Cubs' Wood outduels Dodgers' Kershaw

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.

The Dodgers have lost 12 times this season with Kershaw on the mound, and they've produced a total of 19 runs in those games.

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.

"Woody was awesome," Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. "To go seven innings against that lineup, that was as good of stuff as he's had in a long time. The ball was coming out of his hand really, really well."

Added Dodgers manager Don Mattingly: "We got him in Chicago and he seemed to be missing a lot of pitches. He didn't seem to really throw strikes. Today it looked like he stayed out in the middle of the plate."

Wood was efficient and effective Tuesday, walking just two while striking out six.

Watching the other guy on the mound, he knew he'd have to be at his best.

"(Kershaw) is pretty much the best pitcher in the game, an outstanding pitcher, and he had an off night tonight -- but his off night, he held us to two runs," Wood said. "I was just fortunate enough to make some good pitches and get some outs and keep us right there. ... Especially to end August this way -- I've taken a couple lumps in August and I've had a couple good games, but to end this way is huge."

Pedro Strop relieved West in the eighth and gave up a run. Kevin Gregg pitched the ninth for his 27th save.

Twice Los Angeles cut the Chicago lead to one, but the Cubs held on.

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.

"I know I've been Kershaw's personal catcher, but when you face a guy like that, he's got electric stuff," said Navarro, a former Dodger. "To me, he's the best pitcher in the game. I was just glad I went with a game plan."

Added Mattingly: "They fought him pretty good. Even in some of the strikeouts and outs he got, they fouled off and fouled off some balls. He wasn't quite as sharp as he's been."

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.

"You know he's bringing his A-game every time and even when he's not, his B-game is still pretty solid, so you know you have to be at the top of your game to compete," Wood said of Kershaw.

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.