Kershaw, Dodgers beat Cubs 3-2 in series opener

[July 09, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Rafael Furcal hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning to lift Clayton Kershaw and the Los Angeles Dodgers over the Chicago Cubs 3-2 in their series opener Thursday night.

Kershaw (9-4) struck out a season-high 12 and walked none in eight innings, tying his longest outing. The left-hander allowed two runs and seven hits for his second straight win.

Jonathan Broxton pitched a scoreless ninth for his 19th save in 21 chances.

The loss snapped the Cubs' three-game winning streak, while the Dodgers won for the fourth time in six games.

Furcal's season-long 10-game hitting streak ended in a 4-0 loss to Florida on Wednesday night, but he picked right back up against the Cubs. He had three hits and got hit by a pitch.

His 15th homer came on the first pitch from Randy Wells (4-7). It sailed inches inside the foul pole in right field and gave the Dodgers a 3-2 lead. Russell Martin, who led off with a single and was sacrificed to second, also scored.

Wells gave up three runs and six hits in seven innings, struck out seven and walked one.

The Dodgers led 1-0 in the first after James Loney's RBI single scored Furcal, who doubled leading off.

The Cubs tied it in the second on Alfonso Soriano's 15th homer on the first pitch from Kershaw. They took a 2-1 lead in the fourth on Geovany Soto's RBI single.

NOTES: Dodgers LF Manny Ramirez will begin a rehab assignment as a DH with Class-A Inland Empire on Saturday. Manager Joe Torre said Ramirez should be ready to return after the All-Star break. The slugger is on the DL with a strained right hamstring. ... The Dodgers took a 1,019-1,017 lead in the all-time series between the teams that began in 1890. ... RHP Ronald Belisario wasn't at the stadium Thursday, a day after the Dodgers placed him on the restricted list for personal reasons. Torre said he remained in the dark about Belisario's absence and is treating it like an injury.

[Associated Press; By BETH HARRIS]

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.