Los Angeles Dodgers Vs. Washington Nationals Game Summary, Recap And Highlights: Kershaw Earns ML Best 17th Win; Gonzalez Knocks In Two As Dodgers Win 4-1 [VIDEO]

Clayton Kershaw became the first pitcher in baseball to reach 17 wins on Tuesday and the Dodgers blasted the NL leading Nationals 4-1, in front of 43,352 people at Chavez Ravine.

Joc Pederson got his first ever MLB start on Magic Johnson bobblehead night and with the help of Kershaw, got his first win as well. Pederson got his first major league hit in the 2^nd inning with a bloop single into centerfield. Pederson played in place of the struggling Yasiel Puig who was given a “mental break” by Manager Don Mattingly.

Kershaw went eight strong innings with eight strikeouts and two walks to earn his major league leading 17^th win of the season. He improved his ERA to a historic 1.70 on the year.

“I just wanted to give my team a chance.” he said after the game. “It was tough for me to settle in tonight. Maybe I had too much energy, too much adrenaline, but I definitely was a little amped up early. Not really throwing it where I wanted to but I think after the first couple innings I settled in a little better.”

The NL East leading Nationals and the NL West leading Dodgers, now each have 78 wins on the season, with the Nationals currently in front of the Dodgers overall for best record in the National League with two fewer losses. Kenley Jansen struck out the side in the ninth for his 39^th save of the season.

“I think he spoils us that’s for sure.” Said Dodgers Manager Don Mattingly about Kershaw in his post-game press conference. “I think the whole rest of the country needs to see him and talk about him”

Matt Kemp continued his hot hitting with a ground rule double to start off the 4^th inning. Carl Crawford followed up with a bunt single, but when Doug Fister’s throw to first went through Kevin Frandsen’s legs, Kemp tried to score from third but was thrown out at the plate by National’s second baseman Asdrubal Cabrera.

Kershaw helped his own cause in the bottom of the 5^th with a single up the middle. He advanced to third on Dee Gordon’s single to center, and then scored when Adrian Gonzalez singled to shortstop Ian Desmond, who air-mailed a throw home to try and get Gordon who also scored on the error. The Dodgers took the lead 2-0.

“He’s a guy who’s gonna run the ball off on you and sink it.” Said Gonzalez about Fister. “He’s a guy that you have to stay up the middle and take it to where he throws it.”

Juan Uribe got the foam party started in the bottom of the 6^th with his 7^th home run of the season. Uribe took the first pitch he saw from Fister off the at bat and blasted a rocket shot into the left field pavilion extending the Dodgers lead to 4-0.

A.J. Ellis chased Nationals starter Doug Fister in the 6^th after singling to right to put runners on first and second with no outs. Fister (12-6) gave up 4 runs (3 earned) and 10 hits. Fister who has arguably been the Nationals best pitcher this season saw his ERA balloon to 2.66.

Bryce Harper hit his 11^th home run of the season, a solo blast of Kershaw in the top of the 7^th inning to bring the score to 4-1. The National’s continued their home run barrage as it was their eleventh straight game with a home run and their 24^th total over that span.

Game Notes: Adrian Gonzalez knocked in his 92^nd RBI of the season ranking him second in the National League behind Giancarlo Stanton. Clayton Kershaw recorded his 200^th strikeout in the game, putting him third in the National League and more importantly marking the 5^th consecutive season he has had 200 or more strikeouts. Only Dodgers legend Sandy Koufax has more (6). With the loss, the Nationals/Expos franchise has not won consecutive games at Dodgers Stadium since 1999.