Descalso’s late homer not enough for D-backs to beat Kershaw, Dodgers
Jul 4, 2017, 10:01 PM
Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner rounds the bases after a home run of Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Patrick Corbin during the third inning of a baseball game in Los Angeles, Tuesday, July 4, 2017. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
(AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning and struck out 11 to become the first 13-game winner in the majors this season, helping the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 4-3 in a matchup of the National League’s top two teams Tuesday night.
Kershaw (13-2) ended up allowing two hits in seven shutout innings. He lost his bid for a second career no-hitter on an infield single by Chris Owings with one out in the seventh.
Owings fisted a soft grounder to second baseman Logan Forsythe, but rookie All-Star first baseman Cody Bellinger broke for the ball when it was hit. Kershaw was too late getting over to cover the bag, and Owings beat the play at first as Kershaw had to reach back for Forsythe’s throw.
The sellout crowd of 53,159 gave Kershaw a standing ovation after the play. He allowed one other hit, a single by Chris Iannetta. The three-time Cy Young Award winner issued two walks — both to Iannetta — and threw 117 pitches.
All-Star closer Kenley Jansen entered with two runners on in the ninth and gave up a three-run homer to Daniel Descalso, leaving Arizona down 4-3. Jansen finished for his 18th save in as many chances.
Kershaw has made 12 consecutive starts without a loss and is 9-0 with a 2.19 ERA since a 4-3 loss to San Francisco on May 1. The left-hander hasn’t allowed a run in his last three starts, giving him 76 career starts without allowing an earned run, the most among active pitchers.
Arizona lefty Patrick Corbin (6-8) gave up three runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. He struck out eight and walked two.
Justin Turner and Yasmani Grandal drove in two runs apiece. Turner had an RBI single in the first and followed with a leadoff home run in the third, when Grandal’s two-out RBI single made it 3-0.
Grandal added an RBI single in the eighth for a 4-0 lead.
The Diamondbacks briefly threatened in the seventh with runners at the corners.
After Owings’ single, Kershaw struck out Brandon Drury before Iannetta singled to left-center. Owings took off for third, making a headfirst slide. He got his left hand on the bag before Turner tagged him in the chest. The Dodgers challenged the safe call by third base umpire Vic Carapazza, but lost the replay review. Kershaw got Descalso on a grounder to end the inning.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Diamondbacks: OF Yasmany Tomas sustained another groin injury during his rookie-level rehab game last weekend. He was rehabbing his original groin injury when the new one occurred. An MRI showed the latest injury is a mild groin strain in a different area than the original. … OF A.J. Pollock was activated after being on the disabled list since May 14 with groin and quad injuries.
Dodgers: LHP Hyun-Jin Ryu went on the 10-day DL because of a bruised left foot. He was hit on the foot by a comebacker last week against the Angels. Ryu is 3-6 with one save and a 4.21 ERA.
UP NEXT
Diamondbacks: RHP Zack Godley (3-2, 2.67 ERA) has yet to give up more than three runs in a start this season.
Dodgers: LHP Alex Wood (9-0, 1.83) is the first Dodgers pitcher to open a season 9-0 since Rick Rhoden in 1976.
