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Dodgers hope Kershaw can salvage set against Brewers

Aug 10, 2014 - 12:49 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - It's been a long time since the Los Angeles Dodgers took a loss with ace Clayton Kershaw on the mound.

They'll try to extend that streak and salvage the finale of a three-game series when the left-hander gets the nod Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

The Dodgers have prevailed in each of Kershaw's last 12 starts and the Cy Young Award candidate is 10-0 with a 1.16 earned run average in that time. He has pitched 93 innings with 111 strikeouts and 10 walks over the course of his unbeaten streak and last tasted defeat May 28 versus Cincinnati.

Kershaw did not record a decision in Tuesday's 5-4 win over the LA Angels and allowed three runs and seven hits in seven innings. He had gone the distance in his past two starts and three times over the last four. Kershaw has allowed more than three runs just once this season and is 13-2 overall to go along with a 1.82 ERA.

A two-time recipient of the NL CY Young Award (2011, 2013), Kershaw is 7-1 with a 1.85 ERA in nine road starts and 4-3 in eight career starts against the Brewers. He has won all three of his starts at Miller Park, where he owns a minuscule 0.78 ERA.

Kershaw's only road loss was May 17 at Arizona.

Los Angeles could use another gem from its ace after losing the first two tests of this set in Brew City. After dropping a 9-3 decision on Friday, the Dodgers suffered a 4-1 loss last night no thanks to starter Zack Greinke, who yielded all four runs and eight hits in six innings.

"It wasn't a good game overall," said Greinke, who struck out six and walked one batter. "I made a lot of pitches over the plate."

Adrian Gonzalez provided the offense with a solo homer in the fourth inning and finished 2-for-4. Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez is likely headed to the disabled list with an oblique injury, while outfielder Yasiel Puig was 0-for-4 for the second straight game. He has three hits in the last six games.

The Dodgers made a move Saturday night and acquired right-hander Kevin Correia from the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named or cash. Correia is just 5-13 with a 4.94 ERA in 23 starts this season.

Los Angeles had won five in a row on the road and three straight overall prior to this series in Milwaukee, and will resume its road trip with four games in Atlanta. It is still a solid 36-25 away from Dodger Stadium and 3 1/2 games ahead of San Francisco for the NL West lead.

Milwaukee hopes to break out the brooms on the Dodgers Sunday and has won three in a row and six of its last nine games.

Mike Fiers was on point in his first start of the season for the Brewers, tossing eight superb innings of one-run ball and scattering three hits with five K's and only one walk. Francisco Rodriguez took care of the ninth inning for his 35th save.

"I was just confident. You just have to be confident in yourself every time you go out," said Fiers. "I was throwing the ball well so I was just trying to ride it out as long as I could."

Khris Davis and Carlos Gomez homered for the Brewers, while Jonathan Lucroy went 3-for-4 with a run scored after missing Friday's game with a strained hamstring. Aramis Ramirez also had three hits with an RBI.

The Brewers, who are 11-7-2 in series play at Miller Park and 16-6 against the NL West, lead the NL Central by 2 1/2 games ahead of Pittsburgh and three games in front of St. Louis. They have won three in a row and four of five games on this homestand and will visit the Chicago Cubs and Dodgers next.

Taking the mound for the Brewers Sunday will be Jimmy Nelson. He is 2-2 with a 4.20 earned run average in five starts and recorded a win over San Francisco on Tuesday, as he lasted seven innings for the second straight start and yielded three runs in the 4-3 triumph.

"My delivery was much more consistent. I didn't have as many misfires out of the zone," Nelson said. "I made a lot more quality pitches and got ahead of a lot more hitters."

Nelson will face Los Angeles for the first time and has a 1-2 record in four home assignments to go along with a 5.18 ERA. Brewers starters are 9-4 in the last 18 games with 15 quality starts.

The Dodgers and Brewers are meeting for the first time this season and Los Angeles took four of six matchups a year ago. Milwaukee went 6-1 in 2012.