The Dodgers have won their second consecutive NL west division title by turning to the aces of all aces in their 9-1 victory over the second-place San Francisco Giants. Kershaw lowered his ERA to 1.77 by throwing 8 innings of 1-run baseball. Kershaw gave up 8 hits, had to pitch out of early jams, but struck out 11 and did not walk one Giant. He would leave the game after the 8th to the resounding chants of 'M.V.P" from the Dodger faithful.
Kershaw has been the center of attention all season, and is the clear favorite to win the Cy Young award. He has been thrown in to the MVP conversation, and some think he is the leader in that race as well. Giving the MVP to a pitcher is rare and controversial, the last being Justin Verlander in 2011. Kershaw did miss some time with injury, but so did the 2 other candidates in Andrew McCutchen and Giancarlo Stanton.
The Dodgers' did get plenty of support after surrendering a run in the 3rd inning. Los Angeles scored 1 in the 5th to tie the game when Kershaw helped himself with an RBI triple. They would score 4 in both the 6th and 8th to pull away in the game. Yasiel Puig hit his 16th home run of the season, and shined defensively by throwing Gregor Blanco out at third base Carl Crawford doubled in 2 runs, and Juan Uribe singled in a run for a 5-1 Dodgers lead.
Uribe would single in 2 more in the 8th inning, followed by an A.J Ellis RBI and a Puig bases loaded walk to extend the lead to 9-1 Brian Wilson gave up a hit, and shut down his former team in the 9th to spark the celebration. The Giants magic number to clinch a playoff berth remains at 1, and they can clinch tonight with a win over the Padres. Meanwhile, the division champion Dodgers have the day off before ending their season hosting the Rockies.
Kershaw has been the center of attention all season, and is the clear favorite to win the Cy Young award. He has been thrown in to the MVP conversation, and some think he is the leader in that race as well. Giving the MVP to a pitcher is rare and controversial, the last being Justin Verlander in 2011. Kershaw did miss some time with injury, but so did the 2 other candidates in Andrew McCutchen and Giancarlo Stanton.
The Dodgers' did get plenty of support after surrendering a run in the 3rd inning. Los Angeles scored 1 in the 5th to tie the game when Kershaw helped himself with an RBI triple. They would score 4 in both the 6th and 8th to pull away in the game. Yasiel Puig hit his 16th home run of the season, and shined defensively by throwing Gregor Blanco out at third base Carl Crawford doubled in 2 runs, and Juan Uribe singled in a run for a 5-1 Dodgers lead.
Uribe would single in 2 more in the 8th inning, followed by an A.J Ellis RBI and a Puig bases loaded walk to extend the lead to 9-1 Brian Wilson gave up a hit, and shut down his former team in the 9th to spark the celebration. The Giants magic number to clinch a playoff berth remains at 1, and they can clinch tonight with a win over the Padres. Meanwhile, the division champion Dodgers have the day off before ending their season hosting the Rockies.
