Clayton Kershaw comes into the 2015 MLB season looking to improve upon his history 2014 campaign. Kershaw signed a seven-year, $215 million deal. What could someone buy for that amount of money? New houses, cars, vacations — name it. The Los Angeles Dodgers invested that into three time N.L. Cy Young award winner, four-time All-Star, and reigning N.L. MVP.

Kershaw has taken the league by storm since making his debut May 25, 2008. Last season against the Rockies, six years after making his debut, Kershaw arguably pitched the best game in the history of the MLB. Not only was it the best performance of his illustrious career, a night in which he authored his first no hitter, but one of the best performances we have ever seen from a pitcher.

Kershaw struck out a career-high 15 batters. There have been games in which pitchers have thrown no-hitters with more strikeouts, with Nolan Ryan doing it twice. There has never been a game in the rich history of baseball with a no-hitter, 15 strikeouts, and no walks. Sandy Koufax, one of the greatest pitchers of all time, threw four no-hitters, but in his perfect game, he struck out 14. There have been 284 no-hitters in the history of baseball, but never has one of those no hitters seen what Kershaw did last season in one of his 21 wins.

Kershaw topped his career-high of 13 strikeouts, finishing with a new career strikeout record of 15. It took him only 107 pitches, which could be the most impressive part of the evening. Kershaw threw the 12th career no-hitter in Dodgers history since moving to Los Angeles and the 22nd in franchise history on that historic night.

Kershaw has a combination of a killer curve ball and a slider with movement across the zone. Combine that with a 94-95 MPH fast ball, and Kershaw is nearly untouchable.

Kershaw went to a three-ball count only one time all night. Only 11 Colorado batters saw two-ball counts. None of the final six batters saw even a one ball-count in their battle at the plate, if we can call it that. Kershaw became one of nine pitchers to throw a perfect game if not for a fielding error.

Kershaw becomes the first left-handed Dodgers pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Fernando Valenzuela in 1990. Only three reigning Cy Young Award winners have thrown a no-hitter in MLB history with Kershaw adding his name to the list consisting of other big names: Koufax in 1964 and Bob Gibson in 1971. Kershaw sits at 26 years old and in his prime. There is no telling what could be next.

The 2014 season for Kershaw was one for the books. He finished 21-3 with a 1.77 ERA, 239 strikeouts, and six complete games. Kershaw finished the season leading the league in ERA for the fourth straight season, the first time that has been accomplished. Kershaw threw 172 scoreless innings out of the 199 he pitched. Kershaw rarely gives up more than three runs, holding opponents under that in over 96% of his starts, which is the best in MLB history.The changes in the culture surrounding the team have also added a boost to the players, providing a bolstered defense behind Kershaw that makes him even more dangerous.

Considering all of that information, it is easy to rank Kershaw’s no-hitter as one of the best in the history of the game, and it might be something we never see again. Whether fans agree or disagree, Kershaw will be someone they will want to follow throughout the 2015 season. Talent like this does not come around every day.

Clayton Kershaw, arguably the best pitcher in major league baseball, made the start on three days in a do or die game against the St. Louis at Busch Stadium. Kershaw was roughed up in game one of the series in a loss, but had long since put that behind him. Kershaw had six strikeouts through his first five innings pitched, looking good early. Kershaw stranded the only hit he had allowed at that point in the fourth inning with his sixth strikeout. Kershaw struck out the side in the sixth inning, reaching nine for the game and making a bold statement while setting the trend for his team. Kershaw came up to bat again in the seventh, having no intentions of coming out of the game. Kershaw came up to the plate already having singled and laid down a sacrifice bunt. Kershaw grounded out in his third at bat, but hustled down the line, continuing to lead by example.

The Dodger bats got going in the sixth inning, getting on the board first. Carl Crawford singled to lead-off the inning, and moved to third base on a single from Adrian Gonzalez. Matt Kemp battled through an at bat, fouling off a number of fast balls. Kemp grounded into a double play on a curve ball from Cardinals starter Shelby Miller, scoring Crawford from third base for the 1-0 lead. Kemp’s RBI gave him three for the series, including the go ahead home run in the second game of the NLDS. Ramirez took an inside pitch off the shoulder, and moved to second base on a walk from Andre Ethier. Ethier made the start in center field for Yasiel Puig. Don Mattingly described the benching of Puig, saying that Ethier gave the Dodgers the best chance to win today, with the emphasis on today. Mattingly has also been on record saying that the Dodgers will only go as far as Puig takes them. Juan Uribe singled to drive in Ramirez from second base before Ethier was picked off at third base. Uribe was 1-15 in the NLDS before his RBI single that gave the Dodgers the 2-0 lead.

