Clayton Kershaw looked to help the Los Angeles Dodgers extend their five-game winning streak on Saturday night as he faced the Atlanta Braves for the second time this season.
He was efficient in the first inning, retiring the side in order on just 10 pitches while picking up his first strikeout. Chase Utley’s string of strikeouts reached five straight as he went down swinging int he bottom of the first.
Bud Norris then retired Corey Seager and Adrian Gonzalez to keep the game scoreless in the early going. Jeff Francoeur pulled a leadoff single by a diving Justin Turner in the second. He then moved into scoring position on Kershaw’s balk.
Kershaw disagreed with the call and got into a brief shouting match with first base umpire Joe West before stepping back on the mound. Francoeur eventually reached third base with two outs, where he was stranded as Adonis Garcia went down swinging.
Norris retired the first two batters faced before giving up a two-out double to Joc Pederson that landed just fair down the right field line. The extra-base hit snapped Pederson’s 0-for-20 stretch that dated back to May 29.
Nothing came of it, with Howie Kendrick grounding out to end the second inning. After Daniel Castro drew the sixth walk from Kershaw this season he was moved into scoring position on Norris’ sacrifice bunt.
Ender Inciarte’s attempt at a bunt single didn’t pan out, and Kershaw came off the mound to make a play on a dribbler up the third base line for the final out.
CONTINUE READING: Kershaw has streak come to an end, accomplishes negative feat for first time in career
