Kershaw Pitches Dodgers To Eighth Straight Win Over Angels, 6-4
ANAHEIM (AP) — Clayton Kershaw gave up four hits and two runs over seven innings to win his eighth consecutive decision, and Justin Ruggiano hit a leadoff homer in the Los Angeles Dodgers' 13th victory in 15 games, 6-4 over the Angels on Tuesday night.
Corey Seager had a run-scoring double during the Dodgers' four-run sixth inning in their eighth consecutive win over their Freeway Series rivals.
Ruggiano and Seager had two hits apiece as the Dodgers (80-58) moved to a season-best 22 games over .500 and maintained their healthy 8 1-2 game lead over the San Francisco Giants in the NL West.
Kole Calhoun hit a leadoff homer for the Angels (69-69), who dropped back to .500 with their 12th loss in 18 games. Rookie Andrew Heaney (6-3) couldn't match Kershaw, yielding six hits and five runs.
David Freese of the Angels had a run-scoring double in the ninth off Pedro Baez, and David DeJesus added an RBI groundout before Kenley Jansen finished off his 31st save by striking out Calhoun.
Kershaw (13-6) is unbeaten since June 27 after striking out eight and allowing one earned run. The reigning NL MVP is 8-0 in his last 11 starts with a 0.93 ERA and 112 strikeouts.
Reigning AL MVP Mike Trout flied out, struck out and walked against the Dodgers' dominant left-hander. Trout is 0 for 16 with eight strikeouts in his last four games against the Dodgers overall.
Kershaw settled in after allowing Calhoun's 23rd homer in the first. He balked home a run during a rocky seventh before striking out Calhoun with the bases loaded to end it.
Third base umpire Tripp Gibson ruled Calhoun had swung at the third strike, although replays appeared to disagree. Gibson then ejected Angels manager Mike Scioscia, who berated Gibson repeatedly on the field.
Ruggiano's first-inning drive to the fake rock pile beyond center field extended his impressive start with theDodgers, who acquired him from Seattle on Aug. 31.
Heaney has one victory in his last eight starts despite solid numbers. Seager, the Dodgers' promising 21-year-old shortstop, chased Heaney with a ground-rule double to right.
A.J. Ellis, Carl Crawford and Chris Heisey then drove in a run apiece without a hit in consecutive at-bats, putting the Dodgers up 6-1.
Seager committed his first two major league errors in the seventh to extend the Angels' rally.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Dodgers: C Yasmani Grandal will miss a few more games with inflammation in his left shoulder. ... 2B Howie Kendrick took part in a simulated game at Angel Stadium while rehabilitating his hamstring.
Angels: 1B Albert Pujols has only inflammation in his sore right foot. He plans to keep playing, albeit as a designated hitter.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: Mat Latos (4-9, 4.92 ERA) gets a chance to shut down the Angels again after a one-run effort against them Aug. 2. The rest of his starts for the Dodgers have been unimpressive.
Angels: Garrett Richards (13-10, 3.77 ERA) goes after his second victory on the homestand. He threw a shutout in his last start against the Dodgers last season.
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