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Dodgers clinch NL West behind Kershaw, late offense

Sep 25, 2014 - 6:48 AM Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Clayton Kershaw did it all in helping the Los Angeles Dodgers clinch the NL West crown on Wednesday night.

The probable Cy Young Award winner and MVP candidate tossed eight innings, drove in a run with his first career triple and showed off his defensive skills as the Dodgers beat the San Francisco Giants 9-1.

Kershaw gave up a run on eight hits and struck out 11 with no walks. He earned an MLB-best 21st win, tying his career high set in 2011.

Yasiel Puig sparked a four-run sixth inning with a solo homer as Los Angeles captured its second straight division title.

"Whoever we play (in the playoffs), it's going to be a battle," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly.

San Francisco's Tim Hudson (9-13) was charged with three runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings. The veteran gave up six runs and eight hits in one-plus inning of a 17-0 loss to the Dodgers on Sept. 13.

"Anytime you're going against a guy like Kershaw, you know runs are going to be at a premium," Hudson said. "Tonight was no exception. He went out there and pitched well."

The Giants, who could have secured a playoff berth with a win, opened the scoring in the third. Kershaw (21-3) gave up consecutive hits and committed a balk before reaching behind his back to snag Hudson's comebacker.

Joaquin Arias then scored on a fielder's choice. Hunter Pence hit a chopper to third and Juan Uribe threw home, but Arias slid in ahead of the tag by catcher A.J. Ellis.

After a Joe Panik single loaded the bases, Buster Posey grounded into an inning-ending double play.

Kershaw tied things in the fifth with his two-out extra-base hit to the right- center field gap, and the Dodgers moved ahead in the following frame.

Puig led off with a drive to right on an 0-2 pitch, and Matt Kemp chased Hudson with a double. Javier Lopez surrendered a two-run double to Carl Crawford after intentionally walking Hanley Ramirez. Uribe then plated Crawford with a single off Jean Machi.

Uribe drove in two more during a four-run eighth inning. There were four walks, including one by Puig with the bases-loaded.

Game Notes

The 13 losses are a career high for Hudson, who eclipsed the 3,000-inning mark ... Los Angeles won the season series 10-9 ... The Giants were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position.