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.