• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Kershaw puts unbeaten streak to the test vs. Giants

May 8, 2012 - 2:50 PM (Sports Network) - Clayton Kershaw did something last time out that he has never done before, but even when he struggles he finds a way to stay out of the loss column.

Kershaw will try to extend his 15-start unbeaten streak and career-long domination of the Giants this evening when the Los Angeles Dodgers continue a three-game series with rival San Francisco.

The 2011 National League Cy Young Award winner, Kershaw gave up three home runs in a single game for the first time in his career last Wednesday at Colorado. In all, the left-hander was touched for a season-high five runs on seven hits over 7 1/3 innings, but escaped with a no-decision in his team's 8-5 loss.

"The team kept battling back, I kept giving up leads," Kershaw told the Dodgers' website. "That makes it hurt a little bit worse, for sure."

The 24-year-old was coming off back-to-back winning starts, but is still unbeaten since Aug. 7, going 10-0 over that 15-start span.

It seems likely that Kershaw will extend his personal winning streak given his history with the Giants. He went 5-0 with a 1.07 earned run average in six starts against them last year, with San Francisco hitting just .191 off him.

In his career, Kershaw is 6-1 with a 1.25 ERA when facing the Giants.

Kershaw will also try to improve the Dodgers' 11-2 record at home this season after the club opened up this three-game series with a 9-1 victory. It was Los Angeles' first home game under its new ownership, a group that includes legendary Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson.

Andre Ethier and Juan Rivera both drove in two runs, while Matt Kemp went 3- for-3 with a run scored to up his major-league leading average to .406.

Kemp noticed the inspired fanbase as the Dodgers bounced back after losing three of four.

"Forty-plus thousand people on a Monday game ... it's good to see that back in here in LA," said Kemp.

Ted Lilly gave up just one run on four hits and two walks while striking out six in six innings to earn the win, helping the Dodgers open up a five-game lead over the Giants for first place in the NL West.

Joaquin Arias went 3-for-4 and knocked in the only run for the Giants, who have lost five of their last seven. Angel Pagan went 0-for-5 to halt his 20- game hitting streak.

Barry Zito yielded three runs on eight hits and four walks over six innings while fanning three in defeat.

Though the Giants activated Aubrey Huff from the 15-day disabled list, he had been out after getting diagnosed with anxiety disorder, their bullpen took another hit when Guillermo Mota was hit with a 100-game suspension after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance. He has previously received a 50-game ban on Nov. 1, 2006.

San Francisco is already without closer Brian Wilson for the season due to right elbow surgery.

The Giants will look for some innings tonight out of Ryan Vogelsong, who is 0-2 with a 3.42 earned run average through four starts but has gone at least six innings in each outing.

The 34-year-old righty and 2011 All-Star turned in a solid outing on Thursday versus the Marlins, allowing two runs -- one earned -- despite eight hits and four walks over seven frames. However, he lost a 3-2 decision.

"We just made some mistakes," said Giants manager Bruce Bochy. "Vogelsong pitched a pretty good game, but we hurt ourselves with little things. When you play a close game, these things come back to get you and that's what happened today."

Vogelsong faced the Dodgers three times last season, going 2-1 with a 3.20 ERA.

The Giants and Dodgers split 18 meetings last season.