Clayton Kershaw delivered a vintage outing for his first win of the season, allowing one run over seven innings to help the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Saturday night.
Chris Taylor hit a tying sacrifice fly and Joc Pederson followed with a two-run triple as the Dodgers rallied for three runs in the seventh inning and sent the Pirates to their season-high seventh straight loss.
Kershaw (1-0), making his third start after recovering shoulder inflammation, gave up four hits, struck out eight and walked none, retiring 13 of his last 14 batters. He has a 2.25 ERA and has not given up more than two earned runs in any of his three starts.
Pittsburgh went ahead in the third when Pablo Reyes singled leading off, was sacrificed to second by pitcher Joe Musgrove and scored on Adam Frazier’s single.
Caleb Ferguson allowed the Pirates to load the bases with no outs in the eighth on two walks and a single.
Pedro Baez retired Melky Cabrera on a flyout and Colin Moran on a popup that dropped next to third baseman Justin Turner after an infield fly was called. Baez then struck out Josh Bell.
Kenley Jansen pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save in 10 chances, completing a five-hitter.
Singles by Max Muncy and Alex Verdugo started the Dodgers’ rally. Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli took an elbow to his left side as Muncy scored, but a video review determined there was nothing improper with Muncy’s slide.
Musgrove (1-2) allowed three runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings, ending the Dodgers’ major league record of hitting a home run in 33 consecutive home games. Musgrove gave up just five earned runs in his first five starts.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Pirates: RHP Chris Archer was placed on the 10-day IL with right thumb inflammation. … OF Corey Dickerson will not start his expected minor league injury rehabilitation assignment after experiencing more shoulder discomfort. … OF Lonnie Chisenhall had his rehab assignment for a broken finger halted because of left calf tightness. … C Jacob Stallings (neck) started a rehab assignment with Triple-A Indianapolis.
Dodgers: C Russell Martin was activated off the IL after not playing since April 8 because of a back inflammation. C Rocky Gale was optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
UP NEXT
Dodgers LHP Rich Hill will make his 2019 debut after recovering from a left knee strain. Pittsburgh RHP Trevor Williams (1-1) heads into Sunday’s outing with quality starts in all five of his outings but just 11 runs of support.