The Dodgers threatened again in the seventh inning after two quick outs. Gordon walked, and Crawford singled to right field to move Gordon to third base. Gonzalez came to the plate at a crucial time of the game, but hit a weak ground ball to end the inning and take the game to the seventh inning stretch.

Kershaw began running into trouble in the seventh inning again, something he has become all too familiar with this postseason. After two singles to lead off the inning, including one that touched the glove of Hanley Ramirez but escaped into center field, Kershaw began dealing from the stretch. Matt Adams came up with two runners on and nobody out, and hit a home run over the head of Matt Kemp and the right field wall to take a 3-2 lead. 13 of the Cardinals 16 runs in this series have been scored in the seventh inning. Kershaw has allowed two runs in innings 1-6, but has allowed nine runs in the seventh inning. Pedro Baez entered the game in relief and got out of the inning without any more damage. Baez and Brandon League combined to keep the deficit at one.

Los Angeles came up in the bottom of ninth down one run, with one last chance to stretch the game out and keep their season alive. Uribe led off with a ground out, and Ellis walked to put one runner on with one out. Puig came into the game as a pinch runner for Ellis with Justin Turner at the plate, pinch hitting for League. Turner struck out, putting the boys in blue in a hole. Gordon singled to put two on with two out, bringing up Crawford. Crawford grounded out to end the game and end the series. This is the second consecutive season the Dodgers have lost to the Cardinals in the NLDS.

Hyun-Jin Ryu made his first start in nearly a month after having some left shoulder soreness and inflammation. Don Mattingly trusted Ryu would be able to work back into his routine quickly as he has done before in the past after coming off of an injury. Ryu started quickly, striking out the first two batters of the first inning. Ryu and catcher A.J. Ellis began walking off the field after a full count pitch cruised over the plate to the third batter of the first inning, but the umpire didn’t flinch as Matt Holiday walked to first base. A ground out followed and allowed Ryu to get out of his first inning of work unscathed. Ryu got into and out of trouble again in the second inning after allowing two base hits to the first two batters faced, but struck out the opposing pitcher John Lackey before having to head back to the top of the lineup and stranding two runners on base. Ryu gave up a solo home run to Matt Carpenter in the third inning, marking only the second home run given up to a left handed batter all season long. Ryu finished his night after six innings pitched, consisting of four strikeouts, five hits, and one earned run. Ryu threw 94 pitches in his first start since early September, showing he hadn’t lost any rhythm or control.

Scott Elbert made his first postseason appearance in seventh inning against the bottom part of the Cardinals order as the rain began pouring in St. Louis. Elbert gave up a leadoff double to Yadier Molina, and a two run home run to Kolten Wong as the Dodgers fell behind 3-1. The home run off of the Dodgers bullpen marks the third time the first relief pitcher out of the pen for Los Angeles has given up a home run. Brandon League relieved Elbert to get out of the inning down 3-1.

Hanley Ramirez came into game three of the series 3-7, and led off the second inning with a single to right field. The Dodgers put the lead-off batter on base for the second inning in a row, but nothing came from it after Ryu struck out with two runners on base. An Ellis walk and Ryu sacrifice bunt put one on in scoring position for Dee Gordon in the fifth inning, but a groundout ended the threat and stranded the fourth Los Angeles base runner. Yasiel Puig struck out for the seventh time in a row before hitting a triple to break out of his slump, reaching third base with nobody out. Adrian Gonzalez flew out, marking the second time Gonzalez came up hitless with a runner on third base and less than two outs. Matt Kemp followed with a strikeout, pushing the Dodgers streak go to 0-12 with runners in scoring position. Ramirez continued his hot play and bailed out his team, hitting a rope to right field for an RBI double, tying the game at one. All five hits for the Dodgers up to the point in the sixth inning had been to opposite field.

The Dodgers came up to bat in the top of the ninth inning down two runs with one last chance. After a strikeout from Kemp, Ramirez and Crawford singled to put two batters on with one out. Juan Uribe flew out to right field, moving Ramirez to third and bringing Ellis to the plate. Ellis flew out to right field also, ending the game 3-1 in favor of the Cardinals.

