Kershaw, Dodgers overpower Braves
LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw outdueled Bud Norris and a big eighth inning helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 4-0 win over the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw (8-1) pitched six shutout innings for his sixth win in his last seven outings. He gave up three hits, struck out four, walked one and hit one batter, marking the first time in his career that he has beaned an opposing pitcher (Norris).
It was Kershaw's shortest outing of the season and he was shaky at times but got outs when they counted. The Dodgers are 11-1 this season when Kershaw starts.
A trio of Los Angeles relievers combined for three scoreless innings. Closer Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth inning in a non-save situation.
Despite the loss, Norris (1-7) had his best start of the season. In his first start since April 27, Norris went five innings, giving up one earned run on three hits, walking four and striking out two.
Norris took right-hander Mike Foltynewicz's start when Foltynewicz went down with elbow soreness on Friday. The one earned run was the fewest Norris has given up in a start since June 7, 2015, as a member of the Baltimore Orioles.
The Dodgers took a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Kershaw legged out an infield single to lead off the inning and later scored when Justin Turner doubled up the middle off of Bud Norris.
Los Angeles scored three more runs in the eighth. With one out and runners on the corners, Joc Pederson's drag bunt scored Turner from third. A double steal then put Trayce Thompson on third and Pederson on second before Howie Kendrick was then walked to load the bases.
The Braves then went to the bullpen, replacing Ian Krol with John Gant, who was called up from Triple-A Gwinett earlier in the day to take Foltynewicz's place on the roster. Gant got A.J. Ellis to fly out to left field, but it was deep enough to score Thompson. The rally continued when pinch-hitter Yasmani Grandal lined a curveball to left field to score Pederson.
The Dodgers stole four bases in the game, with Thompson swiping two bags.
The Braves continued their worst start since 1911, falling to 16-39.
NOTES: OF Trayce Thompson started in right field for the second night in a row after RF Yasiel Puig (hamstring) was placed on the 15-day disabled list on Friday. ... The Dodgers sent OF James Ramsey to Triple-A Oklahoma City outright on Saturday. ... Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy (Tommy John surgery) will throw a three-inning, 60-pitch simulated game this week in preparation for a rehab assignment. ... Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced that LHP Julio Urias will start on Tuesday. The 19-year-old has previously made two starts, once in place of injured LHP Alex Wood and once to give RHP Kenta Maeda an extra day of rest after being hit in the hand with a line drive against the New York Mets. ... The Braves placed RHP Mike Foltynewicz on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow soreness on Saturday. RHP John Gant was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett to take his place on the roster. RHP Bud Norris made Foltynewicz's start on Saturday. ... The Braves plan to transition RHP Tyrell Jenkins, one of their top prospects, from a starter to a reliever. Currently with Triple-A Gwinnett, Jenkins made his first relief outing against the Durham Bulls, striking out three in two scoreless innings. Braves manager Brian Snitker said the decision was made in an effort to accelerate his development and get him to the major leagues as quick as possible.