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 Kershaw earned his major-league-leading 17th win, leading the Los
Angeles Dodgers to a 4-1 victory over the Washington Nationals
before a crowd of 43,352 at Dodger Stadium.
Los Angeles third baseman Juan Uribe hit a two-run home run in the
sixth, keeping the Dodgers (78-61) two games ahead of the San
Francisco Giants atop the National League West standings. The
Nationals (78-59), who own the league's best record, lead the
Atlanta Braves by seven games in the NL East.
"It was good to get a win tonight. We needed that," Kershaw said.
Kershaw one-hit Washington until center fielder Bryce Harper drove a
solo shot into the right-field bleachers with two outs in the
seventh inning. Until that point, Kershaw had retired 12 consecutive
hitters.
"He hadn't gotten to a fastball yet, so I was pretty stubborn and
kept throwing them," said Kershaw, who lowered his ERA to 1.70, tops
in the big leagues. "He put a really good swing on it (and) made a
good adjustment. He's good for a reason. Hit it really far."
Kershaw (17-3) struck out eight, walked two and gave up just three
hits in eight innings. He has fanned 202 batters this season,
topping the 200 mark for the fifth season in a row and equaling the
mark of former Dodger Don Sutton.
The win also allowed Kershaw, who captured his 50th career decision
at Dodger Stadium, to extend his unbeaten streak to 19 starts
against NL East opponents.
"He just didn't give us any opportunities," Washington manager Matt
Williams said. "Bryce put a good swing on one, but that was about
all he gave us tonight. He's a good pitcher. On any given day,
anybody can beat anybody. Tonight, he didn't give us many
opportunities. That's why he's doing so well because he's not making
any mistakes.
"Like I said, you've got to play a really good game to beat him.
Tonight wasn't the case."
Closer Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the ninth for his 39th
save.
Washington starter Doug Fister was effective early, but allowed two
runs each in the fifth and sixth innings. Fister (12-6) was charged
with four runs (three earned) on 10 hits with two strikeouts and two
walks in five-plus innings. It was Fister's third straight defeat.
"The third time around the lineup they got a sense for him,"
Williams said. "He made good pitches until that point. It just
didn't happen for him. But he's pitched well all year for us, so
we're confident about him going back out there."
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Kershaw was a catalyst for the Dodgers in scoring a pair of runs off
Fister with two outs in the fifth inning. First baseman Adrian
Gonzalez's infield single plated Kershaw, who singled and advanced to
third on second baseman Dee Gordon's base hit to shallow center. Kershaw
rounded second about the same time Harper was retrieving the ball.
However, Harper's throw to third baseman Anthony Rendon was wide of the
bag.
"I don't know if that was the smartest decision," said Kershaw, who went
1-for-2 and appeared to catch Harper by surprise. "I don't know what I
was doing really. I don't get that opportunity much. He's got a really
good arm in center field. That's probably a dumb play looking back on
it, but it ended up working out."
Gordon also came home on Gonzalez's hit when shortstop Ian Desmond's
errant throw home sailed over the head of catcher Wilson Ramos for a 2-0
Dodger lead.
Heralded prospect Joc Pederson received his first big-league start.
Pederson, who replaced the struggling Yasiel Puig in center field,
blooped a single to center to open the second inning. He went 1-for-3
with a walk.
"He just reminds me of 'Cargo,'" Dodger manager Don Mattingly said,
referring to Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez. "I think he
looks good all the time."
Adrian Gonzalez, left fielder Carl Crawford and catcher A.J. Ellis each
had two hits for the Dodgers, who finished with 11 overall.
NOTES: INF Miguel Rojas, INF Erisbel Arruebarrena and RHP Carlos Frias
were recalled by the Dodgers on Tuesday. Frias (0-0, 5.65 ERA), who made
his major league debut Aug. 4 and worked eight games as a reliever, will
make his first start Wednesday in the series finale against the
Nationals. RHP Jordan Zimmermann (10-5, 2.93 ERA) will start for the
Nationals. ... Washington 1B Adam LaRoche didn't play because of
tightness in his lower back. LaRoche, who is listed as day-to-day,
aggravated his back in the fifth inning of Monday's win. ... Little
League sensation Mo'ne Davis threw out the ceremonial first pitch.
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