The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Chicago White Sox, 1-0, to match a season-best 10-game winning streak and improve to 30-4 on their current stretch. It’s the first time in franchise history the Dodgers have won 30 of 34 games.
The 1955 Dodgers were previously the only team to produce multiple winning streaks of at least 10 games; they opened the season 10-0 and later ripped off 11 consecutive victories. Brooklyn went on to win the franchise’s first World Series that year.
Facing the White Sox on the road for the first time in his career, and starting on eight days’ rest, Clayton Kershaw was neither dominant nor sharp.
He was forced to grind through seven shutout innings but nonetheless improved to 11-0 in his past 14 starts. The Dodgers have won every game during that span.
The White Sox managed at least one baserunner through each of the first four innings. Kershaw snapped the streak by striking out a pair en route to retiring the side in order in the fifth inning.
He faced trouble in the sixth, however, as Corey Seager’s throwing error on Avisail Garcia’s infield single put the tying run at second base with one out. Matt Davidon’s line-drive single left runners at the corners, but the White Sox failed to get out of their own way.
Tyler Saladino popped up a bunt attempt on the first pitch he saw from Kershaw, and Yolmer Sanchez grounded to third base in another quick at-bat. Kershaw allowed a two-out single in the seventh but promptly ended the inning by picking off Tim Anderson, aided by the Dodgers challenging the initial safe call.
The pickoff was Kershaw’s 58th of his career. Kershaw finished at 103 pitches, one walk and seven strikeouts. It was a fourth consecutive start in which he threw at least seven innings and 15th overall this season.
Pedro Baez worked his way through the heart of the lineup in the eighth, though received help from Yasiel Puig on a diving catch. Kenley Jansen came on in the ninth and converted his 24th save in as many opportunities this season.
It was not without a little drama as Davidson lifted a fly ball to left field that was caught at the warning track. Sanchez was stranded at first base after knocking a two-out single into right field.
Miguel Gonzalez was impressive in what was his first start since June 14 due to a stint on the disabled list. He held a potent Dodgers lineup to just one run over six innings, yet still suffered the loss, a ninth in his past 10 starts.
Cody Bellinger’s RBI single in the first inning was all the Dodgers not only managed off the right-hander but for the game. Gonzalez was aided by inducing three double plays within the first five innings.
Joc Pederson grounded into a double play in the first inning to leave the bases loaded, and struck on a pitch in the dirt to again leave them full in the third. The Dodgers stranded 10 and were a mere 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
The White Sox didn’t fare much better, leaving eight on base and going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position. Their lone hit was Davidson’s single in the sixth inning that Garcia could not score on because he had to first wait for the ball to drop.
