Morning Rewind, 9/3: This is Clayton Kershaw's world, and unfortunately, the Giants just live in it

By JOHN DORN

There was a time earlier this season when some were wondering if Clayton Kershaw had "lost it." Over his first nine starts, he was just 2-3 with a mediocre 4.32 ERA -- while teammate Zack Greinke was 5-1 with a 1.52.

He wasn't initially voted an All-Star, but eventually found his way on the team thanks to another player's injury. There was a corner of MLB fans that didn't feel he deserved to be there at all.

Either way, one think is for sure: Clayton Kershaw -- that Clayton Kershaw -- is back.

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Since May 26, Kershaw is 10-3 with a 1.26 ERA, while batters have hit just .175 off him. Since June 27 -- a 12-start span -- his ERA is 0.96.

That of course include's last night's gem. Against the second-place San Francisco Giants, Kershaw stretched his limits by hurling 132 pitches in a complete game, tying his career-high with 15 strikeouts. He allowed six hits and walked one, with the lone Giants run scoring on an Angel Pagan single in the 6th inning.

The loss pushes San Francisco back to 6.5 games behind the Dodgers in the West, while they trail the Cubs by the same margin for the last Wild Card Spot. Kershaw's masterpiece capped off a three-game sweep, and while there's still a month of the season left to be played, the Giants can't be thrilled with their chances heading down the stretch.

Dodgers 2, Giants 1


Around the League
MIA 7, ATL 3
The Marlins haven't had a lot to celebrate this year, but a three-game sweep of a division rival in their home stadium cracks the list. Christian Yelich had four hits and the Marlins bullpen through four scoreless innings to preserve the win.

LAA 9, OAK 4
The Angels have hit a rough patch, but perhaps a win against the Athletics is just what the doctor ordered. Albert Pujols jacked his 555th career home run -- his 35th of the season.

CIN 7, CHC 4

Sometimes, the bottom feeders need some love. Already eliminated from winning the National League Central, the Reds took one from the surging Cubs at Wrigley. Jason Hammel allowed four runs on seven hits over five, and Hector Rendon blew it in the ninth. Joey Votto connected for a three-run home run -- his 27th of the year.

NYY 13, BOS 8
After a dry spell, the Yankees are back to pouring on the runs with regularity. They put up a 20-spot earlier in the week, and thanks to four homers at Fenway on Wednesday, scored 13 in a rout of the Red Sox.

TOR 5, CLE 1
R.A. Dickey, now 40 years of age, threw his second complete game of the season. Allowing one run on four hits, it was his 10th win of the season, aided by three RBIs from Josh Donaldson and a pair from Troy Tulowitzki.

NYM 9, PHI 4
Ruben Tejada executed a rare inside-the-park home run early on -- officially his 10th career homer -- to set the tone for Matt Harvey and the Mets. Aaron Nola came out flat, allowing six runs over four innings. Harvey struck out nine and allowed four runs over his 6.1 innings.

BAL 7, TB 6

It took 11 innings in Baltimore, but the O's pulled out a walk-off win in style -- a Chris Davis solo homer sent Baltimore home a winner.

MIN 3, CWS 0
Twins pitchers combined for a three-hit shutout of the White Sox. Miguel Sano and Trevor Plouffe were responsible for the scoring, keeping Minnesota in the playoff hunt.

KC 12, DET 1
The Royals continue to roll, on the heels of Yordano Ventura, who is returning to form just in time for the postseason. Even against a shell of the Tigers' opening day roster, a 12-1 win is impressive.

MIL 9, PIT 4
A game with a lot of scoring ended with the Brewers on top. They posted numbers in six of their eight offensive innings, securing the home win against the mighty Pirates.

SEA 8, HOU 3
Five runs in the final two innings broke the 3-3 tie, and the Mariners ended out on top.

WSH 4, STL 3
After blowing leads in back-to-back games against the Cardinals, Ryan Zimmerman continued his scorching stretch by putting Washington in front late in the game -- this time holding onto the lead and remaining 6.5 games back of the Mets.

COL 9, ARI 4
Six runs over the seventh and eighth innings were enough to put the Rockies over Arizona on Wednesday night. Charlie Blackmon, Jose Reyes and D.J. LaMahieu each put together three-hit games in the victory.

TEX 4, SD 3

It was a 10-inning affair in San Diego, but the visiting Rangers were the ones to get the winning run across in the final frame. Mitch Moreland doubled it in, and Sam Dyson pitched two scoreless innings in relief to close it out.

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