Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller shows his frustration after giving up five runs during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani pops up during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Anthony Rendon hits a two-run single during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Anthony Rendon hits a two-run single during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Zach Neto rounds second base during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak watches the flight of his three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak begins to run the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller shows his frustration after giving up a three-run home run to the Angels’ Mickey Moniak, left, during the first inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller shows his frustration after giving up a three-run home run to the Angels’ Mickey Moniak (not pictured) during the first inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak gestures before scoring after he hit a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak, right, celebrates with teammate Nolan Schanuel after hitting a three-run home run as Dodgers catcher Austin Barnes looks on during the first inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. The Angels scored five runs in the first on their way to a 10-1 win. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak, right, celebrates with teammate Anthony Rendon after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak, left, is greeted by Manager Ron Washington as he returns to the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak celebrates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Mickey Moniak celebrates in the dugout after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Anthony Rendon celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller tries to compose himself after giving up five runs during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Niko Kavadas, left, is greeted by Manager Ron Washington, right, as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller throws to the plate during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Zach Neto falls to the ground after being hit on the foot by the ball during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Angels starting pitcher Griffin Canning throws to the plate during the second inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Dodgers’ Austin Barnes prepares to swing at a pitch during the fifth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon fields a ball hit by the Dodgers’ Miguel Rojas before throwing him out at first base during the fifth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Angels’ Taylor Ward hits a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers left fielder Teoscar Hernández leaps but can’t reach a ball hit for a solo home run by the Angels’ Taylor Ward (not pictured) during the sixth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Taylor Ward gestures as he runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Taylor Ward, left, is greeted by Manager Ron Washington, right, as he returns to the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the fifth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Zach Neto steals second base as Dodgers shortstop Miguel Rojas leaps for an errant throw during the fifth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani, front, looks over an iPad with hitting coach Robert Van Scoyoc prior to his at-bat during the sixth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani waits for his turn to bat during the sixth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani waits for his turn to bat during the sixth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out swinging during the sixth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani reacts after striking out during the sixth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon can’t get to a ball hit for an RBI single by the Dodgers’ Andy Pages during the seventh inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Gavin Lux, top, runs past Angels third baseman Anthony Rendon after Rendon was unable to get to a ball hit for an RBI single by Andy Pages during the seventh inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
The Dodgers’ Gavin Lux celebrates in the dugout after scoring a run during the seventh inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Dodgers utility player Chris Taylor looks on in the dugout during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Kevin Kiermaier swings at a pitch during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Dodgers’ Kevin Kiermaier follows through on a swing during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe prepares to swing at a pitch during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
The Angels’ Logan O’Hoppe hits a single during the eighth inning of their game against the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers second baseman Gavin Lux can’t get to a ball hit for an RBI single by the Angels’ Taylor Ward during the eighth inning on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Petersen sits in the dugout after giving up three runs during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers relief pitcher Michael Petersen sits in the dugout after giving up three runs during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tries on a catcher’s glove in the dugout during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani tries on a catcher’s glove in the dugout during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani looks on during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani looks on in the dugout during the eighth inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
Angels catcher Logan O’Hoppe, left, and relief pitcher Ryan Miller celebrate after the final out of their 10-1 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
The Angels’ Charles Leblanc, left, and Brandon Drury, center, celebrate with Nolan Schanuel, right, after their 10-1 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Angels shortstop Zach Neto, left, outfielder Jo Adell, center, and outfielder Mickey Moniak celebrate after their 10-1 victory over the Dodgers on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
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Dodgers starting pitcher Bobby Miller shows his frustration after giving up five runs during the first inning of their game against the Angels on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium. (Photo by Keith Birmingham, Pasadena Star-News/SCNG)
ANAHEIM — If Walker Buehler’s start against the Angels on Tuesday represented a step forward in his attempt to pitch his way onto the postseason roster, Bobby Miller came out moonwalking on Wednesday.
The first five Angels batters reached base and scored against Miller, who gave up seven runs in five innings as the Angels beat the Dodgers, 10-1, on Wednesday night at Angel Stadium.
The nine-run margin of victory matched the largest of the Angels’ 58 wins this season. The two SoCal neighbors split their four meetings this season, with each team winning once at the opposing team’s ballpark.
“The atmosphere that we’re in is a playoff atmosphere,” Angels manager Ron Washington said of the two games played in front of sellout crowds in Anaheim. “We’re not in the playoffs, but it’s nice to be in that atmosphere. And they rose to the challenge, and hopefully we just can keep building on it.”