The Dodgers decided before game three that Clayton Kershaw would take the mound on three days of rest. Kershaw surrendered nine runs in the close out game of the NLDS last season against the Cardinals at Busch Stadium on three days of rest, looking to change that for the better on Tuesday. When asked if Kershaw watched the tape on his struggles in the seventh inning of game one, Kershaw said, “No, I never do.” The Dodgers MVP and NL Cy Young candidate will take the ball with his team down 2-1 in the five game series. If Kershaw can get the series back to Los Angeles, Zack Greinke will get the nod in a deciding game five.

Zack Greinke took the ball to the mound in game two of the NLDS, a day after the Dodgers blew a five run lead in a seven run seventh inning for the Cardinals, eventually losing the game 10-9. Greinke was dealing early, throwing a lot of strikes. Greinke struck out two batters through his first three innings, walking one. Greinke gave up a double in the fifth inning with one out, but struck out the next two batters he faced to get out of the inning and keep his lead. Greinke worked through seven innings of work, striking out a total of seven batters, walking two, and holding the Cardinals scoreless.

J.P. Howell came into the game in relief for the ace, giving up a single and a two run home run to Matt Carpenter, breaking Greinke’s scoreless effort. The Dodgers fans began having flashbacks of Friday’s comeback win by St. Louis. Brandon League cleaned up the jam from Howell, getting out the eighth inning to keep the game tied at two. Leauge picked up the eventual win in the no decision dominant performance from Greinke.

A.J. Ellis continued his hot play from game one with a lead-off double in the third inning. Ellis finished the game on Friday with four hits, two RBI’s, and three runs scored. Greinke also came into the game with a huge advantage at the plate over his counterpart and Cardinals starter Lance Lynn. Greinke singled in his first at bat, helping his own cause by moving Ellis to third base with no outs. Dee Gordon grounded out, but gave Los Angeles the 1-0 lead while moving Greinke to second base. Adrian Gonzalez finished the season as the National League leader in RBI’s, and drove in his third RBI of the series with a single in the third inning that drove in Greinke from second base. Greinke singled in the fifth inning for his second hit in as many at bats, as hustled to third base on a single from Gordon. Greinke’s head first slide may have had manager Don Mattingly holding his breath, but the fans at Dodger Stadium erupted in applause. Puig followed with his third strike of the game, and Gonzalez flied out to end the threat. Greinke’s third at bat came in the sixth with the bases loaded, but a ground out ended the sixth inning and kept the score 2-0 in favor of the Dodgers.

Matt Kemp gave the Dodgers their lead back in the bottom of the eighth inning with a lead-off home run, a solo shot to left field. Miguel Rojas, who replaced Hanley Ramirez at short stop, reached base on a fielding error by Cardinals pitcher Pat Neshek. Juan Uribe grounded into a fielder’s choice, bringing up Ellis with two out. Ellis grounded out to end the inning. Kenley Jansen entered the game in the ninth inning, striking out two Cardinals on the way to his first postseason save.

Hyun-Jin Ryu will make his first start since September 8^th after spending some time on the injured list with a sore shoulder. The series will shift to St. Louis for game three on Monday.

Clayton Kershaw opened up the series for the Dodgers against the St. Louis Cardinals in game one of the NLDS at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers lost to the Cardinals in the NLDS last season, but didn’t have a healthy Matt Kemp or Hanley Ramirez, and didn’t have the home field advantage. The Dodgers outscored the Cardinals by 99 runs this season, and arguably have the best pitching staff in the playoffs. Kershaw entered the game with a 40-2 record when the Dodgers scored six runs, something that would come into play later in the game.

Kershaw gave up two solo home runs in the first six innings, striking out eight batters along the way. Kershaw looked to be dealing through his 6 2/3 innings pitched, but struggled in the seventh inning. The first Cardinal hit that wasn’t a home run came in the seventh inning, and two more hits followed to load the bases with no outs. Kershaw worked in the stretch for the first time all game in the bases loaded jam. Kershaw struck out two batters in the inning, but surrendered five runs before being relieved by Pedro Baez. Chris Carpenter battled through an eight pitch at bat before sending a bases clearing double into the right center field gap to take a 7-6 lead, that being the hit that chased Kershaw out of the game. A three run home run from Matt Holiday gave the Cardinals a 10-6 lead, capping off an eight run seventh inning. Kershaw becomes the first pitcher in postseason history to give up seven plus earned runs in consecutive starts, both of those coming against the Cardinals.

