LOS ANGELES -- In their first career matchup, Clayton Kershaw outdueled Stephen Strasburg with a three-hitter for seven innings and Yasmani Grandal laced a tiebreaking double in the sixth inning as the Dodgers edged the Nationals, 2-1, on Wednesday to avoid a series sweep at Dodger Stadium.
Kershaw (8-2) -- who last pitched against the Nats in the clincher of last year's National League Division Series, earning the save -- struck out nine, overcame three walks and was removed after batting for himself. The lefty is 12-2 in his career against Washington.