Kershaw does it all in Dodgers’ win over Braves

ATLANTA — Clayton Kershaw pitched 72/3 strong innings, added a two-run single and reached four times, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Friday night.

Kershaw (4-5) was his usual dominant self on the mound, allowing 1 run and 6 hits and striking out 8. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 NL MVP is 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA in 10 career starts against the Braves.

He surprised the capacity crowd at SunTrust Park by doubling down the left-field line to put Los Angeles up 4-1 in the fourth. The inside-out swing that scored Matt Kemp and Chris Taylor didn’t draw too loud of a reaction from the fans, but they had seen enough in the eighth when Kershaw walked for the third time. Atlanta reliever Jesse Biddle was showered with boos.

Los Angeles has won two consecutive, improving its NL-best road record to 30-22. The Dodgers are 32-16 overall since June 1, tops in the NL over that span.

The Braves have lost three consecutive and 12 of 17. They were in first place for all but two days from May 2-July 10, but the loss kept them 2½ games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.

Kershaw departed in the eighth with two runners on as closer Kenley Jansen got the last four outs to earn his 30th save in 33 chances. Freddie Freeman flew out to end the eighth, and Jansen faced the minimum in the ninth.

Mike Foltynewicz (7-7) lost for the third time in his last four starts, giving up 4 runs, 6 hits and 3 walks and striking out 8 in 5 innings. A firsttime

All-Star, Foltynewicz owns a 6.94 ERA and has allowed 4 home runs in his last 4 outings.

Alex Verdugo tied it at 1-1 in the third with his second career home run.

Yasmani Grandal hit his 17th home run to begin the fourth..

Kershaw worked out of trouble in the seventh.

Nick Markakis singled and advanced to second when Kershaw hit Kurt Suzuki in the back with a pitch, but Johan Camargo struck out and Ender Inciarte lined into a double play.