Braves lose 4-1
ATLANTA — Clayton Kershaw pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, added a two-run single and reached base four times while 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 one run on six hits while striking out eight batters. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 National League 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 inning. The insideout 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 straight, 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 straight and 12 of 17. They were in first place for all but two days from May 2 to July 10, but the loss kept them 2 1/2 games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.
Kershaw departed in the eighth with two runners on as closer Kenley Jansen recorded the last four outs to earn his 30th save in 33 chances this year. 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 past four starts, giving up four runs, six hits and three walks while striking out eight in five innings. A first-time All-Star this year, Foltynewicz owns a 6.94 ERA and has allowed four homers in his past four outings.
Alex Verdugo tied it at 1-all in the third with the second homer of his MLB career. Foltynewicz, who appeared upset with himself for giving up the lead, immediately walked Kershaw on five pitches and seemed agitated the rest of the night.
Yasmani Grandal hit his 17th homer of the season to begin the fourth. He has a .389 average with six homers and 14 RBIs in 19 games this month. The Dodgers lead the NL with 142 homers, 101 of them solo shots.
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.
Atlanta led 1-0 in the second when Suzuki singled and scored on a groundout.
After missing 15 games with a right oblique strain, Dodgers right fielder Yasiel Puig arrived Friday in Atlanta and will return from the disabled list today. Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts gave the former Chattanooga Lookout the night off to spend time with his mother. Puig will likely be in today’s lineup, but Roberts added that the club will use a rotation going forward so that Puig, Kemp, Pederson and Alex Verdugo get enough rest.
Roberts also gives Chris Taylor and Enrique Hernandez starts in the outfield, too.
Roberts said left-handed pitcher Julio Urias, nearly recovered from major shoulder surgery that sidelined him for more than a year, will be used in relief when he returns next month.
For Atlanta, left-handed pitcher Jonny Venters, after three Tommy John procedures and four elbow surgeries overall, was back in a Braves uniform for the first time since 2012, pitching a scoreless sixth. The 33-year-old returned to the majors earlier this year with Tampa Bay, making his first appearance in six years. Atlanta acquired him in a trade Thursday night.