The Dodgers offense got things going in the third inning, scoring two runs in the third, fourth, and fifth inning. Cardinals’ pitcher Adam Wainwright hit Yasiel Puig on the shoulder, firing up Adrian Gonzalez who had something to say to Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina. The benches cleared, and the Dodgers stepped things up. Gonzalez grounded out, moving Puig to second base. Ramirez singled to right field, driving Puig home to tie the game at one. Ramirez stole second base, and scored on a ground rule double from Carl Crawford to right field. Puig drove in A.J. Ellis after a leadoff single in the fourth inning, pushing the lead to two runs. Gonzalez walked, putting two on with two outs for Matt Kemp. Kemp singled to drive in Puig from second base, giving the boys in blue the 4-1 lead. Crawford singled in the fifth inning before Ellis smashed a two run home run to left field, his third hit in as many as bats. Los Angeles made a push in the eighth inning with a walk from Puig and a two run home run from Gonzalez to right center field, cutting the deficit to two runs. The Dodgers had one last chance in the ninth inning down 10-8. Juan Uribe struck out to leadoff, but Ellis ripped his fourth hit of the night for a single to right field. Andre Ethier followed with a double to left field, moving Ellis to third base. Gordon grounded out to score Ellis, cutting the lead down to one run. Puig came to the plate with the tying run 90 feet away on third base with two outs. Puig came into the at 2-3 with an RBI and a walk. Puig battled through a few pitches before striking out to end the game.

The Dodgers lose game one of the series behind MVP and NL Cy Young candidate Clayton Kershaw. Zack Greinke will make the start in the second game of the series at Dodger Stadium in a must win situation. Los Angeles has no desire to go back to Busch Stadium down 0-2.

After beginning the game with a Don Mattingly jersey, acting manager and Dodgers third basemen Juan Uribe switched to a Tommy Lasorda jersey in the final Dodgers game of the regular season. Zack Greinke made the start in the series finale against the Colorado Rockies, with the Dodgers looking for the sweep. With the 5-4 victory in extra innings on Saturday, the Dodgers surpassed their win total from last season. Greinke worked his way through five innings in his last tune up before the Dodgers begin the playoffs at home against the St. Louis Cardinals, the team who sent them home last season. Greinke gave up four hits, one run, one walk, and struck out six batters at the plate, throwing 77 pitches. Greinke left the game with his regular season ERA sitting at 2.71, good for eighth in the National League. Greinke picked up his 17^th victory to close out the season. Yimi Garcia fanned the side in his inning of relief work. Closer Kenley Jansen put in some work, striking out two batters to complete the 10-5 win. The Dodgers pitching staff set a franchise record with 373 strikeouts this season, setting the national league high and good for the ninth highest total for any team in MLB history.

The Dodgers run support for Greinke began in the first inning with a two out double from Adrian Gonzalez, his 41^st of the season. Matt Kemp continues to swing a hot bat, blasting his 25^th home run of the season to center field to take a 2-0 lead. Darwin Barney singled to lead off the third inning, and moved to second base on a throwing error by Colorado shortstop Josh Rutledge, giving Yasiel Puig first base. Gonzalez followed with a three run home run to right field, notching his league leading RBI total to 116. A big four run sixth inning gave the boys in blue a 9-1 lead,  putting the game out of reach. Erisbel Arruebarrena and Drew Butera singled, putting two on for Barwin, who singled in Arruebarrena from second base. Roger Beradina hit his first home run as a Dodger, a three run blast to right field. The boys in blue raised their league leading September total to 35 home runs. A final run was scored for Los Angeles in the seventh inning on an RBI single from Bernadina, who finished the game 2-2 with two RBI’s.

The Los Angeles Dodgers close out the 2014 regular season with a 94-68 record. The boys in blue finish off September with a series sweep, and a five game win streak to take into the postseason. The Dodgers will welcome in the Cardinals for game one of the NLDS on Friday at Dodger Stadium.

Dan Haren made the start for the Dodgers, who used a variety and a handful of pitchers in the Saturday night contest with the Rockies. Haren pitched five innings, giving up six hits that led to two earned runs. Haren struck out four and ended his regular season with an ERA of 4.02. Haren could become an important factor in the Dodgers playoff success with the uncertainty surrounding the health of Hyun-Jin Ryu as the third start in the rotation behind aces Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke. Haren has struggled with some inconsistency throughout the season, but has pitched well in his last few starts. The Dodgers used seven pitchers in relief after Haren in the twelfth inning walk off 6-5 win. Carlos Frias picked up the win with his three innings of shutout work on the mound, striking out five batters.

