce Bochy improved to 109-109 at Dodger Stadium, the most wins by an opposing manager in the stadium’s history.
Texas took a 2-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI grounder by Nathaniel Lowe and an RBI single by Langford with two outs. Langford also had a run-scoring single in the third inning.
Adoris Garcia had two hits and scored two runs for the defending World Series champions.
Trainer Room
Rangers: Shortstop Corey Seager was out for the team’s three-game series against the AL West-leading Seattle Mariners. Seager homered on Wednesday after missing four straight games with a hamstring injury.
Dodgers: Left-hander Clayton Kershaw (elbow) pitched three innings in a simulated game and is recovering better than expected. … Right-hander Bobby Miller (shoulder) made a rehab appearance for Triple-A Oklahoma City. … Right-hander Ryan Brasier (calf) was placed on the 60-day disabled list.
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Rangers: Left-hander Andrew Heaney (2-7, 4.06 ERA) will start Friday’s series opener at Seattle.
Dodgers: Right-hander Gavin Stone (7.2, 2.93) will start Friday in the interleague series opener against Kansas City.