YUNEL ESCOBAR does it all … including greeting young fans. He had two hits and two RBIs in the Angels’ 4-0 win over the Dodgers on Monday (Flickr/Keith Allison).

The Angels have often given the Dodgers trouble but now in this week’s Freeway Series, there is the potential to knock their northern neighbor out of first place while putting themselves into good shape for a wild card spot.

On Monday the Halos defeated the streaking Dodgers 4-0 in Los Angeles. The victory moved the Orange County team to 41-39 and in sole possession of second place in the American League West. The loss allowed the Arizona Diamondbacks to pull within 1.5 games of the Dodgers in the National League West.

Ricky Nolasco (3-9) snapped a long personal losing streak with a stellar performance, working 6.1 innings and giving up five hits and no runs. He struck out five batters and walked none.

“Those guys have been playing well,” Angel manager Mike Scioscia said of his club. “Tonight, Ricky did a great job, the guys on the mound did a great job, we scratched some runs up and held a lead.”

At the plate, Martin Maldonado homered and Yunel Escobar went 2-for-4 with two RBIs for the Angels.

Rich Hill (4-4) took the loss for the Dodgers, who came into the game with a 10-game winning streak. He lasted seven innings, giving up four hits and three runs. He struck out seven Angels and walked two.

Jesse Chavez (5-7) will make the start for the Angels on Tuesday, while the Dodgers will send Kente Maeda to the mound.