Puig Hurt in Dodgers Loss

Puig Hurt in Dodgers Loss

(AP) Kershaw hit hard, Dodgers top Rockies; Puig hurt
By PAT GRAHAM
AP Sports Writer
DENVER
Clayton Kershaw surrendered a career-high 11 hits in five shaky innings and got the win and Yasiel Puig scored the go-ahead run before leaving with a strained right knee as the surging Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Colorado Rockies 10-8 on Monday.

Puig was called out for interference on the bases in the first inning. He then hurt his knee on an awkward slide into third base and gingerly jogged home on Hanley Ramirez’s sacrifice fly in the sixth, before being replaced in right field.

Andre Ethier had three hits, including a two-run homer, to lift the Dodgers to their fifth straight victory. They’re now 35-8 since the All-Star break.

Kershaw (14-8) didn’t have his usual dominant command, giving up five runs as his ERA jumped from a league-leading 1.72 to 1.89. He had a productive day at the plate, though, lining a two-run single in the fifth.

Jeff Manship (0-5) took the loss as he gave up three runs _ two earned _ in relief of starter Chad Bettis.

The Dodgers’ bullpen struggled late, with Ronald Belisario allowing two runs in the eighth to cut the lead to 8-7. But he got Michael Cuddyer to hit into an inning-ending double play with the tying runner on third.

Los Angeles added two insurance runs in the ninth on a run-scoring single from Juan Uribe and an RBI double from Carl Crawford.

That came in handy as Kenley Jansen endured a rocky ninth, giving up a solo homer to Wilin Rosario, before picking up his 25th save in 28 chances.

Puig had a rough day on the bases and at the plate. The rookie ran the Dodgers out of a big first inning when he plowed over DJ LeMahieu as the second baseman tried to field a grounder. Puig was called out for runner’s interference, nullifying a run.

Later, the rookie hit a liner that LeMahieu jumped high to snare and then quickly tossed to second to double-up Kershaw. Puig also was hit in the side by a pitch from Bettis.

In the sixth, Puig was hustling from first to third when he slid past the bag, reaching back to grab it. He stayed on the ground for a moment before standing on the bag.

After Puig scored on Ramirez’s sacrifice fly, Skip Schumaker took his place. Puig is hitting .351 this season.

Kershaw had a forgettable first inning, giving up an uncharacteristic three runs. After that, the lefty quickly settled into a groove, though, even helping himself out at the plate with a tiebreaking two-run single in the fifth.

But the lead didn’t last, with Nolan Arenado hitting an RBI double in the bottom half of the inning and later scoring Jordan Pacheco’s single.

Kershaw came into game with opposing teams hitting just .186 off of him. The Rockies, using a makeshift lineup that didn’t include Troy Tulowitzki or Todd Helton, pounded him for 11 hits.

With his strikeout of Rosario in the third, Kershaw reached the 200-strikeout mark for a fourth straight season.

NOTES: Newly acquired Dodgers infielder Michael Young could make his first start Tuesday at third base. The veteran waived his no-trade clause to join the Dodgers, one of the hottest team in baseball. He struck out Monday when he was called on to pinch-hit in the ninth. Young was acquired over the weekend from the Philadelphia Phillies for a minor league pitcher. … The Dodgers plan to keep OF Matt Kemp (ankle) on a rehab assignment until he feels comfortable. “We’d all like to have him back as soon as possible,” manager Don Mattingly said. … Mattingly said RHP Edinson Volquez could soon be in line for a start. … The Rockies are hopeful RHP Tyler Chatwood can make his next start after being hit in his pitching hand by a line drive Sunday. … Helton got the afternoon off a day after collecting his 2,500th hit, while Tulowitzki (sore legs) and Dexter Fowler (knee) also were out. … Rockies OF Carlos Gonzalez (sprained right middle finger) could soon come off the disabled list.

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