For the second time already in this brief season, the Giants found themselves matched up with Clayton Kershaw.
And for the second time, Kershaw mowed right through them.
Kershaw went nearly seven innings strong, and the Dodgers used a big fifth inning to cruise to a victory in San Francisco, 6-1. It's the fourth win in five games for the Dodgers against the Giants.
The scoring started in the second, as Matt Kemp led off with a walk. Juan Uribe struck out (no shock there), but Kemp stole his seventh base of this young season. James Loney then lined one to Freddy Sanchez at second, but he couldn't snare it, allowing Kemp to score for the 1-0 lead.
Both teams traded inning ending double plays in the third to keep the score as is. In the fifth, the Dodgers broke through in a big way against Madison Bumgarner. Rod Barajas started it with a solo shot just over the wall in left, and it was 2-0. Kershaw then singled, though he was erased on a pickoff at first.
Rafael Furcal took a walk, and Jamey Carroll singled for two on. Raffy swiped third, even if it was a bad call (but I'll take it). Andre Ethier hit an RBI single, and Kemp stroked a two-run single past a clumsy Pat Burrell, and suddenly it was 5-0.
The final run was tacked on in the seventh. Raffy hurt his thumb on that steal, so Aaron Miles came in for him and singled leading off. Carroll did the same, part of his 3-for-5 night, and Ethier got another RBI single to go up 6-0.
Matt Guerrier relieved Kershaw in the seventh and got Miguel Tejada to fly out to end the inning. He then stayed on and pitched a flawless eighth. Mike MacDougal gave up a long solo homer to Burrell before getting the next three to end it.
It was a great night for the Dodgers, as they put it all together. But for any of you who happened to catch the pregame, both teams deserve a ton of credit for their ceremony honoring Bryan Stow, who was severely beaten on opening night in Dodger Stadium. Jeremy Afeldt and Carroll had a couple of nice speeches. Great stuff overall.
On the diamond, it was all Kershaw. He ended up with 6 2/3 innings, six hits, no runs, two walks, and seven strikeouts. He allowed some baserunners, but the Giants could do nothing with them. His hook and heater were just filthy, as usual.
The bats were looking good, as they hit plenty of liners all over the place. Plus, they stole two more bases, so their speed made a difference. That's the way the Dodgers will win this year - pitching and speed. It was all clicking tonight.
We'll have to see how long Raffy and Casey Blake are out (who missed with a bad leg), but it's good to see guys like Tony Gwynn, Miles, and Carroll contribute so well recently. Don Mattingly will definitely need to keep using his bench as the year progresses, especially with some older legs as starters.
Tuesday's pitching matchup will be good, as Chad Billingsley takes on Tim Lincecum. The Dodgers beat Lincecum the first game of the season, though not much fault of his. Bills is coming off a rough start in Colorado, but did beat the Giants in his first start. Should be a good one.
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