Kiké Hernandez hit two doubles and drove in two runs, while Cavan Biggio added a run-scoring single to help the Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Sunday. This win ended a streak of six consecutive road series losses for the Dodgers.
Dodgers rookie starter River Ryan gave up two runs on five hits, with four strikeouts and three walks in 4 2/3 innings. The 25-year-old right-hander did not get a decision but remained unbeaten through his first three career starts.
“Just trying to do my part,” Hernandez said. “We’ve been struggling as a team, and I believe that if I’m anywhere close to the hitter that I’m capable of being we’ll be in a better shape.
“I’ve been in somewhat of a better stretch the last week or two and I’m just trying to stay there and be consistent. … Glad we won this game and this series, we’re going back home to play a really good team, and hopefully we can get the ball rolling.”
Alex Vesia (2-3) struck out two batters in the seventh inning to earn the win. He was one of five Dodgers relievers who combined for six strikeouts and no walks in 4 1/3 innings, allowing only one hit. Anthony Banda pitched a perfect ninth inning for his first save in his second chance.
Evan Phillips came in as a reliever for Ryan and faced a bases-loaded, two-out situation in the fifth inning. He struck out Brent Rooker, ending the threat.
“It was a big moment for Evan,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “He’s a guy that I certainly believe in, that he can manage success, he can manage some, some hard times, and still find a way to kind of mentally, you know, reset, and I thought the last two were really good outings.”
Rooker hit his 28th home run of the season, a two-run shot in the first inning, for Oakland, which had won five of its last eight games before Sunday.
“He just continues to keep impressing and I think the focus for him right now is just to help the team win, which is awesome,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said.
