Clayton Kershaw entered the evening 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA in 4 career regular season starts against the Atlanta Braves, the only NL team that Kershaw had never defeated in the regular season. That changed tonight for the ace left hander. Kershaw picked up his 13th win this season, improving to an overall record of 13-2. Kershaw was dealing early and often throughout the game at Dodger Stadium, throwing his second consecutive complete game and fifth of the season. The Braves were able to muster nine hits off of the 2 time NL Cy Young award winner, but he Kershaw struck out nine batters in the 2-1 win. Kershaw lowered his league best ERA to 1.71. Kershaw wins his tenth straight decision in a row and reaches 150 strikeouts, joining Zack Greinke.
Dee Gordon led the game off with a single to right field, but was caught stealing with Yasiel Puig at the plate, who drew the one out walk. Adrian Gonzalez put things into motion with his 28th double, driving in Puig from first for the 1-0 lead. Puig kept things rolling in the third inning by sending the 1-2 fastball for a solo home run over the left field off of Braves starter Julio Teheran. Gonzalez and Puig combined to go 4-6 with two RBI’s, combining for four of the five Dodger hits. The Dodgers were 0-3 with runners in scoring position and left five on base, but the two runs behind Kershaw were enough for the victory.
The Dodgers get the series sweep for their second consecutive sweep, winning their sixth straight game and stretching their lead in the NL West over the Giants to 3 ½ games. Los Angeles will send out Dan Haren to welcome the Chicago Cubs into Dodger Stadium for a three game series starting Friday.