Jul 18, 2017; Chicago, IL, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw (22) throws against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field. Photo Credit: Erich Schlegel-USA TODAY Sports
CHICAGO — Clayton Kershaw earned his major-league-leading 15th win as he tossed seven shutout innings in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 1-0 victory over the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday.
Los Angeles ran its winning streak to 10 games.
Kershaw (15-2) extended his unbeaten streak to 14 starts since May 6, a stretch that includes 11 victories. He allowed seven hits and one walk while striking out seven.
Pedro Baez pitched the eighth, and closer Kenley Jansen worked the ninth for his 24th save.
The game’s lone run scored on Cody Bellinger’s first-inning single.
The Dodgers (65-29) took the opener of a two-game interleague series at Guaranteed Rate Field. The White Sox (38-53) dropped their fifth in a row and eighth in their past nine.
Chicago right-hander Miguel Gonzalez (4-9) worked six innings and took the loss, his fourth straight and ninth in his past 10 starts. Gonzalez, the first of five White Sox pitchers, gave up one run on five hits. He walked five and struck out five more.
Chris Taylor went career-high tying 4-for-5 with a run while Bellinger was 2-for-2 with two walks.
Kershaw had to deal with baserunners in five of seven innings and brushed off a threat in the sixth as he faced White Sox runners at first and third with one out. Tyler Saladino popped out on a bunt attempt and Kevan Smith grounded to third to end the inning.
Bellinger’s first-inning single to right-center scored Taylor from second for his 62nd RBI of the season. Corey Seager advanced to third on the hit.
Gonzalez walked Logan Forsythe to load the bases but escaped further damage when Joc Pederson grounded into an inning-ending double play.
The Dodgers had the bases loaded with two out in the third, including two walks — one intentional. However, Gonzalez struck out Pederson to end the threat.
The Dodgers had a chance to add on in the eighth, loading the bases with no outs, but Chicago reliever Dan Jennings struck out Yasmani Grandal, and Yasiel Puig grounded into a double play.
For the game, Los Angeles left 11 runners on base.
Tuesday’s meeting was the teams’ first in Chicago since the White Sox took two of three between May 20-22, 2011.
NOTES: Dodgers 3B Justin Turner and White Sox OF Avisail Garcia were named winners of their club’s Heart and Hustle Award, demonstrating the game’s values, spirits and traditions. … Los Angeles is 37-9 (.804) when Turner and rookie 1B Cody Bellinger (26 home runs) are in the lineup. … Los Angeles sends RHP Kenta Madea (7-4, 4.38 ERA) against Chicago LHP Carlos Rodon (4-2, 4.32 ERA) in Wednesday’s series finale. … White Sox DH Todd Frazier was pulled from the lineup prior to the game as a healthy scratch amid rumors of an impending trade. Yolmer Sanchez replaced him. … Tuesday’s home game was Chicago’s 41st, the fewest in the major leagues. … The White Sox are on pace to win 68 games, the fewest since they went 63-99 in 2013. They currently own the American League’s worst record and third worst in the majors.
