Kochanowicz limits Dodgers, and Angels turn 5 double plays in 6-2 win in Freeway Series opener

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Jack Kochanowicz tossed one-run ball over 6 2/3 innings, Yoán Moncada hit a two-run homer and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in the Freeway Series opener Friday night.

The last-place Angels led 2-0 on Moncada’s homer on his first pitch from Dustin May in the first inning.

May hit Matthew Lugo and Tim Anderson back-to-back before Zach Neto’s two-run double to left extended the lead to 4-0 in the fourth.

Kochanowicz (3-5) allowed one run, struck out five and walked four in winning back-to-back starts for the first time this season.

The Dodgers closed to 4-2 on Shohei Ohtani’s 16th homer off Ryan Zeferjahn in the eighth. Max Muncy’s RBI double provided their first run.

The Angels answered with Nolan Schanuel’s two-run single that made it 6-2 in the ninth.

May (1-4) gave up four runs and six hits in five innings. He struck out eight and walked two.

Moncada left after irritating his right thumb injury in the top of the ninth.

The Angels turned four of their five double plays behind Kochanowicz, who owns the second-highest groundball rate in the American League since July 11, 2024. The double plays tied a Dodgers record and were the most by an opponent since Aug. 7, 2015, at Cincinnati.

Dodgers rookie Hyeseong Kim streak of reaching base ended at nine plate appearances when he grounded out in the eighth.

LHP Clayton Kershaw comes off the injured list to make his 18th season debut for the Dodgers on Saturday. LHP Tyler Anderson (2-1, 2.58 ERA) was set to start for the Angels.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani is forced out at second by Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May throws to the plate during the firtst inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Jack Kochanowicz throws to the plate during the second inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Friday, May 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani grimaces after taking a close pitch before batting during the first inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Friday, May 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Los Angeles Angels' Yoan Moncada, second from left, hits a two-run home run as Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May, left, watches along with catcher Will Smith during the first inning of a baseball game Friday, May 16, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

NEW YORK (AP) — Jalen Johnson had 18 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds in his seventh triple-double of the season, leading the Atlanta Hawks to a 111-99 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday night.

Nickeil Alexander-Walker scored 23 points and Onyeka Okongwu had 22 for the Hawks, while both Zaccharie Risacher and Luke Kennard scored 12.

Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 24 points. OG Anunoby had 19 points and 10 rebounds, and Mikal Bridges added 18 points.

Ariel Hukporti, who replaced Karl-Anthony Towns (illness) in the starting lineup, grabbed a career-high 17 rebounds for New York.

The Knicks got off to a quick start, taking an 11-2 lead. Trailing 30-29, the Hawks scored the final four points of the first quarter and never trailed again.

Atlanta extended its lead to 60-45 on Okongwu’s short jumper with 1:16 remaining in the second quarter before Brunson’s runner cut the Knicks’ deficit to 60-47 at halftime.

Alexander-Walker’s driving layup with 1:14 left in the third quarter gave the Hawks their biggest lead of the game at 94-68 and they were ahead 94-70 at the end of the quarter.

The Knicks scored the first 11 points of the fourth quarter and pulled within 94-81 before Kennard connected on back-to-back 3-pointers to end the streak.

New York mounted a final rally following consecutive 3-pointers by Bridges to edge within 108-99, but never got any closer.

The Hawks, who have won two in a row following a season-high, seven-game losing streak, became the first team to hold the Knicks to fewer than 100 points this season.

Atlanta's Trae Young (bruised right quadriceps) and Knicks center Mitchell Robinson (left ankle injury management) each missed their third straight games.

Hawks: Visit Toronto on Saturday.

Knicks: Host Philadelphia on Saturday.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu reacts after scoring a 3-point basket during first half of an NBA basketball game against the New York Knicks, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Atlanta Hawks guard Dyson Daniels (5) passes the ball around New York Knicks center Ariel Hukporti (55) during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

New York Knicks guard Jalen Brunson, bottom, and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu (17) battle for the ball during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)

Atlanta Hawks forward Jalen Johnson, right, is defended by New York Knicks forward Og Anunoby during second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 2, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)