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The Dodgers continued their improbable run with a sweep of the Rays, culminating in an 8-2 victory on Sunday nightbehind a resurgent offense and a typically brilliant Clayton Kershaw. The Dodgers have not lost a series in over seven weeks, and haven't even lost consecutive games during that span. They are 37-8 in their last 45 games.
With how well they have been playing and how long this string of good play has been, maybe the run was probable.
"I don't know if 'surprise' is the best word, but you rattle off a streak like we're on right now it's probably a little more than luck. We're a pretty good team right now, and it's a lot of fun coming to the yard every day and winning games," Kershaw said after the game. "We're trying not to get too caught up in it, and just keep playing every day."
Kershaw took a no-hitter into the fifth inning, but with a 6-0 lead he was only focused on one thing.
"I don't know if you ever feel like tonight's the night or anything like that," he said. "When you get some runs, all you want to do is go deep in the game."
Okay, maybe it was two things. Kershaw's second-inning single opened the scoring and snapped an 0-for-24 skid. Kershaw is hitting just .140 (8-for-57) on the season, well behind Zack Greinke (15-for-39, .385), but Kershaw does lead the staff with six runs batted in.
"I got one, finally. It took like two months," Kershaw said. "Zack's been beating me out so I finally had to get some hits to keep up with him."
Kershaw is now an absurd 49-0 when he receives four or more runs of support.
"It seems like all the stats go off the chart for Clayton," said manager Don Mattingly after the game.
Notes
- First baseman Adrian Gonzalez was removed for a pinch hitter in the eighth inning, after feeling lightheaded on the bench. Mattingly said Gonzalez just needed to eat something and both Mattingly and Gonzalez expect the first baseman back in the starting lineup on Monday night. Gonzalez, who has driven in a run in six straight games, leads the club with 113 games played.
- Dee Gordon made three errors on Sunday, including one that led to an unearned run in the eighth inning.
"That was a little rough to watch tonight. I'm sure it wasn't any fun for Dee," Mattingly said. "It's a little concerning. When you're in the field you've made one and you make another one, it's not a good feeling when the ball comes to you. We'll continue to work." - Brian Wilson pitched a scoreless inning for Triple-A Albuquerque on Sunday. In three minor league rehab games so far, nobody has reached base against Wilson, who is scheduled to pitch next on Tuesday. Wilson remains on track for possible activation by the end of the week.
- Mark Ellis finished a triple shy of the cycle and has consecutive three-hit games for the first time since July 1-2, 2011.
- The Dodgers are 11-6 in interleague play this year, clinching their first winning season against the American League since 2004, when they were 10-8.
- The last MLB team before the Dodgers to go 37-8 was the Athletics in 2005. The last National League team to do so was the 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers. No Dodgers team has gone 38-8 since 1899.
Up next
The Dodgers welcome the Mets to town beginning Monday night. Ricky Nolasco starts the series opener against New York, with Jenrry Mejia starting for the Metropolitans.