LOS ANGELES - Ian Kennedy pitched two-hit ball into the seventh inning and Chris Young hit a two-run homer off Clayton Kershaw to help the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-0 Thursday night, snapping a six-game skid.
The Diamondbacks extended their winning streak over the Dodgers to seven in a row in the opener of a four-game series. Los Angeles lost for the seventh time in 10 games on a night when slugger Matt Kemp was out of the starting lineup with a stiff left shoulder.
Kennedy (12-11) struck out seven and walked two over 6 1/3 innings. His last six starts against the Dodgers have been decided by three runs or less.
J.J. Putz gave up consecutive singles to Adrian Gonzalez and Hanley Ramirez to start the ninth before retiring the next three batters for his 27th save in 30 chances. Juan Rivera popped out with runners at the corners to end it.
Kershaw (12-8) gave up two runs and nine hits in six innings. He struck out nine and walked three but lost for the second time in three starts.
Miguel Montero led off the fourth with a double - the first of four consecutive hits allowed by Kershaw. Young sent a 2-2 pitch just inside the left-field foul pole for his 14th homer.
Kershaw then gave up a single to Gerardo Parra and was called for a balk when he threw to first base. John McDonald followed with a single before the Dodgers got their first out and then ended the inning with a double play.
Until the ninth, the biggest cheers from the sellout crowd of 54,621 were reserved for Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully, who had a bobblehead night four days after announcing he would return to the booth for a record 64th season in 2013.
Today
• Who: D-backs at Dodgers
• When: 7:10 p.m.
• TV; radio: FSAZ; 1490-AM
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