Dodgers 2 - 3 Giants
Final
  for this game

Kershaw, Bumgarner square off in NL West clash

Apr 22, 2015 - 2:30 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Fans should get their money's worth when a pair of stud left-handers go head-to-head Wednesday night at AT&T Park.

Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will face San Francisco Giants 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner in the second installment of a three-game series between NL West foes.

Kershaw, a three-time NL Cy Young Award winner and reigning NL MVP, is 1-1 with a 4.42 earned run average in three starts and recorded a win the last time out in a 7-3 decision over Colorado last Friday. Kershaw was reached for three runs -- one earned -- and six hits in six innings with a season-high 12 strikeouts and one walk.

The southpaw rebounded from a loss at Arizona on April 11, when he gave up six runs (5 earned) and 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings. Kershaw will face his fourth straight NL West opponent and is 14-5 with a 1.43 ERA and four shutouts in 26 career games (25 starts) against San Francisco.

Kershaw was 3-0 with a 1.69 ERA against the Giants last season.

Bumgarner will also face his fourth consecutive division opponent Wednesday and has a 1-1 record with a 5.29 ERA in three starts. He did not record a decision in last Thursday's 7-6 loss to Arizona, charged with four runs and six hits in seven innings. Bumgarner fanned four and walked one batter.

The Giants' ace has given up nine runs over his past two trips to the mound and has pitched well in his career against the Dodgers, posting an 11-5 mark with a 2.54 ERA in 17 games, 16 of which have been starts.

Bumgarner faced the Dodgers five times in 2014 and registered a 3-2 record to go along with a 2.45 ERA. He allowed two runs or fewer in four of those five appearances.

Los Angeles had its seven-game winning streak come to an end with Tuesday's 6-2 loss in the opener of this series. Brett Anderson was touched for four runs and nine hits in just four innings to take the loss, while Tim Lincecum countered with six innings of one-run ball.

"I still feel confident in my abilities," Anderson told the club's website. "The defense couldn't have done any more than they did today, it was just some well-placed hits that you have to deal with and go on to next one."

Yasiel Puig had two of LA's seven hits and Alex Guerrero stroked an RBI double in a losing cause. Howie Kendrick scored on a wild pitch in the ninth.

Justin Maxwell hit a two-run homer and finished with three runs scored. He was one of six players with two hits. Norichika Aoki, Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford all had two hits and an RBI for the Giants, who have won two of three games following an eight-game slide.

"Good win for us," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "It's been a tough homestand, but the boys played well tonight."

The Giants were 9-10 against the Dodgers last season with a 3-6 mark at home.






Related News