Huge Win For Dodgers And MVP Candidate Matt Kemp - By Nick Hamilton

LOS ANGELES - Coming off a heartfelt loss on Wednesday night, the Dodgers look to rebound, get back above .500 and begin a new winning streak. On the mound for the Dodgers would be solid pitcher Hiroki Kuroda, who didn't start off solid as he gave up a first inning homer to Giants hitter Carlos Beltran giving the Giants the 1-0 lead.

The Dodgers would soon answer back, when Juan Rivera blasted a huge home run that scored Matt Kemp allowing the Dodgers to take the 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning.

Kuroda would begin to find his rhythm and had a strong outing in the second through the sixth inning. Dodgers made sure they gave him plenty of run support thanks to the terrible pitching of Giants starter Madison Bumgarner. In the third inning Juan Rivera singled to second as Dee Gordon scored to make it 3-1.

Fourth inning Dodgers continued to pour it on as Dee Gordon singled to right scoring Ron Barajas, to increase the Dodger lead 4-1.

As Matt Kemp reached the plate, the crowd chanted loudly M-V-P, a chant I've only heard in Los Angeles recently when I'm at building south of Dodger Stadium, off the 110 at Staples Center for one Kobe Bryant.

Kemp got on base on almost every at bat, as Barajas was walked that scored Kemp to make it a 5-1 Dodger lead.

Earlier before the game Kemp tweeted on his twitter page "Lets end the season with a bang!" and indeed he did.

After Kuroda gave a home run to Giants slugger Pablo Sandoval, Kemp decided he had enough and in the eight inning blasted a huge two run homer off Barry Zito to keep the Dodger lead solid and break any hopes of the Giants momentum.

As his mother was in attendance, she watched her son Matt Kemp have a sensational night, going 4-5, a career high three doubles and that big two run homer. Kemp is definitely on pace for that MVP award, and has a solid argument against the Brewers' Ryan Braun who is hitting .330 just points ahead of Kemp who is currently hitting .326.

Even as Kuroda exited in the eight inning, the crowd chanted MVP! in awe of Kemp’s stellar offensive performance. Kemp is pace for the triple crown, he seems to be taking it all in stride and embracing it instead of dodging it.

A great way to end their home stand as the Dodgers took the victory over the Giants 8-2. Former Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda who happened to be honoree coach that night on his 84th birthday watched the offensive explosion of Kemp, said "He was great, it was fun to watch tonight."

Kemp who was somewhat disappointed that the Dodgers weren't making the playoffs this year spoke about that and his performance "It's sad we're not making the playoffs, but we've been playing great the last two months. We're going to come back even harder next year. I just really felt it tonight."

Kuroda (37) who becomes a free agent at the end of this season, who possibly pitched his finally game at Dodger Stadium talked about his future "At this moment I really don't know and that really hasn't entered my mind yet". Kuroda who had a really good outing allowed two runs and five hits in 7 2/3 innings, extending his career high in wins.

Giants starter Bumgarner gave up four runs and nine hits, struck out one and walked none to snap his five-game winning streak, which he was yanked in the fourth inning by manager Bruce Bochy.

The next six Dodger game are on the road against their NL West opponents the San Diego Padres and NL West champion Arizona Diamondbacks.

Kemp is definitely on pace for not only MVP honors, but capturing that triple crown, something that hasn't been done since 1967 when Boston's Carl Yastrzemski accomplished that milestone.

Dodgers Get Win As Kershaw Makes History - By Nick Hamilton

September 25, 2011, 8:28am

LOS ANGELES - Another great pitchers battle between Los Angeles Dodgers Clayton Kershaw and San Francisco Giants ace Tim Lincecum in front of an electric crowd at Dodger Stadium. For Kershaw to get his 20th win would be a milestone, since no Dodger has reached that mark since Ramon Martinez back in 1990 who went 20-6.

Lincecum pitched pretty well in the first inning before giving up hits to MVP candidate Matt Kemp and Juan Rivera. Next up was James Loney with two outs, hit a huge single to center that scored Kemp and moved Rivera to second base to give the Dodgers the 1-0 lead. Lincecum would settle down as he got out of the inning comfortably.

The second inning would prove to be no different as Lincecum gave up a huge homer to Dodgers slugger Jerry Sands to make it a 2-0 lead.

Kershaw was brilliant, very posed and focused as he pitched for 7 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and striking out six batters. The Giants could not get going offensively until the eight inning when Kershaw who seemed to be fatigued, gave up a home run to Giants hitter Chris Steward cutting the lead in half 2-1. After walking the next two Giants batters he faced, Dodgers manger Don Mattingly approached the mound and relieved Kershaw of his duties for the night. As Kershaw began walking towards the dugout, he was received by a much deserved standing ovation by the Dodger fans.

Relieving Kershaw was Dodger rookie strike out artist Kenley Jansen who struck out pinch hitter Pablo Sandoval and slugger Carlos Beltran on a third strike slider to end the inning.

Dodgers Javy Guerra pitched in the ninth inning to collect his 19th save on the year as the Dodgers prevailed once again over the rival Giants 2-1.

As Guerra exited the mound, Kershaw with a huge smile on his face gave Guerra a big hug as he celebrated his 20th victory on the season. Although Diamondbacks pitcher Ian Kennedy also has 20 wins, Kershaw made a strong case to be the front runner for the Cy Young Award.

MVP candidate Matt Kemp went 2 for 2 on the night with two strikeout, which brings his hitting total to 182 hits on the year.

After the game Kershaw talked about his historic night and the Cy Young Award "They've had some awesome pitchers come through here. I'm not taking it lightly, I'm not discrediting the accomplishment, I haven't really though about it... But if I were to receive that award, it wouldn't go lightly.

Dodgers slugger Matt Kemp also spoke about Kershaw's performance "I was thinking like if this boy doesn't get the Cy Young award, something's definitely wrong. I think there's no question about it."

On the other side of the ball, Giants ace Tim Lincecum (13-13) who pitched seven innings, gave up two runs, eight hits, struck out five and walked three discussed Kershaw huge achievement "He's leading in a lot of categories and putting up a 20-win season is huge, especially with the team they've got. He's done a magnificent job this year. If I had a vote, I'd vote for him." A thought that was also echoed by Giants manager Bruce Bochy.

Kershaw has one more start which will be Sunday at Petco Park in San Diego against the Padres.