Russell Branyan has most significant contribution to the Los Angeles Angels, a club that’s provided him very few chances to come through in the clutch.

Branyan hit a tiebreaking two run homer in the seventh inning, Ervin Santana in the eighth for his first victory over a month, and the Los Angeles Angels beat Dodgers 3-1 Sunday in the final six-game Freeway Series .

“I didn’t really know what to expect, as far as playing time. All I knew was that I’d just gotten released by the Diamondbacks and the Angels wanted me come to play for them,” said Branyan, who joined his 10th team over 14 big league seasons in May. “In the situation I’m in now, I’m in a role where I get a start a week and come off the bench to try to help the ballclub.”

Branyan is batting .186 (8 of 43) with four RBIs in 20 games for the Angels. Who has 191 career homers, including 31 for Seattle in 2009?

“I’ve only hit two homers this year, so it’s not like I’m tearing the cover off the ball. But it felt good,” he said. “I got a pitch that I could drive and I did what I’m capable of doing with it. I got a chance to be up there in an important situation and come through. I want to produce. And to hit a go-ahead homer feels really good.”

Chad Billingsley (7-7) allowed three runs and three hits in eight innings for the Dodgers. The right-hander took a one hitter and a 1-0 lead in the seventh before Bobby Abreu led off with a ground-rule double in the corner of right field, advanced on a wild terrain and marked on Vernon Wells grounder 'to the second.

Billingsley then grazed Howie Kendrick with a 1-2 pitch and retired Alberto Callaspo for the second out before Branyan drove a 3-2 pitch deep into the seats in right-center.

“I probably shouldn’t have thrown that pitch—I know I shouldn’t have thrown that pitch,” Billingsley said. “He did what he’s supposed to. It was one of those days.”