Diamondbacks 5 - 1 Dodgers
Final
  for this game

Dodgers target quick sweep of Diamondbacks

May 15, 2012 - 3:28 PM (Sports Network) - Not having slugger Matt Kemp in the lineup last night didn't seem to bother the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, who target their sixth straight win Tuesday in the conclusion of a quick two-game series versus the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kemp is hampered by a left hamstring injury and is expected to miss Tuesday's game as well. The Dodgers didn't need the center fielder's services in last night's 3-1 win over the D'Backs, as Andre Ethier homered and James Loney compiled a pair of hits to help lead the way.

Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw improved to 3-1 on the season with seven shutout innings, scattering four hits and striking out six batters with three walks. Josh Lindblom gave up a run in the eighth and Kenley Jansen took over in the ninth inning for his fourth save.

"He's been pretty solid. He seems to be getting stronger and better as we go," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said about Kershaw.

Los Angeles has won five straight and improved to 6-1 on an eight-game homestand. It will visit San Diego for two games following the residency.

Chad Billingsley draws the start for the Dodgers tonight and he is 2-2 with a 3.32 ERA through seven starts. He is 0-2 in his last five outings and did not record a decision in last Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Giants, as he lasted four innings and allowed seven hits and two runs. The righty has permitted 14 runs in his last five starts and is 10-7 with a 3.60 ERA in 25 career meetings (23 starts) with the Diamondbacks.

The losses continue to pile up for Arizona, and the ballclub will try to bounce back in the second test of a seven-game road trip.

Arizona starter Ian Kennedy surrendered three runs -- two earned -- on six hits and two walks over six full frames, as Arizona dropped its third straight game and eighth in the previous nine attempts.

"It's frustrating for all of us in here," Diamondbacks left fielder Jason Kubel said about his team's losing streak. "We haven't really clicked as a group."

Aaron Hill homered to provide the offense for his fifth home run.

The D'Backs will hand the ball to Wade Miley this evening and he hopes to get back on track. Miley was 3-0 with a 2.33 ERA before losing to St. Louis in last Wednesday's 7-2 setback. He yielded three runs and 10 hits in 5 2/3 innings and is 3-1 with a 2.76 ERA in seven games (4 starts) this season.

Miley, a left-hander, will make his first career start against the Dodgers and has only faced them once in relief.

Arizona and LA are meeting for the first time since the D'Backs won 10 of the 18 matchups a year ago.






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