Dodgers
Diamondbacks
4 - 2 Final
  for this game

Kemp strengthens MVP resume as Dodgers dump D-Backs

Sep 27, 2011 - 5:08 AM Phoenix, AZ (Sports Network) - Matt Kemp padded his MVP resume with a three- run homer in the first inning, lifting the Dodgers to a 4-2 victory over the NL West champion Diamondbacks in the opener of a regular season-ending three- game series.

Kemp leads in two-thirds of the Triple Crown categories, pacing the NL in home runs (38) and RBI (123) while his .324 average currently ranks third behind Ryan Braun (.334) and Jose Reyes (.334).

Dana Eveland (3-2) tossed 5 2/3 shutout innings to earn the win, Los Angeles' eighth in 10 games.

Daniel Hudson (16-12) yielded four runs on five hits in seven innings for Arizona, which had won four straight coming in and still trails the Brewers by one game for the NL's second-best record.

Kemp showed off his power in the first, sending a payoff pitch high over the center-field wall. Dee Gordon doubled and Jerry Sands walked prior to the blast.

Justin Sellers added an RBI single in the seventh, and the Diamondbacks rarely threatened before loading the bases with one out in the eighth.

Scott Elbert relieved Nathan Eovaldi with the bags full, and immediately threw a wild pitch to bring in a run. A walk to Miguel Montero brought in Mike MacDougal out of the bullpen, and he issued a two-out walk to pinch-hitter Geoff Blum to force in another run.

But MacDougal got Gerardo Parra to fly out to end the inning, and Javy Guerra, LA's sixth reliever, closed out the win in the ninth for his 21st save.

Game Notes

The Dodgers clinched a winning season for the 15th time in 18 years...Kemp has a 10-game hitting streak...Sands went 1-for-3 and has a 14-game hitting streak...Eveland allowed just five hits with no walks and five strikeouts.






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