Dodgers Week 15 review: Clayton Kershaw's scoreless streak passes key test

The Dodgers won three out of four against the Rockies in Denver, and may have taken two of three games from the Indians had Brian Wilson not blown Wednesday afternoon's lead at home. The end result was another winning week and first place to themselves in the National League West.

Dodger Batter of the Week: It was a big week for the center field duo. Andre Ethier hit .368 (7-for-19) with two triples and a double, and scored the only run in Monday's win over Cleveland. He narrowly beat Scott Van Slyke, who hit two home runs, and both off right-handers during the week.

Dodger Pitcher of the Week: Any sort of long endeavor features some sort of grueling test usually at or past the midpoint, before such a journey can be taken seriously. Clayton Kershaw passed that test with flying colors on Friday night in Coors Field, with eight shutout innings, allowing only two hits and a walk. Kershaw's scoreless streak is now at 36 consecutive innings, and while still a fair distance from Orel Hershiser's record, it feels much more attainable than it did a week ago.

Game of the Week

Monday: Dodgers 1, Indians 0 Monday saw a great pitching duel, including Dan Haren's best start of the year, and Clint Robinson's first major league hit driving in the game's only run. (Photo: Kirby Lee | USA Today Sports).

Week 15 Record: 4-3
35 runs scored (5.00 per game)
27 runs allowed (3.86 per game)
.617 pythagorean winning percentage

2014 Record: 51-40
391 runs scored (4.30 per game)
329 runs allowed (3.62 per game)
.578 pythagorean winning percentage (53-38)

Miscellany

Minor league journeyman Clint Robinson picked a good time for his first major league hit, a single to center field on Monday to drive home Andre Ethier for the only run in a 1-0 Dodgers win over the Indians.

Josh Beckett tied for the team lead with Yasiel Puig with three doubles during the week. Before that, his last double came in 2007.

Dodgers pitchers for the week were 7-for-17 (.412) with four doubles.

The Dodgers have scored five or more runs in an inning 10 times this season, including one such inning in each of the last three games. Saturday's rally came in the seventh inning:

If Hanley Ramirez, who turned 30 in December, scores this inning, it will be (Boone) Logan's run

— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) July 5, 2014

Hey now

On Sunday, four Dodgers were named All-Stars, including a pair of first-timers. Yasiel Puig was voted to start in the outfield for the National League, while Dee Gordon made his first team as a reserve second baseman. Clayton Kershaw was named to his fourth straight All-Star squad, and Zack Greinke made his second.

It was the first time the Dodgers had four All-Stars since 2010, when Andre Ethier, Jonathan Broxton, Rafael Furcal and Hong-Chih Kuo made the trip to Anaheim.

Transactions

Thursday: The Dodgers recalled shortstop Erisbel Arruebarrena from Triple-A Albuquerque, and optioned infielder Carlos Triunfel to Albuquerque.

Sunday: The duo swapped again, though this time involved Arruebarrena hitting the disabled list with a right hip flexor strain. Triunfel was recalled from Triple-A three days after getting sent down.

Game Results

• Monday: Dodgers 1, Indians 0
• Tuesday: Indians 10, Dodgers 3
• Wednesday: Indians 5, Dodgers 4
• Thursday: Dodgers 3, Rockies 2
• Friday: Dodgers 9, Rockies 0
• Saturday: Rockies 8, Dodgers 7
• Sunday: Dodgers 8, Rockies 2

Upcoming Week

The Dodgers run the Johnny Grubb gauntlet, reliving the 1984 World Series, with two games in Detroit then back home for four games against the Padres to conclude the "first half."

Previous weeks: Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 | Week 11 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14

Week 15 Stats