The Los Angeles Dodgers got very good news Monday night, as Clayton Kershaw and Matt Kemp led the Dodgers to a 6-1 win over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. It was the fourth win by the Dodgers this season over the Giants in five games. However, after the game the news was all bad as it was announced that Rafael Furcal broke his left thumb.
Furcal broke the thumb while sliding into third base, headfirst, in the fifth inning, as the Dodgers rallied that inning for four runs to break the game open. Furcal stayed in the game defensively for two more innings, but he was removed for pinch hitter Aaron Miles in the top of the seventh inning. Furcal was already dealing with a left wrist injury that impaired his swing, and he had missed the last two games.
It is unknown how long Furcal will be out, but it sounds like the shortstop and leadoff hitter will be placed on the disabled list tomorrow. Jamey Carroll, who had three hits tonight and has a .452 on-base percentage in the early going this season, will likely be the regular shortstop going forward. To replace Furcal on the active roster, the Dodgers will presumably promote another middle infielder from Triple A. Ivan DeJesus, who started the season on the roster before Casey Blake returned, is a candidate, as is Juan Castro, who is not on the 40-man roster.
Back to the good news for a moment...Kershaw was outstanding tonight, pitching 6 2/3 scoreless innings to run his scoreless streak against the Giants to 23 2/3 innings. Matt Kemp singled and walked twice, and stole another base on a play on which he was picked off, the second time in three games that has happened. Kemp has reached base in 13 of his last 19 plate appearances.
The Dodgers and Giants will do battle again on Tuesday night, with Chad Billingsley taking the hill against Tim Lincecum.
For more news and information on the Dodgers, or tonight's game, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.