Kershaw Tosses 2-Hitter In Dodgers' 1-0 Victory Over Reds
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Clayton Kershaw tossed a two-hitter for his third shutout of the season, pitching the Los Angeles Dodgers past Cincinnati 1-0 Monday night for their eighth straight win over the Reds.
Kershaw (7-1) struck out seven, ending his franchise-record streak of six starts in a row with at least 10 strikeouts. He gave the bullpen some much-needed rest after the Dodgers used a combined 13 relievers in consecutive extra-inning games at San Diego last weekend.
The left-hander retired his final 17 batters after issuing just his fifth walk of the season to Joey Votto leading off the fourth. Kershaw threw 102 pitches.
The Dodgers won back-to-back games for the first time since taking three in a row May 12-14. They needed just 2 hours, 11 minutes, to beat the Reds after outlasting San Diego in 5:47 on Sunday.
Brandon Finnegan (1-3) allowed five hits in his first career complete game for Cincinnati. The left-hander, who struck out two and walked four, hasn't won since April 16.
Howie Kendrick grounded into a double play in the sixth, scoring Justin Turner for the game's only run.
The Reds didn't get a runner past second base after the first inning.
Kershaw singled leading off the third before the Reds turned the first of four double plays to end the inning. He was busy on the basepaths in the fifth. Kershaw grounded into a fielder's choice to shortstop, slid into second on a wild pitch by Finnegan, got up and ran to third, sliding safely on a throwing error by catcher Tucker Barnhart.
Cincinnati committed three errors, including two by Barnhart.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Reds: RHP Tim Adleman (left oblique), RHP Homer Bailey (right elbow), RHP Michael Lorenzen (right elbow), OF Yorman Rodriguez (left hamstring) and C Kyle Skipworth (right ankle) are due to come off the DL during the first week of June. So far this season, the Reds have started their projected lineup just four times because of injuries.
Dodgers: RHP Chin-Hui Tsao went on the 15-day DL with a right triceps strain, retroactive to Sunday. ... LF Scott Van Slyke (lower back irritation) is set to play nine innings at first base for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday.
PLAYING FAVORITES
Marty Brennaman, radio voice of the Reds since 1974, makes no bones about his favorite ballpark.
"When the bus pulls up to the outfield I still get a thrill because this place is so beautiful," he said. "They've maintained it really well and I love coming here. I really like Fenway and Wrigley Field, but Dodger Stadium is my favorite."
UP NEXT
Reds: RHP Daniel Wright makes his major league debut after four minor league starts — two each at Triple-A Louisville and Double A-Pensacola.
Dodgers: RHP Mike Bolsinger (0-1, 6.23 ERA) returns from Triple-A Oklahoma City to start, replacing scheduled starter Ross Stripling, who pitched three innings Sunday for the win against San Diego in 17 innings. Bolsinger made his season debut last Wednesday against the Angels, taking the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits in 4 1/3 innings, before getting sent down.
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