Clayton Kershaw showed no ill effects from his hip injury, throwing seven strong innings, but the Los Angeles Dodgers came up on the short end of a 1-0 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Chase Field in Phoenix.
The Dodgers have lost 11 of 17 games to the Diamondbacks this season, and are now six games behind the San Francisco Giants in the National League West, with 20 games to play.
Kershaw struck out five in his seven innings, and allowed just three hits and three walks on the night. The only run he allowed was unearned, and came after a throwing error by Hanley Ramirez in the seventh inning. Paul Goldschmidt, who reached base on the error, scored one out later on a double by Miguel Montero.
Arizona tried for a 2-0 advantage when Chris Johnson flied to center field with Montero at third with one out, but Matt Kemp unleashed a strong throw home to nail Montero and end the threat.
Ian Kennedy shut down the Dodgers for the second time in 13 days, as he allowed just four hits and no runs in 7 1/3 innings. The Dodgers have been shutout in consecutive games for the third time this season.
The Dodgers had three doubles on the night, one each in the fifth, seventh, and ninth innings, but failed to score. With Shane Victorino representing the tying run in scoring position in the ninth, David Hernandez struck out Adrian Gonzalez looking to end the game.
Kennedy came close to becoming the one on the short end, as Luis Cruz hit what looked to be a two-run home run in the fifth inning, but left fielder Jason Kubel reached over the wall to rob him and keep the game scoreless at the time.
Aaron Harang gets the start for the Dodgers on Wednesday, facing Trevor Cahill in their final meeting with Arizona this season.
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