WILL SMITH (Wikipedia).

With a 3-0 win over the Texas Rangers on Friday night, the Los Angeles Dodgers closed within a half-game of the first place San Diego Padres in the National League West race.

The Dodgers (15-6) led 1-0 from the first to eighth innings, then got two insurance runs in the top of the ninth in Arlington. Tommy Edman had a leadoff homer for the early lead, and the ninth inning runs were brought in by a single by Teoscar Hernandez and a sacrifice fly by Will Smith.

It was the Blue Crew’s fourth straight win.

Yosh Yamamoto (3-1) pitched well, working seven innings and yielding five hits and no runs. He struck out 10 batters and walked one.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday at Globe Life Field.

Neto’s return boosts Halos

Back in Anaheim after a long stretch on the road, the Los Angeles Angels were glad to be back home and glad to have Zach Neto back in the lineup.

Neto doubled in a run in the first inning and scored on an error as the Halos defeated the San Francisco Giants 2-0 in Anaheim and snapped a four-game losing streak

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Now 10-9, the Angels are back in second place in the American League West, and 1.5 games behind the first place Texas Rangers (12-8), who lost to to the Dodgers (see above).

Ty Anderson (2-0) worked six innings, yielding no runs and just three hits. He struck out six batters and walked two, lowering his earned-run average to 2.08.

The Angels and Giants (13-7) will play again on Saturday.