Streaking Nats hit a roadblock named Kershaw
Published: 03 Sep. 2014, 19:06
Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos waits for the pitch from Doug Fister as Juan Uribe of the Dodgers launches a two-run home run in the sixth inning Tuesday in Los Angeles. The Dodgers won, 4-1, behind Clayton Kershaw. [AP/NEWSIS]
Kershaw pitched eight strong innings for his MLB-leading 17th win Tuesday night and the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Nationals, 4-1.
Kershaw (17-3) gave up three hits and one run, walked two and struck out eight to win his third straight start and lower his MLB-leading ERA to 1.70. At the plate, he went 1 for 2 and scored a run.
“He spoils us, that’s for sure,” said Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly. “He’s just so valuable for us.”
The Nationals came in with 14 home runs in their past four games, including four against the Dodgers on Monday.
Kershaw quickly quieted their bats, working through six shutout innings before giving up a solo homer to Bryce Harper in the seventh, his only blip of the night. It was the first homer hit by a lefty against Kershaw this season.
“He just didn’t give us any opportunities,” said Nationals Manager Matt Williams. “That’s why he’s doing so well. He’s just not making any mistakes.”
Kershaw retired 12 straight at one point and surpassed the 200-strikeout mark for the fifth consecutive season. He joins Hall of Famers Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Don Sutton as the only pitchers in franchise history with at least five seasons of 200 strikeouts.
“You always want to be consistent,” Kershaw said. “You try to give your team a chance. When you only get to contribute once every five days, it’s important for the starting pitcher to get some momentum.”
Kershaw was also responsible for jump-starting the Dodgers offense. He laced a one-out single to center in the fifth, advanced to third on Dee Gordon’s single and scored on Adrian Gonzalez’s infield single to break a scoreless tie.
Gordon raced home from second on Gonzalez’s single when shortstop Ian Desmond’s throw to the plate sailed over the head of catcher Wilson Ramos.
Juan Uribe added a two-run homer in the sixth to extend the Dodgers lead to 4-0, and that was enough for Kershaw and closer Kenley Jansen.
Jansen came on in the ninth and pitched a hitless frame for his 39th save.
Doug Fister (12-6) took the loss for the Nationals. He went five-plus innings, gave up 10 hits, four runs, walked two and struck out two.
With the win, the Dodgers (78-61) moved behind the Nationals (78-59) for the National League’s best record.
“We needed to get the W tonight,” Kershaw said. “It was good to get it.”
AP
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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