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Clayton Kershaw pitched the best game of his young career. AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill
LA Dodgers defeat San Francisco Giants 5-4. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw had the best outing of his young career going seven innings giving up only one run on one hit (a homer by catcher Bengie Molina) on one walk with 13 strikeouts. His 13 Ks were the most by a Dodger lefty since Fernando Valenzuela in 1987. As fabulous as Kershaw was, that's how bad the bullpen and offense was denying him the win. The Dodgers got three walks and two singles in the first inning yet only plated one run. In fact they stranded five runners on base in the first two innings. In the eighth inning, Hong-Chih Kuo and Ronald Belisario combined to give up three runs in relief to give the Giants their first lead of the series. But the Dodgers fight back culminating in James Loney's walk-off walk in the bottom of the ninth. A great win, but still very disappointing for Kershaw not to get the decision despite his great performance.
Seattle Mariners defeat LA Angels 11-3. A very startling trend is starting to happen for the Angels. For the second night in a row, an Angel pitcher misplayed a bunt allowing a run to score. This time it was starter Jered Weaver in the fifth inning which allowed the Mariners to cushion their lead. But everything unraveled for the Angels in the seventh inning when Ichiro in his first game of the season hit a grand slam that was part of seven runs scored that inning. Weaver gave up four runs on ten hits and two walks in five innings. The combination of Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger gave up seven runs on four hits and three walks in 1 1/3 innings. Not pretty for the bullpen.
Oklahoma City Thunder defeat LA Clippers 126-85. The Clippers end the season 19-63 which is eighth worst in franchise history.
Tonight's Action
San Francisco Giants at LA Dodgers. Barry Zito vs Eric Stults. 7:10 pm KCAL 9, AM 790 KABC.
LA Angels at Seattle Mariners. Joe Saunders vs Ryan Rowland-Smith. 7:10 pm FSWest, AM 830 KLAA/AM 980 KFWB.
Anaheim Ducks at San Jose Sharks. Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals. 7:30 pm FS Prime Ticket, AM 1150 KTLK.
