Dodgers Vs. Padres Recap: Kershaw Gets MLB-Best 18th Win

After sweeping the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Los Angeles Dodgers turned their attention to another National League West opponent as they began a three-game set against the San Diego Padres. The Dodgers entered the game winners in three straight, but were 1-2 against the Padres last week.

Clayton Kershaw sat the Padres down in order in the first inning and was given early run support in the bottom of the first. Odrisamer Despaigne wasn’t as fortunate as Dee Gordon reached on a single and stole second base with Hanley Ramirez at the plate. The struggling shortstop hit an RBI flare single to left field and the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead.

Juan Uribe extended the Dodgers lead with a solo home run that stayed just inside the right foul pole. With the 2-0 lead, Kershaw had another 1-2-3 inning in the third and was on an early perfect game watch heading to the fourth.

Yangervis Solarte put an end to Kershaw’s perfect game with a leadoff single in the fourth. Jedd Gyorko drew a one-out walk to put two runners on with one out and Rene Rivera cut the Padres’ deficit in half with an RBI single to right-center.

Kershaw retired the next two batters to strand the runners on first and third, and keep the Dodgers ahead.

Next Page: Offense Erupts In Fifth Inning