Miller might also be on the outside looking in when the playoffs start. He has not made a case to stay in the Dodgers’ plans when October comes.
The Angels made Miller’s night miserable from the start. Leadoff man Taylor Ward drew a seven-pitch walk, two close calls going against Miller. He hit Zach Neto two pitches later and Nolan Schanuel loaded the bases with a single.
Anthony Rendon drove in two runs with a ground ball single through the middle and Mickey Moniak jumped on a first-pitch fastball from Miller, sending it into the right-field seats for a three-run home run and a 5-0 lead.
Moniak has been the most threatening hitter in the Angels’ lineup since the start of August. In his past 22 games, he has batted .320 (24 for 75) with seven home runs (including four in his past five games) and a 1.030 OPS.
Miller struck out the side after Moniak’s latest home run, but he gave up a leadoff homer to Angels DH Niko Kavadas in the second inning. The No. 9 hitter came into the game batting .079 (3 for 38) in 12 games since being promoted for the first time.
Miller retired nine consecutive batters after Kavadas’ home run – then gave up another home run to Ward when he led off the fifth inning. That was Ward’s fifth home run during a 14-game hitting streak and the first of his three hits Wednesday.
“Besides the first inning, there was a lot of good in there,” said Miller, whose ERA is now 7.79 in his sophomore season. “Just a couple good fastball hitters, couple bad pitch selections. … There’s some good fastball hitters and just threw the wrong pitch at the wrong time, and they put some good swings on some not really bad pitches.”
Miller has seemingly done that a lot. He has allowed eight home runs in four starts since returning from the minor leagues.
His fastball remains his biggest problem. The velocity on his four-seamer was down at times this season after he returned from a shoulder injury. It was back up Wednesday to an average of 98.3 mph. But he didn’t get a single swing-and-miss on it and two of the home runs were hit off four-seam fastballs. The third was a two-seamer.
“You have to, as a starting pitcher, to be able to get ahead with different secondary pitches. You have to,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. “Unless you have 80-command and right now he doesn’t. It’s a fastball that hitters see so it either has to be commanded really well and moved to different locations or you have to be able to get ahead with different breaking balls. That’s just the way it goes. And if you can’t do that, then the catcher is in a tough spot. We have to get better.”
Miller will remain in the rotation and start against the Chicago Cubs next week – “I don’t think that right now we don’t have another alternative” – but Roberts acknowledged Miller’s chance at a postseason role is fading.
“I think where we’re at right now with certain players – Bobby, in this particular case – performance matters,” Roberts said. “It’s got to be better. And he knows that. You just can’t go out there and give up five runs and put us behind the 8-ball. It’s not about the stuff because as we’ve seen the stuff is there. I say it time and time again, it’s about performance. You’ve got to perform and give us a chance.”
Angels starter Griffin Canning has taken his share of lumps this season, but Wednesday was his best start of the season.
The 28-year-old right-hander had a 7.10 ERA in the first or second innings of his previous 26 starts this season. It was such an issue the Angels used an opener for him against the Toronto Blue Jays two starts ago. He followed that with six scoreless innings.
He was his own opening act Wednesday, retiring Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman in order in the first inning and giving up just two harmless singles through six scoreless innings.
Canning’s slider and changeup were particularly effective, getting 13 of his 18 swings-and-misses against the Dodgers.
“It was just a lot of fun competing against those guys. Obviously a really, really great lineup, so that kind of brings out the best in you,” Canning said.
“I feel like I was utilizing kind of everything. To some of those lefties I was dropping in curveballs to get ahead, kind of picking and choosing my spots with a changeup, and then later in the game, kind of relying on the slider, using the fastball to both sides.”
He ran out of gas in the seventh and gave up a run on two more singles, including a two-out RBI single by Andy Pages before Washington went to his bullpen.
Canning has a 2.04 ERA over his past three games. But Roberts didn’t sound impressed.
“I just think we got so far behind that guys just didn’t put together the at-bats that I think we could have,” he said. “No excuse with that, but I think at that point in time Canning got into a rhythm and we just didn’t take the at-bats that we could have.”
The Angels added three runs in the eighth inning against Dodgers right-hander Michael Petersen and finished the night 6 for 13 with runners in scoring position. They were 20 for 147 (.136) with RISP in the previous 23 games.
“I hope the offense is waking up and able to finish the rest of the season like that,” Washington said. “It would be nice to finish the rest of the season swinging the bats and getting that type of pitching. Canning was outstanding tonight. Good fastball, moving around, good off-speed stuff. He was just outstanding.”
Staff writer Jeff Fletcher contributed to this story.
