Braves 3 - 5 Dodgers
Final/12
  for this game

Kemp's homer in the 12th lifts Dodgers over Braves

Apr 22, 2011 - 1:12 AM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Matt Kemp's two-run shot in the 12th inning lifted the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 5-3 win over the Atlanta Braves in the conclusion of a four-game series.

In the 12th with Cristhian Martinez (0-1) on the mound, Andre Ethier hit a one-out double and Kemp turned on an 0-2 slider and put it over the wall in left-center for the win.

"Well obviously the result was great for us," said Dodgers manager Don Mattingly. "He (Kemp) has struggled a bit and he chased the ball a little bit down in the zone this series. But, I'd rather talk about the work he's been doing all spring. He's been focused in his work and what he is trying to do."

Casey Blake and Juan Uribe each hit solo home runs and Blake forced extra innings with an RBI single in the ninth for the Dodgers, who took three of four in the set.

Matt Guerrier (1-0) pitched the final two innings to get the win.

Freddie Freeman hit a solo home run and David Ross punched a two-run single for the Braves, who have lost six of their last nine. Jair Jurrjens went six innings and gave up one run on seven hits with two walks and six strikeouts.

Clayton Kershaw was going for the complete game and notched the first two outs of the ninth, but Chipper Jones kept the frame alive with a single and Dan Uggla followed with a single.

Freddie Freeman then worked a walk and Mattingly came out to talk to Kershaw, but he left the pitcher in and Ross knocked a single to left that brought home two runs for a 3-2 lead.

"You know what is lost in all of this is Kershaw's performance," said Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. "He gave you a hell of a game and for the way he was pitching, to come back and scratch a couple of runs and be in line for the win, we feel good."

Craig Kimbrel came on in the ninth to close out the game for the Braves, but issued a leadoff walk to Jamey Carroll. After Aaron Miles fouled out, Carroll moved to second on a wild pitch and Jerry Sands struck out. Blake then hit a single to left and Carroll came home to tie the game.

Freeman homered in the fifth to give the Braves the initial lead, but Uribe led off the sixth with a shot over the left field wall and Blake made it a 2-1 game in the seventh with a two-out solo shot.

Game Notes

Kershaw gave up three runs on five hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings...The Braves begin a three-game set in San Francisco on Friday...The Dodgers hit the road and begin a three-game set in Chicago on Friday...The Braves won five of eight from the Dodgers last season.






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