Cubs 3, Dodgers 2
LOS ANGELES -- The Los Angeles Dodgers did Tuesday what they often do with Clayton Kershaw on the mound: not much.
Travis Wood baffled the Dodgers' lineup, and Kershaw once again got poor run support as the visiting Chicago Cubs dealt the Dodgers their third loss in four games, 3-2 at Dodger Stadium.
In the 12 games the Dodgers have lost this season when Kershaw has started, they've produced a total of 19 runs.
Wood (8-10) allowed just five hits and one unearned run in seven innings to close out an awful month on a good note. Wood entered the night 0-3 with two no-decisions in August, having allowed four or more runs in three of five starts.
Against the Dodgers, though, he was efficient and effective, walking just two while striking out six.
Pedro Strop gave up a run in the eighth inning, and Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth for his 27th save.
Twice Los Angeles cut the Chicago lead to one, but the Cubs responded both times.
RBI singles by Dioner Navarro in the third inning and Starlin Castro in the sixth staked Chicago to a 2-0 lead.
Juan Uribe got Los Angeles on the board when he singled home Hanley Ramirez in the bottom of the sixth.
Chicago added a run in the seventh on a Brian Bogusevic RBI groundout, but Los Angeles responded again with an Andre Ethier RBI single in the eighth.
Two sluggers accounted for most of Los Angeles' offense. Ramirez had three hits and Yasiel Puig had two. The rest of the team totaled two hits.
Chicago received more balanced production, as seven different Cubs picked up hits. Castro and Navarro led the way with two hits and one RBI apiece as Chicago poked at Kershaw.
Kershaw (13-9) gave up two runs (one earned) in 5 2/3 innings. He allowed seven hits and three walks while striking out nine.
NOTES: Dodgers CF Matt Kemp completed a running session Tuesday as he inches closer to a return from the disabled list. Kemp has been sidelined with a sprained ankle since July 24 and he could be headed to a rehab assignment shortly. ... Chicago 3B Luis Valbuena played his first rehab game Tuesday in the rookie-level Arizona League as he recovers from an oblique strain. He's been sidelined since Aug. 4. ... Los Angeles RHP Shawn Tolleson reportedly suffered a hip injury during his rehabilitation from back surgery, and there doesn't appear to be a timetable for his return. Tolleson made a rehab appearance for Class A Rancho Cucamonga on Aug. 14, but he's been sidelined since. ... Puig's third-inning single was the 100th hit of his career in just his 285th at-bat, making him the second-fastest active hitter to reach the milestone, according to Elias Sports Bureau. Ichiro Suzuki (282 at-bats) is the only active player who reached the century mark faster.
