Kershaw’s arm, bat, eye propel Dodgers
Ace draws three walks, plates two runs
ATLANTA — Clayton Kershaw had everything working his way, even delivering a big moment with his bat.
Kershaw pitched 7 2/3 strong innings, added a two-run single and reached base a career-high four times, helping the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Atlanta Braves 4-1 on Friday.
Kershaw (4-5) was his usual dominant self on the mound, allowing one run on six hits and striking out eight. The three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2014 National League MVP is 4-0 with a 1.43 ERA in 10 starts against the Braves.
He surprised the capacity crowd at Suntrust Park by singling down the left-field line to put Los Angeles up 4-1 in the fourth.
“I was super late and got fortunate,” Kershaw said. “He was throwing 100 mph, or that’s what it felt like. I just happened to stick my bat out there and get lucky on one.”
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.
“Relievers aren’t used to facing pitchers,” said Kershaw, the first Dodgers pitcher since Don Sutton in 1976 to walk three times. “It’s not always easy to throw strikes to a guy that you know has no business being in the batter’s box.”
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 2½ games behind Philadelphia in the NL East.
Kershaw departed in the eighth, the deepest he’s pitched in a game this season, with two runners on before closer Kenley Jansen got the last four outs to earn his 30th save in 33 chances.
Mike Foltynewicz (7-7) lost for the third time in his past four starts, giving up four runs, six hits and three walks and striking out eight in five innings. A first-time All-star, 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 his second career homer. Foltynewicz, appearing upset with himself for giving up the lead, immediately walked Kershaw on five pitches.
Yasmani Grandal hit his 17th homer to begin the fourth and has a .389 average with six homers and 14 RBIS in 19 games this month.