Adrian Gonzalez launched his 26^th home run of the season into the bullpen in left field in the first inning to lead off the scoring, giving his team the 1-0 lead. The Dodgers were held in check until a four run fifth inning that began with a single from Darwin Barney. Yasiel Puig grounded out into the fielder’s choice, and stole second base with Scott Van Slyke at the plate. Puig moved to third on a bad throw from the catcher Michael McKenry. Van Slyke drove in Puig with an RBI single, and scored on a double from Matt Kemp. Andre Ethier doubled to drive in Kemp from second base. A.J. Ellis singled in the final run of the inning on a single to right field, giving Los Angeles the 5-1 lead. The Dodgers broke through again in the twelfth inning when Van Slyke reached base on a single to left field with one out. Catcher Tim Federowicz was hit by the pitch to put runners on first and second base. Van Slyke stole third base with Miguel Rojas at the plate, and scored the game winning run after a wild pitch.

The only Dodgers starter to remain in the game after the fifth inning was Ethier, giving the guys a rest after already having won the National League division title. Dee Gordon was removed from the game for precautionary reasons in the second inning with hip irritation.

The Dodgers will be the number two seed in the National League playoffs. The boys in blue close out the regular season Sunday afternoon in the series finale against the Rockies. The traditional end of the season manager honors Sunday go to Juan Uribe, said Don Mattingly. The pitching coach for Sunday’s game will be Clayton Kershaw.

The National League West champion Los Angeles Dodgers took the field at Dodger Stadium to finish off the last three games of the regular season with a three game series with the Colorado Rockies. Roberto Hernandez made the start, making his way through 5 2/3 innings in a no decision contest. Hernandez gave up six hits that led to three runs, striking out three and walking four batters. Hernandez had struggled this season, but the Dodgers hope to be able to use him sparingly in the postseason, depending on the health of Hyun-Jin Ryu. Ryu threw off the mound before the game for the first time since hurting his shoulder September 9. Scott Elbert picked up the eventual win in the 7-4 Dodgers victory, pitching 0.1 innings. Elbert came into the game with the bases loaded and two out, striking out the batter and standing the runners on base to hold the lead.

The Dodgers opened the scoring up early when Dee Gordon led off the game with his 23^rd double of the season. Yasiel Puig singled to move Gordon home before being thrown out trying to stretch it to a double. The boys in blue then had a big sixth inning, scoring six runs. Darwin Barney singled, and Gordon followed with another single, this time on a bunt. Scott Van Slyke singled to score the first run in the inning. Carl Crawford singled, and Andre Ethier walked to load the bases. Juan Uribe singled to score two to take the 6-3 lead. Barney’s sacrifice fly moved Ethier across the plate for the final run of the inning and final run of the game for Los Angeles, taking the 7-3 lead. Gordon finished the evening 3-4 with two runs scored. Puig was 1-2 with an RBI before getting some rest with the usual starters after six innings. Turner and Uribe both went 1-3 with two RBI’s, contributing to the eleven Dodger hits. The Dodgers were 4-8 with runners in scoring position, leaving four on base.

Los Angeles picks up another win after Brian Wilson picked up the final out in the 7-4 win at Chavez Ravine. Dan Haren will take the hill in the Saturday evening contest.

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw was on the mound to make the start in the series finale against the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. A Dodgers win would clinch the National League West division title. Kershaw’s career ERA vs. the Giants is the lowest of any starting pitcher against one team in 100 plus years. Kershaw will also become the first pitcher to lead the MLB in ERA in four straight seasons, and should finish the season with back to back ERA’s below 1.83. Kershaw entered the game 5-1 with a 1.14 ERA in September and October against the Giants. Kershaw’s total record in September and October is 18-5 with a 2.00 ERA. With a win tonight, the Dodgers would clinch first place by defeating the Giants for the third time since the teams moved to California. Kershaw also entered the evening with the opportunity to win his 21^st game in 27 starts, becoming the first pitcher to do that since 1900.

