Clayton Kershaw pitched probably his best game since his return from the disabled list on Friday night night, and he did it on both sides of the ball. First and foremost, the ace lasted 7.2 innings and struck out eight in the Dodgers' 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. The left-hander allowed just one run and did not walk a batter in just his fourth win of the season. He also stepped up at the plate with a big two-run single in the fourth inning and reached base four times on the night.
It might just be the Atlanta Braves, whom Kershaw has dominated his entire career. Following Friday's outing, the Dodgers' hurler improved to 4-1 with a 1.43 ERA in 10 career starts against the holders of the final NL Wild Card spot.
The Dodgers' ace helped his team stay hot, especially on the road, as they improved their road record to an NL-best 30-22 after taking their second straight in Atlanta. Since June 1st, their record sits at a National League leading 32-16.
On the other side, the young Braves are going in the opposite direction, as they have now dropped three in a row and 12 of 17 overall. Their loss keeps them 2.5 games back in the NL East behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who also lost to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. Before their struggles, Atlanta held the top spot in the NL East for all but two days from May 2nd-July 10th.
Mike Foltynewicz struggled in the start for the Braves, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings, despite striking out eight batters. He has now dropped three of his past four starts, in which he has a 6.94 ERA and four home runs against him in that span. The loss drops his personal record to .500 at 7-7 on the season.
After Kershaw exited with two outs in the eighth inning, closer Kenley Jansen came in to record the final four outs for the Dodgers to record his 30th save in 33 tries. The Dodgers kept a 1.5-game lead in the NL West over the Arizona Diamondbacks. who also won on the road against the San Diego Padres. Game 3 of their series with the Braves comes on Saturday night.
It might just be the Atlanta Braves, whom Kershaw has dominated his entire career. Following Friday's outing, the Dodgers' hurler improved to 4-1 with a 1.43 ERA in 10 career starts against the holders of the final NL Wild Card spot.
The Dodgers' ace helped his team stay hot, especially on the road, as they improved their road record to an NL-best 30-22 after taking their second straight in Atlanta. Since June 1st, their record sits at a National League leading 32-16.
On the other side, the young Braves are going in the opposite direction, as they have now dropped three in a row and 12 of 17 overall. Their loss keeps them 2.5 games back in the NL East behind the Philadelphia Phillies, who also lost to the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. Before their struggles, Atlanta held the top spot in the NL East for all but two days from May 2nd-July 10th.
Mike Foltynewicz struggled in the start for the Braves, allowing four runs on six hits and three walks over five innings, despite striking out eight batters. He has now dropped three of his past four starts, in which he has a 6.94 ERA and four home runs against him in that span. The loss drops his personal record to .500 at 7-7 on the season.
After Kershaw exited with two outs in the eighth inning, closer Kenley Jansen came in to record the final four outs for the Dodgers to record his 30th save in 33 tries. The Dodgers kept a 1.5-game lead in the NL West over the Arizona Diamondbacks. who also won on the road against the San Diego Padres. Game 3 of their series with the Braves comes on Saturday night.
