Dodgers 2, Giants 1
LOS ANGELES -- Chase Utley homered, and Clayton Kershaw threw a complete game and tied his career high with 15 strikeouts, guiding the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.
The National League West-leading Dodgers (75-57) earned their eighth win in nine games and completed a home sweep of the Giants for the first time since 2013. They increased their margin over second-place San Francisco in the division to 6 1/2 games.
The Giants (69-63) dropped their fifth game in a row.
Kershaw, who hasn't lost since June 27, allowed one run on six hits and a walk. He fanned pinch hitter Andrew Susac in the eighth to set a career high for strikeouts in a season at 249. Kershaw ended the night with 251.
Kershaw (12-6) gave up back-to-back singles to third baseman Matt Duffy and catcher Buster Posey with two outs in the ninth before striking out right fielder Marlon Byrd to seal the win. He also tied a career high with 132 pitches (95 strikes).
Giants starter Mike Leake had a strong outing, but he couldn't match Kershaw. Leake (9-7) allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks in seven innings, throwing only 76 pitches (52 strikes).
The Dodgers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Third baseman Justin Turner singled, stole second and scored on left fielder Carl Crawford's RBI double with one out.
In the sixth, Giants center fielder Angel Pagan bounced a base hit past Turner into left, scoring second baseman Kelby Thomlinson, who reached on a single and stole second.
However, Utley's solo blast off Leake with one out in the bottom of the sixth was the difference. It was Utley's sixth home run of the year and his first in a Los Angeles uniform.
Giants manager Bruce Bochy was tossed by third base umpire Mike Winters for the second night in a row. Bochy, who was ejected for the fifth time this season, objected to Winters calling out Giants first baseman Brandon Belt on a check swing in the eighth inning.
NOTES: Injured Giants INF Joe Panik (lower back inflammation) will start a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento on Thursday. RHP Matt Cain (right elbow nerve irritation) will make a rehab start with Sacramento on Friday. ... The Dodgers recalled OF Scott Schebler. ... Giants SS Brandon Crawford was not in the starting lineup for the second day in a row due to an injured calf. ... Both clubs open four-game series on the road Thursday. The Giants and RHP Ryan Vogelsong (9-10, 4.19 ERA) will face LHP Chris Rusin (4-7, 4.94 ERA) and the Colorado Rockies, while RHP Mat Latos (4-9, 4.76 ERA) will clash with his former club when the Dodgers visit RHP Colin Rea (2-2, 5.95 ERA) and the San Diego Padres. ... The game drew a crowd of 41,648.