Kershaw was doing it all on Wednesday night in his 27^th start of the year. Kershaw began the game with a perfect eight pitch first inning. After striking out two batters at the plate, Kershaw fielded a ground ball and made the final out of the second inning at first base. Kershaw made another fantastic defensive play with a backhanded stop, limiting the bases loaded damage in the third inning to one run. Kershaw struck out his national league leading 236^th batter in the seventh inning on his eighth strikeout of the evening. Yasiel Puig threw out Henry Blanco at third base for his 14^th outfield assist of the season to help calm the threat.  Kershaw picked up his 11^th strikeout to end the eighth inning, walking off the mound to M-V-P chants from the crowd of over 50,000. Kershaw recorded 10 or more strikeouts seven times this season, including on Wednesday. Kershaw picked up his 21^st win of the year, leaving with an ERA of 1.77 after throwing a season high 117 pitches.

Carl Crawford leads the national league in batting in September, continuing to swing a hot bat with a one out single in the second inning. Juan Uribe followed with a double play ground ball that ended the inning. Crawford was hit by the pitch on the foot to lead-off the fifth inning, causing some boo’s to come from the crowd at Chavez Ravine after being the fifth Dodger hit by a pitch in this series. Crawford stole second base, and moved to third on a sacrifice fly from Uribe. Kershaw came up to hit, helping his own cause by tying the game with his first career triple. Puig entered the game 0-9 in the series, breaking out of his mini slump with a solo home run to right field in the sixth inning on a fastball over the plate. Crawford did some more damage in the sixth inning sending a two run double to right field. The Giants intentionally walked Hanley Ramirez to get to Crawford, who opened the game up and continues his hot month. A single from Uribe drove in Crawford for the 5-1 lead. The Dodgers added four more in the eighth inning with the help of some sloppy play from the Giants defense. Crawford and Uribe combined for four hits and five RBI’s.

The boys in blue make it two years in a row of winning the National League West. They always make it consecutive years of being over nine games out of first place at one point in the season. The Dodgers have Thursday off before welcoming in the Colorado Rockies for a three game series, the last series of the regular season. Roberto Hernandez will take the ball in the opener.

Zack Greinke took his place on the mound in the second game of the three game series with the San Francisco Giants at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers came into the game leading the all-time series with the Giants 1,010 wins to the Giants 950 wins. The Dodgers also came into the game one win shy of reaching the 90 win plateau in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1977-78. Greinke picked up his first strikeout to end the second inning, facing the minimum batters through the first two innings. Greinke surrendered a two run home run to the opposing pitcher in the third inning, and capped off a perfect fourth inning with his second strikeout. Greinke continued to work, picking up his third and fourth strikeouts to end the seventh inning. Greinke’s night was finished after going eight innings strong, giving up six hits and two earned runs. Greinke struck out five batters, showing his control by walking none. Closer Kenley Jansen entered the game in the ninth inning with the Dodgers leading 4-2. Jansen entered the game having 99 strikeouts in just over 64 innings pitched this season. Jansen has struck out more than half of the right handed batters he has faced. Jansen picked up save number 44.

The Dodgers opened things up in the first inning against Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner. Justin Turner was in the leadoff spot for Dee Gordon, leading off the game with a solo home run. Yasiel Puig was hit by a pitch on the foot, and fell down to his displeasure. There has been a bit of history between Puig and Bumgarner in the past. Bumgarner shouted with frustration at himself, but Puig jumped up and had something to say as well. Matt Kemp stepped in to cool Puig off and send him to first base, and followed with a two run blast to straightaway center field for the 3-0 lead. This was Kemp’s second home run on his birthday, good for his 24^th of the season. The long inning for Bumgarner continued with back to back singles from Scott Van Slyke and Juan Uribe. An A.J. Ellis groundout to third base ended the long first inning. The offense was stagnant until Turner hit his second solo home run of the game off of Bumgarner, this one coming in the eighth inning and providing an insurance run for Jansen. Turner finished the game 2-4 with two RBI’s.

With the Dodgers win, the boys in blue have clinched at least a share of the National League West title, holding a 4 ½ game lead over the Giants. Clayton Kershaw will make the start in the series finale on Wednesday, coming in with a 19-3 record in only 26 starts. The last pitcher to have 20 wins in 26 starts was Pedro Martinez in 1999. Kershaw’s major league leading ERA sits at 1.89. He has given up only three earned runs twice in those starts. Kershaw’s career ERA against the Giants is 1.44 in 25 career starts. Kershaw is on top or near the top of the charts in all the pitching categories, and missed five weeks early in the season.