Kershaw Does it All as Dodgers Defeat Padres 1-0, Snap 6-Game Losing Streak

LOS ANGELES – Clayton Kershaw threw a complete game shutout and knocked in the game's only run as the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres, 1-0, on Sunday afternoon, snapping their six-game home losing streak.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner showed why he was worthy of the 2015 National League MVP award as he literally was the best player on the field on Sunday.

"He's the best player on the planet," said Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts of Kershaw. "Sometimes great players have to shut the other team out. He wasn't going to be denied."

Kershaw threw a complete game shutout, the 13^th of his career, allowing no runs on three hits with 14 strikeouts, singlehandedly shutting down the Padres and stopping the Dodgers' six-game losing streak.

"You'd be lying if you say that you don't want to be the guy to end the streak," Kershaw said. "We needed a win and it wasn't pretty today."

Kershaw drove in the game's only run in the bottom of the third inning when he singled home batterymate, A.J. Ellis, after he hit a one-out double to centerfield.

"There's a lot of doubt, he's a pitcher," joked Ellis when asked if he had any doubt Kershaw would knock him in. "He's a grinder, he's a battler, so I had a good feeling he was going to put the ball in play. Fortunately, he fould a hole up the middle and it proved to be a pretty big run."

The Dodgers offense remains missing in action after they collected only three hits (two if you don't count Kershaw). Los Angeles has struggled at the plate during their seven-game home stand and Kershaw provide all the offense the last time he started against the Marlins, driving in two runs on two hits in a 6-3 loss.

"We didn't break out offensively today," added Roberts. "But the goal is to win and we won a Major League baseball game today."

Kershaw went seven innings or more for the sixth straight time to start the season. It is the first time a Dodger pitcher has gone that deep into the game to start a season since Orel Hershiser went nine straight in 1989.

Drew Pomeranz (2-3) was the bad luck loser, allowing just one run on three hits in seven strong innings. His career mark against the Dodgers dropped to 0-4 with a 4.39 ERA in seven career games.

The victory puts the Dodgers back at .500 on the season, as they remain tied for first place in the NL West before heading out on a five-game road trip to Tampa Bay and Toronto.

Players of the Game:

Clayton Kershaw: Complete game shutout. Game-winning RBI.

Three Takeaways:

1. Kershaw Stops Streak: The Dodgers needed a win badly on Sunday and they had the right man on the mound to get it. Kershaw made his 120^th start of his career following a loss, and improves his record to 54-25 with an ERA of 2.31.

Ace, defined: Clayton Kershaw ends @Dodgers 6-game losing streak with his 13th career shutout. 14 strikeouts. @MLBNetwork — Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) May 1, 2016

2. Not Just Your Ordinary Win: In addition to stopping the streak, the victory marked a milestone for Kershaw who recorded his 65^th career win at Dodger Stadium. That ties him with Don Drysdale for fifth most in the stadium's history.

Clayton Kershaw's 65th career win at Dodger Stadium tied Don Drysdale for the 5th-most. Don Sutton leads with 126. @Dodgers — Richard Justice (@richardjustice) May 1, 2016

3. Poor Padres: San Diego was shutout for the seventh time this season. The Dodgers earned their fourth shutout win of the season, and all four have come against the Padres.

Did you know... the #Dodgers got their fourth shutout win of the season on Sunday, and all four have come against San Diego. #SDvsLA — Michael J. Duarte (@michaeljduarte) May 1, 2016

Up Next:

Padres (9-16): San Diego returns home on Monday for a three-game series with the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park.

Dodgers (13-13): Los Angeles will have a day off on Monday before heading to Tampa Bay on Tuesday where Scott Kazmir will get the start at 4:10PM PST.

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