Clayton Kershaw and Dodgers finish first half with a Royal sweep

LOS ANGELES —- Clayton Kershaw knew that if he pitched today, he would not be available for the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Miami. So instead of a one-inning appearance with no stakes involved, he went out and closed out the first half with a complete game 5-2 win over the Kansas City Royals.

Aside from his Kansas City nemesis Eric Hosmer, who had three hits, including a two-run homer, Kershaw was brilliant. He scattered five hits and struck out 13 with no walks.

The Dodgers finished the first half with six straight wins and a Major League leading 61-29 record. They are 26-4 in their last 30 games.

Prior to today’s game, manager Dave Roberts talked about Kershaw’s focus on the regular season.

“It’s no surprise coming from Clayton, you know talking about the priority is the Dodgers,” said manager Dave Roberts before today’s game, “so for him to act that and support that, to believe that, it sends a great message to our clubhouse.”

Justin Turner and Austin Barnes provided the power, Turner hit two home runs and Barnes hit a solo shot.

Trayce Thompson tripled and scored on a Logan Forsythe single.

Multiple home run games

Justin Turner became the sixth Dodger to hit two or more home runs in a game this season. Overall, that is the 13th game with two or more home runs for a Dodger, that trails only the New York Mets who had 15 of those games going into today’s games.

For Turner, it was his fifth career game with two home runs, his last game with two home runs was on July 21, 2016 against the Washington Nationals.

Kershaw moving up another list

Clayton Kershaw had 13 strikeouts and zero walks, it was the 21st game in his career with ten or more strikeouts and no walks. That ties him with Roger Clemens for third place. Randy Johnson (36 games) and Curt Schilling (27 games) are the pitchers ahead of Kershaw.

Up next

Outside of the six Dodgers who will be in Miami for the All-Star Game, the rest of the team will be off until Friday when they begin their second half in Miami for a three game series against the Marlins.

Sunday particulars

Home runs: Justin Turner 2 (10), Eric Hosmer (12), Austin Barnes (5)

WP - Clayton Kershaw (14-2): 9 IP, 2 runs, 5 hits, 13 strikeouts

LP - Danny Duffy (5-5): 7 IP, 5 runs, 6 hits, 3 home runs, 9 strikeouts