The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim went into the real city of Los Angeles on Sunday looking for a sweep of their up the freeway rivals the Dodgers. Before the game of aces on the mound (Clayton Kershaw and Jered Weaver) I got a few minutes with one of the best managers in baseball Mike Scioscia, as I wanted to get his impression of coming back to Dodger Stadium where he once starred behind the plate for the guys in the blue uni’s.

Mike Scioscia pregame with Ted Sobel:

And then the Angels went out and blew a one run lead in the bottom of the 9th (after a great pitcher’s duel) when Tony Gwynn, Jr. delivered the knockout blow. With two outs and the winning run at second base. Gwynn ripped a Jordan Walden fastball to right field for an rbi single and his 3rd hit of the game that completed the Dodgers’ 3-2 come-from-behind win.

And that was after a very controversial play at the plate with the game on the line. Dodger pinch hitter Aaron Miles hit a one-out fly ball to fairly shallow center field that looked like it might not be deep enough to score pinch runner Dee Gordon who tagged up from third base. Peter Bourjos made the catch and threw a perfect one hopper to catcher Jeff Mathis as Gordon slid feet first towards home plate.

Even though Mathis impeded Gordon’s path with a Scioscia-like block of the plate, umpire Tom Hallion called him safe and the replay showed it so close that it was a rare ‘either safe or out call that would’ve been fine for my taste’.

Scioscia briefly argued the call and then after the game… he told me his feelings on the play and how his team let this one get away…

Mike Scioscia postgame with Ted Sobel:

Tony Gwynn, Jr. with Ted Sobel:

Dee Gordon with Ted Sobel:

And then there’s the one and only Torii Hunter who had to sit out another game with sore ribs after crashing into the Dodger Stadium right field wall in the series opener. I always grab the opportunity to speak with Torii when I can, so I got the latest on his health and thoughts on the Washington Nat’s series starting on Monday night in Anaheim…

Torii Hunter with Ted Sobel: