LOS ANGELES -- Clayton Kershaw struck out a season high-tying 14 to win for the first time in three outings and the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 Friday night in the series opener.
Kershaw (11-6) allowed one run and three hits in eight innings. He walked one in the Dodgers' first home game in two weeks.
Kenley Jansen pitched the ninth to earn his 26th save in 28 chances.
Kershaw allowed a run for the first time in 31 1-3 innings at home - longest such streak in the majors this season - in the fourth on Anthony Rizzo's 26th homer that tied it at 1-all.