Dodgers 11, Rockies 4
DENVER -- Clayton Kershaw baffled the Rockies and aided his own cause with the first three-hit game of his career Monday, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to an 11-4 romp over Colorado.
Right fielder Andre Ethier and shortstop Jimmy Rollins hit solo homers for the Dodgers in the second inning. Center fielder Joc Pederson hit a three-run shot in the sixth, when the Dodgers sent 12 batters to the plate and broke open a 2-2 game with a six-run uprising that matched their highest-scoring inning of the season.
Los Angeles second baseman Howie Kendrick hit a three-run homer in the eighth to give him four RBIs. First baseman Adrian Gonzalez went 4-for-4, and everybody in the Dodgers' starting lineup had at least one hit in the team's 18-hit attack.
Kershaw (4-3) hit a run-scoring single and scored a run in the sixth after earlier hitting a double and a single.
The Dodgers' ace left-hander was coming off his best start of the season -- seven scoreless innings with no walks and 10 strikeouts May 26 against the Atlanta Braves -- and he continued to put the early-season talk about his unexpected struggles far behind him. He allowed two runs -- on third baseman Nolan Arenado's two-run homer in the fourth -- on five hits in seven innings. He walked one, struck out seven and lowered his ERA to 3.73.
Kershaw has 16 career wins against the Rockies, more than he has against any other club. In his past nine starts against them, Kershaw is 8-0 with a 2.62 ERA. His last loss to Colorado was July 12, 2013.
The Rockies saw their season-high four-game winning streak end, and they fell for just the second time in nine games. The Dodgers scored eight total runs while losing three of their previous four games.
Colorado starter Kyle Kendrick (2-7) allowed six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in 5 1/3 innings.
Arenado and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki had two hits apiece to pace the Rockies' nine-hit attack.
NOTES: Dodgers RHP Matt West was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City one day after being recalled, and the Dodgers selected the contract of LHP David Huff from Oklahoma City. To make room on the 40-man roster for Huff, OF Carl Crawford (right oblique strain) was transferred from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day DL. ... Dodgers RF Yasiel Puig (left hamstring strain), who has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 26, is likely to begin a rehab assignment this week. ... Rockies RHP Jordan Lyles (sprained big left toe) was placed on the 15-day disabled list, and RHP Tommy Kahnle was recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque. ... Rockies RHP David Hale will be recalled as the 26th man for Tuesday's doubleheader and start one of the games. ... Rockies RHP LaTroy Hawkins (right biceps strain) threw 30 pitches in a simulated game and could go out on a rehab assignment later this week.