Clayton Kershaw Reigns Supreme; Yasiel Puig Returns to the Team

"“The Wild Horse is loose again.” -Vin Scully"

It was quite the pitching duel between left-handers Clayton Kershaw and Jaime Garcia on Saturday night at Dodger Stadium. Clayton Kershaw was in vintage form with his beautiful curveball on point, and Jaime Garcia was almost as equally dominating through the first six innings.

Dodgers 2 7 0

Cardinals 0 1 0

WP- Kershaw (5-3)

LP- Garcia (1-3)

S- Jansen (6)

"“It’s push against shove.”-Vin Scully"

Clayton Kershaw was exquisitely masterful through eight innings, and he silenced all the naysayers who often sputter nonsense about Kersh’s inability to shut down the Cardinals. Kershaw only allowed one hit all night which was a measly single to Randal Grichuk in the second inning.

Jaime Garcia pitched very well too, and he had an equally devastating curve working. The Dodgers, led by reinstated Yasiel Puig (with a little help from Chris Heisey and Justin Turner) finally broke Strikeout Saturday’s string of goose eggs on the scoreboard with a two-run seventh.

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Even though the Dodgers lineup looked like another split squad Spring Training game, the reinstatement of Yasiel Puig provided the extra spark the Dodgers needed to edge the tough Cardinal team. It was no coincidence that No. 66 returned on 6/6, and he even bat flipped for us for old time’s sake.

Vin Scully beautifully wove stories of World War II throughout the game, and I’d like to thank all our brave men and women who fought for our freedom during that time.

The Dodgers finally mustered something off Garcia in the bottom of the seventh when Chris Heisey drilled a leadoff double just past Kozma down the left field line. Then Yasiel Puig’s RBI double drove in the first run of the inning! We have surely missed you, Yasiel. Then Justin Turner drove in a second run with a single past Wong at second base. Puig’s hamstring looked just fine scoring from second base.

Kershaw had hit Matt Carpenter with a pitch in the top of the first inning, and that would become very important after he had to come out of the game for Pete Kozma who couldn’t get to that ball hit by Heisey at third base.

Clayton Kershaw pitched 8 innings and allowed just 1 hit with 11 strikeouts and 2 walks on 106 pitches.

Jaime Garcia pitched 7 innings and allowed 2 runs on 6 hits with 6 strikeouts and no walks on 92 pitches.

Kenley Jansen took over for Kershaw in the top of the ninth. Jon Jay popped out, Kolten Wong popped out to A.J. Ellis in foul territory behind the plate and Matt Holliday struck out looking.

The Dodgers improve to 32-24, and they hang on to first place by a half game.

On Sunday the Dodgers can finally say adieu to the Cardinals. The series finale will pit Zack Greinke against Lance Lynn.