Kershaw, Utley power Dodgers

Ace strikes out 15 Giants; newcomer hits decisive HR

LOS ANGELES — Chase Utley homered, and Clayton Kershaw threw a complete game and tied his career high with 15 strikeouts, guiding the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2-1 victory over the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night at Dodger Stadium.

The National League West-leading Dodgers (75-57) earned their eighth win in nine games and completed a home sweep of the Giants for the first time since 2013. They increased their margin over second-place San Francisco in the division to 6½ games.

The Giants (69-63) dropped their fifth game in a row.

Kershaw, who hasn’t lost since June 27, allowed one run on six hits and a walk. He fanned pinch hitter Andrew Susac in the eighth to set a career high for strikeouts in a season at 249.

Kershaw (12-6) gave up back-toback singles to Matt Duffy and Buster Posey with two outs in the ninth before striking out Marlon Byrd to seal the win. He also tied a career high with 132 pitches (95 strikes).

Giants starter Mike Leake had a strong outing but didn’t match Kershaw. Leake (9-7) allowed two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks in seven innings, throwing 76 pitches (52 strikes).

The Dodgers grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Justin Turner singled, stole second and scored on Carl Crawford’s one-out double.

In the San Francisco sixth, Angel Pagan bounced a base hit into left, scoring Kelby Thomlinson, who reached on a single and stole second.

However, Utley’s solo blast off Leake with one out in the bottom of the sixth was the difference.