Dodgers 2 - 4 Cubs
Final
  for this game

Dodgers pin hopes on Kershaw at Wrigley

Jun 22, 2015 - 12:17 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - Clayton Kershaw attempts to become the first Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher in 20 years to strike out at least 10 in four straight starts Monday night when his team opens a four-game set with Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field.

The National League's reigning MVP and Cy Young Award winner was unable to get the win on Wednesday against Texas, as he allowed four runs (3 earned) and five hits in six innings, but he did fan 10 batters.

Kershaw, who is 5-4 with a 3.29 ERA on the season, now has an opportunity to become the first Dodger since Hideo Nomo (1995) to record at least 10 Ks in four consecutive starts. He is second in the majors with 122 punchouts.

In six starts versus the Cubs he is 4-2 with a 2.09 ERA.

Kershaw will try to help the Dodgers stay in the win column after they avoided a three-game sweep on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants. Yasmani Grandal slugged two of his club's four home runs en route to going 3-for-5 with three runs scored, and Los Angeles downed San Francisco by a 10-2 count.

"Our main goal is to win games. I got all good pitches to hit," said Grandal. "I was always looking for something in the zone and they gave them to me. It was only a matter of time for us to break out."

Justin Turner added a two-run shot and knocked in three for the Dodgers, who also received a solo homer from Adrian Gonzalez as part of a 3-for-4 performance. Yasiel Puig also drove in a pair and Joc Pederson added an RBI double.

Brett Anderson (3-4) allowed a run on five hits while walking two over six effective innings.

Chicago, meanwhile, secured a series win on Sunday, as Jake Arrieta fired his second career shutout and the Cubs blanked the Minnesota Twins 8-0 in the rubber match of a three-game set.

Arrieta (7-5) struck out seven and scattered four hits for the Cubs, who won the final two games of the series.

"Stuff was crisp, actually got better as the game wore on," Arrieta said.

Dexter Fowler smacked a grand slam, Anthony Rizzo cracked a solo homer among his two hits and two runs scored and Starlin Castro added three hits, an RBI and a run scored in the triumph.

Getting the call for the Cubs on Monday will be lefty Tsuyoshi Wada, who was brilliant on Wednesday. Wada held the Cleveland Indians scoreless over seven innings in that one to improve to 1-1, while lowering his ERA to 3.68.

Wada has not recorded a decision in two starts versus the Dodgers with a 2.53 ERA.

Los Angeles was 4-3 against the Cubs last season.






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