Recap: Dodgers win 4-1 vs. Nationals on Kershaw Day, Kenley Jansen Makes History

The Los Angeles Dodgers ended their Monday night game against the Washington Nationals with a 4-1 win. Clayton Kershaw took the mound, pitching 8 strikeouts in six innings. Kershaw was going to play against Stephen Strasburg, but Strasburg was taken out in the last minute due to a back injury. The Nationals weren’t able to get on the board until the top of the seventh inning.

Justin Turner put the Dodgers on the board in the bottom of the first inning with a home run. Turner returned in the bottom of the fourth with a single on a ground ball, allowing Corey Seager to run in for the score. Joc Pederson came in with a homer in the bottom of the fifth inning. While Chase Utley ended the night with a single on a line drive while Howie Kendrick sprinted to home for the score.

The Dodgers take the series opener winning 4-1 and Jansen also made history in the 9th inning. Another storyline in the game was two NL MVP’s going head to head, as Bryce Harper took on Kershaw.

In matchup of past 2 NL MVPs, Clayton Kershaw is definitely winning. Bryce Harper has struck out in each 3 ABs. Part of Kershaw's 8K in 6 IP

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) June 21, 2016

Kershaw has struck out Harper 3 times tonight. #Dodgers lead 3-0 in the 6th.

— AlaNNa Rizzo (@alannarizzo) June 21, 2016

We have some of the best tweets from the game below.

Round 2?. pic.twitter.com/q7BSclPAHA

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 21, 2016

Kickin' off the #FirstDayOfSummer like…

? pic.twitter.com/UAz7oCZCKC

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 21, 2016

What do @redturn2 and tonight’s heat wave have in common?

???? pic.twitter.com/jUaE8o91Oa

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) June 21, 2016

The Dodgers will move on to game two of their three-game series against the Nationals on Tuesday night with Scott Kazmir on the mound.