May 23, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws in the ninth inning against Cincinnati Reds at Dodger Stadium. Photo Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
LOS ANGELES — Clayton Kershaw won his fifth straight decision and helped the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 1-0 win over the Cincinnati Reds in the series opener on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw (7-1) didn’t have much offense to work with as the game was scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, but he was dominant nonetheless, shutting out the Reds in his 24th career complete game. He scattered five hits, walked one and struck out seven in his 15th career shutout.
Brandon Finnegan (1-3) took the loss in eight innings of work. Finnegan allowed one earned run, struck out two and walked four. It was the first complete game of Finnegan’s career.
Howie Kendrick’s double play scored Justin Turner from third in the sixth and the Dodgers took a 1-0 lead.
The Dodgers threatened in the fifth inning but ultimately failed to plate either runner that reached base. A.J. Ellis walked and appeared to be safe at second on Kershaw’s grounder to shallow left field, but was called out and Dodgers manager Dave Roberts did not ask for a review.
With Enrique Hernandez batting, Kershaw advanced to second on a wild pitch and catcher Tucker Barnhart threw it past Brandon Phillips at second base and into center field. Kershaw took off for third and the throw from center was just barely off target, allowing Kershaw to slide in safe.
But Hernandez flew out to right field to end the inning and the game remained scoreless through five.
NOTES: The Dodgers recalled RHP Mike Bolsinger and LHP Luis Avilan from Triple-A Oklahoma City. In corresponding moves, RHP Ross Stripling was optioned to Triple-A and Chin-RHP Hui Tsao was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a right triceps strain (retroactive to May 22). … Bolsinger will start on Tuesday. … OF Scott Van Slyke (low back irritation) continued his rehab assignment on Monday. moving from Class A Rancho Cucamonga to Triple-A, where he played first base. … RHP Brandon McCarthy (elbow) resumed his throwing program and played long-toss at Dodger Stadium on Monday. … The Reds shook up their bullpen on Sunday night, demoting RHP Jumbo Diaz, RHP Keyvius Sampson and RHP Steve Delabar. Diaz and Sampson were both optioned to Triple-A Louisville while Delabar was designated for assignment. In corresponding moves, they selected the contracts of RHP Dayan Diaz, RHP A.J. Morris and RHP Josh Smith. … Also on Sunday night, the Reds transferred RHP Anthony DeScalfani (oblique strain) and CF Yorman Rodriguez (left hamstring strain) from the 15-day DL to the 60-day DL. … The Reds are playing their first series of the season west of St. Louis. … RHP Ross Ohlendorf won his appeal and his three-game suspension for throwing at Pittsburgh Pirates 3B David Freese was rescinded. … RHP Daniel Wright was named International League Pitcher of the Week on Monday. Wright will make his major league debut on Tuesday, when he starts on the mound in the second game of the three-game series against the Dodgers.
