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Kershaw two-hits Marlins, lifts Dodgers to series win

May 29, 2011 - 11:34 PM Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - Clayton Kershaw threw the second shutout of his career while Rafael Furcal hit a two-run home run and drove in three as the Los Angeles Dodgers clubbed the Florida Marlins, 8-0, in the finale of a three-game set.

Kershaw (6-3) gave up just two hits and a walk with 10 strikeouts to finish May with a 4-0 record over six starts, giving up just eight runs over 40 2/3 innings. He also went 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and two runs scored.

"It was a good day out there as getting the runs early was huge," said Kershaw. "I threw strikes and things worked. It was a fun game for the team all around."

Andre Ethier was 3-for-3 with two walks and a run scored while Casey Blake drove in a pair for the Dodgers, who won two of three in the series.

Ricky Nolasco (4-1) suffered his first loss in 11 starts this season as he was touched for all eight runs on 15 hits over five innings for the Marlins, who took three games from the Giants prior to this series.

"I tried to get Ricky five or six innings today," said Florida manager Edwin Rodriguez. "It was just one of those days where nothing worked for him."

The Dodgers scored all the runs they needed in the third inning. After Kershaw led off with a single, Furcal hit his first home run of the season. Jay Gibbons and Dioner Navarro added RBI singles later in the inning for a 4-0 lead.

Los Angeles manager Don Mattingly and center fielder Matt Kemp were thrown out of the game for arguing after Kemp hit into a double play with the bases loaded to end the fourth.

The fifth inning saw Los Angeles tack on four more runs. With the bases loaded, Kershaw hit into a force out at second, but beat the throw to first as Gibbons scored. Furcal then singled home a run and Blake followed with a two- run single for an 8-0 lead.

Florida's second hit of the game was a leadoff double from Logan Morrison in the seventh. Gaby Sanchez then reached base on Furcal's fielding error, but Mike Stanton hit a grounder to third and Morrison was forced out at third. John Buck then hit into a 5-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Kershaw retired the final six batters to complete the game and the shutout.

Game Notes

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez left the game after the second inning with back pain...Kershaw is 2-1 in four starts against the Marlins in his career...Nolasco is 0-2 in four starts against the Dodgers in his career...Los Angeles hosts Colorado for three games starting on Monday...Florida finishes its nine-game road trip in Arizona where it will start a three-game set on Monday.