Clayton Kershaw left his start with low back pain and the Los Angeles Dodgers went on to beat the San Francisco Giants 5-3 on Thursday to complete a four-game sweep.
Kershaw appeared to feel discomfort while he was warming up before the bottom of the fifth inning. The three-time NL Cy Young Award winner winced and pointed to his dugout, and then walked off the field gingerly with a trainer.
Kershaw made 66 pitches through four innings, allowing one earned run and three hits with four strikeouts.
Mookie Betts and Trea Turner homered for Los Angeles, which completed its first four-game sweep in San Francisco since 1977. The majors-leading Dodgers have won eight straight games against the Giants, matching the longest streak in Los Angeles history.
J.D. Davis hit his first home run as a Giants, who fell to a majors-worst 3-12 since the All-Star break.
Gavin Lux singled home Max Muncy in the second inning to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead. Davis answered with a two-run homer to right in the bottom half.
Betts put Los Angeles back in front with a three-run homer in the fourth, his 25th of the year. Turner added his 18th home run in the seventh.
Brandon Belt doubled off Dodgers closer Craig Kimbrel and scored on a wild pitch in the ninth.
Chris Martin (2-0) was credited with the win after pitching a scoreless sixth inning. Kimbrel earned his 20th save in 23 opportunities.
Jakob Junis (4-3) allowed three runs and five hits in 3 2/3 innings, striking out five and walking two.
KAPLER TOSSED
Giants manager Gabe Kapler was ejected by first base umpire Phil Cuzzi after the top of the sixth inning. San Francisco reliever Jarlin García struck out James Outman to end the inning and had words with Betts, who was on deck. Neither bench cleared, though there was shouting from both sides.
Cuzzi walked to the Giants dugout to talk to Kapler, who became furious and was ejected for the first time as San Francisco manager.
HEART AND HUSTLE
Turner was named the Dodgers’ winner of the Heart and Hustle Award as voted by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association. Wilmer Flores was announced as the Giants’ recipient.
The award honors a player from each team who “demonstrates a passion for the game of baseball and best embodies the values, spirit and traditions of the game.” The overall winner will be announced in November.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Dodgers: INF/OF Chris Taylor (left foot fracture) is nearing a return from the injured list. “He’s close,” manager Dave Roberts said. “It wouldn’t surprise me to see him this next series.” Taylor went 3 for 4 with two home runs in a rehab game for Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday. … RHP Dustin May (Tommy John surgery) started the same game, allowing one run in four innings with six strikeouts. He will make two more rehab starts. … RHP Blake Treinen (right shoulder discomfort) pitched a simulated game on Wednesday and recovered well. He will pitch another simulated game or begin a rehab assignment next. “It’s going to be one or the other and it will probably be in two or three days,” Roberts said.
Giants: C Joey Bart (groin tightness) got the day off, but isn’t expected to miss any additional time. “He’s feeling better,” Kapler said. … SS Brandon Crawford (left knee inflammation) and OF Joc Pederson (concussion) are expected to come off the IL on Saturday. … INF Thairo Estrada (concussion) is on track to return Sunday. … 3B Evan Longoria (right hamstring strain) will not require a rehab assignment and could come off the IL as soon as this weekend, though next week is more likely. “I wouldn’t say Oakland is out of the question and I’d say San Diego is a good chance,” Kapler said.
UP NEXT
Dodgers: RHP Tony Gonsolin (12-1, 2.41 ERA) opens a three-game home series against the Padres on Friday. Gonsolin is 3-0 with a 1.73 ERA in five career appearances, including four starts, against San Diego.
Giants: Following a rare Friday off, LHP Carlos Rodón (9-6, 3.00) opens a two-game series in Oakland on Saturday. Rodón limited the Athletics to one run and three hits in six innings in an 8-2 win on April 26.
