Clayton Kershaw Helps Dodgers Complete Sweep Of Braves, 1st Time Since 1990
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com/AP) — Clayton Kershaw scattered nine hits and struck out nine while tying his career-best winning streak of 10 games, and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 2-1 Thursday night to complete the three-game sweep.
Kershaw (13-2) pitched his second consecutive complete game for the second time in his career. He is unbeaten in his last 11 starts with a 10-0 record since June 2. The left-hander beat the Braves for the first time during the regular season in his career.
"We're playing really well," said Kershaw after the game. "We've won six in a row and two straight sweeps against two really good teams. It's real fun to be part of."
Yasiel Puig homered as the Dodgers stretched their win streak to a season-high six and swept the Braves for the first time since taking four in a row from July 26-29, 1990, at home.
Julio Teheran (10-7) dueled with Kershaw, but fell behind in the first. Puig walked and scored from first when Adrian Gonzalez doubled to deep right-center field.
Puig extended the lead to 2-0 with his 13th homer in the third.
Teheran gave up five hits in eight innings. He struck out nine and walked three.
Kershaw had to work to close out the Braves in the ninth, when he finally gave up a run. With one out, B.J. Upton singled and advanced to third on Tommy La Stella's single. Freddie Freeman went down swinging for the second out, bringing the cheering crowd of 51,163 to its feet.
But the Braves closed to 2-1 on Justin Upton's infield single to third.
Juan Uribe charged in to field the ball and fired to first, where Gonzalez stretched for the throw. Upton was called safe by umpire Mike Estabrook. Manager Don Mattingly challenged the call as the crowd grew rowdier. Kershaw crouched behind the mound waiting for a decision.
It took 2 1/2 minutes before the umpires upheld the call, putting the potential go-ahead run on first. Evan Gattis grounded out to shortstop to end the game.
"I thought Papi[Juan Uribe] made a really good play at third," said Kershaw. Justin[Upton] is pretty fast. It looked really close. The umpire got it right, but it would of been nice if it was overturned."
TRAINER'S ROOM
Braves: Outfielder Jason Heyward missed his third straight game with a sore back that he strained last week chasing a foul ball. Manager Fredi Gonzalez said he hopes Heyward can return sometime this weekend in San Diego.
Dodgers: They outrighted left-hander Scott Elbert to Triple-A Albuquerque.
ON DECK
Braves: Atlanta heads to San Diego for a three-game series beginning Friday. Left-hander Mike Minor (4-6, 5.23 ERA) will start the opener.
Dodgers: The Cubs arrive Friday for a three-game set, with Dan Haren (8-8, 4.49 ERA) taking the mound. The right-hander lost all four of his starts in July.
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